The Dark part 01: Evolution

Ariel, my stats!

{Notice: At once!}

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Name: Connor Von Eric Hakai Monke . Level: 08

Age: 24 Race: Human.

Social status: The master of the Von Eric family, The master of the Von Eric Hakai Monke family.

Class: Hero, Divine Slayer.

Titles: Toxic gamer, Another world traveler, Tamer, Partner of the gold dragon Kinryuu, Destroyer.

Health: 450/450

Mana: 1002/1002

Stamina: 510/510

Strength: 22 ,Dexterity: 26 ,Speed: 28 , Magic: 31 ,Luck: 16

Constitution: 30 ,Wisdom: 28 ,Intelligence: 33 ,Charisma: 28 ,Will: 30

Martial art Skills:

[Martial arts: Level 10],[Mace Arts: Level 7], [Throwing: Level 1],[Sword arts: Level 3], [Pain resistance: Level 9],

Evocation Skills:

[Fire Magic: Level 9], [Water Magic: Level 7], [Wind Magic: Level 10], [Earth Magic: Level 12], [Lightning Magic: Level 12], [Light Magic: Level 4], [Dark Magic: Level 2], [Pure Magic: Level 13], [Enchanting Magic: Level 17], [Sound Magic: Level 2], [Magic Control: Level 14].

Restoration Skills:

[Holy Healing Magic: Level 8], [Holy Detoxification Magic: Level 4]

Taming Skills:

[Taming: Level 2], [Shapeshift: Level 1].

Draconic blood Skills:

[Draconic physic: Level 3], [Draconic senses: Level 3], [Draconic stomach: Level 1]

Ariel Skills:

[Ariel: Level 19]= [Appraisal], [Sentient]

Hero Skills:

[Patron of the holy maiden: Level 5]

Blessings from the god of creation:

[Plot armor: Level 3], [Destruction: Level 14], [HeAw%=DeLoAw%: Level Unknown].

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Now that I looked closely I can see that my HP, MP, and SP were all restored! that is probably a result of absorbing a soul. This means that the [Plot Armor] curse, heals me and restores my stats alongside reviving. But why are my legs broken?

{Notice: Your right, your legs broke after you were restored as you hit the ground!}

So if I was killed and stabbed by a sword, I would heal but the sword would stay stuck in me?

{Notice: Exactly! Now heal your wound, we can't stay in one place for long!}

Ok! Ok, Chill down… We need to heed Dolrig's advice this time and think about everything! just charging into the unknown will be bad! This time thankfully we have a chance to revive Lydia but next time who knows what will happen!!

{Notice: Then heal and get stronger as fast as you can! The longer you stay weak the more people will die because of you!}

I know, I know… I just need time to sort things now, like where we will go and what we will do about food down here!

{Notice: That's my job! you heal yourself NOW!}

As you say… Connor quietly agreed as Ariel yelled at him.

[Holy Healing Magic], [Holy Detoxification Magic]

Now, what will we do?

{Notice: We will search to the north to find the city of Roa. If we face any monster, we will have to deal with it alongside Mei. For food we will eat those monsters since you have detoxification magic and a draconic stomach, Mei might have some problem eating but the fact that you can keep her alive using magic will help us!}

Won't that be cruel to Mei?

{Notice: It's either starving to death or risking a horrible stomach ache, Squirrels are omnivores! This knowledge is taken from both your memories and one of the guards.}

What do you think of Mei? Can you eat monster meat?

"Squeak! Squeak!" Mei started running in circles like a dog chasing its own tail.

Look how cute she is! Ariel, she seems motivated enough!

{Notice: Then let's get moving, we have no time to sit and cry!}

Connor finally stood up and looked around, this cave isn't that wide, just a few feet like a small road but bumpy and uneven, filled with stalactite and a stalagmite. There is a visible closed crack on the ceiling.

Is that where I fell from? It looks tightly shut! Ariel, you did say something about a pulse of magic before the earthquake so does that mean it was magical and not natural?

{Notice: Not certain but I think it was either a high leveled earth magic, or magical disasters exist here! since I found nothing about them in the memories I got!}

Connor looked at the ground where he found a stalagmite growing from ground.

Hey Ariel, do you see that long-thin stalagmite there?

