Chapter 12: The Path to Rank 2

Lucas stumbled through the dense forest, the defeat from the Shadow Serpent still fresh in his mind. He felt like he had failed himself, and was unsure of where to go next. Hours passed as he wandered aimlessly, feeling lost and defeated. That was until he stumbled upon a worn out journal lying on the ground.

With a newfound determination to become stronger, Lucas eagerly opened the journal and began to read the descriptions of different creatures and their evolutionary ranks. As he read through the pages, memories of the monsters he had appraised in the forest flooded back to him. He knew he had to put his newfound knowledge to the test and set out to challenge these monsters in battle.

Lucas' first opponent was a Glowing Beetle, a monster with a bright green body and the ability to shoot beams of light from its eyes. The battle was intense, with Lucas using his Shadow Claw to dodge the beams and get close to the beetle. He utilized his Peck and Sharp Claws to attack, and after several minutes of intense fighting, Lucas emerged victorious.

Next, Lucas faced a Spiny Crawler, a monster covered in sharp spines. Lucas approached with caution, using his Shadow Claw to move quickly and dodge the spines. He found the weak spots on the crawler's body and attacked with his Peck and Sharp Claws. The fight was grueling and pushed Lucas to his limits, but he managed to come out on top.

Finally, Lucas encountered a Fire Drake, a monster with the ability to breathe fire. Lucas had to be quick on his feet to avoid the flames, but he used his Shadow Claw to stay hidden in the shadows and get close to the Drake. He attacked from the shadows with his Peck and Sharp Claws, eventually defeating the Drake in a long and intense battle.

By the end of these battles, Lucas had reached level 15 and had earned enough experience to evolve. The journal he had found revealed that his rare Shadow Claw skill made him eligible to evolve into a Shadow Crow. Excited for the changes this evolution would bring, Lucas eagerly accepted the transformation.

After the evolution, Lucas' stats were significantly increased. He was now stronger, faster, and more powerful. His HP increased to 160, Strength to 35, Speed to 40, and Intelligence to 25. Lucas was now a formidable opponent, ready to take on any challenge that lay ahead.

With his new status panel reflecting his growth, Lucas was ready to continue on his journey.

Status Panel:

Level: 15

Experience: 0/18,000

Race: Shadow Crow

[Peck] Level 8

[Sharp Claws] Level 8

[Shadow Claw] Level 3

[Mana Control] Level 5

[Appraisal] Level 3

Health: 160/160

Strength: 35

Speed: 40

Intelligence: 25