1 The Little Stragglers

The soft glow of the orange sun slowly risen off from beneath the ocean waters in the distance.

Its numerous rays of sunlight then encapsulates the surface of the blue ocean seawaters, steadily keeping the darkness at bay.

And light that could not possibly pass through the solid opaque object would then cast a longstanding shadow behind it, but as the sun slowly rises towards the centre of the sky. The longsgtanding shadows would then recede backwards towards its source.

And right besides the edge of the seashore, sharp burial stone are laid underfoot, beneath the sandy-dirt ground. Neatly arranged together to form a solid dorm of some sort.

The vast everlapsing wave of turquoise blue washing onto the sea shore beach.

It's versatile waters passes by, forcing its way through many obstacles; briefly kissing empty seashells, raming against hard stone.

Not eventually, before finally angbc

Acting as the perfect shield to protect the newborn baby tortoise from harm, and incoming predators.

After which, a few days have passed, forcing the little xbaby tortoise to learm to survive on their own. Their innate survival instinct kicks in, striving to live, they must first find an ample supplied of food, a stable shelter.

In order to fuel their growth. They must first learn to kill. Seeking nourishment, level, and experiences, over the deaths of others.

{To stain one's own hand with blood, in order for anothger to survive, and live on...}

For the first few days, the ones with higher intelligence, were smart enough to make out the benefits of nutritional diet. They have been mostly eating the remains of their eggshells, and any other they find lying around. In addition to seashells they've found lying around on the sea shore.

It was not that hard to found easy food, laying around the sea shore, beside their nest, but rather their capability to chew through the rough exterior.

Over time, with constant repetitive biting, thanks to the aid of the system. They've obtain a specified skill [ Bite ], which boost the biting strength of their jaw attack, without altering their physique or jawline.

The seashells and eggshells that is contain in their diet, contains high traces of concentrated calcium. Which is pretty beneficial for marine lifeforms, that possesses an exoskeleton, as it provides sustenance for better bone growth, and makes the bones alot stronger even.

For the vast majority, managed to adapt to the changes. Fast enough. So that they won't fall behind from the others. Learning how to hunt in pacts, overpowering the enemy in greater numbers. And finally supplementing the rudimentary food source, from one to another, when the food supplies are at all time low.

Their diet mainly consists of edible sea plants (seaweed), and sometimes smaller critter, or a wild sea slug.

{A sea slug is a typical marine invertebrae that you would commonly find anywhere near the edge of the sea shore. Most sea slugs possess acidic bodies, or slimey toxic goo withinside them, to deter predators away from wanting to eat them.}

Later that evening, when the storm of killings has died down. The strong ones gathered together, and the weaker ones naturally follow suit, until it then became a large gathering of tortoise.

They would start to form smaller individual groups, under one united leadership. Only those of reptilian heritage, who possesses a reptilian tongue, or of the same kin can understand them.

Through much greater efforts, with the help and aid of the Akashic system, granted by this world of Yggdrasil, named after the great world tree in Norse Mythology.

Embedded within each individual and inhabitant of Yggdrassil, is the innate knowledge of wisdom, and the potential to perceive the world in its raw state.

They each called out the the word 'Status' in their mind.

A blue status screen then appears before them, each displaying their own abilities, skill, and traits.

{ A 'Status Screen' is unique and personal, tailored specifically to that individual, there can never be one of the same identical status screens. }

_______________________________

[Status Screen]

Name: Xu Shao

Race: Infans Testudinidae

Gender: Male

Level: 01/05 (0/125 exp)

Title: The Little Straggler {new}

[Basic Stats]

Health Points: 10/10(Green)

Mana Points: 9/9(Blue)

Stamina Points: 15/18(Orange)

[Stats Attributes]

Strength: 8

Defence:19

Agility:7

Endurance:3

Stamina:

Intellect: 9

Wisdom:

Willpower:

Perception:

Charm:

Luck: 3

Unallocated Stat Points: 6

-Skill List-

Active Skill

「Bite (Common) Lv2」

Passive Skill

「Hide (Common) Lv1」「Leap (Common) Lv1」「Tier 1 Defence Up (Uncommon) Lv1」

「Reinforced Skeleton (Uncommon) Lv1」「Overeating (Rare) Lv1」

_______________________________

This little Infans Testudinidae is none other than Xu Shao, and a rather oddball at that. Compare to the majority of his peers, who thinks brute force makes you stronger. To him the best defence is the best offense...

Xu Shao is alot more capable than he looks. Even more competent more so than his peers.

That is why, from the very beginning, Xu Shao didn't participate in any hunts, with the group. So his level remained as Lv1 all along, but his defense stats grew.

His tortoiseshell toughens up, growing thicker, and much stronger, with added layers. Due to the high calcium diet.

He was in fact, said to be the smartest one out of the bunch, with an initial 9 stats value in intelligence, without any added level up bonuses.

{ This comes to show how much a measly little difference in base stats, could determine one's own nature, talent, altitude, etc. }

At the same time, his personality was quite unusual, as he sort of developed an antisocial behaviour. Needing to place his own needs of survival, over the needs of others.

That does not mean that he is heartless, and ruthless. And does not care about family bonds.

It just only mean that his will to live is just much stronger than his needs for kinship.

He always cautious; keeping track of his surroundings, and preparing an escape route, insuring his safety, when the needs come when he has to abandoned his birthplace.

