As he was slithering through the toxic greenery, Ken spotted a PhaseTiger on the hunt, its metamaterial legs phasing between solid and intangible states as it silently stalked a GraviGull roosting among the trees. The GraviGull's metamaterial bones negated gravity's pull, allowing it to swiftly take flight to evade the PhaseTiger's grasp at the last moment.

Hovering above, the GraviGull joined a flock of its kin. Their acoustic metamaterial feathers reflected soundwaves in all directions, protecting them from the paralyzing shrieks of EchoPincers waiting to ambush them below.

Nearby, a VineSnapper lay in wait, camouflaged among the razor-sharp vines using its light-bending metamaterial skin. A GlowBug rested on a branch, its bioluminescent photonic crystal abdomen glowing brightly, inadvertently giving away the hidden VineSnapper. The vine-like creature quickly ensnared the insect in its grasp.

From the shadows, a PsychicSerpent emerged, covered in quantum metamaterials that allowed it to sense the VineSnapper's location by entangling its consciousness. Before it could strike, a TemporalStrider appeared in a flash, locally warping time with its metamaterials to snatch the VineSnapper as a quick snack.

The PsychicSerpent and TemporalStrider eyed each other warily before disappearing into the darkness, neither wanting to tangle with the other's exotic abilities.

At first, watching the terrors prey upon each other filled Ken with visceral dread. Being forced to survive in this nightmare realm seemed impossible. But as he continued his observations, Ken could not stop himself from gradually marveling at the remarkable ingenuity of these metamaterial organisms to not only survive but thrive in this endless realm of darkness and death.

He then stumbled upon a CryoVine which extended its thermal metamaterial leaves, sapping heat from a passing VoidSkimmer and causing its antigravity metamaterials to fail. The hawk-like VoidSkimmer plunged earthward, right into the clutches of a waiting Noctowl. The owl-like hunter swiftly snapped up the creature in its large beak.

Nearby, a swarm of PlasmaWasps emerged, generating contained plasma with their metamaterial abdomens to torch a stand of ToxicTrees and smoke out their prey. PhaseSpiders scattered out from the blazing grove, phasing through greenery to escape using their metamaterial legs.

From his hidden burrow, an EchoMapper sent out acoustic waves, modeling the surroundings through echolocation. He detected a NightGlider swooping by and fired paralytic spikes with expert aim, skewing the bat-like creature as it navigated using its antigravity metamaterials.

A Chameleonid crept up on the feast, blending in with its color-changing metamaterial skin. But a BioLamp drifting above illuminated the scene with its glowing photonic crystals, spoiling the ambush. The Chameleonid dashed away, exposed for now.

In the cover of darkness, the GlowBugs took to the skies, their luminescent bodies collectively lighting the way for other creatures to hunt into the dark. The Underground teemed with deadly wonders, each using their metamaterials to survive another lethal cycle.

Ken continued to drift through the treacherous realm.

After a long waltz, a herd of RefractionFlyers which soared overhead caught his attention. He watched as their wings of optical metamaterials split any faint light to illuminate the way forward. Below, a VoraciousVine stretched out its razor-sharp tendrils to ensnare the creatures, but a TemporalStrider flashed forward, distorting time to sever the vine before it could grasp its prey.

The more Ken observed the natural order, the more gratitude swelled within. He was lucky to have the SpiritShifter. It’s a blessing. The creatures relied on physical abilities, so his metaphysical gift kept him safe, for now.

Slithering amongst the floras outcroppings, a PsychicSerpent sensed its path ahead with its quantum metamaterial senses, detecting a hidden den of PhaseTigers. The big cats phased through the rocks using their metamaterials, surrounding the PsychicSerpent. But with a burst of psychic energy, the snake bewildered its attackers, letting it escape.

Near a sulfurous vent, an EchoPincer focused explosive soundwaves to stun a passing MorphMite. The shape-shifting insectoid quickly morphed the structure of its body using its adaptive metamaterials to defend against the sonic assault. It scampered away into a narrow crevice, escaping the EchoPincer's deadly grasp.

As bioluminescent GlowBugs lit up the darkness, a camouflaged ShadeBloom ensnared one with sticky pollen, absorbing the unwary insect into its light-bending petals to fuel its growth. Nearby VoidSkimmers and GraviGulls took to the gloomy skies, evading the manifold threats of the Underground through their mastery of gravity and flight.

The perpetual dark echoed with shrieks and howls as lethal creatures stalked and battled each other.

There, only the most cunning beings crafted of metamaterials could hope to survive another deadly cycle in this unforgiving realm.

After long hours exploring, learning, and adapting, Ken grinned wider than ever before. The biggest grin of his life just painted a maniacal look. He had finally comprehended the heights he could attain. The pieces were falling into place.

In this chaos, opportunity lurks everywhere. Ken thought. With eight more suitable Meta-Objects, the potential is staggering. But first things first. If I am to survive here, I have no choice but to search for a healing Meta-Object right now. Ken realized as he shifted to the physical world to inhale once more.

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Shifting back into the spectral world, he walked through the dense vegetation, roaming the jungle in search of a target. He marched for hours until a glimpse caught his attention, drawing him towards a scene of mayhem.

Before him, two QuicksandShifters, massive lizards battled fiercely. Their scales shimmered with a dazzling shine as they sprang and clashed. One's jaws sank into the other's flank, and in a grisly twist, the wounded lizard's body liquefied and rippled.

The injured QuicksandShifter oozed away, seeking solace in the swampy terrain. The other hissed victoriously, unaware of the torment its counterpart endured. Within the liquefied form, muffled screams echoed through the air.

