MA: 83. Evolutionary Pathways

Red didn’t the remember the air being so cold.

They were still inside the Central Forests of Justicia, floating away on a lake stretching as far as the eye can see.

She expected the air to be a little salty.

Red had heard about the tales of sailors talking about tasting the salt in the air.

Or was that about the ocean?

She imagined that the ocean wasn’t any different from this lake. Replace the horizon with an infinite stretch of water than you had yourself an ocean, right?

Her imagination ran wild, all the while she held Three Paw in her arms.

“Have you ever seen the ocean before, Three Paw? Rockie?”

Red spoke to them.

She went as far as to describe the scenery to the pup, whose eyes had been damaged beyond repair by the Queen of Sweet and Bitter Thorns. The pup whimpered, but it wasn’t one of pain. Rather, it was his way of responding positively to Red’s voice.

“Brrr.” Rockie made the same tone, albeit it wasn’t as cute.

“Rockie used to be a Cave Bug. Three Paw also came from a cave. I’d be surprised if they’ve seen a pond before.” Snow giggled, still laying on the ground as she nursed her right arm.

It was still healing, but a fresh batch of Red’s blood has caused much of her muscles to regrow. She estimated that it would take another two days for the bone to fully form, and another for it to regain complete functionality.

Their bodies weren’t anything like a human’s. Even Healers like Snow couldn’t regenerate without the appropriate Healing magic. But her body, by the virtue of her blood as an Honored One, granted her this miraculous ability.

“I haven’t seen the ocean either.” Snow faintly breathed, blowing a soft cloud into the air. “But I’d like to see it one day. The Nex Megalopolis is built right next to the ocean. Whales larger than hills, food from all over the world – and not a hint of worry about whether you’re going to die tomorrow. Dungeons exist there, but it’s not nearly as bad as what we have in Emvita.”

Red blew into the air, surprised that she was able to breathe out what she thought were cold flames. She looked like a kid that had just discovered their shadow for the first time and could not stop playing with it.

 “Why don’t we head there then?” Red suggested.

Snow contemplated whether it was possible.

Before she could answer, Red said:

“Or how about this, let’s head there! That’ll be our ultimate goal!”

“Stars aren’t mean to be reached.”

“Then just follow my lead~” Red hummed. “I’m your star, after all!”

“Haaaah. What am I going to do with you? It won’t be easy. We have a long, long ways to go to reach it.”

“We don’t have anywhere else to go, do we? Aside from the 10th Branch?”

“Not at all. Well, no point in waiting for a Golden Ticket to fall into our hands.”

A Golden Ticket was an item said to appear in the possession of one in a million people. It occurred at any time, any place, any moment, and in any situation. When it arrived in one’s pockets, one would know that it was their time to migrate to the City of Diamonds.

It was one of the five major cities of the Nex Megalopolis, controlled by the Golden Index – an Atelier that managed the Guilds.

If one could reach that place and show their ticket, then they would be brought into the Golden City and live in paradise for the rest of their lives.

“Some people rely on those odds and wait and wait… and wait till the bitter end. I’m not afraid to say that I’m one of them. I’m still scared. Even as we’re headed for the shores, I can’t help but feel like we’re voyaging out into the great unknown.”

“Brrr.” Rockie made a sound, as if to agree with her.

Three Paw also whined, sharing a similar sentiment.

“But at least we’re all in this together~” Red sang. “We’re all Confidants! Meaning we’re all confident with each other’s secrets!”

“I’m not sure that’s what being confidants means exactly, but I like it. It’s just like you to make light of any situation. Geez.”

Snow pushed herself up and shifted closer to Red.

“Don’t change. That’s all I ask of you. And… thank you. For everything.”

“I should be thanking you. But what can I say? That’s Hatchling Red for you!”

“With the rate you’re growing, I don’t know if you’ll be Hatchling Red for long.” Snow said in an eager tone. “It’d be nice if I could change too. In a meaningful way.”

“You shot my gun. I think that’s a lot of change for a Healer!”

“You think so?” Snow laughed, brushing her hair aside.

