NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: Evolution Interrupted
Lynn rose to his feet, flexing his muscles as the new acquired power thrummed within him. The concentrated essence from the zombie cores seemed to ignite every fiber of his being, filling him with vibrant strength.
He glanced down at the empty backpack, the last glowing core having been consumed. By rapidly absorbing nearly 100 cores, Lynn felt his attributes expand to new heights.
He summoned his status panel, eyes quickly scanning the changes.
[Player: Temporary Number F0001]
Class: [Doctor lv4] (2%)
Talent: [Gemini Soul]
Attributes:
[Strength 11] [Dexterity 11] [Constitution 12] [Intelligence 11] [Perception 10]
Class Skills: [Cell Proliferation]
General Skills: [Evaluation lv1] [Swordsmanship lv1]
Equipment: [Zombie Slaying Sword]
[Attribute Points: 2] [Skill Points: 3]
"It's not enough," Lynn muttered under his breath. His gaze fell to the available attribute and skill points. He knew he would need every bit of power he could muster for the battle ahead. The time had come to invest them.
First, Lynn focused on his skill points. He decided to raise the level of
[Swordsmanship] to expand his combat ability.
[Skill [Swordsmanship] lv1: Do you want to spend 1 skill point to level it up?]
Lynn paused only a moment before responding firmly. "Yes!"
[Skill [Swordsmanship] lv1 has leveled up to lv2. Attributes increased: +1 Strength, +1 Dexterity]
As Lynn confirmed the skill upgrade, he immediately felt an influx of knowledge and refined techniques imprint themselves into his mind, as if he had trained for countless years. His muscles seemed to coil tighter, nerves becoming more responsive. Each minute motion translated perfectly into skillful sword maneuvers. Lynn gave a few practice swings, the blade whistling through the air with enhanced speed and control.
"Excellent, just a bit more power," Lynn muttered eagerly.
[Skill [Swordsmanship] lv2: Do you want to spend 2 skill points to level it up?]
Lynn quickly confirmed, the extra cost barely giving him pause. This was no time to be stingy.
[Skill [Swordsmanship] lv2 has leveled up to lv3. Attributes increased: +2 Dexterity, +1 Perception]
As the skill reached level 3, Lynn felt his mastery increase once again. His blade seemed to become an extension of his own body, reacting fluidly to his will. Lynn's heightened perception picked up subtle visual cues - the twitch of a muscle, shift of weight - that allowed him to anticipate and counter attacks with extreme precision.
Lynn nodded in satisfaction. With his [Swordsmanship] skill now at level 3, he could wield his blade with deadly speed and efficiency.
Next, he focused on allocating his remaining attribute points. Lynn pondered for a moment before ultimately adding them to his constitution.
[Ding!]
[+1 Constitution]
[Ding!]
[+1 Constitution]
Lynn felt his muscles swell as the attribute points increased his endurance and resilience. With his constitution now at 14, he could use [Cell Proliferation] without worrying about permanently damaging his body.
He summoned his status panel one last time to check it:
[Player: Temporary Number F0001]
Class: [Doctor lv4] (2%)
Talent: [Gemini Soul]
Attributes:
[Strength 12] [Dexterity 14] [Constitution 14] [Intelligence 11] [Perception 11]
General Skills: [Evaluation lv1] [Swordsmanship lv3]
Equipment: [Zombie Slaying Sword]
[Attribute Points: 0] [Skill Points: 0]
Fully strengthened, Lynn turned his attention back to the chaotic scene unfolding below. The egg-shaped creature had continued expanding, absorbing more zombies into its fleshy mass.
But the hulking stitched monstrosity was not going to let it continue.
After most of the zombies were devoured by the creature hanging out from the ceiling of the floor, the stitched monster was free from the attacks of zombies.
So it refocused on the egg-shaped creature. The stitched monstrosity started hitting continuously the round flesh ball, causing it to let out piercing screeches.
Alice, who had put her hands over her ears and was observing the fight, said: "It seems that our effort of cleaning up zombies on every floor finally paid off."
She continued, "The creature couldn't find enough energy to complete the evolution and is now completely at the mercy of the stitched monster if it doesn't interrupt the evolution process."
As she said this, the round mass of flesh that was being pummeled started to violently tremble as small cracks appeared on its surface.
Lynn gripped his sword tightly, feeling adrenaline surge through his veins as he watched the stitched monstrosity continue its relentless assault.
The stitched monstrosity reared back its massive fist, preparing to deliver another devastating blow. But just before it could smash into the surface, the egg-shaped creature convulsed violently as the cracks along its shell widened.
Suddenly, dozens of thick, fleshy tentacles burst out from the fractures, flailing wildly. The appendages lashed towards the stitched creature, seeking to ensnare it.
Caught off guard, the monstrosity found itself gripped and constricted by the strong, worm-like tentacles. They coiled around its torso, pinning it in place.
The stitched creature let out a furious roar as it struggled against the restraints. But the muscular tentacles squeezed tighter in response.
Seeing an opportunity to turn the tables, the stitched monstrosity's two arms shot out and grabbed hold of several tentacles binding it. With a mighty heave, it pulled them.
The creature inside the egg emitted an earsplitting shriek as its own tentacles were used against it. The stitched monster continued wrenching them with all its might.
Lynn watched with bated breath. "We will finally see what is hidden inside!" he muttered.
With a final thunderous roar, the stitched creature ripped upwards with explosive force. The thick tentacles were torn from their roots, causing the cracked egg to rupture completely open.
A flood of viscous fluid poured forth from the shattered shell, followed by the true form of the creature within.
What emerged was not the malformed monstrosity that Lynn and Alice were expecting, but rather a humanoid creature comprised entirely of pulsating flesh and writhing tentacles.
Dozens of thin tentacles sprouted from every surface of its flesh, twitching and coiling with a life of their own.
The nightmarish creature dragged itself forward, still connected to the ceiling by a thick bundle of tentacles. As it moved, viscous fluid continued to drip from its body. The thing released an ear-piercing shriek of fury upon seeing the stitched monstrosity that had disrupted its evolution.