The dead spider lay sprawled on the cave floor, its thick legs curled inward in a final death spasm. Ares forced himself upright, limbs aching.

  Then, the realization hit him.

  He had to eat this thing.

  His stomach churned at the thought. But survival didn’t care about comfort. If he didn’t eat, he’d collapse from exhaustion and blood loss.

  System: [Energy reserves low. Nutrient intake required]

  He exhaled sharply. “Fine.”

  Grimacing, he reached for the soft tissue beneath the exoskeleton, peeling back the outer shell. The flesh was… stringy, almost gelatinous, but he bit down anyway. The taste was metallic, bitter. He forced himself to swallow.

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  System: [Analyzing foreign protein composition… Processing…]

  A dull warmth spread through his body. Not pleasant, but… noticeable. His exhaustion seemed to fade slightly.

  System: [Structural proteins detected—high-density chitin and keratin-binding compounds. Potential adaptive properties identified]

  Ares perked up. “You can use this?”

  System: [Chitin-based exoskeleton unsuitable for direct integration. Adjusting biochemical pathway… Seeking alternative synthesis…]

  He waited, heart pounding. Then—

  System: [Solution identified—Keratin fortification. Cross-linking keratin fibers for increased tensile strength. Estimated durability increase: 30%]

  Ares ran a hand over his bare skin. It still felt like skin, but… denser, tougher. The system wasn’t just changing him—it was enhancing what he already had.

  But that wasn’t all.

  System: [Additional function available—Material synthesis. Reconstructing external chitin structure for protective covering]

  Before he could react, a faint tingling sensation spread over his body. The system was repurposing the toughest spider fragments, reinforcing them into a flexible, armor-like covering.

  Slowly, a dark, layered material formed over his skin.

  It wasn’t clothing. It wasn’t an exoskeleton. It was something new—a fusion of human adaptability and predator durability.