Chapter 6: Re-Encounter and Evolution
I'm not sure just what it is, but that revelation about those Deadly Sin Skills still has me reeling. Maybe it's the combination with realizing whatever humanity I have is ebbing away thanks to my new form, but the more I think about them the more it bothers me. Hell, just thinking about all of this is bothering me! It's not even the fact I'm a Basilisk anymore, but the entire reincarnation event at all. It's a question I should have been asking to begin with.
Why did it even happen? And what caused it?
Obviously, I died, and the same likely held for my class. That blinding flash… just what on earth had that been? Was it some kind of freak accident? Did the world go up in flames in some kind of war and we'd just ended up on the wrong side of it? Or had it been something else entirely? Ahhh dammit, why is this suddenly getting more complicated?! Racking my brain doesn't produce a damn thing! If I knew more then maybe I could get an idea for it but just come on! Aren't the protagonists of Isekais supposed to have it easy when it comes to learning about their new worlds? Why did I have to be the schmuck who wound up as a basilisk in a dungeon instead? Not even that slime had it this bad, and he started without any of his senses!
Y'know though it could be worse. I could be in a time loop triggered by death so at least I have that one going for me.
This would be so much easier if I had an assured way out of here and a way past the language barrier I'm going to have to deal with. And in a way that's exactly why I need to grow stronger as fast as possible. If I want to find out the truth about this happening then I need to be proactive and not just sit on my laurels. But… these Skills just bother me. I'll put aside the idea for now. If I really feel the need for it, then I'll get one of them. Pride sounds like too much for now, so if it comes down to it I'll pick Greed or some other Skill since I'm only going to assume there's more Skills for the other Sins. System, don't tell me. I really don't need to know the answer to that question right now.
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Concentration LV1] has become [Concentration LV2]
Welcome news but still not too concerning for me right now. These mental processing Skills I got are gonna have to be leveled as they come, so I'll move them down the list of priorities for now. No, because what should be at the top of my list is obvious: Evolution.
I don't know how long a Basilisk lives for in this world, and if it's not long it means my time is limited. Meaning not only do I need to grow stronger, I need to evolve into something with a longer lifespan. Thanks to "Parent" I at least know a Cockatrice is somewhere down the line for me but for all I know there's more options than that. I'm already pretty weird if one takes what I am into account. A Basilisk who uses stealth and different magical elements has to stand out at least somewhat. And I've been wandering around enough some of the explorers I've seen here and there since I took up residence near the entrance have to have taken note of it.
So, a logical assumption is I might have a few options whenever I hit the point where I can evolve at. The problem is I'm unlikely to know where that point is until I hit it, and I'll likely only get my options once I do reach there. Meaning I can't exactly form an easy plan. Well… maybe I could if Appraisal was a higher level. It lets me appraise vocabulary too so I have every reason to assume it can show me more in-depth information on other things I use it on. But I doubt it can do that at level five.
Pride and Greed… one increases my growth rate all around and the other lets me steal Stats, Skills, and Skill Points… if I want to get stronger as fast as possible, it almost feels like I have to get them to speed this up. But… no, I'll wait, for a bit longer at least. I'll focus on evolving first. So now the question was how to maximize my growth as I am now.
Well… what else can I do but grind for levels by hunting the monsters around me? It's what I've been doing this entire time… no reason to change what isn't broken, right? Part of me just feels like this is all starting to get old though. Very, very old.
Experience has reached the required threshold. Individual Basilisk Riku Shiratori has risen from Level 18 to Level 19.
All Basic Attributes have increased.
Skill [Dark Magic LV4] has become [Dark Magic LV5].
Skill [Terrain Magic LV8] has become [Terrain Magic LV9].
Skill [Stealth LV6] has become [Stealth LV7].
Skill Points Acquired.
