While she let Rejoke carry her, Aurora decided to check out the rest of the things she got for defeating the rank 1 snake. Not only did she get a new equipment item, she also got a new title.
'Let's start with this thing first.' She looked down at her paw, which held the simple necklace, and with a single thought, the necklace disappeared and appeared on her neck.
[Equipment:
...
- Necklace: Poison Fang Necklace
...
...
- Ring 1: Ring of Iron Defense
- Ring 2: Stone Breaker Ring
...
[Total stat boost:
- Health: 10
- Intelligence: 20
- Mana: 0
- Strength: 20
- Agility: 15
- Defense: 15
[Total affinity boost:
- Earth: Slight increase
- Poison: Slight increase
'15 points into agility and 20 into intelligence!?' Aurora's eyes went wide in surprise as she stared at the screen before her.
She had high expectations for this necklace. Since it was an accessory from a rank 1 monster, she expected it to be at least as strong as the one she got from the worm.
However, she didn't at all expect that it would be just what she was looking for. Not only was it stronger than the Stone Breaker Ring, it boosted exactly the stats she needed the most.
Her magical stats were lagging behind her physical stats, with the exception of agility, which was just as low. But just this single necklace solved most of the problems regarding her stats.
'I just need something to increase my mana, and I'll be good to go. Still, just this thing alone made me much stronger.' To say that Aurora was excited at the moment would be an understatement.
She was thrilled! Not only did she finally reach level 25, meaning she could evolve, she also got a super-powerful accessory as well as a title she didn't check out yet.
Speaking of the new title, the delighted little fox wasted no time and quickly looked for information about it. She wouldn't even care if the title was really strong; she just wanted to see what it did.
[The Killer of Giants]
– Title given to those who have overcame all the odds and defeated an opponent much stronger than themselves.
[Requirements to obtain the title:
- Defeat a rank 1 enemy while still being in the null rank without any external help or without using any items you yourself haven't created or received by the system.
[Effects:
- Your natural stat growth is increased by 10%, and you also instantly receive +10 points into all your stats.
Upon reading the title's description, Aurora had simply no words. She didn't even know how to react to what she just read.
The title may not be as absurd as the first title she has ever obtained, but in her eyes, it was no less powerful in certain ways.
If she had to say what part of her first title she considered to be the strongest, it would be the ultimate-grade skill it provided her with. All the other effects were a nice bonus, mostly the ice affinity. But they still weren't on the level of her Perfect Mind.
However, the effects of her new title, on the other hand, were something she found to be much more powerful. If she didn't take the skill it gave her into equation, she would definitely say that her Killer of Giants title was much more useful in comparison to her first title.
To the current her, 10 points into all stats was a huge amount. Not to mention the increase in her natural stat growth by 10%. That basically meant 10% more stats from anything except equipment forever.
Any level up, evolution, or anything else that might increase her natural stats would provide her with 10% more points than it normally would. And while that may not be too much at the moment—only three points or so—she was sure that it would slowly stack up.
'Alright, let's calm down a bit, shall we, Aurora?' Taking a deep breath, Aurora slowly exhaled and calmed down her fast-beating heart.
While it was amazing that she just received such a huge jump in strength, she couldn't pay it much attention, not now at least. What she should be focusing on right now was her impending evolution.
'Alright, let's at least check it out before we get back.' Like an excited child about to open up its Christmas presents, Aurora used her newly unlocked system function.
[Evolution]
- Congratulations! You have reached the peak of your current rank and are now allowed to evolve further.
- Please pick your next step in your path from the list below.
[Available evolutions:
- Ice Kitsune
- Blizzard Kitsune
- Undead Kitsune
- Icebloom Kitsune
'I have four choices?' This came off as a surprise to the white fox. Honestly, she expected to only receive one option that she would evolve into, but apparently, she even got to choose.
'Hmmm, I shouldn't choose rashly. Actually, can I see the description of each one?' She thought and tried to see the entries for the four kitsunes. Thankfully, the next moment, four different system windows opened up in front of her eyes.
'This should make the choice-making much easier.' Aurora smiled internally and got to reading.
[Snowstorm Kitsune]
- Rank 1
- Grade: Rare
- Threat level: E
– An evolved form of a Snow Kitsune. Unlike its previous form, this one is much more dangerous due to it being able to use much more advanced magic.
[Evolution requirements:
- Reach level 25
- Has to evolve from a Snow Kitsune
[Blizzard Kitsune]
- Rank 1
- Grade: Rare
- Threat level: E
– A special variant of an evolved Snow Kitsune. It has the ability to cast powerful magic and specializes in status effects.
[Evolution requirements:
- Reach level 25
- Has to evolve from a Snow Kitsune
- Inflict three different debuffs on a single opponent at once.
[Undead Kitsune]
- Rank 1
- Grade: Rare
- Threat level: E+
– A very scarce variation of the kitsune species. They are very special due to their undead properties and high affinity with ice and dark magic.
[Evolution requirements:
- Reach level 25
- Has to evolve from a kitsune with high affinity for ice and darkness.
[Icebloom Kitsune]
- Rank 1
- Grade: Very Rare
- Threat level: D-
– An incredibly powerful rank 1 magical beast. The Icebloom Kitsunes are able to wield much more powerful magic than most beasts of the same rank. They are incredibly rare to find, however, due to the difficulty of becoming one.
