Chapter 4

Episode 109: {Possible Evolutions}

“Slaaaaaaaaahhhh!?”

Falling. Falling. Falling. Just falling through the darkness with nothing around.

“(—Whoa…)”  

Right after defeating the Chaos Treant, the ground couldn’t withstand the repeated strain of battle and collapsed. It seemed there was a large cavity deep underground, and after falling for a while, I landed on a pile of fallen rocks.

“(Ugh, I’ve fallen quite a bit…)”  

Even though the battle had ended and I was a bit off guard, it was a mistake not to notice the collapse until it started. I’ll have to pay more attention to my footing from now on.

“(Now, let’s quickly retrieve the Treant’s corpse… Huh!?)”  

Looking around, I saw that the Treant’s corpse had slid down the slope of the cave. The slope curved gently and had just disappeared around the bend.

“(Wait up!)”  

Determined not to lose the valuable materials, I chased after it and caught it. With the Sovereign Beast’s |Speed|, it was no trouble at all.

“(No, it seems today is the last day as a Sovereign Beast)”  

In the battle against the Chaos Treant, I finally earned the right to the next {Evolution}. According to Ergo, the entity above the Sovereign Beast is the Calamity Beast. It’s the source of catastrophic disasters that appear once every hundred years or so. The last appearance was about eighty years ago, when the entire region, led by the Grand Duke, mobilized and still suffered immense damage. 

Documents from before the unification of the continent suggest that one Calamity Beast alone was responsible for the destruction of multiple countries. It’s a monster akin to a natural disaster. 

The thought of evolving into such a being is thrilling, but I should check my |Status| before looking at the {Possible Evolutions}. There have been quite a few changes from the repeated battles with the Sovereign Beasts.

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Species: The Weapon Born from the Fire of War (?)

Beast Rank: Sovereign Beast  

Soul Accumulation Level: 262

Stats:  

Life: 2906/1973  

Mana: 3274/2381  

Power: 1209  

Toughness: 14412  

Resistance: 1359  

Speed: 1060  

Skills: [Sense of Direction] [Cover]

[Climbing] [Block] [Perfect Defense] 

[Escape Instinct] [Whip] [Compact Whip] 

[Folly]  [Transport] [Understanding Intent]

[Slash] [Compact Slash] [Gesture] [Communication]  

[Weapon Body] [Body Repair] [Dance] 

[Swimming] [Flee] [Instant Shift] [Cross Counter]

[Challenge] [Concentration] [Storage] [Transportation] 

[Weapon Storage] [Replicant Form] [Bewitching Gleam] 

[Thrust] [Antibody] [Ambush] [Compact Thrust] 

[Shoot] [Decomposition Liquid] [Charge Thrust] 

[Charge Slash] [Compact Shoot] [Concealment] 

[Mollusk Body] [Powerful Throw] [Receiving]  

[Tear Off] [Wave Slash] [Wave Thrust] [Capture]

[Heavy Slash] [Heavy Thrust] [Heavy Shoot] 

[Precision Shooting] [Poisoned Hands] [Rapid Regeneration]  

[Weapon Creation] [Intensified Warfare] [Multi-Sword Style] 

[Thousand Blade Genesis] [Territory] [Parry]

[Compact Swing] [Heavy Swing] [Charge Swing] 

[Quake Swing] [Battle Dance] [Assassination]

[Storm Strike] [On the Edge of the Ring] 

[Brilliant Technique of the Storm]  [Diving] 

[Clairvoyance] [Countercurrent] [Perforation] 

[Strangle] [Trajectory Prediction] [Super Jump] (NEW)

[Divine Staff] (NEW) [Explosive Charge] (NEW)

Unique Skill: [Thunderstorm Rich Harvest – Minori no Jingi]

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Turning my attention inward, information surfaced in my mind. 

…Yeah, I’ve grown quite a bit. First, <Level>. It’s now in the 260s. I never expected to increase by about fifty in just one day, especially before facing the “Colossus.”

Next, [Skills]. Three have advanced to higher levels. It seems [Aerial Jump], [Impact], and [Frenzied Charge] have all been upgraded. All are frequently used [Skills].

