The remaining nestling rushed towards it to try and hurt it, but like their other attempts, it was in vain. The nestlings were set ablaze as it came near. The beast, which towered a few feet above the burning nestling, looked down on it and stepped on it.
The rat which was under the beast remained safe from its scorching heat. It raised its head and looked at the Butcher straight into its compound eyes and declared.
"This rat killed my master, Jack! Only I have the right to kill him! If you dare come and intervene, I shall show you what hell feels like!"
...
...
Meanwhile, within the system...
Kuff! Kuff! Kuff! As the sensation of everything flooded, the air felt suffocating yet soothing at the same time.
Did I die? Where am I? White filled everything that my eyes laid upon. The only thing that made sure that I wasn't blind was the occasional darkening of my vision. I quickly looked down towards my body and found my rat body was still present.
Zzzzzzzzmmmmm...
A steady humming sound resonated in an unknown direction. I followed the sound with curiosity guiding me, and just a few moments later, a floating prism appeared a few feet above the ground.
What is that?
「Identifying Candidate」
「Candidate #2021 Identified...」
「Evolution procedures commencing...」
「Welcome to the system's inner workings...」
The familiar dialogue which I've always seen pop up magically in front of me was nowhere to be seen. Still, the familiar voice resounded within the prism vividly.
「The candidate has chosen an evolution path...」
「Error.」
「Candidate has chosen an evolution path without proper information...」
「Evolution procedures halted.」
「Prompting the candidate to select an evolution path...」
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
「Evolution Options」
「Adult Blight Rat」
「Adult Blight Rat (Variant)」
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
「Rare Evolution Options:」(Pre-requisites required)
「Adult Blight Rat (Variant)」(Unlocked)
「Plague-touched Infant Blight Rat」(Locked)
「Lurking Shadow Infant Blight Rat)」(Unlocked)
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
I didn't know what I chose back then when I was hanging on to dear life, but I needed to choose so that I wouldn't die. Weird, I couldn't help but feel this heavy sensation within me. I kept ignoring it most of the time, but why would it appear now?
This sensation of dread that's always been around me ever since I entered this world won't let me go.
I shook my head and quickly browsed the information of the evolutions I had. Just like always, I need to push it deeper within the recesses of my mind.
「Adult Blight Rat: Blight rats commonly reach adult maturity within their pack but rarely outside of it.
All status growth increased by +0.5, Blight deals increased damage, Size is increased by 150%」
This one was a simple one, just me growing into an adult. I wouldn't count this as an option compared to the other names I saw. I continued skimming.
「Adult Blight Rat (Variant): A unique variation of Blight rat that grew into adulthood. With the terrors and hardships of growing alone and helpless without a pack, this evolution gives the following bonuses:
All status growth increased by +0.75, Blight deals increased damage, Size is increased by 100%, Blight gains the ability to corrode metallic objects.」
Interesting, I'll check the others first before deciding. Now, onto the rare options. Oh? Another variant?
「Adult Blight Rat (Rare Variant): A rare variation of the Blight Rat species, with only a few recorded in history. Death has always loomed beside the Blight Rats, but those who readily fight it gains an edge above all of its kin.
Potency of the Blight skill significantly increased, Size is increased by 100%, Spirit & Cunning status growth increased by 1, Two new abilities will be gained, Keen Senses Enhanced.」
This one looked more enticing than the other two. I was leaning towards this, but there was one more I needed to choose from.
「Plague-touched Infant Blight Rat」(Locked)
No, not that. This one.
「Lurking Shadow Infant Blight Rat: With adept handling of stealth and being an opportunistic killer, the Lurking Shadow Blight Rats are archetypes that work alone, only striking when the kill is certain.
The abilities Ambush & Blight gains bonus synergy, Blight deals devastating damage when paired with ambush, Stealth will be replaced with a new skill, Flee will be replaced with a new skill, Cunning & Power status growth increased by 1, Keen Senses enhanced.」
After reading this, I was in a dilemma to choose between the two rare evolutions. Both of them fit me perfectly. The rare variant gave me an overall power increase, and alongside it were two new abilities that probably complimented it more.