[Evolution requirements:
- Reach level 25
- Has to evolve from a Snow Kitsune
- Needs to have at least two basic-grade ice-type skills and a very high affinity and understanding of ice.
'Hmmmm...' Aurora fell deep in thought as she gazed at the four different archive entries. Even if the system didn't provide her with much information on the four kitsunes, it was still enough to force her to think.
However, it didn't take much thinking to see the correct choice when it brightly outshined all the other options.
'The Blizzard Kitsune can go out immediately. Though I use freezes a lot, I definitely do not focus on debuffs.' Shaking her head internally, she closed that particular system window and scratched the Blizzard Kitsune off the list.
'On the same note, there's no point in taking the Ice Kitsune. Not only it is the most common one, the Icebloom is basically just better in every way.' She closed a second entry, now leaving her with only two options.
'I think it's pretty obvious among these two. Undead Kitsune would probably make me weak to light and holy weapons. Besides, I'm already kind of undead.' And with that, she was left with only one option.
'Icebloom Kitsune, huh? I mean, it definitely looks like the strongest one among the four. Besides, it fits the path I wish to walk on perfectly.' Without hesitating for even a second more, Aurora made her decision and picked the Icebloom Kitsune.
[You have picked your evolutionary path. Do you truly wish to choose the Icebloom Kitsune?]
Aurora didn't even hesitate, immediately confirming her choice. There was no going back and changing it now.
[You have chosen the Icebloom Kitsune. Upon confirmation, the evolution process will begin.]
[Begin evolution]
In front of her eyes, two words glowed with green light on the blue screen. As soon as she would click on it, she would finally evolve and step into a new rank.
Just at that time, the two finally arrived back at the place they used as a little base for the time being.
After he stopped, Aurora jumped off Rejoke's back and walked towards the small cave. She looked back one last time, and with a brief nod that spoke the world, she went inside the cave.
Rejoke obviously sensed what was about to happen, and so he lied down in front of the cave. He would make sure to protect this cave even at the cost of his own life.
Meanwhile, after she arrived at the end of the cave, Aurora lied down on the rock floor and glanced back at the simple green text. It was so simple and short, yet it held such importance.
Taking one last deep breath, Aurora nodded to herself and confirmed the evolution.
[Initiating evolutionary process.]
[Preparing evolution...
- 1%
- 2%
- 3%
...
...
...
As the system slowly counted up as it finalized the evolution preparations, a light blue aura with white steaks began to surround the body of the small white fox.
Slowly wrapping around her, the aura of pure energy began to form a cocon. As more and more energy gathered around her, Aurora's eyes became heavier and heavier as she began to drift off into an unconscious state.
However, just as she was about to black out completely, something suddenly changed, and the almost-closed cocon set ablaze with deep-red flames.
[Preparing evolution...
- 81%
- Error! Error!
- Evolutionary process interrupted! -Circumstances unknown!
- Adjusting evolutionary traits...
"Kyuuu!"
As the cocoon engulfed her in the sea of crimson flames, Aurora began to feel pain unlike anything she had felt before. Her whole body screamed in terror and pain as she met her natural enemy, fire.
The sheer amount and intensity of the pain she felt was simply absurd. Unlike before, when she was losing consciousness due to a sudden wave of exhaustion, right now. Her brain was shutting down to stop the pain, causing her to black out on the spot.
[Evolutionary path altered... creating a new path...
...
...
[Success! Evolving into Fiery Icebloom Kitsune...]
-----
In a completely dark space, just before Aurora's evolution went wrong, a silhouette of a person veiled in daroness could be seen staring into countless light blue system screens.
[Notice, an individual is about to evolve into a unique being. Require assistance of the operator.]
The silhouette stopped what it was doing for a moment and stared at the sudden message that appeared.
"A unique one? How long has it been ever since I saw one of those?" The silhouette's robotic voice was completely emotionless, but strangely enough, its amusement was palpable.
"Could you show me the individual?" The response was instant, as right the next moment, a new screen opened up.
[Name: Aurora
- Race: Snow Kitsune
- Rank: 0
- Level: 25—currently in the process of evolving into an Icebloom Kitsune.
Soul Code: 026574
[Error report: Due to external interference of unknown origin, the evolution process has been halted. The evolutionary code has been forcefully altered. Awaiting creation of a new race.]
"Oh, it's our little cheater with corrupted records. But I wonder, can you track where the interference has come from?" The silhouette asked as its voice slowly lit up with emotion.
[The exact origin is unknown. However, by tracing back using the soul trails left behind by the source, I've managed to confirm that it came from inside the individual's soul.]
"From inside her soul? That shouldn't be possible, unless..." The silhouette stopped in the middle of its sentence, falling silent in thought.
[Notice, the chances of the origin of the interference being the individual ID: PFI are very high.]
"I came to that conclusion as well. The question is, what is he trying to accomplish?" The silhouette thought out loud, sounding intrigued.
[Shall I stop the evolution process and cut the connection with this individual?]
"No, let him have his fun. Besides..." The silhouette looked up, its eyes locking onto a specific spot.
"It seems 'she' is interested in this fox, so let her be." The silhouette looked back down, returning to its previous, robotic state.
[Understood. Resuming evolution. The individual ID: 026574 shall evolve into a Fiery Icebloom Kitsune according to the records provided by the operator.
With that, silence fell over the black space, everything returning back to its tranquil state until another error would appear.