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Kai read the new status, his voice soft and thoughtful. "Not bad," he agreed, "I'm growing stronger. My aura increased by 100 points." There was pride and a cautiously optimistic note in his voice. "Each drop of essence, each step of power, brings me closer to being something more than a weak survivor."
He turned back to the deceased zombie ant. "You gave me what you had to give," he whispered, as if in gratitude. "Your loss was not survival—your loss was expansion."
Kai rose, standing balanced on his newly augmented body. "This Essence Eater. it's a real deal, alright. I can drain the energy from any source of power and use it to fuel my augmentation," he told the vacant tunnel as if debating an old foe.
He glanced at his Soul-Bonded Storage, the surface of which relaxed smoothly with the energy within it. "I can even save it for later use in the battle when things get tougher. Now that's something to brag about," he commented.
Kai's internal monologue, a blend of introspection and resolve, echoed in the stillness. "I fought, I fought, and survived. And now, with each new power that I unleash, I make my own destiny in these halls of darkness."
He simply stood for a while, reveling in the weight of his new form. "I'm not some ant scurrying around in the shadows anymore," he said, his voice icy and determined. "I'm a predator, something to be feared. And now I'll take others' power and make myself invincible."
Kai's eyes blazed with fierce determination as he continued, "This is only the beginning. The real challenge is out there, and I'm going to clear all the obstacles."
"He He He He He!!"
He let out a soothing, deep breath before he could say, "I'll try these new abilities. If I can handle this essence eater skill. No matter whatever challenges come, I will be ready."
The following day, the darkness of the ant cave was slowly giving way to a new day. Kai's battered body still throbbed with some pain, but as the faint light of early dawn filtered through cracks in the cave walls, he could sense a change in the air. It was now Day Four of his reincarnation—a significant milestone to his new ant life.
When Kai attempted to rise up, moving his antennae at the new light, there was a loud, recognizable ring in his head. The system interface glared at him with a new message.
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:
Evolution Mission Initiated: Reach Level 10 and One-Star Rank in 27 Days.
Reward: 1 year of life. Rank upgrade. Skill unlock.
Note: This is your first evolution mission. The ant trail group isn't in play yet—remember to leave the ant cave when you are able.]
Kai cursed his aching sore throat, effort straining wrack on it. "Level 10 in 27 days? One star… That's going to be some jump," he growled. He stretched out on his legs and rang the air with a raw laugh. "Guess I'll have to get my dues paid if I want to get any further in this pit."
Suddenly another system message glowed brightly into the eye.
[Ding! Day Four Daily Mission."
Mission Objectives:
1. Run 15 Kilometres."
2. Use Tiny Tank Skill 10 Times."
3. Visit the Graveyard of Ants (your house) and use the Essence Eater on dead ants.
Reward: Stat Points for using Essence Eater; 30 EXP after finishing all daily missions.]
Kai's mandibles clicked as he absorbed the information. "Fifteen kilometres? Ten activations of Tiny Tank? And then a trip back to that godforsaken graveyard?" he grumbled aloud, his voice echoing off the cold stone walls. "Well, looks like there's no getting around it." His tone was laced with both determination and a hint of bitter humor.
He paced slowly along the tunnel floor, speaking to himself in low, measured tones. "First, I need to run 15 kilometres. I need to harden up if I'm going to be able to keep pace with these missions. Then, I'm going to need to use my Tiny Tank ten times—that's going to drain me of aura, but they'll also harden up my exoskeleton. And then, I need to go back to the ants' graveyard where all of this began and use Essence Eater on the bodies." Kai paused to allow the scope of the tasks to sink in.
A bitter laugh rattled him as he continued, "I remember the smell of rot when I first came out here. Now I have to return to that accursed ground and find strength in the very dead flesh of my body's kin." His voice softened with a horrific mixture of revulsion and resolve. "I guess every victory has to be hammered out of the wreckage of defeat."
Kai gulped a deep, convulsive breath and began moving. "Okay, mission one: 15 kilometers of running." He was talking to himself in a tone of taunting some other unknown adversary. "I can do it. I must do it. I will run toward the graveyard." Light footsteps echoed as he ran along the labyrinthine corridors of the ant cave.
The 15-Kilometre Run begins. Kai moved at a slow pace, his battered and weakened body still recovering from the past battles. Trotting on the tough, icy floor of the cave, he kept a steady pace with his antennae jerking to the rhythm of his pulse.
"Move on, Kai."
He motivated himself. "Each step is a step towards evolution." His monologue was cut short by spasmodic puffing and gasping. "Fifteen kilometres. I should not lose it now."
While jogging, the system would also flash motivational messages in the line of sight at frequent intervals.
[> SYSTEM MESSAGE: "Distance Covered: 3 km. Keep up the pace."
>SYSTEM MESSAGE: "Distance Covered: 7 km. Excellent progress, host."]
Kai smiled grimly. "Not bad, not bad at all," he murmured between heavy breaths. "I have to run harder if I'm going to beat this mission." His mind raced with the challenge, and he increased his pace slightly, even as his limbs protested with every step.