Chapter 5 An Icey Situation

Labyrinths and Dungeons alike, have always existed alongside mankind. Records of them date back as far as 150AC, and that's only when scholars started the research.

Historians believe that Labyrinths and dungeons were formed during the process of the creation of the continents. Yet even now, there have been little to no major advancements regarding them. A true mystery!

Predecessors have postulated that Dungeons/Labyrinths uses the Apparatus as a device to repopulate itself when monster levels are too low and regular parturition is not sufficient enough to maintain a healthy population, whatever that may be. There is evidence to suggest that lower monster numbers increase the likelihood of an 'Outage'.

Except from the private notes of Elton Dunne, Chronicler & Wiseman of the Council, Asrich.

***

The lizard finished eating the rest of the snail and received a second Biomass. The snail was about half its size, nevertheless, as a monster of the Aeternus Lacerta species, he could eat more than two times his body size.

He was about to search for his next prey when he spotted something glistening within the bloodied grass. He rustled through the tall grass and found a small orb-looking ball. It sparkled lightly, red in color.

The reptile flicked its tongue, trying to figure out if it was edible. He moved his face closer, lightly touching it with the tip of his nose.

[You are unable to absorb the monster core due to not having a core of your own]

The metallic voice woke him from his stupor. Apparently, this was a monster core? The lizard, however, did not know what that meant.

He had never seen or heard about this through 'the voice' until now. He hissed lowly. It was of no use to him if he could not eat it. Yet as he continued to stare at it he began to grow infatuated with the shiny ball.

In the end, he tucked the core in his maw and started to walk back to his territory. He changed his plans, he would take this core and go back to the cave where he could keep it stored so it wouldn't get lost. In addition, he could also mutate safely since he had two Biomass at the moment.

...

In the cave, the lizard looked through the menu in his mind. He had decided that he would mutate his scales and claws. He already had the Venomous Bite skill so he could hold off on mutating his teeth right now, he'd do it next time.

Select, Scales +1 and Claws +1

[Would you like to purchase Scales +1 and Claws +1? It will cost two Biomass.]

He confirmed.

The chilly sensation returned, this time all over his body. The coolness wrapped him like a blanket, tugging and caressing his claws. The lizard closed his eyes and hissed lowly enjoying the feeling. It lasted approximately eighty seconds before it faded away.

He stood and turned his head in a way so that he could view his body. The dark green scales on his back had become much more hard and sturdy, and the light green small scales on his stomach grew larger and more durable.

His black claws also grew longer, with their tips becoming much more sharpened. Satisfied with his new look the reptile swung his tail a bit and opened his status.

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Name: Not Issued

Level: 2

Strength: 30

Toughness: 33

Cunning: 50

Will: 27

HP: 25/25

MP: 0/0

Skills[Attack]: Venomous Bite level 2; Tail Whip level 3, Claw Swipe level 2

Skills[Support]: Dash level 3, Night Vision level 4, Camouflage level 1

Mutations: Jacobson's organ +1, Legs +1, Eyes +1, Scales +1, Claws +1

Species: Aeternus Lacerta Hatchling(Male)

Biomass: 0

Skill Point: 0

He closed the status and stood up, preparing to leave now that he was finished with the mutations. He took a peak at the small red core one more time before he left the cave.

Entering the forest expanse, he entered hunter mode immediately. Flickering his tongue he marched deeper into the forest getting covered by green bushes.

Shortly after running for a while, he activated his Camouflage. He instinctively felt he was close to his target. Swaying closer and closer he could hear a high-pitched meow.

Two monsters were walking together. One was obviously more evolved and mutated while the other looked to be a baby. They were covered in blue fur with black stripes patterned, their eyes lemon yellow colored. As the duo walked their tails swayed back and forth.

The baby was much smaller so it couldn't properly keep up, falling a few steps behind its senior. It jumped and playfully bit at its senior's tail.

[Camouflage has reached level 2]

The reptile stuck his sharp claws into the trunk of a large tree and began climbing it, easily blending with his surroundings. He watched them coldly and understood which one was the easiest to target. The bigger one would definitely be more difficult to deal with.

As the duo walked on the ground passing bushes, he was climbing through the trees stalking them quietly. Soon the baby began to get tired and started to get left behind more and more so its senior decided to take a break. They would rest for a little then start back walking to the destination.

Seeing this opportunity the lizard swiftly climbed down the closest tree and flanked around them. He crawled tactfully, closer and closer... Then he used Poisonous Bite on the baby, quickly dragging it away.

"Meow!!!"

The baby cried out in pain and fortunately its senior was quick to jump onto its feet. The area around them began to get chilly and the senior opened its mouth revealing large sharp fangs.

A blue ball of mana began to form in front of its mouth and condense, changing into sharp ice shards that aimed straight for the lizard.

Unfortunately, the reptile wasn't quick enough to dodge and was skewered. His scales only protected him from some of the shards. He hissed in pain and let go of the baby, retreating back to get some space between each other.

The baby continued to cry out in pain, the venom from that bite was eating at its blood cells.

The senior ran and stood in front of the baby showing its will to protect it and roared threateningly. The lizard viciously hissed back, showing obvious killing intent.