Chapter 59
Let's put Jigoro's prank aside and move on. Next up is the long-awaited evolution of 【Light Magic】.
Good grief, I've finally reached the point where I can evolve 【Light Magic】! It's been a long road! The required SP is... 30...? ...I see.
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You spent 30 SP, and 【Light Magic】 evolved into 【Divine Magic】.
You learned the Holy Shield spell.
You acquired Title: 'Transcender of Opposing Attributes.'
Based on your experience to date, you can acquire the 【Space-Time Magic】 Skill.
You spent 30 SP and acquired 【Space-Time Magic】.
You learned the Short Teleport spell.
You acquired Title: 'Master of Attributes.'
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Heh heh heh... Kukukuku... Ahahahaha! Regret?! I have none! I spent 60 SP all at once, but I got more than enough in return!
First, let's look at the new magic I acquired. Holy Shield is apparently an enhanced version of Magic Shield. It is tougher, of course, but it also has the special property of withstanding any single attack.
A holy shield that mercilessly blocks an enemy's all-or-nothing attack, huh? Doesn't that sound more like a villain's technique? It would let me casually block the desperate strike of an early-game powerhouse or the protagonist's master.
The other one is Short Teleport. It is a spell that lets me teleport to a space with an unobstructed view. It should be useful for both surprise attacks and escaping.
And next, let's check the Titles. I unintentionally gained two more, so I'll check those at the same time.
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'Friend of the Water Dragon King'
A token of friendship with Agnaslerim, one of the world's three Ancient Aqua Dragon Lords.
Greatly increases the favorability of Dragon Gods and Dragon Kaisers toward you, especially the Aqua Dragon Kaiser.
Additionally, intelligent Dragons will automatically hold you in respect.
Acquisition Condition: Be recognized by Agnaslerim as a friend.
'Transcender of Opposing Attributes'
A Title granted to those who make their own a power that should have consumed their very existence.
Greatly increases all abilities.
Acquisition Condition: Evolve magic of an attribute that is your weakness.
'Master of Attributes'
A Title granted to a great mage capable of using magic of every attribute.
Reduces the mana cost of magic of all attributes.
Acquisition Condition: Evolve all basic attribute magic and acquire composite attributes.
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Oh? All of these are interesting. 'Friend of the Water Dragon King' is a Title all five of us acquired. Its condition is straightforward. More importantly, though, the world has three Ancient Aqua Dragon Lords.
That got me thinking: could there also be multiple Ancient Flame Dragon Lords and Ancient Earth Dragon Lords...? I definitely don't want any of them as enemies.
The Dragon Gods and Dragon Kaisers mentioned in the description, too... They must be higher-ranking Dragons than Agnaslerim-sama. I had wondered why that Dragon Lord was level 87, but the reason seems simple. It must evolve into a Dragon Kaiser upon reaching level 90.
In other words, Dragons from level 80 to 89 are Dragon Lords. Then what kind of existence is a Dragon God, who reigns two stages above Agnaslerim-sama? It gives me the feeling of a hopeless battle—one where even every max-level player attacking together couldn't win.
As for 'Transcender of Opposing Attributes,' this is something Humans can't acquire. The majority of players, such as Humans and Elves, don't have a weak attribute, after all.
In contrast, every one of us has a weak attribute. Iris, being plant-type, and Genzuro, being insect-type, have 【Fire Attribute Vulnerability】. Ruby, being a Slime, has 【Lightning Attribute Vulnerability】. And Jigoro apparently gained 【Water Attribute Vulnerability】 when Jigoro became a Blaze Bolt Berserk Ogre.
Couldn't everyone acquire 'Transcender of Opposing Attributes' if they did what I did? It would certainly be troublesome and time-consuming, but substantially increasing all of one's stats is an incredible effect.
At the same time, this information is a bomb capable of overturning the current situation, in which the only monsters are the five of us. Should we make it public or not...? I'll have to discuss it with everyone.
The last one, 'Master of Attributes,' is easier to understand. Its effect is excellent, too. It's a shame that it offers no benefit whatsoever to the Abyssal magic I intend to master.
