Dawn had just broken when I woke.
My injuries were much better.
[My HP: 210/230]
Brownie had used Heart of the Forest to heal once more last night.
Though still a bit painful, it didn't affect movement anymore.
"Let's head out," I said.
Shadow, Horn, and Venom nodded, preparing to hunt.
Spike and Shell followed them.
Waspy and Brownie went too, as support.
"See you tonight," Horn said.
"Be careful," I said.
They left the cave.
I also went out.
In the opposite direction.
I needed to find suitable magic beasts for training.
Couldn't be too strong, couldn't be too weak.
Best would be the kind with frequent attacks.
I moved through the forest.
Walked for about half an hour.
Heard digging sounds.
I quietly approached.
A group of Claw Moles.
Counted them—five.
They were digging holes, searching for food.
I checked their levels.
All between 10-15.
Not strong, but numerous.
Attack frequency should be high.
Good for training.
I walked out directly.
Deliberately made noise.
The five moles immediately became alert.
Turned to look at me.
Then—
Charged simultaneously!
I didn't flee.
Instead stood in place.
Waited for them to approach.
The first mole's claws swung at me.
"Spatial Dodge!"
I vanished, appearing five meters away.
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 151/200]
The five moles froze for a moment.
Then continued chasing.
The second mole lunged.
"Spatial Dodge!"
I vanished again.
Appeared in another direction.
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 152/200]
Just like that.
I kept dodging.
Didn't counterattack.
Just purely used Spatial Dodge.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The five moles grew angrier and angrier.
Attacks became denser and denser.
But I dodged every time.
Gradually, I found a rhythm.
Predicted their attacks.
Used Spatial Dodge at the last moment.
Then continued luring them.
Time passed bit by bit.
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 165/200]
I continued training.
But just then.
I discovered something.
Each time I used Spatial Dodge.
I would randomly appear somewhere within a 5-meter range.
But—
This "random" didn't seem completely random.
I could faintly "feel" where I would appear.
A very weak feeling.
But it definitely existed.
I concentrated.
Used Spatial Dodge again.
This time, I tried to "imagine" a target point.
Behind that tree on the left.
"Spatial Dodge!"
I vanished.
Then appeared—
In the bushes on the right.
Failed.
Still random.
But I didn't give up.
Tried again.
This time I focused even more.
Imagined the target point.
Felt the flow of space.
"Spatial Dodge!"
I vanished.
Appeared—
On the left!
Though not behind the tree.
The direction was right!
I'd successfully influenced the direction I appeared!
Joy surged in my heart.
Kept trying.
Third time.
I wanted to go behind that rock ahead.
Concentrated.
Felt the space.
"Spatial Dodge!"
I appeared behind the rock.
Success!
Though still within the 5-meter range.
I could choose the direction now!
Could control where I appeared!
This discovery thrilled me.
I continued training.
Constantly trying to control direction.
Gradually.
My perception of space became clearer and clearer.
Each time before using Spatial Dodge.
I could "see" the spatial structure within 5 meters.
Could feel which spots were safe landing points.
Where there were obstacles.
Where there were trees.
Where there were rocks.
Like opening a mini-map.
Though the range was only 5 meters.
It was already very useful.
I could precisely choose landing spots.
Avoid danger.
Appear in the most advantageous positions.
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 178/200]
The moles were nearly exhausted.
They'd chased for so long.
Never touched me once.
I decided to end training.
Started counterattacking.
Killed these moles one by one.
The five moles were quickly cleared out.
[Killed Claw Mole] ×5
[Experience maxed, cannot gain]
After max level, truly couldn't gain more experience.
But I didn't care.
Because I could evolve soon.
I continued searching for training targets.
This time found a group of Spike-Tail Rabbits.
Six of them.
Their speed was fast.
And their attack method was tail spike flinging.
Wide attack range, high frequency.
More suitable for training.
I charged at them.
The Spike-Tail Rabbits immediately became alert.
Turned and fled.
But I caught up to the slowest one.
It turned back and flung tail spikes.
"Swish swish swish—"
Three sharp spikes flew at me.
"Spatial Dodge!"
I vanished, appearing at its side.
Other Spike-Tail Rabbits joined the attack too.
Tail spikes flew from all directions.
I kept dodging.
And each time precisely controlled my landing point.
Appeared in the safest position.
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 185/200]
Training continued.
My spatial perception grew stronger and stronger.
Could even feel the "texture" of space.
Some places had very "stable" space.
Some places were very "fragile."
Though I didn't know what this meant.
I could feel it.
This was an entirely new perception.
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 190/200]
Still needed 10 more.
I killed the Spike-Tail Rabbits.
Continued searching.
Just then.
I suddenly felt a powerful magic fluctuation.
Very strong.
Extremely strong.
And approaching.
I immediately became alert.
Turned and ran.
But too late.
A massive snake dropped from a tree.
Crashed onto the ground ahead of me.
"Boom—!"
The ground shook.
Dust flew.
I looked up.
This snake was too large.
Body as thick as a barrel.
Length at least seven or eight meters.
Entire body wrapped in vine-like patterns.
I immediately checked its information.
