NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18
[The target possesses exceptional potential, along with a body adapted for evolution! There is a 75% chance of entering a second evolution beyond 50%!]
I thought it was only natural for someone destined to become the boss of The Seven Lairs to evolve into a second stage, but I never expected the success rate to increase.
After a smooth evolution, Balutak’s body returned to its original state, with two special parts sprouting that were not present before.
First, his front legs were sharpened like a mantis’. On his back, wings reminiscent of a dragonfly had grown.
[Lv. 70]
His level jumped straight from the 30s to 70!
The Undead Balmunk was a similar case; however, while Balmunk faced a limit due to evolution, Balutak’s potential seemed boundless.
For creatures to grow stronger, there are natural growth, training, and armament.
But evolution was different.
It was a leap that not only skyrocketed physical power but also sought the perfection of the species, accompanied by physical changes.
For this reason, evolution is a one-time opportunity for living beings.
The same goes for evolution magic.
Once I evolve a creature, it’s impossible to evolve it again—except for unique cases like the second evolution.
‘Insect also shares the same fate.’
In a game, if an evolutionist controlled Insects as servants, wouldn’t that be overpowered?
Of course, such a free ride was impossible.
Regarding evolution magic, Insects could only evolve once.
This means that the evolution magic I could perform was both the first and last.
Knowing that, I still wanted to recruit Balutak because his potential for evolution was infinite.
Insects start weak, but their evolutionary growth plates are countless.
‘Balutak stands at the pinnacle of such Insects.’
If Balutak becomes an ally, providing him with a conducive environment and adequate nutrition would make him endlessly stronger.
My dungeon had plenty of conditions for that.
In the long term, Balutak would undoubtedly be a boss-level force in The Seven Lairs.
“Balutak, you’ve evolved! Even twice! Weird, right?”
Balutak tilted his head while looking at his drastically changed form.
No matter how you slice it, a second evolution was a first for an Insect.
“Balutak evolved. It’s the skeleton’s doing. Thank you. Thanks to you, I’m alive.”
He knew without me saying it.
I nodded.
“But it’s impossible. Evolution can only happen by oneself. No one else can do it. But the skeleton evolved Balutak.”
“You’ve evolved to the point where I can barely recognize you as an Insect.”
That was Charlotte’s voice, who had approached unnoticed.
Balutak tilted his head back and forth while looking at Charlotte.
“Kyric, human? Human?”
“Please kneel and bow your head.”
Having spent time with Charlotte, I could glimpse what lay behind her expressionless facade.
Contempt, disgust. I pulled Charlotte back, fearing a violent conflict would arise if left unchecked.
“Your name is Balutak. I have taken an interest in you.”
“I’m interested too. Balutak, the skeleton has taken an interest in you.”
“Do you desire an even greater evolution? If so, you must obediently submit to me.”
Even though I couldn’t evolve him anymore, telling such lies was necessary to seduce him.
At that time, I thought he might actually follow along, blinded by the allure of evolution.
“That’s impossible. Balutak only submits to the strong. He doesn’t heed orders from those weaker than him. But the skeleton, he might be stronger than Balutak.”
“Do you wish to die?”
Charlotte intercepted my words at that moment.
“This individual is the boss of The Seven Lairs. You are nothing but a mere insect.”
“You’re saying it’s a creature that’s worse than a bug.”
“Balutak, I’ve heard about the Seven Lairs. They’re strong, they say. But Balutak has evolved. He’s gotten stronger. Even the Seven Lairs won’t win against Balutak.”
“…That little bug’s gonna get fried.”
I was startled for a moment after just listening to them.
Did he just insult me?
“Humans are weak. But you provoked Balutak. Balutak will kill you.”
“Balutak. This human is my subordinate.”
“Subordinate? What’s that?”
“It means my underling. I have a proposal. You said you only obey and follow the strong. If you defeat my underling, I will serve you. But if you lose, you shall obey and come under me.”
“Kirik, I can’t understand it. If I lose to a human, I obey the human. If I lose to a skeleton, I obey the skeleton.”
“You aren’t my level of opponent. If you want to fight me, defeat my subordinate first. Then I’ll consider it.”
Yeah, you’re terrible at this game. You’re not on my level. If you want to duel, defeat him first.
I never thought I would use a common schoolyard dodge like this.
If Charlotte loses, it’s a catastrophe, but that won’t happen.
[Lv. 72]
[Lv. 70]
Charlotte will win anyway.
A two-level difference isn’t something you can just brush off, you know?
In games, the high-level hurdle started at level 70, and being high-level meant that even a one-level difference could be enormous.
Even if Charlotte isn’t at a level to toy with him, I’m sure she can win easily if she puts in just a bit of seriousness.
