The avoidance tactics of the dungeon's lesser creatures were a problem, but Adam saw it not as a setback, but as a puzzle.
If the prey wouldn't come to the hunter, the hunter would go to the prey. It was time to take the initiative.
His goal was clear: seek out their nests and dens to target the young, the weak, or simply those with no escape route, all in a final push to complete his lingering skill fragments.
His first target was the Crystal Shard Spider. His fragment was at 0.7/1.0; he just needed a few more. Using his Prey's Tremor, he focused on finding not the skittering of lone adults, but the concentrated, high-frequency vibrations of a clustered nest.
He found it in a high-ceilinged cavern, its walls draped with thick, glistening webs that shimmered with embedded crystal dust. Dozens of spiders, from tiny juveniles to larger guardians, moved within the complex structure.
"A target-rich environment," Adam thought with grim satisfaction.
He didn't charge in. He used his Dungeon Camouflage to become a shadow on the cavern floor. He watched the patterns, identifying a less-frequented corner of the web where several juvenile spiders were molting—a moment of vulnerability.
With a burst of speed, he was upon them. He didn't use venom or constriction; a simple, powerful crush of his jaws was enough. He swiftly consumed three of them before the larger guardians were even aware of the intrusion.
[ Defeated: Crystal Shard Spider (Lvl 1) x3 ]
[ EP Gained: 9 ]
[ Crystal Shard Fragment: 0.8... 0.9... 1.0/1.0 ]
[ Skill Fragment Complete! ]
[ New Skill Acquired: Crystal Shard Shot (Active) - Cost: Moderate Mana ]
Effect:Condenses mineral energy into a small, sharp shard of crystal and launches it at a target. Limited range, but effective for a surprise attack.
A sharp, crystalline protrusion formed briefly on his forehead before retracting. "A ranged attack! Finally!" This changed everything. He could now harass enemies from a distance or finish off fleeing prey.
He retreated from the spider nest before the situation could escalate, his primary objective achieved.
Next on his list was the Weasel's Sprint fragment (0.3/1.0). He recalled the location of the weasel den from his earlier encounter with the pack. Using Prey's Tremor from a safe distance, he could feel the quick, light footsteps of at least two weasels inside.
He needed a way to draw one out. He backtracked, found the carcass of a recent kill—a large beetle—and dragged it to the den's entrance. He then camouflaged himself perfectly against a rock formation nearby and waited.
The scent of fresh meat was irresistible. After a few minutes, a curious weasel poked its head out, then emerged to investigate.
The moment it was clear of the den, Adam struck with his new Crystal Shard Shot. A sharp 'whizz-thud' echoed as the shard struck the weasel's hind leg, causing it to stumble with a screech. Adam was on it in an instant, delivering a swift, venomous bite.
After consuming it, the fragment ticked up to 0.6/1.0. He repeated the process with the bait, managing to lure and eliminate a second weasel.
[ Weasel's Sprint Fragment: 0.9... 1.0/1.0 ]
[ Skill Fragment Complete! ]
[ New Skill Acquired: Weasel's Sprint (Active) - Cost: Low Stamina ]
Effect:Allows for a short, incredibly burst of speed, perfect for closing distances or a rapid escape.
He felt the potential for explosive movement in his muscles. "Perfect for ambushes and, more importantly, getting out of trouble."
His final target was the most daunting: the Scything Claw fragment (0.5/1.0). He needed another Giant Cave Mantis. He spent hours searching with his tremor sense, finally locating one in a large chamber, perched high on a wall. A direct fight was still too risky.
But he had a new idea. He found a Fever Newt, used a quick Crystal Shard Shot to wound it, and left it twitching in the middle of the chamber as bait. He then camouflaged himself directly beneath the Mantis's perch.
The plan worked perfectly. The Mantis, sensing easy prey, dropped down. The moment its scythes were embedded in the Newt, Adam activated Weasel's Sprint.
He became a blur, shooting upward and coiling around the Mantis's thorax and pinning one of its deadly arms before it could react. He unleashed his venom directly into its neck and held on as it thrashed. The fight was fierce but short, thanks to his perfect ambush.
Consuming the Mantis yielded the final fragment.
[ Scything Claw Fragment: 1.0/1.0 ]
[ Skill Fragment Complete! ]
[ New Skill Acquired: Mantis Slash (Active) - Cost: Moderate Stamina ]
Effect:Channels energy to create a slashing force from the user's body, mimicking a mantis's scythe. Short range, but highly effective for cutting through obstacles or soft armor.
He was exhausted but triumphant. He had systematically hunted down the resources he needed. He checked his status one last time. The EP gain from these targeted hunts had been significant.
[ Status ]
Name:Adam Smith
Species:Shadowscale Viper (Juvenile)
Level:9
EP to Next Level: 48/50
Evolution Points: 498/500
"498?!" Adam's mental voice was a mix of exhaustion and sheer disbelief. "You have got to be kidding me. After all that... I'm two points short? Two?!"
He slumped against the cool stone of the crevice he'd chosen as his safe spot. The anticipation that had been building evaporated, replaced by a profound sense of frustration.
He was so close he could almost feel the evolution itching under his scales, yet those final two points felt like an impassable chasm. He had just cleared out the most accessible nests; the area was picked clean.
"This is the most 'me' thing ever. Of course I'd be two points short," he grumbled, too tired to even be properly angry. He had two unused Skill Points and a powerful new suite of abilities—Crystal Shard Shot, Weasel's Sprint, and Mantis Slash—but none of them could magic two measly Evolution Points into existence.
He decided his only option was to rest. He would recover his stamina and mana, and then, first thing after his rest, he would go find the most pathetic, lone Fungal Bunnyslug in the entire dungeon and end its miserable existence for that final, crucial point.
As he began to drift into a fitful sleep, a faint, familiar, earthy scent reached his nostrils. His Acute Smell, even in his drowsy state, identified it instantly.
A single, lone Dungeon Dung Beetle (Lvl 1), probably displaced from its nest during his earlier raids, was clumsily wandering past the entrance to his crevice, pushing a tiny ball of detritus.
It was like the universe was offering him a consolation prize wrapped in absurdity.
With a sigh that was more mental than physical, Adam didn't even move from his coiled position. He simply focused, lined up the shot in the dim light, and activated his newest skill.
'Fwip!'
A small, sharp shard of crystal shot from his forehead, striking the beetle with a clean 'thok'. The beetle instantly stopped moving.
[ Defeated: Dungeon Dung Beetle (Lvl 1) ]
[ EP Gained: 5 ]
[ EP to Next Level: 53/50 ]
[ Ding! Level Up! ]
[ You are now Level 10! ]
[ EP to Next Level: 3/55 ]
[ Skill Point: +1 ]
[ Total Evolution Points: 503/500 ]
The series of notifications flooded his vision. The level-up energy washed over him, a refreshing wave that soothed his fatigue. But all of that was secondary. His eyes were locked on the final, glorious line.
Total Evolution Points: 503/500
He had done it. He had actually, finally, done it. The grind was over. The next stage of his life was now just a choice away.
He didn't even get up. He was safe, hidden, and more than ready. A slow, wide, triumphant grin spread across his serpentine face. The frustration of moments before was gone, replaced by pure, unadulterated victory.
"No more delays," Adam Smith thought, his spirit calm and focused. He looked at the prompt that was now glowing more brightly than ever before, pulsing with potential.
[ Evolution Available! ]