[System Preparing ...7%...19%...89%..Completed]
[Engaging Evolution!]
As the ambient mana in the environment surged, a warm glow began emanating from Kas. His coiled body shimmered with an ethereal light, and his pale, white scales took on a radiant, almost reflective quality. The air around him grew tense, vibrating with an almost tangible energy.
I took a step back, watching in awe as Kas's slender body began to elongate, his coiling movements growing smoother and more fluid. His once faintly glowing eyes now burned with a fierce, icy brilliance, their slitted pupils sharper and more menacing than ever.
[Kas
Baby Beast II
Level 6
Exp:100/1500
Species: Chaos Serpent
Hp:204/204
Str: 10.1 (5.1)
Agi:10.8 (5.8)
Int : 10.1 (5.1)
S P : 7(Bound to master)
Length: 40 cm
Wide: 8 cm]
[New Skills!
Coiling Dominion (Level 1): Enhances the strength and speed of constrictive strikes, allowing Kas to overpower larger foes with devastating precision.
Mana Resonance (Passive): The Chaos Serpent can passively absorb ambient mana, slightly increasing regeneration for both itself and its tamer during combat.
Erosion Spit( Lvl 1) : Ignores physical defense and deals 10x the Int stat
"Good job, Kas, now I'll be the one to count on you" I murmured, a smile forming on my lips.
I could feel the bond between us deepen, forming a close connection, Kas's eyes reflecting his increased intelligence..
The glow of Kas's evolution still lingered in the air as we returned to the mission billboard. The recent events had shifted something within me. The Flame Bear fight had been a wake-up call—I wasn't just fighting for survival anymore. I was fighting to grow, to rise above.
The board was buzzing with activity. Students crowded around it, arguing over the best missions. Most were low-tier, safe enough for beginners, but I was looking for something more. Kas's evolution gave me confidence, but I knew better than to overestimate myself.
[Mission Board - Updated Listings]
Escort the Supply Caravan (Recommended: Level 5)
Eliminate Rogue Ironclawed Wolves (Recommended: Level 6)
Investigate Ruins Near the Darkwood (Recommended: Level 7)
Hunt Down the Crimson Fang Boar (Recommended: Level 8)
Emergency: Ward Off a Shadow Stalker (Recommended: Level 10, Team Mission)
I scanned the list, weighing my options. Kas's evolution had boosted his stats, and with Madness and Animal Stance in my arsenal, I could punch above my weight—within reason. The Rogue Ironclawed Wolves mission caught my eye. It was dangerous, sure, but manageable with strategy.
"Taking this one," I said, pulling the flyer off the board.
A few students shot me skeptical looks, but no one said anything. They'd seen me fight the Flame Bear, and while I wasn't exactly a star yet, I'd earned some grudging respect.
The mission site was a dense forest on the outskirts of town. The report said a pack of Ironclawed Wolves had strayed too close to human settlements, attacking livestock and even injuring a few tamers.
Kas slithered ahead of me, his movements almost silent against the underbrush. The changes in him were still startling—his white scales shimmered faintly in the dappled sunlight, and his new aura made him feel more alive, more dangerous.
"Stay sharp, Kas," I whispered.
It wasn't long before we spotted the pack. Four wolves, all circling a clearing where a wounded boar lay. Their claws glinted like steel, and their growls sent shivers down my spine.
[Ironclawed Wolf - Rogue Variant]
Level: 6
Health: 140/140
Strength: 8.0
Agility: 7.5
Soul Power: 3.0
Skills: Slash (Lvl 4), Pack Tactics (Lvl 5)
"Four on one, huh?" I muttered. "Let's even the odds."
"Kas, use Bite!"
Kas struck like a flash of lightning, his fangs sinking into the lead wolf's flank. The beast howled as a layer of venom began to spread from the bite, slowing its movements.
[-40 HP ( Venom Damage)]
[Status Effect: Slowed (-30% Agility)]
The other wolves turned, their yellow eyes glowing with hostility. They circled us, their movements precise and coordinated. Pack Tactics was no joke—they'd be deadlier together than apart.
I activated Animal Stance: Unity, my senses sharpening as my agility and reflexes surged.
The first wolf lunged at me, claws slashing through the air. I sidestepped and countered with a spinning kick, catching it in the ribs.
[-15 HP]
"Kas, Coiling Dominion!"
Kas wrapped around another wolf, constricting it with terrifying strength. The beast thrashed, but Kas's new ability was too much. With a sickening crunch, the wolf collapsed, defeated.
[Ironclawed Wolf Defeated! +50 EXP]
The remaining two wolves hesitated, but their instincts drove them forward. I ducked under a swipe and countered with a series of punches, chipping away at the second wolf's health. Kas, meanwhile, darted between the wolves, using Venom Spit and Erosion Spit to slow their movements and create openings.
The fight was brutal, but we had the edge. With one final blow, I brought down the last wolf, panting as the battlefield fell silent.
[Ironclawed Wolves Defeated!]
[+200 EXP]
[Emergency Contribution Points Earned]
[+5)
Back at the school, I reported the mission's success and collected my reward. The coins felt heavy in my pocket, which i later transported in my inventory, but the real prize was the EXP.
[George Carter - Apprentice Tamer II]
Level: 5 → 6
Stat Points Available: 4
I paused, considering how to allocate my stats. Strength and Agility had been crucial in the fight, but Intelligence and Soul Power couldn't be neglected.
+2 Strength (8.6)
+2 Agility (8.8)
As I finalized the distribution, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.
"George, you're back!"
I turned to see John approaching, his expression a mix of relief and annoyance. His Horned Tiger padded behind him, its sharp eyes scanning the courtyard.
"You've been busy," he said, crossing his arms. "Taking on missions like that solo? You trying to get yourself killed?"
I smirked. "Didn't realize you cared."
He rolled his eyes. "I don't, but Muriel does. She asked me to keep an eye on you."
"Tell her I'm fine," I said, brushing past him. "I've got more work to do."
The mission board was calling me again. If I wanted to keep up with the likes of Ben and Muriel, I couldn't stop now. Kas's evolution was just the beginning. There was a long road ahead, and I intended to walk it—no, sprint it.