As I regain consciousness once more, my vision is filled with an all too familiar red ceiling. I jolt up to see that I am lying in a large bed with red sheets, black pillows and black blankets, the room around me being something I am horrifyingly intimate with. The room illuminated by dim red light emitted by various fancy lamps was formerly the room I stayed in at the Candy Land Brothel, or at least it should've been only a former residence. Had I really just been dreaming the past few days? Do I really have to come back to this hell I thought I had escaped from?
I reach my arms around myself, hugging myself in panic, only to soon realize the impossibility of the action due to the lack of one of the limbs. Looking down, I am quickly relieved to see that my crimson-skinned right arm is missing, which is an odd thing to be relieved about now that I think about it. But I can't help it, for a moment there I had thought I was back on Earth, in the very same room that was a glorified prison cell for years. But on closer inspection, as I look around the room, I spot several oddities that would have tipped me off sooner if I was paying better attention.
While this room is almost identical in layout and furnishing of the brothel’s room I had been housed in, there are two major differences that differentiate the two. Firstly, both the door leading to the attached bathroom and the door leading out to the hallway are missing, the spots in the walls where they would be located occupied by blank sections of the room’s scarlet walls. Secondly, and more obvious of the two, is that the wall opposite my bed, I mean the brothel’s bed, is filled with five more pieces of artwork than is normally there. Scooching to the edge of the bed, I survey the six framed works of art lined up along the wall, noticing that the detail and beauty of the artwork starts fairly simple at the left end, and improves in quality heading towards the right end, ending in a beautiful painting with vibrant colors and immaculate detail. Beneath each of the paintings are plaques golden in color, with what looks like descriptions inscribed on them in lengthy detail. Heading over to the one on the far left, a picture depicting a sketch of a naked demoness flirtily grasping the chin of another figure with cartoonish hearts in each of their eyes, I look below at the plaque and read the description written on it, finding it to be similar in structure to the System windows I have become accustomed to.
Subspecies: Temiskyr Succubus
Stats Per Level: Endurance +1 Recovery +2 Strength +0 Dexterity +3 Magic Power +1 Mana Control +2 Free Points +2
{Temiskyr Succubus}:
A rare variant of Succubus, this Subspecies of Temiskyr Demon uses their skill with (Enchantment) Magic to make sure they can Charm their targets with more than just their body. Due to their origins of being surrounded by predominantly females, this Succubus Subspecies has adapted to be able to use their Skills on not just men, no longer having that detrimental factor many other Succubus Subspecies face.
Prerequisite Skills And Achievements Related To This Subspecies:
-Of The Female Sex
-Obtained A “Temiskyr” Subspecies before
-Moderate Sexual Experience (Met Via Title: Otherworlder)
-Obtained Enchantment Affinity Skill
-Obtained Subliminal Pheromones Skill
-Obtained Temptation's Tongue Skill
-Maxed Out Eyes Of Aspirations Skill
-Maxed Out Versatile Tail Skill
A window asking if I would like to Evolve into a {Temiskyr Succubus} appears as soon as I finish reading the full description, but I immediately reject the prompt, the appeal of the option having disappeared halfway through reading the description. While the amount of Stat points I would receive each level would be more than I currently get, being 11 total instead of the 8 I get now, I don't want to become something whose entire purpose is to be lusted after any more. I've lived that life long enough, and my life in Dharta will not become like that for as long as I can help it.
Thankfully, there are five more options I can choose from, and the one to the right of the {Temiskyr Succubus} looks promising, even if solely based on the artwork displayed. This piece is also a sketch, but this time it is of a towering demoness with bone-like armor, raising up a decapitated head aloft in a clawed hand, with thick muscles all over her body readily displaying her strength.
Subspecies: Temiskyr Fiend
Stats Per Level: Endurance +2 Recovery +2 Strength +4 Dexterity +1 Magic Power +0 Mana Control +1 Free Points +2
{Temiskyr Fiend}:
A rare variant of Fiend, this Subspecies of Temiskyr Demon uses their skill with (Enchantment) Magic to keep their opponents in a Rage, making it easier for them to rip apart their foes with their mighty claws. These Demons have a taste for the thrill of battle, forgoing weaponry to defeat their enemies with their bodies, finding joy in laying them low barehanded.
Prerequisite Skills And Achievements Related To This Subspecies:
-Obtained A “Temiskyr” Subspecies before
-Defeated 10+ Opponents In Close Range Without A Weapon
-Obtained Tail Whip Skill
-Obtained Enchantment Affinity Skill
-Maxed Out Versatile Tail Skill
-Maxed Out Brawling Skill
This one is closer to what I'm looking for, and also gives out more Stats than the Succubus which is a major plus. If this trend continues, with the following four options giving more Stats, even this Subspecies which looks like a good choice might be a poor option. As such, I decline once again, making sure that I take a look at all my choices before picking one.