{Notice: Yes, why?}

I was wondering what if I fell on it and it went up…

{Notice: Can you shut up? Why are you thinking about that now?}

Nothing just passed my mind! But seriously, I can vaguely see here but there aren't any light sources here! How is that possible?

{Notice: Finally having something reasonable to say! that is the effect of [Draconic senses] skill. Rather than just seeing three different light wavelengths, dragons can see them all since their eyesight is called True sight. This was taken from Alice's memories. She learned it from Kinryuu. and the skill you have now slowly transferred all your senses into draconic quality!}

Did you say all my senses, that includes them all, right? Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste, and Touch?

{Notice: Don't forget the sixth sense, gut feeling. that is also included. So for now don't use any light magic and just let the skill slowly level up, we might also attract monsters with a light source since it stands out too much!}

Since we are underground wouldn't earth magic be more effective than the others?

{Notice: If a creature is living underground then it should have some resistance to earth magic!}

So it's weaker? then probably I will use it for traps and building a shelter for resting rather than fighting with it!

{Notice: Good! Also, use water magic to get drinkable water. Also, don't use Sound magic or anything that can cause the cave to collapse!}

Got that! Ariel, how long is the distance that you can appraise from?

{Notice: Right now about 10 meters, I predict it will increase significantly once I get the upgrade [Analyse] at level 20 now I'm at 19.}

Then tell me if anything important is in the 10-meter range.

{Notice: As you say!

Notice: A worm has been detected in the wall right to you!}

I want to know what the hell a worm is doing this deep underground but why tell me about it? Is it just a small worm?

{Notice: 10 feet long, one foot wide. It's called the giant worm!

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Name; N/A Species: Giant Earthworm.

Age: 2 years

HP: 31/31

MP: 10/10

SP: 14/14

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}

Holy shit it's massive, It's already a cobra size! Can it attack or does it just do worms things and eat dirt?

{Notice: Attack it to know!}

OK, OK, I get it just to guide me to its location.

Ariel guided Connor toward the wall and told him to aim about 6 inches deep.

I can't dull my sword now, since I can't repair nor sharpen it! then…

[Earth Magic: Earth Spikes]

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Name: N/A Species: Giant Earthworm.

Age: 2 years

HP: 15/31

MP: 10/10

SP: 13/14

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Did I miss some hits? Let's do it again!

[Earth Magic: Earth Spikes]

{Notice: The worm has died, nice use of earth magic!}

Since it was just a worm I thought that hitting her with spikes on the side would be just as effective! see I'm not dumb.

Now let's take its corpse from the wall, as much as I hate it, it's a precious food resource now!

[Earth Magic: Mold earth] to create a crack in the wall, let's do this carefully so as to not cause something to collapse.

A long crack appeared on the wall and started to expand slowly revealing a long corpse in the wall.

Now to push it out with another [Earth Magic: Mold earth].

It really is just a giant earthworm! riddled with holes as it is now but still… Do I really have to eat this thing? and probably survive on it until we reach Roa? I feel cheated, I want to go home! eat some ramen and decrease my lifespan with overly greasy chicken nuggets!

Ariel, do you know how to butcher this thing?

{Notice: No! just use detoxification magic on it, cut it into small pieces, and then grill it all the way through within fire magic.}

That wasn't very helpful! anyway, I will just use [Earth Magic: Table] To create a large table to work on, and another time [Earth magic] multiple large some for meat and the others I will just fill with water using [Water Magic].

Connor drew his sword to use as a butchering tool, I wish I had a knife with me!

Connor slowly cut it in the middle and some weird-looking gooey substance started flowing out.

This is fucking disgusting! in the dark I can't discern colors so I'm not able to tell its poop from blood.

Let's just hide and use light magic.

{Notice: Good Idea but don't make too much noise!}

Got it! Connor put his sword on the table and extended his arms in both directions.

[Earth Magic: Earth wall], [Earth Magic: Earth wall].

Now since we are encased in a room, I can use light magic as I want! [Light Magic: Light Orb].

Now let's take a closer look at... Holy shit it's even more disgusting with colors on! What the hell is this purple goo? and why is the meat white?

"Mei, what do you think?"

Mei slowly approached the worm corps and started sniffing it, she then made a disgusted face and climbed back on Connor's back.

"Do you think it gross? let see how it will be after grilling it, I just hope it tastes like chicken!"

