“This’ll take a minute,” Henry thought to himself as literal walls of text appeared in front of him. Still. It wasn’t unpleasant. After all, he was looking at his achievements and triumphs.
Krakenbane Wanderer (D) - Level 62 achieved!
...
Krakenbane Wanderer (D) - Level 100 achieved!
8x Stat points awarded.
4x Strength Stat points awarded.
4x Spirit Stat points awarded.
4x Constitution Stat points awarded.
Carpet Shark Core (C) contained significant Constitution Stats. 1x Constitution Stat points awarded.
Giant Mantis Shrimp Core (C) contained significant Perception Stats. 1x Perception Stat points awarded.
Whipcrack Shark Core (C) contained significant Dexterity Stats. 3x Dexterity Stat points awarded.
Congratulations. You will be shortly evolving from Juvenile Trickster Kraken to Trickster Kraken!
Congratulations. Two new classes have been unlocked. You qualify for a class change!
“Huh. No choice in the species evolution this time? Just growing up, I guess.”
Calculating Evolutionary Points…
Triumphed over multiple predators more than 50 levels above your own.
Triumphed over multiple predators more than 100 levels above your own.
Triumphed over multiple C-Rank beings as a D-Rank being.
Integrated and used the natural weapon of a significantly higher rank being.
Gained more than five abilities through either practice, experimentation, or adaptation.
Calculating results… 23x Evolutionary Points granted!
“I bet that’s for the leviathan’s tooth. Hmm… I should be working more on getting new Skills. Nice haul, overall.”
Select one of the following Class Evolutions:
(New) Wandering Marauder:
A class for the marauding hunter of the deep. A predator that takes his enemy's strength before turning it against them. Everything you see is yours for the taking, if you’re strong enough.
- This Class allows for easier and longer storing of foreign concepts
- Focuses on Strength, Spirit, and Dexterity
(New) Watchful Guardian:
A class for the vigilant protector. With unwavering eyes and an indomitable spirit, you stand between the threats of the deep and those under your care. Every aggressor will be swept aside, every danger anticipated, for nothing escapes your watch.
- This Class generates and empowers concepts related to scouting and defense
- Focuses on Strength, Spirit, and Constitution
Krakenbane Wanderer:
A Class for the traveling hunter of the deep. A terrible enemy to the feared and sometimes worshiped krakens of the abyss. You walk with purpose and confidence where none dare to tread, wielding strength and resilience forged in the darkest depths.
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- This Class generates and empowers concepts related to traveling and offensive curses
- Focuses on Strength, Spirit, and Constitution
Stalking Threat:
A Class for the hunters of the ocean. You have proven yourself a ruthless predator; hunting, trading blows, and triumphing over beings stronger than you.
- This Class generates and empowers concepts of stealth and offense.
- Focuses on Strength and Constitution
Surviving Opportunist:
A Class for the opportunist who waits to strike and thrives in the shadows.
- This Class generates and empowers concepts of stealth and healing.
- Focuses on Spirit and Constitution
Telepathic Scholar:
A Class for those who wish to observe and learn. The Telepathic Scholar has an easier time befriending sapient beings and fading into the background when required.
- This Class generates and empowers concepts of knowledge, psionics, and stealth.
- Focuses Perception and Spirit
Henry read everything twice, heart frantic in his chest. This was it. The answers were finally coming through. Still, he didn’t let his excitement distract him. He also couldn’t help but notice that the new definitions of classes weren’t mentioning Skill or Trait slots.
It was unfortunate that the first classes he’d ever been offered were lagging behind when it came to stat bonuses, while everything new was boosting three stats instead of two. Still, it was interesting to see how every class integrated concepts in its definition.
“Now… about these new classes. All in all, I’ve got three choices. Marauder, Guardian, or Krakenbane.”
