Chapter 3

I wasn't sure how long I had been admiring the view, but the sun had moved. It seemed I was born in the morning, as there were still a few hours before sunset.

"I should climb down… and look for more prey."

Descending from the tree, I landed on the ground and pondered what I should do next.

"I'm not entirely sure how people in this world would react to an intelligent monster, but if hunters act as they're supposed to in the lore, as long as I don't destabilize the ecosystem or affect them, they shouldn't bother me."

At least in Monster Hunter lore, it's said they avoid disrupting ecosystems as much as possible and avoid overhunting. Of course, in the game, players disregard this completely. But this is the real world, so I doubt they'll act the same way... or so I hope.

"Hunting large monsters… is out of the question for now. I don't know how tall I am, but based on some reference points, I'm probably no taller than half a meter. Even small monsters are too dangerous for me at the moment."

Honestly, this was frustrating. Being in this world and unable to fight monsters felt disappointing, but survival was more important. I just had to be patient and wait. The goddess said she reincarnated me for her entertainment, so I doubt it'll take me years to grow.

"Alright, where should I go next…"

"SHHHHH!"

I turned to my left and saw a cobra hissing at me. It was black with a yellow-banded belly, its hood raised, and its forked tongue flicking out as it tasted the air, swaying side to side to seem intimidating.

I simply stared at it and used my tail to fling acid at its eyes. The cobra couldn't avoid the acid, which hit its face. The snake began writhing in pain, coiling around itself, hissing furiously.

To put it out of its misery, I grabbed a rock, pinned its body down to stop its movements, and smashed its head. Then I ate its body.

[Abilities acquired: Venomous Bite, Intimidating Hood, Olfactory Tongue, Jaw Dislocation.

Accept: YES/NO.]

The burning sensation returned, focused on my neck and jaw.

I quickly checked the abilities, and they were as expected. My bite became venomous, growing two fangs. I could now smell through my tongue. Most interestingly, I could dislocate my jaw to swallow things without chewing, and a hood had grown on my neck to intimidate enemies. When closed, it looked like a cape draped over my head.

"Thanks for the snack."

…

"I wish I had popcorn," I commented as I watched two monsters fighting in front of me.

The first was an Anjanath, the enormous tyrannosaurus rex-like monster, black and red in color, with its nasal bone protruding and the two fins on its back extended as it roared at a Tobi-Kadachi. The Tobi-Kadachi roared back, its body covered in electricity.

The Tobi-Kadachi jumped back, climbing up a tree. Then it lunged forward, performing a somersault and striking with its tail. The Anjanath stepped back to avoid the blow and countered with a charge, which landed, sending the Tobi-Kadachi flying backward into a tree.

The Tobi-Kadachi roared in pain, but its opponent showed no mercy. The Anjanath opened its jaws, releasing a stream of fire. The Tobi-Kadachi could only let out a scream of pain. Still, it managed to get up, and realizing this fight was a lost cause, it decided to flee.

The Anjanath gave chase, but during the pursuit, it stepped on a paralysis toad that released a cloud of paralyzing gas. Although it didn't seem as potent as in the game, it was enough to make the Anjanath stop and growl in annoyance. The paralysis toad quickly hid underground after releasing the cloud.

The Tobi-Kadachi took advantage of the distraction, climbing trees and jumping from one canopy to another. The Anjanath, seeing its prey escape, let out a growl and left.

I emerged from my hiding spot in some nearby bushes.

"That was the best monster fight I've seen in this life and the last," I commented as I walked toward where the toad had been and started digging into the ground with my claws until I found my target.

"Hello, little one," I said to the toad, which tried to escape my grasp.

"Sorry, but your ability will be very helpful." And with that, I began eating the paralysis toad.

[Abilities acquired: Paralyzing Cloud, Long Tongue, Jumping Legs.

Accept: YES/NO.]

Of course, I pressed YES and started feeling the burning sensation in my mouth and legs, as usual. Once it disappeared, I realized I hadn't checked my status since before eating the cobra, so I looked at it.

[Name: Chryssia

Abilities:

Special: Devour, Synthesis, World Travel.

Body: Climbing Claws, Tail Shedding, Ant Strength, 360-Degree Vision, Jaw Dislocation, Long Tongue, Jumping Legs, Olfactory Tongue (8/6).

Offensive: Bite Strength, Formic Acid Spitter, Venomous Bite (3/6).

Defensive: Chitin Shield, Paralyzing Cloud (2/6).

Social: Pheromone Detection, Intimidating Hood (2/6).

Survival: Digging (1/6).

Evolve (Body): YES/NO

Events.]

"Alright, I already have more than six abilities of one type, so it seems I can evolve now. Well, why not?"

Without much thought, I selected YES, and at that moment, I started feeling an overwhelming sleepiness. I couldn't help but think that this was a terrible place to fall asleep, and the last thing on my mind was that this really was a bad place to sleep.

…

Slowly, I began regaining consciousness. I felt as if I were back inside an egg, though there was something different. The sensation of wanting to push against the walls was still there.

When I emerged, the first thing I saw was the face of a Jagras. We were both equally surprised, staring at each other in silence... until the little bastard jumped at me!

I managed to move to the right to avoid it, but I tripped over the shell of the cocoon I had just come out of. Luckily, the Jagras was slow, and I was able to get to my feet before it attacked again.

It lunged at me again, but this time I avoided it without tripping. Taking advantage of its proximity, I released a gas cloud that partially paralyzed it. Seizing the opportunity and my improved jumping ability, I launched myself at it and kneed it in the head, stunning it. To finish it off, I bit its neck and, thanks to my enhanced bite strength, tore out a large chunk. It didn't even move, collapsing limp and lifeless.

"Haaa," I panted for air after the short but intense fight. I looked at the cocoon I had just emerged from and then at the Jagras' body. I dragged the latter to a safer spot to eat.

After some time, I leaned against a tree and began to eat.

[Abilities acquired: Ripping Jaw, Quick Charge, Elastic Skin.

Accept: YES/NO.]

I pressed YES and felt a burning sensation in my jaw and skin. I was still unsure about what had happened with the cocoon, so I did the most intelligent thing: I opened my status.

[Name: Chryssia

Abilities:

Special: Devour, Synthesis, World Travel.

Body: Climbing Claws, Tail Shedding, Ant Strength, 360-Degree Vision, Jaw Dislocation, Long Tongue, Jumping Legs, Olfactory Tongue, Ripping Jaw, Elastic Skin (9/12).

Offensive: Bite Strength, Formic Acid Spitter, Venomous Bite, Quick Charge (4/6).

Defensive: Chitin Shield, Paralyzing Cloud, Elastic Skin (3/6).

Social: Pheromone Detection, Intimidating Hood (2/6).

Survival: Digging (1/6).

Evolve: Increased Muscle Mass (Body).

Events.]

"Well, first, it seems that evolving gives me a new ability related to what evolved. Second, I didn't notice it before, but now I'm taller. I think I'm about a meter tall now. My body is more toned, my vision has improved, and my horns have moved farther apart," I hissed, using my tongue, which now resembled that of a snake at the tip.

It seems evolution mutates my body based on the characteristic I evolve and grants an ability because of it.

"And it's a very useful one. Having more muscle mass is always going to be handy in general. I just... wish someone had told me that evolving would trap me in a damn cocoon and make me vulnerable because of it. That would have been useful! Do you hear me, goddess?" I shouted at the sky, and as if the goddess herself were sending me a message, I heard the roar of a Rathalos in the distance. So, I ran in the opposite direction.

I appreciate any comments, suggestions, or reviews. It would also be very helpful to receive suggestions for future worlds.