Chapter 17: What was that they said about bridges and friends?

Ethan woke up shortly and cracked out of the cocoon that had covered him.. As he looked around and saw the remnants of kills that were brought to him and then he saw the cocoon. Ethan balked "A Cocoon ? that's new, I wonder why that didn't happen last time. "

Just then Hiamel spoke up as he wafted out of Ethan. " I know the answer to that, Ethan , my boy. You never grew one before as you were not evolved enough to need one, each evolution takes longer than the previous one. Once it hits a certain point a cocoon will form around you to make sure that you reach that evolution safely as you keep evolving the cocoon will become stronger and more defensive."

"Oh that makes sense, how long was I out??" Ethan asked not wanting to really know the answer.

Hiamel smiled with his eyes, "you sure you want to know?" Hiamel chuckled " about a week, maybe more."

Ethan balked " That long!!?? What the hell?! I need to get back to work! Being out that long put me behind " With that Ethan chowed down on the mutogene and started spawning more swarm-lings. As eggs started spawning at a rapid rate, they shortly hatched and they looked vastly different, the swarm-lings were bulbous and they looked almost gelatinous. " Interesting. It's time to go farming and see what I can do."

With that Ethan walked outside and stretched his new body, his body looked like it was almost hollow but it certainly was not, it was filled with youth and brimming with energy. That fact did not pass by Ethan without notice. " I feel considerably different, stronger. More energized!"

Hiamel chuckled, " check your stat sheet." he said with a smile in his eyes.

Ethan

Species: Cheiracanthium inclusum swarm queen

Gender: Female

Power level 11

Strength: 80

Agility: 70

Intelligence: 80

Luck: 55

Vitality: 110

Mana: 80

Mutations:

Sparking Mandibles +15

Armored legs+15

Paralytic Webbing +15

Mind control Venom+15

Rapid Swarm-ling hatchery +15

Compressed swarm-ling ducts+15

Swarm-ling control +1

"I have mana now?! What magic do I use though?! With the assassin spider it was shadow magic, it's not fire magic... So what type of magic is it??" Ethan asked more of himself than anyone else.

Hiamel spoke firmly with a growing smile in his eyes, it was as if it was an ear to ear smile.. As if the work of years was finally starting to form into what was required for the end game.

" Mutation magic Ethan, mutation magic. "

"What the hell is mutation magic and why does it sound awesome?" Ethan said with his eight eyes going wide..er?

"It's rare, most people go elemental or some sort of stealth.. Which is good for the early game and the mid game, if you're good... even the endgame... but mutation magic is different. It requires more... devious mindset.. One with a mind for strategy and outplaying your opponents. It has one of the highest learning curves. But it is the most open ended, as it does not require spells as the other elements do, it goes off of intent and your creativity.

Essentially, you create the spells yourself through constantly using the skill and exploring what it has to offer. You think you can handle it?! " Hiamel stated that last part with a rising pitch in his voice as he stared directly at Ethan. " If you can, you could actually do it. You could actually get back, or rule this place as its overlord. Either which way, as long as my lord gets what he wants, he cares little of what you decide to do."

Ethan was silent for a moment, then he looked up with determination in his eyes. " I am going to master it. Not only that, but I am going to make it so that only I win. This is going to play out how I want it."

Hiamel began chuckling " interesting boy, but I wonder if you have the stones to back it up."

Ethan looked at Hiamel with an odd look. "Talking about someone having stones, when you don't even have legs." Ethan said with a chuckle.

Hiamel just looked at Ethan and then disappeared. " Guess I pissed him off, ah he will get over it."

With that Ethan sent out more swarm-lings to hunt while he kept 5 back to start experimenting with his mutation magic.

"All right, you 5 will be my test minions. Some of you may die, but that is a risk I am willing to take. Especially since I can bring you back... like immediately." Ethan began to try to use his magic. After a moment of trying, he felt... nothing. No movement in his body, no sparks... no wizard hat telling him what house he was in!? Nothing. " Okay, what am I doing wrong? I feel like I should be able to at least channel manna, but I can't even feel anything." Ethan kept trying and trying, but to no avail. He felt his frustration rising and his anger with it. "Damn it! Why cant I make this work, I am envisioning what I want to happen but yet, nothing happens... what am I doing wrong?"

Ethan took a few steps back to calm down " Okay, calm down. Getting angry isn't going to solve anything. I just need some guidance is all. "