After I’ve finished eating, I decide to head back to my nest where I can take a short break and look over the changes to my menu. So I got two new skills out of that encounter? The menu called them General Skills, and these have levels. I wonder what makes them different from the other skills I have without levels? And what happens if I level up? If one beetle gave me 5 XP, surely it won’t be long before I experience it.

Alright so what are my priorities then? Survive obviously. What I need now is a source of water, and a reliable source of food. The food isn't as pressing now, but if I do find water there'll be plenty of food sources either in the area or having to travel to it. The hard part will be avoiding predators. I haven't seen any yet, but this is a big jungle. I'd have to be stupid to assume it's just me and some bugs. Those are immediate needs though, what about the long term? I need to know where I am. I don't think this is Earth anymore, but maybe there's a way back? I’d also like to level up. If my previous knowledge is worth anything, this can only be good for me. The real question is if it’s worth the risk.

I look up at the sky. The sun is almost directly overhead, beating down on me. About midday then? I should prioritize water, or I won’t make it long out here. I stand still and listen for the sound of running water, but all I can hear is the dull buzz of insects and the occasional chirp of another bird. Before I can start thinking of another way to start my search, I get a feeling deep in my gut that the correct way to go is my left. I've never been one to go with my gut feeling, but at this point any direction is probably as good as any other, so I set off.

Warning: You are dehydrated.

SP and HP regeneration decreased by 50%

OK that's concerning. I've only been walking for about 10 minutes now. I glance at my SP and HP to see what I've got to work with.

HP: 8/10

SP: 12/15

The feeling in my gut is still pointing me strongly in this direction, and there's no water at the nest, so there's nothing left but to keep walking.

Not even 5 minutes later and I hear the soft burbling of a stream. I instantly feel my thirst, which had previously been a dull need in the back of my mind sharpen at the sound. I try to lick my lips, but my tongue doesn't move the way I expect. Oh yeah. Small hard tongue. Beak, not lips. Oops. Wary for any potential predators, I stick to the underbrush to stay out of sight, and creep up on the spot the sound originates from.

Sneak Skill has leveled up to 2

Well that's not a good sign. If I'm considered to be actually sneaking, there must be something I'm hiding from. Even more warily now, I creep through the brush as the creek comes into view.

The creek isn't particularly large, if I laid down it'd probably be about 5 of me in width. The water in it is perfectly clear, and there's several small stones paving the bottom of the river. Lining the river are even what appears to be a natural grain of some sort. It looks kind of like the cattail reeds that you might see around a river on earth, but instead of the dark brown tube at the top there are several small seed pods.

I step towards the river to sake my thirst, when I all of the sudden my instincts scream at me not to move. I freeze in place, still partially covered by those large plants, and look around. There's nothing around me though. The canopy above me breaks at the river, so there can't be anything hiding in the trees, and there's nothing standing around the creek. The creek itself isn't even large enough to house more than a couple tiny minnows.

I dismiss my gut feeling as irrational and continue towards the creek, and start to drink.

Dehydrated condition removed. HP and SP regeneration restored.

This is amazing. I don't think I've ever tasted water this good in either of my lives. I didn't even know water could taste this good. Just as I begin to get lost in the sensation of slacking my thirst, my instincts scream at me to run! Before I can even think, I've jumped back several steps. Where I was previously standing there is now…..one of the river rocks?

I walk up to it, and look around. There's definitely nobody around that could've thrown it. Did it move on its own? I focus on it and use my peck skill.

0 damage dealt to River Mimic

What the cluck? Basic Appraisal.

River Mimic (Juvenile)

An uncommon species of mimic native to rivers flowing from the Malentic Grove. This variant tends to wait until an unsuspecting creature drinks from the river they occupy, before crushing it with its weight and feeding on the remains.

Basic Appraisal skill has leveled up to 2.

I dismiss the notifications before I can even finish reading them, as the mimic is…...rolling? towards me and quickly picking up speed. How do I even fight a rock? I run from it, but I glance behind me and see it gaining on me, and fast. It's faster than me so I can't even run from it. I whip my head back in front of me. Shit! I jump to the side as I nearly run into a tree, but the mimic chasing me wasn't able to change direction so fast. It rams into the tree at full speed!

CRACK!

I'm not sure if the sound came from the mimic, the tree, or both, but as I turn to see I notice a small Crack running through the mimic, and it hasn't moved yet. This could be my only chance.

buh-GAAAAWK!

I loose my war cry and charge the prone creature! Prepare to feel the business end of my beak! I've cracked tougher eggs than you! I jump on top of it and ready my Peck Skill again.

2 damage dealt to River Mimic

Cluck yeah! A piercing squeal comes from the mimic, but it still doesn't move and I don't let up. Peck! Peck! Peck! Peck! Peck!

....

River Mimic has been defeated!

+100 XP

Level Up!

Spoiler: Spoiler

Status Menu

Name: Grover

Age: 0 years

Race: Rooster (Juvenile)

Level: 2

XP: 5

XP to next level: 120

Profession: N/A

Seals: 1

HP: 8/??

SP 9/??

Mana: [Locked]

HP Regen: ?/day

SP Regen: ?/hour

Mana Regen: [Locked]

Strength - ?

Agility - ?

Constitution - ?

Wisdom - ?

Intelligence - ??

Charisma - ?

Luck - ?

Free Stats - ?

Skills:

Instincts (Chicken)

Chirp

Peck

Basic Appraisal (Lvl:2/10)

Sneak (Lvl: 2/10)

Titles:

Reincarnated

Spiritual Bulwark