Chapter 38: Exploration
The first time Mamadou evolved, going from an Ark Monkey to an Ark Nocyris Monkey-Ark Nocyris.
There had been a significant difference between what he had been before and what he became afterward.
First of all, the name of his species had changed. Thinking back to the system message, it seemed to him that he would eventually be able to choose the names of his evolutions.
Of course, he had no idea how that mechanism worked, but like everything else, he assumed it would somehow become available when the time came.
After all, this time the system had never asked him to choose a name.
Secondly, evolution altered the structure of his body. Depending on the attributes he possessed before evolving and which of those attributes were retained during the evolution process according to his level, he could end up becoming a being that resembled a mixture of several different creatures.
And finally, there was his overall appearance, which had changed slightly.
However, during this evolution, although he had remained conscious throughout the entire process, he had not been given the opportunity to modify the name of his evolution.
That could only mean one thing.
Despite evolving, he was still an Ark Nocyris.
Perhaps just a slightly different one.
As for his overall appearance, he did not notice any major changes. Nevertheless, his base stats had increased considerably since he had gained a level.
Instead of reverting to Level 1 after becoming a new species.
The most interesting development was that Mamadou had unlocked his Mana stat.
He had no idea how to use it, and as usual, the system offered no explanation whatsoever.
As a result, he did not know what to think.
Was the evolution complete?
Most likely, yes.
Had he truly evolved?
Certainly.
He could feel the changes within himself.
Still, he had expected something greater. Something more impressive.
After all, the retained attributes had belonged to the Green Bear.
Yet none of that had happened.
In any case, evolving and becoming larger came with both advantages and disadvantages, so he was in no hurry. He was convinced that sooner or later, his Evolution ability itself would evolve.
None of this changed his goals.
He had already decided that it was time for him to leave.
Mamadou therefore visited the Greater Ark Monkey a second time to announce his departure.
Unlike their previous meeting, the Greater Ark Monkey said nothing.
Mamadou took the silence as approval and left Mount Meru.
He possessed the object that would allow him to find his way to the stele, something the Greater Ark Monkey had personally given him.
Just like before, he had made all the necessary preparations.
He was ready.
---
Lizard Kin were bipedal lizards that generally lived in swampy regions.
They were an omnivorous species that ate almost anything.
The Lizard Kin were considered particularly dangerous due to their enormous jaws, capable of tearing enemies apart, and their razor-sharp claws.
Several weeks north of Mount Meru—at the pace of a Lizard Kin traveler—there existed a tribe of Lizard Kin living within a vast marshland.
The Safa Tribe.
The Safa Tribe consisted of more than fifty adults.
They survived primarily through fishing and hunting.
Their village stood at the center of the marshes.
The houses were primitive but surprisingly sophisticated in their own way. Built upon large tree trunks and floating above the water, they gave the settlement the appearance of a fishing village.
Recently, however, the tribe had encountered a serious problem.
Several mysterious disappearances.
The situation particularly troubled the tribe’s chief, Safa Versat.
Most Lizard Kin tribes were organized around a chief, and that chief carried the name of the tribe itself. That was why the leader of the Safa Tribe was called Safa; he embodied and represented the tribe.
Safa Versat sat alongside several elders and his brother, Incolsat.
The elders discussed the current situation while Versat remained lost in thought.
"After Zilat, now Ashir has disappeared as well. Every attempt we’ve made to find them has yielded nothing. We can no longer sit around doing nothing! And you all know what I mean."
One of the elders bellowed the words.
The atmosphere was tense.
Five individuals had already vanished without leaving a single trace.
No coherent explanation could be established.
Each disappearance had occurred under different circumstances and at different times, making it impossible to believe they had all willingly left together.
Furthermore, none of the missing individuals had any apparent reason to abandon the marshes.
As a result, numerous theories had been proposed.
One possibility was the arrival of a new predator in the region.
Yet that theory had been dismissed almost immediately after it was suggested.
The explanation that gained the most support among the elders was the interference of a neighboring tribe.
Naturally, the designated culprit was the Azat Tribe.
