<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Collapsed Alerts (x8)</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have been [Crippled]. Your attacks with the [Crippled] limb will be 70% less effective.</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have been [Crippled]. Your attacks with the [Crippled] limb will be 70% less effective.</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have been [Crippled]. Your attacks with the [Crippled] limb will be 70% less effective.
</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have been [Crippled]. Your attacks with the [Crippled] limb will be 70% less effective.</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Bleeding].</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have been [Infected] with “Saravani’s Scourge”.
</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Health] is critical! [81/280]
</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Infected].
</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Bleeding].</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Health] is critical! [41/280]</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Infected].</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are near death!!! [11/200]</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Bleeding].</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are near death!!! [1/200]</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Nature’s Embrace] has activated.</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Infected].</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have died.</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
The alerts filled my vision as I floated in the black, pain wracking my body with every tick of damage over time. Who’d have thought that what used to be an irritating mechanic would now be such a painful way to go?
Was this it? After death?
How… boring. Nothing around me but the darkness. Would it be like this forever? I’d half-expected to simply wake back up in my bed, sweating, with this whole thing being one great dream. After all, with the adventures I’d been on? Yeah, it was pretty great.
I mean, the pain factor was kind of a turn-off, but it only added to the reality. It stopped me from doing things I would’ve done in games, like suiciding into Sailboat to figure out if there were any weaknesses I could exploit. Or jumping off of cliffs for the heck of it.
Though I guess it didn’t stop me from, you know, running headfirst into an apparent beetle army. Or… would it be air force?
Now, I was dead.
And I never even got to have the most important question answered.
Is this just real life? Or just a fantasy?
I was caught in a dung-slide. And this world had been my escape from reality.
It’s too bad that I’d wasted it. And all to save a dinosaur. One that I didn’t even know… Why would I do that? Idiot…
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Error.</td>
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</table>
What?
What do you mean “Error”, magic boxes?
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Error.</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
Great. I get to float in death forever, with error messages. Like my own personal hell. Wait…
Was I in hell?
Oh please no. Don’t tell me that it’s going to tell me all my downloads are stuck at 99% with not enough memory! Eternally watching downloads play out would not be the ideal way to spend, well, eternity. I’d much rather float in black forever.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Rescind previous notification.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
What? The error message? Rescind it?
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Risky Business] has leveled up. It is now level 2.</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Risky Business] has leveled up. It is now level 3.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Risky Business] has leveled up. It is now level 3.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Risky Business] has leveled up. It is now level 3.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Risky Business] has leveled up. It is now level 3.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Risky Business] has leveled up. It is now level 3.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Risky Business] has leveled up. It is now level 3.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Risky Business] has leveled up. It is now level 3.
</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Risky Business] has leveled up. It is now level 3. [Risky Business] has evolved to [Lifetime Gambler]. It is now a trait.
</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Lifetime Gambler] has activated.</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Lifetime Gambler] has revealed… Secret Trait: [Life System].</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Lifetime Gambler] has activated.</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Life System] has evolved to [World’s Voice].</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Lifetime Gambler] has revealed… Locked Skill: [Phylogeny].</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Lifetime Gambler] has unlocked [Phylogeny].</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[World’s Voice] has overridden [Corpse Hatching].</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Corpse Hatching] has combined with [Phylogeny]. Opportunity unlocked: [Mutamorphosis].</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[World’s Voice] has taken Opportunity: [Mutamorphosis].</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
Then the pain returned.
“AAAGH!” I screamed as it poured through my body, suddenly stronger than before. It was as though it had returned with a vengeance, like the dam that had held it back before burst, freeing the build-up behind it.
What…?
My brain was too scrambled to read what was happening and fully comprehend. Pain coursed through me, distracting me from too much thought.
Did I die?
Then, why did it hurt?
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You have leveled up.</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are affected by [Saravani’s Wish].</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are near death!!! [1/100].</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Infected].</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Bleeding].</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are near death!!! [1/100].</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Mutamorphosis] activated.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Boxes flew by my face faster than I could see. I got the idea, though. Somehow, I wasn’t dead.
Pain shot through my body again.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
<tbody>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Infected].</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Bleeding].</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You are [Mutamorphing].
