Before evolving, the first decision to make was whether to increase the number of skills or to strengthen the existing ones. Of course, I wouldn’t make this decision alone. Let’s ask Karl too.
“Karl, is there any skill you want?”
“Guon.”
Karl shook his head to say he had no particular skills he wanted. In that case, we would focus on strengthening the existing ones.
“Then let’s decide which ones to strengthen. How about strengthening your [Sharp Fangs] skill that you often use? And the other one … right, you like fighting on the vanguard, don’t you? What about prioritizing survival with [Health Enhancement]?”
“Guon!”
This time Karl cried in agreement, so it was settled then. Now, let’s start the evolution!
――――――――――
Karnaghtul’s [Sharp Fangs] evolved into [Dragon Fangs].
Karnaghtul’s [Health Enhancement] evolved into [Super Health Enhancement].
Your familiar, Karnagthul, begins to evolve.
――――――――――
“Grrr… Guon…”
Karl didn’t roar loudly but let out a low growl. As usual, his old scales rattled and peeled off, and his body grew even larger, now about the size of a small bus. With his four wings outstretched, his imposing presence could rival or even surpass that of the giant Claude.
The scales became more pronounced overall, rough enough that rubbing against them could probably grind an opponent to a pulp. His claws and fangs had become serrated, making tearing through flesh an easy task.
The most distinct feature, his tail, had become sharper and thicker at the same time. It was now comparable to a giant sword wielded by a giant. It would undoubtedly continue to serve as a powerful weapon.
Although his ferocious aura had become stronger, he was still as affectionate as ever. He still nudged me vigorously with his head just like he did when he was smaller. His head alone was now larger than my entire body, but I couldn’t help but find him adorable. Perhaps that’s what they call a parent’s folly.
――――――――――
Your familiar, Karnaghtul, has evolved into the Destruction Dragon.
――――――――――
Oh! At last, the lesser name has been shed! This seems like the starting line for him as a dragon. Let’s keep evolving and grow stronger together.
After evolution, a job change was expected. However, as usual with Karl, he could only take a job with the same name as his race, which didn’t excite me very much.
――――――――――
Your familiar, Karnaghtul, underwent a job change and became a Destruction Dragon.
With the job change, Karnaghtul’s [Non-Elemental Magic] had transformed into [Dragon Magic].
With the job change, Karnaghtul’s [Dragon Scales] had transformed into [Destruction Dragon Scales].
――――――――――
Oh? [Dragon Magic] and [Destruction Dragon Scales] is it? It seems these are the only evolutionary paths allowed for a dragon. [Destruction Dragon Scales] are an evolution of [Dragon Scales]. I wonder how [Dragon Magic] differs from [Void Magic]. I am quite curious. It looks like we’ll have to try various things!
“You’ve also become stronger… I am proud.”
“Grrru?”
“Fufufufu, there, there. Now, let’s see your increased power.”
I lightly mounted Karl’s back and together we soared into the sky. As we flew in search of prey, we somehow came to a place known as “The Great Midstream of the Earth-Circling River”.
This place was upstream from the river mouth where Shiratsuki had first anchored, and if the monsters inhabiting here were of the same caliber as those at the river mouth, it would be an excellent measure of how much stronger we had become. I casually surveyed the area… there, that one should do.
The creature I had spotted was a Great Rock Crab, known for its high defense among the monsters that inhabit the riverbed. I remembered well how its tough shell had deflected our physical attacks during our previous battle. Although we had managed to defeat it with magic, I remembered that even Karl’s attacks had failed to penetrate it. It was time for a rematch!
“Karl. Attack that monster with all your might, no holding back. Can you do that?”
“Guoooow!”
Karl dove quickly toward the large rock crab, somersaulted in the air, and smacked it with his tail. As his tail struck the crab’s shell, there was a crunching sound as if something had burst, and his tail embedded itself in the creature’s shell.
“Wow… is it dead? What power!”
The shell shattered, and the damage reached inside, killing the Great Rock Crab instantly. Although it was a surprise attack, to think that an enemy who had once caused us so much trouble was now dispatched so swiftly… Karl really grew stronger!
I descended to the riverbed and stroked Karl’s neck as he devoured the meat of the Great Rock Crab. He seemed to enjoy the taste and continued crunching even through the shell. He was completely engrossed in his meal.
“Even if the surprise attack amplified the damage, the power of your tail is on a whole different level. Yes, you have grown much stronger.”
“Grrrrrrr…”
When I gently tapped him on the neck, Karl lifted his head and growled menacingly at something ahead. Looking in that direction, I saw three Great Rock Crabs moving in a group toward us.
It seemed Karl was eager for a fight, so I decided we should confront them head-on and test our strength. This would be my first serious combat since evolving, so it was a good chance to try out some new techniques.
“Karl, I’m counting on you to take the front. Can you try using some of your new skills?”
