Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 152: Return

Episode 163: Return

(Note: Special for this chapter the MC’s dialogue is written in ‘…..’.)

Returning through the passage, we arrived back at the large cavern directly beneath the Isa Kingdom. It was the place where we fought the Earth Dragon.  

It had only been a few days since that battle, but the area had changed significantly.  

“Alright, keep moving it out just like that!”  

“Wait! The stairs are full!”  

“A new storage area has been set up in the second section where we finished mining. Let’s put it there for now.”  

The large cavern was bustling with activity.  

Near the entrance, Mana Crystals produced by the [Glittering Factory] were being mined. And many people were showing off their strength or operating golem-like machines for transportation.  

But we were headed further inside.  

There, scholars from the Isa Kingdom, led by the Sage, were hard at work.  

“The fact that you managed to defeat the Beast King safely is truly fortunate, Katsu. I’m glad it wasn’t due to a malfunction or error in the observation equipment,” 

The Sage said, representing the scholars who were busy with their experiments and artifact creations.  

No one else even glanced our way, completely engrossed in their work.  

‘So, you could detect the death of the Beast King from here too, huh?’  

“Yes, the signal was very clear.”  

It wasn’t a coincidence that Paula had appeared just in time after the battle was finished. She was able to learn about the death of the “Polar King” thanks to a certain artifact.  

The artifact in question was the communication device we once used to speak with the god.  

Though the Star God was now focusing on recovery and couldn’t communicate like before, it could still function in its original purpose of gathering information about the world by reading the flow of the planet’s |Mana|.  

In particular, the Beast Kings controlled vast and powerful [Territories], They had a significant impact on the world, making their disappearance unmistakable.  

‘So, what day is it now?’  

“It’s just past noon on the fourth day. You’ve accomplished something truly remarkable.”  

‘I see…’  

I had entered the Great Magical Wilderness on the morning of the second day. Defeating it in about two and a half days probably set a new world record for clearing the Great Magical Wilderness, but…  

‘We’re not going to make it.’  

The X-Day of Karkinos’ arrival was on the seventh day.  

Even if we ignored the Calamity Beasts to reduce time, we still had a long distance to cover.  

No matter the calculation, defeating four more Beast Kings and reaching <Max Level> in the remaining three days seemed impossible.  

“There’s no point in worrying about what’s impossible. For now, let’s focus on the immediate tasks. Have you unlocked the ability to {Evolve} yet?”  

‘Yeah, though there was only one option for the Beast King candidate.’  

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{Possible Evolutions}

{The Radiant One with the Amber Sun and Divine Wisdom (?)} – Beast Rank: Beast King

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

• • • • • • • • Only one has reached this form. A ruler of the entire sky who has lived through countless eras, watching over the rise and fall of all civilizations.  

• • • • • • • • Possesses boundless knowledge and |Mana|, its body constantly radiating a brilliance like that of the sun.  

• • • • • • • • Within its [Dominion], all things with form are equally consumed by magical flames. 

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“…Since there’s no other choice, we’ll have to go with that one, but the description is rather vague, isn’t it?”  

‘Yeah, I thought so too.’  

After relaying the description of the {Possible Evolution}, the Sage responded as such.  

“Were the descriptions of the species you’ve {Evolved} into so far always like this?”  

‘Kind of. I feel like they were a bit more specific at the beginning. But the higher the rank, the more abstract they’ve become.’  

“I see… That might be linked to the Star God’s ability to analyze things,” 

The Sage said, touching her chin thoughtfully.  

“I mentioned that the descriptions of [Skills] and  {Possible Evolutions} are analyzed through the power of the Star God, correct?”  

‘Yeah, that’s right.’  

“And the more advanced the subject, the more difficult it becomes to analyze. If the Star God were to focus solely on a Sixth Grade being, they could likely complete the analysis immediately. However, there are countless life forms in this world. It wouldn’t make sense to dedicate all their capacity to just one individual. As your Beast Rank rises, it’s possible that the descriptions have become increasingly vague due to the difficulty in analyzing higher levels……..It’s all speculation, though.”

While we were discussing this, the scholars had begun to gather around.  

The reason we had been chatting was to wait until their experiment concluded.  

‘Alright, I’m heading out then.’  

With the innermost part of the Great Cavern now cleared, I could finally proceed with my {Evolution}.  

It would be dangerous to have people nearby during the process.  

I moved to the innermost area and immediately began the process of {Evolution}.

The heat from {Evolution}, rising from within my body, was the most intense I had ever experienced.  

As I felt like every part of my cells was being seared, I suddenly realized something.  

It must be because I had gained a deeper understanding of my [Unique Skill].  

I could now tell that the source of this heat was my 〔Soul Arche〕.  

[The Endless Cycle of Thunderous Rebirth]…….. Near my original 〔Soul Arche〕, there was a massive accumulation of <Soul Fragments>, swelling up like a mountain range.  

It was probably the 〔Soul Arche〕 given to me by the god when I became a Jewel Slime.  

“(Oh wow, so this is what the structure looks like.)”

