Now that I think of it, didn’t I have a mission for reaching my next evolution? Let’s take a look!
Mission Completed: [Become Stronger!]
Rank: F
Your current goal of slaying a higher tier creature like the Black Hunter Spider is far beyond you. Even your ability to survive is in question! Reach level 10 and evolve to a new type of creature to improve your odds of survival and avenging your kin!
Rewards: 1000 EXP, Skill: [Spark of Ambition Lv. 1]
Accept Rewards?
“YES!”
1000 EXP awarded!
Skill obtained: [Spark of Ambition Lv. 1]!
“Now leveling up should be easier!” I said, watching the Rank F mission fade away from the mission list.
Just as I was thinking about continuing my hunt, I took a look at the corpse of the Titanoboa, and started getting a terrible idea.
“The poisoned meat was not enough to kill me even at nearly a fifth of my HP. Maybe eating more of the meat would grant me levels to the poison resistance skills!” I thought to myself.
Genius!
***
[Poison Resistance Lv. 2] upgraded to [Poison Resistance Lv. 3]!
Skill obtained: [Pain Resistance Lv. 1]!
“I am so full that I am about to burst…” I said, rolling on the ground uncontrollably as a morbidly obese ball.
Figuratively of course, my figure is always beautiful, and my scales are shiny! I smiled in satisfaction. I should probably take a look at the new skill I earned!
“Mr. Appraisal! Come out wherever you are~”
[Pain Resistance Lv. 1]
You have endured much pain and continued to survive. Clearly you deserve some more trust when taking risks! Your ability to think and act clearly will be less affected by pain. Of course, you’ll suffer the full effect of bad decision making.
…Okay, the system really is getting snarky with me!
“Deep breaths, deep breaths…” I huffed.
Whatever, time to go hunting again.
***
I went around to search for prey, and I found something interesting!
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[Abyssal Venom Scorpion]
[Appraisal Lv. 4] upgraded to [Appraisal Lv. 5]!
Hey. Why is the color different this time?! Is it because its less dangerous to me now? More importantly, appraisal leveled up!
“I wonder what I will see next…” I commented, calling you-know-who!
[Abyssal Venom Scorpion]
Rank E creature. While generally possessing weaker attributes than most other Rank E creatures, it makes up for it with a moderately powerful yet slow acting venom, administered via its stinger. As a result, it prefers to eat weaker creatures, and other creatures have learned quickly that a fight with this scorpion is enough to result in a mutual death.
Hmm. This seems like a good candidate for my first hunt. I even have poison resistance, and judging by the Titanoboa meat, getting stung shouldn’t be too bad.
“This is a great opportunity to test out my shiny new sneaking and ambushing skills!” I grinned in anticipation of my next rewards.
Slowly, I snuck up behind the scorpion, preparing myself to strike. The scorpion did not notice anything, and I quickly decided to target its stinger. After all, the rest of its abilities should not be a threat to mine!
I struck like thunder, attacking its stinger!
[Claw Strike]!
CRACK!
It’s stinger is cut half way through, but is still attached!
Without making a sound, the scorpion turned around and tried to keep me in place with its pincers. It was too weak to keep in place, but that was enough for the scorpion to take advantage and sting me!
Status Effect Triggered: [Poisoned]
Just you wait, you’ll pay for that!
“GRRRRRRRR!” I growled in fury, shocking myself with the how deep my pitch was and how powerful it was.
The scorpion silently thrust its stinger at me once again, but this time, I was prepared!
I dodged its stinger, then swiftly spun around behind the monster. It could not turn around fast enough to catch up with me, so I pinned its stinger to the floor with a claw and struck with another at the base of its stinger, which was much thinner than the tip!
[Claw Strike]!
The stinger fell off! The scorpion continued to try and fight me, but the fight turned into a one-sided beatdown instead.
You have killed an [Abyssal Venom Scorpion Lv. 6]!
2200 EXP awarded!
…That wasn’t even enough for a level up! Whatever, this seems like a reliable monster to hunt. I should probably aim for the base of their stinger next time to get rid of it quickly.
“The poisoned state does the same damage, but it looks like it’s going to take a while longer to deal with. Thankfully, my regeneration and large health pool should be more than enough to deal with it.”
***
Status Effect Removed: [Poisoned]
[Poison Resistance Lv. 3] upgraded to [Poison Resistance Lv. 4]!
HP: 164/270
That took a while. Still, this should mean that fighting the scorpions should be even safer.
***
[Abyssal Titanoboa Lv. 4] Defeated!
2875 EXP awarded!
Well, that was easier than I expected. Significantly more of a pain in the rear too. The Titanoboa’s scales were still a pain to get through, but my strengthened attributes from my evolution and the bonus from predator’s bane were enough to get through eventually. I was fast enough to match its speed as a lizard, so it was only a matter of course to run circles around it now! The Titanoboa was as dumb as a pile of rocks, and it kept trying to constrict me, while I slowly chipped away at it until it died.
“If it did manage to constrict me like the scorpion though, I am probably still done for…” I shivered.
Appraisal had new information for me. Like the scorpion, its color changed as well. This probably signifies whether the target of the appraisal is higher, lower or in the same rank as me.
[Abyssal Titanoboa]
Rank E creature. Powerful constrictor serpent, with tough scales to match. This monster hunts for prey large and small, and wields strength beyond its rank if it manages to trap an opponent in its grasp. That said, the Abyssal Titanoboa does not have alternative methods to deal with an opponent who can deal with its one tactic, particularly since it isn’t smart enough to retreat in time when outmatched.