I moved through the forest.
Moonlight filtered through leaves.
Forming mottled light and shadow on the ground.
I used spatial perception to probe the surroundings.
Ensured no danger.
Walked for about two hours.
The moon had tilted westward.
Dawn was approaching.
Finally—
I found a suitable place.
A small clearing surrounded by rocks.
Three sides were stone walls.
Only one entrance.
Easy to defend, hard to attack.
I carefully inspected it once.
Used spatial perception to probe 50 meters around.
No magic beasts.
A small stream nearby.
Water flowing clear.
Very concealed location.
Not easily discovered.
Decided to rest here temporarily.
My consciousness sank into the Dimensional Cheek Pouch.
"Come out."
All members emerged from the space.
Spike was first to jump out.
Looked around.
"This place is good," it said.
"Seems safe."
Shell walked to the stone wall.
Tapped it with his claw.
"Very solid."
Brownie walked toward the stream.
Crouched to check the water source.
"Water's clean."
Waspy flew a circle.
"Only one entrance, easy to defend."
"Let's stay here for now," I said.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
After settling in.
I looked at Shadow, Horn, and Venom.
Opened the panel, found they were all max level.
"You three," I said.
"Can evolve now."
Horn walked over.
"How do we evolve?"
"I'll help you check," I said.
"There are different directions to choose."
"I'll help you pick the most suitable."
I looked at Shadow first.
Opened its evolution panel.
Several evolution directions appeared.
Each with different characteristics.
Some focused on speed.
Some on attack.
Some on stealth.
I looked carefully.
Combined with Shadow's combat style.
It excelled at fast movement and reconnaissance.
Shadow abilities were very suitable.
"I suggest you choose this," I said.
"Phantom Bat."
"Shadow abilities will be stronger."
"Can traverse through shadows."
Shadow nodded.
"Okay."
I looked at Horn.
Opened its evolution panel.
Also had several directions.
Defense-focused.
Speed-focused.
Strength-focused.
Horn had always been frontline combat.
Using horn charges.
Strength type most suitable.
"Choose this one," I said.
"Iron Horn Ram."
"Ramming force will be very strong."
"Horn will become hard as iron."
Horn's eyes lit up.
"Got it."
Finally, Venom.
I opened its panel.
Also had multiple choices.
Toxin enhancement.
Control type.
Area type.
Venom's poison was strong.
If could expand range.
Tactical value would be higher.
"Choose this one," I said.
"Deadly Venom Toad."
"Can release poison mist."
"Very wide range."
Venom nodded.
"Okay."
All three confirmed their directions.
They found a quiet spot.
Sat down.
Closed their eyes.
Same as before.
After confirming choice, evolution would begin.
Sure enough—
Almost simultaneously.
All three began glowing.
Shadow was deep blue light.
Horn was silver-gray light.
Venom was purple-green light.
The glow grew brighter.
Illuminating the entire clearing.
Other members watched.
Spike: "So beautiful."
Shell: "They're getting stronger."
Waspy and Brownie exchanged glances.
They could feel the magic changing.
Three powerful magic forces surging.
"Need some time," Waspy said.
"We'll guard nearby."
I nodded.
Sat at the entrance.
Used spatial perception to watch the surroundings.
Time passed bit by bit.
The light grew brighter.
After about several hours.
The glow began receding.
Shadow's light vanished first.
I looked at it.
Body size increased somewhat.
Wings broader.
Membrane wings had shadow-like patterns.
Overall color deeper.
Close to black.
Then Horn.
Light dissipated.
Its body size grew much larger.
At least double what it was before.
Muscles more developed throughout.
Horn became thick and sturdy.
Gleaming with metallic luster.
Finally, Venom.
Light withdrew into its body.
Its body size also grew.
Poison sacs on its skin more prominent.
Purple patterns on its back.
Looked more dangerous.
All three completed evolution.
I immediately checked their panels.
[Phantom Bat] [Shadow]
[Level: 1/50]
[Experience: 0/100]
[HP: 310/310]
[MP: 290/290]
[Strength: 30]
[Defense: 24]
[Speed: 52]
[Luck: 20]
[Bat-type magic beast that commands shadow force, can freely traverse through shadows, extremely strong perception ability]
[Traits: Shadow Fusion, Ultrasonic Perception, Night Walker]
[Skills: Shadow Glide, Shadow Escape, Ultrasonic Wave, Claw (Skilled), Blood Drain (Skilled)]
Speed 52.
Much higher than before.
And gained Shadow Fusion and Shadow Escape.
Stealth ability would be very strong.
I looked at Horn's panel.
