Chapter 85
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Afterglow Crow
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My eyes were drooping shut.
Just like during my last evolution, I seemed to be drifting off into sleep without even realizing it.
In a hazy, dreamlike fog, I opened my eyes... but all I could see was darkness.
“Afterglow... quite to my liking.”
At the same time, a sinister, low voice echoed.
I knew exactly who this voice belonged to.
The massive crow I'd glimpsed briefly during my evolution into a Dusk Wing Crow.
The one that had greedily bitten off one of my feathers.
Of course, I hadn't just sat there—I'd snatched one of his in return. But as punishment for that, I'd been blasted by a barrage of destruction beams.
“Yes. Walking the night is the most rational choice.”
The enormous divine bird, a mix of gold and black, gazed down at me from above, where I clung to the ground.
What in the world was this giant crow?
If I had to guess... the feathers consumed when I used Night Feather went straight to him.
Night Feather was a skill I'd acquired back as a Little Night Crow.
When eternal night descended, you paid one feather for overwhelming power.
Thinking about it, the guy in front of me had to be a Night Crow. A crow of the night.
I had no idea why he popped up every time I evolved, though.
“Not just base greed, eh? Patience, biding your time for a bigger prize. Indeed, the one that guy chose.”
That guy?
“Caw! Caw caw!”
Who the heck was that guy?
“I see... still too soon.”
Another cryptic talker like Moona?
Sure, I'd poke Moona's plump butt to vent when he got like this... but no way that'd work on this one.
I'd probably just lose my beak in one jab.
“You'll learn in time.”
Arguing more might just spike my blood pressure and make me collapse, so best to stay zen and thoughtless.
“Well, regardless... since we've met again, a reward is in order.”
The Night Crow extended a single feather, as if bestowing a grand favor.
Last time, I'd just swiped one on my own.
And that was probably a Twilight Feather.
This time, unlike before, he was offering one directly.
“Caw caw.”
In that case, I'll gladly accept.
I snapped up the feather he offered.
Make that two.
“...You little thief, when did you snag that one?”
The one he gave was tinged blue.
The one I'd stolen shimmered crimson.
“Caw! Caw!”
Successfully pickpocketed the guy.
“Hah hah hat! Can't drop my guard around you. Twice now, stealing from me. Good. You've got the guts.”
Right?
Knew you'd approve.
Rustle.
Whoosh!
He flapped his wings, and countless feathers floated into the air.
Gifts for me?
Each one probably a trait or skill.
I had my hopes up... but what came my way was something else entirely.
Zing...
Destruction beams firing from the feathers.
“Still, can't let you leave unscathed.”
Boom!!
Countless beams lashed out in punishment.
*
Congratulations! 【Dusk Wing Crow】 has evolved into 【Afterglow Crow】.
“Caw-gak!”
The encounter with the big nasty crow finally over, I snapped back to reality.
An illusion after all—despite the beams, my body was fine.
“Swung! Swungswung!”
Swungswung waved happily and held up the mirror he'd swiped from the mansion.
My new form looked pretty majestic.
Bigger than before.
If I stretched my waist straight for maximum height, I was about as tall as Kiki or Cherry.
They were short, sure... but my base size had reached the level of a small human.
Just my height was that much, so the rest?
Wings fully spread, I'd hit nearly four meters.
At this size, I could grab Cherry and Kiki, one in each talon, and fly no problem.
My last evolution had black feathers with a red sheen; now, it was black with hints of blue.
“Hmm... your looks have improved quite a bit. Feels like gazing at my younger self.”
What're you on about, Sage?
Anyway, Moona was right—my appearance had gotten even more handsome.
...Meaning I'd leveled up to those bulging raptor eyes now.
Definitely not looking like that kiwi bird.
Enough admiring the exterior. Time to check what species I'd evolved into.
A beautiful crow bearing afterglow feathers.
Its black plumage shifts to afterglow hues in special circumstances, earning it the name Afterglow Crow.
