A Gift Beyond Measure
We'd moved quite a distance away.
In the heart of the towering snow mountains, we settled into a cave slightly larger than our usual dwelling.
The original occupant had graciously yielded the spot to me early on.
That a bit of physical persuasion was needed due to our communication barrier is, of course, our little secret.
Shii──
I coiled up and settled in.
The magic stone from the nine-tailed fox floated lazily around me.
Staring at it, excitement bubbled up unbidden.
For me, stagnant for over half a year, this was finally the spark of growth.
At minimum, SA-rank—and a floor boss stone at that. It would surely shatter the wall blocking my progress in one go.
'Maybe even evolution is within reach.'
I'd acquired many magic stones before, but nothing of this caliber. Expectations soared naturally.
After a moment of buoyant gazing at the hovering stone, I swallowed them one by one in sequence.
Notifications rang in my ears after quite some time.
Consumed the magic stone of Blizzard Twin Head Ogre.
SS-rank monster magic stone.
Current body cannot handle all the energy.
Warning: Excessive energy intake will cause severe bodily damage.
Detected skill Gluttony S.
Storing excess energy.
Inherited some skills and stats from Blizzard Twin Head Ogre's magic stone.
Due to skill Cold Immunity SS, skill Cold Resistance A has grown to S-rank.
Due to skill Tough Hide SS, skill Tough Scales A has grown to S-rank.
Due to skill Super Regeneration SS, skill Super Regeneration S has grown to SA-rank.
Due to skill Multiple Personalities SS, skill Multiple Thoughts C has been created.
Consumed the magic stone of Royal Emperor.
SA-rank monster magic stone.
Current body cannot handle all the energy.
Storing excess energy via skill Gluttony.
Inherited some skills and stats from Royal Emperor.
Skill Water Magic C has grown to A-rank.
Skill Intimidation S has grown to SA-rank.
Skill Mana Manipulation S has grown to SS-rank.
Skill Thought Acceleration A has grown to S-rank.
Skill Body Reinforcement S has grown to SA-rank.
Checked merits for evolution.
Evolution impossible.
Conditions not fully met.
Fulfill the conditions.
With the final notification, I quietly opened my eyes.
No evolution, but I felt a massive change.
Subjectively, at least two or three times stronger.
No longer just matching an S-rank monster—I was truly S-rank now.
Stagnant stats had surged, but the skill rank-ups stood out most.
'So there were separate conditions for evolution all this time.'
Ignoring them explained my stalled progress.
Fortunately, the merits for evolution were already accumulated.
All that remained was uncovering those conditions.
'Snow gave me an incredible gift.'
I'd expected a growth catalyst, but not this explosive leap.
Even a mere nudge would have been priceless; now it was invaluable.
'An SS-rank monster stone, no less... astonishing.'
Her archrival must be SS-rank, implying she was too.
Near the pinnacle for monsters.
Second SS-rank I'd encountered.
'On par with Arde... truly area boss level.'
Nothing but awe.
I uncoiled and rose. Glancing outside, dawn had long broken.
I'd thought little time passed, but more had elapsed than expected.
'...Suli must be worried.'
Time to hurry back.
No evolution, but several growth stages in—I brimmed with uncontainable power.
Needed to adapt to it pronto.
On the way, I casually slew visible monsters, but it barely counted as a warm-up.
Might need stronger foes.
And the cave I returned to was in quite an uproar.
"Myaaaaaaaaooooooung───!!!"
Suli's piercing wail filled the air.
Oddly, it reassured more than worried me.
At least she grieved our separation.
Hearing her cry, I quickened my previously languid pace.
Finally at the cave entrance, Snow, Suli, and Tosun awaited.
"Con─! Kyaaang──!!!"
Suli barreled into me, practically slamming.
I lightly stroked her wriggling body with my tail as she nuzzled fiercely.
'Where were you! Why so late!'—that vibe, as she rubbed against me endlessly.