I tore my claws out of a recent kill of yet another set of those wandering lizard trios. Time feels more than a bit ephemeral in this damned dungeon considering I've grinded all the way to Level 19 now and barely have a clue how much time has passed. A few days, maybe? The only sense of time I has is whenever my body gets tired, and that feels like it takes longer and longer to happen. And yet I also still don't feel any closer to evolving than I did before.
What tier of Monster would a Basilisk be considered anyone? I know I'm abnormal as all hell but even a basic one has to be pretty up there, right? Even if it's just because of the Demon Eye. Ugh, if only Appraisal was easier to level up! I just want more information on the things I scan, is that really too much to ask? All I need is actual numbers! NUMBERS! It'd make my life so much easier to just have that!
At this point I've also started moving further out from the entrance again. I still have the path in mind but moving further is going to be necessary since the number of monsters is thinning out. With how much I've been hunting I wouldn't be surprised about a population drop happening. Something else might be contributing to it though. Explorers? Probably. They come through often enough, and some of them are pretty dang good at what they do from what I've observed.
I'm also definitely starting to feel the people who keep an eye on things here are at least somewhat aware of me. As far as I can tell I don't look any different from a typical Basilisk, but my hovering around the entrance was definitely drawing eyes. That's part of why I decided to move my hunting further out. I'd prefer not to be bothered by adventuring parties for now. Because I'm pretty sure I won't hesitate at all to kill a party if they come for me. I try to think of it like I would before… but I just can't bring myself to care about the idea anymore.
Is it instincts I have a monster? Do they just overcome the years of morality I've had drilled into my from my old life? Egh, dammit me, cool it. Now isn't the time to be going into another crisis of existence. Just focus on growing stronger and leveling so I can evolve. That's all I need to do right now. Nothing more.
As I was scarfing down what was left from the kill, I felt Presence Perception kick in. Something was approaching and it wanted to make it known that it was in the area. Moving towards the wall for more cover, a Baladorado came slithering out from the intersection ahead of me. But that wasn't what had tripped off my senses. It was something else.
The giant snake reared up and around, seemingly noticing what I had too. And in the next instant, it's head was speared through by a blade-like extension to a tail. As the snake gurgled, it turned to stone in the next instant, the bladed tail ripping from its petrified skull and shattering it against the floor. Oh… oh this isn't good… Now looming over the remains of the snake was a very familiar figure. Almost as long as the Baladorado, feathered wings rippling as it planted a foot onto its kill. And threatening golden eyes scanning around for anything else unfortunate enough to tick it off. Well now… long time no see, "Parent". I see your doing well.
The memory of my escape from the nest flashed through my head. If it wasn't for my level-up bonuses what it had done to me would've been permanently crippling. Same with that first Baladorado that blinded me with its dying spasm. Twice now, twice I've been saved from grievous injury all because I have a bonus ability of some kind. If it wasn't for that insane level of luck, I'd be long dead… well, and my own stupidity for using Appraisal too many times at first. But… goddammit do I want some revenge on this thing. Wyrm or not, I at least want something I can call payback from you.
But my newfound instincts caused me to sink lower into the shadows as the Cockatrice continued to scan the area. Making sure it wouldn't have its meal interrupted by anyone trying to get smart with it. Now I have to wonder why something like you is even prowling around up here. I'm almost level 20 and all the monsters around here are getting a bit too easy to fight. You've gotta be several stages ahead of me with evolutions, for cryin out loud you're a Wyrm! If I had to guess, "Parent's" collective level is probably way higher. Three, maybe four times my own. Are you just looking for easy kills, or can you not go to any lower areas there might be?
I'm going to presume the former since if there are lower regions, I don't know what they could be like. Plus if this cavern connects two continents it has to be massive in total scale. It could make it plenty difficult to track down powerful monsters like "Parent" for sure. Heck if there are lower areas for all I know there's also shortcuts leading to them… well, probably not normal ones. And if that is the case, logic assumes the further down one goes, the stronger monsters get… or at least, the higher the likelihood you'll run into ones even more dangerous.
