Arthur stirred.
Inside his cocoon, he could feel the remnants of the tribulation storm still echoing through his bones, a faint hum of power lingering in his body. The egg that had once encased him was in pieces, shards of the hardened shell floating in the water around him. The light was faint, dimmed by the vastness of the underwater cave. The moment his eyes opened, he knew something had changed.
His claws flexed, the sensation of strength coursing through his new form. He moved with ease, his body now massive, easily dwarfing the size he had been before. The transformation had left him powerful, but also... different.
The system’s voice chimed in, breaking the silence.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]:
Congratulations, Arthur! You have successfully evolved to Stage Two!
The screen blinked in his mind’s eye, and Arthur could feel a new layer of power pulsing through him. His Void Core, now stronger than ever, hummed with energy, actively drawing in essence from the surrounding water. It was a slow, constant process, but he could feel it—the essence flowing into him, subtly strengthening his stamina and healing the minor wounds from his previous battles. His connection with the elements of Light and Darkness had grown deeper, more innate, as though they were now part of his very soul.
But there was something else.
His Void Core was showing cracks.
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Arthur’s molten eyes flickered with curiosity. The core, once smooth and solid, now had tiny fractures running across its surface, like something inside it was trying to break free. The system had said nothing about it—yet—but he could feel it, the latent energy, the pressure of something vast within him waiting to be unleashed.
As his senses adjusted, Arthur took a moment to assess his new form. He was much larger now, about the size of a baby King Kong, his blackened scales darker and tougher than before. Two small horns had sprouted on the sides of his head, adding to his imposing appearance. His wings—previously rudimentary—had grown significantly, though still not meant for flight. They would, however, make swimming a lot easier.
He stretched his new limbs, testing their strength, before the system chimed again.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
New features unlocked: [Analysis] and [Profile Interface]. You are now able to view the status of creatures equal to or weaker than you.
Arthur’s eyes gleamed. Finally, something useful. The world around him wasn’t a complete mystery anymore. Now, he could see his enemies for what they truly were.
He mentally summoned his profile.
Profile: Arthur
Race: Drake Of Destruction
Realm: Second Stage
Size: 75 feet
Core: Void Core (Cracked, absorbing essence)
Elemental Affinity: Destruction
Abilities:
Hardened Carapace: Increase the durability of your scales by imitating the crab’s natural armor.
Aquatic Swiftness: Adapt further to underwater environments, drastically increasing swimming speed while reducing the energy cost of movement in water.
Aura of Dread: Project an overwhelming sense of terror to nearby enemies, causing them to hesitate or flee in fear.
Destruction Pulse: Emit destructive energy in low-level shockwaves passively, weakening surrounding structures. Activate to unleash a powerful blast of destructive force, breaking down physical and energy-based obstacles.
Arthur read through the list, his attention lingering on the note about his Void Core. It seemed to be cracking, like something inside wanted out. He scrolled further, when suddenly a new notification flashed.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Select your path: Good, Neutral, or Evil.
Arthur stared at the prompt. His mind raced through the possibilities. He had anticipated something after his evolution, but this?
The system elaborated, breaking down each path:
The Good path promised blessings from the world itself. But there was a catch—he would be bound by the rules of justice and morality. Arthur scoffed. It wasn’t in his nature to help everyone he crossed paths with. The idea of sacrificing his goals for the sake of others? That didn’t sit right with him.
The Evil path was the opposite. Raw, unbridled power in exchange for living in constant conflict. He’d be hunted by those who deemed him a threat, always needing to look over his shoulder. And though it offered strength, it also painted a target on his back.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. The Neutral path intrigued him the most. It didn’t promise glory or destruction, but freedom. The system explained that choosing this path meant walking the line between light and dark, good and evil. The world wouldn’t punish him for stepping on toes, nor would it reward him for doing the "right thing." Arthur would live solely for himself, free of alliances or enemies... as long as he maintained balance. If he strayed too far in either direction, the path would shift.
Arthur’s claws flexed as he weighed his options. The Evil path was tempting—immense power, no moral limits—but there was a reason he had fought the Titan of Light in his mindscape. He still had an affinity for the Light, despite his leanings toward destruction. Giving up that part of himself felt... wrong. And yet, the Good path felt too restrictive. He wasn’t here to play savior.
Neutral was the only real choice. It gave him the freedom to evolve on his terms, without the weight of the world judging his every move.
"I choose the Neutral path."
A soft glow enveloped him, and Arthur felt a subtle shift in his being. A delicate halo of neutrality, neither radiant nor dark, hovered just above him. It wasn’t powerful, but it was there—a symbol of the balance he would walk.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have chosen the Neutral path. You will receive no boons or punishments from the world, but your actions must remain balanced. Stray too far in either direction, and your path will change.
Arthur grunted. This was good. No chains, no limits. Just him and his ambition. He lived for himself—he wasn’t about to let some divine powers dictate his every move.
He opened up his profile again.
Profile: Arthur
Race: Drake Of Destruction
Path: Neutral (New!)
Realm: Second Stage
Size: 75 feet
Core: Void Core (Cracked, absorbing essence) [Mythical Grade]
Elemental Affinity: Destruction [Beginner]
Abilities:
Hardened Carapace: Increase the durability of your scales by imitating the crab’s natural armor.
Aquatic Swiftness: Adapt further to underwater environments, drastically increasing swimming speed while reducing the energy cost of movement in water.
Aura of Dread: Project an overwhelming sense of terror to nearby enemies, causing them to hesitate or flee in fear.
Destruction Pulse: Emit destructive energy in low-level shockwaves passively, weakening surrounding structures. Activate to unleash a powerful blast of destructive force, breaking down physical and energy-based obstacles.
Curiosity itched at him. His [Map] had expanded during the evolution. He brought it up, watching as the scope of the world unfolded before his eyes. The Scorching Badlands—once a terrifying territory—was now just a small island surrounded by the vast ocean. Far off to the north, a place called the Icy Peaks caught his eye. It looked like an inhospitable, frozen wasteland, and Arthur quickly dismissed it.
There were more pressing matters.
His gaze settled on the filters now available to him. He quickly eliminated red dots—those signifying creatures far too powerful for him right now. He wasn’t ready for them, not yet. Green and yellow markers remained, including a faint yellow one nearby, hidden close to where the Serpent had emerged. It was weaker, but not to be underestimated.
Arthur smirked. "A mental ability... perfect."