[...Quite late, aren't you, my lord....]
I turned to the feeble voice.
Snow looked twice as haggard as at dawn's parting, gazing quietly.
Even more fatigued than on my arrival.
[Various adjustments needed....]
[...Indeed stronger. Now clearly above local riffraff. Could give the lower-floor ruler I felled a good fight.]
[Is that so? Glad tidings... but your complexion is pallid. Something happen?]
Snow fell silent at my gentle probe, emotions flickering in her eyes.
[Something... much happened. Unexpectedly, Suli adores you deeply. Brief joy at my sight, then nonstop wailing upon realizing your absence.]
Recalled my imprudent query about Snow then.
She'd endured what I had—her state made sense now.
Felt apologetic.
[...You endured well.]
[Ah, endure I did. Personally wished you'd returned sooner... but safe arrival is fortune. Feared you might falter under the stones' power, yet unscathed.]
[Bit risky, but cleared fine... Thanks. Truly grand gift.]
[Merely reciprocation. If more... yes, mere bribe. Henceforth, care well for Suli.]
I nodded calmly. Only then noticed the lingering one.
Pet, toy, Suli's friend.
Tosun's turn to chat.
She trembled in a corner.
[Maaaster! Maaaasteeer!]
With a heungheung─ wail, Tosun charged.
Rare skinship?
Stunned by her instant dash upon my glance.
What's with this uncharacteristic behavior?
[Maaaster! Heung─ I...! Tosun...! Tosun thought... you abandoned meeee─!]
[...Something occur?]
[Woke to ruler glaring, master gone, miss wailing! Thought death imminent!]
Her tear-snotty tale painted the picture.
Indeed... Told Snow ahead, but not Tosun—panic inevitable for her.
Awake to SS+-rank monster. Floor boss, no less.
Missing master.
Crying miss.
Pure chaos. Even I'd panic.
[Sorry. You suffered much.]
[Maaaster─! Heungheung──!!! Tosun... Tosuuun...!!]
I stroked her head with my tail. She nuzzled fiercer.
Not quite Suli's thrill, but pleasing texture.
Might induce this often...? Ask Snow a favor?
More pressingly, mind not slathering snot?
Keep it up, and you'll be dinner.
Usually sharp to my mere glance, but today stress-addled?
Still heungheung─ rubbing.
Pondering devouring that mystery fluid as Suli stirred from my embrace.
Ever her toy... friend's guardian.
"Congcong─!!!"
Suli bounded to her dam.
Excited dash, but her cry's meaning eluded—unlike usual.
I tilted my head. Snow, mid-short exchange with Suli, glanced over.
Offered a troubled smile.
[...Issue?]
[...No, naught. Merely... awkward tale.]
Vague deflection; I cocked my head again.
She smiled troubledly, no answer.
Suli persisted "Congcong!" by Snow.
'Suli's thrilled—good enough?'
"Con! Congcong!"
[Child, that's troublesome. I'm fox, he's snake.]
"Con! Kyaang─!"
[Nay, not dislike...]
"Congcong!"
[Aye. He's near your sire... but species differ....]
"Kyaaaaang!"
[...Very well. Who bests our child's stubbornness? Mother shall strive....]
"Congcong?"
[Tsk, doubt this mother? With will, any male falls. Trust expert mother here.]
"Con!"
Last bit clear: 'Trust!'—trust what?
Intrigued.
More, exclude me?
Jealousy stirred.
[Heungheung─ Maaasteeer─!!!]
Right... you suffice.
So, Tosun—rare, well-done, or medium?
Ah, medium your fancy?
Nah, just dinner chat.
Craving rabbit after ages. Must poll cooking.
[Heungheung──!!!]
Her wail intensified.
Nah, jest.
Thus Suli, not tormenting your toy... friend?
Cease headbutts?
Feels good, but prefer paw strikes....
Regained Suli's focus.
Grinned at staring Snow.
Her pitying gaze stung.
Felt defeated.