Hunter Snake

E-rank, huh. I've grown.

Reflecting on the days when I started as the lowest of monsters, a mere G-rank, filled me with a profound sense of nostalgia and reflection..

Sure, compared to the overall monster hierarchy, I was still in the lower tiers, but at least within this 18th floor, I could hold my head high.

I was now on par with the E-rank Lizardmen and Silent Wolves that divided the Forest Zone.

Of course, I wasn't ready for an all-out war with them.

My individual strength still didn't measure up, and more importantly, their numbers were overwhelming.

Compared to those pack hunters, a lone wanderer like me was inevitably at a disadvantage.

That said, I no longer need to slink around flat on my belly like before.

Now evolved to E-rank monster status, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠they wouldn't dare mess with me lightly.

Even as monsters, they were acutely sensitive to an opponent's power.

No—perhaps because they lacked intelligence, they were even more sensitive to it.

More importantly, looks like I've got some new skills.

A quick glance at my status window revealed several unfamiliar skills had appeared.

Poison Fang and Intimidation...

Did my desperate prayers before evolution finally pay off? The Poison Fang skill I'd so badly wanted was now mine.

A closer look confirmed it was exactly the 'Poison Fang' I knew.

Best of all, it synergized perfectly with my current skills, making it all the more satisfying.

As for Intimidation, true to its name, it was a skill that 'intimidated' foes.

It unleashed a kind of aura to threaten enemies. Later, when I tested it, it didn't prove all that effective.

It only made a G-rank Horn Rabbit flinch momentarily.

Still, I was thrilled with Intimidation.

It might not shine right away, but I could clearly see its limitless potential as its rank grew.

Paired with Poison Fang, I'd secured a fresh offensive option.

This evolution was a resounding success.

The only issue was...

My size got too damn big...

Overnight, my body had ballooned, rendering my trusty burrow unusable.

Previously just shy of 2 meters, I'd grown to nearly 4 or 5 meters post-evolution.

Without tools, I couldn't measure precisely, but that was my rough estimate.

If I'd been this big earlier, I could've eaten that guy yesterday...

Tsking in regret, I had to spend considerable time adapting to my sudden growth spurt.

Steady incremental growth was one thing, but this abrupt expansion caused all sorts of problems.

First issue: no more cozy burrow. Second: the sheer awkwardness of my new bulk.

The first was solvable by digging a new one, so no big deal. But the second was a real headache.

Moving my body was fine—no problems there.

A month as a snake monster meant I'd mastered this form perfectly.

Just bigger; wielding familiar muscles felt as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠natural as using hands and feet as a human.

The awkwardness stemmed from the size itself.

Bushes and trees I'd ignored before now constantly snagged my massive frame.

This was a huge problem for my usual hunting and combat style.

Even Stealth couldn't fully silence the noise.

Against G or F-ranks, rank gap let me overpower them anyway.

But against peers, this bulk was a glaring handicap.

Of course, no plans to fight Silent Wolves right now.

Still, like with those F-rank spiders, encounters could happen anytime. Had to fix this fast.

Hunting's off today. Time to adapt first.

I itched to test my new body in real combat, but today wasn't the day.

Better to fully acclimate before venturing out—and dig a new burrow too.

Staying put today it is.

Survival Day 31.

Body adaptation complete.

Some awkwardness lingers, but I'll iron it out through real fights.

Hunting's a breeze now.

G-rank Horn Rabbits are trivial, and even those spider punks I once saw ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as top rivals are no match.

They flee at the sight of my evolved form—such a letdown.

Need new worthy prey.

Survival Day 32.

Test-fired Poison Fang.

Enlisted a G-rank Needle Lava larva monster's help.

Minutes later, it froze solid.

Pretty damn effective.

Next, F-rankers. Spiders sound good.

Intense all-day testing paid off—Poison Fang ranked up in under a day.

Thrilled.

Thanks to all cooperative monster pals.

Survival Day 35.

New realization: To raise stats via hunting, need commensurate prey.

G-ranks yield zilch. F-ranks barely budge—practically nothing.

Time for E-rank hunts starting tomorrow.

Scout some targets.

Survival Day 36.

This area's Silent Wolf turf—scarce other E-ranks.

Those I spot trigger deafening Crisis Detection. No thanks.

Time to leave the forest?

Recalled porter memories of local terrain.

Head west tomorrow. Swamp area.

Survival Day 37.

Tidied ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠burrow before heading west. Day trip planned, but always prepare for variables.

No one gets inside anyway, but better safe.

Curious why no monsters enter—worth checking later.

Final look at my home of most snake life hit hard. Feels like a real 'house' now.

I'll return.

Trekked familiar woods to western swamp.

First time beyond my forest—much the same.

Hunted en route as usual.

Ambushed unexpectedly.

While pushing through, struck from above by E-rank Surprise Bird, an avian monster.

No offense options left me helpless.

Luckily, it was a probe, not kill—spared the worst.

But that long-forgotten powerlessness ignited rage.

Blasted nearby monsters indiscriminately till cooled off.

Need countermeasures.

Can't roam farther after that.

Labyrinth's merciless.

Back to burrow today.

Survival Day 38.

Wounds from ambush fully healed via Regeneration.

Body fine, but mental scars linger.

Aerial assault.

First time hit, but I'd worried about it before. No real plan then.

Same today.

Snake body limits response.

No attacks means defensive only.

Intimidation promising, but low rank—meh against E-ranks.

Thus, magic—but can't rely on it.

Lowest stat: mana.

Human or now, zero magic know-how.

Evolution my only hope?

Praying for magic skill like Poison Fang.

Conclusion: Raise Intimidation.

Goal: Effective vs E-ranks.

Or find other means first.

Hunted all day to grind Intimidation—many monster friends helped.

West swamp delayed.

Survival Day 44.

Intimidation hit target rank.

Now E-rank.

Test on nearby E-rank: works decently.

G-ranks paralyzed awhile—very satisfying.

Anti-air secured at last.

Not perfect alone, but effective for now. Thrilled.

Revenge time soon.

Survival Day 45.

Headed west.

Scoured western woods—no bird.

Irritation rising when—jackpot.

Nest on branch, three eggs inside.

Instinct screamed: its eggs.

Tongue confirmed scent match.

Unexpected haul.

First eggs as snake. Delicious.