Evolution
The cave is vast, and what once filled me with fear now feels oddly familiar. The darkness, the damp earth beneath me, the ever-present sensation of being surrounded by unseen creatures—it's all become second nature. Crawling through these caverns is no longer terrifying. The fear that once gripped me has given way to a steady determination. I'm not just surviving anymore—I'm thriving.
My level has climbed steadily, each encounter making me stronger. I can feel it in every movement, every subtle shift in my body. The power that flows through me now is a far cry from the weak little worm I once was. I've come a long way.
It was during one of these moments, as I focused on gaining even more strength, that a thought flickered in the back of my mind. A notification from when I reached level 25. I had brushed it aside at the time, too focused on the immediate goal of leveling up. But now, with my stats higher and a moment to breathe, it's time to revisit it.
Evolution.
The very idea sends a thrill through me. What could I become? The paths ahead of me are numerous, each leading to a different destiny. Should I evolve into something powerful now, or take a path that's weaker but promises greater strength later on? It's a big decision, one that could shape my entire future.
The world is vast, filled with creatures far stronger than I am now. If I'm going to survive—and not just survive, but truly thrive—I need to choose wisely. Evolution isn't just about becoming stronger; it's about becoming something new, something better.
It's time to see what this evolution has to offer. The thought of transforming, of becoming something more than what I am now, is exhilarating. But with that excitement comes a sense of caution. This is a turning point, and the choice I make could define everything that comes next.
[Character Window]
Name: Lesser Abyssal Worm
Level: 29, Rank: J-
HP: 49/49
MP: 87/87
STA: 40/40
STR: 12
AGI: 15
INT: 21
EDU: 11
DEF: 5.5
M.DEF: 5.5
LCK: 55
Skills:
[Dig LV II] [Regeneration LV I] [Parasitic Attach LV II] [Detect LV II] [Greater Agility LV I] [Night Vision LV I]
Title:
[?>:<](&^*!?]< strong>
[You have earned the right to evolve. Pick your species skill tree.]
[Abyssal Worm] Rank J
[Lesser Poison Worm] Rank H-
[Lesser Frost Worm] Rank I
[Giant Warrior Worm] Rank D
[Parasyte Worm] Rank J
[Lesser Hive Mind] Rank G+
...
As you can see, the reason I've been holding off on evolving is that I can't make up my mind on what would be best for my future. You see, in games, evolving now doesn't mean you can't evolve into something better later. You can start weak and become overpowered in the late game. It's not like I can respec my build afterward, so I need to think this through. There are about 23 paths I can take right now, and five of them could change my species into something entirely different, like [Lesser Hive Mind], [Lesser Abyssal Burrower], [Lesser Abyssal Corruptor], [Lesser Abyssal Stalker], or [Lesser Abyssal Devourer].
But these species seem to have a short evolutionary path, at least according to my gaming and fantasy knowledge. I prefer to stay as a worm and build up my stats. The evolution that catches my eye is [Parasyte Worm]. If I can steal my opponents' skills, I bet I can become the most powerful worm there is. Rank G is still quite low for my liking, but the sooner I evolve, the better—there might be perks to evolving early.
[You have picked [Parasite Worm] as your evolution.]
My mind immediately goes blank, and I pass out. I didn't expect evolution to take such a toll.
"I fucked up…"
[You have evolved into [Parasite Worm].]
[[Parasitic Attach] has evolved into [Parasitic Domination].]
[Parasitic Domination]
An advanced form of [Parasitic Attach] that not only drains the host's HP and stamina but also grants control over the host's body and mind, allowing the user to temporarily dominate the host's actions.
[Your health is in a dire situation.]
As soon as I open my eyes, a wave of discomfort washes over me—something feels terribly wrong. It takes a moment for the realization to hit: I can't feel my body the way I used to. No crawling, no wriggling... nothing. It's as if I've been reduced to just a fragment of myself. Panic starts to bubble up, but I force it down, trying to stay calm.
Slowly, it dawns on me—I've been eaten. I'm inside something, trapped in a darkness that's different from the cave's familiar shadows. It's warmer here, the walls around me pulse with an unsettling rhythm, and the air is thick with a sharp, acidic scent. A bat. I'm inside the stomach of a bat.
My worm body, the one I fought so hard to strengthen, is gone. All that's left is my head, somehow still alive, lodged deep in the bat's belly. It's a horrifying thought—being devoured, losing almost everything—and yet, here I am. Still conscious, still thinking, and, most importantly, still able to act.
I mentally take a deep breath, pushing the panic aside, and try to focus. I'm not completely helpless, not yet. My skills—they're still there, especially the new one I gained from evolving—[Parasitic Domination]. The name alone gives me hope. This isn't just about attaching and draining anymore; now, I have the power to dominate, to control.
With nothing to lose, I decide to use it. I concentrate on the bat, willing my consciousness to spread through its body. At first, it's disorienting, like trying to move in a dream where nothing makes sense. But slowly, I begin to feel it—the bat's limbs, its wings, its heartbeat. It's strange, like I'm piloting a machine from the inside.
Then something incredible happens. The bat's body responds to my will. I make its wings twitch, its claws flex. I'm no longer just a helpless piece of prey—I'm in control. I'm no longer the worm being eaten; I'm the parasite taking over its host.
The panic that gripped me moments ago fades, replaced by a cold, calculated determination. I survived the bat's attack, and now I'm going to use it to my advantage. This isn't the end—it's a new beginning.