The Color-changing Pythons

Mark's body was drenched in fresh blood, rendering him a terrifying sight.

A zombie's howl pierced the air as its fingers sharpened, lunging at Mark.

Attempting to dodge, Mark found the Boss Zombie too swift. With a thud, he fell to the ground, the zombie aiming for his neck.

"Your breath reeks!" Mark yelled, grappling with the zombie's wrists to prevent the bite.

Tien, engrossed in battling the incoming zombies, paid no heed to Mark's plight.

Realizing he'd likely leveled up from the recent kills, Mark glanced at his stats. He had reached level five and possessed twelve potential points.

"Allocate them all to strength!" Mark commanded, instantly boosting his strength from thirty-eight to fifty.

Witnessing Mark's sudden increase in power, Tien turned, only to see Mark kick the zombie away with ease, accompanied by a dismissive "get lost."

Though Mark's newfound strength wouldn't normally dispatch the zombie so swiftly, the loss of one arm weakened it significantly.

Taking advantage, Mark pursued, retrieved his battle blade, and charged back.

"Go to hell!" Mark yelled, plunging the blade into the zombie's chest, prompting a loud howl.

As the zombie attempted to grab him, Mark swiftly evaded, realizing it was still alive and struggling.

With cold sweat beading on his forehead, Mark knew a scratch from the zombie could spell infection. He kicked its leg, causing it to fall, then swiftly ended its existence by beheading it.

The cessation of the zombie's struggles coincided with a notification: Congratulations Master on killing a Boss Zombie. You've leveled up to level six and unlocked the gene lock system. Congratulations, Master, on receiving six potential points.

Breathless, Mark reviewed his attributes: strength at fifty, physique at thirty-five, speed at thirty-two. Combat strength now stood at three hundred and eighty.

Reflecting on the sudden surge in combat strength, Mark suspected the system of mocking him. Despite this, he knew focusing solely on strength wouldn't suffice.

Allocating three potential points to physique and speed each, Mark brought them to ordinary levels.

Surveying the locked gene icons, Mark's excitement mounted. Though unable to unlock them yet, he knew continued zombie-killing would propel him to level 15.

"Mark, are you alright?" Tien's concern interrupted Mark's musings.

"I'm fine," Mark assured him, rising to his feet, repulsed by the blood coating his body.

Noticing Mark's newfound strength, Tien agreed to press on, anticipating easier zombie encounters.

Their path led them to a sign forbidding beginner warriors from entry, likely the area Teacher Luo mentioned.

"Hmm, let's not risk it," Mark pondered. With no zombies in sight, there was little chance to gain experience.

Yet, as they debated, Tien's trembling hand pointed out an unexpected danger and a massive python perched in the trees, its color blending with the surroundings.

Realizing it was an evolved beast, Mark attempted to analyze it with the analytical eye, only to find it unanalyzable.

"Run, quick," Mark urged, breaking into a cold sweat as they fled the formidable creature.

As Mark sprinted, he glanced back to find the color-changing python in hot pursuit.

Tien, also running, turned to see Mark veering deeper into the woods.

He wanted to shout a warning, but Mark had vanished.

Huh? Disappeared? Mark gasped for breath, scanning his surroundings. The massive python seemed to have vanished, but he remained wary. Its camouflage ability made it a lurking threat.

Moments later, Mark spotted a group ahead clad in distinctive battle robes, armed to the teeth. One carried the corpse of an evolved beast.

"From Sphinx Academy?" the leader eyed Mark's robe curiously.

Mark realized he'd stumbled into an adventure team, likely official warriors. Defenseless against them, his situation turned dire.

"Just passing through," Mark offered with a strained smile.

"Poor guy," a burly man with a massive blade approached with a glint of malice in his eyes.

"Drop your weapon and go," he demanded, his grip tightening around Mark's blade.

Reluctantly, Mark complied, aware of the loss in combat prowess.

"Hand it here!" The man sneered, snatching the blade and lunging at Mark.

Before the attack landed, a chilling hiss pierced the air.

Mark instinctively dodged as the attacker was seized by the color-changing python, ripped apart before his eyes.

Cold sweat slicked Mark's brow, realizing his narrow escape.

The adventurers, startled, realized the danger they faced. The emerald python blended seamlessly with the trees, its sudden strike a grim reminder of their vulnerability.

"A rank 3 color-changing python!" one exclaimed, horrified.

The python's blood-red gaze swept the group menacingly, its jaws dripping with the fallen man's blood.

Eyes gleaming, a warrior with a massive sword rallied his companions. Kill it! The odd crystal and skin will fetch a fortune!"

Excitement replaced fear as the group prepared to attack, momentarily forgetting Mark's presence.

Crouched in hiding, Mark observed, activating the Analytical Eye to assess their strength. Rank 1 warriors, formidable but not unbeatable.

With a roar, the sword-wielding warrior charged, his blade slicing the air as the python evaded.

A muscular comrade attempted a close-range strike, only to be flung aside by the python's tail.

Undeterred, another warrior hurled daggers, one striking the vulnerable underside of the python's neck.

Enraged, the python retaliated, its tail smashing a nearby tree toward Mark's hiding spot.

Rolling to safety, Mark narrowly avoided being crushed.

The steel-gloved warrior launched a relentless assault, his blows landing with thunderous force.

Seizing the opportunity, the swordsman aimed a decisive blow at the python's vulnerable spot.

But the python spat a corrosive substance, engulfing the swordsman in agony.

"Strike now!" the team leader bellowed, urgency lacing his command.

Their eyes gleamed as they charged at the python, attacking with all their might!

Meanwhile, Mark hid in the bushes, holding his breath.

Though strong, the python couldn't handle so many attackers.

Slowly, the big snake fell to the ground with a loud thud.

"It's dead!" one of the men shouted.

But it came at a cost; many of their friends got hurt by the snake's spit.

As Mark got ready to go out, he made a noise by mistake.

"Come out now!" a man with a long sword said, pointing at Mark's hiding spot.

Mark cursed himself for making noise. He couldn't fight these strong guys.

"So you're the one who brought it here?" the man asked.

Why are you just standing there? Come here! He ordered.

Mark did what he was told, getting ready for whatever was coming.

Help me take the snake's skin and find the odd crystal. If you don't, I'll hurt you, the man said, pointing his sword at Mark.

He kicked Mark to the ground, showing he was hurt from the fight.

Mark saw his chance and quickly attacked the man.

There was a loud noise when Mark chopped the man's arm off.

"I don't like being called useless," Mark said.

The man fell to the ground in a lot of pain.

As the venom got them, their bodies started to rot.

"Kill me if you dare!" the man shouted.

Mark didn't hesitate. He got rid of him fast.

After that, Mark felt stronger and thought about where to put his points.

He balanced his skills and made himself faster and stronger.

Looking around, Mark thought about what to do next, not knowing he was going deeper into the forest.

As Mark walked, he saw old buildings hidden by plants. This place used to be a city but is now a forest. He felt sad.

"Bang, dang," he stepped on a can, like the ones from his time.

"Eh?" he thought. The can looked old but had a date of 'two thousand and sixteen'.

He wondered where his classmates were. Suddenly, the ground shook, and a sign fell.

A roar echoed. Mark saw a huge beast charging at him!

Crackle rattle, lightning bolts shot out, burning trees. Mark climbed a tree to hide.

He saw a woman with a sword fighting the beast. She was strong.....