Chapter 6

The Mantle of Limbs is, how can I say it... like the hood of Big Chill from Ben 10, but black, composed of eight spider legs interwoven with a membrane featuring dark red veins. It doesn't cover the top of my head, so it doesn't interfere with my crest.

I can open and close it at will, in addition to being able to glide with it. Although it's not its primary use, the tips of the spider legs can be used for attacking or climbing, though they're too short to be very useful.

"Well, first of all, it seems that the number of abilities a function has determines how valuable it will be for evolution. Second, I can have up to three evolutions at once... At this point, I think I'm ready to face a large monster."

I stay silent while considering the possibilities.

"I don't know what kind of ability the event will grant me, but it should be a good one. And since it doesn't specify any particular type of monster... then I'll take on the tutorial monster, the Great Jagras."

...

When I finished using the Synthesis ability, it was already nighttime, so by the time my evolution was complete, it was morning. I left my cave with a goal in mind.

The new abilities I obtained were: Enhanced Nervous System, Armored Plates, Improved Lung Capacity, and Impact Absorption. The first improves my reflexes, the second grants plates on areas like elbows, knees, stomach, neck, etc., the third simply enhances how much oxygen I can retain, and the fourth lets my body better absorb kinetic force.

My size also increased to two and a half meters. Despite my humanoid body, most monsters remain much larger than me, whether in length or width. But this is a world where people wield disproportionately large weapons to fight even bigger monsters, so size here is no excuse.

"So... how do I start this?" I ask myself as I watch a relaxed Great Jagras, accompanied by six of its smaller relatives, drinking from a watering hole.

"I guess I'll go big," I say to myself as I adjust my posture to jump from the five-meter slope I'm perched on.

I leap and, for the first time, use Meteoric Fall. The results didn't disappoint.

I landed on the Great Jagras, slamming it into the ground with its full body weight. The smaller Jagras were sent flying from the force of the impact.

The Jagras took a moment to recover—surprisingly, nothing broke from the hit. Though, I suppose its organs must be a little damaged.

I take advantage of its vulnerability and deliver a straight punch to the top of its head. This causes it to react with a roar of pain and anger before it rises on its hind legs and tries to crush me with its body.

I dodge the blow by rolling and deliver a kick to its stomach, followed by another hit to its back.

It tries to turn to bite me, but I avoid it.

Seeing that one bite isn't enough, it sweeps the ground with its tail, which I avoid by jumping and, in the process, land a few hits to its side, making it growl.

The Great Jagras, realizing none of its attacks are working, lets out a roar different from the previous ones. From all over the forest, more small Jagras appear. There are a dozen of them now.

"Good thing I have an ability for this type of situation."

With the Cloud ability, I create a yellowish mist that paralyzes upon inhalation. It works instantly, paralyzing both the Great Jagras and the smaller ones.

The effect seems stronger on the smaller ones since the larger one only shows minor spasms. Deciding there's no need to prolong this, I try out a new ability.

I use Paralyzing Acid Venom Launchers, which essentially injects potent acid that, if it can't destroy the victim's tissue, acts as a paralyzing agent.

Using my claws, fangs, or tail, I inject the acid into the Great Jagras. At first, it couldn't move due to paralysis, and when the effect wore off, it was no longer in a condition to resist.

Of course, all this was possible because the Jagras couldn't resist paralysis and because my acid was effective against it. Against other monsters, I doubt I'd be as lucky, but for now, I'll exploit this.

[Event Completed

Reward: Night Vision]

"It's not much, but it's useful," I say as I check the reward. I then turn my gaze back to the smaller Jagras, now free from paralysis. Upon seeing their leader dead, they waste no time turning and running away.

"Anyway... good meal for me."

...

[Abilities Obtained: Large Monster Physiology, Species Alpha, Extendable Stomach, Spit Stomach Acid, Padded Stomach, Crushing Body

Accept: YES/NO]

The notification appeared about halfway through eating the Jagras' body. After confirming nothing bad would happen, I chose Yes.

As always, I felt that burning sensation, this time all over my body, especially in my stomach. One thing to note was that I saw my height increase in real-time while conscious. My height grew to over three meters!

I checked the descriptions of the first two abilities, and as I suspected, they were the cause of this change. Large Monster Physiology seems to be shared by all large monsters. It strengthens the body, increasing the durability of skin, bones, and organs against all types of damage. It also prevents significant blood loss, even when a limb is lost.

The second ability is exclusive to species with small and large variants. It essentially increases the size and strength of the species alpha. This was the main reason my body grew again.

Even though I don't need to finish eating the body, it feels wrong to waste food. Since I want to try out the Extendable Stomach ability along with Jaw Dislocation, I grab the rest of the body with my hands.

Lifting it above my head, I dislocate my jaw and swallow the entire body. When I had only part of the tail left to swallow, I heard the sound of a branch snapping.

I have 360-degree vision, but since I had to tilt my head to swallow the body, my view was obstructed. I repositioned myself, almost praying to the goddess who brought me to this world that it wasn't what I thought it was.

But my prayers weren't answered.

Standing on some bushes was a hunter in what I think was Anjanath armor, staring at me with a look as shocked as mine.

And there I was, with a bloated belly and part of a tail sticking out of my mouth. I don't think that was the best first impression.

I wanted the fight to be longer, but if I made it longer, it would only be if the protagonist wasn't serious against the Jagras. Also, if you're worried that all future fights will be like this, don't worry, I will make the paralysis and acid less effective. At most, they will only work against monsters weaker than the Anjanath.

I appreciate any comments, suggestions, or reviews. Helpful to receive suggestions for future worlds