――――――――――
Race level increased. Gained 1 SP.
Job level increased. Gained 1 SP.
The race level has reached its growth limit. Evolution is possible.
The job level has reached its growth limit. Job change is possible.
The race level of your familiar has increased.
The job level of your familiar has increased.
――――――――――
As we aimed for the central part of the “Ancient Ruined City” and advanced, we eventually came to a halt after making some progress. The reason, of course, was the fault of the Harpies. As we ventured deeper, their attacks grew increasingly fierce.
“Damn it! There’s no end to them, is there?”
“Ugh! I’m running low on arrows!”
“Graaah!”
“””””Gegyaaaa!!!”””””
Simultaneously with Jigoro’s complaints, Ruby’s warning sounded. Karl, quick to react, let out an intimidating roar. However, the harpies didn’t falter in the slightest. In fact, they responded with even louder and more menacing cries, as if challenging us.
Their numbers kept increasing, and the Harpy leaders, coordinating their attacks, unleashed waves of assaults. It was impossible to handle them all. We were definitely cornered.
“Star Magic Circle activation! Holy Shield!”
I did my best to protect everyone using my magic. Finding the right moment to counterattack seemed nearly impossible. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that we were completely trapped.
“Isam-kun, what do we do?”
“…At this rate, we’re in a tight spot. Let’s retreat,” I replied.
“Retreat? There’s no way to escape, you know!?”
As Iris pointed out, it seemed like we had no way out, as we were completely surrounded. However, it was too early to give up. Fortunately, our enemies were harpies, cowardly birds attacking from the safety of the sky with magic. In that case…
“Let’s get inside that building!”
“I see!”
It was a simple plan. All we needed to do was get inside the building. If we could find a place that was narrow and denied them the advantage of being above us, we had a good chance.
“Star Magic Circle Activation, Flash! Now! Run!”
“”””Gygyaaaah!?””””
I used the “Flash” spell of [Light Magic] which was the original skill of [Holy Magic] to block the Harpies’ vision all at once. The intense light blinded the harpies, causing them to scream and cease their attacks. Seizing the opportunity, we dashed into a nearby building with an intact ceiling.
“””Gyaaah! Gyaaah!”””
“””Gegyagyaaa!”””
“…Phew. It seems they won’t come in this far after all.”
Outside the building, the Harpies continued to screech loudly. Their voices somehow sounded frustrated. I felt relieved that we had escaped.
“We’ve run away, but what are we going to do now? We can’t just go back like this, can we?” Jigoro asked.
“No, I have my [Space-Time magic] so going back is easy. But more importantly…”
I had the “base teleportation” spell of the [Space-Time magic] at my disposal. With it, I could return to Birdy Perch with the entire party at any time. However, I couldn’t decide whether to go back immediately. It was because of the underground passage that lay before me.
“In a big city, it wouldn’t be strange to have an underground shopping street…. right? This city gives out a Japanese vibe.”
In Tokyo and Osaka, there are extensive underground malls that are so vast that first-time visitors often get lost. It might be a hassle, but if this place truly crisscrosses the entire city like a network of veins, it could be useful. That’s because, by using it effectively, we might be able to explore the ruined city without dealing with the harpies!
“At this rate, things won’t get any better. I think it’s a good idea.” Jigoro said.
“Indeed.” Genjuro agreed.
“That’s right,” Iris said.
The three of them nodded, understanding what I meant without me having to explain. To Jigoro and the others, who were weary from battling the harpies, my proposal seemed like a welcome alternative.
“…Even though we came to a floating continent, we ended up going underground again.”
“…Yeah.”
Iris seemed somewhat uneasy about going underground again, even though she tentatively agreed. Her tentacles’ movements lacked their usual sharpness, so it was clear that she was hiding her true feelings.
However, with our current condition, progressing on the surface was impossible. Pushing forward would be futile because the harpies were both strong and numerous. We had to endure this situation for now. It would also serve as a way to express our gratitude to her.
“In any case, we’ve expended quite a bit of energy up to this point. Let’s take a break here. Fortunately, there don’t seem to be any monsters nearby, so this should be a safe spot… Ruby?”
Although our current objective was to explore the underground area, considering our levels of stamina, magic power consumption, and playtime, I decided it was time for a rest. After using the magic echo spell of [Void Magic] to sense magical energy in the vicinity, I didn’t detect anything, so I believed it to be safe.
Before we realized it, the voices of the harpies had disappeared, so I guess they had given up. However, there might be stealthy individuals beyond my detection abilities. That’s why I consulted Ruby, the expert of the party, to confirm.
“Well… yeah. There shouldn’t be anything around.”
“I see, thank you. The first watch will be handled by me and Karl, so the rest of you can log out.”
“Alright, we’ll leave it to you.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll be back as soon as possible!”
“I’m sorry, Isam-kun.”
The four of them bid us farewell one by one and logged out, leaving their avatars behind in that place. Karl and I remained vigilant, though it was just a precaution.
“…Fufufufufu. I managed to get everyone to go.”
“Gruu?”
Karl gave me a puzzled look, starting to emit a curious noise. Despite growing larger, he still retained a certain childlike quality, making his actions incredibly cute.
“No, no, I’ll save the admiration for later! We need to hurry before everyone comes back!”
What was I planning to do? Of course, it was evolution and job change. Among them, what I wanted to do alone was body modification, or rather, bone and body remodeling.
Up until now, I have undergone two bone and body modifications. The first time, I added arms, and the second time, I increased the size of the bones themselves. Both transformations had greatly surprised my companions.
But it still wasn’t enough. I felt that it lacked impact. I had no intention of deviating too far from a humanoid form, but I possessed a skeleton avatar that allowed me to attach bones and similar optional parts freely. I needed to make even more creative modifications.
