A Cold-Blooded POV

Chapter 3 Leveling Up

The green creature stared with hatred at the lizard who stole its food. Holding on to its club, It suddenly charged at the lizard while screaming.

"Garhhh!!"

The lizard, who hadn't taken his eye off the green creature reflexively swung its body and whipped the green creature directly in the face with its tail knocking it to the ground.

The green creature was only about 3ft, weighing probably around 45 pounds so when it was hit by the lizard who was almost 3ft in length and at least 80 pounds in weight it could only fall to the ground.

The lizard did not let up, using this chance to make a lethal blow against its enemy. It hissed viciously and dashed toward the creature opening its jaws.

Venomous Bite!

The green creature hadn't even recovered from the first blow it endured before it felt a terrible pain in its stomach. It immediately jumped up swinging its club around recklessly, yet it didn't hit anything.

The lizard quickly dashed to the side narrowly dodging the reckless attacks from the green creature. Taking advantage of its high agility the lizard moved behind the green creature.

Using its strength, it pushed its frontal legs off the ground and began to stand on its two back legs with its tail as insurance. While it was standing on its two back legs it slashed at the green creature's back.

Claw Swipe!

The lizard's claws dug into the creature's skin, revealing the bloody pink meat from the inside of its back.

"Arghhh!"

The creature grunted in pain trying to endure the agile lizard's attacks. He tirelessly swung his arms, aiming to hit the lizard however, every time, the lizard would seamlessly dodge and counter with either a bite from its jaws or a slash from its claws.

[Venomous Bite has reached level 2]

[Claw Swipe has reached level 2]

Over time the venom from the lizard's bites had built up and began to paralyze the green creature. It lifelessly lay on the ground in pain bleeding out.

The lizard hissed arrogantly. He had already won this battle. In a couple more minutes the green creature would die, either from bleeding out or from the venom. However, the lizard would not wait for that.

He arrogantly trudged closer to the creature and bit into its stomach. Then again and again. The red blood-drenched intestines were slurped up and devoured viciously.

[You have consumed a new source of Biomass: Tenebrae Cobolorum, you are rewarded one Biomass]

[Basic profile of the Tenebrae Cobolorum unlocked]

Hearing the voice internally, the lizard continued to munch on its prey. The green creature watched in terror as its organs were gorged on. It could not resist nor could it cry out in pain. It simply lay there being eaten alive until finally, it died. The lizard finished its meal and was greeted by the words of the robotic voice.

[You have defeated level 3 Tenebrae Cobolorum]

[You have gained XP]

[You have achieved level 2, One skill point awarded]

The lizard flicked its tongue in understanding. He had just leveled up apparently and received a skill point. He looked back at the carrion of the armored hedgehog that he had fought to protect and walked back towards it. He would finish the rest of his food, then worry about the rest.

After some time the lizard finished his meal and went looking for a place that he could claim as his territory. He walked around large trees and plants avoiding any monsters that would be a threat to him.

Thinking back he remembered a place that would be perfect. His birthplace! It was remote and secure, he wouldn't need to worry about any monsters ambushing him as well. He flicked his forked tongue in anticipation then took off with a dash.

Shortly, after running a couple of meters the lizard made it to the cavern. Looking around the cave, it was exactly how he remembered.

The spacious cavern was dark with weak lights from small mana crystals that had formed over a short period of time. The echo of small droplets of water could be heard.

[Night Vision has reached level 2]

His skill [Night Vision] had leveled up? Maybe because he was back inside of the dark cave, and he was passively using his skill? Then something finally donned in his mind. He realized that this cave was most likely not naturally formed.

Before, when he was first born, he hadn't really paid attention to the walls due to his hunger, however, looking now he could clearly see the claw marks of a very large monster.

It had dug into solid walls, creating this cavern itself. It even designed the cave in a way where no other monsters could sneak in without its notice.

Perhaps it was the lizard's mother? Looking to the left and right of the path the lizard came into the cave from, he remembered the multiple pathways that exited the cavern.

The tunnels were about 8ft high and the cave was even larger than that, most likely for his mother's comfort. It was evident that this was her territory briefly, and that the different pathways were also her doing to leave and come back as she wished.

Brushing all this aside the lizard walked inside of the cave and comfortably laid down. He instinctively pulled up the status in his mind.

Name: Not Issued

Level: 2

Strength: 30

Toughness: 33

Cunning: 50

Will: 27

HP: 25/25

MP: 0/0

Skills[Attack]: Venomous Bite level 2; Tail Whip level 1; Claw Swipe level 2

Skills[Support]: Dash level 2; Night Vision level 2

Mutations: Jacobson's organ +1

Species: Aeternus Lacerta Hatchling(Male)

Biomass: 2

Skill Point: 1

He had leveled and gained Biomass and a skill point, so now he would use it.

…

The lizard was motionless, with his flickering tongue being the only thing that moved periodically. He had thought about it for a while now and came to the conclusion on what he would mutate next.

Mutate Legs +1 and Eyes +1.

[Do you wish to improve Legs and Eyes? Will cost two Biomass]

He confirmed.

Just like before, the cool sensation flowed throughout his upper head around his eye area and his legs. It lasted around 2 minutes this time. The changes were immediate. His legs became a bit bulkier than before, with the muscles becoming much more noticeable.

He looked around the dark cave once more and realized that the mana crystals appear much more vivid than before. The colors were much more pronounced and he could see a little bit farther than before.

The last thing for him to do was use his skill point. He simply thought about using it and the robotic voice replied.

[You can use skill points to purchase new skills or upgrade existing ones]

[Skills available for purchase:

Camouflage: cost 1sp, improves your ability to remain unseen

Acid spit: cost 1sp, allow you the ability to spit acidic saliva

Dig: cost 1sp, provides subconscious guidance when digging to increase efficiency and effectiveness

Grip: cost 1 skill point, ability to hold onto surfaces and objects without letting go. For ex: walking on walls.

Etc...

There were tons of skills available for him to purchase however he had already made up his mind before he even got to see the rest. He selected camouflage.

[Would you like to purchase the skill Camouflage?]

He confirmed

After confirming he glanced at his status looking for the camouflage skill and saw it.

[Camouflage level 1]

Just as he expected, to grow as strong as possible he would need to hunt and eat as much as possible in the future. He licked the air in acknowledgment.

Taking a glance at the old leftover eggshell of his other kin that his mother left here, a thought came to mind. Why did he hatch so much later than his kin? And where were they?

…

Somewhere deeper in the labyrinth a giant reptile was eating the corpse of a large monster. It had just finished hunting this prey down and was quickly demolishing the food. Just as it began to get comfortable a loud hiss could be heard a few feet away from it.

As it looked up it noticed another reptile similar in size to itself flexing its teeth threateningly. It quickly replied with a hiss of its own, it was not about to stand down against the reptile about its prey.

***

Monster profile:

[Tenebrae Cobolorum: Dark Goblin. Low intelligence, with the ability to make weapons and clothing. Usually moves in groups, and finds happiness in torturing its prey. Found in multiple areas including the first Stratum of the Great Aeternus Labyrinth, the Dark Plains, and the Aloey Dungeon]