It was a pain to get back up the cliff. I'm caked in dust, sweat, and blood. Flash Gordon can hitch a ride, and Rob can climb up himself. However, Duchess and Khan need to be carried up. If it wasn't for my boots, I probably couldn't bring Duchess up with me. I circumvented a big headache by utilizing one of my skills. I whistle, and he teleports to the top. [Master's Whistle] is quite handy.

I wish I could tell Khan to use his armor to turn into clouds and float up. He can barely do simple commands. Telling him to use his armor only makes his two hundred eyes look at me. The fracture's exit isn't here since it only shows up when someone enters. I wait for a few minutes, catching my breath. Only my exhaustion resistance grew during our stay here.

[Resistance: Exhaustion 50 > 75 (175)]

The fracture exit opens, and the blue monkey wearing an apron walks out and looks around. Once it spots me, it grabs me by the hand and leads me through. I make sure everyone is accounted for before leaving the fracture.

No one waits for me on the other side. Both my masters must be preoccupied with something else. The blue monkey walks away now that his mission is accomplished. I go to the room provided for me and shower in my manor using my basin and mana organ. The water is instantly muddied by the progress of the last few days.

Name / Nickname

Flash Gordon

Species

Elemental Stone (Rare)

Level

100 (MAX)

Evolution Requirements

Not Met

~

Health Points

2715/2715

Mana Points

110/110

Armor Points

220 (110 x 2)

Might

0

Agility

0

Vigor

543 (380 > 480 + 10% + 15)

Mind

22 (20 + 10%)

Spirit

110 (80 > 100 + 10%)

Luck

11 (10 + 10%)

~

Name / Nickname

Rob / Little Buddy

Species

Skeleton Grave Robber C (Uncommon)

Level

100 (MAX)

Evolution Requirements

Not Met

~

Health Points

300/300

Mana Points

515/515

Armor Points

5

Might

125 (85 > 100 + 10% + 15)

Agility

265 (142 > 200 + 10% + 45)

Vigor

60 (45 > 50 + 10% + 10 - 5)

Mind

103 (60 > 75 + 10% + 20)

Spirit

138 (60 > 75 + 10% + 20 + 35)

Dexterity

179 (95 > 112 + 10% + 56)

~

Name / Nickname

Duchess / Thisss one

Species

Amphitere C (Rare)

Level

100 (MAX)

Evolution Requirements

Not Met

~

Health Points

550/550

Mana Points

1485/1485

Armor Points

0

Might

83 (55 > 75 + 10%)

Agility

110 (100 + 10%)

Vigor

110 (80 > 100 + 10%)

Mind

297 (200 > 270 + 10%)

Spirit

143 (120 > 130 + 10%)

Charisma

55 (50 + 10%)

Luck

11 (10 + 10%)

~

Name / Nickname

Khan the Exile

Species

Ozone Prowler C (Unique)

Level

100 (MAX)

Evolution Requirements

Not Met

~

Health Points

605/605

Mana Points

580/580

Armor Points

237 (121+116)

Might

264 (200 > 240 + 10%)

Agility

121 (90 > 110 + 10%)

Vigor

121 (90 > 110 + 10%)

Mind

116 (85 > 105 + 10%)

Spirit

116 (85 > 105 + 10%)

Perception

116 (85 > 105 + 10%)

Khan only has one evolutionary path. The B rank [Calamity Man-eater]. I'm optimistic. I haven't locked in the evolution because I don't want to mess up anything with master Giles's ritual.

Duchess' choices were something else, I'll say. [Fairy Dragon], [Dragon Fairy], and [Couatl]. I blame her [Mixed Bloodlines?] trait caused by dean Palmer getting the corpse of a [Faerie Dragon] instead of a real one for my Duchess' [Amphitere] evolution. [Fairy Dragon] is a rank C creature, not to be confused with [Faerie Dragons].

[Fairy Dragons] are dragons tamed by fairies and have some of their magic, while [Faerie Dragons] are the offspring of fairies and dragons. [Dragon Fairies] are B-rank Fairies that have draconic influences. Two of the three evolutionary paths are almost identical but completely different.

A [Couatl] is a B-rank creature that seems to be a better version of what Duchess is now. I don't have much information on them in my [Lexicon], just that they are revered. By who? Who knows.

[Spirit Fire Skeleton B]

[Shadow Skeleton C]

[Skeleton Gravelord B]

[Skeleton Chimera C]

[Bag Skeleton D]

I don't know why Rob has a choice that downgrades his rank to something worse. I don't think he can surpass level one hundred as a D-rank. "Chimera" is a catchall term for any combined creature. It makes me wonder what exactly would change. I'm going to pick one of the B-rank evolutions anyways. [Gravelord] seems interesting. It reminds me of a boss monster for a graveyard level in a video game.

