Three Years Asleep: Ricoris Awakens
Huh!!!???
What? What? What is this??? My heart started pounding like crazy. Or at least, it felt that way. I'd only glanced at it briefly, but so much had changed—way too much. "Evolvable," an absurdly high level of 140, stats that looked all wrong. Even more skills and traits than before.
No way... what the hell is this...?
The name field and the "3 years old" info were especially shocking. Ricoris? And I'd been out for three whole years?
Wasn't it just a short blackout...?
Was this massive change the result of those three long years? I couldn't calm down at all.
Okay, one by one, let's check it out...
[Ricoris] - Named by Frostia.
The spot that had always said (Nameless) was now filled with "Ricoris."
A name bestowed by my owner...?
A name wasn't just a sound. It was proof of who I was, a member of this world.
Ricoris... thank you...
Was this how a stray cat or dog felt when given a name by its owner? A wave of emotion crashed over my entire body.
Wait, it's not some binding curse like a lifelong geas, right...?
No, it couldn't be. Don't doubt her! Before the wave of emotion could crash from needless suspicion, I quickly shifted my gaze aside.
Evolvable and level 140. 140... incomparable to back when I was partying with monsters in the mid-layers. At this level, evolution was a given—maybe I'd even missed the timing already. High levels meant high stats, and sure enough, every number was in the four digits. Even Petramos, the one that despaired me in games, would turn to dust in an instant before me.
Whoa...
The most shocking part was the auxiliary battery. The max capacity was gone, replaced by an absurdly huge number asserting its presence.
680,000...? Is this even possible?
The reason seemed to be a new skill I'd never seen before.
Crimson Apocalypse - Perfectly controls blood. Stores absorbed blood.
A skill that seemed like an evolution of Crimson Rebirth. No skill level? Was this the final evolution? I didn't know the details, but this must be why the capacity vanished.
Trance - Acts even without consciousness.
A new skill at level 8 already. During those three years, this skill must have moved my body in my place.
Did this skill keep feeding me blood instead? And the blood came from my owner?
The other skills stayed the same level, but only Crimson Apocalypse evolved, so yeah, that tracks. Oh, Freeze Block hit level 7. Must've gone up on its own.
[Frostia's Cherished Plant] - Frostia's most treasured flower!
She really raised me with all her heart...
Seeing the new trait, I felt like I was turning into a loyal hunting dog bursting with devotion. Especially, how much blood did she give to fill the battery to 680k? Once I finished checking the status, I'd send her a heartfelt thank-you. Finally, [Blood Heaven's Dew] gave off an ominous vibe.
[Blood Heaven's Dew] - Blood tastes delicious.
Hmm. A flashy name for a pretty useless trait. Or was it? I'd only eaten blood so far—making it taste better wouldn't hurt.
Looks like it'll make me a blood magic powerhouse or something...
A bit disappointing, but better than fire weakness or some other nonsense trait. I turned my gaze to Frostia.
Hearts are hearts even in another world, right?
Cautiously, I raised one root from the ground. I curved the pitch-black tip into a heart shape.
Hmm... kinda embarrassing...
At that moment, Frostia's expression changed drastically. Her pure white eyes widened in an instant, and her icy, rigid face crumbled.
"Ri...!"
A small gasp escaped her lips. The hem of her silver dress fluttered, and her flowing silver hair seemed to pause.
Is it that surprising...?
Wondering if the root-heart was a mistake, I started to retract it when Frostia took a step closer. She stared at me with an expression of bewilderment I'd never seen.
"Rico, ri ri ri ri!?"
Her cry echoed through the icy mountains. Still unintelligible, but joy overflowed from her face. Oh, she had a nickname for me too.
Good... my owner likes it.
Now, time to evolve. As I focused energy on the flower part, red light exploded outward.
This is...! The massive light symbolizing a cataclysm!
When the evolutionary light faded, my form hadn't changed much—disappointingly. But I'd grown taller, now reaching Frostia's chest.
Huh...?
Suddenly, a sweet fragrance rose from my petals. In the flower's center, between the stamens, transparent nectar began to form.
What's this now...?
Frostia's already wide eyes grew even larger.
"Ri! Ri ri ri?"
My owner seemed to be asking what the nectar was. Status window, quick!
Pollen-Paralysis LV1 - Paralysis property infuses released pollen.
Pollen-Healing LV1 - Healing property infuses released pollen.
Pollen-Bleeding LV1 - Bleeding property infuses released pollen.
Pollen-Corrosion LV1 - Corrosive property infuses released pollen.
Pollen-Decay LV1 - Decay property infuses released pollen.
Flower Nectar LV1 - Delicious flower nectar is produced.
No stat changes, but Pollen-Seduction got a bunch of new friends. More importantly, the nectar.
Delicious! Flower Nectar!
The picky status window called it delicious, so how good could it be? I pointed at the nectar with the root I'd used for the heart shape earlier.
Here, have a taste!
"Ri ri ri?"
With what seemed like a questioning tone, my owner brushed the flower's center with her long, translucent fingertip.
Eek!...
Suddenly, goosebumps rippled through me—but it felt good.
Wait, what!?
What the hell was this situation? Hurriedly checking the touched spot, I saw new stamens had formed. Small and cute, but sparkling like pink diamonds.
Did these appear during evolution!? And these are my sensitive spots!?
Come to think of it, they looked just like pistils. And I'm a girl, after all...
This is driving me crazy... what if this breaks me...? Or corrupts me...?
As I imagined a horrific future, my owner licked her fingertip. Her galaxy-shining eyes lit up even brighter.
"Ri! Ri ri ri!!!"
Good, it tasted great. Of course—who made it? After sucking her finger clean, she brought it back toward my sensitive spot.
"Ri ri!"
Ack! Wait a sec! I need time to mentally prepare!!!
I tried blocking her approaching hand with my raised root, but it was no match for my owner.
Rub rub
Hah! Heee...
...After a few repetitions, my holy essence was completely drained.
"Rico, ri ri ri!"
Haa... is it finally over...
Despite countless crises, I hadn't fallen. Impressive.
Hm?
After the heaven—or hell—of rubbing ended, my restored detection radar picked up something flying toward me.
A butterfly the size of a human head flew in gracefully. Its translucent sky-blue wings shimmered like auroras in the light, and its slender antennae sparkled silver.
A... butterfly...?
Its wings, like carved blue crystals, bore mysterious patterns, and sparkling powder scattered from the tips. Nothing like the butterflies I knew—this was a stunning beauty.
No way... does this one want my nectar too...?
Five stars was surprising, but lower level than me, and with the strongest dragon here? Not scared for its life?
I glanced at my owner.
"Rico! Ri ri ri ri ri ri!"
Her face bloomed with joy, her clear soprano ringing out refreshingly. She was definitely delighted.
No way! She wants to see my nectar get sucked?!