Red saw black strands of hair amongst Snow’s perfectly white locks. But she brushed it off. It was dark, and they could barely make out the world beyond around them.

She must have made a mistake.

  *

Red had all the time in the world to decide on the evolutionary paths Rockie and Three Paw could take.

Firstly, she had to consider Rockie Grey’s strengths and weaknesses, and how well it would fit into the evolutionary pathways listed before her.

< Evolutionary Pathways >

< Due to an unnamed Skill you possess, you may determine the shape of the hearts of those who confide their trust in your light >

< Cannot affect the Soul of a human >

Snow explained that the Soul was what ultimately shaped a person’s body. She went as far as to call it a blueprint. Healing magic could only work on those who possessed a soul by reconstructing what was written on the blueprint. If it was damaged, altered or destroyed – then it would affect one’s ability to be Healed.

“That means I’m shaping their Soul? Is that right?”

“It seems like it. It’s nothing like inducing characteristics through magical mutations. If it’s really an evolutionary pathway, then you’re somehow influencing more than just their body. That has to be their Soul… I’m curious, Red. Is that your primary power?”

“Huh? Actually, this is the first… no, second time I’m hearing about this. My real power is my strength! I’m not a miracle granter. You’re making me out to be some kind of Fruit of Everlasting Miracles.” Red chuckled before continuing:

“Rockie was a Rock Bug before it became a Steel Bug. So creatures don’t just transform when they gain enough Levels? That’s kind of dumb.”

“Ahahaha. Some do, actually!” Snow laughed.

Indeed. Creatures such as the Mycelli (fungal race), Dragons, and Insectids (metamorphosis) were capable of completely transforming their bodies and even their subspecies. The shape of their Soul would be altered in the process, making it an irreversible process.

It wasn’t always wanted of course.

And Snow had to wonder if Rockie or Three Paw were on board to evolve.

“Brrrr! BRRRR~!” Rockie made an enthusiastic sound.

Three Paw nuzzled against Red’s bosom, indicating that he trusted her with all his heart.

“Red, can I go through it with you? Chances are that my diary or the voice in your head will know a few things about those evolutionary pathways.”

“Your diary has a whole lot of information, huh. Gonna tell me what’s up with it?”

“It’d be easier to tell you what it can do rather than how it does it. I’ve shown you everything it can do. To put it simply, it works just like [Analyze Object]. We don’t know where the information comes from. All we know is that at a certain level, we can access more of this information. My book isn’t that much different.”

“Uhuh. Makes sense.” Red had no idea what Snow was talking about.

All she knew was that Snow’s diary was incredibly useful.

  *

Rockie was the first in line to evolve. The choices were laid out before Red in a series of blue screens.

< Evolutionary Pathways >

< Tungsten Bug >
Rock Bug Pathway

< An even sturdier version of the Steel Bug. Boasts an incredible number of defensive properties. Highly valuable and sought after >

< Forge Bug >
Rock Bug Pathway

< Utility orientated. Retain current capabilities with the ability to repair oneself at will. Requires metal as sustenance. The type of metal used can temporarily increase Stats through augmentation >

< Arachnidak >
Arachnid Pathway

< Eight-legged evolution. Branches away from the Rock Bug evolutionary tree. Defensive properties are replaced by higher agility and offensive capabilities >

< Octanid Immitator >
Anid Pathway

< Quais-Anid evolutionary pathway. Major increase in magic-based abilities. Significant increase in strength. Must obey the commandments of the Strings >

Red had to consider every single one of them alongside Snow before she could make a choice. The easiest method was to remove the ones they believed would only hinder them.

The first choice was, of course, the Octanid Immitator.

“Rockie might be loyal to you, but as an Octanid, Rockie will have no choice but to follow the harps of the Strings. That includes Act X.” Snow warned.

“Act X? Another Atelier? Are they nice at least?”

“You might hate them more than Scarlet Logic.”

Snow didn’t elaborate further.

The next evolution on the chopping block was the Arachnidak. They were a type of Arachnid-based monster that excelled at hunting, to the point where Hunters had to be wary that they were not being hunted by one of these.

