Chapter 4: Night Hunter
The forest was alive with the sounds of the night—chirping insects, rustling leaves, and the occasional distant growl. The pale moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting fragmented shadows on the forest floor. I perched on a small branch, my body folded into a resting position, my forearms raised slightly as if ready to strike even in sleep. My wings were tucked neatly against my back, the forewings locked protectively over the delicate hindwings. For the first time since my reincarnation, I allowed myself to rest.
But rest in this world was never truly peaceful.
I didn't know it yet, but my new body had a sixth sense—a heightened awareness of motion in my surroundings, even in sleep. It was a primal instinct, honed by the Mamti's predatory nature. As I drifted in and out of consciousness, I felt a faint tremor in the air, a subtle shift that sent a jolt of alarm through my system.
My eyes snapped open, and I immediately activated my [Compound Vision]. The world around me sharpened into focus, the darkness no longer a barrier. My multifaceted eyes caught the faintest movement—a shadow flitting between the branches, silent and swift.
Something's here.
I remained perfectly still, my [Camouflage] already active. Darkness seeped from the edges of my forewings, wrapping around my body like a shroud. The shadows clung tightly to me, blending me into the night. My blade limbs were poised, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
The creature emerged from the darkness, its form illuminated by the faint moonlight. It was a mosquito-like creature, its long, needle-like proboscis glinting like a dagger. Its wings buzzed faintly as it hovered in the air, its compound eyes scanning the branches for prey. The system identified it instantly:
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Race: Bloodwing
Tier: 1
Level: 7
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I assessed the threat quickly. The Bloodwing was fast, its movements erratic. But it hadn't noticed me yet. I was hidden in the shadows, invisible to its keen eyes.
Wait. Let it come closer.
I waited until the creature was within range, its proboscis twitching as it searched for a meal. Then, with a burst of speed, I lunged from my perch, my blade limbs slicing through the air. The Bloodwing reacted instantly, darting to the side with an unnatural agility. My strike missed by inches, and the creature retaliated with a swift jab of its proboscis.
I twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the attack. My wings snapped open, and I used the momentum to propel myself backward, landing on a nearby branch. The Bloodwing buzzed angrily, its wings a blur as it closed the distance between us.
Fast. But not fast enough.
My [Compound Vision] sharpened further, the world fracturing into a grid of motion and heat signatures. Every twitch of the Bloodwing's wings, every shift in its weight—I could see its weak points now. A pulsing glow at the joints of its wings, a soft spot beneath its thorax.
The creature lunged again, its proboscis aimed straight at my chest. This time, I sidestepped and slashed at the glowing joint in its left wing. My blade bit deep, severing the membrane. The Bloodwing screeched, its flight lurching sideways as it struggled to stay airborne.
No hesitation. I pressed the attack, striking the other wing joint. The creature dropped, crashing into the branch below. Before it could recover, I drove my blade into the soft spot beneath its thorax. It twitched once, then dissolved into shimmering particles.
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You have defeated Bloodwing (Tier 1 Level 7).
Essence Gained.
---
I landed, my body steady. The fight had been quick, but a reminder that this world was dangerous even at night. I checked the system notification, then focused inward.
The essence I'd absorbed pulsed in my soul, cold and sharp. It wasn't enough. I could feel it—that I needed two more kills of Tier 1 Level 7 creatures to push to the next level. The system didn't spell it out, but the instinct was clear. Leveling up required more essence the higher I climbed. No shortcuts. No mercy.
No time to waste.
I flexed my blade limbs, the faint glow of essence fading from their edges. The system updated my skills:
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Notifications:
[Compound Vision] has leveled up to Level 2.
[Camouflage] has leveled up to Level 5.
[Blade Limbs] has leveled up to Level 3.
---
The upgrades were practical: sharper focus in my vision, smoother blending with [Camouflage], and cleaner strikes.
---
I scanned the forest, my compound eyes piercing the shadows. The night was my advantage. Cold. Quiet. Perfect for hunting.
The buzz of wings reached me minutes later. Another Bloodwing, slightly larger than the last, hovered into view. Its proboscis was thicker, its wings beating with a heavier rhythm that sent faint vibrations through the air. The system tagged it:
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Race: Bloodwing
Tier: 1
Level: 8
---
Stronger.
This time, I didn't wait. I leapt from the branch, [Camouflage] active, and landed silently behind it. The creature spun, but I was already striking—not at its body, but at the branch beneath it.
Crack.
The branch splintered, and the Bloodwing faltered mid-air. Before it could stabilize, I slashed both wing joints in quick succession. It dropped like a stone, and I drove my blade through its thorax before it hit the ground.
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You have defeated Bloodwing (Tier 1 Level 8).
Essence Gained.
---
Efficient.
The essence flooded into me. Closer. One more.
I flew higher, skimming the treetops to scout for prey. The forest stretched endlessly below, a labyrinth of shadows and moonlight.
I didn't see it coming until it was too close.
A deafening buzz shook the air, and the trees trembled. A Bloodwing—twice the size of the others, its proboscis serrated and dripping with viscous fluid—landed on a branch above me. The system flickered:
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Race: Bloodwing
Tier: 1
Level: 10
---
Shit.
Its wings glowed faintly, and its compound eyes locked onto me. This wasn't a hunt. This was a predator marking its territory—and I was the prey.
I didn't wait for it to strike. I leapt backward, activating [Camouflage] mid-air. Darkness wrapped around me, blending me into the shadows. But the Bloodwing didn't lose track. Its glowing wings pulsed, and it lunged, its proboscis slicing through the air where I'd been moments ago.
I landed on a lower branch, my blade limbs raised defensively. The creature hovered, its wings beating with a low, ominous hum. It was faster than the others, its movements sharper, more deliberate.
I need to think. Fast.
I activated [Compound Vision], the world fracturing into a grid of motion and heat signatures. The Bloodwing's weak points glowed faintly—its wing joints, the soft spot beneath its thorax. But it wasn't going to let me close enough to exploit them.
The creature darted forward, its proboscis aimed at my chest. I sidestepped, slashing at its wing joint, but it twisted mid-air, avoiding the strike. Its counterattack came instantly, the serrated proboscis grazing my exoskeleton. Pain flared where it struck, and I stumbled back, my [Camouflage] flickering.
Too fast. Too strong.
I needed an edge. My mind raced, and then I remembered—I had a stat point to allocate.
I focused inward, pulling up my status screen.
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Name: N/A
Race: Mamti
Tier: 1
Level: 8
Body: 5
Soul: 14
Mind: 16
Stat Points: 1
---
I allocated the point to Body, and immediately, I felt the change. My exoskeleton hardened the pain from the earlier strike dulling. My movements felt sharper and more controlled.
The Bloodwing lunged again, but this time, I was ready. I activated [Camouflage] fully, vanishing into the shadows, and leaped to a higher branch. The creature followed, its glowing wings cutting through the darkness.
I need to use everything I've got.