A few days passed and the forest seemed to grow restless after he popped out of his cocoon. Ernest Quelt had adapted to his current surroundings and acknowledged both his abilities—and the weaknesses that could easily end his life. However, his knowledge as an alchemist helped him survive. This forest was a sign of death.
[System: The bones of the Thornerus Hounds can not only repair the host's broken bones but can also be manifested as a projectile.
Outcome:Body preservation mode has been changed into the means of combat! The manifested bones will become a sharp and piercing needle]
"Golden eyes of the Abyssal Tiger, respond to my call. The host requires your power," he chanted.
The thick vegetation of the forest piqued his interest. He encountered a variety of herbal remedies on his daily expedition. Eventually, he moved on and attempted his next goal. With very few materials, he made do with limited resources to create a tool of mass destruction.
He fired a spike—it pierced the durable scales of his target.
But it didn't end with a simple wound. The Void Serpent flailed violently as its body was invaded by an outside force. Before it could retreat to its nest, it was too late. The needle had been spiked with poison—his newly created venom coursed through the serpent's veins.
[System: The Void Serpent is being affected by the poison within the bone of the Thornerus Hounds!!!
Status: [Paralysis] has taken effect. The target is incapable of movement.
[Weakening] was triggered earlier when the target inhaled the powdered essence]
"Empower," he muttered.
Once every status effect had been applied, he stood and leaped in for the finishing blow. His knife struck the skull. A second downward slash severed its hardened scales. With the armor no longer in the way, one final swing decapitated the serpent.
[System: You've killed a monster. The collected experience will now be given!
Calculating...
Congratulations, you've leveled up!
LVL 11 → 13
Your level is drastically improving at a faster rate.
Rewards: 20 stat points sent to your status screen. The system is intrigued by your growth and wishes to grant a new skill. Would you like to accept?]
[Nameless – LVL 13
Title: Defier of Fate, First Blood, Super Rookie
Class: None
Race: Unknown???
Health: 57
Attack: 30
Int: 31
Luck: 29
Dex: 36
Speed: 44
Defense: 17
Stamina: 39
Mana: 15
Status Points: 36
Skills:
Unparalleled Alchemical Knowledge (SSS+)
Empower (F+)
Crafting (F-)
Herb Gathering (F-)
Brewery (D+)
'This is the fifth time this week? Looks like my hunting method is too intriguing. I'll handle this once I'm done skinning this monster. If I'm right, this serpent is worth 20 million dollars.'
He smiled coldly.
'This was one of the toughest monsters in the Dark Forest. I can make a full set of low-grade armor—but what I really want is its core. While I'm at it, I'll collect some of its venom too.'
His level wasn't the only thing changing. He now wore the fur of his first adversary—the Demonic Hog. Not ideal, but better than his ragged clothes, which offered no bonuses, only basic protection against the cold.
"They're a little too early?"
The howls of higher-ranking monsters rang out in the distance. He froze, senses sharp.
He withdrew from his hunt and returned to his base—the very spot where he'd first awakened. A place of death... and rebirth.
The cave was now his base of operations. Vials and test tubes salvaged from his belongings were neatly arranged in one section. Though spacious, it was devoid of life—except for him.
'Lately, I've noticed... my body is changing after each level up. New abilities emerge without warning. Even more strange—using them feels natural.'
'They activate like breathing. Instinctive. It fascinates me… but this body has flaws.'
'I'm not complaining. I'm grateful I still resemble a human. But there's something missing—my emotions. I can barely feel them. They're faint... distant. I don't react like I used to. It's like... I'm not the same person anymore.'
For a whole week, no emotion stirred within him—not even rage at his betrayal, nor sorrow at his solitude. Digging deeper, he discovered the cause.
A mark at the back of his skull—a dagger wound.
'So that dagger didn't just disable my skill... it nullified system bonuses too. Before, even falling from 500 meters wouldn't faze me. But, 17 meters shattered my bones?'
'The homunculus didn't repair the nerve damage. I guess the system didn't see my emotional numbness as a problem. And now... I'm free from those shackles.'
'I never thought I'd experiment with a monster core... But without emotion, my reasoning fades. And with it, the barriers to progress.'
He took the serpent's core from his inventory.
'I'm no longer a Guardian. Just... something surviving. A man? No. Something else.'
[System: You've ordered the Devouring Leech to prey upon the modified monster core.
He issued the command. The parasite inside him obeyed.]
"Arghhh... Grrrrrh... AAAAAAHHHHH!!"
He screamed in agony. The leech had swallowed the essence—and his calm was obliterated. Rage surged. His body twisted uncontrollably. He rampaged through his cave, destroying everything.
[System: Alert! The Guardian has swallowed the essence of a monster core!
Status: An unknown anomaly is occurring within the body.
Warning: Enraged State activated.
Internal Conflict: A battle between the Guardian and the serpent's remnant is unfolding in the subconscious.
Treatment: None available. The outcome is unknown.]
He felt it. Power surged through him—along with fury and pain. He saw it in his mind: the serpent's soul. He was bound in its coils. It opened its jaws.
"This is it... I knew I shouldn't have tampered with the forbidden."
Then something else appeared.
A figure beyond comprehension. It tore through the serpent with ease and approached Ernest's soul.
'You touched the forbidden fruit...? Hah. Interesting form. You've caught my attention. I won't charge you for saving you this time. I'm curious to see where this path takes you...'
When Ernest awoke, a new notification greeted him.
[System: You've successfully swallowed a monster core!!!
New Feature Unlocked:Evolutionary Path
Race Option Unlocked: [Homunculus]
You may now choose to evolve into a higher plane of existence]
"What is this...?" he muttered, eyes wide with shock.