My danger sense then flared, just in time for me to react to a sudden shift in the flooring. Earthen spikes shot from where I'd been hiding, and an equally quick reaction from me raised an earth wall that was turned into rigid stone. It detected me?! Is my Stealth level not high enough to avoid it's senses? You're kidding me! I moved back from the petrified wall as the Cockatrice's tail blade pierced through it, digging into the stone floor, then whipping out and smashing what was left of it, the beast glaring down at me like it was offended by the fact I wasn't already dead. Well sorry, but I'm what you call stubborn!
This is bad this is bad this is so freaking bad! I know I want payback but at the least I'm patient enough not to try my luck when there's such a difference between us! It's only idiot Solos who decide to fight the high-level field boss without learning about it first. If there was more of us then maybe we could make up the level difference, but like hell I have a chance on my own! No way no freaking how!
But at the same time, it's so damn frustrating! This isn't a game! Why in the hell am I lucky in one way but so damn unlucky in another? I won't feel satisfied having this hanging over me. Even if my body is screaming at me to run away, why should I? I don't need to beat it. I just need to make a mark. Something. Something to tell this damn beast I'm not some pest for it to stamp out on a whim. That's all I want right now. Even if I'm weaker than it, I want to make it know I won't be that way for long.
Proficiency has reached the required Level. Skill [Fear Resistance LV5] has become [Fear Resistance LV6.]
Well talk about a while since hearing that. Fear Resistance only went up a couple of times during my leveling sprees. The Cockatrice really must have a Fear inducing Skill. Maybe that's why I feel part of me wanting to run. It's not just my own sense of caution. It's this thing trying to shake me up. Well then bring it on. I'm not the same little Basilisk you slashed back in that nest. I may be weaker than you but I'm not the same. My goal isn't to win. Not yet. Just to get a hit in. One good hit, one good enough to scar this damned thing is all I want. If I can do that much, I'll be satisfied for now.
The Cockatrice's eyes flashed, and I brought up a pillar of earth to catch the petrification for me. Darting out from behind the pillar, a ball of fire and a ball of black energy formed at my forward claws, launching the two forward. The Cockatrice adjusted its head, its eyes darting back as the spells zipped past it and slammed into the ceiling in a burst of fire and dark energy. It almost seemed surprised for a second there.
I need to take my own abilities into account. My Demon Eye is basically useless in this situation. I'm sure this thing has whatever higher tier version of Petrification Resistance there is, so it's totally out. That already eliminates the main tool my species should have. I'm also positive it's more resilient to Earth Magic as well. Both of the innate abilities of our species line aren't smart options. Weakness exploitation is out since I have crappy affinity with those magics for sure. So instead, use the magic and skills that are at best neutral to it. Since my goal isn't to win, I don't need much more.
But I also need to avoid getting hit. I know that tail of it can inflict paralysis, and it's gotta be high ranking too. Same with its own Poison skills. In every possible manner, this Cockatrice has the edge on me. Not to mention the difference in size. What the hell would stop it from deciding to just bludgeon the crap out of me if it's Skills fail to do the trick, or slash me with the tail blade regardless of status effects?
If it was surprised, the Cockatrice wasn't fazed for long though. Now that it had registered I at least had a more varied skillset than last time, I could tell there wasn't a thought to mess around in it's head anymore. The walls and floor around me rumbled, bursting into a swarm of earth spears trying to keep me from even dodging. But right now, for whatever reason, my body was feeling extra light. And on top of my newer mental processing Skills, my awareness was just sharp enough compared to before I could weave my body through the onslaught. But I still felt a sudden flare as one of the spikes grazed my flank.
It's fine though. Pain Resistance hit LV9 a while ago, so even if it hurts, I can power through it. This time, rather than balls, the flames and darkness I conjured up narrowed and extended, forming into spear like structures before they were loosed. The Cockatrice used its tail to bat the fire spear from the air, avoiding the dark spear which just crashed into the cave ceiling. But I'd been counting on that. It was already weakened from the initial impacts earlier and having a dark spear pierce right into it took that broken stone and completely shattered it.