Marauder sounded kinda cool, and it was fitting considering Henry’s modus operandi so far, but he wasn’t super comfortable about how the class description was worded. Plus, now that he was reading all of these descriptions, he began to suspect a possible evolution for Magic Mimic. If that Trait somehow managed to start stealing concepts, then why would he need Marauder’s empowerment? He probably had that classes’ bonuses as part of his species.
Second was Guardian. He didn’t hate it. It matched with his focus on survivability and defense, and whenever he ended up meeting other civilizations, Henry was willing to bet a guardian would be a lot more welcome than a marauder. Plus, better scouting and keeping his gremlins safe was an attractive prospect.
Third option was keeping Krakenbane Wanderer. It was interesting to see how the concepts would work within the confines of that class. Offensive curses? That’s how Krakenbane’s Wrath worked? A curse targeted at krakens? Interesting stuff. Very interesting. The problem was, Henry didn’t really hate krakens to the point where he needed to make that his whole identity. It was a powerful class in his last evolution. He’d taken it then, and it served him well. But now? He didn’t need to kill every kraken he’d meet, and if he met a problematic one, he had the Skills. He doubted he’d lose them if he changed classes here. Plus, this class and the Guardian’s had the same stat boosts.
“Yeah. Considering the monsters roaming this area, extra survivability would be very welcome. Alright. Let’s get this done.”
Class Watchful Guardian (C) was selected.
The air around Henry started glowing. Motes appeared and began orbiting, progressively gaining speed while the sand below him was kicked up. The light grew stronger, and stronger, until he couldn’t even see his two flinching companions, and then–darkness.
***
“[Your friend is monstrous.]”
Maurice stopped staring at the ball of light behind him, and his human face turned to the dolphin. He gave her a narrow-eyed look. “[We’re all monsters.]”
Stormsong huffed, and a stream of bubbles flew out and got stuck on the ceiling of the small cave. Maurice didn’t let that distract him. “[I meant a D-rank has no business being that… strong. Are you not afraid of him? And why are you using this illusion? What is this?]” she asked as she circled the human projection.
Human-Maurice shooed the dolphin away, who quickly dodged. “[I’m practicing. This is a human. They might be around, apparently. They have food and books, and I need to be able to earn their trust and make them think I’m one of them to… er… borrow their books. And food. And treasures.]”
Maurice got lost for a second, imagining all the things Henry had mentioned they might find. He wondered if they had fish roes over there. How could they prepare them? Would they be better with spices?
The crab shook himself and looked up at the dolphin, and his human illusion pointed at her the same as he did. “[Henry's a good monster. I mean person. He helped me, taught me, and protected me. I owe him. I wouldn’t be talking like this if it wasn’t for him. I’d be a little stupid crab already dead somewhere if it wasn’t for him.]”
Stormsong gave the crab–the real one–an even look then she bobbed her head and slowly swam closer to the exit. “[Alright. Let’s keep an eye out, I guess. This evolution will take a few hours to finish. Hopefully, nothing shows up until he’s done.]”
Maurice glanced back at the round, glowing shell in which his friend was changing, then pulled a bit of crab meat out of his hoard.
He was tempted for a second, then shook his illusion’s head. “No kraken roe. Not yet. Those are for special occasions.”
***
Class rank-up completed.
Species rank-up completed.
Juvenile Trickster Kraken(D) evolved into Trickster Kraken (C). All base stats increased by 10.
Concept Workshop unlocked.
Aspect Workshop upgraded.
Henry opened his eyes expecting to find a sassy crab and a belligerent dolphin telepathically shouting at each other. Instead, he found himself in a familiar place. One he hadn’t been in for months.
He was hiding in the turtle shell. Hanging around its bottom corner. Far above, Riptide sharks were lazily swimming around, unaware of the colorful turtle shell and of the small octopus within.
“Still alive and kicking, eh?”
Henry looked down to find a small half-person, half-golden-octopus sitting across from him.
The little man smiled at him. “How’s it been, Henry?”