《Aw Cluck》2. Feeling Peckish
Advertisement
SP: 12/15
It's dark out when I wake up. Behind me is the remains of the egg I broke out of, as well as several brownish eggs that haven’t hatched yet. Shouldn’t there be a mama hen around here? Who’s keeping these eggs safe? I sure don’t think I can fight anything if just cracking an egg completely drained me. At the thought of eggs, I begin to feel pangs within my belly.
Ah, right. I’m a newborn. I probably need lots of food and rest. I certainly won’t be eating my unborn siblings though. Not that I could even make an omelet considering how much work it was to break a single egg. What do chickens even eat? I know domestic ones eat corn, and probably grains, but what are the odds I find that out here? Well, worrying isn’t going to help anything, so I’d better start looking around.
The nest I was born in is hidden in the roots of an absolutely massive tree in an even more massive forest. Or maybe I’m just tiny. I’m not sure which is the better option honestly. Well above me I see long vines draping from the canopy, and near the trees are several large plants that seem to be giant heart-shaped leaves on a stem.
Out of the corner of my eye I catch a movement. I whip my head around, and see it's just some sort of bug. It looks vaguely like a grasshopper, except it has 2 horns coming from its tail end. I move to dismiss it, but before I can my instincts practically scream at me that this is food. I….really don’t want to eat a bug, but I don’t think I’m in a position to be picky.
I crouch low to try to stay out of sight of the bug. As I sneak towards it, it pricks up and hops forward. I freeze in place. Did it see me? Should I keep hiding, or should I rush it? Oh, oh it definitely saw me, it's still moving.
Advertisement
bah-GAWK!
I unleash my battle cry and charge towards it! That’s definitely not the sound I was going for, but I’m not gonna get my feathers ruffled, not with a lovely ...bug... dinner at stake! The bug freezes in obvious terror at my mighty roar as I quickly waddle at it! I get right behind it, and peck it! My victory is assured.
-2 HP
Ow. OK. Maybe not. Those horns hurt more than they look, and I really wasn’t expecting the damn thing to wedge them in my mouth. You haven’t won yet! This is a tactical retreat! I’m just regrouping dammit! OK so if I wanna get this, I’ll have to either catch it head on somehow, or attack from the side. I crouch low, and hide underneath one of the heart-leaf plants while I wait for the beetle to lower its guard. I stare intently at it, hoping for some tell that would tell me I could begin to sneak up on it.
You have learned the General Skill “Basic Appraisal”
Well hey. That seems useful. I focus on the beetle again and use my new skill on it.
Illphstra Beetle
A species of beetle native to Yushan. This beetle uses the wings on its back to glide short distances aided by its large legs. The horns on its back are used as a defense against sneak attacks.
Well that told me a whole lot of nothing. I mean its more than I hoped, but none of it is really useful to me now. I suppose I’ll have to wait for it to let its guard down, and find out how to beat it the hard way.
Is...Is it even awake? Cmon man, I’m really hungry and you haven’t moved in forever! Whatever, I’m going for it. Keeping low, I sneak around the plant so I’ll be able to catch the beetle from its side. Hopefully I’ll be able to get close enough before it sees me that those horns won’t be in the way. I slowly step towards it, and it doesn’t even twitch. Just a couple…..more….steps…..aaaaaaand….! I jump at it and peck!
Advertisement
Illphstra Beetle has been defeated!