All right, let's move on to the final task. It's time for evolution. I finally reached level 30 in the battle against the Toadman Prince. Now, what will I be able to evolve into?
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Chimera Abyss Dragonbone Lich
A rare species of Lich that can use all Abyssal magic and has parts of a Dragon incorporated into its body.
It possesses strength incomparable to that of an ordinary Lich.
It has additional arms thanks to Alchemy.
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There is only one evolution option this time. Well, it was strange that I had choices every time until now. Then, let's evolve right away... but first, it's time for some body modifications.
Ever since adding arms, I've been investigating how various materials interact with my body. My conclusion is that Magic Bones and Magic Crystals have the best compatibility, while metals have the worst.
I still don't have many samples, and it may simply be because my 【Alchemy】 level is low, so I can't say for certain. Still, with Iris's help, I used that information to create the following item.
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Dark Magic Bone Quality: Excellent Rarity: S (Special)
A Magic Bone with the Dark Attribute. It can only be created through Alchemy.
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The recipe was 'Magic Bone + Magic Crystal (Dark).' If I had Magic Crystals with other attributes, I might be able to make other varieties as well. But this is all I can do for now.
It was surprisingly difficult to make this. Fusing them normally caused the quality to drop.
After much trial and error, I discovered that grinding the Magic Crystal into powder made it work. Apparently, having Iris do the grinding produces a more even result, which raises the quality. Having a companion who excels at production is truly reassuring!
"Heave-ho."
"...?!"
Let's incorporate this as a new part. This time, rather than adding more arms or legs, I'll simply fuse it into my body. I'm gradually getting used to the sensation of my new arms. I think it's fair to say that I've learned to use them well enough to handle close-quarters combat.
That said, I'm still far from perfect. So I'll refrain from adding any more for now.
"Let's adjust this here... Oh, yes! This will work!"
"H-hey..."
That doesn't mean I won't alter the shape at all. I'll add humeri and radii, as well as femurs and tibias, and thicken my other bones to make myself sturdier, continuing to remodel my body through magical modification.
It's a nuisance that I also have to change the shape and number of my joints accordingly, but the fact that I find it fun must be because I'm such an obsessive type.
"Hmm-hmm, hmm-hmm♪"
"What...?"
I immersed myself in the work while humming. In the process, I got an idea: for fun, I could deform the bones and twist them together like rope or thread. Ooh... bones intertwined in a spiral are quite a stylish touch, aren't they?
Still, giving every bone the same treatment would be boring, and making everything too ornate would show a lack of taste. It's only good as a stylish accent. So I'll twist together the two bones originally in my forearm—the radius and ulna—then add three new bones around them. Hmm... marvelous!
That finishes the magical modifications. And as for whether this changed my evolution option... no. Simply becoming a little bulkier and more stylish isn't enough, apparently. Then, let's evolve!
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Chimera Abyss Dragonbone Lich selected.
Evolution into Chimera Abyss Dragonbone Lich begins.
【Undead Wisdom】 has increased in level due to evolution.
【Denizen of the Abyss】 has increased in level due to evolution.
【Abyssal Aura】 has increased in level due to evolution.
You acquired 【Lesser Undead Domination】 through evolution.
Along with your evolution, the Hourai Staff, Skull Mask, and Moon's Feather Robe have grown by one stage.
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Yes, it's that sense of omnipotence again. I still can't get used to this strange exhilaration that makes me feel as though I can do anything right now.
And what is 【Lesser Undead Domination】...? Oh, Undead below level 20 will obey me absolutely. However, if the target is a player, it only immobilizes them.
Skills that work against lower-level opponents will make things less troublesome, but the drawback is that they rarely have much use during an adventure. Of course, it's our own fault for going into places overflowing with enemies stronger than us.
More importantly, what happened to the equipment that was strengthened along with my evolution? Here's the list.
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Hourai Staff Quality: Divine Rarity: G (Divine)
A staff made from the divine tree of Mount Hourai. Indestructible. Bound to its owner.
Its true power will be released as its owner grows.
Equipment Effects: 【Magic Effect Increase】 Lv4 up!, 【Magic Power Increase】 Lv4 up!
【Magic Crystal Ejection】
【Magic Crystal Absorption】
【Attribute Magic Crystal Ejection】 new!