In the meantime, he bide his time, chewing on some delicious seaweeds, and crunchy hard seashells. Commonly, found anywhere, littered everywhere around the beach, beside the seashore.

Seaweed, kelp, seashells, and sea slugs; are one of the most plentiful seaside food amongst the seashore.

{ That does not mean that the competition for the food here is not that fierce. Though there is plenty going around. It is quite often the first to rise will get to eat, and the last to wake gets the leftovers, like the saying goes 'the early bird gets the worm'. In this case, the last one to get up, either gets nothing or have to further to forage for some food. }

The seaside food provides you with the neccessary nutrients, Iron, Calcium, etc. And enviroment, enabling the little Infans Testudinidae to grow, develop faster, in preparation for their survival in the wild.

Looking at the group as a whole, the strongest one is usually the biggest, as ones size indicates ones own level of growth and strength.

The biggest Infans Testudinidae in the group, Xu Kaen. He lets out a good hardy chuckle, before outright breaking into a laughter.

As everyone turned around, looking at him wierdly, and wondered 'What the heck is he doing? And why is he laughing like a madman.'

This got the others really confused, showing blank stares. Until...

Xu Kaen was outright boasting about himself, thinking highly of himself; because of how high his level is, and his strength attribute stats value far exceeds his peers, two to three times the norm.

As all of you must know, all of the Infans Testudinidae in this batch, all roughly hatched around the same time.

But one look at Xu Kaen, and comparing himself to his siblings. You could obviously tell the difference in strength, and ability; Ones large like a rock, and the other a small size pebble.

Everyone can see the arrogance within him, brimming with confidence and charisma. As a sense of pride is starting to be developed.

Xu Kaen starts to see himself in a new light, as someone that is more special, different than the rest of his peers. Despite being of the same race, and kin...

He raised his head, held high, and said. "Hahaha... Just look at me. I'm the strongest one in the group. My level is highest, and I have the strength of 21. I should be the leader of this group."

His words were directed at the group, as tension rises in the air.

One of the Infans Testudinidae tries to stand up, and rebuke back at him, but was immediately shut down.

"Why you..."

With a single sweep of his claws, the lone Infans Testudinidae that tried to rebuke him, was send flying backwards. Falling over onto his shell.

As he screamed, "Ugh!", later having fallen unconscious, over the sheer strength of Xu Kaen's display of strength.

Everyone hold their breadth, and groaned in displeasure at the sight.

They felt so humiliated, but at the same time, they can't refute him. As he was right, Xu Kaen was indeed the strongest one in the group. Therefore he should be the leader of this group.

{ Isn't the leader normally the strongest one and more dependable in the group... }

However, it still doesn't give him the right to treat others like dirt, truly beneath him. Their his brother and sisters afterall.

'We're supposed to be family...'

Xu Shao glanced over at the bunch, and sighs. Breathing out an air of annoyance.

Feeling no need to hide the truth. Xu Shao spoke what was on his mind. "If you want to be the leader, then fine. Go ahead. No one is goanna stop you. If you guys want to follow him, then that is fine. I Don't Really Care! But Leave Me Out Of This!"

Xu Shao spoke naturally what he felt, unperturbed, and unrestrained. What everyone wanted to say, but doesn't have the guts to in fear of Xu Kaen's retaliation.

He sighs differently. Before moving away from the group, as he left the nest to go and scavage for some more food.

In truth, the more food he eats. In time, he would naturally start to slowly catch up to Xu Kaen. As he would insured his survival, by building up his experience pool, and arsenal of skills. Quickly, adapting to the changes, and foes he would face down the line.

His endoskelochic shell armour would become a lot tougher, making it most likely to block attacks from larger predators.

The vast majority, swayed by Xu Kaen's (kind) words, and powerful charisma, starts to follow him. The remaining individuals, that shares the same beliefs as Xu Shao, decided to act alone.

{ As the benefits of hunting alone, is that you probably won't have to share experiences points. Only the one that deals the final killing blow gets the overall experience points... }

Whilst, the youngest one in the group, Xu Reya. The last one to be hatched, and was the smallest one, was stuck on what to do.

She was quite puzzled, and couldn't come to a decision, on her own.

Should she join the pact; with greater numbers, means a better chance of survival, or should she instead go alone?

Whilst, on the other hand, venturing forth alone, means that you would get to keep 100% of the spoils to yourself. As there is no need to share it with others. Less mouth to feed, but more food in your belly.

However, how much as she wants to live and survive like her other brother and sisters. She really can't stand that crude personality of Kaen, and his ideals that much.

Afterall, just like the others, he was amongst the ones that would always pick on her, and bullied her because of her fragile size.

Obviously, because of her size, and her level is the lowest.

{ Can you guess? It's Lv1. She has gained no level or experience points since the day she was born ( hatched ). }

It is a sad matter of fact though. Nature can be harsh sometimes. As they only favour the strong, and not the weak. It's something that can't simply be changed, it's just how the hierarchy of the world works.

The laws of the jungle, dictates that the strong must devours the weak, in order for side to survive. They must devour another.

Similar to the hierarchy of the wolf pact. As the strongest individual within the group is considered the Alpha. And the Alpha leads the pact. Any decision it makes is final.

At the end of the day, you can only truly rely on yourself to survive. Or else you would just become a burden, baggage to be thrown away when used. Or become a weakness to be exploited by others.

Over-reliance on others would make you become a dead weight to them. The chances of betrayal and being abandon will rise..

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