Chapter 2: What it takes to survive

It has been 6 days since Akun was reborn as an ant.

As Akun settled into the life of an ant, he observed the activities of the anthill and started getting used to how things worked. He noticed how the other ants diligently went about their tasks, each carrying out their assigned duties.

One day, while navigating the tunnels, Akun noticed a shift in the behavior of his fellow ants. They began to climb upward, steadily ascending towards the surface. Curious, he followed their lead, eager to uncover the reason behind this collective movement.

"Where are they going?" he mused Inwardly, "What could be awaiting us at the surface?"

Emerging from the depths of the anthill, Akun's tiny ant eyes widened in astonishment. Before him lay a sight that both bewildered and captivated him—a lifeless wolf-like creature, its massive form sprawled upon the ground of the god forsaken forest.

The other ants surrounded the beast, their tiny mandibles tearing into its flesh. It became apparent to Akun that this was their source of sustenance, the kind of nourishment that sustained the colony.

A mixture of revulsion and confusion swirled within Akun, his voice filled with a blend of disbelief and dismay. "How can this be? Eating the flesh of such a creature... it's repulsive."

Akun's instincts clashed with his sense of morality, torn between the nature of his newfound existence and the moral compass ingrained within him. The realization that he, too, would need to partake in this repugnant feast unsettled him deeply.

As Akun observed the scene of his fellow ants feasting upon the enormous wolf's corpse, a realization struck him with awe. Despite his transformation into an ant, he couldn't help but marvel at the sheer size and strength of the species he had become a part of.

His tiny ant eyes widened as he compared the mass of the fallen wolf to the collective size of his fellow ants. The sheer magnitude of the creature's body dwarfed even the largest ants he had encountered on Earth.

(A/N: these ants were massive when compared to the ones on earth)

"Amazing," Akun whispered in amazement, his voice tinged with both fascination and disbelief.These ants are really extraordinary. They're unlike any ants I've ever come across. They're much bigger and stronger than any ants we find on Earth.

His mind raced with calculations as he estimated the scale of their proportions. With a thoughtful expression, his musings carried a sense of wonder and realization. "If I were to make a rough estimate, it seems that around twenty-five of these ants would equal the sheer mass of this massive wolf."

As Akun was lost in contemplation, a gnawing hunger began to stir within him, overpowering his thoughts. The realization struck him with a forceful urgency – he needed to eat to survive in this new form. Reluctantly, he acknowledged the bitter truth: he had no choice but to partake in the feast of the dead wolf.

"I never imagined I would find myself in a situation like this," Akun lamented inwardly. "To feed on the rotting flesh of a dead wolf monster, even in the name of survival, feels disgusting."

With a heavy heart and a growing sense of revulsion, Akun slowly made his way towards the fallen creature. He hesitated for a moment, his musings filled with both disgust and resignation. "I can't believe I have to eat this... but there's no other option."

Taking a bite of the decaying flesh, he grimaced at the repulsive taste that assaulted his senses. The texture, the stench – it was beyond his comprehension.

(A/N: Monster ants have taste buds.)

"Oh, this taste... it's unbearable," Akun mused, his thoughts laced with disgust and disappointment. "I never thought it would be so gross. How do the other ants eat this without seeming bothered?"

As he swallowed each morsel reluctantly, he couldn't help but question the nature of this world. "Is this the only food available to us? Are there no other options?" he mused, his voice laden with a mix of frustration and disbelief.

Amidst the grotesque meal, something caught Akun's attention. Nestled within the wolf's body was a large green marble, gleaming amidst the decay. Confusion and curiosity washed over him, prompting him to pick it up with his mandibles and examine it closely. "What is this? Looks like some monster core from all those RPG games." he mused.

A thought crossed his mind – perhaps this foreign world held mysteries and treasures unknown to him. Maybe this marble served a purpose, a source of nourishment or power for the ants. Without further hesitation, he decided to consume it. "Am sure the other ants would also eat this."

To his astonishment, as the marble touched his tongue, a delightful burst of flavor engulfed his senses. It tasted remarkably sweet, like a delectable piece of candy. He savored the unexpected pleasure, his voice filled with a mixture of surprise and delight. "This... It tastes incredible!"

However, the momentary joy was short-lived. A sudden sharp pain pierced Akun's stomach, causing him to writhe in agony. He fell backward, his voice turning into anguished cries as the pain gripped him tightly. "Ahh! What's happening? Why does it hurt so much?"

As the pain eventually subsided, leaving him gasping for breath, a familiar voice echoed within his mind. The voice that had heralded the evolution system before now resurfaced, punctuating the moment with its presence.

[Ding!! +0.9 Evolution points!!]

[Ding!! No beast soul detected.]

Akun's mind whirled with a mixture of confusion and intrigue. The pain had brought about an unexpected reward – an increase in his evolution points. It seemed that this world held more secrets and transformations than he could have ever imagined. "Did eating that marble give me evolution points?"

