Let The Hunt Begin (2)

"I'm pretty sure this was supposed to be a goblin dungeon, so what are they doing here?" Adrian mumbled as he walked up to a Ratling corpse.

[Ratling (Common) has been registered into the Monster Codex.]

As their name suggested, Ratlings were small, humanoid creatures that resembled a rat and were obsessed with collecting things. Known for their keen agility and sharp teeth, they often worked in groups to overwhelm their adversaries.

While individually weak, their swarm tactics posed a challenge to even the most experienced Divers. As such, beginners aren't allowed anywhere inside such dungeons.

Anyone below level 25 is strictly instructed to keep away from them. That's why Adrian was surprised to find Ratling's corpse in a beginner dungeon used by those with level 20 or below.

"It's not like I'm safe from ratlings either," Adrian mumbled, shaking his head.

While Adrian had the stats of a level 30 diver, he lacked the skill and experience to deal with a Ratling horde alone. After all, having stats doesn't equate to having experience.

But more importantly, Adrian lacked the means to deal with the horde. Since the best and easiest way to deal with Ratlings was to use a fire-based, area-of-effect attack.

While Adrian now had the mana required for such an attack, he did not possess an area-of-effect skill to dispatch the Ratlings.

"Wouldn't it be better to leave this dungeon then?" Adrian wondered.

The more he thought about it, the more he leaned towards leaving the place. However, it would have been a waste if he had come all the way there and fooled the guard only to leave empty-handed.

It wouldn't make sense for him not to scavenge what he could from there and leave afterwards. It's not like anyone would notice a couple of missing rats.

With that in mind, Adrian used his [Analysis] skill to check whether the corpses were worth his time. But what he got instead was a surprise.

---

Loot Drops:

-- Rat Tail: Common crafting material.

-- Small Pouch: Contains a few random shards.

Devourable organs:

-- Adaptive fur colouration cells: By taking cells responsible for the Ratling's fur colour change, the User could possess a chameleon-like ability, allowing them to blend into their surroundings.

Grade: Common

Compatibility: Average (61~70% integration success rate)

Remarks: The cells may not integrate seamlessly with the Chimaera's physiology, resulting in occasional malfunctions or unintended colour shifts.

Status: Unavailable [The User didn't kill the monster]

-- Ratling venom sac: Extracting venom sacs from the Ratling could give the User a venomous attack, adding a poisonous element to their arsenal.

Grade: Common

Compatibility: Good (71~80% Integration success rate)

Remarks: The toxicity may affect opponents to a certain extent, but it won't kill targets above level 10 as it lacks the potency to do so.

Status: Unavailable [The User didn't kill the monster]

Note: Due to the level limitations of the skill [Organ Absorption], only one skill can be obtained from one monster.

---

Adrian was not expecting a second prompt, but as he went through it, he understood more about his new system. Either way, the second prompt alone convinced him to move further into the dungeon, unlike what he had planned.

Since Adrian was only required to absorb one more organ to upgrade his [Organ Absorption] skill, he had no reason to deny the opportunity.

Moreover, the Ratlings possessed organs that could significantly enhance Adrian's combat skills and stealth capabilities. However, his primary interest lay in acquiring the Ratling's colouration cells as it would help him hide and alter his hideous presence without the need to cover up his skin.

Adrian's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden noise behind him. He turned around, only to find an injured Ratling standing there. But it seemed the Ratling hadn't noticed him yet.

"It must have concealed itself while the Divers wiped out the rest of its kin," Adrian mused. "Well, that works in my favour. I can kill it, absorb its skin, and gain valuable experience points while at it."

Not wanting to alert the beast, Adrian quietly reached into his inventory, pulling out his crossbow, trying his best not to make any noise. He then proceeded to aim it at the injured Ratling.

Satisfied with his aim, Adrian released the arrow. However, he wasn't prepared for what happened next. Despite being injured, the Ratling proved to be quite agile and jumped sideways, narrowly avoiding the arrow.

"Fuck! It'll get away- why isn't it running?"

