V3 Chapter 70

“Annoying flies,”

Rain exerted his strength and pushed the skeleton forward, causing it to lose its balance. He then gave it a powerful kick to its hip, his strength smashing the entire hip of the skeleton to bits. Still, it tried to swing its weapon, hence, he kicked the ax from the skeleton, along with its wrist, and left the skeleton sprawled on the ground. Despite having only its upper body left, the skeleton was still trying its best to get up.

Looking at this creepy sight, he couldn’t help but let out a bitter sigh.

This Undead Transformation is really playing with life. Though, not like he can’t say anything about it since, with his Death Magic, he was also capable of summoning, or even transforming people into Undead. However, because of how dark it is, he did his best to avoid using it.

Still, he knows that he himself has no qualms of using that kind of power if the situation calls for it, especially against evil, and wicked people who deserve such cruel fate. However, whether be they good or bad people, it’s still an inhuman thing to do.

“…may you rest in peace, brother,”

Rain then stomped on the skeleton’s skull into smithereens. He let out a sigh, and then looked around his surroundings, for possible sneak attacks. His hand ignited in flames, and shot a fireball, exploded on the previous skeleton warriors that were still struggling to get up. With the explosion, the skeleton’s body exploded into pieces. There’s no surviving that, even for a skeleton.

“It seems like Cyan’s fight has also ended,” he mused. “Nevertheless, these skeletons… their bones are still unblemished so it should not be that long since they converted. And from the swords and armors they were using, they should belong to that group… still, they must be having a terrible time since there’s quite a lot of dead people…”

When a corpse turned into undead by nature, whether they died longer or not, their skin, flesh, and blood would disintegrate first, before the resurrection. The Undead Transformation depends on how dense magic power is in the area.

The corpse’s flesh and blood turned into magicless that dissipate in the air, while the bones will absorb magic power, and thus, the transformation to become an Undead began. This was known as the [Curse of the Undead]. Though some managed to retain their flesh, becoming zombies. But that chance is very low. And the condition is still a mystery.

Rain was certain that these Undead were the people belonging to that princess, died, and was then left behind. Well, even if they were, looking at them now, it would be hard to tell who’s who if not for the equipment they wore.

‘Rain! Rain! I did it!’

Cyan transformed back into her humanoid form and was now running toward him. A huge smile was on her face. Rain chuckled as he looks at her expression which is almost similar to that of a human. She has become better at showing emotions. If not for her translucent body, anyone who saw her now would surely think of her as just a normal human girl.

“Good girl,” Rain patted her hair with a laugh. “Well, for the battle grade, around 76 points, I guess. You still have a long way to go, girl, but for now, you did good,”

‘Hehehe, I did my best,’

“I know you did,” he chuckled and stroked her smooth, translucent hair causing her smile to appear even more radiant.

Rain liked Cyan’s expression. Even with her translucent body, her expression appeared genuine and heart-warming. If not for her body, it would be hard to believe she is a monster. And a slime at that.

Rain then gave her magic power through [Mana Transfer]. Well, she asked for his semen, since apparently, consuming semen gives her more strength and mana than just transferring magic power. Still, it would be quite inconvenient doing it in the middle of nowhere. Furthermore, he’s also ashamed of suddenly pulling down his pants every time she wanted it. And worst, she might get used to it, asking whenever and wherever, not minding the time and place, so he declined.

Though she appeared disappointed, she cannot be spoiled.

After channeling magic power to Cyan to replenish hers, as well as, a kind of reward for her victory, Rain then turned towards the fallen skeleton warriors.

The two that he had beaten were only wearing leather clothes, but some of the mob that Cyan faced seemed to be quite better equipped, as some of them were even wearing armors. Though, most of them were damaged beforehand, scars of their struggles before their deaths, and was then worsened by Cyan’s rampage.

But their equipment is not what Rain was interested in.

If one looks closely, every skeleton was wearing a necklace with a small, golden square pendant.

“Just like I thought they do look like dog tags. And there’s even something written here, though, I can’t read the characters… if they resembled dog tags, then these are probably names, huh,”

Rain thought for a moment. Though he can converse, apparently in any kind of language, be it with the Lamians or the Humans, it all sounds the same to him, but writings take a little bit of time to understand. His [All Language Comprehension] is really convenient, but even it has its limits.