As Akun was lost in his thoughts, contemplating the sweet taste of the green marble, a sudden commotion disrupted his reverie. His attention snapped to the scene before him, and his eyes widened in awe and fear.

A colossal silver eagle-like bird swooped down towards the feasting ants. Its wingspan eclipsed the deceased wolf, dwarfing it in size. Akun watched in disbelief as the massive creature attempted to seize what remained of the wolf's corpse.

In an act of instinctive defense, the ants, driven by survival, retaliated. A wave of purple substance spewed forth from their mandibles, a poisonous defense mechanism to deter their assailant. But the bird's response was swift and deadly.

With a single powerful flap of its wings, the silver-feathered bird unleashed a barrage of metallic plumage. Each feather descended like darts, piercing the bodies of the ants. In an instant, the swarm was decimated, their efforts futile against the might of their predator.

Akun, frozen in shock, watched as his comrades fell one by one, their lives extinguished in a display of the bird's power. Only he and three other ants remained, the sole survivors of the encounter. The realization struck him like a lightning bolt - their survival was not an act of strength or strategy but merely a stroke of luck.

"We're.. we're still alive." Akun mused, his voice filled with a blend of awe and disbelief.

His gaze shifted to the lifeless bodies of his fallen comrades, a reminder of the harsh reality they faced.

"We cannot let their sacrifice be in vain," Akun continued, "We have to run while we still can."

However, a glimmer of defiance caught his attention. The surviving ants, though outnumbered and outmatched, continued to launch feeble attacks against the silver bird. Their persistence, their refusal to surrender in the face of overwhelming odds, stirred something deep within Akun's heart.

"No... I can't keep on running away... if I want to prove them wrong, and get revenge someday, I can't keep on running away!!."

A surge of determination flowed through him as he turned his gaze towards the Endless Evolution system. It was his only hope, his gateway to gaining the power necessary to face such formidable adversaries. With unwavering resolve, he beseeched the system for guidance.

Akun's heart raced with anticipation as he engaged in a dialogue with the Endless Evolution system. With a mix of hope and curiosity, he posed his question, "Can I boost the potency of my poison with evolution points?"

The system's response echoed in his mind, cautioning him about the limitations of relying solely on poison.

[Yes, it is possible," the system replied, "but increasing the potency alone will not guarantee victory. With your current approach, you only have a 2% chance of success.]

Listening intently, Akun pondered the system's words. He realized that a more strategic approach was needed to tip the odds in his favor. Gathering his resolve, he asked, "Then what would you suggest?"

The system responded with a recommendation that struck a chord with Akun.

[The system suggests increasing your speed first. By being faster, you will be able to evade the silver bird's rain of iron feathers. Combining this with the potency of your poison, you could potentially achieve an 85% chance of success.]

Nodding in agreement, Akun made his decision. "Alright then, system. Allocate 0.6 evolution points to my speed and 0.3 to my poison potency."

Acknowledging his request, the system confirmed,

[Beginning slight evolution, processing...]

As the evolution process commenced, Akun's body was wracked with searing pain. His legs and the glands responsible for secreting poison felt as though they were being crushed and rebuilt. The agony persisted until finally, the pain subsided, and the system's voice echoed once more.

[Evolution successful!]

Feeling a surge of power, Akun wasted no time. He sprinted toward the silver bird, its feathers raining down upon him. However, with his increased speed, he gracefully dodged each attack.

Quickly ascending a nearby tree, Akun seized the opportunity. He unleashed a well-aimed stream of poison, targeting the bird's eye. The effect was instant and painful, as the silver bird lost one of its eyes but continued its assault.

Undeterred, Akun continued to dodge and unleash his potent poison. With each nimble maneuver, time seemed to slow down around him, allowing him to evade the deadly onslaught. He then seized the opportunity to blind the bird's remaining eye.

The battle raged on, with Akun's speed and poison proving to be a great combination. After a relentless display of agility and venom, the silver bird finally succumbed to its injuries, collapsing to the ground.

Overwhelmed, Akun's heart swelled with a mix of disbelief and joy, He had accomplished the seemingly impossible. A sense of pride coursed through his tiny ant body, knowing that he had defied the odds and emerged victorious.

"I did it!" Akun exclaimed Inwardly, his voice brimming with excitement. "I actually defeated it! I never thought I'd be able to pull it off!"

His fellow surviving ants gathered around him, their body language a mix of admiration and astonishment. Akun's feat had ignited a spark of hope within their hearts, reminding them that even the most daunting challenges could be overcome.

With the help of his powerful monster ant mandibles, Akun was able to tear his way trough the silver bird's silver feather exterior and consume it's core.

[Ding!! Obtained +10.5 Evolution points!! and a Silver Bird's beast soul]

"Huh?... what am I supposed to do with a silver Bird's beast soul?" Akun questioned.