Typically, a Ratling would have fled upon being attacked, especially if it was alone. However, the corpses of its kin seemed to trigger a feral response within the monster as it charged toward Adrian instead of fleeing.

Caught off guard by the unexpected aggression, Adrian swiftly notched another arrow and fired away. The arrow found its mark this time, hitting the Ratling's injured arm. However, despite being hit, the Ratling kept rushing towards Adrian.

Adrian realised that reloading and firing the crossbow took too long and decided to abandon it. In its place, he drew two knives. Though inexperienced in close-quarter monster fights, Adrian, like every other summoned warrior, had been trained to wield basic weapons.

Even though his training was cut short when he gained the Analyst class, Adrian was confident in taking down an injured Ratling. Besides, his stats were higher than the beast's, adding to his confidence.

As the Ratling closed in, Adrian prepared himself. The creature aimed its claws at his head, but being quick on his feet, Adrian ducked at the last second to avoid the attack.

Following the attack, Ratling couldn't balance itself. Usually, since the creatures would be in a horde, such mistakes won't make any difference. However, for a lone Ratling to do the same thing was a death sentence, and Adrian knew that.

That's why, instead of dodging or rushing in, he decided to duck and evade the attack, as he knew the Ratling wouldn't be able to balance itself.

'Being an Analyst had its benefits.' Adrian thought as he stabbed one knife into the Ratling's neck and the other into its chest, where its heart was.

The Ratling shrieked in pain as the knives penetrated its flesh. Adrian, seizing control of the situation, held onto the blades, preventing the creature from retaliating in any form.

"Stop screaming and die already!"

Adrian slammed the creature on the ground and twisted the knives until the Ratling stopped screaming, ensuring the creature's demise.

[You have killed a Ratling! Exp +50]

[Total Exp: 50/200]

Adrian, catching his breath, surveyed the scene. The struggle was brief but intense. It was the first time he had killed a monster alone, unlike when his team fed him nearly dead monsters for him to level up as they needed his [Analysis] skill.

"Phew... the adrenaline rush is no joke," Adrian took a deep breath and stored the knives in his inventory.

---

Skill: Organ Absorption has been triggered. Please select an organ to absorb from Ratling's corpse.

-- Adaptive fur colouration cells

-- Ratling venom sac

Note: If the choice isn't made in 120 seconds, the User won't be able to absorb any organs.

"Two minutes? That's plenty of time to choose," Adrian shrugged as he clicked on colouration cells. "Besides, I'm planning on hunting a lot, so it doesn't matter what choice I make, I'll get all of these organs for me!"

[Please make contact with the target: Ratling's fur.]

[Note: Depending on the User's compatibility with the targeted organ, the User might or might not feel some discomfort.]

Kneeling beside the fallen beast, Adrian extended his hand toward the Ratling's blotchy skin. As his fingertips made contact, a subtle shiver passed through his body. A system prompt materialised before him.

[Target acquired: Adaptive skin]

[Integration in Progress...]

"ARGH!" Adrian gritted his teeth as he felt his skin was being ripped off.

The surge of intense pain rippled through him, originating from the point of contact between him and the Ratling. Adrian wanted to pull his arm back, but it felt like his hand was super glued to the beast's skin. Not allowing him to separate himself from the Ratling.

"FUCK!"

[Analysing the desired component...]

[Incorporating a 'Skill' into Chimaera physiology... Please hold on.]

Adrian's vision blurred momentarily as the Ratling's skill seeped into his body. The pain intensified, making every nerve in his body scream. It was as if the very fabric of his being was adjusting to accommodate the newfound skill.

[Integration Complete.]

[The User has obtained the Skill: Camouflage.]

Adrian withdrew his hand from the Ratling's skin, gasping for breath. The pain subsided gradually, leaving him with a lingering discomfort. While he was happy to get what he wanted, the experience left him a question.

"Will I have to experience this every time I absorb an organ!?" Adrian gasped for breath. "oh, right... I forgot about the compatibility thing. Note to self: only absorb organs with good or higher compatibility. Fuck... I feel drained."