67 - 68

Attibute Panel: Evolution from an Artic Wolf

67 - A bluish light

But this evolutionary energy can only heal wounds; physical strength cannot be restored at all.

Luke knew this long before, which is why he didn't eat before going to sleep yesterday. But now that he felt better, he began to focus on the evolution process.

This energy runs through all his limbs and strengthens his bones along with the outer skin.

An evolution that is not of this planet.

His fur, muscles, joints, limbs, bones, senses, and many other things were gradually strengthening.

After about ten minutes, the mysterious energy of evolution gradually dissipated. Now, Luke is a level seven wolf.

Now his body was much larger than his previous size of two and a half meters, including his tail.

His enormous wolf body, excluding the tail, was now at least 2.70 meters long, and including the tail, it exceeded three meters in length.

With this body, even compared to Canadian wolves or North American gray wolves, they would find it difficult to match Luke.

Furthermore, the biggest changes in his body at level seven are his claws. The claws grew about an additional centimeter, and their sharpness also increased.

Now it's easier to cut the flesh of the brown bear he had hunted just yesterday. His claws, as if by magic, could perfectly hide in his fur, protecting them in many ways.

But once these claws are exposed, their long and sharp claws would revert to their original state, ready to kill any enemy.

Luke's statistics also reached new heights.

[... Name: Luke Mondragon

Species: Arctic Wolf

Level: 7 <[56/1144] evolution points required to upgrade to the next level>.

Esper Energy: 800

Endurance: 95

Strength: 114 <Right paw only +50>

Defense: 100

Speed: 120

Evolution Points: 0

<Skill [Hunting]: Level D (upgradeable), active talent.

After activation, it can increase its speed by 50% and increase its attack power by 50% while enhancing its concealment.

Duration: 60 seconds.

Cooldown: 24 hours.>

<Skill [Healing]: Level D (upgradeable), passive talent.

The speed of wound healing increases several times, and it also provides immunity to toxins, fungal infections, mental trauma, and radiation trauma.

Duration: Permanent.

Cooldown: None.

Cost: 10 Esper energy each time healing is in progress.>

Potentiator Potion: 8

Evolution Potion SS: 10

Blood Evolution Serum: 1

Talent Evolution Serum: 1

Evolution Potion: 4

Item: Zerdin Necklace

Passive Talents:

Ancestral Protection: The necklace emanates an ancient and protective force, conveying a connection to ancient traditions and ancestral wisdom.

Amplified Fortitude: The wearer of this necklace will feel how their inner strength is magnified, providing an additional boost in times of challenge and adversity.

Mental Clarity: The bluish gem of the pendant has the ability to calm the mind and bring mental clarity, aiding in making wise and precise decisions.

Energy Protection: The necklace acts as an energy shield, repelling negative influences and providing a sense of security and refuge.

Connection with Nature: The presence of the necklace on the neck establishes a deep connection with nature and the primal elements, allowing the wearer to align with their surroundings and gain their support.

Spiritual Strength: The necklace awakens and amplifies inner spiritual strength, allowing the wearer to access higher levels of consciousness and spirituality.

Captivating Magnetism: The necklace has the ability to attract and captivate those around it, radiating a magnetic and enigmatic presence...]"

All that information and much more appeared before Luke's eyes, but the most important were the basic statistics.

But Luke immediately added the points to strength right away. With over a hundred strength points, the danger he now poses to others is that of a top-level predator.

Luke no longer needed speed; what he needed was strength to continue defeating stronger enemies he might encounter in the future.

During several fights, speed also gave him a sense of security. But what could make his speed much more effective was strength, as it gave him the opportunity to inflict fatal wounds on the enemy.

Now all his attributes have improved exponentially. Walking towards the cave entrance, he let out a long roar, expressing his joy at the tremendous increase in strength.

Auuuuuuu!

This howl echoed through the mountains, giving Luke a sense of dominance and complete security in his territory.

At that moment, Baxter looked at Luke with astonished eyes, gazing at his leader's enormous body and approaching with adoration.

Anie, who was near the cave entrance, showed a surprised expression in her blue eyes.

Indeed, it could be considered that Anie witnessed Luke's growth. She had seen that small wolf transform into what Luke is now over six months.

Unlike the other wolves, Luke was immensely large. Even now, he could be considered the largest wolf in the Arctic.

