Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Evolution is a Good Thing
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Evolution!
I'd never even imagined it, but there was no way it could be anything but good.
Evolution is always good.
"Kek!"
I'd warned everyone ahead of time.
I'm gonna do something, so you all hold down the fort.
"Shoong!"
Shoongie puffed up its body, striking a pose like it would protect me.
Hmm, no need to go that far, but whatever.
With Moona and Shoongie keeping watch around us, I checked out the evolution options.
Come on.
New evolution!
The Dusk Wing Crow can evolve into:
1. Black Wing Crow
2. White Twin Head Crow
3. Giant Gold Kiwi
4. Tesla Bird
Straightforward names.
Let's check them one by one.
Black Wing Crow.
Just what it says—a crow with black wings.
Probably a wing-specialized route.
...But why bother?
No matter how you look at it, doesn't Dusk Wing feel like the superior species?
Next.
White Twin Head Crow.
White keeps popping up in the options, which is super suspicious.
Why keep trying to turn a black crow white?
Feels like something bad'll happen.
And two heads? Pass.
I didn't pick Shadow Twin Head last time either.
Next...
Giant Gold Kiwi.
The name alone makes my mouth water.
But it doesn't fit me.
I mean, what could a giant gold kiwi even do?
Moona's at least smart. If I became a kiwi, I'd just be a money-grubbing kiwi bird.
Pass on you too.
Last one: Tesla Bird.
Tsk, the name sounds ridiculously cool.
Like a bird that could fly to Mars.
Probably handles lightning or something.
But it feels kinda harmful somehow.
Like it's connected to X-Bird or whatever.
....
Truth is, these aren't the main event.
Just generic options any crow could reach after wasting time.
What I want is a special evolution.
Since the level needed for each evolution keeps rising, I have to pick the best ones possible.
In that sense, special evolutions aren't optional—they're essential.
...But did I meet any special conditions this time?
Anything special after becoming a Dusk Wing Crow?
Of course.
I dueled a holy knight, and I took down the Red Witch myself.
That's gotta qualify for a special evolution, right?
Not as big as offing the Eternal Night host last time, but still, I worked hard enough.
....
Come on out?
Yes!
That's how it's supposed to be!
Proves I wasn't just messing around since becoming a Dusk Wing Crow.
New options available. Condition: Interact with the Big Bad Wolf / Neutralize the Red Cape.
Whew, dodged a bullet.
If I hadn't stopped by Hansel and Gretel's cottage, I never would've met that condition.
Thanks to Shoongie sniffing out the cookie smell, we made it there.
"Shoong."
Definitely no ordinary stroke of luck.
Holding off on praising Shoongie for now—time to unwrap this gift.
The Dusk Wing Crow can evolve into:
1. Black Wing Crow
2. White Twin Head Crow
3. Giant Gold Kiwi
4. Tesla Bird
5. Big Bad Crow
6. Red Crow
The special evolutions finally show themselves.
But they look a bit different from what I imagined.
Not "crow," but "raven," and the descriptors blatantly show where they came from.
First, Big Bad Crow.
Tied to my connection with the Big Bad Wolf, Black Fang, no doubt.
Straight up becoming a big bad raven.
The name's just flair—probably not actually evil.
This seems like a solid pick.
Black Fang's powers are shadow-based too.
Big Bad Crow would mean specializing in shadow abilities.
Shadowform and Shadow Flame.
Both super useful skills—I'd get a lot out of this.
Next, Red Crow.
The name somehow looks blood-red.
Red.
Super red.
Feels like it'd make my feathers stand on end.
Probably three times faster or something.
Likely from encountering the red cape—er, Red Witch.
I'd mimic some of her powers.
Summon chains, control undead.
Decent abilities, but I can't shake the feeling it'd corrupt my mind.
By the book, Big Bad Crow's the way to go.
But something felt off.
I'm a Dusk Wing Crow now.
Was a Little Night Crow before.