+5 XP
You have learned the General Skill “Sneak”
Ugh. This is probably the worst thing I’ve ever eaten. It tastes like salt and vinegar chips, but with some weird funk added on, and its got this nasty slimy texture going down. As if that wasn’t bad enough, this thing has gotta be like 10% food, 90% shell, and it doesn’t even have the common decency to be small enough to swallow whole. At least I don’t feel like I’m starving anymore, but I really hope there's something better to eat than vinegar bugs 24/7.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Status Menu
Name: Grover
Age: 0 years
Race: Rooster (Juvenile)
Level: 1
XP: 5
XP to next level: 95
Profession: N/A
Seals: 1
HP: 8/10
SP 10/15
Mana: [Locked]
HP Regen: 1/day
SP Regen: 2/hour
Mana Regen: [Locked]
Strength - 1
Agility - 2
Constitution - 1
Wisdom - 8
Intelligence - 10
Charisma - 3
Luck - 2
Skills:
Instincts (Chicken)
Chirp
Peck
Basic Appraisal (Lvl: 1/10)
Sneak (Lvl: 1/10)
Titles:
Reincarnated
Spiritual Bulwark
Advertisement
- In Serial30 Chapters
The Dungeon Boss's Favorite Game - A Virmo Story
Kragathor is the final guardian of the world’s deepest dungeon. He is an immortal pinnacle of existence that is otherwise known as an ancient dragon. And he is terribly bored. His sole source of amusement comes from scrying on the adventurer teams that are in the upper levels of his dungeon. Through spying on adventurers, Kragathor hears of a new magic item, called a Virmo, that allows one to project their mind into a fictional world in some sort of grand-scale game. Recognizing these Virmo games as a potential diversion for his endless boredom, he orders a minion to infiltrate the nearby town and acquire some of these games. Once the minion returns, he logs into a game set in a world that runs on the twin magics of ‘science’ and ‘technology’, and embarks on his new journey as Bob, the Level 1 Human with no class. Release Schedule: As I wrap up the end of the first major arc, I will publish the chapters as they're completed. However, as I transition into the next arc, I will go with a two or three times a week release schedule, since I will be splitting time between this story and Chimera. Discord Server
8 149 - In Serial90 Chapters
Accidentally Smithing
Nik's life has been boring for the last couple of years. His engineering degree progresses adequately, he had some friends but not too many. But Nik's life would take a twist when heading home to take a shower suddenly stopped being an option. The sweet relief through toilet paper turned to ... well let's just say it isn't pleasant. Disappointed by the class {smith} assigned to him, with no knowledge about smithing or ore refining, he needs to survive in a hostile environment. Join Nik on his journey to survive in a world outside his comfort zone. -------------------------------------------------------- Crafting begins in the early tens. I am aware that some of the prose could be improved upon in the early chapters. I am working on redoing that right now!! It should get better around chapter 10. -------------------------------------------------------- I plan on releasing one chapter per week, this is not guaranteed since uni takes priority number 1.
8 835 - In Serial51 Chapters
The Master of Names
The modern world of magic has moved on. Magic of old no longer allowed in the new age. Deemed too barbaric for the contemporary world, magic skills and formulae have taken the country of Idraver by storm and with their arrival, heralding in a new age of magic.Decades later, a young man named Keldon, born without the ability to use skills, begins to experience strange dreams, and with them came the return of an ancient magic. Given an impossible task, what do his newfound powers mean? Or is their return merely a signal for the beginning of the final end. ___________________________________________ **Author's notes** * Redid chapter order so amount of chapters stays the same but numbers are changed to be consistent across all the places I post 12/15/2020: Redid chapters 1-6 to improve pacing and clarity issues.
8 191 - In Serial6 Chapters
The Last Human
I am the last human alive. My world is filled with magic and steam powered mecha. I have none of that. I am fragile in this world and if I wish to remain part of the races on this planet, I need to find a way to get back to earth and find a bride. The odds are stacked against me but the one thing I do have as a human is resiliance. I will find the portal that my parents travelled through and I will return to their home planet. That is my only goal. That is my only legacy and I must succeed. To anyone who finds this diary, please make it known that I did exist. If my race has died out, I was here. I was King. I am Adam Carter. I am the last Human.
8 132 - In Serial16 Chapters
The Weaver's Burden (HIATUS)
Weavers... this lot has been synonymous with freaks at best, and devil worshipers at worst, since they were first found. Thankfully, they make up a negligible number of people, but they can still be incredibly dangerous. Oftentimes, they wind up killing themselves or others when their ability to perform magic begins to manifest, acting as a sort of natural culling process for weavers. However, this was well before the Republic of Sidia realized that the ability to manipulate reality can be reigned in, controlled. So if you had the chance to turn something dangerous into a weapon, why wouldn't you? This is what fate awaits a young man named Emmet. After his weaving manifests and blood is on his hands, he is given a choice: the gallows, or the Esphell Monastery. What awaits Emmet at the monastery? What is this magic, and how can he control it? What happens to weaver's once they are properly trained? And most importantly, will he survive long enough to have these questions answered?
8 135 - In Serial66 Chapters
How About Heresy?
Jeffrey's a guy who's most certainly a heretic but likes to believe he's not. Like we all do. Though, being a villain, there are many do gooders that'd like to exchange a strong word— or rather fisticuffs with him. Doing the deeds of villains, he places his own strange lens of justice over it, all the while, being an absolute fool. How will Jeffrey fare against the might of the good? —————————— "You tryin' ta shill me heresy?" "Ye- I mean yesn't," That's absurd why would I shill heresy? I'm not a heretic godsdamnit! In a realm of heretics and apostles alike, what to do? Well, I'm not sure of that myself. Though I have a feeling joining a cult may not be the best action... "No way. Are we being clapped by the power of friendship?" "Indeed we are," Shite. NOTE: - Don't expect an overpowered main character, nor a weak character. Strength isn't a plot point. - This is mainly a comedy, so it ain't as dark as you think it'd be despite the numerous mentions of cultists, heretics and murder... - There isn't going to be any face slapping scenes.
8 461
Prev Chap
Next Chap
Chap List
Boy
Girl