“Grrr! GROOOOOOON!”
Karl nodded once, then roared bravely, causing the air to shake violently. With his [Roar] and [Intimidation] skills, Karl’s thunderous voice stopped the three Great Rock Crabs in their tracks.
With our opponents immobilized Karl launched a relentless attack. He started tearing at their claws with his own, and his fangs seemed to be penetrating their shells, almost crushing them to pieces. Karl’s physical attack now seemed to surpass the defenses of the Great Rock Crabs.
However, the enemy would not go down without a fight. The remaining Great Rock Crabs tried to sever Karl’s front legs with their claws from both sides.
“Grrr… GROOOOOOOH!”
The pincers clamped with the force of a vice, but as Karl roared, his scales rose. They were already razor sharp before the evolution, and the scales now resembled small knives protruding all over his body.
In addition, Karl’s scales were quite hard. The raised scales had embedded themselves into the Great Rock Crab’s claws. The insides of the claws were already in tatters, and as Karl thrashed violently, cracks spread through them.
This seemed to be the effect of [Destruction Dragon Scales]. It seemed that Karl could win even if left alone, but that would not serve my purpose of testing my own strength. It was time for me to step in!
“Karl, I’ll take one of them. Star Magic Circle Activation, Wind Hammer!”
I launched the wind hammer spell at the claws of the crab holding Karl. Thanks to the damage Karl had inflicted, the claws were easily destroyed. I regretted the waste of material, but under the current circumstances, I didn’t have the luxury of choosing how to defeat it.
With its claws destroyed, the attention of one of the Great Rock Crabs was focused on me. It raised its remaining claw and bubbled at the mouth as it lumbered toward me. Its movements were sluggish, but to be caught by that claw, or even a blunt blow, would probably crush me instantly.
“…Nothing will affect me if I fly. Well then, let’s deliver a truly serious blow. Magic Stone Absorption, Grand Magic Circle Activation…. Thunderbolt!”
As the spell was activated, a magic circle appeared overhead, and with it came a thunderclap loud enough to burst eardrums and a blinding flash of light, from which a massive bolt of lightning struck down. The Great Rock Crab which was hit directly died with its claws still raised and smoke billowing out of its body.
Even though it lacked the speed to dodge and was vulnerable to lightning element, I hadn’t expected the creature’s remaining health to be obliterated just like that. What? Did I become so powerful? That doesn’t seem right. Could there be some kind of king buff at play here?
While I was still in shock, the battle continued. Karl was wrestling with two opponents. There was no time for me to be dazed.
“Karl, show me the [Dragon Magic] skill.”
“GUOOOOOOON!”
At my request, Karl roared again and at the same time, he fired a series of what looked like white energy balls from his mouth. So that was [Dragon Magic]!
At first glance, these energy balls resembled Light Balls, but the color was slightly different and the power was incomparably greater. When it hit a Great Rock Crab at close range, the creature’s shell was pierced, leaving it riddled with holes.
“Fshuuuuuu…”
“It seems he can fire repeatedly, but there’s a limit to how many he can shoot at once, and once he fired in rapid succession, he can’t shoot again for a while.”
Karl, who doesn’t hold back unless I instruct him otherwise, would surely be using Dragon Magic mercilessly on the other creature still alive if he could. So, if he’s not firing, it means he can’t.
Since it was an advanced version of [Non-Elemental Magic], it could be expected to inflict consistent damage on any opponent. Moreover, the energy balls were quite fast, making them effective not only at close range but also at medium range.
It wasn’t suitable for continuous magical combat, but it was perfect for the first strike in a brawl or a surprise attack. It fits well with Karl’s fighting style, and he will likely use it often from now on.
“It’s a bit of a waste, but let’s try using [King of Chaos].”
[King of Chaos] was a skill I acquired after evolving into my new race. I wanted to feel how it worked and see what it could really do. It seemed really wasteful to use it on the last one, but I felt compelled to try it out.
When I activated it, a mysterious, sticky liquid flowed from my eye sockets, my mouth, the sleeves of my robe and its hem before spreading over a certain area and forming a perfect circle. It was as if I was standing on a polished obsidian disk.
As I took a step forward, the circle moved with me instantly. There were no traces of it on the riverbank after passing, which was very eerie. The principle behind it… well, it’s just a game.
“This covers the area, but…?!”
“Guou?”
The moment the Great Rock Crab entered the range of [King of Chaos], its claws and shell made a slight cracking noise and shattered into pieces. Even Karl’s tremendous strength couldn’t easily break the shell, but now it was instantly destroyed…. this was clearly the effect of stat equalization.
Surely, in the case of the Great Rock Crab, its agility and intelligence must have been extremely low. This was the result. Its agility and intelligence were surely low and must have increased now, but… isn’t this a bit too brutal?
In any case, I now have a general understanding of our abilities after evolving. Let’s explore the riverbank a bit longer before heading back.
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