But if there was something even more astonishing, it was that Luke's wounds had completely healed, leaving his body as good as new.

This filled Anie's eyes with doubt and surprise. Is his saliva magical?

But the simple intelligence of common wolves couldn't help her carefully think about what had just happened. No, even humans would be astounded by Luke's body evolution.

Feeling renewed, he walked towards the body of the brown bear and began to eat its meat, while the evolutionary points obtained continued to increase.

"[45.5 points evolution points gained for eating Brown Bear!]"

"[44.5 points evolution points gained for eating Brown Bear!]"

"[43.5 points evolution points gained for eating Brown Bear!]"

Luke devoured the meat of the bear he had hunted and brought to his cave. The strong, meaty flavor filled his mouth as his powerful jaws tore pieces of flesh. His stomach was satisfied, and his body grew stronger with each bite.

While enjoying his feast, Luke's gaze turned towards a magical tree growing in the corner of the cave. It was a cold attribute tree, its silver and shiny bark standing out against the dark interior of the cave. As Luke watched, the tree seemed to grow before his eyes, extending its branches and leaves in a slow and graceful movement.

The tree emanated magical energy, a bluish glow that illuminated his cave with a mysterious brilliance. It was as if the tree radiated its own light, bathing the surroundings in an atmosphere of magic and serenity. Luke felt drawn to the beauty and power emanating from that tree.

"[Cold Magic Tree!

Description: Offspring of a beautiful and extinct magical tree. Its features include turning cold into pleasant weather, giving off magical light, and providing a relaxing passive effect as well as healing the wounds of living organisms around it.

Furthermore, it is said that this magical tree bears extraordinary fruits. The magical ice fruit could increase the stamina and strength of the person who consumes it, enabling them to withstand extremely low temperatures and easily climb the highest mountains. It could also grant magical abilities, such as the power to control ice and snow!]"

With curiosity in his eyes, Luke slowly approached the magical tree. He could feel the coolness in the air as he got closer, like a gentle breeze caressing his fur. Being near the tree, he noticed that the cold was not unpleasant but comforting, like a sense of calm and renewal.

Stretching his snout, Luke inhaled the scent of the magical tree. A mix of freshness and sweetness filled his senses, transporting him to a state of inner peace. Captivated by the tree and its magical aura, the wolf lay down at its feet, letting the cold energy envelop him.

While resting beside the magical tree, Luke could feel his own being filled with that energy. His body felt more vigorous, more connected to the world around him. The tree's magic seemed to flow through him, granting him a sense of strength and harmony.

In the darkness of the cave, the blue glow of the magical tree intensified, creating a mystical and enchanting ambiance. The combination of the bear's feast and the presence of the tree created a sense of wholeness and fulfillment in Luke. It was as if he was attuned to the hidden secrets and powers of nature.

The wolf closed his eyes, immersing himself in the magic of the moment. He knew he had found something special in that magical tree. A treasure that went beyond his comprehension but connected him to something greater and transcendent.

With a full belly and a renewed spirit, Luke lay down next to the magical tree, sinking into a deep sleep. As he rested, "Hopefully, it could bear fruits in one to two years..." However, Luke didn't know that this tree would grow much faster than he could imagine.

....

68 - Baxter, everyone's friend

After leveling up, Luke had many things to do. But because his body and he were adapting to his new strength, size, and many other senses, he didn't want to do anything else but take care of the cave.

Now there was nothing to worry about regarding his parents. They had enough food to last for a few days on their own since he had taken care of the brown bear that was hindering the pack's prey acquisition for his father.

Luke now had plenty of food, so going hunting was unnecessary. Considering the food he had, he could easily surpass one thousand five hundred kilograms. Moreover, Baxter usually went out not too far and came back with Lemmings every day.

With this amount of food, it was more than enough for all the wolves to eat for three to four months. If he continued to save, he could sustain the cave without prey for half a year.

But Luke knew that the wolves were in their growth stage, so he never limited their appetite. On the contrary, he was considering using potions on the more capable wolves to increase the power of his pack.

Luke hadn't thought about it, but the wolves in his pack could be of great help in the future. After all, he didn't need to hunt his own prey to continue evolving, so in the future, he could leave this task to his pack.

After the wolves finished eating, Ondina and Ardad began to play-fight as usual.

