Re: Devil - Volume 1 Chapter 6

[Evolution’s conditions are met. Evolution is possible.]

I got no time to think about it now, I first needed to run away from the ants and should find a safe place to check and maybe to evolve. I didn’t know the process of evolution.

After running for a while, “Huff … Huff … Finally the ants lost track of me.” I managed to somehow flee from the ants. As I was running far away from the nest, until some distances the ants stopped following me.

I deduced that the ants were not allowed to go far away unless being ordered to. “Anyway, time to find a safe place to check the evolution and evolve.”

The only safe place that I could think of to evolve would be the area near the cave because one of the Count’s general had already erected a barrier surrounding the area.

[So that’s that.] I retraced my step back to the cave and I found a clearing good enough just to check my next evolution. [So, How do I check my evolution?]

I tried to say, “Evolve … ? Evo … ? [Evolution]”

[Evolution]

Evolution #1

Species : Greater Imp (Common)

Description : A bigger and stronger imp but still an imp, lowest tier of unranked demon.

Evolution #2

Species : Lesser Fire Imp (Common)

Description : An imp but with high affinity with fire. Fire skills are easier to learn and a boost when using fire skills, but still an imp though.

Evolution #3

Locked

Conditions met ( 1 / 2 )

[So Greater Imp is just an enhanced version of a Normal Imp. It doesn’t give out affinity or any other elements aside from strengthening. I think Lesser Fire Imp will be good choice because controlling fire means long-ranged attacks. It can be useful later in the war.

But Evolution #3 … That’s weird, It only said that the conditions are partially met. Is there any other imp’s evolution that I don’t know of? Should I evolve now or later. Truthfully being a normal imp is dangerous here, but why do I get the feeling that I should wait for a while.]

I scratched my head and was confused should or should I not evolve?

“Gah … Thinking too much about it gives me headache. (Imp’s thinking capicity is low) I should just ask Inpuji. My goal for today is already finish anyway.”

I quickly went back to the cave to ask Inpuji about possible imp evolution and how did evolution work.

“Hopefully, the big imp and his lackeys will not be there. I hate when some idiots disturb my peace and quiet time. Don’t force me to kill and devour you okay.”

Arriving at the cave, I saw some imps that were still doing stupid things ( pranking, fighting, etc.) but luckily this time the big imp’s group was not there. Probably they went out after I had gone out to hunt.

I saw Inpuji and went to him and asked about what I wanted to know.

“What?? You have already reached level 100?!” asked Inpuji as he was surprised to find out that I could evolve.

“No, I am level 70, need a few more levels to evolve. I should be able to reach level 100 before the war.” I lied.

“Wew you almost give me a heart attack. If you have reached level 100, you can tell me and I will tell the Count, you could get benefits.”

[That’s the problem!] I screamed in my mind. I asked “Is it not normal to reach level 100 fast as an imp?”

“I know that you are one weird imp and you don’t know what normal here in Hell is. Normal imp usually will evolve after they went to war because they are forced to kill. There is no normal imp that was born recently and now is ready to evolve.” explained Inpuji.

“Anyway weird imp, you really are smart to ask me before you evolve. When you evolve, you will be vulnerable during the process. You will be unconscious at that time and that is where even the high-ranked demons become prey.” answered Inpuji.

I breathed out a sigh of relief. [Wew, It is a good thing that I do not evolve yet.]

“Inpuji, Is there any other evolutions for normal imp aside fire imp?”

“As I said from before, there are many possibilities for demons to evolve as long as the conditions are met. The conditions can be anything aside from level. They could be skills, innate potential, and even titles. For example me, I need the skill [Insight] and have lived long enough to be Elder Imp.”

I nodded at Inpuji and went inside the cave to rest.

I sat down and started to think, what Inpuji had said to me. [One thing for sure, before the war I should not evolve. My gut says that I should pick evolution #3 but I don’t know what the last condition is, so no point in thinking about it. I think I should prepare for the war for the next 2 days so that I can survive.]

Today I have used almost the full capacity of my brain and I was too tired to meditate, so I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, waiting for the next day.

I woke up in the next morning and I was surprised that there was no night attack from the big imps’ lackeys, not that I would like to though, I hated it when someone disturbed from my rest.

I stood up and stretched my body and looked around the cave. I didn’t see the big imp and his lackeys. [The big imp and his lackeys are not back yet?]

I shrugged it off [Not my problem.] As usual, I went out and tried to look for some beasts. This time I hunt to eat not to devour the essences.

[I should also need to think about what I lack for the war and the most important think is why has my [Inspect] not evolved yet?]

[Status]

Level 100 – No Name – No Title

Species: Normal Imp (Common)

Unranked

Skills

Shadow Claw

Inspect

Fire Body

Lesser Skin Hardening

I looked at my status and I saw [Lesser Skin Hardening].

[Oh yeah, I got that from devouring the guard ant. I have already eaten many ants but only the guard ant gives me a skill. I assume that the stronger the opponent is ,the higher chance you can get a skill. Let me test it first.]

So I tried to used [Lesser Skin Hardening]. I could feel my skin becoming harder. It seemed that it was an active skill and not a passive skill but it was still good because the effect was instantaneous.

[Good, At least I got something to defend against enemy. Offensively I got [Shadow Claw] and and I have my weapon but I am still lacking in long-ranged attack and my speed is a problem.]

[There are many things that I lack of. Let’s just take it one step at a time. Let’s try training [Shadow Claw] and [Lesser Skin Hardening]. If I am hungry, I will find something to eat and use [Inspect]. Yeah, That’s should do it for now.]

I started to train with the plan that I had thought of and hunted to train my combat abilities.

After repeating the same skills many times. There was some progress in mastering the skills unlike a certain skill. I could now almost instantaneously cast [Shadow Claw] and my [Shadow Claw] was now a bit longer.

I was also proficient with [Lesser Skin Hardening]. I could now use it partially or full body [Lesser Skin Hardening]. Of course, the full body skill drained more essences and if there had not been a group of ants , I would pass out and became some food for other demons or beasts.

After finishing what I should do today, I went back in the direction of the cave and …

“Well well, It seems we are fated.” Yes, the hell maggot came back again.

[I see, it is hungry and is looking to find food again. I have already noticed it but I think that I really like to battle. My blood is boiling in excitement and the adrenaline of the battle and devouring the prize. But I am still cool-headed to launch a sneak attack than fighing it face-on.]

Then I remembered, the hell maggot relied on it’s sense so I forgot with my sneak attack and charged on the hell maggot. I swung my weapon and slashed at the hell maggot.

Of course it worked. Sensing an attack and reacting to an attack are two different concepts. Without giving it any time to know exactly what was happening I quickly stabbed my weapon deeply into it’s body so that it could deal fire damage from the inside.

The outer part of the body was tough but what about the inside? The result pleased me and the hell maggot was in pain but the next thing dampened my mood.

The weapon was stuck inside and I could not pull it off. [F.u.c.k, short satisfication] I quickly jumped backwards because the hell maggot started to rampage around relentlessly trying to get the weapon that was stuck inside it out.

I could not go anywhere near it otherwise I would take damage.

Now then, What should I do?