The jungle was no longer a place of terror for Victor. With his [Keen Senses] active, it was a landscape of opportunity. Every rustle in the undergrowth was a potential payday, every snapped twig a clue.
He moved with a new, predatory grace, his [Agility] making him nearly silent. The raw snake meat sat heavy in his stomach, but it was a reminder of his transformation.
He was no longer prey, he was the hunter.
As he scanned the canopy for movement, his mind, sharp and clear, began to catalog the resources back on the beach. Not the scraps of wreckage or the fresh water—the people. They were no longer just former classmates or rivals. They were assets and objectives.
Three, in particular, stood out in his mind, their images crystal clear.
First, the scholar. Elara Vance. A mousy girl with large, intelligent eyes perpetually hidden behind a pair of practical glasses.
She was always buried in books, shy to a fault, her brilliance overshadowed by her social anxiety. She'll be the first. A test of a different kind of predation.
Then, the CEO. Isabella "Bella" Croft, She was cold, calculated intellect. Even on the beach, her posture was ramrod straight, her expensive blouse still somehow looking authoritative despite the dirt.
She had assessed the situation with the detached air of a corporate takeover, her sharp eyes missing nothing. She saw people as tools and liabilities. 'I wonder what sound you'll make when you realize you're not in control.'
And finally, the soldier. Anya Petrova. An exchange student from Eastern Europe, rumored to have done a stint in her nation's military. She was all taut muscle and fierce discipline, with a sharp jawline and eyes that missed nothing.
Her physique, even under practical cargo pants and a tight-fitting tank top, was undeniably, powerfully sexy. She had been the one efficiently organizing the salvageable luggage, her movements economical and precise.
She represented physical challenge, the one who might actually fight back. 'I'll enjoy turning your strength into weakness.'
These women—the brain, the ruler, the warrior—they were the pinnacle of their types. Conquering them wouldn't just be about revenge or pleasure. It would be the ultimate proof of his dominance.
But first, he needed to understand the full extent of his power. Did all "consumption" grant points? The System was ominously vague.
A flicker of movement to his left. His head snapped around, his eyes instantly focusing. A large, flightless bird, similar to a cassowary but smaller, was pecking at the base of a tree. It was ugly, dangerous-looking, and perfect.
Victor didn't charge. He circled downwind, his enhanced senses telling him the creature was unaware. He found a heavy, sharp-edged stone, the weight feeling right in his hand.
He threw the rock.
It wasn't a perfect throw, but his increased [Strength] sent it whistling through the air. It struck the bird's leg with a sickening crack. The creature let out a guttural shriek of pain and rage, turning its beady, furious eyes on him.
It charged.
Weeks ago, Victor would have frozen. Now, he felt a cold calm. He stood his ground, waiting until the last possible second before sidestepping with his new [Agility]. As the bird stumbled past, he brought another, larger rock down on its neck with all his might.
The fight was short, brutal, and decisive.
He stood over the twitching body, his chest heaving not from exhaustion, but from exhilaration.
[Host has successfully consumed a life form: Terror Bird.]
[+80 Points awarded.]
A wider, more genuine smile spread across his face. The bigger the prey, the bigger the reward. This was better than the snake. He quickly set to work, using a sharp piece of shrapnel he'd pocketed from the wreckage to field-dress the creature. He ate a strip of the dark meat, forcing it down.
[Host has consumed biomass: Terror Bird.]
[+10 Points awarded.]
The points were lesser for the consumption of the meat after the kill, but it was still a bonus. It was all a grind. A farm. This jungle was his grinding spot.
For the next few hours, Victor became a specter of death in the green twilight. He hunted. He trapped a large, rodent-like creature using a rudimentary snare, earning another 30 points. He consumed its biomass for an additional 5. He found a cluster of strange, glowing fungi. Cautious, he touched one.
[Toxic Biomass detected. Consumption not advised.]
'So it warns me, Good.'
He continued, his point total steadily climbing. He avoided a large predator he sensed lurking near a water source—a cat-like creature with long fangs. It was too big, too risky for now. But he marked its territory in his mind. For later.
As the sun began to dip below the canopy, casting long, distorted shadows, Victor finally stopped. He was covered in blood and grime, but he felt more powerful than he ever had in his entire life. He found a small, clear stream and drank deeply, his enhanced perception checking for any impurities.
He called up his status.
[PREDATOR SYSTEM - User: Victor Valentine]
[Vitality: 15]
[Strength: 13 -> 16]
[Agility: 12 -> 15]
[Perception: 14]
//
[Abilities: Keen Senses (Passive), Predator's Glare (Active)]
[Skills: Basic Trapping]
//
[Point Total: 185]
He had grown significantly. He could feel the new muscle layered over his frame, the explosive power in his legs.
He had enough points for [Minor Regeneration] now. It was a necessary investment. But he hesitated. There were other options to consider. The System was a tool, and he needed the right tool for the job ahead.
The job on the beach.
He looked in the direction of the shore. He could hear them now, clearly as if he were standing among them. They were arguing again. Their voices were weak, tired, and laced with fear. His lips parted in a cold, arrogant smirk.
Let them argue.
He had a farm to manage, and his livestock was waiting.