'It has already been a whole month?'
Cyril's current appearance is completely different from what it used to be a month ago.
His height doubled at the very least and from the cat-sized lizard he used to be, now he looks more like a Siberian husky-sized lizard.
But the size change was nothing compared to the changes within his body, he reached the peak of common beasts for both physical and ethereal body.
Not only that, his little but continuous repairs over Zephyr's core showed their results.
Even though Cyril couldn't completely repair it, it has reached the point that it won't start collapsing on its own as soon as it comes out of his spirit.
Even the small cavern that Cyril occupied some time ago was different now…
Its entrance became smaller, only leaving a 2x2 meters (6,56x6,56 ft) large entrance as a wall of compacted earth, bones and rocks blocked the rest of the entrance.
However, what made this day special was something else… The time for his first evolution has come!
After considering all of his options and consulting Zephyr's data regarding evolutions, he concluded that he must evolve… Now.
Cyril didn't know much about beasts' evolutions… Or better, almost every human knows close to nothing about evolutions.
However, he knew a few important things that made him take this decision.
1- The more energy a creature has when it evolves, the greater the improvement will be.
2- The energy needed to trigger the evolution process increases exponentially as the beast becomes older.
Meaning, the younger the evolving beast is, the less energy will be wasted for triggering the evolution… Which allows the evolving beast to dedicate more energy to the evolution process.
3- Usually, a beast tends to follow its ancestors' steps… But in some rare cases, evolving beasts can change their evolutionary route and create brand new species.
4- The stronger its ancestors are, the harder it will be to change the evolutionary route.
Cyril didn't know what his ancestors were, but he was sure that they couldn't be anything impressive…
After all, no descendant of powerful races would be born as a common beast.
For those reasons, Cyril entered his cave, sealed it with a few pre-prepared materials and laid in a comfortable position.
At first, nothing happened, he didn't know how to trigger the evolution…
However, after trying to improve his body without any result for some time… he felt a reaction.
It was coming from his spirit, but even though at first, it was barely noticeable, it became more and more evident after each passing minute.
A few minutes later, his spirit shone in a blinding golden light as Cyril was forced to close his eyes.
After reopening them, however, he wasn't in his cave anymore.
A white and golden world welcomed him.
He could only see those two colours… he couldn't even see himself anymore.
However, while he couldn't see his body, he could feel that he somehow existed and could move, the only difference was that he felt as if his body became something like a ball.
As he analyzed the situation curiously, a black whirlpool appeared in front of him before transforming into his body.
It looked exactly like his body in the outside world and was looking at Cyril disdainfully as if being a superior creature.
However, as this creature's energy started to move, Cyril realized what was going on.
This creature was controlling his evolution.
'Like hell I will let you do it…'
Cyril's aura exploded forth, crashing into the creature that collapsed onto the ground and felt like suffocating as it gave up any resistance in just a few seconds.
Even Cyril was surprised by this outcome… 'Controlling your evolution was supposed to be difficult?'
As he pondered about it, another thing appeared in his vision… A ball, or to be more precise, Zephyr's formation core.
The ball was still a little damaged, and a few cracks could be seen on its surface, however, it was definitely more efficient and useful than the piece of floating scraps that it was a month ago.
The ball touched his body and they somehow fused, at that moment, Cyril's aura skyrocketed once again as the poor creature directly fainted, leaving Cyril in total control.
Cyril didn't understand how it was even possible, but the time for the evolution was limited and precious, he couldn't afford to waste it simply because something unexpected happened.
Cyril's brain and Zephyr's spirit processors worked in sync as they dedicated themselves to maximise the gains from this evolution.
As for what Cyril wanted to evolve into… He only needed an instant before the image of a friend's figure emerged from his memory… Thus, he happily continued his evolution.
- - - - -
Meanwhile, in a distant inhospitable land…
The blood-coloured light shone over the scorched land as always…
Dark toxic clouds could be seen in the distance as acid rained down endlessly.
