As the rat continued to sniff the ground, I positioned myself just above the monster; then, without hesitation, I dropped from the ceiling as silent as the wind itself. My forcipules dug into the back of the monster’s neck, injecting it with my venom.

Usually, it would take one pinch from my forcipules to stop a crow’s heart in less than five seconds. For a more powerful beast, one that possessed mana, I was sure it would take much longer.

But my venom did more than just kill prey; it attacked their nervous system and stopped their muscle functions. One of such muscles was the heart, but just the act of talking requires over a hundred different muscles.

With my venom quickly taking hold, the rat’s squeak for help was caught in its throat as its muscles tightened. The creature could not make a sound to alert the others for help. Its entire body shook violently as it tried to move, but in less than 20 seconds, it collapsed to the ground, body still spasming as froth escaped its mouth.

Just the act of breathing had become impossible for the struggling creature. Its heart rate slowed down drastically, like putting on the brakes on a fast-moving car, and soon, in one violent jerk, the rat was dead.

[You have slain a level 3 F-ranked Dungeon Rat!]

[+2 increase in all stats for killing a creature with a title]

One of the things that differentiates monsters from regular creatures is the fact that they possess a ’Title’. A title was a status you earn after a major accomplishment, or you receive it based on your race or hidden bloodline or because you possessed a special class.

Gaining a title gives you certain bonuses: an increase in stats or other special gifts.

Titles were given to those who awakened a monster race. For example, if a player was to enter the world as a goblin, then they would be given the title of a ’Monster’. A title as a monster grants you your own monster core, which allows you to use mana.

That was basically all I learned about titles from the forum. Unlike a goblin, though, I didn’t have a title. I was just a regular insect in this game, as far as I could tell.

But that couldn’t be all there was to it if I’m able to evolve. The ability to evolve by consuming biomass didn’t just pop up out of nowhere.

There has to be a reason for it. If I could, then I would like to figure it out. And from what I’ve seen, it must have something to do with the forest that managed to remain completely unharmed in a land that is withering away.

It would also be great if I could gain a title, but that would have to wait for later.

I traced my front leg across the creature’s stomach like a scalpel, cutting through its hide with ease. I then rummaged around inside its opened stomach until I finally found what I needed.

The monster’s core. A small spherical ball that shined with a bright shade of blue.

The well-preserved core from an F-ranked beast like the dungeon rat could sell for around $500. That amount of money could keep me for an entire month if I was living by myself. I quickly stashed the monster core inside my storage space before refocusing my attention back on the slain beast.

Without wasting another second, I melted down the dungeon rat with my acid so that the time it would take for me to devour it would be quicker.

[30 biomass gained]

After devouring the dungeon monster and gaining biomass, I returned my attention back to the party of dead adventurers and began searching their remains for anything of value.

The swordsman’s sword was broken in half, but it still looked valuable since there was a shiny green gem embedded in the hilt and the steel looked well made, so I decided to add it to my storage. His armor was made out of regular leather, and it was shredded to pieces, so I decided to leave it and instead moved on to the tank of the party.

The tank of the group had cheap chestplate armor and a pair of gauntlets. I decided to take them both. As for the other party members, as far as I could tell, one was a beast tamer, and the other was either an assassin or a thief, judging by her weapons and the way she was dressed.

The beast tamer had a wolf-like beast lying protectively over her. The strange thing about it was that the wolf beast didn’t have any serious wounds that would’ve caused its death.

The creature must’ve starved itself lying by its dead master’s side. Either that, or its wounds got infected. I decided to store the beast inside my storage space since it was still valuable.

Players who awakened a necromancy class would pay a lot of money for it. As for the assassin or thief, whichever it was, she didn’t have anything valuable on her.

Having everything I needed, I was ready to leave, but just before I could, I felt another presence heading my way.

Acting quickly, I skittered up the wall and hid in the same corner I did before. The entire dungeon went quiet, and the only sound was the sound of small footsteps approaching.

Soon, another dungeon rat appeared from the tunnel. It was roughly the same size as the one I had killed before. The creature sniffed the ground while inching closer and closer until soon it was sniffing the blood and small bone fragments from the rat I killed.

Just go away already!

The rat continued to sniff the remains until it suddenly stopped and slowly raised its nose into the air.

SKREE!