We march through the tunnel. After around one hundred meters, or maybe a bit more, we find another cavern. There are also eggs here, but most of them are already broken. There are more spiders as well, fortunately, only smaller 1st tier ones. We attack, and I cast Mana Orb, Axi kills one spider with each slash. I kill two of them with my increased stats, while the nameless goblin kills two as well. I'm surprised at how easy it was. I suppose they are familiar enemies.
You have killed 2 1st tier monsters. You have earned 160 Experience Points.
I investigate the cavern, and it becomes obvious the snake has slithered this way. It broke a lot of eggs and deformed some stone walls. The tunnel upward is also blocked here, but there are a few tunnels to the sides. We need to pick one of them, but I’m afraid the snake will turn back to kill us. It seemed obstinate to find that earth mana source, though.
I turn to Axi. I need to break the snake’s mark. I try to analyze it first. I now have a similar mark in my repertoire, so I hope to learn more. I can spot some similarities, but even with improved resolution, there are too many lines crossing each other, making it hazy. I could maybe figure it out in a few hours or days, but I don’t have that much time. I reach for regular mana first, hoping to spare Axi’s vitality. To my surprise, the mark is more brittle than before. I observe more, and it seems to be an effect of the earth mana source.
Earth mana is radiating from its source and hitting everything around it. I observe my body, and my vitality is mostly protecting me. I guess the mark is only at skin level, so that earth radiation is messing with runes. This means my own marks are also not going to last too long.
I push some isolating mana into the snake’s mark, and it crumbles easily. The isolating mana goes down into Axi’s vitality, but she should recover in only a few minutes with only this amount. The nameless goblin is one of those I removed the mark from previously, so no problem there.
I want to pick one of the tunnels to explore, but I hesitate. Should I evolve now? On one hand, I know the snake has a direct route here, but it’s also occupied at the moment. I don’t know if there’s even a way out of here.
I take the group back.
“I’m going to evolve now. Can you protect me for a while?” I ask Axi. She usually speaks only a few words, but I know she understands more. She nods. I select the option.
You have reached the maximum level of your species!
You have possible evolutions!
Hobgoblin (Common)
Requirements:
1st tier goblin race.
2nd tier Monster
Race of humanoid monsters. They are social beings. Most hobgoblins are evolved goblins. They can have children with females of enlightened species. Can easily evolve into other forms of its evolutionary tree. Hobgoblins are usually chieftains of smaller goblin tribes or elites of stronger ones.
Racial traits: Iron Stomach
Growth per level:
+0.4 Strength
+0.4 Vitality
+0.4 Endurance
+0.4 Dexterity
+0.3 Intelligence
+0.3 Will
+0.3 Affinity
Evolution Bonus:
+10 to All Stats
Goblin Warrior (Uncommon)
Requirements:
1st tier goblin race
At least 10 levels in a weapon-fighting skill
No path was selected, or the current path is compatible.
1st tier Monster
Goblin Warriors are common fighters in goblin tribes. They are stronger than regular goblins, mostly by fighting with regular weapons. Can easily evolve into other forms of its evolutionary tree.
Racial traits: Iron Stomach
Growth per level:
+0.2 Strength
+0.2 Vitality
+0.2 Endurance
+0.2 Dexterity
Bonus:
Tactics (Uncommon) skill
Wait! 1st tier? I ask the system about it. It replies as usual. Monsters can pick a path. It's something like a profession. You can pick it up only once, and you can't change it, but you can add to it. For example, if I were to evolve into Goblin Warrior, I would only be able to pick something like Hobgoblin Warrior next time. I can add to it by becoming a Hobgoblin Spellsword, or something like that. Picking a path makes you repeat the tier. You can pick it at any tier. Picking a path counts as a proper evolution, increasing experience requirements for all future race levels. I continue to scroll through the options.
Goblin Crafter (Uncommon)
Requirements:
1st tier goblin race
At least 10 levels in a crafting skill
No path was selected, or the current path is compatible.
1st tier Monster
Goblin Crafters provide weapons and tools for more civilized goblin tribes. Their fighting capabilities are usually low. Can easily evolve into other forms of its evolutionary tree.
