Chapter 3: Cicada's fury
Usato steeled himself, gripping the stick firmly as he prepared to strike the cicada-like creature. He took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand.
With a swift motion, Usato swung the stick at the creature. But the cicada was too fast, dodging the attack with ease. It countered with a swift jab of its proboscis, aiming straight for Usato's chest.
Usato barely dodged the attack, his heart racing with fear. He realized that the creature was much more agile and deadly than he had anticipated.
SKY's voice echoed in his mind, "Host, the cicada's proboscis contains a potent venom. If you're struck, it could be fatal."
Usato gritted his teeth, determination burning within him. He wouldn't back down now. With a fierce cry, he charged at the cicada, stick at the ready.
The battle was intense, with both Usato and the cicada exchanging blows. But the creature's venomous proboscis proved to be too much for Usato. He stumbled back, the cicada's attack finding its mark.
Usato felt a searing pain as the venom coursed through his veins. His vision began to blur, and his body went limp. He was on the brink of death.
But then, something within him snapped. The Resolve skill, dormant until now, activated in response to Usato's desperation. A blue glow enveloped his body, and he felt an explosive surge of strength.
With newfound power, Usato's body began to fight back against the venom. His muscles tensed, and he felt his heart racing with renewed vitality.
The cicada, taken aback by Usato's sudden resurgence, stumbled backward. Usato took advantage of the momentary distraction to deliver a crushing blow, striking the cicada with all his might.
The creature's exoskeleton cracked, and it crumpled to the ground, defeated. Usato stood panting, his chest heaving with exhaustion. He had won, but at what cost?
His body felt like it was on fire, his muscles screaming in agony. The Resolve skill's passive effect had amplified his strength, but it had also caused micro-tears in his muscle tissues.
SKY's voice echoed in his mind, "Host, your Resolve skill's passive effect has amplified your strength, but it's also caused damage to your muscle tissues. Fortunately, these injuries are healable."
As Usato caught his breath, SKY's voice interrupted him once more.
"Host, your body has undergone significant improvements due to the fight. Your physical strength has increased by 12%, and your endurance has risen by 15%."
Usato's eyes widened in surprise. He had expected some improvement, but not to this extent.
SKY continued, "Additionally, you have acquired a new passive skill: Basic Poison Resistance. This skill grants you a 20% resistance to poison-based attacks."
Usato felt a surge of excitement. This new skill would undoubtedly prove useful in his survival journey.
SKY announced, "Host, I have also acquired a new skill: Devour. This skill allows me to devour any organism and convert its energy into a usable form. I can transfer this energy to you, Host, or use it to create another mini nanobot."
Usato's mind reeled as he processed the implications of SKY's new skill. The possibilities were endless.
SKY asked, "Host, may I demonstrate my new skill by devouring the dead cicada? I can create a new nanobot using the energy obtained from the cicada's body."
Usato hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to expect. But his curiosity got the better of him.
"Go ahead, SKY," Usato replied, his eyes fixed on the lifeless cicada.
SKY's response was immediate. A tiny, glowing tendril emerged from the air, wrapping itself around the cicada's body. The tendril began to glow brighter, and the cicada's body started to dissolve into a cloud of energy.
Usato watched in awe as the energy cloud was absorbed by the tendril, which then retreated back into the air.
SKY announced, "Host, the energy obtained from the cicada's body is being converted into a usable form. I will now create a new nanobot using this energy."
A tiny, glowing orb appeared before Usato, rapidly taking shape as a small, spherical nanobot.
SKY announced, "Host,the new nanobot is now online. It will assist me in monitoring your surroundings and providing support in various tasks."
Usato's mind reeled as he processed the implications of SKY's new skill. The possibilities were endless.
As he stood there, catching his breath and processing the aftermath of the battle, his gaze unconsciously drifted towards the massive, ancient tree. Even from a distance, he could sense a strange presence emanating from it. As his eyes focused on the gnarled bark, he could almost make out a semblance of a face, its features etched into the wood. To his astonishment, despite its non-humanoid form, Usato felt a distinct impression of gratitude radiating from the old treant. A shiver ran down his spine, a mixture of awe and unease. This world was far stranger than he could have imagined.
Overwhelmed by the silent communication and his own lingering nervousness from the fight, Usato's survival instincts kicked in. Without conscious thought, he turned and fled, bolting through the dense forest. His feet pounded against the soft earth as he put as much distance as possible between himself and the sentient tree.
As he ran, a faint voice echoed in his mind, ethereal and indistinct. "W... wai... t yo....un..g wa...r..i..o..r..." But fear had taken root, and Usato, interpreting the unknown as a potential threat, only ran faster, his cowardice overriding any sense of curiosity or reason.
Exhausted but alive, Usato watched as the last remnants of the cicada dissolved into glowing particles, absorbed by SKY. The creation of the new nanobot was a fascinating display, a testament to SKY's evolving capabilities. He flexed his aching muscles, the lingering burn a reminder of the venom and the raw power of his awakened Resolve. The stat increases and the new poison resistance skill were a welcome surprise, a tangible reward for surviving the deadly encounter.
A week. It had been a week since the bizarre events in his apartment had thrust him into this vibrant, dangerous world. The initial shock had given way to a cautious exploration, each day revealing new wonders and terrifying threats. The jungle was a kaleidoscope of life, both beautiful and deadly.
With a final glance at the spot where the cicada had fallen, Usato sheathed his newly created daggers, the cool metal a reassuring weight against his thigh. He took another step forward, deeper into the emerald embrace of the alien jungle, unaware of the strange encounter that awaited him.