Volume 1 Chapter 2: The Boar Family

"Congratulations, Host, for finishing off your opponent. You have been awarded the 'Deadly Venomous Fangs,' capable of releasing a terrifying toxin that can take down an opponent twice your size within two and a half seconds."

Seeing the snake-eagle lying dead on the ground, lifeless, Wang Long maintained a cautious attitude. After poking it several times with his tail to ensure it was truly dead, he took a bite. He soon discovered that the prey was too large to swallow whole, so he activated his innate ability, digesting the flesh bite by bite until he had completely consumed the entire bird.

"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Newbie Gift Pack: 'Infinite Devouring.' Anything consumed can be fully digested within two and a half seconds."

As the words faded, Wang Long’s bloated belly began to flatten, and his body became agile once more. After devouring the snake-eagle, he found that he had grown by ten centimeters, reaching a total length of 1.1 meters.

"Damn! That was too close! Thank goodness for the system; otherwise, I would have been choked to death by the prey I’d just swallowed. That would have been a laughingstock."

Although Wang Long had seen videos in the animal kingdom of giant pythons choking to death while swallowing prey, it was surreal when it happened to him. After all, no one expects such bizarre occurrences to befall them.

Host: Wang Long
Species: Crested Serpent (Cock-Crowned Snake)
Strength: Weak
Supernatural Abilities: Deadly Venomous Fangs, Beginner Gliding
Status: Stronger than an average snake
Next Stage: Python

The electronic system prompt echoed in Wang Long’s mind, and soon, a virtual interface appeared before him, visible only to him. Looking at the screen, Wang Long’s eyes locked onto the species entry.

"Crested Serpent... Third Uncle? No way, this feels exactly like a TV show I watched in my past life!"

Wang Long was stunned. He hadn't expected to find himself not only in a deep, wild forest but also turned into a legendary venomous snake. However, he quickly pulled himself together. For now, his priority was to evolve into a python. Only then could he truly survive in the primeval forest. After all, there were many animals that preyed on snakes, but once he became a python, he wouldn't just be able to move freely—his natural enemies would be reduced by more than half, unless he encountered a tiger or a leopard.

Large predators like tigers occasionally hunted pythons, but most of the time, they preferred smaller forest animals.

Wang Long slithered away, dragging his body as he began to explore. His nostrils caught an unusual scent. In a trance, it was as if he had activated thermal imaging; the world around him looked vastly different from when he was human. Passing centipedes and flying insects appeared to him as moving thermal signatures.

Flicking his tongue, Wang Long crawled onward, searching for a water source. He knew that all animals needed to drink, and he was at least three times faster in water.

...

"A water hole." After an unknown amount of time, Wang Long rested on a tree branch ten meters above the ground, looking at a small, three-meter-wide pond in the distance. Though small, a few piglets were drinking at its edge.

In truth, the dense vegetation blocked Wang Long’s vision, but his built-in thermal imaging saw everything clearly. The once-clear water became murky as an adult boar waded in to wallow. It seemed to be enjoying itself, and before long, it was covered in mud. Looking again, another wild boar was sunbathing nearby. Upon closer inspection, its back was covered in dried, hardened mud, resembling a suit of armor—evidently applied some time ago.

Watching the boar family, Wang Long felt a surge of excitement. If he could devour one of the piglets, he would grow even longer, bringing him one step closer to the next stage. However, seeing the two adult boars made him hesitate. Though they were mammals and didn't hunt like lions or tigers, they were actually omnivores with a vast diet. They ate roots, stems, leaves, and fruits, and even insects were fair game—snakes were their favorite "spicy sticks."

They looked clumsy, but their combat power was no less than a dog's. Their long tusks were formidable; even an adult man would struggle to restrain one. News reports had even stated that a single adult boar could take down a grown man—meaning even a human would find it hard to defeat one unarmed.

With two adults together, plus the piglets weighing over two pounds each, he couldn't possibly swallow them. Disappointed, Wang Long turned to leave, planning to hunt smaller birds and insects to increase his length first. Once he was bigger, he would come back to devour the piglets and perhaps trigger his evolution.

*Sniff, sniff.*

The sunbathing boar suddenly caught a scent, stood up, and looked around alertly. Seeing this, Wang Long sighed, "That pig nose is truly sharp; it can smell me from this far away!"

Separated by over ten trees, Wang Long decided to stay put and observe. Soon, the boar lay back down, and Wang Long exhaled in relief. But shortly after, a piglet wandered toward him. It was lively, and its parents didn't stop it, as long as it didn't stray too far.

Watching the piglet approach, Wang Long realized that even if he ate it, he could quickly climb back up the tree, and the adults wouldn't be able to reach him. He sat back, waiting for his chance. In no time, the piglet reached the base of the tree and began rubbing against the trunk.

Seeing his opportunity, Wang Long leaped down. His crest unexpectedly helped him maintain his balance.

*Thump.*

With a muffled sound, the meter-long snake fell from the tree, landing perfectly on the piglet. Without hesitation, Wang Long bit down hard.

"Squeal!"

The moment it was bitten, the piglet let out a cry that echoed through the forest—the most authentic pig squeal Wang Long had ever heard.