Chapter 49: A bright new day. (continued 3)

As Dr'va and Yona stared at me, their expressions a mix of shock and uncertainty, I nodded in confirmation. "Yes, it's me," I replied, your voice tinged with a strange mixture of excitement and agitation. "I've... evolved."

Dr'va and Yona exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and concern. "We've never seen anything like this before," Dr'va admitted, his voice filled with wonder. "To think that you could undergo such a transformation... it's truly remarkable."

Yona nodded in agreement, her gaze lingering on my new form with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "But what does this mean for you?" she asked, her voice soft with concern. "Even with an aura of death will you still be the same Gravitas?"

I paused for a moment, considering Yona's question carefully. "I may look different on the outside," I said finally, my voice steady and sure, "but inside, I'm still the same. My core values and beliefs remain unchanged. If anything, this evolution has only strengthened my resolve to protect those I care about."

Turning back to them "it looks like it is time to move on to the next area." as if caught of guard Dr'va "Your right Gravitas lets go to the next location."

As we ventured deeper into the forest, the air grew thick with anticipation, a silent prelude to the chaos that lay ahead. The path ahead seemed ominous, shrouded in shadows that seemed to whisper of danger lurking just beyond sight. Dr'va led the way, his movements steady and purposeful, his eyes scanning the undergrowth for any signs of movement.

Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the trees, signaling the approach of danger. Without warning, a swarm of Infantile Arbor Lilium burst from the foliage, their tiny forms converging upon us with a ferocious intensity. But we were not caught off guard. With weapons drawn and spells at the ready, we braced ourselves for the onslaught.

The Infantile Arbor Liliums charged forward with reckless abandon, their sharp claws and teeth glinting in the dappled sunlight. But we met their attack head-on, our coordinated efforts proving too much for the creatures to handle. With a combination of martial prowess and elemental magic, we dispatched the swarm with relative ease.

[You have defeated a Level 2 Infantile Arbor Lilium]

[You have gained XP.]

[You have reached Level 2. One skill point awarded.]

…

[You have reached Level 3. One skill point awarded.]

…

As the last of the Infantile Arbor Lilium fell, a new threat emerged from the shadows. Adolescent Arbor Liliums, larger and more formidable than their younger counterparts, converged upon us with a primal fury. But we were undaunted. With renewed determination, we faced the Adolescent Arbor Liliums head-on, our combined strength proving too much for them to handle.

[You have defeated a Level 6 Adolescent Arbor Lilium]

[You have gained XP.]

[You have reached Level 4. One skill point awarded.]

…

[You have reached Level 5. One skill point awarded.]

…

Despite their size and strength, the Adolescent Arbor Liliums stood no chance against our combined might. With each strike and spell, we whittled away at their numbers until the forest fell silent once more, the echoes of battle fading into the stillness of the air.

Dr'va with excitement in his words "Looks like we cleared more than we needed out of the area, Master Shikan is going to be happy to hear this."

Wrapping our hyphae around the Arbor Lilium we begin consuming all the biomass left on the ground. 

[You have gained one Biomass.]

[You have gained one Biomass.]

[You have gained one Biomass.]

…

Actually while we're at it we might as well consume the eleven before they grow too big to consume. We Cell Absorb three each except for Zenmaster who only gets two, but we gave him the two strongest so he should be better off then the rest of us. Absorbing their cores as well. They apparently wanted to donate their eyes to Zenmaster. He happily took them all.

[Cell Absorption has reached level 4]

As I consume the beginning of the eleven, a rush of memories overwhelms me. I am transported back to vivid scenes of sitting within the pit, partaking in intense battles during the battle royal. I vividly remember facing off against Zenmaster and the lingering discomfort of experiencing defeat at his hands. With two down I absorb my final copy.

[Cell Absorption has reached level 5. Upgrade available.]

With so much biomass and skill points we might as well get some upgrading done. Let's start with the chitin.

[Do you wish to upgrade Chitin to +5? Requires 14 biomass]

[At this Level you may choose a mutation advancement. Please select from the menu.]

There are so many possibilities. The list goes something like this: flexible chitin, spiked chitin, camouflage chitin, thermal chitin, toxic chitin, to regenerative chitin. But what I'm probably going to settle with is Reinforced Chitin. With a harder shell I shouldn't have to worry about outside forces as much. When I select the option I can feel the skin of my body become more firm and what feels like two times as thick but just as thin as it was before.

Let's also upgrade my Hyphae Generation, Regenerative Growth, Fungal Martial Arts, Cell Harvest, Cell Absorption, Navigator, and Illusion Magic Affinity skills.

The system prompts and I yell my acceptance. The four of us now have a status that looks like this.

