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The Abyssal Enigma
Chapter 5: Pathetic Death

Chapter 5: Pathetic Death

Do you wish to evolve into an [Abyssal Drakeling]?

“Yes!”

Evolution Triggered.

Evolution In Progress…

As soon as I saw these lines, I felt an intense pain echo throughout my entire body. I couldn’t even whimper in pain as my body began to change rapidly.

My body grew larger, my scales shrunk and became denser, with many more rapidly emerging to cover the parts that were exposed. My claws grew to three times their size, and I had a feeling that I can now pull them back in my hands. My legs became longer and thicker, and my tail grew to nearly half my size, and as thick as both of my legs at its base. My eyes became larger, and my pupils thinned into a line. My head grew to match my body, and I felt a number of new and serrated teeth take the place of the older ones, which fell to the floor. Even my tongue seemed to be tougher and made of teeth itself!

As these changes permeated throughout my body, I felt a surge of power rush through me! Slowly, the changes began to slow, and the pain began to ease up.

Evolution Complete.

You have evolved into an [Abyssal Drakeling].

“Hehehehehe… I am stronger now!” I giggled to myself.

As soon as I did, I started to feel an intense pain!

Status Effect Triggered: [Self-Devouring]

“What the hell is that?!” I was shocked!

I am killing myself? After just evolving?!

“Appraisal! What the hell is this?!”

[Self-Devouring]

Your body has suffered extensive damage and your regeneration abilities are hard at work at fixing it. Due to lacking nutrition, the effect is counter productive.

Regeneration effects are multiplied by -0.8

“Okay that makes sense. Even if I evolved, I am still injured from the fight. I bet the evolution used a lot of energy and all the food I had in my stomach. Now that you mention it, I am starving!”

Luckily for me, there was a first class meal waiting right next to me!

“I wonder what Titanoboa tastes like!” I said, drool covering my mouth.

I leaped at the Titanoboa and tried to remove the scales, but they were stubborn and hard to pull out. I don’t have time for this!

“Luckily, the scorpion did my work for me. The fruits of others’ labor are truly the most delicious!” I moved to the nearest sting wound and took bite after bite. Only then did I notice how disgusting it tasted!

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Status Effect Removed: [Self-Devouring]

Status Effect Triggered: [Poisoned]

“What?! What the hell?!” I exclaimed in shock.

I felt sick, as if there were thousands of tiny needles were stabbing my chest. Did I just trade one status for another?!

“Appraisal!”

[Poisoned]

You have been poisoned. For the next 26 seconds, you will lose 7 HP per second.

“Oh no. Oh no.”

What’s my current regeneration and health?!

HP: 53/250

[Regeneration]

You have a natural ability to regenerate. You regain 5 HP per second, as long as you have enough nutrients to support it. Will restore lost limbs with enough regeneration. Minor risk of cancer.

Does that mean I need to continue eating? I am already starving again!

“If I get Self-Devouring again, I am doomed!”

Determined, I jumped to an uncontaminated part of the Titanoboa and began descaling it like a madlizard on fire! I immediately started digging in. My HP was going up and down at a pace that was bad for my heart!

“That said, all I need to save my life is to dig in, and boy am I good at that!” I exclaimed, praying that my bravado turns into genuine confidence.

To make sure I don’t waste time descaling, I simply started eating a tunnel through the Titanoboa’s body! Soon enough, the poisoned status went away, and left with it a peculiar reward.

Status Effect Removed: [Poisoned]

HP: 1/250

Skill Unlocked: [Poison Resistance Lv. 1]

“… That was too close!” I said, clenching my rear end with enough pressure to crystalize my poop!

If I had died like that, my siblings would’ve never let me live it down!

Best to start eating and take a look my evolution and skills in the meantime.

[Poison Resistance Lv. 1]

You have been poisoned and lived. Poison will have weaker effects on you and take longer to spread through your body. Chance to negate poisoning depending on skill level and poison strength.

“Well, that looks really useful. If I get bitten during the fight with the Spider, I should have a better shot of living.”

“Now, the moment I’ve been waiting for! Appraisal!”

[Abyssal Drakeling]

Name: N/A

[Level 1]

EXP: 1235/5000

HP: 136/250

SP: 80/80

MP: 20/20

Vitality: 20

Strength: 15

Dexterity: 20

Intelligence: 8

Wisdom: 5

Racial Traits:

[Claw Strike]

[Night Vision]

[Regeneration]

Skills:

[Appraisal Lv. 4]

[Tail Strike Lv. 1]

[Sneak Lv. 1]

[Ambush Lv. 1]

[Poison Resistance Lv. 1]

Titles:

[Sapient Monster]

[Predator’s Bane]

“Looks like I am much stronger, as expected. My health even quintupled! Seems that I lost my wall-climbing ability, but the increase in my attributes was worth it. My biggest gain was probably [Regeneration]. It doesn’t have the “out-of-combat” restriction and is much stronger. Best to wait for my health to reach its maximum before I go hunting again.”

And what is that insane EXP requirement?! Is it because I am a Rank E creature now? Looks like leveling up and reaching my next evolution is going to take a while…

Also, what is this cancer stuff? Who cares!

***

HP: 250/250

Title Unlocked: [Survivor]

You have been on the brink of death and still managed to make a full recovery. The Grim Reaper’s scythe will not dance with your neck just yet!

Once per month, if your health drops to 0, you will have a 25% chance of surviving with 1 HP.

“Well, that was unexpected. It’s good to have anyways. But what on the Abyss are those odds?!”

Best to pretend I don’t have this, or I really will join Mama! Whatever, it’s time to go hunting again. Soon enough, I’ll be able to take down the Black Hunter Spider.