Was I expecting this to do much? Not really. But at best it was a decent distraction as the Cockatrice was forced to dodge or deflect the stone threatening to collapse in on its head. A quick swipe of its tail threw aside the dust in the air, and now the terrain was a mess with the debris scattered around it. And that was what I wanted. It's not much but at least it gives me some extra cover and natural barriers to make use of against this thing. Plus, now this bastard has to work around it too. If it keeps using earth magic that'll just keep messing with the terrain as well. Least of all the fact it also means that last spike barrage cut off one of my escape routes.
I ducked behind one of the fallen rocks as the Cockatrice tried to petrify me again. I may have resistance to that effect but I'm not taking risks on it holding out with the power difference hear. Hell, I'm lucky the most damage I've taken is a scrape to the flank. I gotta wonder why everything feels sharper and lighter now. It can't just be my perception Skills, can it? Is it something else? I've speculated about having a Skill I won't know about because it doesn't level up. Could that be it? Is this the effect of some unknown Skill I haven't found out about?
I set the thought aside as I started weaving through the rubble. Dodging or ducking away from everything from attempts at petrification, jabs and slashes from the tail blade, or uses of earth magic that attempted to bait me out from cover. Cover that wore thinner with every passing second of the Cockatrice's relentless attacks. During a dive for cover, I felt the end of my tail stiffen, looking back to spot it having turned to pale stone. A second earlier and that probably would've been my entire body. I can't let this fight go on my longer. I've been able to conserve my MP for now but I've used about a fourth of it. Come on… I need an opening dammit! Just one opening that will let me get a solid hit in on it! That's all I need.
Daring to look out from my current cover, I shot back when the tail blade came slamming down. It came sweeping to the side, and I just managed to leap over it. And that was a mistake. As I was in the air, with the ground around me suddenly clear, I saw earth spears beginning to rise up from both below me and to the side as the Cockatrice raked its claws along the floor. Trying to make sure I don't have a chance to dodge huh?! Well I've got another trick for that! A Skill I hadn't realized I had for a while but had gotten a few Level Up increases off of: Expel.
It doesn't really do much. It just uses MP to generate enough force to push and object along. But the key is in the simplicity. That means I can use it on myself. Feeling a sudden force like a hard shove as I focused the Skill, my seeming death fall was averted when I was shoved to the side in the air, taking the chance to roll and get my footing by using Earth Magic to raise some of the floor up. But dammit is it also a double-edged sword. It's not much but using it did damage me, even if by like, a smidge. Not to mention it's just more drain on my MP. And I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up since my red stamina is also starting to wear down. I'm not gonna win a battle of attrition. And one decent hit is likely all it'll take to down me. So if I'm going to get something in, I need to get it in now!
The Cockatrice roared at me in something I felt was a bit of frustration. Like it was saying "Why isn't a weakling like you dead yet!?" Possibly. This time, it charged right for me as earth walls shot up at my sides. It wasn't about to let me escape this time. So I have to meet it head on. Raising an earth wall of my own as another petrifying flash came out, I leapt from the short wall as the tail blade followed suit. Using Expel to change direction, I went right over it as it lashed over me. And in the brief seconds I had after landing on the monster's tail, I raised some of my claws out. Dark energy coursed up the limb and through the claws, shooting out into a thin, dark blade. As the Cockatrice turned it's eye to me, in the same instant it began to flash, the dark blade was swung. There was a sudden spray of blood, and a reverberating roar. A sudden thrash caused one of the Cockatrice's wings to slam right into me, sending me slamming into the raised earth wall behind me, hard. I felt a few things crack as I hit it, and the ensuing drop in HP didn't sit well either.