Given that their team’s offensive capabilities were already powerful, there was no need to have Rockie specialize to fit the role of a hunter like Red.

“Rockie’s great at defense. So it’s either we get it to become a Tungsten Bug and keep the same thing going, or go with the other option.” Red said.

“A Tungsten Bug would be more reliable. They’re extremely durable from what I know. But I don’t have a method to heal Rockie. Plus, a Forge Bug can apply the properties of the metals it devours. Tungsten is hard to come by, but there’s no shortage of other metals to repair Rockie.”

Snow was right. While a Tungsten Bug would work well in the short term, any injuries sustained would be next to impossible to heal. Therefore, they prioritized the healing self-repairing properties of the Forge Bug.

“Do I just press on the option?”

“You invoke it. Like how you’d open a [Dimensional Storage].” Snow instructed. “Wait – don’t do it till we reach the shore!”

“I’m not that dumb.” Red grumbled. “What do you take me for?”

“Clearly I have to after you ran into the Scarlet Logic Fodder.”

“Scarlet Logic this, Scarlet Logic that. Bring it on! As a matter of fact, I thought it’d be boring if we didn’t have something on our backs. Just means we gotta move faster!”

“Not much we can do anymore. What’s done is done.” Snow let out a defeated sigh, plopping her head on Red’s shoulder. “Got something for Three Paw?”

< Evolutionary Pathway >

< Shadewolf Cub >

< A wolf capable of entering shadows >

“Eh? That’s it? Just the ability to enter shadows? One pathway? Three Paw? Are you alright?”

“R-Red… A Shadewolf…”

“See? You’re gonna make Snow cry.”

“No, not that. A Shadewolf is… almost unheard of.”

She flickered through her diary, unable to find anything of value aside from this one, vague description.

“Does that mean it’s good?”

“We won’t know until he grows up. It’s your only option. I say take it. It’ll be better than a Cave Wolf.”

“Consider this your lucky day, Three Paw. You’re finally gonna leave your old pack and join ours as a new type of wolf!” Red accepted the evolution.

A faint, golden light emerged from Three Paw’s chest. Particles of light diffused from the orb and cascaded around his body, eventually enveloping him. A bright silhouette of his frame rested in Red’s arms.

He became larger.

The tail was slightly more pronounced and fluffier.

His ears were longer.

When the light fizzled away, they were greeted by a black, adorable wolf cub with green eyes. The tip of his tail, ears and paws were as white as snow, giving him a cozy appearance.

But that was not the most shocking part.

“One, two, three… Four…?”

“Bwa!” Three Paw rose what was once his missing paw and placed it on Red’s cheek.

“It’s fully healed!?” Red exclaimed. “Snow – I think I got healing powers too!?”

“Three Paw… You’re… You’ve got your paw!”

Snow was far less concerned about this.

What mattered the most to her was that Three Paw now had what he had been missing since birth.

“It’s back… Are you happy, Three Paw?”

“Bwa!” Three Paw smiled.

Shadewolf Cub
Three Paw

< A Worthy Wolf! >

Soul Rank: Blue | Affiliation: Red

LEVEL : 50     ORIGIN : Animalia     HP : 3,500     ATT : 200     MAG ATT : 500

ATT DEF : 150     MAG DEF : 300     MP : 1,200     RESIST : 50     AGI : 25

He was strong. Very strong. To the point where Red could only imagine what Three Paw would become if he was allowed to grow further.

“Should we start calling you Four Paw now?” Red blew hot air at Three Paw’s face playfully.

The once lethargic, dying pup flailed his ears with renewed vigor.

It caused Snow to dive onto Red, embracing her with all her might.

“Awwwwww~!”

“Ghk! Snow… Time out… Snow? Snow!? SNOW!”

Despite only having one hand, her grip was far too strong for someone who didn’t have any ATT stats. Red was left to suffocate in her chest for the time being.

Although… a part of her wasn’t complaining.

In that moment, Red thought how nice it was that breasts weren’t as hard as bricks like the chests of men.