To coastal fishermen, Ludroth were considered highly valuable "livestock." Their hides could be used for armor or reinforcing ships; tails for crafting rudders; meat for food; bones as fertilizer.
At the same time, a substance called Dash Extract found inside Ludroth was an essential ingredient for Dash Juice. Logan was somewhat interested in this extract—he always felt that a liquid capable of boosting speed and stamina wasn't just for combat potions. After all, how much money did hunters really have? The ones truly willing to spend big were merchants and nobles.
...
Using his wrist blade to slice open the Royal Ludroth's belly, Logan started with the nutrient-rich organs as usual. This time, though, Zhu Peiniang had no share—she could only watch hungrily from the side. As the heart, liver, and other parts entered his stomach, pale blue text flashed before his eyes once more: Consumed Royal Ludroth, Evolution Points +5.
Since he hadn't decided what ability to upgrade yet, Logan simply banked the points as usual. He wasn't sure exactly where Dash Extract was located in a Ludroth's body anyway—just eat everything and be done with it.
Unfortunately, for a beast this massive, even Logan's size couldn't finish it all.
Once his stomach was completely full, he didn't feel any obvious changes—maybe a slight boost in energy? Was that from the toxin or the Dash Extract?
Unable to figure it out, he rummaged through the Royal Ludroth's body again. Supposedly, it had some scales untouched by venom—snow-white and gem-like, quite valuable.
In the end, he found those scales on the creature's chest. He plucked them with a claw and examined them closely, but felt underwhelmed. Just calcium and keratin composites—nothing compared to his own scales.
Confirming they were useless to him, Logan casually scattered them on the ground. Then he dragged the carcass and dumped it into the nearby swamp. Born from water, return to water—a proper cycle back to nature.
Sated and warm all over, Logan felt too lazy to move. But Zhu Peiniang was still hungry, so he had no choice but to take her hunting again.
If only he could share some of his abilities with his "pup."
The thought popped unbidden into Logan's mind.
That way, they could enjoy many toxic foods together. He wouldn't have to hold back poison attacks while hunting. And the stronger Zhu Peiniang became, the more prey she'd bring—maybe he could finally lie flat completely and live a life of leisure with food delivered straight to his mouth?
The beautiful future beckoned. Without hesitation, Logan spent the 5 new evolution points.
The familiar warm current surged, concentrating on the triangular, slightly backward-curving protruding spines along his back. A unique symbiotic ability began to evolve.
Capillaries and neurons spread through the hollow spines, interconnecting to form oval glands. One end rooted in the tough fat layer, drawing rich nutrients. After a series of conversions, they secreted from the other end—tiny pores on the outer spines.
The freshly secreted fluid resembled an oily substance. Over time, it solidified and layered, eventually forming a semi-transparent frosting.
This peculiar frosting was not only nutrient-dense but carried portions of Logan's genetic information.
In his previous life as a human, he'd heard of "couple's resemblance"—long-term partners gradually looking alike. Part of it was diet and gene selection, but some came from sharing microbes through close contact.
The frosting secreted from Logan served a similar role: creatures that consumed it would gradually grow to resemble him. Given time, they might even acquire some of his evolved traits.
...
In the lush vegetation around the swamp, herbivores were never in short supply. Tender, low-growing aquatic grasses were more nutritious than leaves and far easier to reach.
About two hours later, Logan successfully took down a small herbivorous wyvern and tossed it to Zhu Peiniang. He idly whipped his tail nearby, bored.
That's when a beetle in the grass caught his eye.
The insect somewhat resembled a firefly, with a plump rear end and hard brown-black carapace. Slightly smaller than an adult human's palm—just right to hold in one hand.
"Is this... a Thunderbug?"
Logan extended a claw, gently tapping it with his nail tip. Sure enough, a faint current sparked, confirming his guess.
Interesting. Thunderbugs were highly symbiotic with Zinogre—he'd never encountered one before, and now he'd finally found one. He wondered if he could take the Zinogre's place and form a symbiosis with these little guys.
With that in mind, he carefully pinched the Thunderbug between two claws and placed it gently on his flowing back mane. The startled bug frantically burrowed into the dense fur, then settled in like it had found a home, showing no signs of emerging.
Seeing this, Logan relaxed a bit. He wasn't after their weak electricity—he'd always been fond of beetles from his human days.
Back then, money was tight. Rare species like Hercules beetles, Neptune beetles, or rainbow stag beetles were only for online window-shopping. His own collection was domestic varieties; his favorite was a massive rhinoceros beetle with glossy reddish-brown shell that flew into his room one night.
Now, he could finally indulge the hobby—and test his new symbiotic ability. After all, who said monsters couldn't be Insect Glaive users?
...
Once Zhu Peiniang finished eating, Logan spotted another Thunderbug in the nearby grass. Unable to tell male from female, he simply tucked it onto his back too. As dusk fell, the two giant beasts turned and headed home.
No rush settling scores with the Rath. Swing by the area now and then—might run into it someday. If not, oh well. Life wasn't always smooth; just staying alive and well was enough.
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