But the best attempt at a smile I could muster came to me despite it. The Cockatrice was writhing, crashing through one of the impromptu walls as blood gushed from the eye I'd successfully managed to gouge out. It was nothing short of one hell of a gamble on my end. I knew its defensive stats had to be good, hell I didn't even know if it had any extra defensive Skills thanks to being a Wyrm. Like the Baladorado I can bet it has magic resistance as well. But I'd taken a bet: That this defense wasn't covering its whole body. Just the parts with scales.
And that bet paid off. Right before my eyes I got to watch the thing that had nearly killed me writhing around in pain of its own. Probably the most pain it's been in since becoming a Cockatrice. But it wasn't like this wasn't mutual. My flank was still searing, I had a partially petrified tail, and was probably suffering from internal bleeding. Conclusion? Neither of us had actually won. And I was fine with that. It wasn't the plan anyway. I'd made a mark, a damn near permanent one. No way this thing heals on level up like I do, meaning that eye is gone for good!
Even while it was wailing, the Cockatrice stood back up. The pained wails quieted into furious growling as the now hollow eye socket oozed. The remaining eye of the beast turned towards me. I braced to use whatever I could to make a break for it, but the expected flash of a Demon Eye didn't happen. Instead, the Cockatrice, with a growl I could only call angry, turned around and lumbered off in another direction into the caves. "This fight isn't worth continuing. You can live… for now." Was the feeling I got from it. And I'm not sure how to feel about it myself. What is that feeling? Was it recognition? Was it the Cockatrice deciding there isn't a point in killing me when I'm weakened like this? It's so… conflicting. As much as I'm ecstatic I actually got a good hit in, now a part of me feels confused.
You had the chance to finish me off… so why not take it now? Why decide the fight is done and leave? No way you can restore that eye, and if you can it's not gonna be through normal methods. It's like… it's like a powerful warrior who's realized despite being dominate over a weaker foe, that the one strike their foe got in could have, with a bit of extra luck, actually been lethal. So, he decides to end the fight and let the weaker foe live out of respect. But I don't think a monster would actually feel respect… would it?
For all I thought, I can't deny the Cockatrice was acting frightfully intelligent. Each of it's spells were targeted, it used some attacks for distractions, and if it wasn't for me using Expel in that tricky fashion it would've gotten me with that earth spike trap. It had the upper hand the entire time. I was only saved thanks to my own wits and good reflexes. And whatever buff I seem to have activated as well. Seriously what was that? It was like the second I decided I wanted to fight and see it through, something just… switched on.
Now would be a really nice time for System to chime in with something. But I guess I won't be getting that, will I?
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [HP Auto-Recovery LV6] has become [HP Auto-Recovery LV7]
The chime of System's voice announcing the rank up of the Skill woke me up from sleep. After that fight I'd nestled away into a temporary wall nest to recovery my HP before moving on. My mind still felt a weird sense of dullness the more I mulled over that fight and why the Cockatrice had decided to leave instead of finish me off. It gave the fight a bit of a bitter tinge to it now. I knew I didn't have an actual chance of winning going into it. But now I just feel… insulted.
Whether it left out of sudden disinterest or some odd form of respect for actually hitting it, I did not know. And part of me didn't really want to know. I felt slighted now. Here I am, doing my best to get stronger and survive, and the damn thing doesn't even have the courtesy to attempt to finish me off when it's clearly got the winning hand?! I lost! So why the hell didn't it at least try to actually claim the win?! You could have at the least tried one more attack, give me an excuse to let loose and run away.
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Anger LV1] has become [Anger LV2].
Ah why thank you System, totally needed to know you consider me angry enough to level up that random Skill you gave me that one time. Real nice!
Tch, whatever. I'm hungry. If something would pop out of the woodwork, I'd be really happy with that about now. I did feel a few things pinging my detection Skills. To my annoyance what came rushing around the corner of the path I was following was more damn frogs. Ugh, seriously? I'll take it. But not in the mood for their shit. One flash of the Demon Eye later, and I now had three petrified Elroe Frogs standing in front of me. Extra insurance from slashing their throats followed just to be sure they were good and dead.