[Vine Python]
[Level: 45/50]
[HP: 1200/1200]
[MP: 400/400]
[Strength: 85]
[Defense: 60]
[Speed: 55]
[Luck: 15]
[Massive python-type magic beast with incredible strength, can easily constrict large prey, extremely strong digestion ability]
Damn!
Level 45!
This level of magic beast, I couldn't beat at all!
The python's eyes locked onto me.
Cold, full of killing intent.
It opened its massive jaws.
Fangs gleaming coldly.
Then—
Lunged at me!
Incredibly fast!
I immediately turned and fled.
"Spatial Dodge!"
I appeared 5 meters away.
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 191/200]
But the python pursued relentlessly.
Its speed was too fast.
Caught up in the blink of an eye.
Its body swept horizontally.
"Bang—!"
I was hit, sent flying.
Crashed into a tree.
[My HP: 170/230]
Pain.
But couldn't stop.
I immediately got up, kept running.
The python lunged again.
"Spatial Dodge!"
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 192/200]
I appeared on the other side.
But the python's reaction was too fast.
It immediately adjusted direction.
Continued pursuing.
I ran desperately.
Weaving through the forest.
But the python kept chasing relentlessly.
And getting closer.
"Spatial Dodge!"
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 193/200]
"Spatial Dodge!"
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 194/200]
"Spatial Dodge!"
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 195/200]
Used it continuously.
But still couldn't shake it.
The python was too strong.
And it seemed able to predict my landing points.
Every time I appeared.
It could immediately find me.
A rock wall appeared ahead.
No way forward.
I was cornered.
The python slowly approached.
It wasn't in a hurry.
Because it knew I couldn't escape.
I leaned against the wall.
Gasping for breath.
Had to think of something.
5-meter Spatial Dodge wasn't enough.
The python's speed was too fast.
5 meters—it could catch up in one second.
Had to—
Break through!
I remembered the discovery during training earlier.
I could perceive space.
Could control landing points.
Then—
Could I break through the 5-meter limit?
The python opened its jaws.
Lunged at me!
I closed my eyes.
Concentrated all my focus.
Perceived space.
I "saw" the space within 5 meters.
But I needed farther.
Farther!
I forcibly extended my perception.
6 meters.
7 meters.
8 meters.
Pain.
My head felt like it would explode.
But I couldn't stop.
9 meters.
10 meters!
I "saw" a tree 10 meters away.
Behind the tree was safe.
I had to go there!
"Spatial Dodge!"
I gave it everything.
Felt space twisting.
More violently than usual.
Then—
I vanished.
The python's fangs bit into the rock wall.
"Crack—!"
Rock shattered.
But I was no longer there.
I appeared—
Behind the tree 10 meters away!
Success!
I'd broken through the 5-meter limit!
[Spatial Dodge usage count: 200/200]
[Spatial Dodge (Proficient)]
[Spatial Dodge range: 10 meters]
System notification appeared.
But I didn't have time to look.
Immediately turned and fled.
The python froze.
It hadn't expected me to escape that far.
By the time it reacted.
I'd already run far away.
I ran desperately.
Through the forest.
Across streams.
Through bushes.
Until I confirmed the python hadn't followed.
Only then did I stop.
Leaned against a tree.
Gasping for breath.
"Huff... huff..."
Sweat all over.
Heart pounding violently.
That was too dangerous.
Almost died.
But—
I'd broken through.
Spatial Dodge had upgraded.
From skilled to proficient.
Range increased from 5 meters to 10 meters.
And—
[All evolution conditions met]
[Can evolve: Dimension Walker]
I'd done it.
200 Spatial Dodges.
All conditions met.
I could evolve now.
I rested against the tree for a while.
Then started walking toward the cave.
My teammates should still be hunting.
But I couldn't wait.
The danger just now made me realize.
Had to get stronger quickly.
The level 45 Vine Python.
I didn't even have room to resist.
Could only flee.
If I evolved into a Dimension Walker.
If I had Spatial Teleport.
I wouldn't be so pathetic.
Walked for about half an hour.
I returned to the cave.
The cave was empty.
Teammates hadn't returned yet.
Good.
I sat in the center of the cave.
Opened the evolution panel.
[Hoarder Squirrel Evolution Directions]
All five options were still there.
I looked directly at the fourth one.
[Evolution Direction 4: Dimension Walker]
[Level Cap: 50]
[Rodent-type magic beast that has grasped the essence of space, can perform short-range spatial teleportation, manipulate spatial rifts, understanding of space has reached a new level]
[Traits: Spatial Control, Dimensional Perception, Spatial Affinity, High Sensitivity]
[Skills: Spatial Teleport, Spatial Mark, Dimensional Rift, Spatial Dodge, Leap, Bite, Hoarding Instinct]
[Evolution Conditions:]
[1. Use Spatial Dodge 200+ times total (Met: 200/200)]
[2. Simultaneously store 5+ magic beasts (Met: 8/5)]
[3. Use Spatial Mark to rescue teammates in combat 10+ times (Met: 15/10)]
[Conditions met, can evolve]
I took a deep breath.
Selected: Dimension Walker.
[Confirm evolution?]
"Confirm."
[Evolution beginning]
My body began to glow.
Faint white light.
Emanating from within.
Brighter and brighter.
Brighter and brighter.
Until the entire cave was illuminated.