"Squeak!"

Connor then spent just a few minutes cutting the meat into sizable chunks.

[Holy Detoxification Magic], this should take care of any normal poison in the meat.

Now for the cooking, not like I need to do more than put it on fire. We don't even have salt, to begin with!

[Earth Magic: Grill] the moment the grill was formed it crumbled back into dirt and stones. Connor was surprised and even poked the remains with his sword hilt.

Ariel, do you know what happened? Why did it break instantly?

{Notice: You imagined a very detailed grill so most of the magic energy went into building the shape and didn't provide enough strength to keep its form!}

Can you explain it with something other than words because all I got was that my skill was too weak to create a very complicated grill?}

{Notice: Then I will explain it in a game-like method so you can understand.

Every skill has energy points associated with it, let say that your [Earth Magic: Level 12] has 120 energy points. To cast magic you need to spend them into four categories. Power, Control, Size, Speed. something like this.

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Power: 50… the higher the power the stronger the magic (Harder stones, hotter flames...)

Control: 15… The higher the control the more detailed the magic and the easier it to control it (Your grill. creating a small statue)

Size: 15… The higher the size the bigger the magic is (Creating a giant fireball, or a wider area of effect)

Mobility: 40 The higher the mobility the faster your magic travel and the more distance it can cover.

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What happened now is that the grill you tried to create had so much energy point in control that it left none to the power therefore the magic had no stability and crumbled right away!

To try and mitigate that I suggest that you use the skill [Magic Control] since it offers you extra energy points that can only be used in control, therefore letting you spend your normal points in the other three categories!}

I feel like I understand but nor really understand, can you make it simpler?

{Notice: I really want to make a joke about how stupid you are but since we have the same mind I will be insulting myself in the process! This was the simpler it got, or do you want to hear math and physics? Just remember that if your magic fails, use the skill [Magic Control]. If all failed then your skills are too low level and you need to level them up.}

How I was casting magic up to now if I didn't know all this?

{Notice: I can't use your skills but I can help by doing all the calculations needed for it! you could see it as I'm a second mind that does the thinking for you!}

Then I will just create a fireplace using the simple rocks and then create just the grill rack to put on top and that will hopefully solve the problem.

{Notice: That will work too, just do It!}

[Earth Magic: Rocks] Connor created a bunch of roughly shaped rocks using his magic and assembled them into a campfire.

Now to make the rack [Earth Magic: rough grill rack] the rack he created was just a rough formation of long cylindrical rocks; it has nothing of the detail the first one had.

It might look weird but it does the job and that's what matters at this time.

"Squeak!" Mei was examining the rack Connor just created but he grabbed and put her on the table closer to the Earthworm carcass.

"Start clawing on it! you did have a claw skill and you better level it up!" said Connor pointing at what was left of the worm. Mei then started to claw at it while squeaking, it looked as if she was boxing the worm.

She is adorable, isn't she?

{Notice: She is! and you're trying to turn it into a killing machine, it won't be cute at that point instead terrifying!}

What's the problem with that? it will stay cute to me and that is the important part!

Ariel, Mei stats, please.

{Notice: Here you go!}

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Name Mei. Level: 10

Social stats: hero pet.

Class: Holy beast. Race: brown squirrel

Titles: Servant of the hero, Nutcracker, Steel-willed one, Defender.

Health: 46/46.

Mana: 125/125.

Stamina: 46/46.

Strength: 4 , Dexterity: 20 , Speed: 28 , Magic: 26 , Luck: 14

Constitution: 12 , Wisdom: 18 , intelligence: 18 , charisma: 14 , Will: 28

Skills:

[Climbing: Level 14], [Nuts collector: Level 10], [Claws Arts: Level 2]

[Pain resistance: Level 6]

Conditions:

Ready to Evolve

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Hold up, is my Pokémon ready to evolve? when it wasn't there last time I checked, right I'm not crazy?

{Notice: The conditions to evolve are to reach levels 10, 20, 30 … be in perfect physical and mental conditions and have a safe place and protection for the duration of evolution! last time she was level 10 but the other conditions were not met!!!}

So now what, do I get to choose or she will choose?

