Nyxa walked deeper into the Great Forest of Tob, leaving the troll's cooling corpse behind.
The moonlight cut through the canopy in silver shafts, turning the world into jagged shadows.
He didn't tire.
Couldn't tire.
Stamina: ∞.
It was almost funny.
> I can run forever.
But he didn't run.
He stalked.
---
He paused, feeling the faint pulse of magic in the air.
> Planar Analysis.
A ghostly overlay appeared in his vision. Ancient runes and ley lines of the forest.
No dimensional rifts.
But local monsters everywhere.
Blip.
Three red markers blinked close by.
He turned, silent as a spirit.
---
In a small clearing ahead, goblins squabbled over a boar carcass.
Primitive weapons. Crude leather armor.
Pathetic.
But perfect for a test.
> System. Ready Copy Ability.
> Target: Goblin 1.
Green text flickered.
[SUCCESS]
Copied Skill: Crude Knife Mastery [Basic]
> ...Useless, but it works.
He tried again.
> Target: Goblin 2.
[SUCCESS]
Copied Skill: Minor Darkvision [Racial]
> Better.
He felt his eyes sharpen even further.
He could see their heat in the darkness now.
---
They finally noticed him.
Shrieking.
Charging.
---
Nyxa didn't move at first.
He just watched.
> Stamina: ∞.
He could dodge forever.
But he didn't need to.
He let them close.
One swung wildly.
He caught its wrist.
Crushed bone.
Another stabbed him—blade scraping his hardened hide.
He twisted, pulling its throat to his fangs.
Devour Essence.
Warm energy flooded him.
HP and MP ticked up.
His eyes briefly flashed with alien light.
---
The last goblin turned to flee.
He blinked.
> Voidstep.
Reality cracked.
He reappeared in front of it.
A single swipe bisected its body.
---
Silence.
He stood in the ruin of green bodies, blood soaking into the dirt.
> System. Show new copies.
---
[Copy Ability Log:]
Crude Knife Mastery [Basic]
Minor Darkvision [Racial]
---
> System. Synthesize Crude Knife Mastery + Minor Darkvision.
Green code twisted.
[SYNTHESIS SUCCESS!]
Result: Hunter's Darkvision [Basic]
(Improved low-light sight + minor precision boost)
---
He felt it lock into place.
His sight adjusted—every leaf edge now perfectly clear.
> Perfect.
---
He stood very still.
The forest was quiet again.
> System. Show Status.
---
[STATUS - Partial Update]
STAMINA: ∞
HP: Full
MP: Full
Skills:
• Copy Ability Lv2
• Synthesis Lv2
• Multiverse Travel [Locked]
• YGGDRASIL System
• Hunter's Darkvision [Basic]
---
> So it really works. Copy anything. Combine anything.
He knelt by a goblin head, examining the dull eyes.
> I can even take their abilities.
He thought about human adventurers.
> If I want to blend in... I'll need them too.
> Their speech. Their forms. Their classes.
He felt his mandibles twitch in what might have been a smile.
> Soon.
He rose without a sound, vanishing into the trees.