Chapter 2: To Evolve Or Not To Evolve?

The world around him dimmed, and a strange pressure built up inside his chest. He didn't know what it was, but instinctively, he understood: this was more than just sustenance. It was a piece of something far greater than either of them—a fragment of power passed down through the ages.

Ding!

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Congratulations, Arthur! You have absorbed the Soul Core of a distant descendant of the Titan of Mud.

New Evolutionary Traits Available:

Hardened Carapace: Increase the durability of your scales by imitating the crab's natural armor.

Amphibious Adaptation: Gain improved mobility in water and limited ability to survive outside of it for longer periods.

Mud Secretion: Produce a thick, mud-like substance that can be used defensively or to hinder enemies' movements.

Arthur's mind spun as the system's words appeared before him. The warmth of the crab's soul core still coursed through him, seeping into his very essence. He could feel the power it offered, the paths it could unlock. Each trait pulsed in his mind like a beacon, urging him to choose, to shape his body into something stronger, more formidable.

But it wasn't just the system. The hunger that had driven him to this moment still lingered, coiling in the back of his mind. It had changed something inside him—something that wouldn't be easily undone.

Survival. That was all that mattered. And now, he had a taste of what that could mean.

Arthur's mind raced. The choices floated in his vision, taunting him. He could feel each option tugging at his instincts. He didn't understand the system fully yet, but something told him this choice mattered. And it mattered now.

He crouched lower, examining the crab's broken body. Its shell had been tough. Even as he tore through it, the creature's natural defense had resisted him, making him fight for every inch of ground. That shell had been its greatest strength, and it had nearly been enough to kill him.

He couldn't forget how vulnerable he had felt in the battle. His own skin—scaly, yes, but thin—had been nothing compared to the crab's. Each strike from the creature's pincers had nearly ripped him apart.

I need to survive. I need to protect myself.

But the other options gnawed at him, too. Amphibious Adaptation would make him faster, better suited for this world of water and land. It sounded practical, useful even. He could already feel how slow and clumsy he was in this environment, and the idea of becoming more mobile, more in control, was tempting.

Then there was Mud Secretion, a defensive ability that could potentially give him an edge in fights, slowing down enemies or trapping them in place. It sounded crafty, useful in a pinch, but did he have time to be crafty? Could he afford to think ahead when every moment could be a fight for survival?

A low growl escaped him. His body tensed, his muscles coiling as if bracing for a blow. He had never been the type to make hasty decisions, but now—here, in this alien world—hesitation felt like a death sentence.

His mind flashed back to the crab's final moments. The way it had fought, fiercely, using every bit of its natural armor to protect itself. He thought of his own skin—how easily it could be pierced, how vulnerable he had been in that battle.

Survival comes first.

He needed to defend himself before he could think of anything else. There would be time to worry about speed, tactics, or anything else later. For now, he had to endure. He had to be able to take the hits, and survive whatever came next.

[Evolutionary Trait Selected: Hardened Carapace]

As soon as the decision was made, Arthur felt a sharp tug at his core. His body responded instantly. Heat surged through him again, but this time it wasn't the gentle warmth from before. This was harsher, more intense, like molten fire coursing through his veins. His muscles seized, and his limbs locked as the change began.

His skin—already tough and leathery—began to ripple. A sharp crack echoed through the water as the first layer of scales broke apart, replaced by something denser, heavier. The sensation wasn't pain, but it wasn't pleasant either. It was like his body was shifting, adapting under a force it couldn't resist.

He could feel the carapace forming, layer by layer. Each new plate of armor settled over him like a shield, thickening and reinforcing his natural scales. His limbs felt heavier, his movement more sluggish, but there was strength there, too. The kind of strength that promised endurance.

Another crack, louder this time, and he let out a low hiss, digging his claws into the soft ocean floor beneath him. His back arched as the final layer of the carapace locked into place, and suddenly, it was over. The transformation stopped as quickly as it had begun, leaving him feeling... different.

Arthur rose slowly, testing his body. The water slid off him more easily now, like oil over stone. His scales were no longer soft or pliant—they were hard, rigid, and unyielding. He ran a claw over his own skin, feeling the thick armor that had formed around him.

He felt stronger. Not by much, but enough. Enough to know that the next time something came for him, he wouldn't break so easily.

This is it. The realization hit him as hard as the evolution had. This was the world he had been thrust into. It wasn't a place of negotiation, compromise, or safety. It was a place where you either adapted, or you died.

His goal wasn't survival, not really. Survival was the bare minimum. His goal was evolution. To grow. To become something more than what he was now. Every creature he defeated, every core he absorbed—it was fuel for that growth.

Arthur stared down at the remnants of the crab. This was how it would be. Kill. Consume. Evolve. Each enemy would make him stronger. Each fight would push him forward, force him to change.

There was a flicker of something deep inside him—a strange, dark satisfaction. The system had made its choice, and now, so had he. He would eat, and grow stronger. He would survive, and not just that, he would thrive.

There was no room for hesitation anymore. This was his life now.

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