Empress' Evolution

Chapter 16: Being a human sucks

"Those are some good choices, good choices indeed."

Aside from the One Horn, the other two forms had rather exciting evolutions.

The Newt's evolutionary options especially.

[Oh yeah, keep in mind that some evolutions have more potential than the rest. They may be stronger in their Tier but are limited in terms of growth. Choose the wrong form, and you'll be stuck at Epic-tier or even Rare-Tier. Don't give me that look; all is fair in this world.

Complain about my seniors, not me.]

"Then at least eliminate the ones with the weakest possible evolutions. I wish not to be a weak being, but a strong one so do you really think the momentary gain is something I wish?"

[You sound stiff, you're really disappointed about it, aren't you?]

"Alpha, just do what I want you to do."

Lilith was irritated as her evolution had been cut. She had Alpha thin out her choices that will let her improve beyond what's possible.

One Horn

Two Horns

Ash Leopard

Wereleopard

Thunder Clap Leopard

Ravager Salamander

Nightmare Dragonkin

Evil Dragonkin

Cursed Ancient Dragonkin

It was trimmed down so much that Lilith found it absolutely unbelievable. So much useless evolution had actually been added.

"At least the good Dragonkin choices remained unchanged. Alpha, from now only show the strongest of all forms that I can take, got it?"

[Yeah, yeah, munchkin Queen.]

Alpha answered with a lazy yes and went for a casual mocking before doing something else with her free time.

Lilith, on the other hand, was left to make critical decisions. These evolutions should have the highest potentials that would let her reach at least Epic-tier at the very least.

Lilith found it hard actually deciding what it was that she wanted. Her usual decisiveness momentarily disappeared.

The difficulty of deciding on what evolution she should get was as hard as choosing a Role/Class in an RPG.

It's impossible not to consider the other classes' possibilities.

It wasn't a game where she could press [B] to cancel.

When she makes a decision, going back, was simply not an option.

Not possible at all.

Because of this, Lilith was left to think. She could no longer increase her level, so it would be best if she stops for today. Right on cue, Dhampy appeared beside her after cleaning up the Giwa corpses.

"Dhampy, I am returning back to the Mansion."

"Do you wish for Sylva and I to escort you?"

"No, there is no need to do that. I will be returning alone. For now, you and Sylva should raise your levels to 20. Once you reach the ceiling, I'll be able to assist you in your evolution. Oh yeah, try to use this moment to learn how to work with someone. It won't be easy, but I trust you can do it."

"I understand..."

Dhampy felt a jolt in her heart, but she didn't let it show on her face. Lilith left the two of their own accord and went back to the mansion she now calls home. Turning into a One Horn, Lilith sat underneath the shade of some tree to think.

Quietly reading the descriptions of the Ash Leopard's and the Newt's evolution tree, she began eliminating everything.

The One Horn didn't need any deliberation because of its single option.

She's glad that it made things easier for her.

'Let's see...'

For the Ash Leopard, there were only two choices but after having a clear head, making a decision wasn't even that hard; she chose the [Thunder Clap Leopard]. She could have chosen the Werelopard, but that would only grant her minimal improvement so it was a no-brainer.

It may grant her a humanoid form that's as close to an ordinary human's but the stat improvement was minimal so in the end, it was nothing more than disappointment.

Lilith had already experienced being human, and she could confidently say that it was shitty. Lilith would rather stay a daemon if she could gain more power. Being a weak human sucks a lot.

Human-like characteristics were not enough to sacrifice the power which she could attain.

'The Wereleopard only provides an additional [20 AGT], [15 STR], and [10 MAG] nothing more, nothing less. Quite frankly, that is useless.

'But for the Thunder Clap Leopard, it gives me [30 AGT], [30 STR], [30 PER], and [30 MAG]. Only VIT and DEF are left out, but everything else is improved, what's more, is that I won't have to worry about any berserk state.'

[Wereleopard:

Passive Ability: Night Wanderer, Berserker

Berserker: activates when your health reaches a dangerous 15%, it doubles your stats but in return, you will lose all rationality and attack anyone and everyone around you. You will be weakened for five days after going back to normal.]

