Lucas crouched low behind a dense patch of brush, barely daring to breathe.
His eyes scanned the open terrain ahead, sharp and calculating.
By now, he had a solid understanding of the ecosystem of this so-called Beginner Plain. After hours of observation, scavenging, and careful tracking, he had identified five primary creature types roaming the area:
Bloodfang Rabbits
Ironclaw Mountain Cats
Prairie Wolves
Frenzied Boars
Poison Ring Snakes
Each had its own patterns, strengths, and dangers.
And more importantly—
Each had its limits.
"I've already drained the first four dry…" Lucas muttered quietly.
Three successful extractions per species. After that, nothing.
Diminishing returns.
Which meant—
Only one creature still held value for him.
The Poison Ring Snake.
"…Two more pulls left."
His fingers tightened slightly around the hilts of his twin blades.
"Alright… where are you hiding?"
Almost as if responding to his thoughts—
His nose twitched.
A scent drifted through the air.
Rotten. Metallic. Slightly acidic.
Snake.
Lucas eyes lit up instantly.
"There you are."
He moved immediately, keeping low as he followed the scent trail.
The further he went, the stronger it became—
But something else began to mix into it.
A second scent.
Faint… but distinct.
Sweet.
Fresh.
Almost intoxicating.
Lucas slowed.
"That's… not normal."
His instincts sharpened.
Danger.
Opportunity.
Possibly both.
He adjusted his grip on his weapons and pushed forward carefully, parting the final layer of brush.
Then—
He saw it.
And froze.
At the center of a small clearing lay a massive serpent.
Not just any serpent—
A Poison Ring Snake.
But far larger than your average snake.
Its body was thick as a barrel, coiled tightly upon itself. Dark, ring-like patterns covered its scales, glinting faintly under the dim light.
Its midsection bulged grotesquely—
As if it had swallowed something massive not long ago.
And beside it—
The source of the second scent.
A small tree.
Barely half a person's height.
On it hung a single purple fruit, smooth and glistening, radiating a subtle, alluring fragrance.
Lucas heartbeat quickened.
"…No way."
Even without confirmation, he knew.
This wasn't normal.
This was a resource.
A rare one.
"A guarded item…" he whispered.
A faint grin formed.
"Classic."
Beast guards treasure.
Kill beast.
Take treasure.
Simple.
In theory.
Lucas lowered himself even further, using the grass and uneven terrain to mask his presence.
Every step was deliberate.
Every movement controlled.
Ten meters.
The snake's body shifted slightly.
Eight meters.
Its tongue flicked out, tasting the air.
Six—
Its head snapped upward.
Golden eyes locked directly onto him.
Hissss—!
"…Spotted."
No more stealth.
Lucas moved instantly.
"Agility Boost."
His body surged forward, speed doubling in an instant.
The world blurred.
The snake struck.
Its jaws opened wide, fangs dripping venom as it lunged toward him with terrifying speed.
Lucas pivoted sharply to the side—barely avoiding the bite.
His blades flashed outward in response.
Two arcs of steel—
Target: the vital point.
The snake's "seven-inch" mark.
Clang!
Sparks flew.
Lucas pupils shrank.
"…That hard?"
The blade had barely scratched the surface.
The snake hissed violently, its tail whipping around like a steel cable.
Lucas reacted instantly—
Rolling back just as the tail smashed through the brush behind him, shredding it to pieces.
He came up in a crouch, breathing steady.
"Not...normal…"
Stronger. Tougher.
Slower, though—
The bloated abdomen was clearly limiting its mobility.
That was his opening.
"hngh"
Lucas inhaled sharply.
"Strength Surge."
Power flooded his arms instantly.
Muscles tightened. Strength multiplied.
He lunged again—this time without hesitation.
Strike after strike—
Focused. Precise. Relentless.
Slash!
Slash!
Slash!
Each blow landed on the same point.
The scales began to crack.
Then—
Break.
Blood spilled.
The snake thrashed wildly, trying to retaliate—but its own bulk worked against it.
Too slow.
Too heavy.
Too late.
Lucas stepped in—
And drove his blade deep.
A sharp twist—
A sickening snap echoed through the clearing.
The spine broke.
The massive body collapsed, convulsing briefly before going still.
Silence returned.
A faint glow drifted into Lucas body.
[Kill confirmed: Mutated Poison Ring Snake]
[EXP gained: 50]
Lucas exhaled slowly.
"…Worth it."
He opened his panel briefly.
[Level: 1 (80 / 100)]
"One more."
Just one more kill to level up.
But first—
The real reward.
He placed his hand on the serpent's corpse.
"Plunder."
Warmth spread instantly.
[Success: Energy +3]
Lucas nodded.
"Better than average…"
Then his gaze shifted to the swollen midsection.
"…What did you eat?"
He sliced it open.
The stench hit immediately—
Rotten. Overwhelming.
A body rolled out.
Human.
Unrecognizable.
Lucas expression didn't change.
He had seen enough already.
"Let's see…"
He placed his hand down again.
"Plunder."
[Success: Talent acquired — F-Rank Enhanced Vision]
Then—
Something new happened.
A second notification appeared.
[Duplicate talent detected]
[Initiating fusion…]
Lucas blinked.
"…Fusion?"
A flash of light crossed his vision.
Then—
[Enhanced Vision has evolved → E-Rank: Advanced Vision]
[Effect: 20x visual clarity, night vision, dynamic tracking]
[New Skill Unlocked: Insight]
Lucas's breath caught slightly.
"…You're kidding."
Not just acquisition—
Evolution.
And a bonus skill.
His lips curved upward.
"This ability…"
"…is completely broken."
Without hesitation, Lucas turned his gaze toward the purple fruit.
"Insight."
A faint shimmer passed over his vision.
Information appeared instantly.
[Name]: Violet Spirit Fruit
[Tier]: Tier 1
[Effect]: Permanently increases endurance; grants minor toxin resistance
Lucas didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward and plucked the fruit carefully.
The scent intensified immediately.
Fresh. Clean. Inviting.
"…Perfect."
He consumed it in one bite.
It dissolved instantly.
Warmth spread through his body—stronger than before.
Deeper.
More stable.
[Endurance +3]
[Passive ability gained: Minor toxin resistance]
Lucas exhaled slowly.
He could feel it.
His body felt… sturdier.
More resilient.
After confirming the area was safe, Lucas opened his panel once more.
[Name]: Lucas Reign
[Level]: 1 (80 / 100)
[Strength]: 12
[Agility]: 15
[Endurance]: 17
[Energy]: 30
[Talents]:
Infinite Plunder (SSS)
Strength Surge (D)
Agility Boost (E)
Advanced Vision (E)
Enhanced Smell (F)
Enhanced Hearing (F)
[Skill]: Insight
[Combat Rating]: ★★
Lucas studied the numbers carefully.
Every stat had improved.
Every system working in his favor.
And now—
He had reconnaissance.
Tracking.
Burst damage.
Mobility.
Survivability.
A complete foundation.
Lucas closed the panel.
His gaze lifted—
Toward the deeper regions of the plain.
The wind carried distant sounds.
Movement.
Life.
Targets.
He tightened his grip on his blades.
The hesitation from before… was gone.
Replaced by clarity.
Direction.
Intent.
"Scavenging got me this far," he said quietly.
"…but it won't take me all the way."
He stepped forward.
No longer hiding.
No longer trailing behind.
This time—
He would take the initiative.
"This is where it changes."
His eyes sharpened.
"The hunt starts now."