The blinding morning light hit Kai's eyes as he awkwardly scrambled out of the dark cave mouth. The air, fresh, damp, and filled with the scent of trees, rich earth, and a faint, unfamiliar fragrance of some wild flower, filled his lungs. This wasn't the familiar smell of asphalt or city smog from Earth; this was the scent of untamed wildness.
Before Kai lay a majestic primeval forest, ancient trees reaching for the sky, their dense canopies forming a verdant dome. Solitary sunbeams pierced through the leaves, painting shimmering streaks of light on the ground covered in moss and fallen logs. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, yet within it lurked countless hidden dangers.
The system notified:
[You have exited the 'Stone Wolf Den' area.]
[You have entered the 'Emerald Woods - Outer Layer' area.]
[Area Danger Level: Moderate.]
Kai let out a sigh of relief. At least it wasn't "extremely dangerous" right off the bat. But he knew that "moderate" in this world could still mean death. He glanced back at the dead Stone Rat in the cave. If even a mere rat could almost take his life, what awaited him out here?
A gnawing hunger began to churn in the dragon whelp's belly. The "Life Absorption" skill from the venomous snake provided some energy, but it wasn't enough to sustain his growing body. Kai began to move, his small legs still clumsy but more agile than before. He skirted the edge of the cave, his dragon eyes vigilantly scanning every bush, every patch of leaves.
Just a few minutes later, Kai spotted a low bush, with plump, bright red berries hanging from its branches.
[Plant: Common Ground Berry. Edible. Recovers 2 HP.]
Without hesitation, Kai stretched his small dragon neck and nipped at a berry. A sweet, slightly tart taste immediately spread in his mouth. The sensation of his HP recovering was very distinct.
[HP: 8/10]
He ate a few more, trying to recover as much as possible before facing any new foes.
As he was nibbling, Kai heard a rustling from a nearby bush. He immediately crouched low, activating "Keen Senses." Not a rat; much larger. A creature with brown fur, about his chest height, with sharp, alert eyes and a constantly twitching nose.
[Monster: Spined Forest Rabbit Level 3]
[HP: 40/40]
Level 3? 40 HP! Kai no longer felt the same terror as his first encounter. He now had "Indomitable Will" and "Rending Bite." Moreover, he had a strategy.
The Spined Forest Rabbit was nonchalantly munching on grass. It hadn't noticed the presence of the young dragon hiding nearby. Kai seized the opportunity. He slowly crept around, using the uneven terrain and tree roots for cover. His "Deep Forest Camouflage" skill (gained from absorbing a color-changing lizard) allowed him to almost melt into the green of the forest.
[You have activated 'Ambush Attack'! Deals 50% increased damage for the first attack!]
Kai lunged out unexpectedly! His young dragon jaws, empowered by "Rending Bite," aimed directly for the Spined Forest Rabbit's hind leg.
"RIP!"
A tearing sound echoed. The Spined Forest Rabbit shrieked in pain, its eyes wide with terror as it looked at the green dragon clamped onto its leg.
[-9 HP! (Ambush Attack + Rending Bite)]
[Monster: Spined Forest Rabbit Level 3 has been afflicted with 'Bleed'. HP decreases by 1 every 2 seconds for 10 seconds.]
The Spined Forest Rabbit thrashed wildly, trying to kick Kai off. Its hind legs, now covered in stiff, sharp spines, lashed out at Kai.
[-2 HP!]
[HP: 6/10]
Kai let go, quickly rolling back. His HP once again dropped to dangerous levels. But this time, the Forest Rabbit was also bleeding and losing its balance.
New strategy! Kai rapidly circled the Forest Rabbit, continuously growling as he activated "Poisonous Leaf Spit." The venomous leaves shot out constantly, slowing it down and dealing additional damage.
"Crack! Crack!"
The Forest Rabbit tried to lunge at Kai, but the poisonous leaves irritated it, and the leg injury made its movements sluggish. Kai took advantage of this, constantly dodging and launching sudden bites at vulnerable spots, then retreating. He even used his head to ram nearby tree trunks, creating loud noises to distract the Forest Rabbit, and when it charged, he would dodge, letting it ram the tree itself.
After several tense minutes of struggle, the Spined Forest Rabbit collapsed. It was too heavily wounded and poisoned.
[You have defeated Spined Forest Rabbit Level 3!]
[Received 30 experience points!]
[Experience Points: 60/100]
[You have absorbed skill 'Spined Counter' (Level 1) from Spined Forest Rabbit!]
[Your HP has increased by 2 due to intense combat!]
A wave of warm energy spread throughout Kai's body. He felt a little stronger. The "Spined Counter" skill was a passive defensive ability, allowing him to reflect a portion of physical damage when attacked. Perfect for survival!
This system is overpowered! Can I absorb any monster's skill? This means I don't have to worry about not having magic or special human abilities! I'll become a dragon who knows... everything!
Exhilaration surged. Kai stared at the dead Forest Rabbit, then cast his gaze deeper into the woods.
The Emerald Woods... this is just the outer layer. There must be stronger monsters with more unique skills waiting for me to discover. And other 'Otherworlders' too.
Kai's journey, that of a young dragon on an infinite evolutionary path, had only just begun. The secrets of Aethel, unseen dragon forms, and his own latent power awaited discovery.