 Name: Gravitas 

Body: Main

Level: 5 (core)(III)

Might: 46

Toughness: 48

Cunning: 64

Will: 62

HP: 80/80

MP: 50/50

Skills: Enhanced Hyphae Generation Level 1(II); Spore Burst Level 2(I); Enhanced Regenerative Growth level 1(II); Poison Resistance level 2(I); Enhanced Cell Harvesting level 1(II); Enhanced Cell Absorption level 1(II); Mid-Tier Fungal Martial Arts level 1(II); Void Lotus Waltz level 1(III); Advanced Eternal Lotus Elegy level 1(III); Advanced Celestial Lance Dance level 1(III); Mana Shaping level 3(II); Further External Mana Manipulation level 1(II); Enhanced Mind Magic Affinity level 3(II); Time Magic Affinity level 2(I); Enhanced Illusion Magic Affinity level 1(II); Healing Magic Affinity level 1(I); Death Magic Affinity level 1(I); Space Magic Affinity level 1(I); Chaos Magic Affinity level 1(I); Metal Magic Affinity level 1(I); Core Mechanic level 3(I); Enhanced Navigator Level 1(II); Advanced Puppeteering level 1(III);

Mutations: Hyphae left humanoid leg, Hyphae right humanoid leg, Hyphae left humanoid arm, Hyphae right humanoid arm, Hyphae photoreceptive eyes, Hyphae Voice Box +2, Chitin +5, Mental Magic Gland, Illusion Magic Gland, Time Magic Gland, Death Magic Gland, Healing Magic Gland, Space Magic Gland, Chaos Magic Gland. Hyphae Neural Network +5.

Species: Adolescent Macabre Verdant Mane Fungus Paradox Puppeteer

Skill Points: 56

Biomass: 36

Name: Gravitas (Elegance)

Body: Second Body

Level: 5(core)(III)

Might: 41

Toughness: 36

Cunning: 68

Will: 56

HP: 80/80

MP: 50/50

Skills: Hyphae Generation Level 2(I); Spore Burst Level 2(I); Enhanced Regenerative Growth level 2(II); Poison Resistance level 1(I); Cell Harvesting level 3(I); Cell Absorption level 4(I); Mid-Tier Fungal Martial Arts level 1(II); Void Lotus Waltz level 1(III); Advanced Eternal Lotus Elegy level 1(III); Mana shaping level 3(II); Further External Mana Manipulation level 1(II); Fire Magic Affinity Level 4(I); Water Magic Affinity Level 4(I); Earth Magic Affinity Level 4(I); Air Magic Affinity Level 4(I); Mental Magic Affinity level 3(I); Core Mechanic level 3(I);

Mutations: Hyphae left humanoid leg, Hyphae right humanoid leg, Hyphae left humanoid arm, Hyphae right humanoid arm, Hyphae photoreceptive eyes, Hyphae Voice Box +2, Chitin +5, Fire Magic Gland, Water Magic Gland, Air Magic Gland, Earth Magic Gland.

Species: Adolescent Macabre Elven Globosa Lucidum Fungus Magus

Skill Points: 78

Biomass: 47

Name: Gravitas (Captain)

Body: Third Body

Level: 5(core)(III)

Might: 72

Toughness: 81

Cunning: 65

Will: 51

HP: 100/100

MP: 50/50

Skills: Hyphae Generation Level 2(I); Spore Burst Level 2(I); Enhanced Regenerative Growth level 2(II); Poison Resistance level 1(I); Cell Harvesting level 4(I); Cell Absorption level 4(I); Low-tier Fungal Martial Arts level 3(I); Void Lotus Waltz level 1(III); Advanced Eternal Lotus Elegy level 1(III); Beginner Ethereal Blade Dance Level 3(I); Mana shaping level 3(II); Further External Mana Manipulation level 2(II); Mental Magic Affinity level 2(I); Gravity Magic Affinity level 3(I); Space Magic Affinity level 3(I); Core Mechanic level 2(I);

Mutations: Hyphae left humanoid leg, Hyphae right humanoid leg, Hyphae left humanoid arm, Hyphae right humanoid arm, Hyphae photoreceptive eyes,Hyphae Voice Box +2, Chitin +5, Mental Magic Gland, Space Magic Gland, Gravity Magic Gland.

Species: Adolescent Macabre Corsair Enoki Fungus Marauder 

Skill Points: 84

Biomass: 45

Name: Gravitas (Zenmaster)

Body: Fourth Body

Level: 5(core)(III)

Might: 70

Toughness: 70

Cunning: 53

Will: 46

HP: 100/100

MP: 50/50

Skills: Hyphae Generation Level 2(I); Spore Burst Level 2(I); Enhanced Regenerative Growth level 2(II); Poison Resistance level 2(I); Cell Harvesting level 5(I); Cell Absorption level 5(I); Mid-Tier Fungal Martial Arts level 1(II); Void Lotus Waltz level 1(III); Advanced Eternal Lotus Elegy level 1(III); Beginner Ethereal Blade Dance Level 1(I); Beginner Celestial Lance Dance level 1(I); Mana shaping level 3(II); Further External Mana Manipulation level 1(II); Mental Magic Affinity level 2(I); Core Mechanic level 2(I);

Mutations: Hyphae left humanoid leg, Hyphae right humanoid leg, Hyphae left humanoid arm, Hyphae right humanoid arm, Twenty-Four Hyphae photoreceptive eyes, Hyphae Voice Box +2, Chitin +5

Species: Adolescent Macabre Lichen Chanterelle Fungus Monk

Skill Points: 60

Biomass: 49

As we retraced our steps back to the dojo, our journey remained remarkably uneventful, except for a brief encounter with two minor adversaries who posed little challenge and were swiftly dealt with. Upon our arrival at the dojo, a sense of relief washed over us as we were greeted with a scene of undisturbed tranquility. Every corner of the dojo appeared untouched, each training implement and meditation space standing exactly as we had left it. This preservation of order was a welcome surprise, reinforcing our sense of security and providing a reassuring backdrop to our return.