Metamorphosis: The Story of a Butterfly

The world seemed to slow down as the spider lunged toward him, its many eyes locked on him with predatory hunger. Every muscle in his tiny body screamed to move, but terror froze him in place. His mind raced, grasping for something—anything—that would keep him alive.

MOVE!

His body finally obeyed, just barely dodging as the spider’s venomous fangs snapped shut millimeters from where he had been. Dirt flew up in all directions as the spider skidded to a halt, already preparing to strike again. The sheer speed of it sent a jolt of panic through his tiny form. There’s no way I can outrun this thing!

But he had to try.

He scurried away, legs scrambling against the damp earth as fast as they could go, but the spider was faster. In a split second, it was already upon him again, its massive, hairy legs casting a shadow over his small body. He barely managed to turn just as it reared back for another strike.

Focus!

The ground felt rough and unsteady beneath him, the forest too vast and wild for a creature his size. He couldn’t win this with speed. He needed to be smarter, use everything he had. His skills, his instincts, his surroundings.

The spider’s venomous fangs glistened in the light as it lunged again, faster than he could react. One of its legs slammed into him, sending his small body tumbling through the dirt. Pain exploded through his side, and he struggled to right himself, feeling dazed. His instincts were screaming at him, pushing him to keep moving.

But the spider didn’t stop. It leapt onto him, pinning him down, its fangs aiming straight for his soft, vulnerable body. His heart pounded in his tiny chest. The end felt near. No... not like this!

In that split second, something in him clicked.

Camouflage!

Without thinking, he activated the skill. His body shimmered, blending with the earth beneath him. The spider hesitated for a moment, its eyes scanning the ground in confusion. The invisibility was limited, and the spider still sensed him—but it bought him enough time to wriggle free from its grip.

As he darted away again, his mind raced. He needed to fight back, but how? He wasn’t strong enough to bite through its exoskeleton, and there was no way he could trap it like a predator. Think!

Another lunge, another narrow dodge. This time, however, the spider’s fangs grazed him, a searing pain cutting across his side. A drop of venom dripped into the wound, and his body screamed in agony as it burned through his soft flesh.

Poison! I’m going to die!

The world blurred as the pain intensified, but then something strange happened. The burning sensation dulled, just slightly, and a small notification flashed in his mind.

Poison Resistance Gained – Level 1/10

Description: Reduces the damage and effects of poisons by a small percentage. Increases with repeated exposure.

Poison resistance? His mind barely registered the words. Somehow, his body was adapting. The venom wasn’t killing him outright, but it still hurt like hell. Another hit like that and he wouldn’t be so lucky.

The spider lashed out again, and this time he knew he couldn’t dodge. He activated Camouflage again, but it was fading fast. His only hope was to keep moving. The spider’s legs grazed him once more, another pulse of venom entering his bloodstream.

Poison Resistance – Level 2.

The burning pain was there, but it wasn’t as sharp. His body was learning, adjusting to the venom coursing through him. He could survive this... if he could just hold out long enough.

As the spider prepared for another strike, he noticed the roots of a nearby tree jutting out of the earth, creating a small crevice beneath it. Without hesitating, he scurried toward it, diving under the roots just as the spider pounced again. Its fangs scraped the ground, missing him by inches.

Shelter!

He curled into the tight space beneath the roots, his tiny body trembling from the adrenaline. The spider couldn’t reach him here—not easily, at least. But it wasn’t giving up. Its legs thrashed against the roots, trying to dig him out. The ground around him shook with each impact.

He needed a plan, something that would let him turn the tables. He couldn’t just hide forever. The pain from the venom was fading slightly, and he could feel the resistance growing stronger. Each hit, each exposure to the poison made him tougher, more resilient.

Poison Resistance – Level 3.

Poison Resistance – Level 4.

Poison Resistance – Level 5.

I can survive this, he thought, a flicker of hope growing inside him. But I can’t just survive. I have to fight back.

The spider continued its assault, trying to pry him from his hiding spot. He watched its legs thrash against the dirt and roots, and an idea formed. If he could lure the spider into a vulnerable position, maybe he could strike.

Bite is at Level 4. I just need to aim for something softer than its exoskeleton. His mind raced. The underbelly—that was his only chance.

He waited, watching the spider’s movements carefully. When one of its legs shifted, he darted out from under the roots, aiming for the soft underbelly beneath the spider’s thorax. The spider didn’t see him coming—it was too focused on tearing up the roots. He lunged forward, sinking his small mandibles into the spider’s soft underbelly.

Bite – Level 5/10.

The spider recoiled, a shriek of surprise escaping it as it felt the sudden pain. The wound wasn’t deep, but it was enough to get its attention. The venom still coursed through his system, but his body was handling it now. He felt stronger, faster.

I have to keep attacking!

He scurried under the spider’s body, biting at its soft joints and underbelly, each successful strike increasing his confidence. The spider flailed, but it was losing control, unable to keep up with his relentless assault.

The poison was barely affecting him now, his resistance almost fully developed. His mind buzzed with a strange clarity, as if his body had found its rhythm. He had been prey, but now, in this moment, he was the predator.

With one final bite, he sank his mandibles deep into the spider’s vulnerable underbelly. The spider let out a shrill, desperate cry, its legs twitching as its body convulsed. It collapsed to the ground, its once-terrifying movements reduced to weak, spasmodic jerks.

He scurried back, panting, his body trembling from the exertion. The spider lay still, defeated.

I... I did it. I actually won.

But that stupid spider was so bitter.

Poison Resistance – Level 5/10.

Hardened Carapace Resistance Gained – Level 1/10.

Bite – Level 6/10.

Camouflage – Level 3/10.

He stared at the notifications in his mind, feeling a strange mix of pride and disbelief. He had fought and won. He had survived.

But he was no fool. There were more predators out here—bigger, faster, deadlier than this spider. He didn’t have a single idea what he would do with the tiny, weak body he was given. Every moment could be his last. He could die with just a little pinch.

Yet, despite the fear still lingering in his mind, something else gnawed at him—hunger. The familiar, constant hunger that never seemed to leave him, no matter how much he ate. It clawed at his insides, pulling him back to the simple, primal need to feed.

Common Tiny Caterpillar Level increased from 1 to 2

Common Tiny Caterpillar Level increased from 2 to 3

Common Tiny Caterpillar Level increased from 3 to 4

What?