Metamorphosis: The Story of a Butterfly

He had been eating for what felt like days. Bite after bite, leaf after leaf. The satisfaction of the taste had dulled, leaving him with only the constant, gnawing hunger. No matter how much he devoured, he remained at Level 1, as if stuck in some cruel loop of endless consumption.

Is this all I am now? Just… eating? His body felt stronger, more energized than before, but that little number beside his level hadn’t budged. What’s the point of all this if I’m not getting stronger?

Frustration gnawed at him as much as the hunger did. Maybe I’m missing something, he thought, pushing aside the latest half-eaten leaf. There’s got to be more to it. I have skills, right? He focused inward again, feeling for the now-familiar sensation of Appraisal. It had shown him his own stats before, so maybe it could tell him more. Time to figure this out.

[Appraisal Activated]

Focusing on the first skill, Bite, he willed Appraisal to show him more than just a simple description. Information flowed into his mind, clearer this time.

Bite (Echo Skill) – Level 4/10

Description: A basic biting attack. Can be used for consuming food or defending oneself against small threats. Skill level increases with frequent use. Higher levels allow for increased bite force and effectiveness.

Level 4? I didn’t realize I’d already improved that much, he thought, a flicker of pride seeping through. So I can make progress... it just takes more than mindless eating. He turned his attention to the next skill: Movement.

Movement (Echo Skill) – Level 3/10

Description: Allows the user to crawl and climb over small obstacles. Movement speed and agility increase with skill level, granting better control over body movement.

No wonder I’ve gotten a little faster. He still wasn’t exactly sprinting, but he could feel the difference compared to when he first woke up.

Finally, he checked Camouflage, the skill he hadn’t actively used yet.

Camouflage (Echo Skill) – Level 2/10

Description: Allows the user to blend in with their surroundings, providing limited invisibility in natural environments. Higher levels improve the duration and effectiveness of camouflage.

Limited invisibility? He had no idea he could do that. I need to start using this more, he thought, already formulating how he might practice.

Satisfied with the Echo Skills, he moved on to his Resonance Skills, starting with Appraisal. It had proven to be invaluable so far.

Appraisal (Resonance Skill) – Level 8/10

Description: Allows the user to observe detailed information about objects, creatures, and the environment. Skill level increases with frequent use, revealing more detailed information over time. Can be used to gather specific details about the user’s location.

Level 8? He hadn’t expected it to be so high. No wonder I can gather so much info. He wondered what would happen when it reached Level 10. Maybe he’d be able to appraise things in even greater detail, or even... foresee dangers before they happened?

He quickly moved to Wisdom, eager to learn more about his unique ability to pick up on things so quickly.

Wisdom (Resonance Skill) – Level 1/10

Description: Grants the user increased learning and understanding capabilities, especially in relation to survival, skill mastery, and growth. Skill level increases through learning, adaptation, and survival in challenging situations.

So that’s why I’ve been picking things up so fast, he thought, feeling both impressed and relieved. It’s more than just instincts—it’s helping me figure things out.

His head buzzed with new ideas, but something else needed his attention. He had learned that Appraisal could tell him more about his surroundings. With a thought, he activated the skill, trying to find out exactly where he was.

[Appraisal Activated]

Location: The Verdant Expanse

Description: The largest forest on the continent, stretching across vast territories. Known for its diverse flora and fauna, many of which are highly dangerous to small creatures.

His heart sank. The largest forest on the continent? The Verdant Expanse. It sounded ominous. His earlier instincts hadn’t been wrong—this place was a deathtrap for something as tiny as him. Great, he thought sarcastically. Dangerous fauna.

Just as he pondered his next steps, a rustling noise cut through the stillness of the forest. His body tensed, instincts kicking in immediately. Something was nearby.

His many eyes scanned the area frantically, and then he saw it. A blur of movement—something large, hairy, and fast.

Before he could react, a creature burst from the grass, lunging straight at him. His heart—or whatever passed for his heart in this body—pounded as his instincts screamed at him to move.

His vision locked onto the creature, and without thinking, Appraisal kicked in.

[Appraisal Activated]

Name: Predatory Web-Spider

Species: Giant Web-Spider

Level: 2/5

Rank: E

HP: 15/15

MP: 5/5

Stamina: 12/12

Echo Skills: [Web Trap Lv: 3] [Venom Bite Lv: 2] [Movement Lv: 5]

Resonance Skills: [Predator’s Instinct Lv: 1]

Status Effects:

Hunger: Moderate

Aggression: High

An E-Rank predator!? The spider was bigger than him, faster, and by the looks of it, far more dangerous than the snake he had escaped earlier.

Before he could even process the thought, the spider lunged again, fangs gleaming, aiming straight for him.