Chapter 5 To the victor goes the spoils (1/2)
I have hunted, battled and achieved victory.
This is a somewhat complicated feeling. The pain and suffering I endured to achieve this goal, is something I can't recall from my previous life, neither do I remember this satisfaction, this triumph.
Mostly I remember feeling numb.
[You have defeated Level 2 Spineta Lacertos]
[You have gained XP]
[You achieved Level 2, One skill point awarded]
Gandalf?! So talkative all of a sudden! Level two has been achieved eh? Fantastic!
So this Lizard is a Spineta Lacertos? What on earth does that mean? This name sounds vaguely Latin? Come to think of it my species was listed as Formica? If I recall back to my ant keeping hobby, Formica is the Latin name for wood ants? Are all the creatures here named in Latin?
That … seems odd.
I have to put that question aside for a moment since a few others have been answered at this time. For one, I now know that I can gain experience to improve my level when I defeat other creatures in this place, secondly I know that I gain a new skill point when I level up and thirdly I learned that this is also true for the other creatures here. Since this …. Spineta thing was at level two I can a.s.sume there are two possibilities, either it was born level two, or it managed to level up once.
I have to ponder this in greater depth later! I have two other things to worry about now, firstly, I cannot leave my prey here in the open in case other creatures will be attracted by the scent, and second … I'm starving! I have to eat!
Without waiting any longer I rush into my pitfall and approach the Lizard. Burns and melted flesh as a result of my acid can be seen alongside crushed limbs and puncture wounds from my bites.
It really looks very pitiful.
I'm sorry Lizard, I'm really sorry, you didn't deserve this fate.
However, since the deed has already been done, I will now partake in my first meal.
Did you know that an ant has a mouth on the bottom side of its face? Most people think that the mandibles are the mouth or that the mouth is positioned behind them but this isn't so, the mandibles are more like hands attached to the head whilst the mouth is below them.
I take a bite.
Hmmm, this flavour, how could I describe it?
Disgusting.
This is seriously disgusting.
Despite being so hungry I feel my carapace is constricting this is not a pleasant meal.
[You have consumed a new source of Bioma.s.s: Spineta Lacertos, you are awarded one Bioma.s.s]
[Basic profile of the Spineta Lacertos unlocked]
The voice of Gandalf! I am graced by your weathered tones once again o great one!
So many developments so quickly, it's enough to make me dizzy, I'll have to think whilst eating. Apparently I will gain one Bioma.s.s every time I am able to hunt a new species of creature, also I was able to unlock a profile? A basic profile? How do I access that?
I'll have to experiment later.
As quickly as I can I finish the Lizard, I feel quite full! I can tell my gaster, my back part, is swollen to much larger than it was before. Just as I finish I get another surprise:
[You have gained one Bioma.s.s]
Another one! Truly my harvest has been rich from this hunt!
Only one thing to do now that I have finally achieved success and reaped such a bounty, retreat to my nest and consider my next move.
Keeping my antennae waving, sensing the air, I once again climb up the wall, making my way to the roof and sneak my way back over the water pool towards the tunnel that houses my nest. A range of monsters are still communing around the water but they are too focused on watching each other to look up and detect me.
In this way I return to my place of safety.
Tucked away in a somewhat secure place I can now take some time to a.s.sess my situation and plot my next move.
Ok, first thing is to check my status.
[Status].
Name: Anthony
Level : 2
Might: 15