Waking up from my rank-up was... strange. I twisted my body, finding myself once more within a cocoon of sorts. However, unlike my first time breaking out of my egg, where I had to fight desperately to escape, a slight twitch of my tail was enough to shatter this new prison of mine.

I emerged from the cocoon, feeling as though I'd been reborn. I passed my tongue over my new and improved teeth, feeling their sharpness and strength.

My senses had all been improved, as was immediately obvious from the thousands of new smells that entered my nose. Although it was still too dark to see, I could still tell my eyes had also improved.

Ignoring those wonderful changes, the biggest change had obviously come with my new size. I twisted my body around, inspecting myself for a couple of minutes as some small monsters who'd been hanging around my cocoon quickly scattered across the ocean floor.

I was a bit angry at the system for forcing me to evolve without providing me with a safe spot... but then again, perhaps the system had protected me? Who knows. I certainly don't.

I quickly checked my status, finding it quite satisfactory.

[Nameless] [Colossal Serpent (2nd Stage)]

Age - 1 year

Evolution Progress - 0%

Mastery - [Serpent's Dance - 100%], [Devour - 100%], [Extreme Constriction - 100%], [Aura Manipulation - 100% (Skill Evolution Ready)], [Scales of the Abyss - 40%]

Alright, what the hell? they were not this high before I evolved. Did my rank up also give me skill experience? But how does that make any sense?

I can immediately tell using these skills feels easier, especially Serpent's Dance. I won't complain about this, but it still feels as weird as hell.

I clicked on the aura skill, feeling as though I should be giddy about this, even though I really wasn't.

Aura Control - Increases overall control of Aura by a large amount, several hidden aura tricks will be unlocked.

Giant's Aura - Aura will be able to be used as an offensive tool. Power depends on the individual's power and soul.

Aura of the Titan Serpent - Aura can be used to enhance certain aspects, control will increase by some amount, can be used to paralyze stronger targets momentarily or outright kill much weaker beings.

Alright, the last one was obviously made for me. Why did the system even bother offering the other two if it already knew what I was going to choose? It's literally worded after my race.

I mentally poked the last option, and although I didn't feel any physical changes... My mind felt weird. It's hard to explain without feeling what I went through.

I made my way back to the reef while contemplating my evolution. On my way back, I casually tried out my new aura on a small crab (that was still the size of at least a small truck). The poor little thing froze, and even when I directly took it into my mouth, it didn't move.

It tasted... fine, I suppose. My improved senses did not improve my sense of taste, unfortunately. I didn't feel it was necessary back during my self-evolution, but looking back, it might have been a good idea.

Whatever. I was now swimming considerably faster than before, hence, reaching the reef took quite a bit less than the previous times, and the climb upwards also took a considerable less amount of time.

Upon reaching my new birthplace, I was greeted by... nobody, as every living being living both at the Killzone and the edge had fled for their lives when they saw even just my outline.

The reef had already felt small beforehand, but now, it felt suffocating. I had to basically skirt along near the water's surface in order not to accidentally smash into the various corals and rocks jutting up.

I sniffed the water and soon found little Shelly's trail, and like the good little dog I was, I followed it. Soon enough, I'd reached the origin of the scent.

Shelly was fighting a pretty intense battle against a fairly small and weak-looking octopus. Still, it was only comparatively small, and it was still far bigger than anything in my old world.

Still, the thing was quite quick. It waved around Shelly's water blades and constantly tried to corner her, but Shelly kept managing to evade entrapment.

Normally, I would have let little Shelly have her fun, however, judging from the faint grimace on her face and the tired look in her eyes, this might be a battle a bit too close for my liking.

Why is that every time Shelly looks to be in trouble, I unexpectedly show up just at the right time? Does it have something to do with the whole 'cursed' thing?

Hell if I know. Well, I'm just saying that out of curiosity. I don't mind playing the white knight.

My new and improved aura erupted out from my body, and immediately, all sounds in the reef ceased. Everything stilled, with even the waves having seemingly paused.

Naturally, Shelly was spared from this, as were many little harmless things. I could easily kill half the population of this reef in an instant with just my aura alone, but what would that do? No, I wasn't a mass murderer. I was a hunter. There's a difference.

I casually slithered my way over to Shelly, who finally deigned herself to look in my direction, her previously confused eyes widening in shock, and then happiness.

She yelled out something that I could only assume was my name in her language. I tilted my head slightly at her before presenting said head to her eager hands, who quickly did her thing and activated the telepathy spell.

"Ms. Snake! You're huge now!" Shelly immediately said, voice filled with shock. "Yes, yes. Very big. By the way, do that poor little octopus a favor and end it."

"O-oh..." Shelly said, deflating a bit. As to why she did though, I have no idea. She swam over to the octopus, and with two quick water blades, chopped off its head.

A brutal show, but one quite common in this ocean filled with freaks and monsters. As a professional marine biologist, I can confidently claim this place makes about as much sense as a certain U.S president does.

As she returned back to my side, I'd already smashed a place in between the corals for myself, and I'd curled my body within this space. Overall, I looked like a mountain compared to the little mermaid next to me.

Suddenly, Shelly launched herself at my head and then hugged it. "I missed you." She murmured through our connection.

... Moody brat. Killing one thing one moment and then acting all cute and cuddly. It's giving me whiplash.

"I missed you too, brat," I said back, causing her face to light up as she gave me a large smile.

Well, she isn't a bad kiddo, I suppose.