Evolution of Mutant Rat

Author's Note:

I want to address this before it's too late. You may have noticed that my updates are random. The reason is that I've been dealing with constant wrist pain while writing, and I recently discovered it's due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This has slowed down my writing process, making it harder to put in the same level of effort as before. Since I handle all the writing, revising, and editing by myself, it has been quite challenging.

In the past, I could write and upload two chapters daily, but now, I'm working overtime to save up for better equipment that will help me write more efficiently and comfortably.

Rest assured, though—this novel will not be dropped.

(If you'd like to support me, you can do so on Patreon.)

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The door creaked open, and as the lamps flickered, a familiar face entered.

Ignatius rubbed his head as he walked in, his eyes scanning the surroundings with curiosity and caution. The rat creature had told him to follow, but now it was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a whole new building had appeared. How long had it taken to construct this? And how had he not noticed?

"What... what is this place?" he muttered under his breath.

"This is the Great Hall," came the response.

"As... Sir! How may I assist you?" Ignatius stammered, bowing deeply. He wasn't sure why he called this strange rat creature "Sir," but it felt necessary. He knew that saying something wrong could easily offend the intelligent and imposing figure before him.

Light remained silent, his watchful gaze fixed on Ignatius. The air between them grew heavy, and Ignatius could feel his heartbeat quicken.

He had encountered many creatures and races in his life, but nothing like this. A towering rat who spoke like a human? He didn't even remember reading about such a thing.

'Perhaps a half-mutant?' Ignatius recalled a question Light had asked him earlier. Now, thinking about it, maybe the rat creature was indeed a half-mutant. It made sense. Ignatius wondered if Light was confused about his own nature, which had led him to question it. But even with this possible explanation, Ignatius stayed silent. It seemed pointless to speak further, especially when his thoughts would likely make no difference.

"I will help you," Light finally spoke.

"Huh?" Ignatius blinked in surprise.

"I have decided to help you," Light continued, rising to his feet. "But in return, you must serve me."

Light wasn't sure if "serve" was the right word. He didn't know how deep the pride of someone with Knight-class strength might run, but he used it to test Ignatius's reaction. If the man showed disgust or any signs of refusal, it would confirm what Light suspected: Ignatius was just acting. However, Light also considered that the reaction might indicate Ignatius's willingness to serve a monster—a terrifying ratkin.

As he waited for Ignatius's response, Light was taken aback when the man suddenly kneeled.

"Sir, please! Let me be your follower! I promise my eternal loyalty!" Ignatius exclaimed.

For the first time in a long while, Ignatius felt a flicker of hope. He grasped it desperately before it slipped away.

He had been running for years, losing track of time, unsure of how many places he'd hidden in, how many tears he'd shed. He'd been escaping enemies who sought only to kill him, enemies with no other goal. He didn't feel regret or anger—only confusion.

Why?

That was the question that had haunted him for so long. He knew he would never find an answer, because he was weak, cowardly, and alone. He had no purpose—sometimes, he even considered giving up. But he couldn't betray his family's last wish.

If serving this powerful rat could bring him vengeance—or at least answers—he would do whatever it took. He didn't care if the rat treated him badly. As long as he could pursue his goal, he was willing to grit his teeth and endure.

"I swear my entire life to you! I will serve you until death! Please accept me as your follower, Sir—no, Master!" Ignatius cried.

Light rubbed his brow, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. He hadn't expected such a reaction, but it was good. Still, he couldn't tell if this was Ignatius's true personality. Perhaps, like Light suspected, his cowardice was just an act. He had always believed Ignatius was playing a part, especially since he had no knowledge of this world. His ignorance only made him more cautious with every step.

"Alright, alright," Light said, not probing any further. He got straight to the point. "I want you to go to the surface and buy food, water, artifacts—resources."

Ignatius blinked in confusion. "M-master, food and water are easy enough to buy, but artifacts... that's more difficult. Most artifacts come from powerful organizations, and the Empire forbids ordinary citizens from holding them or any other dangerous items."

"However, if we could get some, they would be very expensive," he added, glancing at Light with wide, questioning eyes, as if silently asking, Do you have the money for this?

Light paused, unsure of how to respond. They both stared at each other in silence before Light coughed and said calmly, "Since you've chosen to serve me, it's only natural that you do your work. Go to the surface and find a way to earn some money."