“Kirik. Alright. Balutak will eat the human. The skeleton has mercy. But the skeleton is the boss of the Seven Lairs. I won’t eat him. We’ll just see who’s stronger.”
*
Ten minutes.
That’s how long Charlotte and Balutak fought.
To be a bit more precise, it was more accurate to say that it was the time Balutak held on.
Charlotte was attacking relentlessly like a mad witch, while Balutak was just focused on running away.
And she even held back. She didn’t use fire magic or large-scale spells for fear of burning down the entire forest.
“Kirik….”
Currently, Balutak was lying flat on the ground.
After having his soul stripped by Charlotte, he was staring blankly at the sky.
‘No wonder his mental state is shattered.’
He evolved into the second stage and got all cocky, only to have his soul stripped by a human without any weapons.
For Balutak, who didn’t even understand what magic was, it must’ve felt like, ‘Was a human always an abnormal creature like that?’
I casually asked Charlotte.
“What do you think?”
“He’s definitely usable. If he’s an insect, he has plenty of opportunities to become stronger. His intelligence matches how much he’s learned from my magic.”
She cut off her speech and let out a deep sigh.
“However, his lack of manners is problematic. Right now, he’s just a bit humbled, but he’s a very prideful insect. Even if he’s forced into submission, he’ll eventually rise again as he gets stronger.”
“What about if that time comes? Can you suppress him like now?”
“…I’m sorry, but I have a very clear limit. That insect will soon surpass me.”
That wasn’t just a hypothesis, it was a certainty. If Charlotte felt that way, it was settled.
Well, it wasn’t surprising; I had expected it.
Charlotte was originally part of the second-highest tier of the Abyss, the ‘Sentinel’ class.
Balutak may be ranked 6th, but he is destined to become the ‘boss’ of the Seven Lairs.
“What if that time comes, the boss….”
She couldn’t even meet my gaze, as if she felt guilty for saying it.
It’s all laid out, but Balutak is a double-edged sword.
As he evolves, he could potentially turn against me, becoming a dangerous blade.
“Don’t worry.”
“I’m sorry.”
Why would I be crazy enough to step in?
I just need to set it up so that Charlotte can handle it before I even step in.
How?
Simply focus on Charlotte’s growth over Balutak’s evolution, and that will solve the problem.
“I just happen to know the awakening materials for Charlotte.”
“Charlotte’s Phase 1 is the Witch of Jinto, Charlotte.”
“Phase 2 is the Prophet of the Necronomicon, Charlotte.”
“The reason Charlotte’s difficulty is through the roof is that when Phase 2 kicks in, her level skyrockets to 90.”
“She’s on the level of a quasi-lair boss and among the sentinels, she is the top among any lair.”
“Honestly, I flinched when Calandas mentioned the Necronomicon before.”
“For Charlotte, the Necronomicon is like icing on the cake.”
“I’ve already soured my relationship with Calandas, though.”
“It’s true that Calandas has the Necronomicon.”
“But if you ask whether he has full control over it, that’s a lie.”
“Ranking 6th, Valentia Roseha.”
“She also possesses the Necronomicon, and now that I think about it, maybe that’s why their relationship is strained.”
“What if I play the charm card with Roseha?”
“Or if I say I’m going to join her faction, she’ll probably hand it over. Of course, that would be a last resort.”
“That said, Charlotte has the upper hand, but only for a while.”
“The balance of power can’t last forever.”
“Eventually, Balutak will surpass Charlotte.”
“I’ve been thinking of a Plan B to prevent that.”
“During that time, I need to find a way to grill Balutak just right and instill blind loyalty in him.”
“I could either show off the bluster of a lair boss and build myself up as an unbeatable powerhouse or raise loyalty like a vassal relationship; there are many ways.”
“The key is to rewire Balutak’s mindset so he can’t challenge my authority.”
“Kirik. Human, so strong…”
“Even if he’s a pickle in the making, he’s formidable enough that I need to recruit him while he’s at his low.”
“Having been mistaken for a quasi-lair 7, securing Balutak’s allegiance is crucial.”
“First, let’s secure our hierarchy. Make sure he doesn’t dare bite back.”
“I will serve.”
“I approached the collapsed Balutak and reached out.”
“Balutak stared blankly, but realizing my intention, he took my hand and got up.”
“Do you accept the outcome?”
“I acknowledge it. Balutak, lost to a human. Human, so very strong. Just how strong is that skeleton?”
“I can’t even gauge it. He must be far stronger than me.”
“Just as Charlotte said that, Balutak was easily startled, chirping in surprise.”
“Honestly, it’s pretty embarrassing for me, but since the party announced it, I have to believe it.”
“Balutak, I’ve never seen such a strong human. You beat the evolved Balutak. But the skeleton is much stronger than any human.”
“So what’s my offer?”
