I stayed in the bush for a while, trying to process my situation. Not only was I a baby dinosaur, but I was also at the bottom of the food chain. Let me tell you, it's not a great feeling to realize you're basically a walking chicken nugget for every bigger dino out there.
The system chimed again, its tone way too cheerful for my liking.
[Survive Your First Hour: 32 Minutes Remaining.]
"Thirty-two minutes? That's practically a lifetime in this death trap!"
I peeked out from the bush. The coast seemed clear. Big Ugly had wandered off, and the other hatchlings were either hiding or, well... digesting in his stomach. Gross.
My stomach growled again, reminding me that I was still running on empty. The bug I'd eaten earlier barely counted as a snack, and if I wanted to survive, I needed more.
"Alright, food. Where are you hiding?"
I waddled out of the bush, keeping low to the ground. The world around me was a lot bigger than I'd expected. Towering ferns, giant trees, and the distant roars of predators reminded me just how small I was.
It didn't take long to find my first target: a plump, juicy lizard sunning itself on a rock.
"Perfect. Time for my first real hunt."
I crept closer, trying to stay as quiet as possible. Unfortunately, stealth isn't exactly easy when you're a baby dino with stubby legs and a giant head.
Snap!
A twig broke under my foot, and the lizard's head shot up.
"Uh-oh."
The lizard bolted, and I panicked. Without thinking, I charged after it, flailing like a maniac. It darted through the grass, zigzagging like it was mocking me.
"Get back here, you overgrown gecko!"
I leapt forward, jaws snapping—and missed by a mile, landing face-first in the dirt. The lizard stopped a few feet away, turned back to look at me, and did a little head bob like it was laughing.
"Oh, you think this is funny?"
The system chimed again.
[Tip: Use your surroundings to your advantage.]
"Surroundings? What surroundings?"
That's when I noticed the rock the lizard had been sitting on. It was perched on a slope, and an idea started forming in my tiny brain.
I scrambled back to my feet, positioning myself behind the rock. With all the strength my little body could muster, I pushed.
The rock rolled forward, gaining speed as it barreled down the slope—and right toward the lizard.
"Let's see you laugh now!"
The lizard turned just in time to see the rock coming, but it was too late. The rock clipped its tail, sending it tumbling into the grass.
"Yes! Who's the loser now?"
I sprinted over, pouncing on the dazed lizard before it could recover. My teeth sank into its side, and the system pinged again.
[You have consumed a lizard. +5 Evolution Points.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Quick Sprint.]
"Quick Sprint? Nice! Finally, something useful."
I scarfed down the lizard, trying not to think about how slimy it was. The taste wasn't great, but the boost to my energy was immediate.
Feeling a little more confident, I stood up and looked around.
"Alright, what's next? Bring it on, food chain!"
That's when I heard the growl.
Slowly, I turned to see another dinosaur—a slightly older Allosaurus, probably one of my siblings—staring at me with hungry eyes.
"Oh, come on! Can't I catch a break?"
The bigger dino snarled, lowering its head. It wasn't interested in sharing this territory, and I was about to become its next meal.
[New Quest: Defend Your Position. Reward: +10 Evolution Points.]
"Defend my position? Are you serious? I'm a baby, not a gladiator!"
But the other Allosaurus wasn't waiting for my complaints. It charged, and I did the only thing I could think of—I turned tail and ran.