---
"Poison is offered by the one who speaks the sweetest..."
The tree's roots had lifted me off the ground and now I hung midair. My shapeshifter body trembled, but I couldn't dissolve… the roots had locked me in place.
This Whispering Tree was no ordinary organism.
It was alive. It could think.
And more than anything… it was connected to the System.
---
[System Notification]
> Entity: Whispering Tree (Elder Being – Bound to System Core)
Cognition Level: High
Intent: Test through Riddles – Success unlocks Evolution Thread
---
Whispering Tree: "Who are you?"
Me: "I'm… Kael. A shapeshifter."
Tree (laughs): "You're nothing… just raw meat for now.
Come on, if you want to evolve, evolve your mind first.
Ready for the first riddle?"
---
[System Quest: Whispering Riddle 1 – Active]
> Riddle:
"I am not alive, but I grow.
I don't have lungs, but I need air.
I don't have a mouth, but water kills me.
What am I?"
Time Limit: 60 seconds
---
I started thinking immediately.
Not alive, but it grows…
Doesn't breathe, but needs air…
No mouth, but dies from water…
Answer: "Fire."
---
[Correct.]
Tree: "Hmm… small thing, but seems clever. Next question."
---
[System Quest: Whispering Riddle 2 – Active]
> Riddle:
"The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?"
Time Limit: 45 seconds
---
I was a bit confused, but a memory triggered — from the squirrel's brain.
Answer: "Footsteps."
---
[Correct.]
Tree (snaps one root): "Impressive… last one."
---
[System Quest: Whispering Riddle 3 – Final Trial]
> Riddle:
"You devour all things: birds, beasts, trees, flowers.
You gnaw iron, bite steel, grind hard stones to dust.
You slay kings, ruin towns, and beat high mountains down."
Time Limit: 30 seconds
---
This one was deep… very deep.
Devours everything… even steel…
It had to be Time!
Answer: "Time."
---
[Correct – All Three Riddles Solved]
[System Update]
> Rare Skill Unlocked: Genetic Memory (Lv. 1)
– You can now retain genetic instincts and memories from absorbed forms.
– Passive ability that enhances survival, battle reflexes, and adaptive evolution.
> Evolution Thread Unlocked: "True Formless Path"
– Begin journey toward a unique evolution tree based on instinct, mimicry, and shapeless existence.
---
The tree dropped me to the ground but left behind a glowing seed in front of me.
Tree: "Take it. When you understand that changing form isn't the same as victory… eat it."
I picked up the seed.
From it came a voice — my own… from the future.
"Kael… I am you. And I am the one who devoured everything… everything."
---
[Main Quest Updated – Echo of Evolution]
> Objective: Unlock the "True Formless Path" by absorbing 100 unique intelligent lifeforms.
Current Count: 1 / 100
---
The jungle still looked just as dangerous…
But now, I felt more alive than ever.
I wasn't just a monster anymore…
I was a move on the board.
---
Next Chapter Tease:
Chapter 3 – Hunt Begins: The Pack of Bone-Eaters