I Was Reincarnated as the Weakest Monster, but I’ll Use My ‘Return from Death’ Skill to Become the Strongest! Even as the Weakest Monster, I Want to Get Stronger, Take Human Form, and Build a Harem… But Why Do Only Yandere Non-Human Girls Keep Showing Up? - Chapter 1.11

Staying out late at night was dangerous.

The deeper the night, the more powerful monsters stirred within this forest.

Once I reached the level required for evolution, I hurried back to my den.

“Alright, time to evolve.”

After returning to my cave, I prepared to begin the evolution process.

── Displaying available evolution paths.
── Nekamata
── Bakeneko
── Evolution is possible from these options.

This time, I had two choices for evolution.

I decided to analyze both options.

《Nekamata》
A two-tailed cat possessing spiritual power. Capable of manipulating various abilities using this power.

《Bakeneko》
A disproportionately large feline with razor-sharp claws, exceptional agility, and formidable strength. Engaging it in close combat is highly discouraged. It is also said to possess transformation abilities.

Hmm. So Nekamata specializes in special abilities, while Bakeneko leans toward brute strength?

“Which one should I choose?”

I scratched my head as I pondered over the decision.

Honestly, as long as I could evolve, either choice would be fine. Just being able to grow stronger was already a huge step forward.

That said… having a transformation ability would be pretty nice.

I mean, what if I could turn into a human?

…But then again, the Bakeneko’s transformation ability is only rumored. If I evolve into it and it turns out I don’t actually have the ability, I’d be seriously disappointed.

Also… disproportionately large?

Would growing bigger be a disadvantage in this forest?

“That might be a problem…”

I had no way of knowing just how big “disproportionately large” really was.

If I ended up the size of a bus, that’d be way too big.

I probably wouldn’t even be able to live in this cave anymore.

“Nekamata seems like the safer bet.”

Yeah, the more I thought about it, the more Nekamata felt like the right choice.

“…And Firestarter was really useful.”

Techniques. Abilities.

I already knew how ridiculously convenient special skills could be—Firestarter alone had proven that.

From both a combat and survival standpoint, evolving into a Nekamata seemed like the smarter choice.

Alright. Decision made.

“Nekamata, I choose you!”

── Evolution will now commence.

My second evolution began.

“…Did I just get smaller?”

Once the process was complete, I noticed that my body had shrunk slightly.

Well, that wasn’t too bad. I could live with being a bit smaller.

“What really matters is this so-called spiritual power… What can I do with it?”

What kind of abilities had I gained?

Excited to find out, I prepared to check my status.

“…Huh!?”

But before I could, the entire area shook.

A powerful tremor and a deafening impact shattered my train of thought.

Reacting instinctively, I snapped my gaze upward.

“…What the—?”

The forest was on fire.

A sea of red filled my vision.

“…No way.”

Massive flames surged through the forest, turning everything outside my cave into an inferno.

The entire world beyond was bathed in crimson.