After some discussion among the five of us, Jezibel, Ati, and Nisos chose their next evolutions and advancements. I am not sure if the options they had to choose from were born from the catastrophe we almost faced or if they were born from the disparities between them and the monsters we faced. Probably both. What I am sure of is that the experience with the rex and the eagle shaped which options they did chose.
“Are you sure, Jezi? This seems like a departure from your reliance on your monsters to do the fighting for you, and I am honestly not sure that someone like you is suited for that.” I asked, apprehensive at her change of course.
“Yeah, I am sure. It’s because I am involving myself into the fights directly that I stop being dead weight. Or at least the exploitable weak point. I am never going to leave myself at the mercy of a monster like the Eagle and the selflessness of my comrades ever again. And while I won’t improve on my monster summoning, I should still be able to use my monsters to fight in the same manner as before in case I didn’t wish to fight for whatever reason. The fact that these options have the best rarities I can chose makes it even better.”
Jezibel chose the legendary rarity, rank D [Bond-Merger Human] and the rare rarity class of [Warlock of Contracts] for her level 50 advancement. Having advanced a rarity on both fronts, Jezibel’s abilities were sure to rise by orders of magnitude, and that’s without mentioning the sheer synergy between her race and class.
Her race will allow her to merge temporarily with any of her tamed monsters and gain many of their attributes and traits on top of her own, while her class will improve the quality of her contracts with her beasts and allow her the ability to customize it to her needs – and vastly improve the attributes and abilities of the beasts in battle through support spells. These improvements should in theory also transfer during a merge, making her even more of a menace on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Nicotris spoke to her countryman as Nisos listened.
“I can see how you came to your conclusion, but I think that your choices are far too risky.”
“That’s true, but the rewards are even greater. In fact, I believe that they are great enough to not only justify the risks, but to suppress them as well.”
While Ati did not get legendary rarity classes or evolutions, his choices are set to push him ahead even more drastically on the rarities front than Jezibel’s will. Ati decided to evolve into the rare rarity, rank D [Peregrine Falconman], completely bypassing the uncommon rarity alternatives. He also decided on the [Fusillade Arbalest] class, which was of the rare rarity as well.
Nisos had a comment of his own to add.
“This pair should in theory allow you to punch far above your own weight, but it comes at the cost of everything else. You’ll still wield the vitality, strength, and wisdom of a rank E creature.”
“Like I said, it’s still worth it. There was nothing I could do when the eagle was about to kill Jezibel and endanger the rest of us. I could neither catch up nor put so much as a scratch on it. With this evolution, I’ll gain enough dexterity and speed to hopefully avoid being outmatched in the air by a monster like the eagle, and the class should be able to help me wound or even kill it. I can also bombard enemies beneath me to aid everyone or kill monsters entirely on my own. Even if I run out of mana, I can just run away with the incredible speed I’ll have gained. In fact, I think this combination will work well to let me evolve again and shore up the attributes.”
“Hmm…” Nicotris had a thoughtful expression but chose to keep quiet.
“Besides, your choices should offer a safety net for mine.” Ati said as he nodded to Nisos.
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“I am not happy with you relying on my abilities. What happens if the party disbands for whatever reason? Or if we split up?”
“You’re only my insurance, and pretty good insurance at that. My primary defense is not getting hit in the first place. Regardless, at the rate we’re improving, I don’t think it’ll be long before we earn our rank C evolutions and catch up to Kiara.”
Nisos sighed.
“Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Nisos’s choices would put him on even ground with Jezibel in terms of rarity; he decided on the combination of the legendary rarity, rank D [Archon of Harmony] evolution and the rare rarity [Steadfast Sentinel] class.
“What does he mean by you being his insurance, Nisos?” I asked, having joined them with Jezibel.
“Well, my evolution should allow for any team I am part of to function much more effectively than even my current race of [Telepathic Commander]. Simply put, I’ll be able to share and distribute some of our attributes and abilities around; though the description implied plenty of restrictions on quality, quantity, and viable targets. Nevertheless, this should be able to push our teamwork a step further. My class should be able to help me drag attention from enemies and protect you guys better, letting me fill both the tank and team leader roles much better.”
He took a deep breath, then carried on with a grim voice.
“Like Jezibel and Ati, my helplessness during the eagle’s gambit frustrates me to no end. I failed to coordinate you, to account for the beast’s intelligence, and to protect you when you were vulnerable. It won’t happen again. From this moment onwards, I swear that so long as you are fighting by my side, none of you will die before I do.”
After hearing the Ionian’s pledge, the other two joined him in brooding again as they probably stewed over the fight with the eagle and the rex. It seems like it shook those three harder than I thought it did. But going over it again and again wasn’t going to help them move past it, and his words rubbed me off the wrong way.
I flicked Nisos’s forehead.
“Wha-?!”
“Shut up, Nisos. Your little declaration was the dumbest thing I’ve had the misfortune of hearing today.”
Everyone turned to us as the boy was rendered speechless, likely caught between disbelief and indignation.
“Everyone here blames themselves for some failing of theirs in that fight, not just you. The world doesn’t revolve around you; just because one of us gets hurt or even killed doesn’t mean you’re responsible for it. These things happen when people fight monsters. You can only blame your own incompetence if you die picking a fight with a monster you can’t handle.”
“Hey.”
I pretended Jezibel didn’t say anything as I retracted my claws and pushed a finger at his chest.
“While we’re at it, don’t go killing any of us off prematurely, idiot. None of us are going to die. In fact, we’re all going to come out of this with enough power to make the gods themselves tremble in fear before our might.”
“Hey.”
“Finally,” I said, ignoring the noble’s protest, “you’re not fighting alone. We’re with you. We protect each other – not rely on one person to do that for us. That’s the entire reason we’re down here in the first place. You’d think someone who’s entire race revolves around working with others would know something that simple.”
My frown eased up into a smile, and I put a hand on his shoulder. His shock deflated as he seemed lost for words.
“I have to say though, I have no clue how you said a line like ‘none of you will die before I do’ with a straight face.”
***
Nicotris and I each stood on a side, ready to intervene should any of the three be at risk of serious harm and to keep any late arrivals from interrupting the show. Jezibel, Ati, and Nisos prepared as their opponent approached with heavy footsteps.
[Abyssal Frost Troll]
HP: 23000/23000
MP: 420/420
SP: 6205/6205
Vitality: 1607
Strength: 1201
Dexterity: 284
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 10
Rank B creature. It is rather difficult to understate how slow the Abyssal Frost Troll is, which it happens to be in more ways than one. However, with the horrifying force it wields and the even more powerful regenerative abilities it possesses, it proves to be a deadly predator nonetheless.
“Can you lend me your ear for a moment, Nisos?” Ati said as they watched the monster roar.
“Sure. What is on your mind?”
“I think I would very much appreciate it if you died before I did.”
“CAN YOU LET THAT GO ALREADY?!”
Jezibel laughed as Ati kept a stony face as usual. Nisos’s face was still flushed with embarrassment.
If they’re composed enough to banter, then this should still go smoothly. It’s time to see how well they put their new toys to use.