Ken's spectral form dipped nearby, observing the agonizing process. He could understand the appeal of such resilience, but he wasn't willing to endure the same suffering.

Nope, I don’t want to become liquid and still feel pain.

Ken thought as he marched forward.

Besides, I don’t believe I could solidify again even if the Meta-Object grants me its knowledge. It seems that there must be something else these creatures have that I don’t.

Many encounters led Ken to a canopy of trees where the darkness was illuminated by the soft glow of wings. The Weaverbats flashed through the air, their eerie patterns casting a surreal ambiance.

Amid their fluttering dance, a clash erupted. Two bats collided mid-air, a contest over territory turning into a battle for survival. Their high-pitched chirps transformed into a series of muted, mournful clicks as they struggled against each other.

After their dispute, the Weaverbats withdrew.

Ken observed as they began their healing process. Their injured wings emitted radiant patterns, illuminating the darkness with ghostly hues. He watched the slow, agonizing regrowth of their damaged wings, appreciating the potential but also recognizing the vulnerability such conspicuous healing might attract.

Healing while emitting light will attract unwanted guests.

No.

Besides, I don’t have the right tools to hunt them down.

Further, a serpentine creature adorned with menacing thorns captured Ken’s attention. The ThornedShadowsnake writhed and twisted, locked in a battle with a foe hidden in the shadows. The air was thick with tension, the scent of metamaterial mingling with the musk of the jungle.

After the battle, victorious but severely wounded, the giant serpent retreated under the roots of a large tree. Its metamaterial flesh pulsed, its thorns disappearing into its body as if swallowed by quicksand. With irregular contractions, the injured serpent struggled to heal, its pain evident in every contortion. Its healing was quicker than normal since those wounds would have taken weeks to heal if not ever, but the snake was healed within an hour.

Ken's observation was both morbid and enlightening. He understood the potential of this ability—the power to regenerate, even at the cost of agony.

I hate snakes. No thanks. He turned his back and walked for a few moments.

Bloody hell! He cussed. After witnessing these three battles and evaluating their metamaterial traits, Ken thought he had no choice. I can’t wait any longer. Besides, I don’t know if there exists a more reliable source for self-healing.

Even though he hated it, the ThornedShadowsnake's ability was the key he needed, offering regeneration without the excessive display or extended vulnerability. He focused his intent, preparing to incorporate this newfound power into his arsenal, his determination unwavering as he began walking and plotting the hunt.

Having witnessed the ravenous creatures’ lethal efficiency firsthand, he needed to form a cunning plan.

I cannot beat it in a frontal assault; I lack the tools, and the strength to overwhelm it. Besides, even with the appropriate tools considering its massive frame and regeneration abilities, I will not last long against it even with SpiritShifter.

As he was thinking, Ken recalled the voracious creatures that had swiftly overwhelmed the panther-like beast. Perhaps they could be of use in securing his newest acquisition.

Ken grinned as he walked to the site of the gruesome feast. He was relieved to see the worms and millipedes remained, lying in wait for another prey.

He carefully approached some vermin that were isolated from the flock, and gathered up several bloated ones, placing them in a torn strip of his clothing. Before cautiously marching back to his prey.

As the ThornedShadowsnake eventually succumbed to slumber, its thorned skin pulsing with the remnants of its recent battle, Ken seized the opportune moment. In his spectral form, an intangible wraith in the physical world, he shadowed the creature's every move, silently observing its rhythmic breaths.

With a decision firmly made, he approached the ThornedShadowsnake's den. In his intangible state, he carefully made his way to the slumbering serpent and manifested just long enough to drop the makeshift pouch of worms and millipedes directly onto its head before shifting back.

Now in the spirit realm again, Ken watched with satisfaction as the voracious swarm swiftly bore into the snake's skull, greedily burrowing into its brain. The ThornedShadowsnake awoke with a thunderous hiss, writhing in maddened agony as its potent regeneration abilities proved useless against the insects reproducing exponentially within its gray matter.

It thrashed violently in a futile attempt to remove the invasive infestation ravenously consuming it from the inside out. But despite its efforts, the mighty serpent could not shake the vermin loose as they multiplied and ate deeper into its nervous system.

Soon enough, the ThornedShadowsnake fell still, its pulsing thorns fading as the tiny creatures ate the last vestiges of life away.

Ken materialized into his physical form, his presence now tangible in the jungle. Gently, he approached the sapped serpent, the thorns on its skin glistening ominously in the low light.

As he rematerialized the chain in his left hand with a thought, his steady right hand descended upon the ThornedShadowsnake. At that very moment, he activated Rejection, separating the spirit of the snake from its body.

Bluh!

Ken's eyes gleamed as he invoked Possession, grabbing the spirit as it gushed. Trapped in his hand, the serpent's spirit shook as it screamed silent shrieks. Instantly claiming the serpent's Meta-Object of regeneration while letting go of its spirit. Ken then sealed it in the cage artifact.

The serpent's thorny form quivered once then moved no more as it was eaten from the inside out.

Ken swiftly shifted to the spirit realm and ran from the soon parasite-infested den.

Outside, he shifted physical and stood amidst the dimly lit jungle, the ThornedShadowsnake's gift was now his own, a valuable addition to his expanding repertoire of powers.

With a thought, he absorbed the chain once more. The Meta-Object then gave Ken its secrets.

A deep breath after, Ken shifted back to the spirit realm.

“Hello there,” Ken then locked his sight onto the frail-looking imp.

“Huh!” The imp gasped.