Chapter 6 On Death’s Doorstep

The reptile's forked tongue flickered, again and again, matching the rhythm of his heartbeat. He cautiously eyed the blue-furred creature. He had witnessed it use some sort of mana attack, which had put him on edge.

The furred monster released a deafening roar, causing the trees around them to shake. And with a rustle, leaves from the trees began to fall like rain. The furred monster glanced at its baby trying to check its condition.

The baby was still conscious, laying down on its side, however, its breathing was rushed and unstable, hinting that the venom from the lizard's bite had done a number on it.

The reptile noticed the worry in its eyes as it looked at the baby. Perhaps he could take advantage of this… His yellow pupil slit narrowed and he used his Camouflage skill, blending in with the surroundings.

[Camouflage has reached level 3]

Watching as the lizard dematerialize, the furred monster looked around, growing more and more worried for its child. It felt that if it was by itself it wouldn't have a problem dealing with the reptile, however, with its baby was different. It wouldn't be able to focus on the fight.

Bringing it back into reality, the bushes next to it rustled. The furred creature immediately cast another Ice Shards spell and aimed where the sound came from. Yet the second it shot its spell the baby cried out in pain once more.

The furred creature snapped its head back and went to jump to protect its offspring, and that's when it felt a claw in its thigh, then a bite on its stomach.

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"Roahhh!!" it cried out.

The pain was unbearable, yet it could not give up. The fur on its body began to freeze up, giving the monster a thin armor around its body. Then it reflexively turned around, enforcing its left claw with sharp ice, making its claws two times as lethal.

It swung with all its might cutting through the air until it made contact with a hard scaly surface. Seconds later a hiss full of agony was heard.

The reptile popped out of his Camouflage and continued to hiss in pain. Its tail had been cut off. The decapitated tail moved wildly on the ground and blood dripped from the lizard's rear. The inner parts of his tail were visible and blood gushed drop after drop, creating a puddle.

At this point the reptile was enraged, his vertical-slitted pupils grew narrow and his mouth instinctively widened revealing razor-sharp teeth. Saliva dripped unknowingly from his mouth and he gave into his instinct losing himself.

He slipped into Camouflage becoming hidden once again. The furred monster channeled more mana into its defense and stood over its baby. However, before it could even fortify defenses a whoosh sound could be heard as the air was getting cut by the lizard's speed. A claw dug deep into the furred creature's abdomen, slitting it half open.

[Dash has reached level 4]

[Claw Swipe has reached level 3]

Intestines slipped through the openings of the creature's stomach falling directly on top of the baby that was laying under it. Its hoarse voice reverberated around the area.

Then another claw swiped across its face, shredding its eye. The reptile did not let up and bit its leg, grabbing and slinging the monster. It landed a few feet away from the lizard.

The furred monster wailed lowly from the unbearable pain that it was experiencing. It breathed heavily and looked toward its baby with its remaining eye.

It was still on the ground injured from the lizard's bite. Its eye widened and its breathing became even more rushed than before. In its line of sight, the reptile coldly glared at it with his claw on its offspring.

It began to use as much strength as it could gather, however, its body would not budge. It was a shame, it's body had finally started to succumb to the venom from being bit.

All the adrenaline was gone, now only exhaustion and pain were left. The lizard's ice-cold stare moved from it to the baby. Its mouth widened revealing his teeth, almost like an evil smile.

Without a moment's notice the reptile bit into the baby monster mercilessly. It ripped and tore the skin, dying the light blue coat of the baby crimson red. The mother lay there in sorrow as she watched the wretched monster eat her own offspring. There was nothing she could do.

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Verglas Tiger Cub, you are rewarded one Biomass]

[Basic profile of the Verglas Tiger Cub unlocked]

[You have defeated level 2 Verglas Tiger Cub]

[You have gained XP]

[You have achieved level 3, One skill point awarded]

The metallic voice resounded in the lizard's mind. Yet it continued to consume its food. After a short time, the voice began speaking again.

[You have defeated level 7 Mature Verglas Tiger]

[You have gained XP]

[You have achieved level 4, One skill point awarded]

[You have achieved level 5, one skill point awarded]

[You have reached the level cap, evolution menu available]

Evolution menu? He did not know what that meant, but all he cared about was eating at the moment. The mother tiger had died, she had succumbed to the venom and died from it. Yet the lizard continued eating, It moved as if it was a robot doing its only function.

[You have gained one biomass]

Once he finished the cub tiger he lifelessly moved to its mother. All he did was chew over and over again. The ice shards had already evaporated once the mother tiger died, so his open wounds just leaked blood continuously along with his rear.

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Mature Verglas Tiger, you are rewarded one Biomass]

[Basic profile of the Mature Verglas Tiger unlocked]

While eating, the metallic voice continued to chat in his head.

[You have gained one biomass]

[You have gained one biomass]

[You have gained one biomass]

It looks like he could get more Biomass eating higher evolved monsters. As he finished eating the mother tiger he had gotten one more Biomass bringing his total Biomass to 6, and his skill points to 3.

Within the mother tiger's remains there glowed a red monster core, however, the lizard was much too tired to worry about collecting it.

He stood up, his eyes drowsy now. He had lost too much blood, he needed to get to a safe spot. The lizard started to walk to the safest place he knew: the cave. He walked slowly and sluggishly stumbling every now and again.

Luck was on his side because he hadn't encountered any monsters yet. He weakly flicked his tongue picking up on an aroma that felt soothing. Although he was trying to get to his cave he subconsciously was following the soothing scent.

In his view was a large lake that he had never seen, even after hunting in the forest multiple times. And it appeared to be glowing? He wasn't sure, however, something in him was telling him that he needed to drink from this lake.

He tried ducking his head down to take a sip and fell, half of his body slipped into the water. He could go no further... Soon he slipped unconscious.

***

Monster profile:

[Verglas Tiger Cub: Ice/Frost Tiger Cub. Physically weak, being very dependent on its mother and father. Be careful it's childish roar is usually a call for its mother in time of panic. Found in the Frosted Forest and in the first Stratum of the Great Aeternus Labyrinth]

[Mature Verglas Tiger: Adult Ice/Frost Tiger. Compared to its inferior and younger evolution, it's much stronger. Due to the guidance of its mother and father, it has gained a core and can manipulate mana to cast magic. It also has a strong physique, equipped with sharp fangs and claws. Its speed is not to be underestimated. Found in the Frosted Forest and in the first and second Stratum of the Great Aeternus Labyrinth]