What Lilith hated the most about was the somewhat troublesome existence of a berserk state. Although a berserk state could grant an increase in Stats, losing one's own rationality was a big no-no.

The Wereleopard had that and that was enough to make Lilith shake her head.

Thunder Clap Leopard on the other hand improves her attributes to Lightning to B and Water to C, so it was pretty much a win-win situation for her.

'Hehehehehehe, this is pretty good.' She thought as she began to drool over her evolution.

In the end, picking Thunder Clap Leopard was the thing to do. However, in regards to the Ravager Newt and its evolution, it was much harder.

All three of the available evolutions were all bad news. Nightmare Dragonkin, Evil Dragonkin, and Cursed Ancient Ancient Dragonkin; what the hell, all of its names were all so menacing... just the way Lilith liked them.

Her motto at the moment was, "if it sounds terrifying, then it must be terrifying."

"The Cursed Ancient Dragonkin is strong when it comes to VIT but nothing else. I have a shared VIT stat, I don't have to worry about not having enough points for that one. The Evil Dragonkin is focused on attacking and will grant me a lot of Active Skills, but in the end, I already have the One Horn's magic and Leopard's swiftness to cover my attacking capability... I have decided."

She chose to become a Nightmare Dragonkin.

The Nightmare Dragonkin was attuned to casting curses, but its passive skills made it so that its resistance to said curses was strong enough to make it close to invincible against them.

Poison Resistance (B), Doom Resistance (B), Debuff Resistance (B); though it only has an effect when she's in her Dragonkin form, it should still be worth it. The increase in her DEF and VIT stats alone would also make things rather interesting for her so that alone was enough to entice this loli.

Also, from the name Nightmare Dragonkin, Lilith could tell it would be a horrifying daemon. It must be, hehehe! After a long time of struggling, finally, she would have the visage befitting of a daemon.

This was her chance to become intimidating!

"I have allocated my stats already, so I should be able to evolve without needing to fear having them disappear."

[One Horn

Lv. 20

HP: 3120/3120

MP: 3560/3560

STR: 33 > 43

DEF: 38 > 48

VIT: 156 (Shared Status)

AGT: 38 > 48

MAG: 143 > 153 + 25 = 178

PER: 58 > 68]

[Ash Leopard

Lv. 20

HP: 3120/3210

MP: 1060/1060

STR: 63 > 73 + 10 = 83

DEF: 43 > 53

VIT: 156

AGT: 83 > 93 + 15 = 108

MAG: 43 > 53

PER: 58 > 68]

[Ravager Salamander

Lv. 20

HP: 3120/3120

MP: 1560/1560

STR: 33 > 43

DEF: 108 > 118 + 25 = 143

VIT: 156

AGT: 43 > 53

MAG: 68 > 78

PER: 53 > 63]

The sun was about to go down before Lilith even knew it. Standing up, it was just about the time that Sylva and Dhampy returns.

"We have returned, boss head."

"Mm."

Lilith responded with a nod.

They talked as they walked.

Though their echoing laughter was limited, the awkward silence was plentiful.

Going up the stairs, Lilith had her back turned to Sylva and Dhampy, she then said;

"I will be going to have my evolution tonight, I"

"Really, boss head?"

"Congratulations, boss head."

She was cut off by Sylva whose face blossomed with a smile. Dhampy was also happy, with her stoic expression, she said her congratulations to Lilith.

"Don't cut me off..."

"I apologize." Both of them lowered their heads.

"...I will be going to evolve, and I do not know how long it is going to take. I do not want to disappear, but my level can no longer increase. Dhampy, you are in charge of the mansion, both of you can go hunt, but make sure no deaths will occur. Sylva, avoid getting too cocky and challenge everything..."

Her words flowed out, and the two nodded their heads. Lilith was just about to leave as she turned her back against the but decided to leave a few words before doing so.

"When I get out, I will help both of you in evolving, so raise your levels to its limits."

"Yes! Boss head!"

Their faces bloomed into smiles and Lilith retreated to her room.

[Hey, Lilith? You do know that you were killed because of betrayal last time, right? I think it would be best if you know... try and be friendlier with your followers. You sounded like the dictator earlier.