[Iron Horn Ram] [Horn]
[Level: 1/50]
[Experience: 0/100]
[HP: 400/400]
[MP: 180/180]
[Strength: 48]
[Defense: 40]
[Speed: 28]
[Luck: 16]
[Ram-type magic beast with iron-reinforced horns, incredible ramming force, combat power greatly enhanced in mountain and rocky terrain]
[Traits: Iron Horns, Mountain Adaptation, Charge Mastery]
[Skills: Iron Horn Charge, Trample, Horn Shield, Ram (Skilled), Rock Crusher]
Strength 48.
Defense 40.
HP 400.
Pure strength type.
Frontal charge would be terrifying.
Finally, Venom.
[Deadly Venom Toad] [Venom]
[Level: 1/50]
[Experience: 0/100]
[HP: 280/280]
[MP: 340/340]
[Strength: 26]
[Defense: 28]
[Speed: 38]
[Luck: 24]
[Toad-type magic beast that secretes deadly poison, can release wide-range poison mist, extremely toxic, immune to most toxins]
[Traits: Deadly Toxin Generation, Poison Mist Diffusion, Toxin Immunity]
[Skills: Venom Spray (Skilled), Poison Mist Release, Tongue Lash, Leap (Skilled), Toxin Enhancement]
MP 340.
Highest of the three.
Poison Mist Release should consume a lot.
But range control would be very strong.
All three successfully evolved.
And all became much stronger.
"Try your new abilities," I said.
Shadow flapped its wings and flew up.
Much faster than before.
Circled once around the clearing.
Then—
Merged into shadow.
Completely disappeared.
Even my spatial perception couldn't find it.
After a few seconds.
It reappeared.
Flew out from another shadow.
"Shadow Escape," Shadow said.
"Can move between shadows."
Very powerful ability.
Especially at night.
Almost impossible to detect.
Horn walked to a boulder.
Stepped back a few paces.
Then—
"Iron Horn Charge!"
It accelerated toward the rock.
Horn crashed into the boulder.
"Boom—!"
Massive sound.
The boulder shattered.
Fragments scattered everywhere.
Horn stopped.
Not even a scratch on its horn.
"So hard," Shell said.
"Harder than my armor."
Venom walked to the clearing center.
Opened its mouth.
"Poison Mist Release."
Purple-green mist sprayed from its mouth.
Rapidly spreading.
Covered the surrounding dozen meters.
Wherever the mist passed.
Grass immediately withered.
Turned black.
Then turned to ash.
"Careful," Venom said.
"Very toxic."
We all stepped back.
The poison mist lasted about ten seconds.
Then slowly dissipated.
Left a black mark on the ground.
Not a blade of grass survived.
All three abilities were very strong.
And each had unique characteristics.
Shadow's speed and stealth.
Horn's charge and defense.
Venom's poison mist control.
Now the team's coordination would be even stronger.
I mentally took stock.
My level was now 2/50.
Waspy and Brownie had also gained some levels helping others hunt these past few days, reaching 6/50.
Shadow, Horn, and Venom had just evolved, levels reset to 1/50.
Spike and Shell were also close to evolution, both reaching level 20-something.
But overall strength was already very strong.
The sun rose.
Sunlight shone into the clearing between stone walls.
Warm and bright.
"Rest first," I said.
"Evolution consumed quite a bit."
All three nodded.
They were indeed somewhat tired.
I also needed to recover magic.
[My MP: 90/260]
Magic consumed in last night's battle hadn't fully recovered yet.
Spike found a sunny spot and lay down.
Shell leaned against the stone wall.
Waspy and Brownie sat together.
Shadow, Horn, and Venom also found places to rest.
I sat at the entrance.
Closed my eyes.
Began recovering magic.
Very quiet all around.
Only the sound of stream water flowing.
And the rustling of wind through leaves.
Very comfortable.
I maintained vigilance with spatial perception.
Within 50 meters.
No anomalies.
A few weak magic beasts moving in the distance.
But wouldn't approach here.
Magic slowly recovering.
Bit by bit.
After about an hour.
[My MP: 180/260]
Recovered most of it.
I opened my eyes.
Looked at my teammates.
Everyone was resting.
Shadow, Horn, and Venom had already recovered.
After all, just evolved.
Though tired, recovery was also fast.
I stood up.
Walked to the clearing center.
"Wake up," I said.
All members opened their eyes.
Looked at me.
"We're very strong now," I said.
Spike: "What are you trying to say?"
"The Wolf King," I said.
"It's time to find it."
All members froze for a moment.
Then—
Horn was first to stand up.
"Good."
"I want to test my new power too."
Shadow flew up.
"That wolf nearly killed us last time."
Venom: "This time we're stronger."
Waspy and Brownie exchanged glances.
"Can give it a try," Waspy said.
"But be careful," Brownie added.
"The Wolf King is very strong."
"I know," I said.
"So we need a plan."
"Not a direct confrontation."
"But tactics."
I looked at all members.
"This time, we won't lose."