Chapter 24

As I slowly came to myself, I noted that I now had 12 followers, not 10. However, Etra and Cree weren't here to start to become my "follower". Maybe Sybil had done something to the two she had selected while we were away. I couldn't say I even knew at which point those two had formally come under my banner, since their transition to willing followers of mine wouldn't have triggered the actual notification of my evolutionary requirements having been fulfilled. Well, she had said that she was a good advisor as well as suggested that she would be useful, and I had only seen her proving that to be true, so I simply accepted the good fortune. Who knew, maybe having additional followers would trigger a greater benefit during my next evolution?

Speaking of greater benefits, I quickly looked at my notifications to see what extra rewards were to be provided since I had gone so far above and beyond on the completion of this Quest.

[Quest: Hunt and consume 1 new creature. Base reward: Constitution, Strength, Agility +1. Variable reward bonus provided: Constitution, Strength +4, Agility +3, Intelligence +2. New Quest received.]

[New Quest: Hunt and consume 1 new creature with innate magical capabilities. Base reward: Constitution, Strength, Agility, Intelligence, Magic +1.]

I was too exhausted and agonized to pore over my new [Status] and [Quest]. Instead, I just wanted to get back home to the den, and rest. Maybe evolution would solve my cracked ribs and completely shattered thumb. Looking down at it, I worried I might have torn the tendon and permanently crippled myself. Yet, one non-functional finger would be immensely preferable to death, which is what my other option was, so I contented myself with that. As I forced myself to trudge out of the corpse, I realized there was still another flashing [System] notification. 

[New Skill: Exceptional Individual acquired.]

For a moment I paused, waiting for an explanation. Nothing. I began to resign myself to trying to drag my prey back to the den. It was hard going, but I was notably strengthened by my completion of the [Quest], so between me and the rest of the pack, we are able to begin to drag the behemoth serpent.

Oncli approached me, the slant of his shoulders somehow wry. "You… always… crazy…" I could tell by the tone he was teasing me, and I dropped the section of flesh I was hauling my prey with just long enough to shoot back,

"Get… to work." Oncli clicked his tongue along the base of his fangs in amusement and began to assist the rest of us as we hauled the huge snake back towards the den. My aching body screamed with every step, and the force of supporting and hauling the huge snake caused agony to shoot through me with every step, but I refused to leave so much good meat away from the brood, where my generosity could garner me more followers. 

With every step, I pondered why the [System] hadn't given me any information about this new [Skill], until I was internally berating myself for how slow in the head I'd been. I remembered that when I'd received [Bloodlust] before, I didn't know what it did until after I'd triggered it and had killed one of the brood. Maybe I could just consult with the [System]. Then, how had I even qualified for or received this new [Skill]?

[The requirements to receive Skill: Exceptional Individual are; to have at least the same quantity of Stats in every stat before exiting the Juvenile stage of development. Note: for keelish, that stage ends 30 days after hatching.]

So halfway before reaching "adulthood". No coincidence there, huh? I half expected a response, but got none from that. But what does this new [Skill] do anyways?

[The effects of the Skill: Exceptional Individual are; at every "growth period", or, in the Keelish race's case, every 6 days until sexual maturity is reached, the System user with the Skill will receive bonus Stats. These Stats are a percentage increase overall, so there will be a greater influence the greater the level of an individual Stat's growth.]

That was exciting to learn. I'd already been concerned with the fact that I was starting at such a deficit compared to Viilor, so every little bit I could get would be another step closing in on my goal. But, now that I thought about it, I was a little confused about my Stats.

I knew what my Stats were, so I did see that they all, except Magic, were in the double digits and above what the [System] had told me were the typical Stats for a keelish adult (10 each for Constitution, Strength, and Agility, 4 for Intelligence, and 0 for Magic). However, I felt that my stats weren't that far above the rest of my brood's, at least until finishing this latest [Quest]. How could it be that I was the only one that would get this new [Skill]? Didn't that mean that, regardless of anything else, the [System] users were sure to be so far superior to the rest of their race they were destined to be the most powerful?

[The Administrative Body has deemed it unnecessary… The Administrator has reminded the Administrative Body that this is information that the System user should have received already in a clear fashion, instead of piecemeal as it has been thus far. The Administrative Body has been forced to concede the point. The Administrator advises that the User remember what the function of the System is: to give guidance on how to grow most effectively. The benefits received by the System are received by all who qualify, regardless of if they are a System User.]

Then any benefits that I receive can also be received by the rest of my pack, and by the swarm at large?

[There is the possibility that others may qualify for the same points of growth that you do, but just because one is of the same species as you does not mean that they are the same race or are otherwise qualified to complete the same objectives or Quests as you.]

Ok. But regardless, it seems that my brood is significantly more powerful than the average keelish hatchling would be… so what's the deal there?

[Your brood is exceptional.]

I awaited further information, getting nothing further. Regardless of further prompting, I didn't get any further information regarding the apparent exceptionality of my pack and brood. Whatever. I would instead focus on the next steps in hauling the corpse back to our den. The hike was long, arduous, and painful, but it didn't take too long before we were slowly descending into the den with our massive prey in tow. 

Upon arrival, I wanted nothing more than to just lay down, fill my belly, and evolve, hoping for relief from my cracked ribs and broken thumb, but I nearly walked past our den, since it had changed so much since we'd left maybe three hours prior.

Sybil had definitely been busy.