[I don't know what kind of witchcraft you used to make their loyalty increase to such an extent, but if you rely on the first impression, you will eventually get stabbed in the back once more as you fear. You know, you're really pedantic and you don't really come up as friendly either and] Alpha gave her a piece of friendly advice as they climbed the stairs.

Well, she just didn't want Lilith to get betrayed later and lose her life in the process but the point is that she's being helpful.

'I get it! I'm going to try and be more... proactive. I don't really get all this bonding business. Other than tricking others, I don't know much, but... I'll take your advice and talk to them more after my evolution.'

Stubbornness was one of Lilith's aspects. If she wants something, she would get it no matter what. She would retreat if need be but would come back stronger than she was previously.

However, stubbornness does not equate to being close-minded. Learning's a gift, and Lilith knew of this simple fact.

Alpha did not utter a word. She knew Lilith enough that her words weren't an empty bag of air.

Lying on the bed, Lilith prepared herself.

Applying the Life Essences to the three forms, she decided to evolve all three at once.

"Alpha, let us begin."

[OF COURSE! HEHEHEHEHEHEHE]

An enthusiastic voice and a peal of creepy laughter were heard from Alpha before Lilith's body was encased in a white cocoon made of mana.

Inside the cocoon, Lilith was comfortably kept. Her eyes became heavier as the mana made her drunk. Her senses were turned off; she left her soul and body in Alpha's full control.

Alpha's job was to help her evolve. Despite the deranged laughter, Alpha was faithful to the job given by the Goddess. Lilith's safety was assured.

When Lilith fell asleep, everything went silent. Even Alpha became serious.

A shadow by the window left and now, no one was eyeing the process.

[The Dhampir finally left. That little one is strange.]

[Estimated time: 23:59:59]

Alpha proceeded to manipulate Lilith's mana and DNA strands slowly changed.

Like any other species, the previous stats were retained, it shall be improved later.

The body began to change then it was broken, with it was the confines and barrier a common-tiered daemon has.

Starting with the One Horn, the Mana in Lilith's body must first experience its change in order for it fully transform and evolve.

From her veins to her heart, every sinew of her muscles changed and evolved to that of a higher quality. The horn that stuck out on her forehead shone resplendently. It gathered mana and then it split and became two.

The horns slowly moved, taking each side adjacent to her temples. Lilith grew into her second horn. Mana flowed into her veins through these horns of hers with a much vibrant, elaborate, and elegant fashion.

[Two Horns: A being loved by mana. They are rare beings that focus solely focus on Magic, are intelligent and feared. It is born every 1,000 years in an Ogre Colony. They are revered and are treated as the sign of the Ogre Ancestor. Their elemental affinity is said to be number at five. They are also known to be Forest Dwellers and protectors, when they appear, it is said that Elves and Ogres join hands.]

Alpha recited the description as Lilith learned them through her soul. Information was etched onto her and would be retained like a memory of the distant past.

Just like the One Horn, kimono-like clothing wrapped around the Two Horns. With Lilith's evolution, even her blood was filtered and sifted to match the higher being she's turning out to be.

A sweet scent appeared around the cocoon as her blood began to change. The sweet scent was reminiscent of flower petals blooming; it was sweet and very aromatic, granting a trance-like state to anyone who could smell it.

After the vessel was fully realized, stats would naturally come.

[Two Horns:

New Attribute: Light (C)

Improved Attribute: Fire (C), Wind (C), Earth (C), Wood/Nature (B),

New Passive: Nature's Blessing (B) [Increased recuperation inside a forest]

New Active: Earth's Grace (500 MP) (C), Healing Light (1500/per second MP) (C),

Improved Passive: Mana Manipulation (B), Spell Casting (B), Quadro Elementalist (A) > Penta Elementalist (S)

Improved Active: Tinder (200 MP) (D) > Fire Ball (400 MP) (C), Wind Shield (200 MP) (C), Earth Weight (500 MP) (E) > Colossal Weight (1000 MP) (C), Earth Wall (700 MP) (C)

New/Improved Stats:

MAG: 178 + 50 = 228

PER: 68 +10 = 78]

The white light shone brilliantly before changing to a blue hue. The sudden change signified that Lilith had successfully evolved to a higher state of being.

