Monster Evolution: Gathering Monsters in my New World.

He quickly hovered back, his claw arm raised.

"Let's just forget everything that happened here and go our separate ways…"

The Karv uttered bird words.

The Hunter Bird didn't say anything initially, until it turned its gaze toward its nest, only to find that its children had been eaten.

The Hunter Bird at last realized what had happened as it turned to face the Karv, still in the shape of the distorted bird.

"You killed my babies…" said the Hunter Bird, towering closer toward the Karv.

Instinctively, Keal began moving backward.

"I didn't have a choice; in my defense, you did stab me…"

"You are dead!"

The first claw attack came; the bird spread its giant wings apart as its claws sped toward the Karv.

Fortunately, the Karv already saw it coming.

He leaped to the side, dodging the first attack.

When the bird finally raised its foot, Keal's shock was evident after seeing the hole in the ground caused by the bird.

'Shit, this bird actually wants to kill me!'

Realizing what was at stake, the Karv acted with precision.

He grew out two thin legs that allowed him to sprint faster, and from his chest was a bird hand with wolf claws.

Thanks to his wolf instinct, he was able to predict the monster's movements to a certain degree and act accordingly.

As the bird kept turning in circles, attempting to stab the Karv with its beak, the Karv was dodging everything as fast as he could.

After dodging another attack, the Karv created a new arm from his back, a long and thin arm with three claws at the end.

He swiftly sliced at the bird's leg, causing it to shriek in pain as it stumbled.

Before it could regain its balance, the Karv launched himself upwards, aiming for its head. The bird, however, was quicker than he anticipated, snapping its beak shut just as he reached it.

The Karv barely pulled back in time, the wind of the beak's snap brushing against his face.

He landed on the ground, rolling to avoid another stomp. The bird's movements became more erratic, its large body thrashing as it tried to strike him.

The Karv used this to his advantage, weaving through its clumsy attacks, looking for an opening. He needed to end this quickly; the constant shapeshifting was draining his energy.

He noticed a slight hesitation in its left wing's movement. It was a subtle thing, almost imperceptible, but his wolf instincts honed in on it.

This was his chance.

He lunged forward, transforming his legs into powerful springs, and propelled himself toward the injured wing.

As soon as he got to the wing, he used his first claw to dig into the bird's skin, holding his balance, and then right after, he took a deep breath for the next part.

With all his strength, the Karv used his wolf claw to cut off the bird's wing, all the way from the tip to the very end.

"Ahhh!"

The bird screamed in pain from it, thrashing around the cave as its blood spewed everywhere.

Its back slammed against the wall, trying its best to drop the fiery monster walking around on it.

Alas, the Karv was adamant.

'You think I'm done?!'

Keal grinned as he managed to use his claws to get to the other side of the Hunter Bird's body.

Once there, he did the same thing again, clipping off the bird's other wing.

Another terrifying scream escaped the bird's mouth; monsters who could hear it from outside the cave all scattered like ants.

The bird was known to be the ruler of this territory; who would dare battle it?

Not long after, the bird collapsed to the ground, worn-out and weary.

Its wings, on the ground, already shriveling away and drained in its own blood.

And right there, in front of the blood-wasted bird, was Keal.

Seeing the Karv in front of it, the Hunter Bird finally spoke.

"W-what are you?"

The Karv's reply was short, as its body expanded, ready to devour the Hunter Bird.

"A Karv."

In the very next second, it had covered the monster, burning it inside him. There was no scream, just a silent acceptance of death.

By the time the Karv was done—

[You have gained a new trait.]

[Wings of the Beast: You can now fly with the wings of the Hunter Bird.]

[A new attribute skill has been gained.]

[Aero Strikes: This skill allows you to create wind strikes that can be launched at targets.]

'Aero Strike? Such an odd name. I want to try 'em out.'

The Karv turned his focus toward one of the bird's wings.

'Aero Strike.'

A sharp wave of wind sped from his body, slicing the wing in two. But it wasn't only that; the ground itself was split in half as well.

'Ack! Just a single attack was all it took to do this? Yeesh, I might be hitting the jackpot with these skills.'

[Multiple mana waves are coming from outside this tunnel; caution is advised.]

'Mana waves…'

Slowly, Keal made his way toward the entrance of the cave, pushing himself through the pool of blood blocking his path.

It didn't take long for him to make his way outside.

Once there, he could see the monsters hiding within the darkness, their glowing eyes fixed on his location.

'Oh, that's what the system meant by mana waves. I have been stalked by monsters. Must have been from the loud scream earlier.'

He sighed.

'Oh well, I guess this works for me—more opportunity to gain skills. Heheh, let's go hunting.'

Without any hint of hesitation, the Karv began exploring other parts of the cave, killing as many monsters as he could find.

From the smallest of monsters to large monkey clams.

In a matter of a few days, the Karv had managed to dominate the monsters of the cave. Other monsters were soon terrified of him, often running the moment they saw him heading toward them.

After five days of killing and growing, the Karv finally ran into a means by which he could leave the cave.