Beast Evolution Forge

[Analyzing…]

[Status Report]

- Species: Shadow slime (Rare)

- Rank: FFF (Base Potential: Undetermined)

- Skills:

- [Absorption – Beginner]: Slowly absorbs residual mana from the environment to recover or grow.

- [Shadow Flicker – Beginner]: Short-range teleportation within shadows, limited to a radius of 2 meters.

[Warning: These skills are rudimentary and may require significant investment to develop further. Recommend focus on—]

"Ohhh, Shadow Flicker, huh?" He interrupted, his grin widening slightly. "That's a good start. Useful for ambushes and evasion. I see why you didn't notice the potential right away."

[Master, sarcasm is not—]

"It's not sarcasm," he said, tapping the slime perched on his shoulder. "They've got utility. Sure, they're not flashy now, but give them time. Isn't your whole purpose to evolve beasts? why are you so against this."

[Master, your optimism is either inspiring or delusional. Yes i can take beasts but you know how much mana that requires and the more beasts you tame, the harder it gets. You have just made things harder for yourself without knowing.]

"It's not a problem, like i said, i saw potential in them, so just trust me all let me do my thing."

[.....I wonder argue further. Shall we proceed to find shelter before your mana destabilization worsens? or before something worse finds you?]

"Now you're making sense," he replied, shaking his head with a small laugh.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Before that." He got up, walked over to the monster corpse, observing it with a sour expression. "thing smells disgusting." He covered his nose and walked between it until he found what he was looking for, located at the center of its body, the core.

This one was weight, matching the snake's color. He picked it up and tucked it in his pants.

"Alright, all done. Lead the way."

[You lead, Master. I merely advise. Poorly, it seems.]

"Don't get snarky now," he muttered, starting to walk forward, the slimes trailing close behind. "I just saved your data-collecting ass from a snake and brought back new kids. Give me a break."

[By the way, why do you keep calling them your kids, you do know they are monsters right?]

"And? I am taking them under my care when I bond with them and making sure they are well taken care of, doesn't that mean i am their guardian?"

[....Master, are you feeling ok? you don't sound like yourself. You never called Wren your kid so why are you doing this now?]

"Change. I am changing, i don't know if its for the best or the worst. I thought i was healing but the rage is still there, just waiting to explode when the time comes." He looked up at the sky, his eyes full of sadness but behind that was anger and pure hatred.

[I understand.....master, are you perhaps lonely? that would explain all this.]

"I guess you could say that, having a family will help me a lot, i can just tell and in return for them keeping me company, i will evolve them into stronger versions of their species."

[...I like this new you, it's as if you have been reborn and your thoughts are clear.]

"That's not quite it, its more accurate to say i am reverting back to my old self....the master of-, never mind, that's all in the past. It's late, we should find somewhere to rest and head back to camp at first light."

[(Master, if only you knew the truth about who you were. I will stay with you always....my master.)]

----

somewhere else, a car stood smoking in the middle of nowhere and not far from it were Jolly and Kana.

"How does a car overheat that badly so fast, we didn't even go that far. At this rate we will never catch up to him."

Jolly ignored her words, staring off in the other direction, her expression was blank, as if she had accepted her fate. The silence between them was loud, they just sat there without talking to each other until Jolly finally decided to break it.

"Hey, what is he to you? Vell i mean. Is he your lover or something?"

"Don't talk to me." She got up and walked away.

"I am just trying to make conversation.....bitch."

She stared in the direction they came from, wondering if she could make it back to the city somehow despite it not being in view anymore. She was annoyed but part of her was relieved, it was like being in the city was a curse and people under their control can't leave out of free will.

'Why am I feeling so bad, did she do something to me? what the hell is going on? should i ask her? no, she does not want to talk to me anyways.' Suddenly while trying to get the answers herself, Vell came to mind, she remembered how he told her about the corrupted mana the association was putting into everyone.

'could it really be true? but then why, if its true and i am infected, why do i so....empty....he said he could remove this mana but he probably hates my guts....just where did i go wrong'

She had too much going through her mind that she ended dozing off and she dreamed about a memory, of her in her teen years hanging around with friends until some men surrounded them. It first it was all fun and games until they began touching in appropriate ways. One of her friends slapped the man and he didn't hesitate to drive his knife into her throat.

Jolly was in shock, stood there frozen, still processing what she just saw. On the other hand, her friends shouted, resisting with all their might and clawing, trying to run away.

Her mind screamed for her to act, but her body refused. She was too scared this was something she never experienced. Then the leader, a scarred brute with cold eyes, grabbed her by the wrist, dragging her aside.

"You want to live?" he asked, eyeing her body with lust.

She knew what he wanted and it made her body tremble. She glancing back at her friends, who now faced the same question. She saw their defiant expressions, their refused what they were asked and for a brief moment, Kana wanted to do the same,. But just a few seconds later, she heard their dying screams as all of them got killed without hesitation.

The leader's patience was growing thinner by the seconds, his knife slowly touching her throat.

"I..."

This whole situation was too suffocating.

"Tick tock, girl. You either play nice, or you join them."

Tears streaming down her face, she nodded, the words scraping out of her throat.

"I... I want to live."

The leader grinned and gestured for his men to spare her.

"Smart girl."

What happened next was the cause of her change but before she could relive that, Kana woke her up.

"Hey, you ok? you were talking in your sleep."

She looked at Kana with hateful but sad eyes, her lips quivered, as if wanting to ask for help but her pride was too strong.

"Fuck off."