I scratched under my chin and contemplated which option to choose. The second one, adult imp, had already been crossed out from consideration. It was basic—too average for my taste. My preference bounced between the third and first options.

I didn’t know if it was alright for me to change race. Would there be an adverse effect? Lack of knowledge hindered me from coming to a conclusion right away. The question that tugged on my heart was; if the goblins were better than imps. Since Imps inhabit the second floor, their standing should be higher than goblins.

According to Logier, imps use illusion and sometimes exhale fire out their mouths. Though I lacked both abilities, any one of these two could curb stomp on goblins, who only had poisonous body fluids. Therefore, logically, the third option was more of a downgrade. I crossed out [Swift juvenile goblin] from the list decisively.

The only and obvious choice left to choose was—[Toxicbreath juvenile imp].

Ding!

Do you confirm to evolve into [Toxicbreath Juvenile Imp]?

[Yes/No]

Warning: Please find a secluded spot before the evolution begins.

Time Required: 12:00:00

So it’ll take half a day, huh?

To think it’d only take twelve hours for an evolution that might change my very DNA. And we humans took millions of years to evolve from monkeys; what a contrast. This system was more profound than I imagined. It got me thinking about the identity of the person who designed it. It could be one of god’s creations—since magic and dimensional travel exist, gods should also exist, no?

Shaking my head to get rid of those useless thoughts, I turned to my orc friend, “Logier, let’s go back. It’ll take twelve hours.”

“What’s twelve hours?” Logier tilted his head to one side, confused. I suddenly remembered that he had a different concept of a day than I. Nodding, I changed my wordings, “It's half a cycle. Can you protect me for half a cycle?”

“No problem. You are my friend. I can do anything to help you.” Logier announced, slapping his chest in pride. The corners of my lips curved upwards. This silly orc really can talk. Thanks to him, I could now undergo my first evolution in peace.

“Thank you.” My smile might have looked ugly at that time, but I didn’t care. I only wanted this orc to know how much I appreciated his kindness.

We returned to my dark tunnel without meeting any hiccups on the way. The goblins appeared to have calmed down for the time being, which was a good thing, in my opinion. On the other hand, Logier wanted to finish off the remaining goblins inside the stair room. But, for my sake, he postponed his plans. I couldn’t be more grateful to him.

Before I retreated to my hole, I gave him a deep look. “I’ll be back. Take care while I’m away.”

“Don’t worry about me, little imp. Focus on your evolution.” Logier pumped his fists to show his support. I mimicked his action, which made him chuckle for a bit before he became somber. It was an orcish salute meant to encourage those who are about to undertake some dangerous task. Perhaps, in Logier’s mind, I was about to risk my life.

I nodded at him and turned around, then crawled inside—into the deepest part of the hole. Once I became comfortable, leaning my back against an opposing wall, I called forth the system.

With patient hands, I pressed the [Yes] option.

Evolution will commence in 5 seconds…

And then, I knew no more.

XXX

Logier settled crosslegged by the hole and rested his broad back against the wall. His thick arms were crossed in front of his chest, which gave him an imposing aura.

His eyes vigilantly scanned the darker tunnel for any suspicious activity. Even though he didn’t have night vision like Alex, Logier knew a few tricks that could help him track danger. He didn’t become a [Chieftain] just because his father was one. It was not a hereditary title, to begin with.

Time passed slowly for the orc chieftain. Sitting still was never his forte—or any orcs for that matter. They were always mobile. If they were not picking fights with some other race, they’d be doing it amongst each other. They loved to compare with others and prove themselves at all times. Their idea of celebration was an all-out brawl.

It was torture for Logier to sit for so long without moving. He wanted to go out and wreak havoc against those goblins. He had a score to settle with them. He still remembered the mocking laughs on their faces as they looked down on him when he was wounded.

His nostrils flared as he snorted. He will get them soon. After the little imp finishes his evolution, he would track down those disgusting things and crush their skulls with his bare hands. He will show them no mercy. How dare they laugh at him, the seventh chief of the mighty Sengu tribe? There will be a hell to pay.

A sound of shuffling footsteps dragged Logier out of his reverie. He stared in the direction from where it came and noticed a silhouette gradually getting closer. Logier narrowed his eyes and got on his feet. His instincts, honed from countless bloody battles, were warning him—this foe mustn’t be taken lightly.

Logier’s full height towered over the silhouette by a good measure. It stopped in its tracks.

“Get out.” He warned, not wanting to get into any fights when little imp was undergoing an evolution. He was afraid their battle would cause disturbance for his friend.

The silhouette didn’t listen to him and stood still just a few meters away from Logier. “Get out while I’m still being tolerant.”

Again, it didn’t listen. Logier’s face fell. His heart raged with fury as the unknown being ignored him twice. “You imbecile. Don’t blame me for this.”

He stomped his right foot on the ground, leaving a deep footprint on the cobblestone floorings, and propelled himself towards the silhouette. His right hand formed a fist and pulled back as he got ready to engage the unknown intruder.

The several meters between them folded in an instant, and Logier appeared inches away from the silhouette. He stomped again, stopping himself, and threw a wicked haymaker that carried all the momentum he gathered along the way.

All this happened in the time frame of a second. Yet, the intruder managed to cross his arms to cushion the punch. Logier felt his fist connecting with metal plates instead of flesh and bones. But, he still managed to catapult the silhouette several steps back.

Logier hadn’t finished his combo, though. He followed with an elbow to the face, which made the intruder wobble on its feet, and a lariat to wrap things up. It was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The intruder’s neck twisted into an odd angle, and it could no longer support itself on its feet.

Logier exhaled a breath as he watched it fall to the ground like a puppet that had its strings cut. Deeming it dead, he turned around and returned to his seat.

His steps, however, were halted suddenly as his eyes increased in size. “Impossible.” He exclaimed, turning around and witnessing the intruder getting back to its feet. The unbelievable part was how its head was dangling like a pendulum which should have been fatal—yet it was functioning like nothing was wrong.

“What abomination are you?” He questioned, both his fists raised in front of his chest.

If Alex was there, he could have reminded Logier to respect Murphy’s law. The orc chieftain was getting bored and wanted something fun to do. And now, something really ‘fun’ has presented itself to him.