He needs to study relevant matters and materials until he became fluent in any kind of language possible. It’s not an instant effect. Only, the ability [All Language Comprehension] gave him a great inherent Talent in language, and able to easily learn them. Though, it takes a bit of time than normal.

After inspecting the corpses, he then walks around collecting the golden necklaces around the corpses’ necks.

“I’ll give these to your master if I meet them again. It could serve as memorabilia,” he muttered while placing his palms together, and offered a silent, quick prayer.

May you rest in peace.

“I’m sorry I can’t do much more than this. I can’t possibly bring back your corpses, as they needed to be buried under the earth, or be destroyed completely, or else you would live again as monsters. You all have already been stained with the curse of the Undead and had become monsters. Turning your bones to ashes, or being buried under the embrace of the Goddess of Earth, are the only thing that can save you from the curse. Well, besides, just bringing skeletons would also be quite awkward,”

Furthermore, Rain doesn’t have any obligation to go that far for them…though, he only says that within his heart. He doesn’t want to appear cold and callous, even if there was no one to hear his words.

There was quite a lot. Seven golden and eleven silver dog tags were collected. Rain shook his head in sympathy. He then also gathered every bone he could see and was about to bury them, when he saw Cyan start absorbing them inside her body.

Eh? Rain didn’t know if he should laugh or cry about it, as Cyan, didn’t understand anything and only regarded these corpses as monsters, and just did what she usually does- devouring them.

"This girl," he smiled wryly and was about to stop her when he thought. Perhaps, this is better?

Through this, the corpses would be disposed of properly, without any worries that they might once again rise and become monsters. At the same time, Cyan might even increase her power after absorbing them as well.

A win-win solution, isn’t it?

Yeah. I think that’s much better.

Thinking about it, Rain felt that it truly is a good idea. With a shrug, he let Cyan do what she wants, and even help her gather the scattered bones, having her absorb all of them. In any case, by doing this, it could be some sort of reward to them for sending the dog tags to their master, as Cyan might gain some benefits from it. He reasoned himself.

“Now then, I just hope these corpses would help her… even if it’s a little bit.”

Rain smiled fondly as he looks at the Slime Girl looking at him with a happy smile while his translucent body displayed countless bones floating within. Bubbles rose from within her body, as the bones rapidly shrunk, seemly melting.

Just this- he can’t get used to it.

What a terrible corrosion ability…

… …

Monitoring the red dot on the screen, Rain continued to teach Cyan some tricks. Though expected or unexpected, as befitting of a second evolved monster, Cyan was like a sponge that easily absorbs water as she was able to follow his teachings and even understand them immediately.

She might not be as powerful as Granite or Lafetti as a Second Evolve like them, but that’s understandable as she is the weakest monster- a slime. But her intelligence is indeed far better than most powerful monsters such as Orcs or Goblins even with the same rank.

No wonder they said that the greatest and hardest for Monsters to obtain through evolution is increased intelligence. But once achieved, it would make even the weakest monster a horrifying existence.

Intelligence is one of the most important attributes for a monster… an essential factor for their evolution. As the higher intelligence they attained, the more path of evolution appeared in front of them. Brute strength or speed has limited potential, but Intelligence and Wisdom do not.

What does having more strength could do if they were an idiot?

Just like how the Arch Grimoire said, the key to most potentials is intelligence as it opens wider access in the Akashic Library. For Monsters Intelligence is the key to their Ascension…

But for humans, what is…?

Rain felt that there must be something similar to monsters so that humans can go to heights that were said to be impossible to reach.

Well, unlike monsters, humans have many ways though- that’s what he felt after living in this world.

After all, the intelligence and wisdom of a human being are not something to be underestimated.

If they are no road in front of them, then they will just make one. A common saying found not only back in Earth, but also in this world.

The evolution of a human being can be accessed through different methods. One is level, the second is special skills, and the third is magical items.

Still, it might look simple but it was not. Whether be it level, skills, or magical items, it needed rare and special treasures to make a change- just like the Arch Grimoire or the Body Cultivation Method.

These two skills are certainly the necessary factors to reach something beyond normal- something beyond what a normal human could achieve.