From a Common-tier to a Rare-Tier.

Her form solidified, and Lilith was now a two-horned being. Lilith moaned as she completed her evolution.

The next form to undergo evolution was the Ash Leopard. The Ash Leopard's evolution was naturally the Thunder Clap Leopard.

The blue light of the Two Horns subsided, and once again a white light emerged from the cocoon.

The Leopard's white fur changed and became yellow. The purple spots turned red as scorching and lacerating lightning spread out of her cocoon. Flickering like restless snakes, the lightning grew uncontrollable.

The process was not all the different from the first time she transformed. The white luster turned a deep blue... her evolution was a success.

[Thunder Clap Leopard: beings of great speed and strength, lightning is at their beck and call and in very veins have been fashioned from the lightning of Calamitous Storm. They do not possess the element of fire but since coming into existence, they have been associated with fire because of the extreme scorching of their lightning leaves.]

[Thunder Clap Leopard:

Improved Attribute: Lightning (B), Water (C)

New Active: Lightning Field (1000 MP) (B), Flare Blitz (1000 MP) (B)

New Passive: Lightning Body (C)

Improved Passive: Dash (B),

Improved Active: Lightning Claws (100 MP) (C), Create Water (50 MP) (C), Lightning Feet (500 MP/per minute) (B)

New/Improved Stats:

AGT:108 + 30 = 133

STR: 83 + 30 = 113

PER: 68 + 30 = 98

MAG: 53 + 30 = 83]

From an Ash Leopard to a Thunder Clap Leopard, Lilith evolved, and both her [AGT] and [STR] reached the three-digit number.

The light shifted as the next form took center stage. The Newt had drastic changes, it grew scales tougher than before, and on its back were two tiny additions.

[[Nightmare Dragonkin]: They are beings of the Night, stealthily moving in the shadows afraid of the enemies it comes across. But when found, its scales will prove difficult to pierce, and its resistance to several elements and debuffs is enough to make anyone despair. Because of its strong resistance, its debuffs and poison have is something everyone should fear. Curse Masters are often afraid of these beings.]

[Nightmare Dragonkin

Improved Attribute: Dark (A), Poison(A)

New Passive: Poison Resistance (B), Doom Resistance (B), Debuff Resistance (B)

Improved Passive: Strong Vitality (A) (shared), Dragon Scales (A), Poison Breath (A)

Improved Active: Poison Spit (500 MP) (A), Bindings of Darkness (1000 MP) (A), Miasmic Expulsion (500 MP/per second) (A)

New/Improved Stats:

STR: 43 + 20 = 63

DEF: 143 + 50 = 193

VIT: 156 + 50 = 206

AGT: 53 + 20 = 73

MAG: 78 + 30 = 108

PER: 63 + 20 = 83]

The white light was devoured by a strong blue radiance. The sudden increase in her stats was stunning, especially towards her [DEF] and [VIT].

Lilith finally opened her eyes, the blue light grew more intense with every passing second, and finally, it exploded!

BOOM!

Lilith emerged from her cocoon which dissipated after turning into dust. She could feel it; the body of a Dragonkin was now hers.

Laughing, her full image was shown to the world.

"My glorious self is finally out!"

She then took notice of an important update to her body!

'I have wings!' she said as she flapped her tiny wings with joy. Aerial combat was now possible.

Lilith observed her area, she flapped her wings, and at first, she found it hard. But after twenty or so attempts, she took flight and hovered from the ground.

'I shall also rule the skies.' She thought as she grinned.

Lilith was happy and as she walked up to a full-body mirror, she finally saw her new form.

The well-defined black scales of the Nightmare Dragonkin were strikingly beautiful under the light of the setting sun that entered from the destroyed wall. The sharp teeth and claws were visible, and her head had grown bigger.

But she found something strange about herself.

Especially on her feet, wings, and overall body.

Tiny wings, tiny feet, a small body with a large head; such was the body of her draconic form. And as she flapped her pair of tiny wings, Lilith felt a pang in her chest as she found it... adorable.

She stared at herself for a few seconds, her wings stopped their movement and then drooped down behind her. She gave herself one final look in the mirror before turning her head away out of spite.

"Goddammit."

She was still cute.