Morning came.
Or maybe… not morning?
The sky was still purple, the two moons glaring down like judgmental parents who just caught you Googling "how to survive in an isekai as a larva." The temperature was slightly warmer, the mushrooms glowed a bit brighter, and most importantly—
> "I'm still alive. Honestly? That's already a win."
I slithered out from the stone crevice I had curled into.
My newly evolved body—Cystic Crawler class—felt sturdier. Still gooey, sure, but gooey with ambition.
I was now a slime-worm hybrid with… presence. Or at least with 20% more defense than yesterday.
> [Status: Stable]
[Level: 4]
[Species: Cystic Crawler (Primordial Variant)]
[Active Abilities: Acid Secretion (Lv. 2), Sludge Excretion, Lumen Absorption]
[Unique Trait: Seed of Lumina – Status: Dormant]
> "Still can't cast spells, but hey—at least I can melt enemies while looking disgusting."
---
I began crawling further out into the Crystal Nest.
Still the same biome: damp caverns, glowing mushrooms, suspicious clicking sounds from underground. But I was getting used to it. Even starting to categorize things.
> "Yesterday felt like a tutorial. Today? We're officially in 'Survival Mode.'"
I used my Vibratory Sensory Node to scan ahead.
Didn't take long to ping something.
> [Target Detected: Root Leech – Lv. 3 – Distance: 12 meters – Status: Idle]
> "Hmm. Possible XP. Or bait. This world loves surprise boss fights."
I approached carefully.
The Root Leech looked like a bloated slug with tree roots growing out of its back. Its mouth resembled a flower made entirely of teeth.
Gross? Yes.
Threatening? Less so.
From a safe distance, I squirted some acid—straight to its soft underside.
> [Acid Secretion Activated...]
[Effect: Corrosion 3s, Defense Reduction: 12%]
The leech shrieked. Sounded like a rubber balloon being strangled underwater.
It tried to flip over, but I lunged—well, twitched aggressively—and clamped onto its side.
> [Adaptive Consumption Engaged...]
[Assimilation: 46% → 87% → 100%]
[Victory! Level Up: Lv. 4 → Lv. 5]
> "Okay… I'm officially a predator. Low-tier, sure. But still a predator."
My body reacted again—not a full evolution, more like a soft upgrade.
My goo thickened. My nerve impulses sped up.
> [New Passive Acquired: Reactive Membrane – Reflects 8% of light physical attacks]
> "Sweet. I'm squishy and bouncy now."
---
After the fight, I retreated under a wide mushroom cap glowing a soft blue.
That's when I noticed something.
The light.
The twin moons weren't just aesthetic—they were usable.
My Lumen Absorption slowly ticked upward as I rested under direct moonlight.
> [Lumen Energy: 37% Charged]
[Seed of Lumina – Status: Reacting / Synchronization in Progress…]
> "Oho. Magic seed's finally waking up."
But before I could start fantasizing about blasting fireballs from my goo glands, something entered my peripheral vision.
Another entity.
Small. Translucent. But… watching me.
> [Unknown Entity Detected]
[Level: ???]
[Status: Observing]
> "…I've got a stalker. Great. Just what every larva needs."
It didn't attack.
It didn't leave either.
It just floated among the glowing mushrooms. Watching. Judging. Maybe... curious?
> "Hey. If you're a monster, come fight. If you're a mysterious NPC, please don't give me a three-part riddle."
Then, a voice echoed in my head.
Not the system. Something softer.
Clear. Gentle.
> "...That light… You have it too?"
---
To be continued…