Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Twilight Wings
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My eyes are drooping shut.
I've made my choice, so now it's time for the evolution.
The process of reshaping my bones and regrowing my feathers should begin.
...
That's how it should be, but something feels off.
A hazy sensation, like I'm dreaming.
Even with my eyes open, all I see is pitch-black darkness.
I wondered what was happening and tried to look around.
That's when a cawing crow's cry rang out, and enormous feathers blocked my view.
A massive bird looked down at me.
A gigantic crow with gold and black mixed in its plumage.
It was a divine beast with a mystical aura that perfectly suited the term "sacred bird."
The crow's golden eyes stared straight at me.
"Twilight Wings."
A sinister, low voice echoed through the entire space.
Even covering my ears with my wings couldn't block it out.
"A choice too grand for one of your stature."
The crow looked down at me with what seemed like amusement as I covered my ears.
It lowered its head right in front of me.
Clasped in its massive black beak was a small green feather.
I knew exactly what that feather was.
The feather from the Venom Mantis that I'd consumed using Night Feather.
The one that had granted me the power of storms for a brief moment.
The being before me was a Night Crow.
In other words, a crow of the night.
The Night Feather skill I'd used involved offering my own feather to obtain one of its feathers.
It greedily snatched my small feather, which seemed mismatched with its huge size.
"I expect a different showing when we meet again."
With that, the crow turned its head.
My vision blurred at the same moment.
It sent me back without even showing me anything.
But didn't I forget something?
I stealthily snatched the guy's feather with my beak.
"Caw."
There's an old saying: if someone gives, you should receive.
I gave it my green feather, so taking one of its feathers in return should be fine, right?
With that, I plucked one of its feathers.
Its golden eyes stared intently at me.
What are you gonna do about it?
It's just a dream anyway—what can you even do?
Ziiiiing.
Huh?
What was that ominous sound?
"Heh heh... Yes, that's the right amount of greed."
Its voice seemed to acknowledge me, but an unsettling scene unfolded around us.
Its feathers filled the sky in an instant.
Craaaaaack!
Destruction beams fired simultaneously from each feather.
"Peep?!"
*
I didn't end up as roast crow.
Because that was just a dream.
I knew that, so I reacted with complete composure.
I absolutely did not make a chick-like squeak and stayed perfectly dignified.
Congratulations! 【Shadow Crow】 has evolved into 【Dusk Wing Crow】.
A bit embarrassed, I quickly shifted my gaze to the status window message.
Evolution successful.
【Dusk Wing Crow】
A very rare crow with beautiful wings.
Its black feathers turn the color of twilight in special circumstances, earning it the name Twilight Wings.
Its primary hunting method uses steel-like wings, and it slaughters foes with abilities specialized to each individual. A beautiful hunter.
Just reading the description tells me it's no ordinary bird.
I was satisfied as a Shadow Crow, but this is beyond that.
Twilight Wings—a name that stirs a man's heart.
As the name includes "Wing," it seems this form specializes in wing-based combat.
A Metal Claw Crow under the same conditions would probably have something about steel claws.
You possess Extraordinary Potential.
A special reward will be granted.
As a special reward, you acquire 「Twilight Feather LV1」.
Twilight Feather!
The name alone screams power.
Trait Slot has increased by 1.
And now another trait slot—perfect for even more strategic options.
First, let's check the main menu.
「Twilight Feather LV1」
Dyes some feathers twilight-colored.
Twilight-dyed feathers gain steel-like hardness and move according to the user's will.
Twilight Feathers amplify effects in special situations.
"Caaaw!"
Like Night Feather, Twilight Feather is part of the feather series.
Feather skills are guaranteed winners.
To sum up the description: I can turn some of my feathers into twilight feathers.
Those feathers become incredibly tough and move at my command.
Like telekinesis, sort of?
In wuxia terms, maybe something close to Flying Sword control.
And the amplification in special situations probably means at twilight, as the name suggests.
This is tremendous growth.
With this, I wouldn't be completely overwhelmed in a rematch with that scarecrow at full strength.
Evolution is oddly addictive—the more I do it, the stronger I get.
Not just a little stronger, either; it's a full transformation worthy of the term "shedding the mortal coil."
...Well, it literally reshapes bones and replaces feathers, so yeah.
An additional reward will be granted.
"Caw?"
Additional reward?
Come to think of it, Twilight Feather was a special reward, not additional.
"Caaaw..."
