Time passed uneventfully for Apophis as it continued its slow but steady progress in the Monster Evolve. Its mastery over its growing power and new abilities increased by the day. Yet, the forest was never truly calm; danger often lay hidden beneath the surface, waiting to strike when least expected.

One afternoon, while Apophis was patrolling the dense woods in search of food, its massive body slithered through the tall grass, creating a soft rustling sound. As it ventured deeper into unfamiliar territory, an overwhelming sense of unease gripped it. Apophis halted, its senses sharpened, scanning the surrounding area for any signs of threat.

The air was thick with a strange, oppressive energy. It was a type of danger that Apophis had never encountered before, making it cautious. Although nothing appeared out of place, Apophis could feel that something was wrong. It prepared to move forward cautiously, when suddenly, a deep, resonant growl echoed from the distance. The sound reverberated through the ground, causing Apophis to tense.

Carefully, it approached the direction of the sound, parting the dense foliage as it went. When it finally reached the clearing, the sight before it was startling. A massive brown bear stood in the center of the clearing, its eyes glowing a deep crimson red. The beast was enveloped in an aura of raw power and uncontrollable rage. This was no ordinary bear—it was nearly twice the size of any bear Apophis had encountered, and its body pulsed with a mysterious and potent energy.

Apophis immediately recognized that this was a dangerous foe, one it was unsure it could defeat. It considered retreating, but the bear had already locked its fiery gaze on Apophis, letting out a blood-curdling roar as it charged forward with astonishing speed.

In an instant, the bear was upon Apophis, its giant paw sweeping down with terrifying force. Apophis barely managed to evade the blow, its instincts saving it from being crushed. The air crackled with energy as the bear's immense strength became evident. Apophis knew that a direct confrontation would be suicidal. The bear’s power far surpassed its own. It had to rely on its agility and cunning.

Darting around the bear, Apophis used its speed to strike at its legs with its tail, hoping to destabilize the raging creature. The bear roared in fury, its massive claws swiping at Apophis, but it only hit empty air. Apophis continued to dodge and attack, staying out of the bear’s reach.

In a brief moment of clarity, Apophis noticed a weak spot on the bear’s underbelly—a vulnerable area that could be exploited. It knew this was its only chance. As the bear swung its paw again, Apophis took a calculated risk, dodging under the bear’s arm and quickly coiling around its legs. In one swift movement, it sank its fangs into the bear’s exposed underbelly, injecting venom deep into the beast’s body.

The bear howled in pain, thrashing wildly as it tried to shake off Apophis. But the venom had already begun to take effect, slowing the bear’s movements. Yet, even in its weakened state, the bear continued to resist, its sheer willpower driving it forward.

Apophis tightened its grip, focusing all its energy on strangling the life out of the beast. The battle was fierce and grueling, but after what felt like an eternity, the bear finally collapsed to the ground, its labored breathing growing weaker by the second. Exhausted, Apophis released its grip and slumped to the ground, panting heavily. The danger had passed, but it knew that the bear's unnatural power was no ordinary occurrence.

As Apophis prepared to leave, something unexpected happened. The bear’s lifeless body began to glow faintly, emanating a strange, mystical light. Intrigued, Apophis cautiously approached the bear and uncovered the source of the light—a small, crystalline orb lodged in the bear’s chest, pulsing with immense energy.

This had to be a beast core, Apophis thought, recalling the ancient knowledge passed down from its kind. Beast cores were rare treasures, often formed inside powerful creatures. After a moment of hesitation, Apophis decided to consume the core, aware of the potential risks but also the unimaginable rewards.

The moment the core touched its tongue, an overwhelming surge of energy exploded within Apophis. Its body began to heat up, and its Monster Evolve progress accelerated rapidly. Apophis quickly coiled up, focusing its entire being on absorbing and controlling this newfound power.

As the energy coursed through its veins, Apophis’s consciousness drifted, and a vision of its future unfolded before its eyes. It saw itself, now an enormous and fearsome serpent, dominating the forest as a true monster.

When Apophis finally awoke from its trance, it immediately sensed the transformation in its body. It had grown significantly in both size and strength. Its body now measured over ten meters in length, and its scales had become thicker and more resilient.

Bursting with excitement, Apophis opened its status screen.

[Host: Apophis]
[Species: Python (Adult)]
[Status: Monster Evolve (88/100)]
[Lifespan: 5/60]
[Length: 10.5 meters (Upgradeable)]
[Racial Skill: Constricting Force Lv2 (Upgradeable)]
[Science Knowledge Lv2: 360/1000]
[Cultivation Technique: Essence of the Abyss (Common) (Upgradeable)]
[Skill: Focused Perception Lv1]
[Skill: Strength Enhancement Lv2]
[Potential Points: 2]
[Insight Points: 1]

Looking at the screen, Apophis felt an immense sense of satisfaction and anticipation. It had taken one more step toward becoming a true monster. However, Apophis was well aware that despite its growth, it still had a long way to go. The forest was full of challenges, and it needed to keep honing its abilities.

With renewed resolve, Apophis lifted its gaze toward the horizon. There were still countless dangers and opportunities awaiting it in this vast forest. Apophis knew it had to keep pushing its limits, seeking out both the challenges and rewards that would lead it to its ultimate goal—becoming the undisputed ruler of this land.

Yet, far deeper in the forest, much stronger beings were already watching Apophis’s every move. The road ahead was treacherous, filled with unexpected twists and turns, but it was also brimming with boundless potential.