∼ The Choice of Evolution ∼

Chapter - 039

In a sudden flurry of chimes, a series of screens blinked into existence before Nyx.

∼Imp∼ (Lesser Demon - Common) [Attribute Gain] [Skills and Traits] Intelligence (+2) Unallocated Attributes (+1) Impfire - (Racial Skill) [Health and Stamina Ratio] [Prerequisites] Health per Vitality +8 Tier-1 Mana Core, Any Mark of Sin Stamina per Vitality/Endurance +1/+1 [Description] Imps, the common, conniving, scourge of the Netherworld. The lesser of lesser demons. Mischievous and shrewd, these demonic creatures cause no small amount of frustration amongst their fellow demonkin. From their maniacal tendencies to their penchant for causing great chaos with schemes and magic, some even believe them to be the creation of the Chaos Gods, not the Lord of Sins. But despite their less than reputable regard, weak-willed tenacity, and fragile bodies, only a fool would underestimate an imp. For that is often, the folly of many - and an untimely end. ∼Fael∼ (Lesser Demon - Rare) [Attribute Gain] [Skills and Traits] Intelligence (+1) Dexterity (+1) Unallocated Attributes (+1) Shroud - (Racial Skill), Stealthy - (Racial Trait) [Health and Stamina Ratio] [Prerequisites] Health per Vitality +6 Tier-1 Mana Core, Any Mark of Sin Stamina per Vitality/Endurance +1/+2 [Description] Fael, as mysterious as they are hard to find. That is - until you find their claws raking against your throat. Like their cousins, the imps, the fael are a shrewd race of demons. From their dark bodies that blend into the night to their magic that shrouds them from even the most perceptible of eyes - the fael are a death most unexpected. ∼Imp (Prideborn)∼ (Lesser Demon - Epic) [Attribute Gain] [Skills and Traits] Strength (+1) Intelligence (+1) Dexterity (+1) Unallocated Attributes (+1) Impfire - (Racial Skill), Demonhide - (Racial Trait) [Health and Stamina Ratio] [Prerequisites] Health per Vitality +10 Tier-1 Mana Core, High Attribute Accumulation, Mark of Pride Stamina per Vitality/Endurance +1/+2 [Description] The Prideborn. The exemplary of what imps can become. Cast aside from mere connivery and trickery, the Prideborn are made in the image of the Vain Mother herself, Rha'eh. The unrivaled strength to quench the life of those unworthy, the magnificent magic to awe those lesser, and cunning to end those thinking themselves a peer. ∼Dredger∼ (Lesser Demon - Common) [Attribute Gain] [Skills and Traits] Vitality (+1) Endurance (+1) Unallocated Attributes (+1) Brace - (Racial Skill) [Health and Stamina Ratio] [Prerequisites] Health per Vitality +12 Any Mark of Sin Stamina per Vitality/Endurance +2/+2 [Description] Cast from rock and brimstone, the dredger are a hardy demonkin that'd shatter your bones before letting themselves killed. Incredibly durable for such small creatures, dredgers are notoriously hard to kill, and more often than not, are ignored in the wastelands of the Netherworld because they simply are not worth it. ∼Thrasher∼ (Lesser Demon - Rare) [Attribute Gain] [Skills and Traits] Strength (+2) Unallocated Attributes (+1) Thrash - (Racial Skill), Demonic Rage - (Racial Trait) [Health and Stamina Ratio] [Prerequisites] Health per Vitality +10 Medium Strength Accumulation, Any Mark of Sin Stamina per Vitality/Endurance +2/+2 [Description] Thrashers, more brawn and bashing than brains and reason. These reckless creatures with their immense strength and their uncontrollable rage, are a menace not to be trifled with. That is, unless, you desire your head to be bashed in.

Standing there, beady-eyed at the multiple screens hovered in front of him, he struggled to understand everything presented to him. A sequence of confusing information. Luckily, over the last month, and the last couple of weeks especially, Nyx had come a long way to grasp a greater comprehension of the world around him and himself.

Equipped with a great intellect and thirst of curiosity that someone only like Aria would appreciate, Nyx had been learning fast. Expanding his mind and reason to something... more than merely just a lesser monster.

