CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: CONFUSED SYSTEM

The panther realised the predicament it was in, it tried to run but with so much web around it, it speed was severely limited. It sent dozens of wind slashes in a futile attempt to cut the web.

But with the iron scale trait strengthening it all the slashes managed to do was slightly chip the webs. Ved did not even bother moving, there was no reason to.

Besides,even though the web would not stick to him it would still hinder his movements, chasing the panther around in that situation seems like a waste of effort.

A purple poison cloud seeped through his scales, dense as his scales were they were very permeable to his traits. The process was still slower than before he gained the iron scale trait.

The poison gas cloud spread out slowly and within seconds it had covered the entire web cage. Wind gathered around the panther in an attempt to push the poison cloud away.

Ved did not do anything to stop this, the web cage will trap most of the poison cloud preventing it from dissipating in the air and unlike the panther he didn’t need any energy to use his poison.

Plus he still had some in the sac, in a game of attrition, he was certain to win. He watched the panthers futile struggle with contempt.

He did not notice it but he was starting to become prideful which was a common trait amongst those with dragon blood. Pride was a part of their very bloodline.

Hours passed like this and the wind around the panther was becoming less and less, it was obviously starting to run out of essence. He could actually smell that.

It was strange how sensitive he was to essence even though he could not use it. Before long the wind disappeared and the panther roared in pain and fury as the poison entered through it pores.

As a rank 2 his poison could not kill it as fast as it could rank 1 creatures. It painful throes turned to muffled grunts then eventually died down completely.

With a mere thought the web turned soft and it dissolved. He approached the panther with his chest puffed up. He ate it slowly while savoring the taste.

This was the first rank 2 he had ever killed or ate and it was the most delicious thing his mouth had ever tasted. He was not sure if it was the panther itself or because it was a rank 2.

When he was done all that was left was a tiny green core. The core smelled delicious, it had a sugary scent. He ate it in one bite and it tasted like candy then a notification followed.

( Trait detected, Cat reflexes, no available trait slots, host unable to assimilate trait. Host has consumed a wind beast core, will experience minor body enhancement. 5,4,3,2,1)

He felt a stabbing pain throughout his body. He roared to the sky in an attempt to drown out the pain to no avail. Fortunately the process only lasted a few seconds.

And it came at the same time as the growth of his body so he didn’t need to experience that pain as well, though he was used to it by now it was still not fun.

He checked the changes in his body and he felt lighter, his weight had not changed but he felt his movements were easier as if he could just float away with a single jump.

Ofcourse this was an illusion but the minor enhancement to his speed was real. ’ Beast cores huh? Is that something all rank 2 beasts have or were you special?’

He checked his status.

Name: Ved Zhakrii

Species: Lesser Swamp Dragon (3 years/ 1000 years) ( 2m/ 5m) mid sky grade

Rank: 2

Abilities( 2/2): Traits assimilation, Haki

Traits(6/6): Poison secretion, Herculean strength (460x), Aquatic, Flash (340x) Iron scales ( 30 000x), Web Secretion

Evolution points: ( 9.3/20)

’ System, the panther was the same rank as I so why did I obtain less than 1 evolution point from it?)( Answer will require 0.5 evolution points, does host wish to sacrifice points?)

He thought about it for a while ’ Damnit, do it’ the evolution points disappeared from his status board. ( Lower grade bloodlines give lower points)

’ That it? That answer is kind of underwhelming but it makes sense, afterall I did gain more points when I ate something a grade higher than me before’

Though it was disappointing he still accepted it. Now it was time to check the actual price. He removed the web from the corpse of the goat.

The feeling he got from it horns grew stronger the closer he got to it, he inspected the horns and noticed they were glowing. He tried to snap one off but it was hard.

Now he understood why the panther struggled so much to eat them. It took almost his entire strength to snap the horn off which was ridiculous considering it was from a mere rank 1.

But eventually he did and inside the horn was a golden marrow like fluid. The delicious scent originated from this fluid. He sucked it off and it was delicious, it reminded him of a carbonated drink with too much sugar.

(Notice: Host has obtained a divine artifact, the fragment of the beast king &$#@@$# decree) ’ What? Why is the name muted’ ( Host does not have enough Authority to know that?) ’ Authority? What authority?)

( Host does not have enough authority to know that) ’ Alright, can you promise to answer my questions truthfully?’ ( As long as host has enough authority)

’ Fine, what exactly are you and what your purpose’ ( I am the evolution system and host does not have enough authority to know the second answer)

’ Okay then why me?’( System does not understand the question) ’ Why did you choose me?’ ( The system determined you best fit the parameters to be a suitable host)

’ I already know your answer to this but what were the so called parameters?’ (..... 1, host had to die at a certain point in space time. 2 #$&@&, recalculating, recalculating, error, error, error. System doe..s not know)

’ Huh’ the last sentence felt strangely emotional as if the system was confused. ’ What in the old gods is happening?’