Duke Arlindor Highcrest stood on the balcony of Highcrest Keep, his gaze sweeping over the undulating hills of the Emerald Highlands, where the morning sun bathed the land in a warm, golden glow.
The air crackled with anticipation, charged by the arrival of a royal decree demanding immediate action against the monster ravaging Count Belmont's lands
Though Arlindor could easily dismiss the old fool's command, he recognized this as a prime opportunity to further entrench his power within Verdantreach.
Inside the keep, the assembly hall buzzed with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Nobles gathered, their expressions ranging from eager ambition to barely concealed anxiety.
Prominent among them were Count Lucian Highcrest, a tall man with silver hair and a hawkish nose, known for his keen strategic mind and military prowess, and Marquis Thaddeus Highcrest, stout with a bristling beard, whose bravado added a sense of elegance to the assembly.
The weight of Arlindor's reputation hung heavy in the air, and they understood the stakes: success could elevate their standing, while failure could spell ruin.
"Gentlemen," Arlindor's voice resonated through the hall, smooth yet commanding. "Today, we embark on more than a hunt for a beast; we seize an opportunity to expand our wealth and power.
Count Belmont's plight offers us a chance to extort tribute from every village we traverse. We will be their saviors and their conquerors."
A murmur of approval rippled through the assembly. The allure of land and power was intoxicating, and the barons exchanged glances, their minds racing with the prospects of wealth and influence.
Marquis Thaddeus stepped forward, his round face flushed with excitement, yet his brow furrowed in concern. "What if this beast proves to be more than mere exaggeration? Our forces are strong, but the tales of its ferocity are unsettling. I've heard whispers that it's as large as a castle, with claws that can tear through stone."
Count Lucian leaned against a grand wooden pillar, arms crossed and voice low. "Indeed, reports from my men suggest its head nearly reached the battlements of Baron Orwen's castle."
From the assembly, Baron Elaris, lord of Goldencrest City—the wealthiest estate in all the Duke's territory—interjected. His sharp features were framed by a mane of dark hair. "And what comes after? A royal decree or not, why should we do the king's bidding without rewards? We could easily station men in Count Belmont's territory after the beast is dead—just in case another emerges, if you all gentlmen know what i mean." said the wealthy lord.
Laughter erupted in the hall, the sound echoing off the stone walls. Everyone understood his implication; while the lands of Highcrest were vast, they were also limited. Many among them craved more land for their own families, and ambition coursed through their veins like wildfire. Arlindor savored the moment, watching the fear and ambition wrestle within them.
"Actually, we need not to fight it," Arlindor said, a smile creeping across his lips. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him. "We already know what it wants."
"Food," Arlindor declared, his voice steady. "The beast devours anything in its path and is actively seeking human settlements to feed. So while we extort the villages on Belmont's side, we will also gather his serfs for a trap."
A moment of realization dawned upon the assembly. Why send men to die when they could simply use Count Belmont's serfs as bait? After all, weren't they sacrificing their men and jeopardizing their lives because he had failed to eliminate the threat himself?
Arlindor continued, his confidence infectious. "We just need large enough nets to throw, and we will craft a trap to lure it in. I propose we divide our forces; each of you will lead a thousand men while I will command the rest and corner the beast from four sides."
The nobles exchanged glances, their minds racing with the possibilities. The thrill of danger mingled with the promise of power, and Arlindor could see their resolve solidifying. They were ready to seize the moment, and he would lead them into the fray.
Duke Arlindor turned to a nearby maid, who held a golden tray adorned with finely crafted goblets. He picked one up, the weight of it feeling satisfying in his hand.
Raising the goblet high, his commanding presence filled the hall once more. "To the legacy we forge!" he proclaimed, his voice echoing against the stone walls.
"Gurdians of the Highlands!" he declared, his eyes gleaming with determination.
The assembled nobles followed suit, lifting their goblets in unison, their voices resounding with fervor. "Guardians of the Highlands!" they echoed, a chorus of ambition and loyalty, sealing their pact under the watchful gaze of the duke.
As the laughter and clinking of goblets filled the hall, the atmosphere transformed into one of camaraderie and purpose after all everyone here is among family.
[System Interface Activated]
Name: Adam
Species: Tyrannosaurus Rex
Age: 120 days
Evolution Points: 476,867
Special Titles:
[KinSlayer]: Grants a 20% damage boost against family members
Stats:
Strength: 30
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 11
Abilities:
[Enhanced Vision]
[Slightly Hardened Claws]
[Slightly Sharper Teeth]
[Night Vision]
Points Required for Minimal Evolution: 1,000 (increases with each evolution)
Potential Evolution Pathways:
Predatory Instincts: Enhance hunting capabilities.
Physical Augmentation: Increase strength and agility.
Cognitive Development: Boost intelligence.
Adam gazed at his stats, exhaustion weighing heavily on him. After more than ten days of relentless hunting, he had barely made any progress. His footsteps echoed loudly, his massive form felt unwieldy, and he lacked the speed he desperately needed. His arms, tiny and ineffective, seemed useless. But he clung to a glimmer of hope: once he evolved, everything would become easier. He just needed to find more prey.
Determined, he began to search for new hunting grounds, knowing he would have to relocate every few days. His goal was to catch immigrants, petrels, or anything that could earn him points. As he approached the edge of noble territory, he realized he had no idea whose land he was trespassing on. It had been over a week since he entered this noble domain, and he knew he would cross into a different one once he passed the wooden barricades.
After wandering for an unknown amount of time, he halted, catching the scent of blood—humans, thousands of them. They were approximately 1.4 kilometers to the east, south, and west. Panic surged through him, and he quickly turned to flee. While he might be able to confront them, consuming them would be another matter, one that could leave him severely injured.
With 476,867 points at his disposal, he needed just 30 humans to reach his goal. Pushing his body to its limits, he scavenged the forest, consuming anything he could find, guided by his powerful sense of smell. Yet, the overwhelming scents of humans surrounded him, confusing his instincts.
[2 Hours Later]
[System Interface Activated]
Name: Adam
Species: Tyrannosaurus Rex
Age: 120 days
Evolution Points: 501,122
Special Titles:
[KinSlayer]: Grants a 20% damage boost against family members
Stats:
Strength: 30
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 11
Abilities:
[Enhanced Vision]
[Slightly Hardened Claws]
[Slightly Sharper Teeth]
[Night Vision]
Points Required for Minimal Evolution: 1,000 (increases with each evolution)
Potential Evolution Pathways:
Predatory Instincts: Enhance hunting capabilities.
Physical Augmentation: Increase strength and agility.
Cognitive Development: Boost intelligence.
Adam looked at his stats, a mix of exhaustion and determination coursing through him. Finally, he could evolve. But his body was weary; it wasn't built for such speed.
"System, use all my points to create the hybrid," he commanded.
[Ding]
[THE HOST IS REQUIRED TO FIND A SAFE PLACE FOR EVOLVING AS THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL EVOLUTION. IT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS.]
"Damn it," Adam cursed and sprinted into the depths of the forest. There was nowhere to conceal his massive form, so he sought refuge in the thickest part of the woods, where he laid down to rest.
"Start the evolution now, system," he urged, but a strange sensation enveloped him. In that moment, Adam felt an inexplicable sense of loss, as if something precious was slipping away. A distant wolf's howl echoed through the forest, stirring a deep sadness within him.
[Ding]
[Starting Evolution]
[The evolution will take approximately 6 hours to finish. Sweet dreams, host.]
As he lay there, it felt as if a curtain was being drawn down over his eyes, slowly dimming the world around him before it descended into darkness.