I gave a quick glance over the new skills I obtained from the evolution, and it was a definite power up. Though, the new ethereal dragon breath doesn't appear to have the ability to burn through anything in the physical realm. Which might serve to be an obstacle in the future.

Of course, it's not like I want to raze a village to the ground. Well, at least not another one. Although I will admit that the plentiful amount of levels from the attack was intoxicating, but the number of armed humans around the towns has also spiked. At least in comparison to the village. If I consider the time I left the village to when I noticed the sudden spike, it hadn't been long, maybe two days at most?

Which brings me back to the thought that had been nagging me for a while now.

Did anybody manage to escape my attack, and more importantly, did they see me?

Though my worries are ill founded now, considering my new evolution. Even if the evolution isn't going to help much, at least diplomatically speaking, if worse does come to pass, I could simply fly away. Otherwise I should be able to handle myself in a fight. My claws alone would cut down most foes.

With that issue finally addressed, it's now time to leave the cave; my new size makes me scrape against the edges of the cave with my tail, which is a bit claustrophobic considering what I was used to.

Surprisingly I managed to squeeze my way out of the cave system with minimal effort on my part.

On my way out I made sure to take a big whiff of the fresh air, marveling at the beauty of nature.

Granted I hadn't been in the cave long, but it definitely felt like it had been a while, which was a bit odd. I hadn't had issues with either caves, or tight spaces before my evolution, though now it almost felt wrong being in one.

Ah, thoughts for another time.

I quickly headed over to Decorite and placed him in my little soul pocket, which acted like an inventory. It was one of the benefits of unlocking soul force, and reaching the first stage. The system currently listed the three different stages of soul proficiency as such:

(Current) First Stage: The most basic of soul manipulation, able to control users own soul to bend to its will and move anywhere in the body. This stage also gives the soul a storage ability.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Second Stage: Intermediate soul manipulation, able to use the soul to actively attack outside of the body. This stage gives the ability to manifest the users soul outside of the body.

Third Stage: Master soul manipulation, able to control the souls of others with but a thought. This stage gives the ability to create a new soul, and the unique skill [Soul Legion]

When I first saw the stages it was a bit depressing to see the lack of any offensive moves for the first stage. But the ability to store stuff in my own soul is invaluable. Of course, I'm not naive enough to put a living person inside of my own soul. Even Decorite is pushing it, but I'll just have to put my trust in him.

Or I would have.

I quickly snuffed out the sleeping Decorite from my soul, and into the bushes outside.

Looking over my ability list, I found what I was looking for.

[Soul Bound]

Following my command, a faint wisp appeared above Decorite, which I assumed was the soul. Shortly after the appearance of Decorite's soul, two crimson chains latched onto the soul in an X pattern. The soul tried to break free from it's binds to little gain. Not long after it's resistance fell apart, and it surrendered itself to its new fate.

                 New Soul Enslaved: "Decorite"

Although it's called "Bound" it's actually more akin to slavery. Of course I'm not complaining. Though I honestly didn't expect Decorite to have a soul, it was more of a test than anything. But now that Decorite's soul is bound, it makes things much easier.

I will confess that enslaving the soul did feel a bit extreme, I almost felt a very faint guilt. Not that my will can be broken so easily. Else I wouldn't have survived long.

I quickly put the map, and the orb, which had lost it's "corrupted" title, but still retained the same ability, into my soul.

Making sure I hadn't forgotten anything, I spread my wings and flew into the air, which kicked up a small wind.

While in the air I tried to harvest the shaman souls, but much to my disappointment, they seemed to have dissipated, or monsters just didn't possess souls, which would be quite odd considering Decorite had one. Another thing for the future.

Putting aside my disappointment I took off into the air.

The feeling was a thrilling, if unique, experience. To be able to fly, and quite fast as well, was mesmerizing.

Looking down at the forest I had just left, I couldn't help but think of myself ruling over the inferior creatures as I expand my territory