Flash Gordon's evolutionary choices have more wordplay than Duchess'.

[Elemental Elemental]

[Elemental Stone Elemental]

[Elemental Elemental Stone]

The last one is just what he is now but better. I guess. A [Elemental Stone Elemental] is an elemental (the creature) made out of elemental stones, while an [Elemental Elemental] is one just made out of an amalgamation of mixed energies. It's like Flash Gordon breaking free from his shell. Speaking of...

My egg should be close to hatching. I've been feeding it a healthy mixture of fire and mana. It's hotter to the touch at this point. I could boil water instantly by putting the egg in a cup. I can't wait to see what's inside... Wait, couldn't I ask master Giles about what's inside instead?

I left the mansion and headed towards the exit, but I got intercepted by master Wang. He tells me, from now on, for six of the seven days, I'm going to spend twelve hours bulking up with physical exercise. The seventh day will be a twenty-four-hour session instead. He wanted to know my stat totals for might, agility, and vigor so he could do some calculations, and I provided him with that information.

"Master Wang, weren't you going to give me something?"

"I didn't forget."

He hands me a small box with three golf balls shaped pills in it. The herbal smell is offputting but invigorating.

[Vigor Enhancers A]

"Are these...?"

"They are pills that increase the vigor stat. They're best taken after a strenuous exercise period, and the effects taper off after three. I'll hold onto them and let you consume them when appropriate."

"I don't know what to say. Thank you... Wait, if you had something that increases stats like this, why was Rain so energetic about her potion causing a similar effect?"

Master Wang chuckles before answering.

"Two reasons. It's a hallmark of a master alchemist, and the ingredients she used were cheap, all things considered. The ingredients in these three small balls would fetch me more credits than if I sold you and your beasts. It took me a few tries to even cook them up properly."

"You made these?"

"Where do you think Rain's passion came from? She didn't inherit my martial talent, but that doesn't mean she didn't get anything from me!"

A sadist came from his masochistic genes, so I figured everything about her was the opposite of master Wang.

"By the way, you should pick up a production hobby. Martial artists aren't just brutes that fight. You'll need something to temper your mind and steady your hands."

Master Wang made me start training right away. I was half expecting a gravity chamber or something, but there wasn't anything like that. He does have enchanted exercise equipment which is the next best thing. Weights that automatically calibrate to you, punching bags tougher than tungsten, and cardio equipment that surpasses the speed of sound.

I watch him toss a gray pill and water into a protein shaker. He casually shakes it before tossing it over to me. I catch it and almost stumble since I didn't expect it to be this heavy. It's not a heavy burden, but it weighs about fifty pounds.

"Concentration of nutrients and supplements that you'll need."

"Are there steroids in this thing?"

"No. I better not catch you taking any. At this point, steroids do more harm than good since we are already superhumans. Drink up and do what I tell you to."

The liquid is so dense. Its consistency is still liquid, but it's like a lead ball is sitting in my gut. I couldn't drink it all at once, but master Wang made me drink all of it. I feel bloated, and my blood starts to heat up. My bones creak as I stretch my muscles and prepare for master Wang's instructions. I questioned him why I was working out with my prosthetic hand and he beat me up.

~

[Heal Anything] and [Second Heart] proved to work against me. My on-demand healing that can specify specific things caused master Wang's regiment to go into overtime. Specific muscle groups could be healed as soon as tears formed, speeding up the process. My resistance also worked against me, making it hard to tear down my muscles and rebuild them better. The issue was fixed by heavier weights. Sometimes I couldn't lift them, but I had to keep going until my teeth shattered and my organs bled. The twelve hours went by surprisingly fast, and I took another shower before going to master Giles.

~

"Hmmm, yeah. I have no idea what will come out of that thing. I have an idea, but it's vastly different from a traditional egg..."

"Any ideas?"

"Hmmm, yes and no. The 'shell' isn't just a shell but also a part of its body. If you don't want to raise that little guy, I'd be happy to take it off your hands as your master."

"..."

"I'm 'cracking' a joke, don't give me a look like I shot your dog."

"...My beasts are level one hundred, and I decided on their evolutions. I haven't locked it in yet in case that caused issues."

"Good, good. That wouldn't have caused problems, but I am curious about what you selected."

"[Calamity Man-Eater], [Couatl], [Skeleton Gravelord], and the last one I'm on the fence about."

