Chapter 5 - Ash

I wake up from a long slumber after choosing to become an Ashen Maggot. It seems like my theory that when a species 'evolves' they go back to Level 1 unlike abilities. Also you pass out when evolving. Yeah that trope is here.

It has been a while so I finally decide to check my status. I think clearly in my head.

STATUS!

[Status:

Species: Ashen Maggot

Lv 1

HP: 10/20

MP: 0/5

Strength: 7

Armor: 15

Speed: 1

Skills: Leech Lv 5, Acid Vomit Lv 5, Crawling Lv 2, Ashen Armor Lv 4

Skill Points: 4]

A LOT HAS HAPPENED HERE!

First of all, I have more than 0 MP. Although I don't have any magic abilities I still have 5 MP. I may be able to get some maggot magic.

Second, I have Ashen Armor Lv 4. I guess this makes sense given the fact that I am an Ashen Maggot. I wish I could see myself to see what this armor looks like but I am still an eyeless maggot.

My Max HP and Armor got huge buffs but I guess that is to be expected from gaining armor made of ash.

I check the skill ashen armor.

[Ashen Armor: Skill typical to ashen monsters. Surrounds monster with an armor made of ash that absorbs heat.]

Checking that skill was useless because it was obvious what it did, but I did it anyway.

Also, I have also been getting a skill point every level. Let's hope I can learn some new skills.

Let's try this again.

S K I L L M E N U!!!

[Available Skills: Ash Magic(1 skill point), Appraisal(1 skill point), Armor Up(1 skill point)]

I finnally have some skills to choose from.

Thank.

God.

I check Ash Magic.

[Magic that creates ash]

It seems useless but I am sure I can use it well in the future. So I choose it.

[Learned Ash Magic Lv 1]

Well, HP and MP weren't restored upon evolving so I can't use that now.

Appraisal is self explanatory. It checks opponents. Usually the first rule in battle is 'know thy opponent'. But that's boring. I don't need it right now. Plus I can't see so how am I supposed to use Appraisal on what I can't see? Also why wasn't I able to get appraisal earlier?

I ignore Appraisal for now.

Next I check 'Armor Up'.

[Armor Up: Temporarily increases armor by an amount equivalent to the level of Armor Up for 10 minutes]

That seems useful if I level it up so I get it.

[Learned Armor Up Lv 1]

Ok I should have 2 skill points I can use for later. I don't want to waste skill points on something useless like appraisal.

Look I know how much people say appraisal is useful because without it you don't know how strong your opponent is. But that takes the fun out of guessing how strong someone is. Your expectations can be subverted. Also what happens if someone hides their status? That means I wasted an entire skill point on something that can be easily negated.

No thank you.

I seem to be much stronger now but I have a long way to go. Ashen Maggot was the best choice in my opinion because I would rather have environmental resistance than flight.

Now that I have completed the tedious process of evolution its time to fight some maggots!

I squirm around for a while and I find no maggots.

[Crawling has reached Lv 3]

At least there's that.

It looks like most of the maggots are either dead or flies.

I am late to the party!

This is quite unfortunate.

I can't stay here forever.

Plus I am hungry.

How am I supposed to eat and grow now?