Chapter 46
> While Evolution is a powerful Skill, it has certain drawbacks which must be taken into consideration. When used on Children and Commoners, it awakens rare combat Classes which are worthy of consideration; yet not everyone is cut out for a life of violence and often times it is better to let the system make these decisions itself than the child in question, or their parents.
> More dangerous still is its use on monsters. Evolve will not only increase a monster’s lethality and effectiveness, but their intelligence. It is well established that the more intelligent a monster is, the looser the control granted by Claim is. Intelligent monsters do not sacrifice themselves for a Controller the way that non-sapient ones will. If a monster shows signs of intelligence, it is advised to keep a close eye on them for signs of defiance or betrayal.
> Below is a list of monsters on which evolution is considered safe and desirable. Note that the list is not all inclusive.
> --Controllers and Monsters, a field guide.
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There were a number of advantages to traveling underground. The footing was surer, as the roving dungeon created a smooth and sturdy floor of rock for their mounts. There was no worry of bandits or roving monsters, nor inclement weather. And with Alpha core Linked to Beta and Gamma, the pace that Tom set was about what an average horse walked, with the tunnel wide enough for three of the mounts to walk side-by-side.
This still made for cramped quarters, as there were twelve humans with twelve horses, in addition to the eight monsters that Tom Controlled. And Klein, riding along top one of the two mules that the stableboys were riding to bring up the rear.
“It would be convenient if these tunnels didn’t destroy themselves as we moved along,” Emil said in passing. “It would help Welsian economy significantly to have a series of underground highways like this. We could just travel from village to village and create a whole system of highways.”
He paused to consider. “Actually, maybe we could do that anyway, on the surface. You could raise bedrock up to the surface and create a solid stone causeway. I’m surprised that the nation hasn’t already done that in the past, it seems so obvious.”
“Dungeons are not normally so mobile,” Silva explained. “Even witnessing this I can hardly believe it possible. I keep expecting us to run into the wall as the Core and Tom run out of mana.”
“It’s only because I’m linked to Gamma that we can move this fast,” Tom explained. “Beta and Gamma are both acting as mana batteries, and Gamma is pretty strong. Also, Alpha has leveled up since it was just the four of us going south.”
“Is that the case?” Silva asked. “It was very frustrating looking for you back then, you know.”
“Sorry, we didn’t realize anyone was searching for us,” Tom apologized.
They did breach the surface several times throughout the day and spent some time beneath the sun as well. Their target dungeon was two days journey away, and at night Tom formed a comfortable shelter-dungeon for them to rest in, returning Alpha to its monolith size for a while.
Late at night, as they were sitting around the campfire, which had a dedicated sky-light to function as a chimney, Lo approached Tom.
“I seek more power,” the Korgoath informed his master. “You can grant it to me with your Evolve skill. If you evolve me, I will continue to serve and do so more effectively. Why have you not already done this?”
Tom was surprised by the confrontation, and he took a moment to consider his words. “To be honest, Lo, I didn’t think of using Evolve on you until you suggested it just now.”
“You cannot claim that any longer. Will you grant me more power?” the Korgoath persisted.
Tom frowned. “You’ve been loyal, Lo, but Antoine doesn’t trust you, and I trust Antoine. So I’m not certain that I should.”
Lo was silent for a moment. “It is wise to fear me, Tom. I am dangerous. I will not obey your commands if you order me to my death, this I admit freely. But if you spend me wisely, I would be useful to you. I have benefited from serving you and will continue to do so. But you are not granting me the strength to serve you to my maximum capacity.”
Tom considered the cyclopean creature. “Do you promise to obey me, so long as I don’t order you to your death?”
“I am a monster, Tom,” Lo pointed out, huffing. “The bond between us ensures my obedience within reason. I will vow not to struggle against the minion-bond unless I judge that you are spending the coin of my services foolishly.”
“If you betray me, Antoine will definitely kill you.”
“If I betray you, the frightful one will have to find me before he can harm me,” Lo pointed out.
“You’re not making your case any stronger.”
“I will not prostrate myself. Not even for power. At first I served because I saw no other way to survive. I serve now because it is the path to the highest heights I may reach. But I will not lower my gaze or expose my belly to you, Tom. I am the Alpha of my pack. The pack may serve you, but I will not cower before my master.”
Tom continued to consider the proposition for some time, then finally agreed. Placing a hand on the creature’s sweaty skin, he activated the Evolve skill, and the cavern was filled with light. Alpha Core flashed brightly, and a moment later the Korgoath leader was changed.
He was larger, and more of his weight was in his hindquarters than before. While he was still a bipedal creature with muscular front legs, his front paws were more dexterous than before, and the claws longer. He remained cyclopean, although his eye had changed. From a yellow iris, it was now a blue that glowed in the dark. His back was covered with a sparse coating of quills. His face was more human in shape, yet remained monstrous.
