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 2.8

The Elven Forest was clearly under attack.

That much was certain.

“Huff, huff, huff…”

Ren ran desperately, clutching me tightly as she sprinted through the forest.

Despite the looming presence of the massive black shadow and the monstrous birds it had unleashed, this part of the forest remained eerily quiet.

Ren didn’t stop. She kept running straight ahead, unwavering in her path.

“…”

I wasn’t just sitting idly in her arms, either.

Even though this section of the forest was untouched by the large-scale assault, ordinary monsters still lurked here.

Using my telekinesis, I wielded floating swords, cutting down any creatures that dared cross our path.

───Your level has reached its maximum. Evolution is now possible.

The words echoed in my mind.

───Available evolution paths:
───Mao-Xiao (猫魈)
───Jinhua Cat (金華猫)
───Choose your evolution.

Two options again.

The names alone didn’t tell me much, so I immediately used Appraisal on both.

《Mao-Xiao (猫魈)》

A being possessing intelligence equal to that of humans and immense spiritual power. It commands creatures such as Nekomata, Bakeneko, and other supernatural entities. Its tail splits into three, which can be bundled together to form a thicker appendage.

《Jinhua Cat (金華猫)》

A shapeshifter capable of seamlessly transforming into a human. When encountering a woman, it takes the form of a handsome man; when facing a man, it becomes a beautiful woman, bewitching and captivating its target. It wields the power to manipulate disease and curses to torment humans.

Jinhua Cat.

That was the obvious choice.

According to the description, I’d be able to take human form. That alone made it more practical.

Becoming a Mao-Xiao wouldn’t benefit me much—I had no Bakeneko or supernatural beings to command. It felt like an evolution that would leave me with wasted potential.

Decision made.

───Evolution commencing.

My third evolution.

This time, my body didn’t undergo any significant changes.

Even the process felt much shorter compared to before.

Still, I activated Appraisal to check my new status.

◆◆◆◆◆

Name: None
Species: Jinhua Cat (金華猫)
Level: 1/50
Rank: D
Title: “Egg of Potential”

Attack: 28
Defense: 17
Magic Power: 15
Agility: 27

Unique Ability:

• • Return by Death

Innate Skills:

• • Appraisal

Extra Skills:

• • Curse of Disease

High Skills:

• • Telekinesis

• • Will-o’-the-Wisp

• • Human Transformation

• • Charm

General Skills:

• • Bite

• • Throwing

Resistances:

• • Hunger Resistance

• • Loneliness Resistance

◆◆◆◆◆

“Ohhh! D-rank!”

The moment I saw my new status, I couldn’t help but cheer.

I had skipped straight past E-rank, evolving directly into D-rank. That was a huge win.

“Alright!”

But first—human transformation.

“Riel?!”

I leaped from Ren’s arms, landing smoothly on the ground.

Then, I activated Human Transformation.

“Oh, nice. It even gave me clothes.”

I had expected to end up completely naked, but to my relief, I was now dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono.

“R-Riel…?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m the Riel you named… formerly a Nekomata, now a Jinhua Cat.”

“R-Riel turned into a human?!”

Ren let out a shocked cry as I elegantly bowed before her.

“We don’t have time to stand around. That old man told us to head for the black shadow, didn’t he? Let’s go!”

“H-Huh?!”

Without waiting for her response, I took off running. Ren quickly snapped back to her senses and followed.

“Riel, do you even understand what’s happening?!”

As she ran beside me, Ren shot a question my way.

“Don’t underestimate monsters. Some of us have intelligence, you know.”

“B-But most don’t?!”

“Oh? Well, I do. That’s all that matters. But this actually works out well for you, doesn’t it? It’s not like we gained any extra enemies.”

“B-But… why would you, a monster, help me?”

“To repay you for the food.”

“…That’s it?”

“Yeah. That’s more than enough, isn’t it?”

Food was sacred.

For many, the happiest moments in life came from eating delicious meals.

Never underestimate the bond formed over a good meal.

“…Riel.”

“…!”

Just as I was about to solidify our partnership—

I noticed it.

A slight disturbance in the ground.

“Ren—!”

Instinct took over.

I lunged forward, shoving Ren aside.

“Gah…!”

And then—

A massive horn erupted from the ground, impaling me through the stomach.

“Riel?!”

“Die.”

The creature that had attacked me wasn’t the monstrous entity from before.

It was a lesser beast, a mole-like creature.

One I could kill.

Summoning a barrage of swords with telekinesis, I skewered it instantly, ending its life.

“Riel! Riel! Riel!”

“…Ahh.”

Victory had come easily.

But survival… was impossible.

I had died too many times to mistake the presence behind me.

Death had already placed its hand on my shoulder.

“P-Please… don’t die. Please, don’t leave me alone…!”

“Hah… hah… hah…”

I had completely let my guard down.

Even after suffering multiple ambushes from underground, I had allowed myself to fall for the same attack.

“Please! Don’t leave me aloneeeeeeee!!”

“…Next time.”

“Next time, I won’t leave you alone.”

Somewhere along the way, I had grown attached to this girl.

She was the one person I had spent the most time with in this world.

And so, I made a vow.

That in the next loop—

I wouldn’t leave her behind.

And with that, death claimed me once more.