The next in line to be perused is a painting with pastel colors, the image shown depicting a Demon with pale green skin and deer-like horns in the midst of a forest as she stalks an unknown target outside the painting's frame. With the increased detail, I can also start to make out how the face of the Demon has many of my own features, which is somewhat odd to see on the foreign figure displayed. This does certify that the images relate to the descriptions below, most likely being a representation of what I might look like if I Evolve into the selected Subspecies. Looking at the plaque, I'm met with the first departure from the Temiskyr line of Subspecies.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Subspecies: Blednitsa Shadowstalker
Stats Per Level: Endurance +1 Recovery +1 Strength +2 Dexterity +4 Magic Power +1 Mana Control +3 Free Points +4
{Blednitsa Shadowstalker}:
A reclusive Demon, this Subspecies resides in a forest and uses their Skills to hunt any prey within, especially those who would dare enter their territory. Oddly enough, most who enter a Blednitsa’s territory do so unwillingly, as the Demon uses their mastery of (Enchantment) magic to entrance victims into their forests so they may feast upon them after ambushing them with their affinity for (Shadow).
Prerequisite Skills And Achievements Related To This Subspecies:
-Has A Residence Within A Forest
-Devoured The Uncooked Flesh Of An Opponent In The Forest They Hunted Single Handedly
-Defeated An Opponent With A Single Undetected Strike
-Used Poison To Defeat An Opponent
-Defeated An Opponent Of The Second Tier
-Obtained Shadows Of Doubt Skill
-Obtained Nightvision Skill
-Obtained Poison Resistance Skill
-Maxed Out Enchantment Affinity Skill
The {Blednitsa Shadowstalker} is much better than the previous two, which makes sense as it also has much more difficult prerequisites than the others. Though if I think about the descriptions, all my options must be pretty good since even my lowest choices are considered “rare variants.” On to the next though, and this one is probably the oddest of the bunch. The painting is of me, but with dark hair and pale skin, eyes a blood red and staring straight forward. The image itself isn't what is odd about it though, but rather the description it has.
Subspecies: Lesser Vampire
Stats Per Level: Endurance +2 Recovery +2 Strength +2 Dexterity +2 Magic Power +2 Mana Control +2 Free Points +6
{Lesser Vampire}:
Vampires are the nobility of the Undead, and few have the privilege to become one in full instead of a lowly Thrall under their service. A {Lesser Vampire} is just the first step of a Vampire’s path to power, but that doesn't mean you should underestimate their capabilities in the slightest.
Prerequisite Skills And Achievements Related To This Subspecies:
-Has Spent Significant Time Surrounded By Undead
-Defeated An Opponent Of The Second Tier
-Has Gained The Attention Of The Goddess Of Undeath, Vimortua
-Obtained Shadows Of Doubt Skill
-Obtained Nightvision Skill
-Obtained Temptation's Tongue Skill
-Obtained From The Brink Skill
-Maxed Out Enchantment Affinity Skill
WARNING: EVOLVING INTO THIS SUBSPECIES WILL CHANGE YOUR SPECIES INTO AN UNDEAD, WHICH MAY BE IRREVERSIBLE. SOME SKILLS RELATED TO LOST BODY PARTS MAY BE LOST OR ALTERED DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITIES. SELECT THIS OPTION AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Seeing as how I've never heard of anyone named Vimortua before, this Subspecies choice is completely outside any expectations I might have. It's not even a Demon at all, as the warning clearly dictated to me, and I especially didn't like the thought of losing any Skills. The main ones I can think of that wouldn't transfer over would be those related to my tail, as the painting didn't depict me having one, and those would be a great loss as they are two of my few maxed out Skills. The Stat gains are good, especially the freedom given with the large amount of free Stat points, but I don't think I'll take this one even if it gave twice as many Stats, as I don't like the idea of becoming an Undead.
With that out of the way, I move on to the next piece of artwork, a beautiful illustration reminiscent of a stained glass window. The combination of meticulously placed geometric shapes portray the image of a version of me surrounded by chains that are severed at each point that comes in contact with me, a golden outline around the crimson skinned demoness portrayed in the art piece. The form is reminiscent of the Fiend portrayed in the earlier work of art, only with a muscular frame leaner than its counterpart, as well as being more elegant than the brutish display of the {Temiskyr Fiend}.
