Novel Full Chapter 24 - Second Evolution!
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Aqua suddenly underwent an evolution after having reached the max level through the battle against the spiders. Her liquid body shined brightly, for a moment only her silhouette could be seen as if she were completely made out of light.
From what Veronica knew, Slimes were quite varied in their evolutions, and there was a slime species of almost every attribute, the only exception being Time, Space, and Death Attribute.
Judging from what she had seen in the dungeon, there were Blood Slimes, that specialized in vampirism and absorbing targets blood, and if developed more they could even develop the ability to parasitize other creatures, Toxic Green Slimes, which entire slime was composed of deadly toxins that could inflict a variety of status conditions and even corrode metal, and then Dark Slimes, who seemed to have higher offensive power and the ability to strengthen their slimes bodies into sharp needles.
Veronica wondered in which one would Aqua evolve… but…
Flash!
As the light disappeared, Aqua's new appearance was revealed, she had increased in height a few centimeters, and her distinctive blue colors remained, but her body seemed more crystalline, being able to reflect light inside of its body and manipulate it better. Aqua's Slime Core became larger and sturdier and harbored a larger amount of Mana.
"Well, she didn't change as much as I imagined," said Veronica.
"I also thought that she would either turn into a Blood Slime, Toxic Green Slime, or Dark Slime… did Aqua evolve again into a Blue Slime?" asked Shade.
"Gubo!"
[Congratulations! Tamed Monster; [Rank 1; Blue Slime, Aqua] has evolved into [Rank 2; Water Slime, Aqua]!]
"A Water Slime… well, this is probably why she has become more crystalline," said Veronica.
"Blob!" said Aqua, beginning to eat a spider corpse by dissolving it inside of its liquid body.
"Let me check your status, Aqua," said Veronica, using 'Appraisal' in Aqua.
[Name: Aqua
[Race: Water Slime
[Titles: Tamed Monster
[Type: Slime/Water
[Rank: 2
[Level: 001/100
[Health Points: 77/77
[Mana Points: 58/58
[Strength: 52
[Defense: 57
[Magic: 62
[Resistance: 78
[Agility: 96
[Passive Skills]
[Special Five Senses; Level 3]
[Dark Vision; Level 2]
[Abnormal Status Resistance; Level 2]
[Strengthened Flexibility; Level 3]
[Physical Damage Resistance: Level 2]
[Body Form Manipulation: Level 3]
[Starvation Resistance; Level 1]
[Self-Enhancement; Tamer (Veronica): Level 2]
[Water Attribute Resistance; Level 1] (New!)
[Liquid Manipulation; Level 1] (New!)
[Active Skills]
[Charge; Level 2]
[Projectile Fire; Level 3]
[Absorption Healing; Materials; Level 2]
[Stealth; Level 2]
[Unarmed Fighting Technique; Level 1] (New!)
[Unique Skill]
[Camouflage; Level 2]
"Hm? Aqua, you learned 'Unarmed Fighting Technique'? And some other interesting skills related to water…" muttered Veronica.
"In the fight we just had, she was imitating you by wielding your glove and punching the spiders, it seems that she imitated you so well that she learned the skill. What a talented one" said Shade, filled with pride as if he were talking about his child.
"Indeed… her performance surprised me. We may be able to figure out a fighting style like that and combine it for greater strength in battle. For now, I will let her borrow one of the armored gloves I suppose, I can still use my legs and the remaining arm" said Veronica.
"Could it be that she may be able to use her body now that she has the skill?" asked Shade.
"Maybe, but her Strength and Defense stat is lacking, if she wants to punch harder, using my gloves would be better," said Veronica.
"You may be right there," said Shade.
When Aqua finished the spider she was eating, she quickly moved towards the next, she seemed hungry!
"Wait! Leave some for me!" said Veronica, quickly using 'Absorption Healing' in four spiders, their exoskeleton quickly disappeared from their bodies, only leaving the innards organs, and flesh, which Aqua degusted happily.
[Armored Spider Spawn Exoskeleton] Materials Successfully Absorbed; Health Points Restored]
[Please choose equipment to discard or synthesize into]
Veronica decided to synthesize this exoskeleton into her armor this time.
