Ezra stood amidst the carnage, his breath steady despite the blood soaking the snow around him. The scent of iron filled the air, but he felt no remorse—only clarity. The weak hesitated. The strong acted.
And for the first time in his life… he was strong.
A notification flickered before his eyes.
[Quest Complete.]
- Reward: Evolution Path Unlocked.
[Choose Your Next Evolution Path:]
1. Abyssal Predator – A path of relentless adaptation, gaining the traits of every creature defeated.
2. Titan-Blooded – A path of raw, unstoppable strength, surpassing human limits entirely.
3. Shadow Reaver – A path of speed and lethality, striking from darkness with unseen precision.
Ezra's eyes narrowed. Each option called to him, offering something beyond human limitations.
But only one fit his hunger for absolute power.
[Abyssal Predator Selected.]
[Evolution in Progress…]
A wave of searing heat exploded inside his body. Ezra dropped to his knees, his fingers clawing into the frozen earth as his entire being transformed.
Bones cracked. Flesh tore. Muscles reshaped.
But it wasn't pain—it was growth.
Power rippled through him, a primal force rewriting his very existence. He could feel it—his senses expanding, his strength multiplying. His skin darkened slightly, taking on a faint, almost imperceptible sheen. His nails hardened into razor-sharp claws, his teeth tingled with a new, sharper edge.
And then, his vision changed.
The world around him pulsed with energy, his eyes perceiving things he never could before. The lingering heat of bodies, the faint glow of life hidden within the trees—he could see it all.
A final notification flashed.
[Evolution Complete.]
- Abyssal Predator Form (Stage 1) Unlocked.
- New Abilities Gained:
Predator's Instinct (Instantly detects threats and weaknesses in enemies.)
Devourer's Absorption (Gain partial traits from slain foes.)
Enhanced Regeneration (Fatal wounds heal rapidly over time.)
Ezra exhaled, clenching his fists as raw power coursed through him. Stronger. Faster. Sharper.
This was only Stage 1.
He grinned. Just how far can I evolve?
But before he could relish in his newfound power—
A new notification appeared.
[WARNING: DANGER DETECTED.]
[HIGH-TIER BEAST APPROACHING.]
Ezra's head snapped up. His sharpened senses picked up something—a presence moving through the trees, large and powerful.
Then, a deep, guttural growl echoed through the night.
The trees trembled. Snow shook loose from the branches.
Ezra's new Predator's Instinct activated instantly, and his body tensed.
Something massive is coming.
A shadow emerged from the forest—taller than any man, covered in thick, obsidian-black fur, its eyes burning with savage intelligence.
[Dire Nightfang – Apex Predator]
- Rank: Alpha-Class Beast
- Threat Level: High
- Ability: Lunar Berserk (Power increases under moonlight.)
Ezra's grin widened.
Before, a monster like this would have torn him apart.
But now?
Now, he was the real predator.
Predator vs. Predator
The Dire Nightfang emerged from the shadows, its obsidian-black fur shimmering under the moonlight. Muscles coiled beneath its thick hide, and its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Ezra with pure, primal hunger.
It wasn't just an animal. It was an Apex Predator.
A beast that had never lost a hunt.
The air grew heavy. Ezra could feel the tension in his veins, his new instincts screaming at him.
But unlike before, he didn't feel fear.
He felt exhilaration.
A notification flickered in his vision.
[Predator's Instinct Activated.]
Analyzing enemy...
Weak points detected: Neck, underbelly, hind legs.
Threat Level: High (But Killable).
Ezra's grin widened. Perfect.
The Dire Nightfang moved first.
With a burst of speed unnatural for its size, the beast lunged, its massive claws slicing through the air.
Fast.
Ezra barely dodged, rolling to the side as the creature's claws ripped through the ground, carving deep trenches in the frozen dirt.
It wasn't just strong—it was explosively fast.
But Ezra was faster.
He moved before he even thought. His new Predator's Instinct guided him, his body reacting on its own.
The Nightfang lunged again—this time, Ezra didn't dodge.
Instead, he countered.
With a blur of movement, he ducked under its swipe and drove his claws straight into its exposed underbelly.
SLASH!
Dark blood sprayed across the snow. The beast howled in rage, staggering back.
Ezra didn't let up. He dashed forward, his claws gleaming in the moonlight—
But then—
The Nightfang moved unpredictably.
It twisted mid-air, using the momentum to whip its powerful tail toward Ezra's chest.
THWACK!
The impact sent him flying.
Ezra crashed into a tree, splintering the wood as pain shot through his ribs. He hit the ground hard, but his new Enhanced Regeneration was already kicking in, sealing minor wounds almost instantly.
That thing isn't just strong—it's smart.
The Nightfang circled him now, no longer attacking recklessly. It had learned.
Ezra wiped blood from his lips and smirked. "Good. That makes two of us."
The real fight was about to begin.
---
Round Two: The Hunt Ends Here
The beast roared and charged, its powerful legs kicking up snow and dirt.
This time, Ezra didn't dodge.
Instead, he met it head-on.
The moment the Nightfang pounced, Ezra sidestepped at the last second and twisted mid-air, bringing his claws down in a devastating arc—
SLASH!
He severed its Achilles tendon.
The beast collapsed, howling in agony. Its back legs gave out, unable to support its weight.
Ezra didn't hesitate.
He leaped onto its back, grabbing hold of its thick fur. The Nightfang thrashed, trying to shake him off—but he clung on like death itself.
Then—
Ezra's jaws unhinged.
His teeth, now razor-sharp, sank deep into the Nightfang's neck.
[Devourer's Absorption Activated.]
Absorbing Apex Predator Traits...
Partial Ability Acquired: Lunar Berserk (Physical strength increases under moonlight.)
The beast screeched—but Ezra ripped out its throat, silencing it forever.
Blood dripped from his lips as he stood over the corpse of a fallen predator.
[Apex Kill Achieved.]
- Evolution Progress: 15%
- Strength Increased.
- New Trait Acquired: Beastkin Reflexes (Instinctively react to attacks without conscious thought.)
Ezra flexed his fingers. He could feel the power surging through him. His muscles, his instincts, his very essence had evolved once more.
The weak prey he had once been was long gone.
And this was only the beginning.
He turned his gaze toward the distant horizon.
There were bigger threats out there. Stronger prey.
And he was going to devour them all.