Racial traits: Iron Stomach
Growth per level:
+0.2 Vitality
+0.2 Endurance
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
+0.2 Dexterity
+0.2 Intelligence
Bonus:
Copy Design (Uncommon) skill
Goblin Scout (Uncommon)
Requirements:
1st tier goblin race
At least 10 levels in the Sneaking skill
No path was selected, or the current path is compatible.
1st tier Monster
Goblin Scouts are regulars in large goblin armies. They specialize in finding out enemy positions and reporting to their chief undetected. Can easily evolve into other forms of its evolutionary tree.
Racial traits: Iron Stomach
Growth per level:
+0.1 Vitality
+0.3 Endurance
+0.2 Dexterity
+0.2 Intelligence
Bonus:
Good Eyes (Uncommon) trait
Goblin Hunter (Uncommon)
Requirements:
1st tier goblin race
At least 10 levels in the Hiding skill
Skill to strike at a distance
No path was selected, or the current path is compatible.
1st tier Monster
Goblin Hunters provide meat to the tribe and are most common among the goblins. Can easily evolve into other forms of its evolutionary tree.
Racial traits: Iron Stomach
Growth per level:
+0.1 Strength
+0.1 Vitality
+0.2 Endurance
+0.2 Dexterity
+0.2 Intelligence
Bonus:
Trapping (Uncommon) skill
Goblin Solo Hunter (Rare)
Requirements:
1st tier goblin race
At least 10 levels in the Hiding skill
At least 10 levels in a ranged attack skill
At least 10 levels in the Trap Making skill
Killed a monster alone
No path was selected, or the current path is compatible.
1st tier Monster
Goblin Solo Hunters are either strong enough to hunt solo or exiles who don’t have another choice. Their fighting abilities are considerable for goblins. Can easily evolve into other forms of its evolutionary tree.
Racial traits: Iron Stomach
Growth per level:
+0.2 Strength
+0.2 Vitality
+0.3 Endurance
+0.3 Dexterity
+0.2 Intelligence
Bonus:
Prepare Ambush (Rare) skill
Goblin Shaman (Uncommon)
Requirements:
1st tier goblin race
At least 10 levels in a mana perception skill
Any mana-based support skill
No path was selected, or the current path is compatible.
1st tier Monster
Goblin Shamans are the most intelligent of their kind. They can be tricky opponents, but they are not very strong in a direct fight. Shamans can use primitive forms of magic. Can easily evolve into other forms of its evolutionary tree.
Racial traits: Iron Stomach
Growth per level:
+0.1 Vitality
+0.1 Dexterity
+0.2 Intelligence
+0.2 Will
+0.2 Affinity
Bonus:
Sacrificial Healing (Uncommon) skill
Goblin Senior Shaman (Rare)
Requirements:
1st tier goblin race
At least 10 levels in the Mana Sense skill
At least 10 levels in the Mana Manipulation skill
At least 10 levels in a mana-based support skill
Intelligence over 10
No path was selected, or the current path is compatible.
1st tier Monster
Goblin Senior Shamans are the most intelligent, even among shamans. They are usually only found in large tribes, mostly due to the teachings of older shamans. Can easily evolve into other forms of its evolutionary tree.
Racial traits: Iron Stomach
Growth per level:
+0.1 Vitality
+0.2 Dexterity
+0.3 Intelligence
+0.3 Will
+0.3 Affinity
Bonus:
Transfer Vitality (Rare) skill
Bonus? I ask the system, and it’s just what I thought. It’s what I would get from evolution. I can pick hobgoblin for the biggest and quickest gains. The rarest options are Solo Hunter and Senior Shaman. Given that I want to be a mage, the choice is obvious. The additional stats from Hobgoblin are very tasty, but that would push me onto the route of a brute, plus I will get bigger. It is not a good choice right now.
I knew skill can get better, but this is the first direct evidence. Looking at the bonuses from hunter options, common Trap Making, upgrades to uncommon Trapping, and then to rare Prepare Ambush. No need to ponder more, I pick Goblin Senior Shaman, and then the familiar feeling of knowledge being injected into me appears. I kind of black out, but it feels just like a moment. As I look around, it doesn’t seem like a lot of time has passed as well. I check the status screen.
