As a tiny , innocent looking rabbit, Salazar approached and jumped into the wagon that contained the crates full of magical crystals.
Using assimilation, he directly devoured an entire crate in his excitement.
[ A starter has been introduced into the body. Would the host like to begin the evolution process ]
What kind of question is that [VOD]. Of course you should start. Like right now.
[Affirmative. Evolution will begin. ]
Salazar couldn't stop shaking from his excitement. Would he finally move past this stupid form. Would he get a human form. How powerful would he get. He just had to know.
[ There are two main evolutionary paths available to the host. ]
Huh , what's this.
[ They're bloodline upgrade and variancy]
Hmmm , now where have I heard that term before. Variancy, variancy... the three eyed Centipede queen. That's the monster type she called me. I haven't thought about this since the moment she died , but could it actually be important.
[VOD] what's the difference between the two evolutions.
Ignoring the noise from the fight going outside, he saw a chance to learn.
[ Answer : A bloodline upgrade is a species evolution. Upon selection of this more , the host would evolve from a Mudman into a mudelder - an higher level of existence with its attendant advantages.
[As a mudelder , the host would gain over 500 years of lifespan and would get an earth attributed skill after 45 years, as well as the ability to rebound attacks. ]
Salazar cocked an eyebrow in surprise. I didn't know that mudmen could become so powerful. A skill would be born ever 45 years; a lifespan of 500 years.
Shivers run thorough, well his body , considering he didn't have a spine. Well it makes sense for mudmen to become so strong after evolution. The weaker the existence at the beginning the more powerful they would be if they manage to grow. Take humanity as an example. From simple monkeys into the rulers of earth. Now that's a nice upgrade.
Shaking his head to clear it , he asked for info on the second evolution process.
[ Variancy is an attribute awakening type evolution. Monsters who are capable of going through this evolution would have a bright future and have the chance of becoming kings. This evolution is recommended for the host. ]
That got Salazar thinking. The bloodline upgrade seemed more promising than the Variancy. After all , he was a weak mudman, the lowest level creature alive. The fact that he'd been able to survive this long was because of his heightened intelligence and his assimilation skill. Even then , he'd almost died several times during this past year alone.
Although variancy would bring him long term benefits, he'd needed short term ones if he wanted to live. Immediately after he evolved , he'd find a nice place to rest and then hibernate for a hundred years or so. Al least until he got his first skill.
With a chuckle , he was just about to select species upgrade when he received another notice as if the system was reading his intentions.
[The variancy evolution is recommended if the host is to become the Monster king. If the host chooses anything else , it would be impossible for it to complete the lifelong quest and as such , it will die. ]
Holy s*it. He immediately shut up.
Now that was close. I almost died.
He gulped and stared at the new set of letters floating before him , and felt resentment at this lifelong quest. Why couldn't he have been reborn as a nice , ignorant little monster. Or more preferable as a human who'd lost all his memories. That would've been perfect. Instead....
How's not the time to dwell on such things.
Ok. I chose variancy.
[Host has chosen the variancy upgrade. The host will now evolve into a golem. ]
...what's that.
Before he could get a response a hot feeling engulfed him, and it grew in intensity with each passing moment , such that in a few seconds he was already shrieking from the pain. Luckily the noise of battle drowned it out or else he would've been discovered by now.
Please be over soon...
...
Erick Nightshade was the A rank leader of the adventurer party -Epsilon , which was contracted to the Skyless Prison guild.
He was a stocky man with blonde hair and a bushy mustache - a warrior who liked to fight with a mace and specialized in reinforcement and fire magic.
He had been in the industry for many , many years and had fought hundreds of monsters, survived countless beast waves and even conquered a dungeon or two. In short , he was one of the most experienced A ranked adventurers around.
But even he couldn't and would not , believe what he was hearing right now. The guild leader - Matthew Lockheart - a tall skinny man who always wore a business suit and smoked a pipe looked at him with impassive and guiltless eyes.
" You heard me. I require you and your team to go into the Border dungeon and clear it within 10 years. Failure to do so means -"
"Yeah , yeah I heard you the first time. But boss man , you can't be serious about this are you. That place is one of the hardest dungeons to beat in the human world and I hear that it was created by Agnes Kai.
"And it connects to the other side - the monster continent. No human who has ever crossed over has made it back. Even the seven kings and four tribe chiefs haven tried. They're too scared. And you expect me to lead my group through it. Are you insane.
Lock heart frowned and a massive amount of aura slowly revealed itself. It was so intense that the entire four stories apartment building they were on started trembling.
" Just because you work for me doesn't mean you get to talk to me like this. And you are going, even if I have to force you. "
"N-no, " Erick trembled from the force that pressed down on him. He felt like he was being squeezed. It was as if he knew that if he continued to endure this force, he'd be squeezed to death.
"W-we could resign. My team could terminate the contract that binds as to your guild. "
Lockheart scoffed ," Like that would change anything. You can't run or hide from me. My connections are everywhere, I'd easily find you within a year. "
A cruel grin appeared on his face ," And after torturing you for your insubordination, I'd throw you and your team back into the dungeon. You can't escape this. "
Erick , a grown 40 year old man felt like crying. Lockheart saw his expression and sighed as his aura left him. " Look. I know this sounds impossible , but just clear the freaking dungeon. Once you reach the other side , send me a holo call and we'll get you back here through an artificial gate. All you have to do is survive , got it. "
Erick slowly nodded , but the weariness in his eyes didn't decrease in the slightest. " Plus , this mission comes from above. Even I cannot defy it. "
Lockheart clenched his fists. "Despite my influnce and power , even I can't defy one of the seven kings. If you don't succeed..... just don't fail ok. "
Erick nodded as he slowly stood. "One last question. Why me?"
Lockheart quirked an eyebrow. "Why you ask. It's because you're the best. Now get out and get ready. I expect you to be out there fighting for your life with the month. "