Chapter 10: Cicada's Adventure [ 2 ]

As the other cicada responds to the mating call, it approaches cautiously. the Cicada avatar offers some sap, but the newcomer declines, clearly more interested in romance than a snack.

With a puzzled look, the Cicada avatar shrugs and thinks. "Well, I guess I'm just irresistible."

They then start their courtship ritual, but it's interrupted by a clumsy move, causing them both to tumble off the branch and into a pile of leaves below. ]

Arata watches with amusement, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Well, that's to be expected. Male cicadas are known to be quite focused on mating throughout their entire lives."

But as he sees the Cicada avatar effortlessly charm its way into courtship, Arata's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Damn." he exclaimed, unable to contain his astonishment.

"Did the Cicada avatar just nail it on the first try? Bro's got some serious charisma."

"Looks like when you've got charm like that, even falling out of a tree can't dampen the mood." he remarked, a grin spreading across his face.

"Keep up the good work, little buddy!"

[ Day 5:

The two cicadas spent the whole day mating. They didn't care about anything else, not even food or rest. It was like they were in their own little romantic movie.

They danced and fluttered around, making beautiful shapes in the air. It was like they were painting a picture of love with their movements.

Despite the day turning into night, they didn't stop. It was like they were saying. "We love each other so much, we don't need anything else." ]

"Wow, these insects have more stamina than a marathon runner."

"I mean, a whole day? How much energy do you two have?" Arata commented, feeling slightly jealous.

[ Day 6:

As the sun rises, the cicadas finally end their mating session. The female cicada rests on a nearby branch while the Cicada avatar hungrily devours the remaining sap it had found before. With a satisfied buzz, it cleans up every last drop, leaving nothing behind. ]

"Mating all day and then treating yourself to a feast? This Cicada's living every boy's dream."

[ Day 7:

In the morning light, the female cicada delicately begins to lay her eggs. Each one is carefully positioned on the ground, marking the beginning of a new cycle of life

As the female cicada diligently carries out her task, the Cicada avatar watches intently. Its antennae twitch with curiosity, lost in its own thoughts. What those thoughts are, only the avatar knows. ]

[ Day 8:

The female cicada continues her tireless efforts, laying more eggs with each passing hour. The forest floor becomes adorned with tiny, glistening orbs, each one a potential new life waiting to hatch. As the day progresses, she lays a significant number of eggs, ensuring the continuation of her species. ]

[ Day 9:

The female cicada appears visibly tired, her movements slowing as she completes the last of her egg-laying. Seeking rest, she settles on a nearby branch, her wings drooping with exhaustion. Sensing her vulnerability, the Cicada avatar seizes the opportunity.

With a sudden burst of sound, the Cicada avatar unleashes its Sonic Disturbance ability, disorienting the fatigued female cicada. Confused and unable to defend herself, she becomes an easy target.

Grabbing a nearby rock, the Cicada avatar takes flight, positioning itself above the female cicada. With timing, it releases the rock, sending it hurtling toward the unsuspecting insect below.

As the rock struck the female cicada, it crushed her under its weight with a sickening thud and a squelch that echoed through the surroundings. Blood splattered across the forest floor, marking the abrupt and tragic end of her life.

The Cicada avatar wasted no time, quickly moving to retrieve the rock and then turning its attention to the fallen cicada. With a disturbing calmness, it extended its proboscis and began to suck up the spilled blood and remnants of the female cicada's body, absorbing her magic for nourishment.

This gruesome act triggered a change within the Cicada. It developed a new trait - "Psychopathic." Showing a disturbing lack of empathy and a tendency toward cruelty. ]

"Uh-oh."

Arata's jaw dropped in shock as he witnessed the scenes unfolding before him. His eyes widened in horror as he realized the extent of the transformation his avatar had undergone.

"What had just happened!?"

"That's... unexpected." he shook his body, trying to process the shocking turn of events.

"I knew the Sadistic trait might lead to some questionable behavior, but this is a whole new level."

"Moreover, it developed a psychopathic trait... This is going to be... interesting."

Despite the shock, a pang of guilt gnawed at Arata's conscience.

"I feel sorry for the female cicada." he admitted. "She didn't deserve that fate."

As a sign of respect, Arata resolved to choose a more positive trait in the next simulation.

"It's the least I can do."

"However only for now. I know I might need a negative trait in the future. Gotta be smart about it." he added.

[ Day 10:

The Cicada meticulously erased any traces of its recent actions. Every drop of blood, every shred of the fallen cicada's body disappeared, leaving behind no evidence of the tragedy that had happened.

With the task completed, the avatar's movements grew sluggish and unsteady. Suddenly, the Cicada collapsed onto the ground, twitching unnaturally. Within moments, a black-colored cocoon began to envelop it, shrouding it in darkness. ]

"Hmm, what's this now?"

"Could this be a sign of evolution?"

"I'm curious about the potential upgrades or changes it might undergo with this transformation."

[ Day 11-14:

The cocoon remained still, showing no signs of movement or change. Despite the passing days, there was no indication of what lay inside. Fortunately, no creature passed by to inspect the cocoon during this time, allowing it to remain undisturbed. ]

[ Day 15:

Small movements could be discerned from within the cocoon. It was a faint indication that something transformative was happening inside. Yet, the forest remained oblivious to this silent metamorphosis as life carried on around it. ]

[ Day 16:

A series of massive shifts rocked the cocoon, causing the surrounding forest to tremble with their intensity. Then, suddenly, the cicada burst forth from its dark shroud, emerging with a new appearance. It was now at least two times bigger than before, but much thinner, giving it a gaunt and menacing look.

The transformation didn't stop there. Its color had been replaced by a deep, pitch-black shade, and its body was adorned with numerous sharp spikes, giving it a fearsome appearance.