I Am the Weakest Cat, but If I Keep Evolving, Can I Become the Strongest? - Episode 9: Multiple Skill Evolutions

Episode 9: Multiple Skill Evolutions 

▽ Episode 9: Multiple Skill Evolutions

It was a fierce battle. 

My attacks basically didn’t work, and its attacks would bring death even with a graze. I didn’t expect the fight to be that close. 

Even so, I won. 

The only problem is—I only leveled up. It seems that’s still not enough for evolution. I have to defeat several more Hobgoblins. 

Sounds exhausting. 

“…Nyao.” 

My ears instinctively flattened. 

The cat’s body might be a little too honest. 

But there is also good news. 

A new skill has been obtained. Until now, I could only acquire three. This is the commemorative fourth one. 

The name of the skill is [Agility I]. 

It seemed like a very cat-like skill. But it might not be as useful as claws or biting. 

Suddenly, I noticed it with [Instinct Detection]. 

The reason I could only acquire three skills up until now was probably because that was my limit. The current me belongs to a Rank II species. 

I might now be able to acquire up to four skills. 

If that’s the case, maybe I don’t need [Trap Creation] anymore. 

It maxed out a while ago and evolved into a skill called [Trap Inducement]. This skill makes it easier for enemies to step on traps. 

But honestly, I can’t really tell how effective it is. That’s because I’ve already been setting traps in places where they’re likely to step anyway. I don’t know whether it was the skill effect or my placement sense. 

It’s a subtle skill. 

Traps are strong. 

That, I know. I know, but even without a skill, traps are strong. 

I wonder if I can remove it. 

The moment I thought that, I instinctively perceived that the [Trap Inducement] skill had disappeared. 

I felt sad, thinking I might not be able to get it back. But then it returned again. 

Apparently, there’s some kind of reserve or standby system. 

I wished for a useful skill to grow in the vacant slot. 

▽ 

It was two days later. 

I was holding my breath. Apparently, the Goblins had realized that “the patrol team was killed.” 

Three Hobgoblins, plus about five clerics and magicals were moving together. 

It seems they don’t plan to let the mysterious attacker live. 

Maybe it’s time to leave this area too. Since I leveled up, my magic has started to somewhat work on Hobgoblins as well. 

Still, I can’t kill a hob with just magic. 

That’s the kind of position I’m in now. 

However, as a result of repeatedly risking death against evenly matched opponents, my [Paralysis Claws] and [Poison Fang] have both evolved. 

I haven’t made a decision yet. 

The options have been showing up in my vision all this time. Since I’m just hiding right now, maybe I should decide already. 

Let’s start with [Paralysis Claw]. 

There are three options: 

1. [Strong Paralysis Claw] 

 Able to inflict stronger paralysis. 

2. [Powerful Paralysis Claw] 

 Increased scratching power. 

3. [Confusing Claw] 

 Puts the target into a confused state. 

These are the three. 

All of them seem like strong and appealing choices. 

If only there were a more obvious “bad” choice, it would be easier to decide—though maybe that’s a bit too greedy to wish for. 

Let’s think it through. 

1. About [Strong Paralysis Claw]. 

Strengthening the paralysis effect is wonderful. Probably, even against enemies resistant to paralysis, it will still have some effect. 

If it activates, it could even strike down stronger opponents. 

2. About [Powerful Paralysis Claw]. 

The paralysis effect remains the same. The scratching power increases. Physical power increases. 

3. About [Confusing Claw]. 

A completely new abnormal status: confusion. Whether it’s strong or not, I don’t know. But in some PvP game videos I saw online, confusion brought a fatal defeat to the opponent. 

I feel like it was called an “infinite win route” or something. 

Sounds interesting. 

….…And so, I made my choice. 

I chose [Powerful Paralysis Claw]. It’s a simple branch that increases scratching ability itself. 

To be honest, I wanted to choose [Strong Paralysis Claw], which would enhance the paralysis effect. But after repeatedly fighting Hobgoblins, I found that the increase in scratching power seemed more appealing. 

If the claws don’t pierce in the first place, then the paralysis won’t matter. 

Increased base damage from scratching is attractive. And if it can deal damage even to enemies resistant to paralysis, then that’s a huge help. 

Next. 

Next is my main offensive power—[Poison Fang]. I need to be careful with this one too. There are four choices. 

1. [Strong Poison Fang] 

 Increases poison effect. 

2. [Spreading Poison Fang] 

 When poison is inflicted on a target, that poison also spreads to the surroundings.

3. [Fast Poison Fang] 

 The poison spreads faster.

4. [Powerful Poison Fang] 

 The attack power of the fang increases.

…These are similar choices to [Paralysis Claw]. 

This is also a difficult decision. It’s difficult, but for the most part, there was only one real choice. 

The one I chose was [Strong Poison Fang]. 

It’s the one where the poison’s effect increases.

My basic strategy is: “Stop the target’s movement with claws or magic, then finish it with poison.” 

Since I bite when they’re already immobilized, it’s fine to take time.

If that’s the case, it’s better to be able to reliably stop their breathing. 

It’s also good that it seems capable of breaking through some level of poison resistance. 

I think there are many enemies I can’t beat without poison. That’s how lacking in firepower the cat-type is.

“…Nya.” 

That said, I still can’t win against three Hobgoblins. 

I hid and lay in wait, letting the Hobgoblins pass me by.