"System? Like those stories I used to read sometimes?" Lukas asked himself somewhat incredulously, trying to remain calm in this strange situation.
He then decided to go back under the stone from before to fully understand his situation.
As soon as he was comfortable and safe beneath the stone, he said the same thing he always saw in those stories he read.
'Status.' He said in his mind.
And it worked exactly as he imagined.
Suddenly, a translucent screen appeared in front of him.
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[Mystical Transformation System -- Status]
Name: Lukas Wolff
Race: Small Venomous Forest Spider
Rank: F-
Talent: Mystic Transformation
[Racial Skills]
Venomous Bite, Web Creation
[Permanent Skills]
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He stared at that for long seconds. Swallowing hard.
He was already certain that he had died and transmigrated to a new place, perhaps a planet or universe, he had no way of knowing yet.
But everything told him this was real. He was not dreaming. He had died somehow in his bed.
He then decided to leave those feelings for later. If he started to panic now, he would truly die without understanding how things worked there.
He focused again on his interface. His gaze passed over his name without lingering long, after all, it was obvious what it meant.
He moved on to the second piece of information. He focused his thoughts there, on his race. And then, as expected, the information glowed faintly, and new words appeared below.
{Low-rank creature specialized in ambushes. Its venom is weak, effective against creatures of the same level. Possesses high sensitivity to vibrations and sharp vision. Short life expectancy.}
"Short life expectancy… great."
He almost laughed. He would have burst out laughing if he could. Not out of happiness.
"So I'm weak."
"Extremely weak and fragile. A creature that definitely only serves as food for practically everything."
The weight of reality fell upon him.
This was not a fantasy where he started as a powerful hero. He was food.
He slowly moved one of his legs, observing the precision of the movement. There was something there. High sensitivity to vibrations. He remembered the moment when he felt something approaching even before seeing it.
So that was a passive racial advantage. At least he was not completely defenseless. He shifted his focus to the Rank.
Rank: F-
He concentrated again.
{Existential Rank: Determines the creature's position in the world's natural and magical chain. F- equals an insignificant life. Minimal power and mana. High mortality.}
"Insignificant life…"
That hurt more than he expected.
In the human world, he felt lost. Without direction. But never insignificant to that point.
Now he was literally the lowest step of the natural chain. A bird, a frog, or a larger spider, anyone could end his existence in seconds.
He looked away.
And focused on what might be his only hope in this new life. His talent. Mystical Transformation. As soon as he focused, the text expanded. This time, a slightly longer text appeared.
{Unique Talent granted to the host. Every seven days, the host will transform into a different race.
At the end of each weekly cycle, you may choose one ability from the current race to make permanent.
Permanent abilities do not disappear after transformation.
Restrictions: Only one ability may be chosen per week.
Transformation is mandatory.
Death during the first cycle will result in annihilation of the soul.}
The world seemed to grow quieter. Seven days. He needed to survive seven days as a small spider.
After that, he would change. Into what? He didn't know.
But that lit something inside him. At first, the idea of living and dying as a spider had been suffocating. The short life expectancy terrified him. He might survive a week… maybe a month… and then die crushed, devoured, or naturally.
But now? There was salvation.
He would not be trapped in this single form. There was progress. There was evolution. It was brutal, death meant annihilation of the soul. No third chance.
But there was also potential. If he survived multiple weeks… He could accumulate multiple abilities.
Permanent venom. Maybe wings, strength, or maybe camouflage.
He could become something completely unpredictable.
The initial despair began to give way to focus. He turned his attention to his current skills.
[Venomous Bite, Web Creation.]
Two tools, they were simple but sufficient for a beginning. He needed to survive seven days. Avoid predators and obtain food.
He also needed to learn his limits.
He analyzed the space between two nearby stones. It was narrow, protected by a thick root that served as a natural ceiling. Little external visibility, but easy to monitor through vibrations.
It was perfect for a temporary base.
He then focused on Web Creation.
Instantly, a different sensation ran through his abdomen. As if something were being activated. It was natural.
He knew how to do it. It wasn't theory, nor did it require trial and error. Just pure instinct. He fixed the first thread between two firm surfaces. Then another. He moved with precision. Radial line. Circular line. Minimal tension adjustments.
The structure began to take shape. Geometric. Symmetrical. Perfect.
He stopped at the center of the newly formed web, hidden between the stones. It wasn't large, but it was strategically functional.
He felt every vibration that passed through the threads. The world expanded again.
Distant insects touching leaves. The wind is altering the web's tension.
Small particles of dust landing and microscopically shifting the balance. It was like possessing an invisible radar.
The fear was still there. He still missed his room. Miyo. The fan is slowly spinning on the ceiling.
But now there was something stronger than nostalgia. Determination.
"If I really died…"
"Then this is my new life."
"I won't let it end so easily."
The wind blew. And then… A different vibration ran through the web. Irregular and close.
Lukas reacted without hesitation. He shot along the nearest thread. His small body felt like a projectile. His legs wrapped around the prey. A tiny insect, even smaller than him. Mandibles pierced.
He felt Venomous Bite activate. It wasn't like pressing a button. It was like releasing something that was already ready. The venom flowed. The prey struggled for two seconds and then stopped.
He remained still. Heart racing. He had hunted his first prey. He won. The creature was weak, perhaps below F-. But it was food and energy, it was survival, everything he needed at the moment.
He dragged the small body beneath the stones, quickly reinforcing the damaged part of the web. His movements were even more efficient than the first time.