Chapter 10
The only plus sides of the prestige evolution were the removed upkeep until level 10, the evolved skills, and the new evolution options.
(- New EVO options available: [[Golden Core]] for increased PT gain, [[Mega Core]] for increased size and transport range, and [[Orichalcum]] for increased PT gain, faster monster evolution, and the SKILL [[Compound]]. -)
You can guess which one I chose – obviously the [[Orichalcum]] option, because of how many buffs it gave me.
For some reason, this evolution sent me to sleep for at least a day. I guess that was the only downside. When I woke up, I was a giant canary diamond – the yellow kind.
I instantly activated the skill [[Compound]] to see what it did and watched in amazement as the two skills [[Dungeon Master Lv.2]] and [[Parallel Minds]] merged into a new skill.
(- New compound SKILL obtained: [[Matrix Ultima]] -)
Now, instead of having multiple personalities in my head, I had an ultra‑efficient, very helpful AI assistant who did not have a synthesised woman’s voice but the natural‑sounding voice of a girl.
“Thank you, master, for giving me new life!” the voice squealed.
It was hard to believe it was actually the DMI.
“I guess now you’re not DMI, but MU, or just Ultima,” I said thoughtfully.
She then informed me she preferred if I didn’t use an acronym, so from now on she was just Ultima.
I decided to test my other greater skills. First, I tried [[Odyssey]]. It teleported me all the way out of my dungeon. Thinking it would be dangerous if my core was found, I immediately went back.
It was obviously the evolution of [[Spatial Movement]].
Then I tested [[Pluto – Lord of Death]] and found I needed [[Soul(s)]] to activate it. That was clearly the evolution of [[Shaman]]. Next was [[All‑Seeing Eye]], which seemed the most promising…
It wasn’t.
It was basically a fancy way of saying [[Appraisal Lv.2]].
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
My favourite was definitely [[Matrix Ultima]], but if I said that out loud, it would sound kind of weird – like I was calling a girl my favourite. I suddenly remembered my two subordinates, Kuroe and Makkura.
I used [[Odyssey]] to teleport to the boss room.
What I saw was awe‑inspiring.
Kuroe had evolved into an [[Elder Lich of Hell]]. His skull was terrifyingly knobbled and pointed, with two extra arms and staves. He now wore royal robes, his torso and limbs much larger than before. His eyes glowed a vivid red, and his whole body was enveloped in scarlet flame. He’d grown from just over five feet to a towering seven feet tall.
Makkura had evolved into a drake – one rank above his previous species, but still a huge leap in power. He was now at least five times as strong as before. He had four legs instead of just two, fins and spines for better aero‑ and aquadynamics, and a frill of fins around his neck. He kept his black scales but was no longer ghostly; instead, his eyes blazed with blue flame, and blue jets of fire remained his main attack. His physical power had increased exponentially.
“How do your new bodies feel?” I asked, pride colouring my voice.
“They feel excellent!” they replied simultaneously, a look of pure joy in their eyes as they stared at me as if I were some kind of national treasure.
I used All‑Seeing Eye to check their skill sets and stats… and let’s just say the numbers were dramatically higher.
I checked each monster’s skills.
(- Individual [[Kuroe]] -)
SKILL(s):
[[Hellfire]]: A black flame that can burn any material that isn’t Orichalcum.
[[Summon Dead]]: Summons an army of flaming skeletons.
[[All‑Seeing Eye]]: A high‑level version of [[Appraisal]] that is five times more efficient.
[[Death Warrant]]: A last‑resort attack that binds the enemy and user in holy chains that damage both at different amounts depending on relative strength (the stronger you are, the more damage you inflict).
(- Individual [[Makkura]] -)
SKILL(s):
[[Body Double]]: Creates a weaker version of himself that is not a ghoul‑class being and becomes smoke when killed.
[[Gas Flame]]: The user can secrete gas from oral pores and ignite it, creating blue flame that can incinerate most materials.
[[Tri‑Form]]: Allows the user to transform into three different forms, shifting all stats into STR, DEF, or SPE. The user’s body changes shape with each form.
[[Mana Infusion]]: The user can infuse anything with mana to make its properties ten times stronger.
“You guys are really stacked, aren’t you?!” I exclaimed, incredulous.
“Yes, my lord,” replied Kuroe.
“We are most certainly ‘stacked,’ as you put it!” added Makkura.
I then decided to check on the floors themselves. Both were now the same size, each with over two hundred rooms and an area of more than two square kilometres.
Despite this place being the most feared labyrinth in the region, it was still my home.
The home that would be with me forever.
That night, we had a bonfire party in Makkura’s room. We cooked an orc that Kuroe killed on his floor. I wouldn’t know because I can’t eat. But, apparently, it was delicious.
We laughed, told stories, made up riddles and jokes. Late into the night we partied, until Kuroe and Makkura fell asleep, exhausted. I was now content to organise my interface, chat with Ultima and just sit on my own in comfort in general. It was the life I had wanted ever since starting school. The life I needed and loved. This life.