Subspecies: Countess Of Broken Chains
Stats Per Level: Endurance +4 Recovery +4 Strength +2 Dexterity +2 Magic Power +3 Mana Control +3 Free Points +4
{Countess Of Broken Chains}:
A unique variant of Demon that has lived a life of suffering and captivity, but has broken free and wishes to remain so. This Demon has a presence worthy of respect, gaining the Countess rank of Demonic Nobility through their efforts, and will use their Skills to break the bonds of others to show their resolve, no matter what needs to be endured to make it so.
Prerequisite Skills And Achievements Related To This Subspecies:
-Maxed Out Three Skills Related To Fighting With Your Body Alone
-Maxed Out A Skill With The (Holy) Category
-Defeated An Opponent Of The Second Tier
-Obtained The (Banebreaker) Title
-Sacrificed A Limb To Escape An Opponent
-Willing To Die For Your Beliefs (Met Via Title: Otherworlder)
-Obtained Break Enchantment Skill
-Obtained From The Brink Skill
-Maxed Out Enchantment Affinity Skill
The description for this Subspecies is somewhat vague on what it actually focuses on Skill-wise, but it has still jumped to the top of my list of choices, and it isn't even the last one I can check. That means that this Subspecies that is handing out almost triple the Stats I currently receive is still worse than my last option. I only get more excited at this prospect, and quickly move to the sixth and last painting to inspect it.
The last painting has an almost lifelike quality to it, the detail so precise and in depth that the painting almost looks like a photograph. The picture though, is a little bit off-putting to me. The image shows my current appearance, but with large bat-like wings coming from my back, and ram-like horns on my head. Those additions are not the off-putting part though. What is odd, is that it shows me cradling a demonic baby in my arms, breastfeeding the child with a loving expression on my face. The completely different action portrayed throws me off, as all the others seem to be more action focused, while this shows me as a loving mother, which makes me skeptical of the Subspecies it is supposed to represent.
Subspecies: Lilim Of Lust
Stats Per Level: Endurance +6 Recovery +6 Strength +6 Dexterity +6 Magic Power +6 Mana Control +6 Free Points +0
{Lilim Of Lust}:
The first daughters of Lilith, Goddess Of Lust, the Lilim are an almost extinct Subspecies of Demon that take after their mother’s mission to produce many more Demons. As one of the first Demons to come from their Mother Goddess, this ancestor of Succubi is not only much more powerful than their distant relatives, but is also not a victim to their curse of infertility, allowing them to pursue their divine deed of spreading Demonkind to all of Dharta’s lands.
Prerequisite Skills And Achievements Related To This Subspecies:
-Of The Female Sex
-Significant Sexual Experience (Met Via Title: Otherworlder)
-Has Received The Seed Of Many Different Men (Met Via Title: Otherworlder)
-Obtained The Blessing Of A Divine Being (Met Via Title: Chosen Of Justice)
-Obtained Enchantment Affinity Skill
-Obtained Subliminal Pheromones Skill
-Obtained Temptation's Tongue Skill
-Maxed Out Eyes Of Aspirations Skill
-Maxed Out Versatile Tail Skill
What. The. Fuck.
You have got to be kidding me with this last one. It's basically a fancier version of a Succubus, hogging all those Stat points into a Subspecies I will never choose. While the preachy description describes the Lilim as a noble type of Demon that has a wonderful Goddess-given duty, they basically are around to fuck and have babies to make more Demons. Granted, I don't know if Demons are an endangered Species or whatnot, but I still hate that all (Otherworlder) is drawing from is the activities I was forced to do. Though it's not like I have any other skills for it to draw on except maybe cooking, which I don't think I even have to do anymore with how much my tastebuds enjoyed that raw Moss Wolf meat.
It's still disappointing that my top option turned out to be a bust. I mean, I could pick it for the Stats it gives, but if I did so, I would feel uncomfortable in my own skin knowing what I had become. I do enjoy that the System is letting me make a choice at all though, as I didn't get to when coming here in the first place.
Having checked out all the choices before me, there is only one real option to go for. The Succubus and Lilim are out for the same reason, and I don't want to become an undead as part of the Vampire’s deal. The Blednitsa Shadowstalker sounds neat, but its description heavily implies that I have to reside in a forest, and that is only a temporary measure right now and not something I want to do long-term. The Fiend is the only other option besides Countess Of Broken Chains that doesn't really have any down sides, besides giving out less Stat points than the Countess does. As such, I step back over to the fifth painting, and as soon as the prompting window appears, I make my selection for my first Subspecies Evolution at last.