You have advanced to level 1!
Probably from previously accumulated experience.
Name: NA
Age: 0
Race: Goblin Senior Shaman
Level:1/10
Strength: 8
Vitality: 7
Endurance: 5
Dexterity: 9
Intelligence: 24
Will: 21
Affinity: 8
Health:16/24
Stamina:25/41
Mana:0/0
Traits
Iron Stomach 14 (Uncommon) – Steel Stomach
Combat skills
Spear Fighting 15 (Common) – Strength I
Sneaking 18 (Common) – Silent Walk I
Hiding 17 (Common) – Temperate Forest Monster Lore I
Tracking 8 (Uncommon)
Tactics 32 (Uncommon) – Moment of Clarity, Mark Allies, Mark of Borrowed Power
Magic Skills
Mana Sense 26 (Uncommon) - Inward Perfection, Resolution I
Mana Manipulation 24 (Uncommon) – Mana Burst, Mana Flow I
Weak Mana Infusion 16 (Common) – Affinity I
Mana Orb 16 (Uncommon) – Structured Orb
Transfer Vitality (Rare) 1
Crafting Skills
Wood Working 17 (Common) - Mana Wood Reinforcement I
Fortification Construction 9 (Rare)
Trap Making 18 (Common) - Will I
Leadership 8 (Uncommon)
Titles
None
“It’s done.”
“No change,” Axi says.
"I have become a shaman.” I want to explain, but I doubt they even care. “Whatever. We can continue.”
Transfer Vitality is more complicated than I thought. First, I need a ritualistic dagger with runes inscribed on it. This means I won’t be able to use the skill quickly. Then, I need to carve a simple rune on a sacrifice and a healing target. Then, I use the dagger to kill the sacrifice, and it will steal its vitality and give it to the target, healing it. Generally, there is a lot of work. I’m kinda disappointed, but a healing skill is precious, regardless.
We go back to the previous cavern, and there are a few small spiders there. Axi kills them all. I decide to kill as many eggs as possible now that I can level again. Unfortunately, Axi and the nameless goblin decide to help me, and I can’t just tell them to stop without looking like a petty tyrant. I don’t want a fight with Axi.
You have killed 36 0th tier monsters. You have earned 180 Experience Points.
You have advanced to level 2!
No skill levels, but I suppose I caped them all. I need to train or study to increase my caps. On the other hand, I can count experience now to determine how much is needed to level up.
We pick a random tunnel not leading in the treasure's direction. Tunnels are mostly the same. Some passages are blocked. It must have been an impressive system of tunnels before the snake attacked. We find smaller spiders from time to time, which are no longer that dangerous. Maybe in bigger numbers. I want to score hits, but I also don’t want to march first, which leads to me getting only some kills.
The tunnel turns at some point towards the treasure, so we pick one of the side tunnels and continue to explore.
You have killed 11 1st tier monsters. You have earned 550 Experience Points.
You have advanced to level 3!
So there are around 600 experience points from the level two to three. We continue to explore the tunnels, killing weaker spiders and trying to avoid stronger ones. We have killed a few 2nd tier spiders before all this, but that was in a bigger group. When I still had a tribe. It was still dangerous at that time.
Our luck seems to run out. We spot four 2nd tier spiders in a tunnel. We run back, hoping to lose them. Finding a fork, we take the tunnel leading in the opposite direction to the treasure, but there are a dozen smaller spiders. Damn! We should be able to handle that many, but not fast enough to escape the stronger ones. Without communication, we all turn around and rush into the opposite tunnel.
Spiders go after us, and I look around for another fork. Our luck really runs off, though, as there are none. We run into a gigantic cavern. Some boulders are lying on the ground, but the cavern is mostly fine. Countless corpses of spiders lie on the ground; some places have puddles of their internal fluids. In the center of the cave is my favorite snake. On the other side, guarding the next room with its body, a gigantic spider is lying.
I can’t observe for too long, though, because a small horde of spiders runs into the cave just after us.