{Notice: No one of you will choose! It's a natural occurrence that if an animal absorbed enough mana and had a high enough level it would evolve into a magical monster, what she gets is random.}

This isn't that fun, though I will be lying if I said the anticipation isn't fun.

Then why didn't she just start evolving? I thought I had to do something!

{Notice: Since you're the tamer, It's probably waiting for your approval first!}

If that's the case then it makes sense, [Earth Magic: Small den]

"Now Mei, get in there and start evolving! I will prepare some food for us in the meantime."

"Squeak, Squeak!" Mei hurried inside the den to start evolving as Connor started preparing the food.

[Fire Magic: Persisting flame] Now let's get to cooking. I wonder how long it will take Mei to evolve?

{Notice: Just about an hour, It shall be quick since she is small! The larger the monster the more it will take him to condense the mana and evolve.}

I should cook slowly then, I know this meat gonna taste disgusting so at least I want her to find it still hot, not in a soggy disgusting form just after she evolves.

{Notice: You seem weirdly proud of her evolving.}

My first real Pokémon is evolving. Why wouldn't I be happy? I bet joey and Garnt are gonna be jealous when they hear this.

{Notice: Do you intend to find a way back?}

Time should be stopped there so I'm not losing on anything but eventually I won't return to show them what I got. I bet it will make a great video idea, like ' I played 3D chess in another world using my companion as the pawns!'

{Notice: That seems awfully like a villain!}

I was always called the antagonist!

…

The meat looks as if it's done, thoroughly cooked since we don't know what is inside it!

Now let's taste it with a small bit, I don't want to throw up after all!

The texture isn't that bad I guess it's closer to chicken but with a weird bitter and sour taste to it with a salty aftertaste. if I was to describe it I'd say it tastes like bitter coffee with lemon and salt. Basically, it's ghastly.

An hour had passed and Mei woke up from her evolution. Connor was too excited to see what she got that he almost tripped on the fireplace.

Ariel, tell me what she got! Hurry! I want to know what my Pokémon type is!

{Notice: She is not a Pokémon, she is a tamed monster! and here are her stats.

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Name Mei. Level: 10

Social stats: hero pet.

Class: Holy beast. Race: brown squirrel

Titles: Servant of the hero, Nutcracker, Steel-willed one, Defender.

Health: 57/57.

Mana: 155/155.

Stamina: 56/56.

Strength: 4 , Dexterity: 20 , Speed: 28 , Magic: 26 , Luck: 14

Constitution: 12 , Wisdom: 22 , intelligence: 18 , charisma: 14 , Will: 28

Skills:

[Climbing: Level 14], [Nuts collector: Level 10], [Claws Arts: Level 2]

[Pain resistance: Level 6], [Druidic magic: Level 1]

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Wow, her stats increased slightly and she got a new skill! Druidic magic! what is it?

{Notice: It's magic that controls the natural environment and wildlife. The holders of this magic are usually sages who lived in the forest for a very long time. Druidic Magic can control and communicate with animals and plants, cause natural disasters and warn of them.}

It seems fun but not op is it?

{Notice: Give her food, for now, she should be hungry after evolving. Also, the magic is not op but its implication can be quite scary if used right!}

How is that?

{Notice: Just imagine a whole city getting swallowed by the ever-growing forest as wild beasts hunt every living human there. The caster can then hide in the forest making stopping the magic a real pain.}

It is cool magic, but it isn't that overpowered since a competent fighter can hack and slash his way through. so I say it's just hard to deal with, plus fire must be a nightmare for druidic magic.

{Notice: didn't expect you to be able to tell druidic magic weakness just by hearing what it can do!}

Come on! I'm not that stupid. If there is a forest and you don't like it, just put it on fire.

"Squuuuuueak (╥﹏╥)!"

Connor started laughing.

"Sorry, that's the only food we can have now, finish eating so we can start moving toward Roa city!"

"Squeak!（＾▿＾）"

-Hey Alice, can you hear me?-

-Yes Connor-sama, do you need something?