It seemed like the heat generated from the compression of this was spreading throughout my body.  

As the compressed 〔Soul Arche〕 increased in density, it gained power far surpassing what it had before.  

This appeared to be the mechanism behind {Evolution}.  

Before I knew it, the process of {Evolution} had ended, and I had forgotten about the heat due to this unexpected discovery.  

Usually, right after {Evolution}, I’m bursting with energy to the point where I feel like shouting. But this time I felt oddly calm.  

Perhaps my skill, [Clear Tranquility], was doing its job.  

—

“(—And… [Mana Eclipse]. Phew, that’s a relief,)” 

The surrounding temperature had started to rise rapidly because of my glowing, so I quickly used my new [Skill] to suppress the light.  

Now, let’s take a look at my |Status|.

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Species: The Radiant One with the Amber Sun and Divine Wisdom (?) 

Beast Rank: Beast King 

Soul Accumulation Level: 337

Stats:  

Life: 5298/6657  

Mana: 9603/341719  

Power: 4933  

Toughness: 28197  

Resist: 5206  

Speed: 5448  

Skills: [Cover] [Climbing] [Block] [Perfect Defense] 

[Escape Instinct] [Whip] [Compact Whip] 

[Transport] [Slash] [Compact Slash] [Gesture] 

[Weapon Body] [Body Repair] [Dance] 

[Swimming] [Flee] [Cross Counter]

[Challenge] [Storage] [Transportation] 

[Weapon Storage] [Replicant Form] 

[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] [Brilliant Technique of the Storm]  [Diving] 

[Clairvoyance] [Countercurrent] [Perforation] 

[Super Jump] [Divine Staff] [Explosive Charge] 

[Terrain Comprehension] [Telepathy] [Mimicry] 

[Projectile Prediction]  [Yin and Yang Wisdom] 

[Sparkle Pluto] [Lock-On Aim] [Update] [Perfect Sphere]

[Repair Moonlight] [Kin] [Cursed Bindings] [Temporal Cicada]

[Hasui Formation] [Clear Tranquility] [Focused Strike] 

[Cold Block] [Courage] [Sun Sovereign] (NEW)

[Innovation Under the Sun] (NEW) [Mana Eclipse] (NEW) 

[Scorching Treasure] (NEW) [Blessing] (NEW)  

[Colorless King’s Authority: Timeless Radiance] (NEW)  

Unique Skill: [The Endless Cycle of Thunderous Rebirth]

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“(Whoa, I’ve gained quite a bit.)” 

But just looking at the names alone won’t help, so I quickly checked the details of the new [Skills].

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~Skill Details~

[Sun Sovereign] 

• • • • • • • • Consumes |Mana| to freely manipulate Mana Crystals and artifacts. While active, it rapidly drains |Mana|, but provides bonuses to [Skills] related to Mana Crystals and artifacts.

[Innovation Under the Sun] 

• • • • • • • • Grants the ability to view information about artifacts stored in the Akashic Record, which contains undisclosed data. Constantly boosts thinking ability related to Mana Crystals and artifacts.  

[Mana Eclipse]

• • • • • • • • Adds the effect of Mana Leak to |Mana| attacks. Also allows the user to suppress their emitted light, |Mana|, and heat.  

[Scorching Treasure]

• • • • • • • • While being observed by any creature, this skill intensely draws out the observer’s intent to attack the [Skill] holder. If the [Skill] holder is killed, the killer’s <Soul Fragments> dramatically increases. Additionally, creatures observing the [Skill] holder take heat damage proportional to their distance.  

[Blessing] 

• • • • • • • • Once every thirty days, the [Skill] holder can bestow a blessing of their choice to a follower or an agreed target.  

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(Note: the “Sun Sovereign” is supposed to be “Solar Lord” in the Raw. But I changed it to sound better.) 

“So, how was the result of your {Evolution}?”

‘Yeah, about that…’

Since it was a good opportunity, I explained the details of my new [Skills] to the Sage and the scholars.

The experiments the scholars were conducting here were all for artifacts I would need.

They were also contributing to the fight against Karkinos within their abilities.  

By sharing my abilities with them, it could help optimize future artifact development.

After I finished explaining most of it, the Sage let out a weary sigh.  

“I thought I understood, but the [Skills] of a Beast King are truly extraordinary. While it’s hard to make full use of them in the current situation, the [Blessing] skill could greatly strengthen our forces.”

‘Yeah, I agree. But the skill [Innovation Under the Sun] seems like it’ll be hard to use unless artifacts spread across the world.’  

“No, even obtaining information about all the artifacts that existed in the past is useful now. Plus, with the thought-enhancement bonus, wouldn’t it be possible to use that [Skill] in artifact-based combat as well?”

‘Ah, true enough.’

As we discussed this, I brought up the main point.  

‘Actually, there’s one more new [Skill].’

“Is that so? What kind of [Skill] is it?”

‘Yeah, it’s—’

With that, I started explaining the incredibly powerful and most unusual [Skill] I had gained this time.