Did stealing that giant crow's feather in the dream cause this?
If I'd known, I'd have plucked a handful instead of just one.
You acquire 「Night Calling LV1」.
Night Calling...!
Another cool name.
「Night Calling LV1」
Designates an area by offering tribute.
Sets the time of day within the area for a short duration.
Duration and effects depend on the quality and quantity of the tribute.
Night Calling.
As the name implies, it summons night.
For me, setting the area to twilight to synergize with Twilight Feather would be ideal.
Of course, using the skill won't actually make the sun set or rise.
It's more like deceiving the area briefly.
Either way, I got a skill that fits me perfectly.
Even calling other times of day could be useful.
Especially since no one else will figure out how it works—great for bluffing.
If I face an opponent I can't beat, I can switch time zones dramatically to show I'm no pushover.
【Dusk Wing Crow LV1】
【Status】
「Elated」
「Confident」
【Skills】
「Crow's Eye LV3」
「Bird's Wisdom LV2」
「Shadow Flame LV2」
「Night Feather LV1」
「Twilight Feather LV1」
「Night Calling LV1」
【Traits】
「Sturdy Beak (Mountain Eater)」
「Sharp Beak (Tree Eater)」
「Shadow Form」
The status window even shows my Shadow Crow abilities are intact.
...Is it okay to get this strong?
That giant crow in the dream said I fell short of expectations, but I'm not even two weeks old.
At my age, most crows can't even open their eyes, yet it butts in.
"Caw."
"Snooore... snoo... sung?"
SungSung, snoring beside me, woke up.
"Shuuuung!"
SungSung's membrane spread wide.
Meaning it was startled.
"Hoo... Not a bad look."
Muna wore an intrigued expression too.
...Though with those tiny eyes, all expressions look the same.
But have you guys gotten smaller?
Kiwi makes sense since its level dropped, but SungSung too?
"Shoooong..."
SungSung floated off somewhere, then returned with a mirror.
Wanting me to check my appearance?
"Sung!"
It pointed at the shiny mirror with its shiny face.
I was curious too.
Had I evolved into a form befitting Twilight Wings?
I looked into the mirror.
What I saw was feathers like those painted with a master's single stroke...
Well, not quite—it was a pretty cool-looking crow.
I wondered if Twilight Wings meant different colors somewhere, but overall, it looked much like before.
The subtle red sheen depending on the light was especially striking.
Probably at twilight, the feathers change fully, living up to the Dusk Wing name.
I spread my wings.
Hard to measure precisely, but wingspan around 3 meters.
Not my full size, of course.
Body-wise, just over 1 meter tall.
Still, big enough to grab and lift an average human with my talons.
Who'd believe I'm a two-week-old chick?
"That little gust from before has grown this much."
"Shuuuung!"
No one but these lucky finds would think that.
"Caw!"
Despite the fierce battle, my body itched for more.
I wanted to test my new abilities wildly.
And check the performance of that gem the scarecrow left.
"Rest should come first. With your new form, filling your belly is the priority."
Kiwi approached, holding grubs it'd caught somewhere.
Appreciated, but it looked kinda gross.
"Shaaak!"
For some reason, SungSung—with its now-pointed membrane—held a stag beetle.
What was this situation?
I got that they wanted me to eat and recover, but something felt off.
An inexplicable weirdness hung in the air.
Why did it feel like they were competing?
"Open your beak. I'll feed you myself."
No need for that.
"Shaaauuung!"
SungSung, why are you suddenly going for the mouth too?
As I pondered how to handle this bizarre scene,
A new Main Quest has been unlocked.
Thankfully, a lifeline appeared to distract me.
*
In some ruins deep in the Forgotten Forest.
The iron ruins had long since rusted.
A massive being sat upon a throne of rusted iron.
This being was also made of iron, untouched by rust.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Moving iron does not rust.
Is that why it remained unrusting?
No. That being had guarded its post without stirring for decades.
It had fused with the iron throne in appearance.
Anyone who knew it would think:
Even a hundred years from now, that giant golem won't move.
But right now.
The massive tin being opened its eyes.
"...Gone, is it, Scarecrow."
Not a trace of emotion in its icily emotionless voice.
He had been a woodcutter, lost his human limbs, gained a tin body.
At the end of a long journey, he became the Tin Lord.
His tin body bore no rust, but his human heart was so broken it was unrecognizable. He slowly rose his massive frame.
To prepare for the guest who would come seeking him.