[14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest Country.
After killing the wolf, I exhaled deeply and collapsed to the ground, right before the corpse. I kept my eyes on it, waiting for the moment I knew was coming.
{You've killed 3~Lv.7 Forest wolves, Lv.10 Alpha wolf, you've gained 360 EXP.}[600/400]
{You've levelled up from Lv.7 --> 8}[200/450]
{You've gained 10 unallocated stats points.}
[You've gained 43 Evo enchant points. T.P: 446 (403+43)]
[Talent has detected 3~Lv.7 forest wolves, 1~Lv.10 Alpha wolf (mini-boss). What do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store.]
I selected Plunder, and as always, that mysterious energy surged out of me and hovered above the mini-boss's corpse.
[No talent, abilities, and few degraded bloodline parts (partially suitable) detected. Stats and Skill identified.]
[You've gained +4 STR, +3 AGL, +3 VIT, +2 INT, +3 END, +3 STA, skill
[Do you wish to assimilate the bloodline in your body: Yes/No]
"No, System. Reject it," I said immediately. "That bloodline won't give me the power I seek. Release it. I don't have the time—or mood—to explain anything to people who didn't comment after what I said."
A single blood droplet floated from the corpse and sank into the dirt.
{A/N: And guys, it's also on you that Evan doesn't want to elaborate on what's going through his mind.}
But then something unexpected happened.
[Talent has detected the body of the Alpha wolf to be suitable for the grade evolution of items.]
[Please proceed if you wish to upgrade the items.]
"Looks like clearing Stage 3 will be much easier now," I muttered.
I pulled up my stat screen to allocate the newly earned points before moving forward with the upgrades.
__
{Stats}
Health Points (HP): 300 --> 320 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: 1.60/minute = 32*.05)
Mana Points (MP): 360 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: 1.80/minute = 36*.05)
Strength (STR): 32 --> 34
Agility (AGL): 33 --> 34
Vitality (VIT): 30 --> 32
Intelligence (INT): 36
Endurance (END): 26 --> 30
Stamina (STA): 31 --> 32
Unassigned Stats: 10 --> 00
Attack Power: 81/82+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 54 {Elemental} [MAG: INT*1.5]
Defense: 62+12 [DEF: END+STA*1]
__
Some might say it looks like I'm just fumbling stats like a gamer afraid to commit, but this is intentional. My path demands balance, not specialization.
I can dominate even SSS-rank prodigies if I play my cards right. Call me crazy, but my road leads not to salvation… but to ruin—mine.
"Time to evolve the blade and armour," I said, pulling up my Talent screen.
[Talent has detected the item
[Please choose the aspect you wish to enhance:
1. [Sharpness and Attack Power]: N/A
2. [Durability of the Sword]: N/A
3. [Grade of the Weapon]: 25 Evo-enchant points + Additional things.
4. [Add another effect.]: N/A]
"Option three," I chose. "Also, how do you want to extract the materials?"
[Talent suggests host to put the sword onto the corpse to start the process.]
I did just that, then added my armour to the mix.
"Hey, do the chainmail too," I said.
[Detected item,
[Please choose the aspect you wish to enhance:
1. [Sturdiness and Defense]: N/A
2. [Durability of the Chestplate]: N/A
3. [Grade of the armour]: 40 Evo-enchant points + Additional materials.
4. [Add another effect.]: 30 Evo-enchant Points + desired effect.]
"Select grade upgrade for the armour too and use the wolf's materials."
[To evolve the grade of the item,
"Huh? So you're telling me I can't skip straight to grade evolution? You trying to scam me into spending points on pointless upgrades first? Nice try." I glared at the screen. "But I'm not falling for it. Just evolve it."
Silence.
"Argh… just evolve them both!"
Still nothing.
"Tch… fine. I'll do it your way," I muttered and sat on the ground, focusing. I used
It wasn't easy. My mana was limited and my control was rough, but after long, sweaty minutes, I succeeded. A small pebble-like formation of earth rose before me.
Satisfied, I walked to the corpse where my gear was laid out. I picked up the earth pebble and placed it with the armour, channelling my mana into it. It wasn't much, but it was something.
"Now then—start the enchantment and evolution," I said, ready.
[Talent has detected all the necessary things prepared for the process to begin. The required points are being deducted from the storage.]
[ 110 (95 + 15) EEP {extra for effect support}, T.P: 336 EEP]
"Daylight robbery! I didn't ask for an effect—you took extra points for that!"
Apparently, even that tiny earth-element infusion counted as an effect.
[Process is being completed wait for a few moments.]
A heavy energy cloud formed over the items and the corpse, concealing them from view. Then, slowly, it faded.
What was revealed left me speechless. My eyes nearly popped out of my sockets.
To Be Continued
Author's Note: What do you think Evan saw to react like that? Drop a comment if you've got a guess—or a cool suggestion.