Free Web NovelChapter 38: Chapter 38: Evolution Through Predation
Chapter 38: Evolution Through Predation
Andras stood over the corpse of the Bloodclaw Panther.
The forest had fallen silent once more.
Blood stained the shattered around him, while the carcass of the D-Class predator lay motionless at his feet. The smell of death lingered heavily in the air.
Without hesitation, Andras spoke inwardly.
"System. Devour its talent."
A familiar metallic voice echoed within his mind.
[Ding!]
[Devouring Talent: Blood Shadow Instinct (D-Rank)]
[Devouring Complete.]
[Host has acquired Talent: Blood Shadow Instinct (D-Rank).]
A faint smile appeared on Andras’s face.
So its talent is called Blood Shadow Instinct.
The name suited the monster perfectly.
A talent specialized in hunting, speed, and lethal bursts of movement.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
He closed the status window.
However, before he could speak further, the scent of blood drifting through the forest attracted new visitors.
Rustle.
Rustle.
Crack.
Andras slowly turned his head.
Two monsters had emerged from the trees.
The first was a wolf.
No.
Calling it a wolf would have been an insult to ordinary wolves.
The creature stood nearly two meters tall at the shoulder. Its dark gray fur resembled rough iron, while its oversized fangs protruded from its mouth like forged blades. Numerous scars covered its muscular body, evidence of countless battles survived.
Its golden eyes radiated hostility.
Ironfang Wolf.
An E-Class monster.
Beside it slithered another creature.
A massive serpent.
Its body stretched over fifteen meters long, covered in dark emerald scales that shimmered beneath the sunlight. Purple veins pulsed beneath its scales like flowing poison, while its eyes glowed with a cold, unnatural intelligence.
Every breath it exhaled carried a faint poisonous mist.
Venom Serpent.
A D-Class monster.
Evelyne observed both creatures calmly.
"It seems the smell of blood attracted more guests," she said.
Andras simply smiled.
Unlike the Bloodclaw Panther, however, he felt little interest toward these two.
He had already experienced enough for today.
Without another word, he walked toward the sword mounted on the side of the carriage.
He drew it slowly.
The steel gleamed beneath the afternoon sun.
Perhaps it’s time to test my swordsmanship again.
The Ironfang Wolf attacked first.
It exploded forward with astonishing speed.
Its steel-like fangs aimed directly at Andras’s throat.
Andras didn’t retreat.
He stepped forward.
The principles of Black Thorn Sword Style surfaced naturally.
Advance.
Attack.
Overwhelm.
The blade flashed.
Iron Fang.
Slash.
Blood scattered across the forest floor.
The Ironfang Wolf’s body continued running for several steps before collapsing.
Dead.
One strike.
Andras didn’t even glance at the corpse.
The Venom Serpent hissed violently.
Purple venom dripped from its fangs and burned holes into the earth.
Then it attacked.
Its enormous body surged forward like a living avalanche.
Andras activated Echo Step.
His figure blurred.
The serpent’s attack missed completely.
Before it could react, Andras appeared above its head.
Echo Resonance.
Vibrating mana covered his blade.
He swung.
Execution Line.
The sword descended.
A violent shockwave erupted.
The Venom Serpent’s head separated from its body.
The massive corpse crashed into the forest, flattening trees as it fell.
Silence returned.
Andras slowly lowered his sword.
Neither fight had lasted more than a few seconds.
He felt disappointed.
The Bloodclaw Panther had at least provided some entertainment.
These two had merely served as additional experience.
He calmly spoke to the system.
"Devour their talents."
The metallic notification immediately echoed within his mind.
[Ding!]
[Devouring Talent: Steel Fang Bite (E-Rank)]
[Devouring Complete.]
[Host has acquired Talent: Steel Fang Bite (E-Rank).]
[Ding!]
[Devouring Talent: Abyssal Venom Bloodline (D-Rank)]
[Devouring Complete.]
[Host has acquired Talent: Abyssal Venom Bloodline (D-Rank).]
Andras nodded slightly.
Not bad.
Beside him, Evelyne looked at the battlefield with visible satisfaction.
"That is enough for today," she said calmly.
"You performed well."
Andras sheathed his sword.
"Since you say so, Mother."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"Though I would have preferred fighting stronger monsters than these weaklings."
Evelyne laughed softly.
"Perhaps next time."
The two of them returned to the carriage.
After taking their seats, the carriage began its journey back toward Darkmoor Estate.
As the scenery passed outside the window, Evelyne glanced at his damaged clothing.
"Where would you prefer to eat dinner?" she asked. "At home or in the city?"
Andras glanced at the tears in his clothing and the dried blood on his arm.
"Let’s return home."
"My clothes are ruined, and I have a few minor injuries."
Evelyne nodded.
"As you wish."
The carriage continued moving.
Meanwhile, Andras shifted his attention inward.
"System."
"Show me the talents I’ve acquired today."
A blue window appeared before his eyes.
---
[Talents Acquired Today]
1. Hardened Hide (E-Rank)
2. Blood Shadow Instinct (D-Rank)
3. Steel Fang Bite (E-Rank)
4. Abyssal Venom Bloodline (D-Rank)
---
"Show me their details."
---
Hardened Hide (E-Rank)
• Increases physical durability.
• Strengthens skin and muscle tissue.
• Improves resistance against blunt-force attacks.
---
Steel Fang Bite (E-Rank)
• Greatly enhances bite force.
• Improves jaw and neck strength.
• Increases explosive attack momentum.
---
Blood Shadow Instinct (D-Rank)
• Improves speed and reflexes.
• Creates movement afterimages.
• Enhances hunting instincts.
• Temporarily boosts combat efficiency when injured.
---
Abyssal Venom Bloodline (D-Rank)
• Generates magical venom.
• Weakens enemy mana circulation.
• Grants poison resistance.
• Allows detection of body heat and mana signatures.
---
Andras read each description carefully.
Then he smiled.
"System."
"Fuse Hardened Hide and Steel Fang Bite."
For a moment, silence followed.
Then—
[Ding!]
[Talent Fusion Initiated.]
Heat spread throughout his body.
His muscles tightened.
His bones vibrated.
The sensation lasted only a few seconds.
Then—
[Fusion Complete.]
[Host has acquired Talent: Iron Predator Body (D-Rank).]
A smile appeared on Andras’s face.
An E-Rank talent had become a D-Rank talent.
Excellent.
He didn’t hesitate.
"Fuse Blood Shadow Instinct and Abyssal Venom Bloodline."
Once again, power surged through his body.
But this time, the reaction felt far more violent.
The shadows inside the carriage appeared to move.
His mana circulation accelerated.
Even his senses sharpened.
Then—
[Fusion Complete.]
[Host has acquired Talent: Shadow Venom Hunter (C-Rank).]
Andras’s eyes narrowed.
A C-Rank talent.
As the carriage continued toward Darkmoor Estate, Andras looked out the window.
The sun had already begun to set.
Golden light spread across the horizon.
Andras thought today’s hunt had proven one thing.
His strength wasn’t simply increasing.
It was evolving.