The rivers of lava-like liquid slowly flowed as the surrounding area burned and generated even more toxic smoke…
The starving three-eyed condors happily ate putrid carcasses of disgusting abominations.
However, even in this environment, life forms prospered… somehow.
In this land, there was an old castle surrounded by a ruined city…
Between the ruined buildings, only the walls and other defence facilities were undamaged.
As for the old castle, it stood tall without any apparent damage even though any passers-by would swear that the castle seems to be on the brink of collapsing…
Within the throne room of the castle, a skeleton sat on the throne as six of his subordinates stood on the sides of the room and reported about the situation one after another…
The skeleton on the throne was wearing a set of full-plate jet-black armour, his bones were snow-white, and he didn't seem to be paying any attention to the reports of his subordinates…
As he played with the helmet in his hands, the dark flames floating within his eye sockets flickered from time to time.
At that moment, a female human-looking being was talking.
"The Zuidenland mercenary group has successfully taken control of the Blackwood region… They will start to set up the defensive structures within 5 days at most..."
She paused for a second and narrowed her eyes for a second, but soon after, her crimson eyes lit up as she continued her report.
"...However, the Skepinheim mercenary group has almost finished setting up their defences, if we send some of them to help the Zuidenland mercenary group, they should be able to start within 3 days."
The skeleton on the throne nodded and looked toward the only person that has yet to talk… A black skeleton wearing a black robe with crimson embroidery.
Seeing his master's gaze, the skeleton started talking with a hoarse voice "I haven't received any news from the royal city… It seems like the nobles over there don't care about us anymore or they have more important things to deal with…
Leaving the royal city and getting some distant poor territory for ourselves has been the right move… We should be able to silently increase our strength for some time.
At least for now, it looks like we have still a few days left to live"
Hearing that skeleton's words, the white skeleton on the throne stopped playing with his helmet and talked with a young adult human-like voice that no one would ever imagine coming from a skeleton.
"Old man, stop being so pessimistic, everything is going as planned and you shouldn't say things like this again before somethi-"
He stopped talking as a pillar of crimson light interrupted him as it descended from the sky, pierced the roof of the throne room and fell just in front of the throne.
An ethereal giant winged eye materialized within the pillar and started talking arrogantly without caring about anyone within the throne room.
"Royal decree from the king of this underworld's region, Huleck Ark'tall!
The nameless leader of the Eternal night mercenary group has to obey the ruler's will even at the cost of its insignificant life.
Return to the royal capital within 7 days to undergo a magic energy-base change.
If you are lucky enough to survive, cross the gates of hell and return to the mortals' universe.
Reach the so-called "Forgotten continent", subjugate the undead inhabiting that area and take full control of the continent.
After becoming their ruler, lead the undead and conquer a foothold in one of the other continents for the underworld.
After doing this little mission, our magnanimous king won't even strip your unworthy self of the higher grade magic energy base and will even grant you a true name.
If you dare to not answer to your ruler's summon or if you were to fail such an easy mission… Hmph, you can already imagine what would happen. "
After delivering the message, the messenger disappeared alongside the pillar of light into thin air.
After a few seconds of silence, the white skeleton's frustrated voice echoed in the throne room. "Old man… If you continue seeking death like this, I would be more than happy to grant you eternal rest, you know?"
Soon, the black skeleton replied embarrassed while skillfully avoiding his master's gaze and admiring the structure of the ceiling. "Now, now, I'm sure my wise master has a better way to utilize these old bones of mine, right?"
The skeleton on the throne stood up and walked out of the throne room leaving one last order behind as a chilling aura enveloped the surroundings "I want to see the other mercenary groups' leaders within 3 days"
The dark-blue heavy metal door shut with a bang after he left.
As for his remaining subordinates within the hall… They were dispirited as they stared at the black skeleton with complicated expressions…