The forest slowly returned to silence.
Adrian stood beside the corpse of the Shadow Fang Wolf, breathing heavily.
His arms still trembled from the fight.
"That thing almost killed me…"
He looked at the wolf again.
A D-Rank predator.
Far stronger than the insects he had been farming earlier.
If he hadn't used the tree to stun it—
He might already be dead.
Adrian sat on a nearby rock and opened the system panel.
System Panel
Host: Adrian Ren Carter
Age: 22
Mutation Level: Not Awakened
Gene Ability:• Radiant Carapace — Level 1
Available General Experience Points: 48.4Available Gene Points: 11.1
Evolution Options: Unlocked
Adrian focused on the Evolution Options.
"System… open evolution menu."
A new interface appeared in front of his eyes.
Several glowing icons floated inside the panel.
Gene Evolution Options
1️⃣ Predator Instinct — Cost: 4 Gene PointsEnhances danger perception and combat awareness.
2️⃣ Iron Muscle — Cost: 5 Gene PointsIncreases physical strength and muscle density.
3️⃣ Night Vision — Cost: 3 Gene PointsAllows enhanced vision in darkness.
4️⃣ Radiant Carapace Upgrade — Cost: 3 Gene PointsImproves defensive durability.
Adrian's eyes lit up.
"So this is how evolution works."
Each ability felt useful.
But he remembered the fight with the wolf.
Its speed and strength had nearly overwhelmed him.
Adrian tapped the panel.
"Unlock Iron Muscle."
DING
Gene Ability UnlockedIron Muscle — Level 1
Cost: 5 Gene Points
A powerful heat spread through Adrian's body.
His muscles tightened.
His bones creaked softly.
Adrian clenched his fists.
His arms felt heavier… stronger.
He punched the nearby tree.
THUD
The impact made the bark crack slightly.
Adrian's eyes widened.
"That's… way stronger than before."
He looked at the system panel again.
System Panel
Host: Adrian Ren Carter
Age: 22
Mutation Level: Not Awakened
Gene Abilities:
• Radiant Carapace — Level 1• Iron Muscle — Level 1
Available General Experience Points: 48.4
Available Gene Points: 6.1
Adrian leaned back and exhaled slowly.
"Strength and defense…"
"Now I just need awareness."
He selected another option.
"Unlock Predator Instinct."
DING
Gene Ability UnlockedPredator Instinct — Level 1
Cost: 4 Gene Points
Suddenly—
Adrian's senses sharpened.
The forest became clearer.
He could hear distant insects crawling under leaves.
Wind movement.
Even small vibrations in the soil.
His pupils shrank.
"So this is combat awareness…"
It felt like his brain was processing danger faster.
Adrian smiled.
"This system is incredible."
He opened the panel again.
System Panel
Host: Adrian Ren Carter
Age: 22
Mutation Level: Not Awakened
Gene Abilities:
• Radiant Carapace — Level 1• Iron Muscle — Level 1• Predator Instinct — Level 1
Available General Experience Points: 48.4
Available Gene Points: 2.1
Adrian stood up.
The forest suddenly felt less threatening.
Before—
He was prey.
Now—
He felt like a hunter.
But just as he prepared to leave—
His Predator Instinct suddenly triggered.
A sharp warning flashed in his mind.
Danger.
Nearby.
Adrian's body froze.
Slowly…
He turned toward the deeper part of the forest.
The shadows between the trees shifted.
Something massive moved behind them.
Much bigger than the wolf.
A low rumbling growl echoed through the forest.
Adrian's heartbeat accelerated.
The system responded instantly.
Mutated Creature Detected
Species Unknown
Rank: C-Class Mutation
Adrian's pupils shrank.
"…C-Rank?"
That was an entire tier above the wolf.
The creature slowly stepped forward.
Heavy footsteps shook the ground.
Adrian tightened his grip on the knife.
But this time—
He did not run.
Instead he smiled slightly.
"Good."
"Let's see how strong I've become."
End of Chapter System Panel
Host: Adrian Ren Carter
Age: 22
Mutation Level: Not Awakened
Gene Abilities:
• Radiant Carapace — Level 1• Iron Muscle — Level 1• Predator Instinct — Level 1
Available General Experience Points: 48.4
Available Gene Points: 2.1
📡 City Emergency Broadcast
"Authorities confirm the appearance of high-level mutated predators near Neo-Terra forest zones."
"All citizens must remain inside safe sectors."
But Adrian was already inside the forest.
Standing face-to-face with one.