Chapter 41: [Perception]
Editor: Atlas Studios
Upon recalling the hazy memory of that time, System clicked open the [Tools Menu]'s database.
He wanted to check the video of the totally white world and that unknown sound he had heard, which was the voice of the world.
System carefully looked through the video quite a few times, but there were no records about the world's voice at all.
This was similar to the images the Grasshopper Queen had sent him—the world's voice was an extremely vague thing.
Although he knew nothing about the world's voice, some unexplainable pieces of information had appeared in his head.
When ordinary creatures reached their limits, they would obtain a gift from the world and transform into a magical life form. Meanwhile, when magical life forms reached their limits, they would ascend and become an extraordinary existence.
That was what System had summarized from what he understood, and that was roughly what it meant.
The extra information in his mind did not exist in the form of language but was like a mixed form between musical notes and a telepathic message, distant and mysterious. It was like listening to music.
System felt that the message was not complete, and it seemed like many things were missing. There seemed to be an even higher life form above extraordinary existences.
System thought that he should be an existence between ordinary and magical creatures, but nothing more was explained within the information.
Although the information mentioned that those who obtained the world's gift would transform towards magical life forms, there was no clear explanation of exactly how or what they would transform and become.
System could feel a special form of energy drifting in the air become much clearer. Also, it was easier to absorb such a form of energy.
"Maybe transforming into a magical life form can extend my lifespan, just like the dragons, vampires, elves, and others of the game world. It's a pity that I know too little about this world."
No matter what, it could be said that System could find his future pathway. His next step was to become a magical life form.
…
System gently touched his long antennae and looked at the surroundings. He suddenly realized that the soldier ant, Shava, who had been crippled from being tortured by the mouse, was not there.
He gently moved his antennae and felt as if Shava was still alive, and her life was not in danger.
Such a feeling was not System's wild guess but a type of special ability. That's how he had dodged the soil falling from the hole.
Insects could obtain special abilities like [Mind Transmission] through the voice of the world, and System's Spirit Transmission had also obtained a special ability—[Perception].
Also, from the talent [Perception], System had obtained a few powerful derived abilities which were [System's Eye], [Instinct], [Enhanced Hearing], and [Enhanced Sense of Smell]
He had relied on his new derived ability [Instinct] to dodge the soil and sense that Shava was still alive.
…
[Perception] (11/26): A unique talent gifted to System by an unknown power. Able to have a deeper understanding of things. System's exclusive ability.
[System's Eye] (17/30): A special ability formed through integration of [Perception], [Digital Code], [Insect Adaptability], [Molting Growth], [Enhanced Vision], [Subtlety Vision], and [Dark Vision]. One's vision would be greatly strengthened. System's unique ability.
[Instinct] (12/21): A derived ability obtained from [Perception], [Insect Adaptability], and [Insect Instinct].
[Enhanced Hearing] (11/15): A derived ability obtained from [Perception]. The sense of hearing is strengthened.
[Enhanced Sense of Smell] (11/15): A derived ability obtained from [Perception]. The sense of smell is strengthened.
…
System had just completed his third molting and awakened, so he did notice some things at first. Then, maybe due to [System's Eye], he discovered that the dim nest was already as bright as daylight.
His vision was exceptionally clear. He could see the dust particles in the sky clearly and even had a weak x-ray ability, where he could see the white blood flowing in the ant larvae's body.
System moved the long antennae on his head and carefully observed himself. He realized that many of his abilities had grown to different degrees than before he had molted.
System opened [Tools Menu] and carefully checked the transformation of his body after the third molting.
…
Race: Green-Tailed Grasshopper (Evolving)
Title: None
Name: System
Rank: Metamorphosis
Level: 12/15
Life Span: 1,622 days
Health: 85%
EXP: 8%
Special Power: 52%
Special Talents/Skills: [Digital Code] (5/5), [Molting Growth] (13/13), [Insect Adaptability] (16/21), [Data Storage] (3/5), [Mind Transmission] (8/22), [Data Compilation] (3/5), [Perception] (11/26).
Derived Ability: [Tools Menu] (5/12), [System's Eye] (15/30), [Instinct] (12/21), [Limb Regeneration] (8/13), [Color Change Camouflage] (8/11), [Acid Resistance] (5/7), [Fire Resistance] (5/7), [Hunger Tolerance Physique] (8/13), [Corrosive Slime] (12/16), [Spirit Connection] (8/13), [Enhanced Hearing] (11/15), [Enhanced Sense of Smell] (11/16).
Power: 3.6
…
As he observed the information in his [Tools Menu], System realized that his lifespan, which he had been extremely concerned about, had indeed increased. His lifespan surpassed Quin's three-year-lifespan by more than a year. It looked like the enhancement from the third molting of each grasshopper queen was different.
The improvement brought by the third molting was more obvious than the second molting. Not only did System's physical capabilities were further increased, but his abilities had also been enhanced to different extents.
System looked at the ant larvae around him and activated [Spirit Connection] to connect the ant larvae's minds with his.
System could sense that the ant larvae were happy and relieved, but they were also starving.
If the time recorded by [Tools Menu] was correct, then his molting had lasted for a total of two days.
System used his Spirit Connection to gently calm the ant larvae while using his tentacles to pick off the glowing mushrooms and feed them to the ant larvae.
As he had obtained the new ability [System's Eye], even if there was no light at all, the dark was just like daylight in System's eyes. Thus, there was no need for these mushrooms anymore.
As for the ant larvae and worker ants that were like blind men, all the more, there was no need for such a weak source of light.
Meanwhile, in the process of feeding those mushrooms to the ant larvae, System suddenly picked up an unusual, weak emotion while using [Mind Transmission] and [Spirit Connection].
System turned his antennae and used his eyes to carefully search the surroundings.
Soon, he realized what was giving out that weak emotion.
It was one of the glowing mushrooms. As the ant larvae were devouring the mushroom, the fungi that formed that mushroom had let out a weak, painful emotion before perishing.
The third molting allowed System's [Mind Transmission] to level up.
[Mind Transmission] (6/22) → [Mind Transmission] (8/22)
Due to the increase in the level of his talent, such an ability had obviously added a new communication target besides plants and insects—fungi.
If his [Mind Transmission] ability continued to be strengthened, he would definitely be able to communicate with more species.
…
After moving the ant larvae into the nearby food-filled storage room, System realized that the tunnels seemed too narrow as compared to his current body. It looked like he had to let Shava's ant construction team expand the tunnels of the hibernation nest.
System jumped out of the temporary nest with a few leaps.
-- Gift
received