"That is surprisingly high for someone of your age and background. If you are lucky, then you may be able to achieve a Class Evolution within the next few years," said Lady Yssir, somehow managing to sound both impressed and condescending at the same time. "Go ahead and allocate your Skill Point, human. My people believe it is bad luck to delay such things, and I won't have you bringing ill fortune into my home."
After giving Lady Yssir his thanks, Hudson pulled on the strange presence in his mind and moved to do just that. The first thing he did was examine the new Skills available to him. Hudson already knew that he intended to use his Skill Point to modify one of his already existing Skills, but it was always worth taking a look to see if he'd met the requirements for something new.
Available Skills:
Active:
Minor Blessing of Cerebon - Temporarily bestow a lesser version of Cerebon's Boon to an individual regardless of their Devotion. Grants slight increase to physical stats and regeneration. This path leads to further skills related to the bestowal of blessings and curses. +2 Spirit. +1 Willpower. +1 Control.
Minor Siphon Vitality - Temporarily lowers the Vitality of the target while increasing your own. Effect increases over time. This path leads to further skills related to the manipulation of stats. +1 Spirit. +2 Willpower. +1 Control
Create Lesser Flesh Golem - Allows for the creation of a small flesh golem, a simple construct with limited intelligence. Physical abilities vary with materials used for construction. This path leads to further skills related to the creation and modification of artificial beings. +1 Spirit. +1 Willpower. +2 Control
Passive:
Devotion Perception - Gain the intuitive ability to sense those who already feel devotion to a deity and those who would be open to your own. This path leads to further skills related to socialization and cult management. +3 Spirit. +1 Willpower
Malleable Flesh - Increases the flexibility and elasticity of your own flesh, significantly enhancing the ability for one to modify themselves through Flesh Magic. This path leads to further skills related to personal augmentation. +1 Strength, +2 Vitality, +1 Agility.
Hudson quickly went through his options and noted the only newly available Skill since his last Level increase, [Create Lesser Flesh Golem]. Much like the rest, it was a good Skill that wouldn't actually help him in his daily life. Hudson had no intention of fighting monsters or starting his own cult, so these Skills wouldn't be useful for more than their Stat increases.
Turning his attention to the Skills that he already possessed, Hudson looked to see which ones could be modified. Most of them didn't reach the Stat or Level requirements to be evolved, but there were a few exceptions.
One that allowed him to upgrade [Minor Purify Flesh] to [Purify Flesh], which would be better at purifying diseases than the previous rank of the Skill and also have a small effect on curses. Another upgraded [Flesh Perception] into [Flesh Intuition], which would give Hudson an intuitive understanding of how to best modify a person's body in terms of function.
[Flesh Intuition] coupled with the knowledge he'd gained in his previous life as a veterinarian would be very useful. The System could compensate for a lot, but he'd noticed that it was much easier to affect the parts of the body he understood the most. However, there was one option he had set his eyes on. Hudson turned his attention to the evolutions for his most important Skill.
Flesh Manipulation Evolution(s):
Permanent Flesh Manipulation - Modify the target's flesh. Difficulty of modification increases with the complexity of the change and the difference from the target's original body. Changes can now be made permanent unless otherwise altered through Flesh Manipulation or a similar Skill. Permanent changes require relevant biomass. +2 Spirit. +1 Willpower. +1 Control.
Precise Flesh Manipulation - Allows for more precise control over flesh manipulation, enabling more intricate and unique modifications. Changes are temporary. Changes do not require relevant biomass. +1 Spirit. +1. Willpower. +2 Control.
After taking a moment to recall what he had read in the Grimoire of Cerebon, Hudson ultimately decided on [Permanent Flesh Manipulation]. The ability to make lasting modifications would open up a whole new range of possibilities for his business, as there were many people who would pay for permanent changes to their bodies. [Precise Flesh Manipulation] was nice, but it didn't offer anything that he couldn't already accomplish with enough practice.
Plus, his clients shouldn't have much trouble acquiring the right biomass given that they were generally wealthy. With his decision made, Hudson allocated his Skill Point and felt a surge of power as the new ability took root in his mind and his Stats increased.
[Flesh Manipulation] has evolved to [Permanent Flesh Manipulation]!
"Thank you for your patience, Lady Yssir," Hudson said as he turned his attention back to the naga woman. "I've made my choice and I'm ready to continue."
Lady Yssir nodded, her expression unreadable. "Very well. Proceed, human."
As soon as Hudson began working on the last of Lady Yssir's scales, he could immediately tell that his increased Spirit made his [Flesh Manipulation] slightly more efficient. After ensuring that he hadn't missed any scales and that they gleamed with newfound vibrancy, Hudson was about to ask Lady Yssir how she would like to handle the skin of her upper body when there was a knock on the door.
The same lizardkin guard from before, looking somewhat panicked, stepped into the room. "My Lady. I apologize for the interruption, but there has been an urgent development."
Lady Yssir's expression changed from one of annoyance at the interruption to concern. "Very well, Gharan. What is it?"
The guard hesitated for a moment, glancing at Hudson before he spoke. "It seems that the Conclave has been accused of assassinating Merchant Lord Raqasor. General Nasrith has taken control of the city and declared martial law. Soldiers are sweeping through the city and arresting members of the Conclave and those suspected of having ties to them."
What?!
While Hudson was sitting there in shock, Lady Yssir had already shot out of her seat with shocking speed and began making her way out of the door. "Our business here is concluded, human. I suggest you return to your home as quickly as possible. Gharan! Give the [Cultist] his payment and meet me in the main hall with the rest of the guards once you return.