The Safa Tribe had always maintained a hostile relationship with them.
Conflicts between the two tribes were not uncommon, and that was one of the reasons the Safa Tribe currently had only fifty confirmed adult members.
For some of the elders, this was simply another scheme orchestrated by the Azat.
And if that were true, it amounted to a declaration of war.
"Stop making assumptions without evidence," Incolsat said. "Elder, do you have any proof that the Azat are responsible? We should think carefully before acting. We are not in a position where we should be seeking war."
Unlike many others, Incolsat always looked for ways to avoid conflict.
He was not hot-blooded.
Patience was a natural characteristic of the Lizard Kin, yet the current atmosphere had everyone on edge.
He disliked it.
Something felt wrong.
"Incolsat, how dare you? Have you forgotten the wisdom of your elders? Five disappearances! How many more will it take before our tribe vanishes completely? Who stands to benefit from our downfall if not the Azat?"
"Your fear could cost us everything we hold dear. It is time to teach the Azat that their little tricks are worthless."
The elder snorted.
Several of the other elders appeared to agree.
Safa himself remained silent.
These meetings had become increasingly frequent.
Now the disappearances had been added to the growing list of concerns.
To Safa, the entire situation was becoming a nightmare.
The investigations had produced nothing, while the meetings themselves had become little more than endless arguments.
Some participants offered no constructive ideas whatsoever, unwilling to bear any responsibility for the tribe’s decisions.
"Why don’t we continue investigating the possibility of a new monster in the area?" another elder suggested. "The swamp is vast, and the forest beyond it is even larger. It’s entirely possible that something hostile has recently moved into the region."
"Hmph."
"Then speak your mind, Elder!"
"Isn’t Incolsat’s team leading the investigation? Have they found anything so far? Any trace whatsoever that points to a monster? They have searched the marshes extensively and found nothing. What kind of monster are you hoping to discover? If such a creature truly existed, someone would have seen it by now."
Incolsat was growing tired of the situation.
Since his younger brother, the tribal chief, remained silent, the discussion had reached a dead end.
More wasted time.
After a moment of reflection, Incolsat came up with a new proposal.
"It is true that our investigations have yielded no results so far. Therefore, it is possible that the monster theory should be discarded, as some of you believe.
However, declaring war immediately is not a wise decision.
I am fully aware of the wisdom of our elders, which is why I have another solution to propose."
Safa opened his eyes and looked at his older brother.
A faint glimmer of hope appeared in his heart.
He immediately asked him to continue.
Yet as he listened to the proposal, his expression darkened.
"I will personally travel to the Azat Tribe under the pretext of negotiating an alliance.
I will inform them of the situation.
If I do not return, it will serve as proof that the Azat are truly planning something.
And if I do return, then we must seriously consider the possibility that something dangerous is lurking nearby."
One of the elders smiled.
"Incolsat, I always knew you respected your elders. Young people who believe themselves too intelligent often ignore the wisdom of their seniors, and that can be their downfall. Every piece of knowledge has value."
"Excellent, excellent, Incolsat! A very good initiative! We will provide everything you need for the journey."
Even the elders who usually contributed nothing but empty words saw no flaw in the plan.
They readily agreed.
Incolsat urged the Safa Lizard Kin to travel in groups whenever they hunted or fished and instructed them to maintain strict surveillance over the village.
Although reluctant, Safa eventually allowed his brother to depart for the Azat Tribe.
Incolsat left carrying several gifts and accompanied by a team of three individuals.
---
The marshes were filled with strange plants and unusual trees that Mamadou had never seen before.
Thanks to his evaluation skill, he was able to learn the name and purpose of each one.
Ever since leaving Mount Meru, he had spent most of his time on the move.
He experimented.
He investigated.
He learned.
The knowledge he gained about the surrounding territories complemented what the Greater Ark Monkey had already taught him.
Perched atop a tree, he observed three Lizard Kin traveling below.
They appeared to be carrying a considerable amount of equipment and supplies.
"Man, that Language skill has really proven useful."
