The previously monster-overflowing cavern is now completely quiet with no signs of live... besides a single one: only a sole Demon lies in the deepest parts of the dungeon
--
[HP : 27/233 → HP : 15/223]
[MP : 4/106 → MP : 106/106]
--
And eventually, the Demon wakes up
“Wha…?” the girl asks out loud and somehow finds herself weirded out by her own voice. Though she slowly comes to her senses and moves a hand to her throbbing head. As she realizes she's still in the cave surrounded by dead monsters her eyes widen. She immediately jumps up into a fight-ready position, ready to tear apart any enemies that may still linger around. But realizing there are none, no danger, her body visibly relaxes.
She looks around and takes in the sea of monster corpses, still not believing she did all of this alone. She approaches one of the bodies and lifts it in the air. Her face twists at the nauseating stench it exudes. ´I´m not gonna eat that´ she decides for herself and throws it over her back, turning to exit the fighting-site. She feels a sting run through her body with each step she takes, especially where the Arachnid hit her, but there is nothing she can do for now besides grit her teeth.
After a while she reaches the former Chiropter lair where she left her possessions behind. Grabbing the leather bag, she takes out a salve and smears it over the wound on her chest. Tears form in the little girl´s eyes as she endures the burning pain, only after what feels like an eternity does it begin to fade
As the discomfort of her wounds begins to ease, she starts feeling hungry. Looking around, she picks up a few Chiropters and once again lights a fire. Preparing her meal, she goes through the notifications of her latest fight as one of them especially piques her interest:
~Sufficient Level has been reached~
Sufficient Conditions have been met
|Evolution available|
“Evolution? Is this what I think it is?” she mutters to herself. The Demon remembers a conversation she overhead when she was still a baby, when she was still in the Demons´ Domicile:
***
“Are you serious? You can Evolve already? Into a |S̵̠̋w̶̺͌n̵͇͝ī̵̞b̴̙̉| no less?”
“Yeah, I got the notice when we returned from Hollowing Mountains the other day”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
“You know I can't just go and do it. Or do you never give your evolutions serious thought?”
“What? Are you stupid? What´s there to think about, do you know how much Stronger this Evolution will make you? Don't tell me you're hoping for something better than that dumbass.”
“Who are you calling dumbass you little fuck?”
***
This was all the information the little girl needed; She would get stronger by |Evolving|, the concept is that simple.
A ticklish feeling runs through her body, the thought of taking another step up the mountain of the strongest excites her. “But, how do I even…?” as she thinks that a new notifications appears inside her head:
[Intent to |Evolve| has been detected. Display options?]
"Uhm, yeah?"
[Conditions for 6 |Evolutions| have been met. Now listing]
~Option 1~
Adult Demon
----------------------------------------
Rarity: Normal
Evolution Bonus:
(per Level-up)
----------------------------------------
Vitality +5
Strength +5
Intelligence +5
Endurance +5
Agility +5
General Information: A common evolution for when a [Child Demon] matures. No benefits, but no restrictions either.
At first she´s surprised, but then her brows furrow: ´Hm? Aren´t these |Stat Bonuses| worse than the ones I have now?'
Indeed they are. If you don´t count the debuff of the |Child Title|, the girl gets around +10 |Stat Points| upon Leveling-up. If she were to accept this |Evolution| then her |Stat Gain| would be halved. She´s genuinely confused by that. ´Aren´t |Evolutions| supposed to make me stronger? What is this?'
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
After breaking her head about it, she arrives at the conclusion that breaking her head about it hurts.
"Anyway"
~Option 2~
Imp
----------------------------------------
Rarity: Normal
Evolution Bonus:
(per Level-up)
----------------------------------------
Vitality +2
Strength +3
Intelligence +7
Endurance +4
Agility +10
General Information: A canny Demon possessing a small build. Its strengths lie in outwitting the enemy and whittling them down with quick attacks and magic. Not to be underestimated.
“Nope”
Interesting, apparently the Demon has no interest whatsoever in this one.
~Option 3~
Hell Hound
----------------------------------------
Rarity: Rare
Evolution Bonus:
(per Level-up)
----------------------------------------
Vitality +5
Strength +8
Intelligence +2
Endurance +6
Agility +7
General Information: A ferocious Demon who has traded its intellect for raw battle power. Attacks and mauls every being in its sight.
And yet this one apparently intrigues her.
The Stat Bonuses are good, just what she likes to see. She´d probably jump on the |Evolution| if not for this one thing.
´Trading one´s intellect?´
The girl has a bad feeling about that. ´Does that mean |Evolutions| play with my mind?´
If she were to lose her ability to think, she would lose herself, leaving only an empty hull. For her this would be nothing more than dying. Deciding to temporarily lock |Hell Hound| away she continues on.
~Option 4~
Demon Valkyrie
----------------------------------------
Rarity: Very Rare
Evolution Bonus:
(per Level-up)
----------------------------------------
Vitality +7
Strength +8
Intelligence +4
Endurance +6
Agility +5
General Information: A female Demon who stands in the midst of battle. Will not be brought down, but will bring down her enemies.
The little Demon grabs a finished Chiropter skewer and bites into it. She likes this |Evolution|. The description as well as the |Stat Bonuses| seem good. It´s almost too good to not be suspicious. She smiles and looks what the next option has in store for her.
~Option 5~
Cerberus
----------------------------------------
Rarity: Epic
Evolution Bonus:
(per Level-up)
----------------------------------------
Vitality +6
Strength +18
Intelligence +0
Endurance +8
Agility +10
General Information: An extremely rare variant of the [Hell Hound]. Grew two additional heads for further opportunities of attack. [Cerberus] has traded all of its intellect for raw battle power, no mercy.
“Wow, the Stat gain is actually insane. But… hmm, same as with the |Hell Hound|, huh?” The girl says while simultaneously managing to chew. She gulps down, feeling a little dejected as she has to pass this opportunity. ´It´s what it is´ she thinks before again chomping down on some more meat.
~Option 6~
Ambassador of Peace
----------------------------------------
Rarity: Ω (Unique)
Evolution Bonus:
(per Level-up)
----------------------------------------
Vitality +50
Strength +0
Intelligence +100
Endurance +70
Agility +80
General Information: A being that has transcended its racial restrictions and turned into a deity. Its duty is to bring peace to all species, as such it cannot harm any living beings. Level-up conditions are altered.
“What the-?!” the girl chokes, her eyes rounder than the moon and her mouth wide open. She´s speechless, understandably so. Even one level-up would give her more Intelligence than she has now. With this she would become near invincible.
But, she calms down and sits down again. "Haaa, this is starting to get exhausting. Who the hell is toying with me?"
She knows she can´t take this |Evolution| either, unfortunately so. The reason being what´s stated in the ´General Information´, again. Namely the duty that would be forced on her; 'bringing peace to all' would constrain her, her life would be sacrificed for a task she doesn´t care for in the slightest. Even worse, she wouldn´t be able to attack anyone, she probably wouldn´t even be a Demon anymore. She's afraid of that, same as with the |Hell Hound| and |Cerberus| she's afraid of losing her identity.
“Haaaa” another exasperated sigh leaves her mouth. “6 options my ass. You´re not leaving me much choice here…” She closes her eyes and concentrates.
[Warning: |Evolution| has been picked. Confirm choice?]
´Yes´ she says confidently in her mind
[Answer affirmative: Commencing |Evolution|]
The Demon girl begins to faintly glow. The shine turns brighter until her whole body is engulfed by it, iridescent colors glimmer from her that would blind anyone watching. She starts |Evolving|.