Internally, Light grumbled, 'Tsk. I didn't expect him to be poor too. I thought someone with his strength would at least have some money. Now I see why he lives 

down here.'

Ignatius nodded in acceptance, though a thought flashed in his mind. "Master... you know it's not safe for me out there. Someone might recognize me."

"Don't worry," Light reassured him. "I have someone who will protect you. And you should disguise yourself."

Ignatius sighed in relief. He had feared that some organization might recognize him, but now he knew that someone—at least a powerful figure—would be watching over him.

"And don't forget," Light added, about to say more when a strange, blood-curdling screech rang through the air. It sounded like something straight from hell—a mix of raw pain.

Light rushed outside to find a Mutant Rat giving birth. Supported by various smaller rats, the creature screeched in agony. Bloodshot eyes stared out from its pained face, and a pool of blood gathered beneath it, showing the intensity of the suffering. Some of the smaller rats had been crushed under the rat's powerful spasms.

"Just one more time, you can hold on!" Light encouraged from the side.

After a while, a small infant ratkin lay on the ground, covered in blood. But it didn't end there. As soon as the mutant rat finished giving birth, a series of cracking sounds echoed, and her body began twitching uncontrollably.

Light quickly carried the infant ratkin to safety and stepped aside, watching in awe as the mutant rat began to evolve.

The process of the mutant rat's evolution was similar to how Light had evolved into a Ratkin, so he could sometimes feel the pain of the transformation himself.

Initially, he had been curious about why the mutant rat was evolving, so he checked the system for answers.

Well... as the first Ratkin to exist in this world, his blood carried a unique power. It held a force that could activate an evolutionary pathway for creatures of similar species, particularly within the muroid family.

However, for the evolution to succeed, the creature needed to meet certain conditions, including strong mental resilience to endure the pain. Without this, the creature might either fail to evolve and die—or worse, become a grotesque abomination. In other words... a mutant.

If the evolution succeeded, the creature would gain enhanced abilities: increased agility, speed, heightened senses, rapid regeneration, and strong resistance to plague, poison, and disease.

The screeching finally stopped, and before Light stood a creature almost as tall as he was. She had a sleek white coat, piercing green eyes, sharp claws, and thorny spines running from her head to her tail, now more defined and deadly. She stood upright, almost human-like in her stance.

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A new race had evolved, thanks to the ancestor's blood:

Half-Ratkin

A race evolved from the blood of the Ratkin ancestor, gaining various enhanced abilities.

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Light watched curiously before he could say anything. A voice broke the silence.

"...Hello, M-Master Light?" The voice was feminine and soft, but it trembled slightly, as though this was her first time speaking.

"You can speak?" Light was a bit surprised.

"Indeed, Master Light. After I evolved into a Half-Ratkin, I became... smarter?" she tilted her head, unsure.

A surge of joy filled Light's heart. Finally, they could communicate like normal people. He smiled softly and asked, "How do you feel? Are you alright?"

"I feel good, Master Light... but," she twitched her nose, looking at her hands and flexing them experimentally. "I feel... taller? But also... heavier? And there are so many fingers now!"

She held up her hands, as though the extra digits were strange, alien appendages.

Light chuckled. "That's normal. You've got ten fingers now, just like me."

Her eyes widened, sparkling with awe. "Ten? That many?! Master Light is so rich! Rats only had… four. Oh, I will use them all very wisely!"

"I'm sure you will. Anything else you've noticed? And by the way, what is your name? I can't just keep calling 'you',' can I?" Light replied.

The mutant rat tapped her chin, tilting her head thoughtfully. "My name is 'Mutant Rat' since Master Light always liked to call me that... Hmm... I also feel smarter... like you said. But maybe not as smart as you, Master Light. Oh! Is this what thinking feels like? It's so… noisy! Do humans always have this many... hmm, what are they called? Thoughts?"

The mutant rat was full of energy and curiosity, like a little girl trapped in her castle. Light sighed in exasperation. A cowardly half-mutant and an energetic, curious half-ratkin—what a strange group. The problem was, that he couldn't communicate with them normally.

But looking at the new Half-Ratkin—her cute appearance, those sparkling eyes, and the way her whole figure seemed to exude an odd sexiness—Light suddenly widened his eyes and quickly shook his head.

'What am I thinking? Did I go crazy?'