Reincarnated in Douluo Dalu as a Spirit Beast

As Darius padded through the dense underbrush, the weight of his new reality continued to settle in. His thoughts raced, but the thrill of the hunt kept him focused. His instincts were no longer those of a confused human, but of a sleek predator, attuned to the primal rhythms of the world around him. Every sound, every scent, every movement was a clue, a piece of the puzzle he now had to solve. He was no longer just an ordinary office worker; he was a beast in a world where power and survival went hand in hand.

The voice of the Evolution System echoed in his mind again, this time more insistent.

"Evolution Status: 0.5/1.0. Additional soul energy required."

The rabbit he had slain had been small, barely enough to give him a fraction of what he needed. But it was a start. He needed more. Much more.

He continued to move, his sleek black form cutting through the jungle with quiet precision. His senses were more attuned than ever before. The vibrant colors of the plants no longer seemed strange—everything felt... alive, interconnected. He could hear the distant calls of creatures, some unknown, some predatory. The forest was full of life, and every life form was a potential target, or at least a source of soul energy.

It didn't take long before he encountered something larger.

Through the trees, he spotted a creature, a towering beast with muscular limbs and scales that shimmered in the dim light. It resembled a giant lizard, with sharp claws and a long, sinuous tail. The creature was grazing on the low-growing plants, oblivious to Darius's presence. His eyes locked onto the beast, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

Target acquired.

His body tensed, every muscle coiling like a spring. Darius had no experience as a predator, no training in hunting, but his instincts guided him. The Evolution System's voice hummed faintly in his mind, but it was background noise compared to the primal urge to hunt. His claws flexed in anticipation, his body lowering into a crouch. He wasn't sure what would happen next, but he knew one thing for certain: he couldn't afford to hesitate.

The lizard-like creature lifted its head suddenly, as though sensing something. Its eyes narrowed as it sniffed the air, and Darius froze. He held his breath, blending into the shadows of the forest. A predator's patience was just as important as its speed.

Minutes passed, or what felt like minutes, before the creature lowered its head again and resumed feeding. Darius saw his chance. He surged forward, moving faster than he thought possible, his paws barely making a sound against the moss-covered ground. As he closed the distance, he pushed off the ground with all his might, launching himself at the creature's unprotected side.

Claws sank into tough scales, but the lizard was faster than Darius anticipated. With a powerful hiss, it whipped its tail around, knocking Darius back. The impact sent him sprawling, but the force of it barely registered compared to the adrenaline coursing through him. He was already on his feet again, growling low in his throat.

The lizard creature hissed again, turning to face Darius with its jagged teeth bared. It was strong, undoubtedly, but Darius was not about to back down. He could feel the energy he'd collected from the rabbit pulsing within him, fueling his determination.

Evolution Path: Carnivorous Evolution. Unlock by consuming sufficient soul energy. Targeting larger prey will provide greater rewards.

The System's voice wasn't a distraction now—it was a reminder. This was what he was meant to do. He wasn't just a survivor in this world; he was meant to grow stronger, to evolve.

The lizard's claws slashed at him, but Darius was quicker this time. He darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, and in one smooth motion, he lashed out, sinking his claws into the creature's exposed flank. The creature roared in pain and swiped back, but Darius was already circling, positioning himself for another strike.

The battle was brutal and relentless. Darius's new body, while not as large or powerful as the lizard's, was faster, more agile. Every time the lizard swung its tail or claws, Darius was there, just out of reach, landing quick, sharp strikes that weakened the creature bit by bit.

As the creature began to falter, its movements slower, Darius saw an opening. With a low growl, he launched himself at the creature's throat, his teeth sinking deep into its flesh. The lizard howled in pain, but it was no use. Darius held on, locking his jaws tight as the creature collapsed beneath him.

For a moment, everything was still.

Darius's breath came in short bursts, his heart pounding with the thrill of the kill. He had done it. The beast was down. And with it, his prize: soul energy.

"Soul Energy Collected: 3.2 units. Evolution progress: 3.7/5.0."

Darius stepped back, letting the lizard's body slump to the ground. He could feel the surge of energy coursing through him, his muscles twitching, his senses even sharper than before. The world around him seemed brighter, more vivid. He could already feel the changes in his body—the familiar ache of growth.

But there was no time to savor the victory.

The jungle was alive with movement. Darius wasn't alone. He'd made noise. The creatures of this world would come.

The System's voice echoed in his mind once more.

"Warning: Host has attracted the attention of surrounding creatures. Recommended action: Flee or prepare for combat."

Darius hesitated for only a moment before making a decision.

He wasn't ready to face a pack of unknown predators. Not yet. He had to evolve further. Grow stronger.

With one last glance at the fallen lizard, Darius turned and sprinted deeper into the jungle, the sounds of distant howls already reaching his ears.

This world was brutal, but it was also full of potential. And Darius knew that if he wanted to survive, he had to adapt—quickly.

He wasn't just a panther now. He was something more. Something dangerous. And he was going to get stronger. He had no other choice.