"And why do we have to collect the bodies?" the injured assassin asked.
"Because we don't want them rising. These Alpines aren't dangerous because of the monsters. It's because of the poison."
"Poison?"
"I'll explain later, all you need to know is we need to burn these bodies. Reaper's love these types of places."
"Reapers?"
"Later, Junior," The older assassin retorted as he threw the Paladin on the pile. His singed clothes revealing the kind of battle he went through.
...
The constant shaking disorientated Quinn. The unknown of what was happening to Guymar's body frightened him. And the blood could hardly be called food likened to the viper's poison. It tasted sickenly sweet and Quinn wanted to leave.
Sticking his little in every direction, he activated [Pheromone detection].
'Blood, blood, blood'
He couldn't sense anything over the overwhelming scent of blood.
'Why, why is this happening to me. Why'
He considered his options.
'When dealing with these relative giants, I need to pick the safest option.'
What Quinn needed was information or an exit route. So he headed over to where he came in. Sticking his little head out, he activated [Pheromone detection].
'Blood, blood, blood'
He couldn't sense anything over the sickening scent of blood.
With no other option, Quinn focused on [Mana Sense]. He calmed down and recalled the feeling he woke up to. The vibrant colours. The way they moved. The sensations his body felt.
But he could sense nothing.
He couldn't actively sense Mana.
The only thing that comforted him was residual body temperature of the fresh bodies. However, the temperature should've started to drop by now. It wasn't, though. On the contrary, it was heating up.
'Why is getting so hot? I'm trying to figure out this mana thing!' Then he sensed it.
The red.
The red started to consumed everything. He didn't know what it was but it was magic. And then a wild idea came to him. What if this red was causing the heat.
Quinn dug and weaved. The temperature was increasing at an alarming rate. He only had one option. Dig straight down. It was a race against time. The heat increased as Quinn pushed himself further and further.
The red was spreading. It was surrounding him. If only he was faster, he could make it. If only he realized red was fire sooner. If only he didn't hesitate. He wouldn't have wasted his 2nd chance like this.
[Skill Levelled up
[Dig]Lvl 3 --> [Dig] Lvl 4
Exp: 1.2]
[Exp:12.3]
More speed is what he needed. More speed is what he got. A new hope reset his mentality, and his mind bore the fruits of optimism.
'I got isekai'd. I'm special. I'm not going to die here.'
In a life or death situation, many cases of humans surpassing the limits of physical ability have been recorded. This phenomenon is known as hysterical strength. But this isn't a solely human experience. An ape can do it. A bird could do it. And even a worm could do it.
But not Quinn he's too dumb. Being too slow, the red caught up to him. The heat coursed immense pain to pulse throughout his body. The wind rushed in and out every pore of Guymar's body as the fire raged on.
Quinn's body felt weak But he could sense it. The skin. He wasted no time piercing it and diving straight down into the top soil. But Quinn wasn't lucky, the flames caught up to him. It wasn't just he tail this time. It was his whole body. Even the top soil was on fire.
Thinking on his feat, he remembered his experience with the flatworm.
[ [Fragmentation] Activated]
He lost his tail but Quinn could now move around debris quicker. Still on fire Quinn was screaming internally and could only think of digging down. Nothing mattered. Everything went red. He was red. Until he reached it.
The water table.
Steam pored out of him as his relief made him shiver. Something inside of him almost ran out. A sort of spark inside of him. He felt it split every time he fragmented. It wasn't mana. This energy was fundamentally different. And Quinn didn't want to find out what happens when this 'spark' ran out of juice.
His thoughts were interrupted by a pulse of pain.
His head throbbed as he curled into a into a ball. His head seemingly disappearing into his throat.
[Evolution available]
Quinn conceded to the pain. He opened up his status.
[
Name:Quinn
Species: Lesser Earthworm(Lvl:1)(Evolution available)
Conditions: (Fragmented)
Exp:[6.1]
Strength:0.009
Agility:0.006
Vitality:0.012(-0.001)
Intelligence:0.8
Arcane:0
Skills: [Appraisal(Lvl:2)]
]
Quinn focused on the evolution part. The pain dispersed, and the window displayed him a tree hoisting 5 options;
[Earthworm]
[Roundworm]
[Flatworm]
[Leech]
[Deathworm]
It seemed that the options got better as he went down. But Quinn didn't know if he wanted to be a Deathworm. Especially after one tried to kidnap him and another tried to recruit him. It seemed more like a cult. A cult... At least he wouldn't be alone. Quinn could get in on whatever society the worms created. But most importantly, one deathworm tore him in half.
'I don't know how, but I will find you and rip you in two. See how you stupid worm likes it.'
Fixating his attention on Deathworm, a description revealed itself.
[Species:Deathworm
Race:Annelid
Description: Deathworms are carnivorous invertebrates that can grow up to 8 inches(20.3cm). They have 3 large proboscis(teeth) that are used to curse their prey.
Specific Trait: [Deathly Diet] [Mineral fangs]
Special skills: [Curse]
]
[Special Skills and Trait will change]
[Do you wish to evolve? [Yes] [No] ]
Without a second thought he did focused on Yes. And everything went black.
...