Experience has reached the required threshold. Individual Basilisk Riku Shiratori has risen from Level 19 to Level 20.
All Basic Attributes have increased.
Skill proficiency level up bonus acquired.
Skill [Flame Magic LV4] has become [Flame Magic LV5].
Skill [Dark Magic LV5] has become [Dark Magic LV6].
Skill [Expel LV4] has become [Expel LV5].
Skill Points Acquired.
Condition satisfied. Individual Basilisk Riku Shiratori can now evolve.
Wait, what? That's some news! About damn time I get a notification like that! If only System wasn't so damn curt, I'd actually be able to get more information than a notification. Can I at least get a list or something?
There are multiple options for evolution. Please choose from the following.
Greater Elroe Basilisk.
Black Basilisk.
Red Basilisk.
Ehh, so I got three options don't I? It stands to reason evolving means I'll get stronger, but since it's a one time choice before the next stage I can't take it lightly. Well then it's a damn good thing I know I can Appraise phrases! System, gimme the deets.
Greater Elroe Basilisk: A mature form of the Elroe Basilisk and Lesser Earth Wyrm. Possesses greater abilities in Earth Magic and Petrification. Possesses higher physical ability, and its tail forms a blade that can paralyze targets.
So, a straight upgrade from where I am now. It'd also jump me up to being an official Wyrm. Not a terrible option if I want to stick to the core Basilisk skillset. But I've diversified enough I have two more options. I'd rather weigh them all before making a choice.
Black Basilisk: An Evolution of an Elroe Basilisk that has learned to use Shadow Magic, and a Lesser Earth Wyrm. Greater affinity to Shadow Magic and derivates, and higher Stealth ability, with a bladed tail that can channel elements.
So the Black Basilisk is also an Earth Wyrm, but slanted towards stealth and magic instead of physical offense. It's a routine that's worked for me so far to be honest. Magic is damn useful and having better affinity towards an element is a definite plus. What about the last one?
Red Basilisk: An Evolution of an Elroe Basilisk that has learned to use Fire Magic, a Lesser Fire Wyrm. Grants greater affinity to Fire and gains stronger resistances to heat. The bladed tail can handle intense temperatures for increased cutting ability.
Gotta be the biggest deviation. An elemental specialist. It doesn't sound bad but also a bit too niche. If this were an actual MMO and I was minmaxing a certain build, then maybe. But that is the problem here, isn't it? Being too specialized would just weaken me overall. The Red Basilisk probably has absolutely shit affinity towards elements like Water, and like hell I'm taking an evolution that gives me a disadvantage against something that might become commonplace for all I know.
So Red Basilisk is off the list.
So instead, it's Greater or Black. Greater as a direct upgrade to my basic skills doesn't seem that bad. Plus, it probably flows directly into the Cockatrice in terms of evolutionary line. And I've damn well seen what one can do. But… that also leaves a weirdly bad taste in my mouth. Do I seriously want to evolve into one of those things? After these past two incidents with it I'm seriously not that up for becoming one myself.
Then there's Black. It suits the method of fighting I've been gravitating towards more than Greater. Plus, while it lacks paralysis it seems like it's better suited to using Skills like the Attack Skills, which I've picked up during my grinding trips. I can deal with dropping an extra status effect for free for that. Not like I don't have the Skill Points to just get that Skill and then some if I feel like it. Which now just reminds me of the Sin Skills… eh, I'll consider it after I get this out of the way. But first…
Using Earth Magic to make yet another quick nest for the time being, I dragged my recent kills into it. I'll eat one for now and save the other two. For all I know evolution will use up my energy so let's not take risks. And leave plenty of room because I've got no idea how much bigger I might get on evolution. Hopefully not by too much for now.
As for my decision… System, I'm going with the Black Basilisk.
Individual Elroe Basilisk Riku Shiratori will now evolve into Black Basilisk.
System, would it kill you to not be so… abrupt… about… why am I suddenly getting really tired? Good thing I… hid… away…