“Thank you, Tom,” Lo said.
“Do you want me to evolve the others as well?” Tom inquired. Lo huffed.
“I am their leader. It is right that I be far more powerful than they. Let the minions of your minions be fodder for the dungeons, Tom,” Lo said, and he stalked back away from the fire into the darkness. Tom pulled up his menu, and checked on the monster’s status.
Name
Lo
Health
320/320
Age
4
Stamina
240/240
Race
Korgoath Alpha
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Strength
35
Class
Observer
Dexterity
38
Level
20
Constitution
32
Endurance
24
“Are you certain that was a good idea?” Sevin asked him.
“No,” Tom admitted. “But it’s too late to take it back now. He really is much stronger like this. I just have to hope that he’s being genuine when he says that he’ll continue to serve me to get even stronger.”
“If he does not, I will solve the issue myself,” Antoine promised from across the room, where he was seeing to his kit.
Brutus took the opportunity to wander over, and Tom sensed a longing from the minotaur. “You want to get stronger too, Brutus?”
The monster made a sound, and Tom considered. Since he had been spawned, Brutus had been nothing but loyal. Tom didn’t trust the minotaur he had just claimed, Caesar and Cicero, but he did trust Brutus. Reaching out, he touched the monster on the arm and activated Evolve once more.
Evolving Lo had consumed almost half of the Core network’s mana, and evolving Brutus consumed the remainder. Alpha Core, which had been glowing faintly, went dim after the light faded from the skill’s activation. In the firelight, Tom surveyed the changes to his minion.
Brutus was taller now. His bull head remained, but he had a second set of muscular arms now. He radiated strength, and Tom was glad that the minotaur was on his side.
“Thank you,” the minotaur said, surprising Tom.
“You can speak now?”
“Yes. Thank you.” The bull’s voice was deep and gravely, and although it was quiet it reverberated in Tom’s chest.
“You’re welcome. I just ask that you remain loyal, and help keep the others in line.”
Caesar and Cicero had come over as well, and Brutus stepped between them and Tom.
“No,” the leader of the minotaur said. “Not earned. Earn it.”
Cicero bellowed and pulled his fist back to throw a punch at the evolved Brutus, but Brutus caught the monster’s fist and returned the punch with two of his own, knocking Cicero across the subterranean camp. Shouts from the humans filled the air as Tom’s friends and guards shot to their feet, but by showing his strength, Brutus cowed both of the younger minotaur. After a few moments, everyone calmed back down and retired for the evening. Tom, before sleeping, checked on Brutus’s evolved stats as well.
Name
Brutus
Health
530/530
Age
12 weeks
Stamina
500/500
Race
Minotaur Champion
Strength
45
Class
Warrior
Dexterity
14
Level
19
Constitution
53
Subclass
Berserker
Endurance
50
Tom was impressed by the minotaur’s improvements, as he had gained almost ten points of strength from before. He suspected that in terms of shear physical strength, only Antoine was stronger among the party members, and that was due to his grossly inflated level.
Tom fell asleep chuckling at the idea of Antoine and Brutus having an arm wrestling contest.
Lo watched from the distance with his newly improved sight as the boy slept, considering. Now that he had what he wanted, he could simply take the pack and leave. Perhaps the female would change her mind about being his mate now that he had been Evolved.
He was considering his options when the sudden scraping of metal on whetstone came from mere feet behind him. Lo jumped in response and turned to see Antoine there, sharpening his naked blade. Lo blinked; he had made a habit of always keeping track of the frightful one’s presence. Somehow, the high-level hero had just erased his presence, moved across the room, and surprised his enhanced senses.
He was making a point, Lo knew. Lo had gotten stronger, but he was not the largest fish in this pond.
“If you betray us, it will be the last mistake you make,” Antoine said, just low enough for Lo’s enhanced hearing to pick up.
Lo growled, but stopped as he felt like a pup growling against a thunderstorm. He struggled to lower the spines on his back, then returned to where the pack was bedding down. He approached the female, releasing a number of pheromones to see if she would react to his new form.
She did react. She huffed and spurned him once more, rolling over and feigning sleep.
Lo sighed and went about getting comfortable. It would take him some time, as he needed to adjust to his new body and his old habits of curling up no longer matched his current skeletal structure. He shifted his mass around until he found a position he could tolerate and drifted off to sleep.
Brutus went outside, into the moonlit night, with a solemn purpose in mind. He was no longer a mindless brute, and he understood his purpose was to serve his master. His master needed him to be a warrior, but only a fool fought without weapons. After some searching, he found a tree the size he was looking for. And he ripped it out of the ground.
Breaking away the branches and tearing away the roots, he returned to find an amazed Sevin staring at him.
“I’m glad you’re on our side,” the young warrior said.
“Loyal,” Brutus promised, and they returned into the Dungeon-shelter. Brutus fell asleep with his head leaning against his new weapon.