[Scene: A dimly lit cave. The scent of blood still lingers in the air.]
The fox slowly rises to its feet, eyes fixed on the lizard at the other end of the cave.
Fox (thinking):
It's still busy eating the human... Good. I need to find a way out of here. Once it's done, I'll be next.
But how am I supposed to escape? It's blocking the only exit... and it could kill me in a single strike.
---
[System Notification Appears Above the Lizard]
> +3,000 Evolution Points Gained
The lizard—Lizarius—licks the blood from his maw, slowly turning around. His golden eyes lock onto the fox.
Fox (thinking):
Crap. It's finished eating.
Dammit… Am I really going to die here?
Lizarius steps forward, his golden eyes glowing faintly. Sparks of lightning crackle around his scaled body.
---
Fox (thinking, urgently):
Maybe… maybe I can distract him. If I cast a strong enough illusion, I might be able to buy a few seconds to run away.
The fox's turquoise eyes gleam as it channels an illusion technique. A ripple of spiritual light spreads toward Lizarius—
Fox (thinking):
Why... why is he still coming!? It's like the illusion didn't have any affect on it at all!
---
[Lightning surges across Lizarius' body as he lunges forward.]
Fox (thinking, panicked):
Dammit! Am I really going to die—?!
In a desperate move, the fox shouts:
Fox:
"I can take you somewhere—where you can eat more humans! Just… just don't kill me!"
---
[Suddenly, Lizarius halts. A crack of lightning echoes, but he stands still, just inches from the fox.]
The fox opens its eyes slowly…
Fox (thinking):
I'm… still alive? Why didn't it attack?
It looks down—Lizarius is staring at it, eyes wide, unmoving.
Lizarius (thinking):
It… can speak? I've never seen a beast do that before.
The fox stares back, confused and tense.
Fox (thinking):
Why is it looking at me like that? Crap... Don't tell me it's thinking of eating me!
---
[Lizarius asks the system silently.]
Lizarius:
"System… why can the fox speak?"
>System Response: This demonic Beast
has gained the ability to speak by awakening sentience and developing spiritual consciousness.
Lizarius (thinking):
Sentience… spiritual consciousness?
---
System Display Appears:
> Sentience:
The awakening of self-awareness and conscious thought.
As cultivation base increases, consciousness gradually awakens.
Once sentience is achieved, the being can:
– Understand its own existence
– Feel emotions and think independently
– Learn, reason, and make decisions
A beast can only speak after awakening sentience.
---
The fox watches Lizarius carefully, starting to relax slightly.
Fox (thinking):
Hmm… it doesn't look like it wants to kill me anymore. Maybe it really wants me to show it where more humans are…
---
Lizarius (thinking, surprised):
I'm able to cultivate now and I can think...
That must mean... I already gained sentience. If that's true... then maybe I can speak too.
---
He opens his mouth and tries to speak—but only a low, rough growl comes out.
Lizarius (frustrated):
Grrr...!