“Fufufu! The plans for the modifications are already in my head! Now, all that’s left is to bring them to life!”
“Grruon?”
I laid out the items I intended to use for this bone remodeling on the floor. There were more items lined up than the total used in my previous two evolutions. I was planning a major transformation. It was only natural that I was filled with determination.
Well then, let’s get started! The third and most significant bone and body modification!
◆◇◆◇◆◇
“Fufufufufu, hahahahaha! Ahhahhahhahha!”
Modification complete! Well, that went smoothly, didn’t it? I added organs not typically found in humans, but thanks to the system’s assistance, they moved just as freely as my third and fourth arms.
Hehehe! I had already acquired the skills needed to make the most of these additions, and it only cost me 4 SP! With this, there was no doubt that my adaptability from close to mid-range combat would greatly increase!
“All right, all set. Next is evolution.”
Now, what choices did I have for evolution?
――――――――――
Chaos Abyss Dragonbone High Lich
A new breed of High Lich with elements of a dragon in its body, capable of using all abyssal magic, and various parts added through alchemy, enhancing its abilities far beyond that of a regular High Lich.
It is expected to boast incredible strength compared to the typical High Lich, but due to being a new race, an accurate measurement of its combat power is impossible.
――――――――――
The “chimera” name had transformed into “chaos” itself! I wonder if I have tampered with my body too much. I distinctly remembered having new options when I added those extra arms… It must be because of those additions.
Moreover, it being a new race… Well, I was aware that it clearly didn’t have a shape that naturally occurs or evolves. It wouldn’t shock anyone, as it looked like a “creature altered by someone.” Though I highly doubted anyone would suspect it was my own doing.
“However, it’s a fact that I’ve become stronger. There’s no need to hesitate!”
Though it was surprising, I chose to evolve without a second thought.
――――――――――
The “Chaos Abyss Dragonbone High Lich” has been selected.
The evolution to the Chaos Abyss Dragonbone High Lich has begun.
As a result of the evolution, the level of [Undying Wisdom] skill has increased.
As a result of the evolution, the level of [Inhabitant of the Abyss] skill has increased.
As a result of the evolution, the level of [Abyssal Aura] skill has increased.
Newly acquired the title of “Unique Monster”.
Through evolution, the Staff of Hourai, Skull Mask, and Moon’s Feather Robe have all grown by one level.
――――――――――
Ahhhh, that feeling of indescribable omnipotence strikes again. Even though this was the fourth time now, I never quite got used to it. It’s a good touch as part of the presentation, but I can’t help but feel a bit sad knowing it will eventually disappear. I’m quite the troublesome player, even in my own eyes.
Now, there were more important things to confirm. First and foremost, it’s been a while since I earned a new title, and this time it was “Unique Monster”. I should take a look at it, just to be sure.
――――――――――
“Unique Monster”
Proof of being one-of-a-kind creatures in the world.
All skills are enhanced.
This title is lost when another of the same race is born.
Requirement: Being the only monster of its kind in the world.
――――――――――
Hmm, I see. It seems I’ve reached the status of a “Unique” race. It’s as if my wish to be the “only one rather than being number one,” has been granted. I couldn’t be happier.
By the way, the reason I wasn’t overly impressed by this title was that I already had a companion who held it. That companion, of course, was Iris.
She was originally a Roper-type monster; this race didn’t typically craft tools or anything like that. So, when she became a lesser roper worker in her initial evolution, she had already gained this title.
I only learned about this recently because she apparently thought of me as this “Unique Monster” from the start. When the topic of titles that should be acquired within the lower levels came up as advice for Shio, Iris naturally mentioned, “Isn’t the ‘Unique Monster’ title also powerful?” The shock I felt when she said that was intense, to say the least.
Apart from that, well… everything else just went up in level. The trial equipment hasn’t revealed any new effects, but there’s no doubt that I’ve become stronger. Will there come a day when I have to remove these pieces of equipment?
“All right, next up is a job change.”
I opened the list of jobs I could potentially switch to. As usual, there were a plethora of options lined up. It was undoubtedly due to the richness of my skillset. Well, even with that, there were only a few that piqued my interest. This time, I noticed these two.
――――――――――
Abyss Sage
A mage ascending to the pinnacle of forbidden magic.
Great proficiency in abyssal magic.
Apostle of chaos and death
One who embodies the doctrine of Yifa the “Goddess of Chaos and Death”.
Proficiency in abyssal magic and Proselytism.
――――――――――
The “Abyss Sage” was probably the same abyssal mage-type job as before. So, logically, choosing this one would be the correct decision, and it would probably seem unusual for me to hesitate.
However, the “Apostle of Chaos and Death” job was also appealing enough to make me hesitate. The effects mentioned in the description weren’t anything significant, and they became quite unclear towards the end. But in reality, this was a priest-type job.
In other words, choosing it would grant me access to the [Healing Magic] skill, something the party was lacking. For us, who had no means of healing apart from potions, the ability to use [Healing Magic] would greatly enhance our sustainability in battles. Ignoring this option was something I simply couldn’t do.
If I were to prioritize my personal preference, then “Abyss Sage” would be the only choice. However, with the “Apostle of Chaos and Death”, I could contribute more to the entire party. It felt like I was being asked to choose between my own interests and the party’s well-being.
“In the end, the answer seems quite clear.”
――――――――――
The “Apostle of Chaos and Death” has been selected.
As a result of the job change, you have acquired the [Divine Power Descent] skill.
As a result of the job change, you have acquired the [Eyes of Chaos and Death] skill.
――――――――――
…It’s kinda different from what I expected, isn’t it?”
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