THE FIRST PREY

The wolf’s yellow eyes locked onto him like twin lanterns in the dim forest light.

Fear surged through Lin Feng’s small reptilian body—electric and primal.

Their gazes met.

The wolf let out a low, rumbling growl.

“Grrrrrr…”

It leapt.

Lin Feng twisted sideways with desperate agility. The wolf’s claws tore deep furrows into the moss where his body had been a fraction of a second earlier, sending dirt and shredded leaves flying.

“I can’t kill it. Not at Level 1… Not with Strength 2.”

This wasn’t a battle.

It was survival.

Run.

He dashed into the undergrowth. Broad leaves whipped against his scales like green lashes as heavy paws thundered behind him, shaking the earth.

Faster.

The wolf was faster.

Hot breath grazed his tail when he spotted it—a narrow hollow carved into the rotting heart of a fallen tree trunk, barely wide enough for his slender form.

Without hesitation, he dove inside.

The wolf slammed into the log with bone-jarring force, snarling furiously. Massive claws raked into the opening, scraping wood and earth, trying to hook him out.

But the hollow was too small.

Too deep.

After several enraged attempts, the wolf let out one final frustrated growl and retreated, its heavy steps fading into the distance.

Lin Feng didn’t move.

Minutes passed.

Then hours.

He stayed curled in the dark, heart pounding, listening to every rustle until the forest sounds returned to normal.

Only the next morning, when sunlight filtered through cracks in the bark, did he cautiously crawl out.

Hunger burned in his stomach like acid.

He scanned the forest floor.

Nothing worth eating.

Then—

A soft rustle.

A long, scaled body slithered between gnarled roots.

A snake—nearly six meters of thick, banded muscle, tongue flicking lazily.

His pupils narrowed to slits.

“Can I hunt it…?”

It was larger. Stronger. But not as fast as the wolf.

A plan formed.

He circled quietly, staying downwind, belly low to the moss.

When the snake lowered its head to swallow a small rodent whole—

He lunged.

Teeth sank into the soft spot behind its jaw.

The snake exploded into frenzy. Its body coiled violently around him, crushing ribs with terrifying pressure. Pain lanced through his limbs; bones creaked under the squeeze.

But he did not let go.

Claws dug deeper.

Teeth tightened.

The struggle lasted only seconds.

Then—

The snake went limp.

Silence fell.

Heavy.

Absolute.

A translucent panel shimmered into view.

[Congratulations! You have killed: Forest Viper]

[Scale Points +2]

Lin Feng’s breathing came in ragged hisses.

“So killing gives Scale Points…”

He wasted no time.

He began to eat.

He consumed it completely—flesh, scales, bones, everything.

Moments later—

[Devour Successful.]

[Experience +10 XP]

For a brief moment, the forest became unnaturally still.

No insects chirped.

No wind stirred the leaves.

No distant beast moved.

It wasn’t the silence of fear.

It felt like something had been removed.

Not killed.

Removed.

Then, gradually, the sounds crept back.

Lin Feng blinked, unease prickling his scales.

“…Just my imagination.”

Another notification appeared.

[Congratulations on First Devour!]

[Newbie Pack Issued.]

[Say “Yes” to proceed.]

“Yes.”

The pack unfolded in a soft glow.

You have obtained:

• Spirit Eye (Skill)

• +3 Attribute Points

He focused on the skill.

Skill

Name: Spirit Eye

Level: 1/10

Rank: Low Silver Grade

Description:

Allows detailed information viewing of creatures and items up to 5 levels higher.

Can be upgraded using Scale Points.

Upon reaching max level, skill evolves.

“I can upgrade skills using Scale Points?”

Curiosity stirred, sharp and bright.

“If it works on others… it should work on me.”

He activated it.

“Spirit Eye—self.”

The panel shifted.

Name: Lin Feng

Race: Lizard

Bloodline: Primordial Dragon God (0.0001%)

Talent: Devour (Transcendent)

Origin: ———

The final line flickered violently.

For half a second, strange unreadable symbols replaced the blank space—twisted, ancient glyphs that hurt to look at.

The panel trembled.

Then—

The “Origin” line vanished.

The interface stabilized instantly, as if nothing had happened.

Lin Feng stared at the empty space.

“…Origin?”

No response.

The system remained silent.

After a few seconds, he shook his head.

“Probably just a bug.”

He shifted focus back.

“What are Scale Points?”

The system replied immediately.

[System Reply:]

Scale Points are earned by killing creatures.

They may be used for:

• Evolution

• Skill upgrades

• Increasing Talent proficiency

• Purchasing items from the System Shop

Note: Consumption ensures complete resource reclamation.

“Complete resource reclamation…”

The wording felt strange.

Cold.

Mechanical.

But hunger interrupted his thoughts once more.

He looked at the forest again.

Yesterday, he was prey.

Today—

He had taken his first step as a hunter.

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