Scouring the information before him, he slowly pieced everything together. And as he combed through it all, the sapling of desire - the sprout of power deep within his heart - once again blossomed to a ravenous excitement.

All of these screens each represented an evolution of his choosing. One for each of the five figures standing before him. Nyx couldn't help himself. Even to his own lonesome, he "ooh'd" and "ahh'd" with barely restrained glee as each evolution presented its own enticing benefits and why exactly, he should pick it.

From the hardy dredger, to the shady fael, he did not only purview the detailing their characteristics but got in close to inspect their forms with his very own eyes. All of the evolutions had their own tantalizing ring to them, and they each looked more menacing than the other. To which Nyx found greatly satisfying.

Yet their appearance was not everything, especially when he looked at their increased attribute gains. As merely just an impling, he gathered no more than two attributes per level. But these new evolutions gave three whole attributes. However, one was even more so special than the others.

The Prideborn Imp, with a whopping four attributes per level.

Nyx already had an obscene amount of attribute points for his level. But with him possessing a class on top of his evolutionary system, he had been gaining much more than any impling or creature at his level ought to have.

The Prideborn Imp was, without much surprise, almost the sole recipient of Nyx's attention. The demonic creature, from its appearance alone, stood out from all the others. It was the tallest of them all, standing the height of a young human child.

With its rigid stance, proportional limbs, a fine red tail, smooth red skin, wiry muscles, and keen claws tipping the ends of delicate but strong hands and feet - this creature looked about as deadly as it was regal.

But what was truly captivating was the face of this peculiar imp. Unlike its unsightly brethren, the Prideborn had a cold, but pleasant face. Neither beautiful nor handsome. It was still an imp. But its features, alongside unwrinkled pointed ears and a set of horns, gave an unquestionable sense of pridefulness. Nyx was captivated.

There was no hard contemplation for him to struggle with. The choice was obvious. It was calling for him. It was made for him.

[You have chosen an evolution]

∼Imp (Prideborn)∼ (Lesser Demon - Epic)

[Evolution will begin now...]

Floating in the seemingly endless chasm of his mind's unconsciousness, it was when a breach of light in the impenetrable darkness that the world around Nyx crumbled apart and was replaced with a new, much brighter world.

Congratulations, you've successfully evolved into Epic-Rarity Lesser Demon - Imp (Prideborn)!

Gained - Impfire (Racial Skill)

Gained - Demonhide (Racial Trait)

Your Mark of Sin - (Mark of Pride) has reached the 2nd-circle, power unlocked.

∼ The Vain Mother views you more favorably ∼

Gained - Bearer of Pride (Demonism Title)

A blue sky that seems as vast as he could imagine, flourishing colors that somehow seem alien yet familiar, the sense of life surrounding him from every direction - the caress of the sun's warmth, the slow glance of a soothing breeze, and sounds of the wild bursting at the seams with vitality.

Was this truly the same world that he had been living in since escaping the brimstone wastelands? Or was this merely the perspective from a new set of eyes?

"Are you sure imps look like that? Wouldn't they look a little more... uh, imp-ish?" A voice, deep but young, pierced Nyx's reverie.

"No... they do not." A second voice was heard, this "I... I think he looks more like a... daemon?"

Coming to, Nyx finally caught the gazes of both Aria and Eric who stood all too close for his liking, hovering over him. To his surprise, they seemed much smaller than usual?

Compared to the lumbering, stupid giants he remembered the humans to be, these two weren't that large anymore.

Had he really gotten that much bigger?

Sitting upright, Nyx lifted his hands to inspect them with curiosity, finding not the frail limbs he was used to, but firm and wiry arms that ended in delicate hands with tipped black claws. But more important than everything else up until that point.

His skin was more redder and magnificent than ever!

"Nyx?" The smaller of the humans mused questioningly, if not a bit worriedly at Nyx's near maniacal expression.

She came in close and touched his shoulder, making the enamored demon calm down, the touch making him aware of the rest of his body and a certain nagging feeling deep within him.

Finding his words with a mouth most unfamiliar, he tried to speak. "N-Nyx is..." Nyx shook his head, almost as if confused. A long contemplative moment went past before he managed to say; "I... am hungry." a growl followed as if to show his stomach’s support to that declaration.

They both just blinked uncomprehendingly at him.

“Did he just…?”