-No, I just wanted to tell you that I hunted my first food down here!-

-As expected of Connor-sama, what was your first hunt?-

-Yeah, about that… It was a giant earthworm.-

-Ew… That doesn't sound edible at all. HEY ALVA, CONNOR IS EATING A GIANT EARTHWORM RIGHT NOW!... She is making a disgusted face too...WHAT… Connor-sama Dolrig is saying that you can only eat giant earthworms if their meat is clear white, if the meat had any other color then it's poisonous!-

-I will keep that in mind, Mei also evolved! She now has Druidic magic!-

-Ara ma, congratulation when we meet I will prepare a nuts party for her-

-How are the conditions on your side?-

-Nothing new, it has just been about two hours! Right now we are on horseback and moving at top speed!-

-Be wary, the earthquake was more likely caused by magic! the caster might be close to you or his subordinate-

-Taking into account the Zombie troll that was here to exhaust your mana, I guess you're right! but the smart design right now will be ignoring us and heading toward you!-

-Why? With all my respect, you're weaker than me so won't be targeting a better idea?-

-No, They will try and use all their might to crush the root of the problem which is you the hero! Underestimating you is a grave mistake and they know it-

-So you're saying I should be careful since they will come for me here?-

-That's right Connor-sama, and....-

-What has something to say?-

-If they are the same assassins as before, they should have teeth where they hid poison in case they got captured. You need to capture one of them alive for questioning to do that you have to either peel off all their teeth before they could poison themselves or cast high-tire detoxification magic inside their mouth-

-That seems brutal but doable, don't worry about me, and just try to reach your father's domain as fast as you can! this my first real order to the three of you ''Don't die''-

-As you wish, Your order shall be followed!-

-Take care, it seems that Mei finished eating so I will start making my way toward Roa!-

Connor cut the link and he shifted his gaze toward Mei.

"Shall we go? Sit on my head and don't attack anything until I say!"

"Squeak!"

Ariel, give me a warning when any of my stats drop below 40%. We need to always have spare energy to fight or run in case things go south!

{Notice: threshold established for you and Mei, The warning is healing for HP, a retreat for SP and Regenerate by using [Magic Control] and [Pure Magic] for MP.}

Now then. let's go.

Connor started moving and he used [Earth magic] to disassemble the walls he created earlier.

[Enchantment Magic].

This cave is filled with small crevices. It's a heaven for claustrophobia but I don't feel that uncomfortable here because I'm using [Earth Magic] to widen it up.

The air is very humid which means there is a water source close by. I wish to find it but since Ariel can only detect things up to 10 meters I still haven't found anything.

It's been about four hours since I started exploring but nothing appeared, not even another earthworm and I'm starting to feel nervous. Was the first worm a lucky strike and they are actually rare? If that is the case then we are in deep shit.

As we were walking I discovered that if I used [Enchantment Magic] alongside [Pure magic] and [Magic Control] I won't lose any mana! According to Ariel the amount of MP regenerated by [Pure magic] and [Magic Control] over time is equal to the amount consumed by [Enchantment Magic].

{Notice: A monster appeared 9 meters above you and getting closer, prepare for the fight!}

Finally something other than stones and walls.

{Notice: It's directly 2 inches into the ceiling directly above you.}

Is it going to charge at us? or does it have Magic?

{Notice: Need a direct line of sight, or at least be just a few inches away from each other!}

Without any warning, the monster broke through the ceiling aiming straight for Connor's head! but with swift movement using [Martial Arts] and [Enchantment Magic] Alongside some monkey instinct, Connor was barely able to dodge it with just small scratches to his face.

The monster flew directly into the ground as if it wasn't there.

Shit! What was that? Ariel, did you get it?

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Name: N/A Species: Mole Rat.

Age: 1.7 years

HP: 62/62

MP: 42/42

SP: 30/35

[Digging: Level 21], [Claws: Level 7]

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Shit, it can move that…

Connor's thought process was interrupted by the Mole Rat jumping from the ground aiming at Connor's exposed back.

CRUNCH!! The sound of claws getting stuck in wood rang inside the cavern as The Mole rat was caught in the numerous veins that had grown from the ground.

Hanging upside down from the back of Connor's head Mei looked directly at the surprised Mole, A faint green Magic magical glow shining menacingly in her small eyes as she leaped at the now restrained Mole rat.

As the blood gushed from his body the mole managed to free himself and run back to the ground.

"Mei, did you do that?" As Connor turned back and looked toward Mei who just landed on the veins that had grown he realized that her cheeks were filled with something that looked strangely long.

"What…" Before he could finish Mei spat two large claws that were in her mouth.

That's...