Moon's Feather Robe Quality: Divine Rarity: G (Divine)
A feather robe worn by the gods and their familiars who dwell on the moon. Indestructible. Bound to its owner.
Its true power will be released as its owner grows.
Equipment Effects: 【Color and Shape Change】, 【Magic Resistance】 Lv4 up!
【Flight】 Lv4 up!
【Ability Enhancement: Moonlight】 Lv4 up!
【Ability Enhancement: Night】 Lv4 new!
Skull Mask Quality: Divine Rarity: G (Divine)
A mask that amplifies the power of death. Indestructible. Bound to its owner.
Its true power will be released as its owner grows.
Equipment Effects: 【Necromancy Enhancement】 Lv4 up!, 【Curse Arts Enhancement】 Lv4 up!
【Disguise】 Lv4 up!
【Dark Arts Enhancement】 Lv4 up!
【Spirit Summoning Enhancement】 Lv4 new!
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Yes, I'm growing stronger and stronger. All the level-based effects have increased across the board, and the new effects are 【Attribute Magic Crystal Ejection】, 【Ability Enhancement: Night】, and 【Spirit Summoning Enhancement】.
They're all exactly what they sound like. Oh, 【Attribute Magic Crystal Ejection】 means the staff creates Magic Crystals imbued with attributes, but naturally, it can only use attributes I possess. In other words, I can use Magic Crystals of every attribute! Hahahaha!
But I wish I'd had it before evolving! I could have made all sorts of different bones!
Well, there's no point complaining about it. More importantly, this should make Iris's production work even more efficient. I've become a mobile Magic Crystal factory, after all.
Maybe we can even easily make items to help everyone overcome their 【○○ Attribute Vulnerability】. I'll have to discuss it with her.
Next is the Job Change, huh? Let's see what Jobs are available... Oh, this is the only one!
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'Abyssal Magician' selected.
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Abyssal Magician is a Job that grants an additional bonus to Abyssal magic. Given my play style, there could be no other choice. If anything, I want to complete every Job with 'Abyssal ___' in its name.
All right, that finishes my strengthening! Now we just have to wait for everyone to gather, defeat the boss, and climb the mountain.
That was quite a lengthy detour. But I gained a lot from it. If I get the opportunity, I'd like to come back here again...
"B-Brother! What the hell are you doing?!"
"Hmm? Evolution and a Job Change. What about it?"
Jigoro had been watching me evolve and change Jobs, and his face had started twitching. I wonder what was wrong.
"Your bones have increased so much they're creepy!"
"You're only bringing that up now? You weren't that surprised when I added arms."
The last time I increased the number of my arms, I remember Jigoro and Genzuro's reactions being fairly muted compared to the women's. Yet this evolution caused Jigoro to overreact, even though it had only brought about more subtle changes than before. Why?
"I study anatomy so I can seriously think of ways to break humans."
"Uh-huh, and?"
"Don't you get it? What you're doing means the anatomical common sense I rely on no longer applies!"
Ah, I see! If the shapes, positions, and numbers of bones and joints change, then the way you take someone down in a fight changes, too.
"If you can do it, there may be others who think up and actually carry out similar things. If so, I might be in for a bit of a struggle..."
Jigoro grinned as he said this. It was a vicious, battle-hungry smile. So the next thing he would say was obvious.
"So, brother, make me a moving Skeleton with a similar shape! As a sparring partner!"
I knew you'd say that! However, I now had an excuse to refuse.
"I'm afraid I have almost no Magic Bones left in stock."
"Gah, seriously...?"
That was a lie. I actually still had quite a lot left, but I was the only one who knew the total amount. So if I claimed I had nothing to spare, there was nothing he could do. I felt like a sly merchant adjusting the supply on the market.
"Then it can't be helped. I'll collect some bones too, so count on me when I do."
"Sure, leave it to me."
Heh heh heh, it seemed he'd fallen for it. It would be perfect if I could get him into the habit of gathering all kinds of materials, not just bones!
Still, it was true that this evolution had sparked all sorts of creative ideas in me. Through trial and error, I wanted to create an Undead someday that could give Jigoro a real fight!