[The material [Armored Spider Spawn Exoskeleton] and the [Venomous Crimson Dusk Living Armor] equipment have been synthesized into the [Arachnid Venomous Scarlet Dusk Living Armor] equipment!]
[The Level of the [Absorption Healing (Mineral, Materials, Armor); Level 1] Skill has increased!]
Veronica felt that her armor was now slightly sturdier, alongside being coated in a thin layer of venom due to having gained some small toxicity properties from the Toxic Green Slime, it had also gained some sharpness into her glove's claws and greaves.
"Although the name of this armor has 'arachnid', it didn't become a spider-shaped armor… I felt slightly disappointed" said Veronica.
"Why? Did you wanted to become a spider?" asked Shade.
"Not exactly, but it would have been useful if I could be able to create spiderweb," said Veronica.
"Hm, that might be resolved whenever you tame a spider-type monster," said Shade.
"Yes, anyways, I will quickly evolve and pick a job, and then we are getting out of here," said Veronica, quickly opening her Samsara System and clicking the 'Evolution' tab.
[Evolutions Available]
[Phantasmal Living Armor Knight], [Spiritual Shadow Living Armor]
By infusing Mana into her soul, Veronica was capable of an accelerated thought process, using this to her advantage, she decided to quickly read both options descriptions.
[Phantasmal Living Armor Knight]
A special evolution granted to a Cursed Living Armor who had trained its phantom form to the point that it is capable of shaping it as limbs and use them for battle. It specializes in offense over defense.
It also obtains the Skill 'Long Distance Control', which gives the user the ability to move its body parts separately from its body through long distances by using its Phantom Form.
This evolution specializes in Strength, Mana, and Magic.
[Spiritual Shadow Living Armor]
A special evolution granted to a Cursed Living Armor who had made a pact with a Light Attribute Spirit and had manipulated shadows masterfully. It specializes in the usage of Spirit Magic and Shadows.
It also obtains the Skill 'Shadow Manipulation', which gives the user the ability to manipulate shadows slightly, being able to shroud itself into them or tag enemies with them. In advanced levels, it may be possible to use this skill offensively or to create traps.
This evolution specializes in Mana, Magic, and Speed.
"Both Jobs seem good… but in the end, what matters if it's what I will get from them can benefit me right now,"
Veronica only pondered it for a few seconds and decided that 'Spiritual Shadow Living Armor' was the better choice, being able to manipulate shadows without needing to cast a spirit magic spell could become an important tool for survival.
Meanwhile, the skill 'Long Distance Control' was not as needed due to having Aqua with her. With Aqua, Veronica could let the slime use parts of her body to attack, without needing the skill to manipulate them herself.
In a way, whenever Veronica fought with Aqua inside of her hollow metallic body, it was as if she had 'Long Distance Control', but perhaps even better, as Aqua had a mind of its own and could think separately for better results in combat.
Veronica selected the evolution right away, as her body immediately started to change. Her armor became slimmer and more refined. She lost a lot of weight in exchange for more speed, yet the sturdiness of the materials remained with her body.
She also felt that her soul received a small boost in strength, its darkness becoming even denser and growing in size.
[Congratulations! The user had successfully evolved into [Spiritual Shadow Living Armor; Rank 3]!]
[You acquired the [Shadow Manipulation; Level 1] Skill!]
Veronica's new appearance seemed to have become more refined, like a light armor knight, her dark tones and decorations remained but she did not seem like a heavyweight armored knight anymore, but as a young dark knight. Her helmet had more horns at each side, and the jewels that used to be from the Slimes she absorbed became a permanent part of her body, enhancing her Mana storage capacity.
"It seems that I can now store even more Mana into my armor, this might be able to give me an even greater advantage as I can save unused Mana in my armor while I am not fighting… although the storage is not much, it helps," said Veronica.
"For some reason, you had become closer to me," said Shade.
"Do you think so?" asked Veronica.
"Indeed, it must be part of your evolution… your soul as well, it had become darker. I have never seen such a soul before" said Shade.
"Blob!" said Aqua, admiring Veronica's slight changes.
"Well, it's just the color, I don't feel like I am falling into the dark side or anything like that," said Veronica, as she quickly browsed through her system and selected the 'Job Change' tab.
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