Details… can wait.

“(…And, the [Unique Skill] has leveled up too.)”  

I was worried that the [Unique Skill] might stop leveling up after one time, but it seems that was unfounded. No one else seems to have it, and even Ergo didn’t know much about it. 

I wonder if it has something to do with my reincarnation. Even if I think about it, I can’t find an answer. I don’t know if immense proficiency or other special conditions are required for leveling up. The only relief is that I can understand how to use it instinctively and see its effects in the |Status|.

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Unique Skill Details

[Thunderstorm Rich Harvest – Minori no Jingi]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  Maximizes harvest yield.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  Allows manipulation of thunder to enhance the earth or harvest life. (NEW)

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The second ability has indeed powered up.

It seems that previously, it was only “Allows manipulation of thunder to enhance the earth.” It’s another vague description, but does this mean it has become a more offensive ability? I’ll check it out when I encounter a suitable magical beast.

…Well, I’ve reviewed the |Status|. Next is the {Possible Evolutions}. I focus on it with anticipation.

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{Possible Evolutions}

{The Peerless Treasure Sword (?)} 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Beast Rank: Calamity Beast 

{The Treasure-Embellished Fortress of a Thousand Transformations (?)}

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Beast Rank: Calamity Beast 

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(Note: What’s up with these names (￣ω￣;). Sounds like something from a chinese novel)

…These seem like living creatures, right? The species names have an even stronger non-living feel to them. And what’s with the question marks at the end? It wasn’t there before; why the sudden change?

“(…Ah, the current species also has a question mark!)”  

Noticing the question mark on the |Status| for the current species, which I had missed earlier, I realize it’s there as well. Even with this knowledge, the reason remains unclear…

“(And only two options, huh…)”  

I sigh at the limited number of {Possible Evolutions}. While too many choices can be overwhelming, having only two feels insufficient. Well, the first time I {Evolved}, there were also only two choices. I didn’t feel a lack back then, so maybe it’s not worth worrying about.

“(Alright, let’s check the species descriptions and deal with what can’t be changed later.)”

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{Possible Evolutions}

{The Peerless Treasure Sword (?)} – Beast Rank: Calamity Beast  

*This species is unexplained. Currently displaying analysis results of a similar species.*  

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • A unified type of Jewel Slime with a blade honed to perfection.  

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Wields an unparalleled blade capable of cutting through any obstacle.  

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Within its [Dominion], there is nothing that cannot be cut.

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The description has become even more abstract than it was for the Sovereign Beast. The asterisk and question mark might be why. Well, as long as the direction isn’t completely different, it should be fine.

“(It’s probably a slashing-type species.)”  

If we take the description at face value, that seems to be the case. I’m not particularly obsessed with slashing attacks, but the species seems to favor them. It appears to have high combat power, so it’s a decent candidate. I should check the other option as well.

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{Possible Evolutions}

{The Treasure-Embellished Fortress of a Thousand Transformations (?)} – Beast Rank: Calamity Beast  

*This species is unexplained. Currently displaying analysis results of a similar species.*  

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • A unified type of Jewel Slime with dazzlingly gleaming numerous armaments and a gigantic body resembling a fortress.  

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Masterfully changes tactics, switching weapons and adjusting distance to confound foolish opponents.  

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Within its [Dominion], no weapon can be destroyed.

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Hmm, this one seems relatively similar to the current species, right? The description gives an impression of having many options, and it seems to align with my current strategy of creating and using various weapons to exploit enemies’ weaknesses. There’s nothing new, but it’s a stable choice.

This one is also a good candidate.

“(So, which one to choose?)”  

Even though there are only two options, it’s still a tough decision. Ergo didn’t know what comes after Calamity Beast. 

If there is something, it’s easy to imagine that an enormous amount of <Soul Fragments> would be required to {Evolve}. This might be the last {Evolution}, so being overly cautious doesn’t hurt.

“(Which one should I choose…)”  

Just then, as I was pondering, a voice called out from behind me.