The transformations weren't just skin-deep. Logan's internal evolution was a comprehensive overhaul.
He allocated three points each to Muscle Density, Bone Fortification, Neural Conduction, and Locomotor Efficiency.
The changes were profound. His muscle fibers restructured into a more efficient, piston-like system akin to an insect's, each cell a mini-power plant converting nutrients into raw force with staggering efficiency.
His bone density increased again, infused with the same enamel-like hydroxyapatite and trace metallic compounds. This altered his dietary needs; he now instinctively consumed and digested bone for its mineral content.
His nerves thickened, developing tiny crystalline inclusions that served as perfect conductors, allowing neural impulses to travel at lightning speed.
The connective tissue around his joints expanded, forming dense, elastic tendon-webs that acted like biological springs. They stored and released kinetic energy with each movement, drastically reducing the metabolic cost of running.
These were foundational upgrades. Next, he invested ten points into a comprehensive Visceral Enhancement, boosting his digestion, immune response, metabolism, and toxin filtration to superhuman levels.
His lungs received special attention—five additional points. Select alveoli expanded into robust air sacs that webbed through his chest cavity, cushioning his organs and acting as secondary reservoirs. This created a unidirectional airflow system similar to birds: fresh air flowed through the lungs during both inhalation and exhalation, doubling his oxygen uptake efficiency.
Four points were split between Auditory and Ocular Refinement. External, bat-like pinnae formed from scaled cartilage around his ear holes, funneling sound. His eyes underwent a radical shift: color receptors multiplied, and a unique pecten-like structure formed on the lens, gathering more light. His irises now shone with a piercing, raptor-like gold.
The remaining points were funneled into Cellular Longevity and Cognitive Processing—invisible upgrades, but arguably the most critical for his long-term survival.
Peini, too, was transforming. Her appetite was monstrous, consuming a quarter of her body weight daily. She had shot up to over one and a half meters in length. Her fluffy white baby fur was shedding, revealing sleek blue scales beneath. On her limbs, back, and tail, specific scales were thickening and turning a brilliant gold, beginning their metamorphosis into the iconic conductive spines of her species.
Their increased size and power bred a new confidence. Logan no longer felt the need to skulk in perpetual shadow. The true apex predators were rare. The forests and coasts were dominated by medium-sized threats like Velociprey and Great Jagras—creatures that no longer posed an insurmountable danger.
…
As the fierce afternoon heat waned, Logan and Peini resumed their aimless patrol along the forest-meets-shore border.
They hadn't gone far when Logan spotted prime prey in a lush, grassy clearing: a Kelbi. The graceful, deep-blue antelope-like creature was larger than a deer, its hide prized, its meat lean and rich.
He signaled to Peini with a low chuff. Her intelligence, already nearing that of a clever human child, understood. They split up, flanking the grazing animal.
At just over 1.5 meters, Peini was no hunter yet. But she was an excellent distraction. She burst from the treeline with a playful, barking roar.
The Kelbi bolted in panic. Blinded by fear, it zigzagged directly into Logan's ambush path. He erupted from cover, a five-meter avalanche of pearlescent scale and muscle. His impact bowled the creature over. His jaws found its neck with surgical precision. A sharp crack ended it.
The feast began. They tore into the carcass, consuming flesh and crunching bone with equal ease. Their enhanced systems left little waste. Blood soaked the grass, its iron scent steaming in the cooling air, carried far on the breeze.
It was a dinner bell.
The rustle of scales on vine and leaf reached Logan's sensitive, newly shaped ears. He lifted his bloodied muzzle.
A pack of five Great Jagras had emerged from the undergrowth, slinking closer, drawn by the promise of an easy meal.
Logan bared his crimson-stained teeth in a silent growl, a warning rumble vibrating in his chest.
The Jagras pack didn't flinch. They fanned out, their lizard-wolf bodies low to the ground, closing the circle.
Seeing the Kelbi was mostly consumed, Logan decided on a tactical retreat. He chose the weakest point in their encirclement—a lone Jagras on the left flank.
He charged.
He was a white blur. The chosen Jagras had no time to react. Logan's shoulder, reinforced by enamel-laced bone and piston-muscle, slammed into its side with the force of a battering ram. The creature was hurled through the air, landing with a sickening thud and a pained yelp.
The rest of the pack, instead of scattering, surged forward in a fury of snapping jaws and slashing claws.
Logan whirled, his tail—a whip of enamel-coated bone—lashing out in a wide arc. It connected with two Jagras, sending them tumbling end over end.
Peini, emboldened and fiercely protective, didn't cower. She lunged at a Jagras trying to flank Logan, emitting a sharp, surprisingly loud bark. The creature turned, distracted. She dodged its clumsy snap and raked her still-soft claws down its flank, leaving shallow but stinging lines of red.
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