As for Anie, she simply relaxed since she saw that Luke had no plans to leave the cave and eventually fell asleep.

Baxter watched the small wolves' fight with enthusiasm, and Luke could swear that the fat Lemming beside him was the prize for the winner.

Currently, the weakest wolves were Ardas and Ondina, but in terms of experience, Ardad followed after Baxter.

The physical activities in the cave also seemed to increase their combat experience, and of course, they all improved their physical conditions.

Since Luke had nothing to do, he watched the wolves' fight with complete indifference. Now he had battles to watch every day, unlike his life as a human, where they usually happened only on Saturdays.

...

The Arctic, wrapped in its blanket of ice and snow, began to show signs of change. After months of darkness and intense cold, winter was starting to give way to light and the rebirth of nature.

As the sun rose on the horizon, its rays timidly pierced through the layer of clouds, dissipating the darkness that had prevailed for so long. The gray and blue tones of the Arctic landscape started to be tinged with strokes of color, announcing the arrival of spring.

The snow, which had covered everything in its path, began to slowly melt. Frozen streams and rivers began to thaw, releasing the water that had been trapped beneath their solid surface. The sound of dripping and the murmur of water filled the air, breaking the silence that had reigned during winter.

As the ice melted, the Arctic fauna started emerging from their shelters. Arctic foxes, with their snow-white fur, ventured out in search of food. Reindeer, with their majestic antlers, roamed the tundra in search of the first sprouts of grass peeking through.

Migratory birds also returned to the Arctic, filling the sky with their graceful flights. Geese, seagulls, and others sought their old nests to give life to a new generation. The sounds of their songs mingled in the air, creating a symphony of life and renewal.

The flora also awakened from its winter slumber. Small flowers, brave and resilient, emerged from the melting snow, adding strokes of color to a landscape that seemed frozen forever. Mosses and lichens, adaptable to extreme conditions, began to grow again, covering the Arctic rocks and soil.

The Arctic, a place of contrasts and extremes, seemed to transform before attentive eyes. The sunlight became more intense and lasting, gradually extending the days. The fresh and pure air came to life, carrying with it the promise of a new cycle and the renewal of life in every corner.

As winter gave way to spring in the Arctic, nature awoke with strength and determination. Animals and plants prepared to make the most of the brief months of warmth and abundance that awaited them. And so, in this vast and dazzling polar landscape, life continued its eternal cycle, reminding us of the wonder and resilience of nature.

By this time, Luke's strength had fully recovered. However, during this time, he didn't go hunting as he deemed it unnecessary for now. Not only was there an abundance of food, but he also didn't come across any predator that would offer him significant evolutionary points.

During this time, Luke only consumed brown bear meat and surprisingly gained over a hundred additional evolutionary points.

Baxter also took advantage of the bear meat, often giving fresh Lemmings to the other wolves while he sampled the reserved food.

Luke hadn't thought much about it, but staying in the cave had given the wolves a sense of security.

During these days, miraculously thanks to the effect of his Zerding or alien collar, the lone wolf was able to regain his virtue.

And although it hadn't completely healed, he could move a little and eat occasionally. The little wolf that Luke decided to call Bark thought he was going to die, but Bark never expected to wake up in a different wolf pack.

Bark's mysterious eyes seemed to convey his distrust. In his simple understanding, food is scarce in any wolf pack. Therefore, Bark considered this wolf pack to be cannibals of Arctic wolves.

But when he found the carcass of the enormous brown bear weighing seven hundred to eight hundred kilograms in the cave, upon seeing the round belly of that wolf who always lay in a strange position and was still alive, Bark thought this wolf pack was different.

Despite appearing old, Bark is actually no more than two years old, and his intelligence is much higher than that of any other common Arctic wolf.

So, immediately after waking up, Bark moved cautiously to the corner of the cave, not daring to make the slightest sound.

He didn't try to run out of the cave since with his injuries, and seeing the strong wind howling outside the cave, attempting to run would be foolish. Therefore, Bark stayed silently in the corner of the cave.

Bark, though calm, felt fear every time that enormous Arctic wolf at the cave entrance made the slightest sound.

Also, when that wolf offered him a Lemming, he was afraid to eat because all these wolves could kill him if they attacked him together. And though he was hungry, he limited himself to staying silently aside to avoid causing discontent as it happened the last time.