"I don't recognize the first one, curious. And I haven't seen a [Couatl] in years... oh yes, what troubles you, disciple."

I tell him about Flash Gordon's wordplay and ask him what the best choice would be.

"[Elemental Elemental] is an amalgamation of energy that might do more harm than good, while [Elemental Elemental Stone] might be redundant. All three are valid. It depends on what path your beast is following."

"What about the last one?"

"I never heard of it. It seems interesting, but I won't be able to give satisfactory answers. They are your beasts. It is your decision. You can also ask your beasts for their input. It's their evolution, after all."

"What do you think, Flash Gordon?"

"..."

"Disciple, does your beast speak to you?"

I don't answer master Giles' silly question and listen to Flash Gordon's answer. He doesn't care, but he'd prefer not to become an [Elemental Elemental]. "Amalgamation of energy" sounds too energetic for Flash Gordon.

I'm about to lock in my answer, but master Giles stops me by putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Disciple, do you want to have a friendly game?"

"Depends on the game."

"If you can fund your own beasts' evolutionary requirements without using backdoor channels, I'll give you a beneficial gift for any tamer."

"Alright, I'll play."

I lock in all of my beast's evolutions at once.

~

It's been a few days since selecting my beasts' evolution, and I still have a headache. I don't have enough credits...

Duchess needs to learn another elemental magic and increase her affinity with "life," while Rob needs to "Lord" over a graveyard, whatever that means. Khan needs to solo something twice his level alone, and Flash Gordon needs three [Elemental Stones]. I have one already, but getting the other two will be painful. He also needs to absorb more mana, but that shouldn't be hard. I'll need other miscellaneous herbs and crystals, but that's an afterthought compared to everything else.

I needed a break, so I attended to my egg rather than my other beasts. It's almost time for it to hatch. Master Wang has been riding me like a mule, and I have a team meetup later today, but my egg should hatch before then. I am ecstatic. It's been a long time since I was this excited about something.

I stare as the egg starts to gain hairline fractures all over the surface. The prices move like whatever's inside is breathing and moving. I can't tell what's inside yet, just that it's glowing like magma. Chip by chip, the shell falls into pieces until everything slides off like broken slate or slag, revealing the contents.

Underneath is another egg. It looks exactly the same but minutely smaller and glowing. I almost have an aneurysm, and my body physically hurts. The egg then melts into a single congealed mess of molten metal. Something that sounds like a mixture of cooing and heat escaping sounds out from the creature as it wiggles in my hands.

[Congratualtions, User, for hatching a]

"A" what?

[Accesing archives. Apologies for the wait. Please take a complimentary credit (1)]

[Congratulations on resurrecting an extinct species! You've gained the title [Life Bringer A]!!!]

[Life Bringer A

The user has ushered a new or old form of life back into the world. Creatures of life appreciate your contribution.

Nurturing and healing others is more efficient.

Infants are protected under your gaze.

Gain affinity with life and nature.]

I smack my lips. This title is recorded in my [Lexicon], but it starts with a low rank, and you can increase it by nurturing and caring for newborns and pregnant women. It seems the exact opposite of my [Butcher Title], which I got from massacring numerous eggs. The system still hasn't told me what it is. I look at the slow-moving mass and pat it affectionately.

"I'll name you Prometheus. I was considering Sultan, but I feel Prometheus is better."

It bubbles out a purr as it cuddles into my palm. It doesn't hurt, but I can see the hair on my knuckles wilting. I check its stats. Maybe It'll tell me what him/her/it is. It's a mass of living metal and fire, will it ever have a concept of gender?

Name / Nickname

Prometheus / Endling

Species

Molten Ooze F (Unique)

Level

1 (0/100)

Evolution Requirements

Not Met

~ ~

Health Points

5/5

Mana Points

5/5

Armor Points

0

Might

1

Agility

1

Vigor

1

Mind

1

Spirit

5

Trait

Glutton

The User’s appetite will never be truly satisfied

Malleable Body (F)

The User’s body can bend and shift to the user’s will.

Flame Body (F)

The User’s body is hot to the touch.

~ ~ ~

Skills

Hardening (E)

The User can Harden parts of their body.

Spit Fire (E)

The User can spit a superheated mucus substance.

Damage: 50% of Vigor.

The very first thing that caught me was the nickname. Endling refers to the very last of their species. If they die, the species will be no more. The system itself has recognized this fact. I'm not worried about the low stats. Prometheus is quite literally a newborn, but I feel an extra responsibility to keep this creature alive. It starts eating my prosthetic hand.