Chương 3: A Worm's Struggle for Survival
The moment I gained my detection skills, I began to observe my surroundings. What I noticed first was that my fellow worms were scattered everywhere, wriggling, curling, or just lying dormant. Their stats were probably as pitiful as mine. Then, I saw something I wished I hadn't—a monstrous, grotesque bat-like creature, feasting on my kind.
Panic set in, and I instinctively used [Dig] to burrow into the ground. "That was close! I'm not dying a second time," I thought, trembling with fear. Fortunately, even underground, I could still detect the presence of things and monsters around me. I needed to dig deeper, to find a safe haven where I wouldn't be on the menu.
As I dug deeper, the soil became wetter, richer. I absorbed the moisture, feeling a surprising surge of strength and clarity. Experimenting further, I started consuming whatever I could find in the soil—vegetable matter, remnants of animals, and even the occasional monster or fruit. To my amazement, this strange diet seemed to strengthen my frail body. I hadn't leveled up yet, but I could already feel myself growing stronger. Could it be that my inherent weakness as a worm made every little bit of growth feel so significant?
Time passed, and I continued my "grinding"—which, in my case, meant eating and absorbing whatever I could find until I was full. After a while, I gained five whole levels. I couldn't believe it; my stats had almost doubled, though they were still nothing impressive. For five levels, it felt underwhelming, but at least I earned five points to invest in skills. Without hesitation, I chose [Parasitic Attach] as my next skill.
[You have used 3 points to learn [Parasitic Attach]]
I was eager to test out my new ability, but that monster aboveground was still lurking. I decided to search for any creature underground instead. Lucky! I found one of my kind—a fellow worm, peacefully sleeping.
-0.1 HP
-0.1 HP
-0.1 HP
....
Isn't this taking forever? I've been attached to this worm for a full minute, and it's only lost 1 HP? After what felt like an eternity, the worm finally succumbed.
[You have earned the skill [Camouflage LV I] from the LV 2 [Lesser Abyssal Worm]]
Camouflage—something quite useful for my future plans. If I can attach myself to higher-level monsters while using [Camouflage], I might be able to earn some powerful skills through [Parasitic Attach].
I began formulating a strategy. My first goal would be to level up and improve my skills while remaining hidden. For now, I'd continue preying on weaker creatures until I gained enough strength and abilities to take on something more substantial. If I could find a way to blend into my environment and bide my time, I might eventually become something more than just a lowly worm. Perhaps, by the next chapter of my life, I would start seeking out specific monsters to target—those with the skills and attributes I needed to survive and thrive in this harsh world.
The darkness surrounding me no longer felt as suffocating as before. It felt like a blanket, a cover under which I could grow stronger. Little by little, I was beginning to see a way forward. My journey as a worm was just beginning, and if I played my cards right, it wouldn't end in the dirt.
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