“Balutak, completely defeated. The weak bow to the strong. Balutak will serve the skeleton.”
“I’m not a skeleton. From now on, call me Boss.”
“Kirik. Boss, leader of the lair 7. Balutak will follow the Boss.”
“We’re leaving this forest immediately. If you have anything left to finish up here, do it without hesitation.”
“I worried about what I would do if he suddenly couldn’t leave his hometown where he had lived his whole life.”
“If Charlotte drags him away by force, it contradicts my plan to carve loyalty into him.”
“Deep down, I hoped he’d follow along willingly, but Balutak seemed hesitant.”
“I hastily added, fearing all my efforts would go to waste.”
“I saved you from dying and helped you evolve. I’m also much stronger than you. Are you still refusing orders?”
“Balutak, I understand. But I can’t leave the forest.”
“I saved you! I evolved you! I did everything for you! So what’s the issue?”
“Balutak, I have the weaklings beneath me. What about those weaklings?”
“The weaklings?”
“The strong govern the weak. They also take responsibility.”
“Is he talking about the other insects?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t take them all with me.”
“With just Balutak, it’s already a double-edged sword. Enduring with Riks as the 14th could be asking too much.”
“How many are we talking about?”
“Is it really?”
“Kirik. Twelve. Twelve, right?”
With hundreds of them, it seems negotiable with just twelve. Or should I really try buying them like actual slaves?
Thinking about it while standing won’t solve anything.
“I’ll handle this.”
I headed towards Lionheart with Charlotte and Balutak on either side.
Bang!
As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by Lionheart’s face, which looked like he’d seen a ghost.
“I-I have the honor of meeting you, my lord.”
“I’ll take twelve insects. I’ll pay. Is ten million sel enough?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I asked you. Is ten million sel enough?”
“Y-Yes, yes. Is there any doubt about that?”
By some accident, twelve insects were added, but they could be really useful, beyond just Balutak’s kindness.
Our dungeon is designed like a labyrinth. Insects are perfect for digging tunnels, on par with kobolds.
“Balutak. Surprised! The Beast King couldn’t handle it. Great Chief, strong.”
“It’s not Great Chief; it’s Boss.”
“Boss, strong. Balutak, loyal to the Great Chief.”
“…I’m losing my mind.”
Balutak seemed in good spirits, constantly chirping and searching for his subordinates.
The subordinates he found were all surprised by the changed Balutak.
“Kirik! Balutak. Our Chief has changed.”
“The Chief has evolved. The Chief has become stronger. We still must follow the Chief.”
“That’s right. Balutak is the evolved Chief. But there are stronger beings than Balutak. Balutak will follow them.”
Led by Balutak, thirteen insects, including him, stood before me.
The subordinate insects all tilted their heads at me.
Then Balutak stepped forward.
“Balutak is your Chief. But this skeleton is stronger than Balutak. Balutak obeys the skeleton. So the skeleton is our Great Chief. As long as we are with the Great Chief, we are not slaves.”
“Kirik! Is that so!”
“Great Chief! Great Chief!”
“Great Chief! I’ve never seen him, but he’s stronger than Balutak! We follow the Great Chief!”
“Keyek! With the Great Chief! We will not become slaves!”
As the insect-like beings cheered, it was quite a sight.
Honestly, as a person, I felt a bit of discomfort. If I were human, I might have actually tossed my cookies since they were undead.
Charlotte beside me ground her teeth.
“These filthy creatures. They’re calling him Boss.”
“Charlotte.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Does she really hate insects that much?
For someone who didn’t curse, to do it twice now, she must really despise them.
The insects approached me, folding their front limbs like mantises.
It probably means their unique gesture of submission.
“Great Chief! Let me introduce myself! I am Gurutak! I pledge my loyalty to the Great Chief!”
“I am Belutak! I pledge the same loyalty to the Great Chief!”
“I am Buraltak! I pledge my loyalty to the Great Chief!”
“What’s your name?”
“Kirik. Buraltak.”
“…We need to change your name.”
“Kirik? Buraltak, is it?”
“Yes. I will personally name you. From today, you shall be Keltak.”
“Kirik! The Great Chief has named me! Keltak, I am so happy!”
“Kirik! I want a name too! Great Chief, please give me a name!”
“I want one too! Give me a new name!”
The insects squirmed in front of me, each trying to outdo the other for a name.
Everyone was rushing and tumbling around just for a name—what a chaotic scene.
‘These guys really are a mess.’
Being around these misfits, I feel like my intelligence is deteriorating.
If I feel like this now, how is our vice-captain, who has to deal with these idiots in the dungeon, holding up?
“Sigh…”
She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose in real-time.
Anyway, I’m just a subcontractor, so I don’t have to worry. Hang in there, Charlotte.