Evolution: From Lizard to Lord

The forest was silent again.

Not the kind of silence that brought peace—but the kind that curled in on itself, like the world was holding its breath. The lizard's breath came in slow, calculated pulls. He crouched low behind a twisted tree root, amber eyes watching the small horned rabbit nibble unaware in the clearing ahead.

'One bite. One more. Just a little closer…'

He lunged.

Fangs found flesh. The rabbit gave a shriek, then fell limp, body twitching once before stilling. The creature that had once been a man swallowed quickly, relishing the magicule-rich blood as it rushed down his throat.

[Magicule absorbed.]

[Current saturation: 99.2%]

He blinked.

'So close…'

For days, he'd hunted nonstop—small prey, magical herbs, even gnawed on mineral-rich stones buried in the deepest parts of the glade. Anything that could add to his reservoir of magicules. He felt stronger than ever, his senses sharper, instincts refined. But he knew that the next leap required one last push.

He turned.

A faint pulse of energy tugged at his awareness. The scent of decay and lingering power drifted from deeper in the forest. Something stronger lived there—he could feel it. Something old. Dangerous.

He went toward it.

Hours Later

The air thickened as he pushed forward. Trees warped strangely, as though trying to lean away from whatever lay ahead. The earth squished underfoot with the rot of forgotten things. Then, through the fog of moss and branch, he found it.

A corpse.

Massive. Some kind of magical beast, already dead, lying curled in its final rest. Its body was torn open, its magic lingering faintly in the atmosphere.

He approached carefully.

The energy was unstable, fading… but not gone.

He lowered his head and bit into the muscle near its ribs. Rotten and cold, but still pulsing with faint traces of magic.

[Magicule absorbed.]

[Current saturation: 100.0%]

[Threshold reached. Evolution possible.]

[Species evolution available: Forest Lizard → Proto-Drake]

[Warning: Evolution will immobilize the user temporarily.]

[Proceed with evolution?]

He didn't hesitate.

'Yes. Let's begin.'

[Confirmed. Initiating evolution.]

[Warning: Consciousness will fluctuate.]

Evolution: In Progress

Agony tore through his frame.

Muscles spasmed as his entire structure warped from the inside out. His tail stiffened and lengthened, scales split and shed in steaming layers. His bones cracked apart and reformed stronger, denser. A low roar tore from his throat—not from pain, but from transformation.

Power flooded him.

[Unique Skill: Adaption activated.]

[New form detected: Proto-Drake.]

[Skill gained: Heat Resistance]

[Skill evolved: Tough Skin → Hardened Scales]

[Skill gained: Fast Healing (Basic)]

[Trait activated: Draconic Affinity]

[Size increased: 73 cm → 1.01 meters (Length)]

[Magicule saturation reset: 0.1%]

[Absorption rate increased.]

Later

He stirred.

The world was different. Sharper. Louder.

His eyes opened slowly, his vision clearer than it had ever been. Trees shimmered faintly with lifeforce. Distant creatures glowed with weak traces of magic. He raised a claw and studied it—a darker, sharper talon than before, tipped like obsidian.

He stood on four limbs, lower to the ground but stronger in every muscle. His tail twitched with new strength, enough to knock down trees if he willed it.

And there was no mistaking it.

He was not a lizard anymore.

[Species: Proto-Drake]

[Size: 1.01 meters (Length)]

[Next Evolution: Drake]

[Requirements:]

– Magicule Saturation: 0.1% / 100%

– Dominion: None

– Name: Unassigned

[Warning: Attempting to assign a name with insufficient magicules may result in soul destabilization.]

[Advisory: Delay naming until safe magicule reserves are met.]

He hissed quietly, a mixture of frustration and understanding. That name—his name—was still forming in the back of his mind, yearning to be spoken. But the system was clear. He would die if he forced it.

'Fine. I'll wait.'

[Skill: Wisdom active – Analysis continues.]

[Recommendation: Expand territory. Begin forming dominion to fulfill evolution criteria.]

[Magicule density in current area: Low. Suggested action: Seek richer grounds.]

'Dominion. I need to rule something to grow again.'

And so, he moved.

Not just for prey—but for power. For territory. To plant his presence into the very bones of the land.

Days Later

He carved out his first nest in a cavern near a shallow underground spring. The area pulsed faintly with magic. Better than the dying grove he'd emerged from. Here, he began to set boundaries. Markings. Sound. Scent. Kill patterns.

Creatures came.

And they fled.

Or died.

He was no longer hunted—he was the hunter. And the land was starting to feel that truth.

[Predator Skill: Territory Claiming – Passive effect unlocked.]

[Small creatures will avoid the area instinctively.]

It wasn't enough.

But it was a start.

Nightfall

'So… not Tensura?'

The thought slipped into his mind unbidden, but he shook it off. The skills. The Voice. The system. The way his desires birthed abilities—this had to be Tensura, or something just like it.

'And if it's not… who cares?'

He flexed his claws.

'I'm still going to reach the top.'

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