The lurking shadow evolution also gave me an overall power increase, even bonus growth to my measly power attribute gain. More so, it even complimented my fighting style as well.
I need to think about this thoroughly. Honestly, I'm leaning towards the second option, but those two new abilities were making me curious. With the lurking shadow evolution, I'll gain more killing potential, and more importantly, I'll be able to have better chances of escaping.
Remembering the sensation from just a moment ago with my limbs being cut and being eaten alive made the heavy feeling within me even heavier. I need to do something about this in the future, or else I'll go insane.
Alright, I'll choose the second option.
「You have chosen the Lurking Shadow Infant Blight Rat Evolution...」
「You have 11 Unspent status points would you like to use them in enhancing your evolution?」
Oh yeah, I forgot about those. I didn't know what status to add them to, so I just let them sit there. I guess saving them till evolution was a good option.
Yes.
「Calculating the effects of 11 status points...」
「Calculation processed...」
「Showing status points enhancements...」
「The candidate is free to choose」
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
「Size increase」(10% per stat point)
「Keen Senses Level up」( 6 stat points )
「New attribute: Luck」( 30 stat points )
「Mana sensory Ability」(5 stat points)
「System Map」(1 stat point)
「Tracking Ability」(7 stat points)
「Blight Level up」( 30 stat points )
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
The options showed were really good. Very good, in fact, but I only had 11 status points.
Alright, I know which to choose already.
「Mana sensory Ability」and 「System Map」with that I only have 5 points remaining. Should I spend them all in size increase? I'd have a more extended reach with my tail and have a better physique overall if I chose that.
I decided against it and saved the 5 status points for next time. If there was ever a next time.
「You have chosen「Mana sensory」and 「System Map」」
「6 status points will be deducted. You have 5 status points remaining」
「Evolution is now underway」
「Stealth has been replaced by Shadow Walk」
「Flee has been replaced by Shadow Step」
「Ability changes complete...」
「Processing Physical Changes...」
I stared at the floating prism above me as I waited for the following line to appear. It's taking longer than usual. I wonder what's happening in the real world right now.
As I finished that thought, the unfamiliar voice resonated within my mind.
Who was that? I thought it was Elizabeth at first because of its hulking figure, but when it spoke, it wasn't Elizabeth's voice but someone else's. It was claiming that I was its prey. Does that mean I've already been killed?
No, I wouldn't be here if that's the case. Then what was it doing? I couldn't help but dread about the situation outside my consciousness. Elizabeth and Kon, did they reach me yet? Dammit, I need to wake up soon.
A sudden thought occurred to me, and I pieced together who that person was with that thought. With the realization coming to me, the system also reassured me I had the right idea.
「Bounty Trial has commenced」
「A candidate who has sworn allegiance to "Jack the Ripper" has located you.」
「Rewards will be distributed after the encounter...」
The past, which was already dead, has come back with an unknown foe. It will be another near-death fight. I need to wake up quickly! If I was still aware here, then my body is guaranteed to be alive out there!
「Physical changes will now be applied...」
「The system has detected the candidate to be in a state of panic」
「Candidate's consciousness will now be forcibly put to stasis to avoid detrimental effects」
And with that dialogue, everything faded to black once more.
...
...
...
Tahk. Tahk. Tahk.
"Kon! What's wrong?!" Elizabeth asked hurriedly as they ran towards Vaeden who's status to them was unknown.
"Burning....I...smeelllsss...burninnggg..." Kon replied, worried that its precious toxin-producing rat would be dead by now.
"Didn't you say there were only butchers there?! How are they even awake at this time?!" Elizabeth asked with surprise as different variables suddenly appeared.
"Dont...knowww...alll...I...know...raaat...in...daanger...must...help..." Kon replied in a monotone.
"Coil onto my arm! Now!" Elizabeth shouted, her horns glowing a menacing green as the trees around her way began to part.
Kon, scared of Elizabeth's distress, hurriedly coiled onto her arm and held on tightly.
"We're coming."
Both of them thought simultaneously.