'I-'
'Oh...'
'Wha-'
My face was blank as I read the orange rectangles, popping up, one after the other. The first pop-up was instead a bright yellow colour, standing out from the rest, I couldn't take my eyes off it.
[ Your evolution has completed, expand Status? ]
Memories of almost starving to death, being chased by giant lizards, spatula wielding chef's and even a killer Dryad assassin played in my mind.
Finally.
I was no longer just an easy meal.
This...this is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.
'UUWWWAAAAAA YES! YES YES YES YES!!!!'
"YEECHI YEECHI YE YEY YE YE YE Y EY YE YE YYEY", I unknowingly chirped as I celebrated, it still sounded embarrassing but I could care less at the moment; I was stronger! I had evolved! I had broken through the constraints of my previous body and damned Earth's logic, screw you Darwin!
'Yes! Open status please Mr.S!'
The status interface popped up once again, this time it was noticeably shorter than before
{STATUS}
•Race: Magical Beast (KRYPTID enhancement)
•Species: HYBRID (Pallidi/Caelestin Chick)
[HYBRID information incomplete]
[Expand information on Pallidi Chick?]
[Expand information on Caelestin Chick?]
[Abilities: 5]
• Patented Resurrection
• High Magic Affinity
• Transform
• Night Vision
• Gluttonous Murder
[Active Buffs Amount : 1]
• Protection of the Mother Hen (Temporary, 3 months) : Bearing the blood of a powerful C+ Class Magical Beast, if danger is encountered within a 10 km radius of the Mother Hen, she is alerted and will come to your rescue.
[Would you like to extend {status} screen to show your power levels?]
'No power levels yet! Expand information on Pallidi and Caelestin Chicks!'
I could feel my increased strength the very moment the shock ran through me; but my fascination with evolution trumped the number's I'd see there.
[ Pallidi Chick ]
[-> A creature born with the intent and will to destroy those who may be unfortunate enough to oppose it, have a vision that strays from the beings own one or lightly annoys it. The beast's death seeking habits cause it to rapidly rise to power or prematurely die in the fangs of a much stronger foe, it's small size contrasts with it's immense ambition. This evolutionary pathway is only unlocked when the Chick causes an extreme amount of pain in their previous evolutionary stage and it is likely that the capability to cause such pain will continue on in the creature, no matter how far evolved they are. It recommended that KRYPTID's stray away from those who have passed through this stage. The meat has an earthy, umami flavour which those of higher class appreciate; Hen's with the predisposition to birth Pallidi Chick's are kept in stables to farm the offspring. The meat is soft and tender when roasted over a fire and extremely nutritious, often served skewered in noble birthday parties as an appetiser]
[ Caelestin Chick ]
[-> ??? ]
'...'
'I have no words'
I went from a tasty adventurer's snack which requires no flavouring to birthday party food for rich people, should I laugh, cry, or curse the heavens? I don't know. The whole "evil villain" schtik worried me but as long as I kept trying to do the good thing whenever I could... it should work out right?
The Caelestin chick's information was yet again filled with mystery, this just made me more glad I was given the option of choosing a hybrid pathway as opposed to picking one; I was still unsure as to why that happened but there were more pressing matters now.
'Just... forget the appetiser thing for now.. system, explain the abilities to me!'
• Patented Resurrection ( Will activate when available )
• High Magic Affinity (Mana easier to shape and form to your own will)
• Transform ( Temporary race change )
• Night Vision ( Vision better at night )
• Gluttonous Murder ( More soul power extracted when killing )
' ˚∆˚ '
'A-amazing...'
This day just keep better and better . All of these were hugely valuable and were sure to help me progress, there were two I was especially interested in... but only one that leaped up out of the interface and took my by the throat, begging me to use it right this instant. I unconsciously started hopping up and down due to excitement.
'SYSTEM! USE TRANSF-'
No, no.. not yet.
My terrifying mother's still here, if I changed in front of her I couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't immediately crush me; the risk was too high. I wanted to see if I could change into a human and then rush back to the oasis and give Ol' Raph a hug, but I guess that'll have to wait.
My heart had never been as full as it was right now, my hopes for the future were high!
'Expand power levels!'
[Showing PL (power level) now]
Rank D-
• HP : 3.5/3.5
• Attack : 1.7/1.7
• Constitution : 2.4/2.4
• Dexterity : 4.0
• Wisdom : 5.4
• Intelligence : 7.0
• Magic Power : 6.0/6.0
• Spirit Power : 51.3/51.3
'It's... less?! Why is it less?!'
'Explain Mr.S!'
[ Power level's are measured with respect to the beast's rank, when increasing rank one's power levels may decrease ]
'Is there anyway we could... go back to the old numbers?'
[ No ]
Damn, I got a lot of undeserved confidence seeing a "513" whenever I opened up my power levels... guess I'll have to go back to feeling like a rat for a little bit more, never-mind! I'll get stronger and feel like a badass soon enough!
'Can you explain more about 'Patented Resurrection maybe?'
[ All available information has been provided ]
'Well, there's a limit to even your genius huh Mr.S?'
[ Question unable to be answered ]
'I'd really appreciate some rapport with you Mr.S! You're kind of like my first friend!'
No orange interface popped up. I see how it is Mr.S.
Seeing all of this fantastic information had put in in a great mood, I wish I had a proper mouth to smile with or at least a semi-malleable beak.
My mood was killed however when a loud screech was emitted by my mother, soon followed by her red talon piercing the Dryad's throat.