Night and Dusk.
They mean night and twilight.
My lineage so far doesn't connect well to these new forms.
Based on past experience, there has to be another raven named after a time of day.
It's just not showing because I haven't met the conditions.
I'd love to fulfill them, but that's too optimistic.
Waiting around not knowing when—no way.
Dying without evolving would be such a rip-off.
If I can't meet conditions right now, better to evolve anyway.
Yeah, Big Bad Crow.
You're the one.
I was about to peck the status window to confirm.
Save the Contractor
You have formed a contract with the apprentice witches, Kiki and Cherry.
But due to someone's scheme, the apprentice witches have fallen into the underground labyrinth and been captured by the Executioner.
Your contractors have kept their mouths shut, but if the Executioner gets to work, they'll spill the truth.
Then, another intruder arrived.
Her identity: the Plague Witch.
The Executioner and the Plague Witch have begun fighting to kill each other, leaving your bound contractor trembling helplessly.
If you rescue them, your contractor will gladly accept even an unfair contract.
📍 Quest Clear Condition: Save the contractor(s).
🎁 Quest Clear Reward: Unlock special evolution option.
"Kak!"
I flapped my wings in surprise.
A subquest out of nowhere?
Right before evolving?
I knew instinctively.
The holy status window was giving me a chance.
...But isn't this timing way too perfect?
Like it was waiting for this moment.
Doubting the window won't make anything pop out right away, but I'll keep it in mind.
For now, check the new quest.
The name alone is ominous—better look quick.
The Plague Witch was involved.
Makes sense now, with all those plague rats and boars running around.
What's shocking is that the Executioner and Plague Witch are already clashing.
Even more shocking: Kiki and Cherry are caught in the middle.
Wait, why are you guys there?
Thanks for not spilling my identity, but...
Ugh, you hopeless idiots.
Can't do anything without me.
Not like I have a real reason to save them.
Right now, a witch and an executioner are duking it out.
Best to let them mutual-destroy. If I butt in, they might team up and sandwich me.
I toyed with the Executioner right in front of him, and the witch is my enemy.
But that reward down there is too tempting to ignore.
Unlock special evolution option.
Probably means an even better one than these.
Not that I care about saving the contractors, but the reward's too good to pass up.
Of course, no plans to face them head-on.
Even one-on-one is iffy—two at once? No thanks.
My goal: rescue Kiki and Cherry.
Sneak in and snatch 'em—that clears it.
Obviously impossible to infiltrate between those powerhouses.
So think different.
Barge in openly and cause chaos.
Imprint my image strong.
Then what?
Bolt immediately, evolve, and claim...
The chaos was caused by a Dusk Wing Crow. I'm a different raven.
Blind trust, sure, but what can ya do?
They've got suspicions but no proof.
Not really gonna say it like that—just enough confusion to throw off the hunt.
Clearing this quest should unlock another evolution form.
Chain Raven.
Plague Raven.
Or maybe aim for the next stage of Dusk Wing Crow.
Twilight's a time of day, right?
A crow that grows stronger at twilight.
If I can evolve into one named after another time?
More time slots where I'm powered up.
From the enemy's view: fighting a twilight-feathered crow, then suddenly facing a totally different ability set as time passes.
Sounds like drinking kimchi soup before it's made, but hey, it promises a new evolution form.
"Kak!"
Plan set.
Crash their fight, wreak havoc, rescue Kiki and Cherry.
Of course, I don't know where they are.
But that's no issue.
"Chik! Chiiik!"
Beasts named after the plague.
Among them, the red-eyed ones have a habit of rushing off somewhere in a hurry.
Gotta be connected to the Plague Witch.
Follow the red-eyed ones without catching them, and I'll find Kiki and Cherry.
"Kak, kekek!"
I clacked beaks with Moona and Shoongie.
Now for what I'm best at.
Time to be the ultimate troll raven and cause maximum chaos.