The light it emits carries myriad effects, though what exactly they are remains shrouded in mystery—an enigmatic species.
Afterglow.
If Dusk Wing Crow's keyword was "wings," then Afterglow Crow was probably afterglow itself.
Better to check the new traits than dwell on the description.
You possess unusual potential.
Special reward granted.
Special reward: Acquired 「Afterglow Feather LV1」.
Afterglow Feather.
Probably the reward from that guy this time.
Special reward: 「Twilight Feather LV2」 level increased.
And this one's the result of my beak-work.
Trait slot increased by 1.
As expected, another slot.
Traits were piling up, causing headaches... but five total? Plenty of room for new strategies.
Meaning I could finally deploy that ultra-sturdy beak of mine.
“Caw, caw.”
Satisfied, I eyed my status window and zeroed in on the best part.
「Afterglow Feather LV1」
Dyes a portion of your feathers in afterglow.
Afterglow feathers can emit light. Targets struck enter a shadow state for a duration.
Effects amplify in special situations.
Afterglow Feather!
Damn, this one's a winner.
Emits light like Glow... but turns hits into shadows.
Insanely versatile skill.
Could even use it on allies.
Dragging Moona around had always cramped my shadow style—he'd plop right off.
Swungswung was fine clinging on, but not Moona.
But with this trait?
Moona could tag along in shadow form.
Let's test it.
Using 「Afterglow Feather LV1」.
One of my feathers took on a bluish glow.
And... that was it.
Like Twilight Feather, using it at the wrong time made it pretty underwhelming.
At afterglow hour, my whole body would probably light up blue.
“Caw.”
I stared pointedly at Moona.
“Hmm? What's with that look?”
The plump kiwi bird tilted his head.
Still, one feather had changed, so the power should work.
I focused on the tinted feather.
Sizzle.
Felt just like firing Glow.
Pop!
A bluish beam shot out straight... nailing Moona right in the butt.
“Oho... ohoho... this power...”
Huh?
Moona's condition?
His brown fuzz shifted to a bluish black.
He looked ready to leap up on command.
That's right.
Moona was now a Shadow Kiwi Bird.
“Kiwiwiwiwiwik!”
Either drunk on power or just feral, Moona let out a wild cry.
“Shuoooowoooung!”
Swungswung jumped in shock.
His triangular expression suggested a twinge of jealousy.
Did he think an outsider was invading his cozy shadow spot with me?
Adorably simplistic, just like Swungswung.
Of course, nothing for him to worry about.
“Hmm, quite the novel experience. My body turning to shadow...”
Moona's shadow form didn't last long.
Seconds at best.
Good for dodging in a pinch, maybe.
A tad disappointing, but still an excellent ability.
Shadows opened up all sorts of combo potential.
Plus, it was instant cast—no prep needed.
Prep ahead, sync with Night Summoning?
Like Twilight Feather, my entire plumage would glow afterglow.
Power incomparable to now.
Foes or friends.
Shadow 'em flexibly by situation.
“Caw! Caw caw caw!”
Scored a killer weapon here.
Twilight Feather to toughen myself up. Afterglow Feather to shadow everyone.
And who am I?
A crow that devours the impure.
Common wisdom: can't hit shadows.
My beak says otherwise.
Pecks 'em easy.
Like when I secretly poke Swungswung.
“Caw caw caw...”
I counted the silver coins nestled in Swungswung's arms.
Tin Woodman.
No clear read on the guy yet... but my plan to take him down was shaping up nicely.
I stared hard at the temple's grand doors, where he might lurk.
Almost there.
Just fling those doors open and smash him.
“Caaaang...”
I flopped to the ground, tongue lolling out.
“Shu! Shushuswung!”
Too pumped about evolving, forgot the basics.
Post-evolution left me near collapse.
More precisely, ravenous hunger.
Like now.
Belly first, think later.
“Caaaang... caaang...”
Boss fights are best after a meal, right?