</td>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Your [Health] is frozen. [1/100]</td>
</tr>
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">[Saravani’s Wish] has unlocked all locked [Mutamorphosis] options.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The boxes stopped flying past my eyes, and one massive one remained. The pain dissipated, and suddenly I could think clearly. But none of the previous boxes were available for me to read anymore. Only the giant box before me.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
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<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
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<td style="width: 100%">
You have 1000 DNA points to spend.
Choose wisely.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">
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<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Part</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Price</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Source</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Source Tier</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Jaw</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Chomper</td>
<td style="width: 25%">D</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Talon</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Scythe</td>
<td style="width: 25%">E</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Spike</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Turanta</td>
<td style="width: 25%">S</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Tail</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Wanra</td>
<td style="width: 25%">F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Blade</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Wanra</td>
<td style="width: 25%">F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Horn</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Jungle Tunneler</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Mandible</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Jungle Tunneler</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Carapace</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Jungle Tunneler</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Stinger</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Jungle Stinger</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Feather</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Deotrexaptor</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Fur</td>
<td style="width: 25%">50</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Servus, Apex Stalker</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Arm</td>
<td style="width: 25%">100</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Melira</td>
<td style="width: 25%">S</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Leg</td>
<td style="width: 25%">100</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Melira</td>
<td style="width: 25%">S</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Excretion</td>
<td style="width: 25%">100</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Jungle Stinger</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Thumb</td>
<td style="width: 25%">100</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Meler</td>
<td style="width: 25%">D</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Cup</td>
<td style="width: 25%">100</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Stalker</td>
<td style="width: 25%">E</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Bone</td>
<td style="width: 25%">100</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Amron</td>
<td style="width: 25%">B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Removable</td>
<td style="width: 25%">200</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Turanta</td>
<td style="width: 25%">S</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Mimicry</td>
<td style="width: 25%">300</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Mimicrist</td>
<td style="width: 25%">E</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Sight</td>
<td style="width: 25%">300</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Visionary</td>
<td style="width: 25%">A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Pack Tactics</td>
<td style="width: 25%">300</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Deotrexaptor</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Hunger</td>
<td style="width: 25%">300</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Devourer</td>
<td style="width: 25%">D</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Energy Manipulation</td>
<td style="width: 25%">400</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Naturalist</td>
<td style="width: 25%">F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Metachrosis</td>
<td style="width: 25%">400</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Stalker</td>
<td style="width: 25%">E</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Aura Control</td>
<td style="width: 25%">500</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Visionary</td>
<td style="width: 25%">A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Magic Ability</td>
<td style="width: 25%">500</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Naturalist</td>
<td style="width: 25%">F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Natural Blend</td>
<td style="width: 25%">600</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Naturalist</td>
<td style="width: 25%">F</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Size</td>
<td style="width: 25%">600</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Child Devourer</td>
<td style="width: 25%">D</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Intelligence</td>
<td style="width: 25%">700</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Servus, Apex Stalker</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 25%">Separation</td>
<td style="width: 25%">1000</td>
<td style="width: 25%">Kandaka, Queen</td>
<td style="width: 25%">---</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
As I read the last option on the list, a light turned on in the darkness. There, lying before me, as a perfect mirror of myself, was a wound-ridden dinosaur corpse. Thick puncture marks bleeding profusely showed where I’d been stabbed.
Everywhere, basically.
But the blood was frozen, and the dino didn’t move. Everything was completely stationary.
Was this… No. It couldn’t be.
Did the game change just for me? Or was I hallucinating in death?
No, the image was too vivid for me to possibly have imagined. Perhaps this hell had found a new way of tormenting me: hope.
Well, Hell, if this is your best option for torture, then I’ve gotta say, I’m not impressed.
But, on building a dino? Don’t mind if I do!
After all, I’m a gamer, and I couldn''t turn this opportunity down. I grinned as I pulled the dinosaur corpse towards me. It operated just like that game, the one I was so familiar with from years of playing and designing different organisms.
And if it was real? Heh. I was about to bring this world its day of reckoning.
Guess there''s only one thing left to say… I’ve got dino blood, and a thousand DNA!!!