“Hiyaaaaa!!”

Cyan jumped into the air, and her body released dozens of sharp tentacles that pierced through the Orc’s body. However, the wound was shallow, and enraged, the Orc swung its large wooden club.

Cyan hurriedly jumped backward, turning into a puddle to desperately avoid the monstrous swat of the club, and then immediately run away. She then materialized back into her human form and retreated. The Orc growled, and chased after, without knowing it was stepping into Cyan’s slimy puddle.

The slime puddle under the Orc’s feet suddenly wriggled and shot up, coiling around the Orc’s feet and leg. The Orc grunted, its balance swayed. Immediately, Cyan jumped toward the Orc, her body shifting into a saber tiger.

With a swipe of her claw, the Orc’s hand clenching its weapon was immediately severed from the wrist. But that wasn’t all. At this moment, Cyan’s tiger body slowly shifted, expanding, and becoming longer, coiling around the fat, pig Orc’s body, eventually becoming a large snake.

She then wrapped her long snake-like body around the Orc, as she opened her jaws, revealing the dagger-like fangs, and she bit into the Orc’s neck...

The Orc let out a roar and desperately struggled free. However, the more it struggles the tighter Cyan’s body becomes as it coiled around it.

Slowly, and slowly, the monster’s cries and movement slowly weakens, and its struggle slowly stops. Cyan’s Poison was slowly taking effect, and the Orc’s defeat was set in stone.

While fighting, Rain’s eyes never left Cyan, and watching her victory, he nodded his head. She becomes strong in just a short amount of time, he thought. As expected of a Second Evolved Monster, Cyan can even defeat Orcs easily now. And that Mimic Ability, with the right way to use it, its flexibility in different situations is truly an amazing power.

While praising her inside his mind, Rain easily dodged the Orc’s sword, and turned around, clenching his fist, his hand glowed crimson, invoking the [Iron Fist] skill, and punched the monster’s face.

The monster’s snout was immediately flattened, and several teeth were crushed, stunning the Orc. Then, before it could let out a scream, Rain casually placed his palm against the Orc’s chest and let out an incredibly powerful shockwave-

“Exploding Palm”

Boooom!!

After a thunderous roar, the Orc’s chest caved in, and it flew away, crashing against a large tree, where it slid in the ground, motionless. Blood was leaking from its mouth.

“Still, Orcs are classified as high-ranking monsters as well, but it seems like they are nothing dangerous to me now.”

Rain said with a satisfied smile. He then looks at the littered corpses of the Orcs around him. It feels as if just a few days ago, these monsters are still beyond his reach, even a single Orc spells trouble. More like, even Hobgoblins are tough monsters to fight against.

But now, forget about fighting two Orcs simultaneously, even fighting an entire group of Orcs was now an easy feat for him.

“… Despite my level stagnating, it seems like as long as my skills continue to level up, I still have a chance to continue becoming stronger. Though, I still want my level to rise…just what am I still lacking? They said that most people in my case would have reached the 3rd level, but still, I’m stuck at the first level. So disappointing. Why?”

Rain frowned in frustration. Though he was somewhat upset, he had a suspicion that this is because of his incredible inflated stats, and Unique Skill: [Predation].

After eating so many monsters and magical beasts, and usurping many monster skills, it might have changed not only his physical body but something, more important inside of him. That must be why he’s not leveling up anymore. At this moment, he’s not even sure if he is still a human…

Did my body change into something else just like Sylphy and Arch Grimoire’s assumption?

Has my body’s transformation affected my Leveling System?

Humans don’t evolve but they increase their level and break through their limits, while monsters go in the opposite direction.

They accumulate experience points, and evolved, becoming new, and powerful monsters. Not only their physical body could change, but even particular attributes would improve significantly.

Sylphy speculated that my body, after having incredible transformation has become akin to that of a monster. Because of that, they said, I might undergo evolution rather than just plainly increasing level.

But how do I evolve?

Can humans even undergo evolution?

Rain had always been proud and excited whenever he obtained ability through [Predation] knowing his skills and abilities increased gave him immense satisfaction. But now, he doesn’t know anymore. The abilities and skills he once was so happy to obtain had become the very cause of his stagnation. And he was filled with frustration.

Was this even the right path for him…?