So I'm a Bat, Big Deal

[Kudos! You've gone for Gotcha Gain and Roulette Wheel. Skipping out on Shield Surprise, huh? What a pity, that could have been a real hoot. Prepare for an evolutionary change that's about as exciting as a flat tire. You're still a pint-sized sensation, but now your colors will reflect your mood—how utterly fascinating! When you're not feeling particularly chipper, enjoy the return to your original gray fur and peach wings. Congratulations, you're officially a mood ring with a side of mediocrity!]

Gotcha Bat: Level 20

Powers: Poison Fang Level 2, Swift Wings, Flesh-Eating Flora Control, Leaf Snipping, Gotcha Gain, Roulette Wheel

Purchase Points Remaining: 0

Level-up Points Remaining: 0

My stomach rumbled audibly as I reached for some dried meat, munching on it while I stood up. Evolving had left me ravenous. I stretched my back, feeling a satisfying pop as a bone shifted back into place. A quick turn of my neck produced another gratifying crack. Much better. The musty odor intensified, accompanied by a peculiar buzzing sound, reminiscent of a disturbed beehive. I couldn't quite place it, but it sent a shiver down my spine. Still, I was determined to collect my experience points; I had worked hard to take down those two monsters, and they weren't just going to slip away and recover. I took off after them, suspecting that something had frightened them. With the clock chiming, I could only guess that the strange tree woman encased in stone had something to do with their sudden flight.

I raced through the air with all my might, determined not to lose sight of the monsters weaving through the hedge maze. As I sped past a pair of bewildered adventurers, I soon spotted the two of them huddled together at the heart of the maze, sitting in the cool waters of a grand stone fountain. A frown creased my brow as I observed them; their choice to sit in the water hinted at something significant. They must have knowledge about the creature that had just been unleashed, something so formidable that it sent them fleeing to this fountain for refuge.

I didn't need both of them to grasp the gravity of the situation, but I was faced with a dilemma: which one should I eliminate? The lion posed a greater threat if left alive, yet I could always sneak up on it and store it in my bracelet again. The boar, while less powerful, didn't seem capable of halting whatever creature was approaching. However, the boar also had the advantage of being a delicious source of food, and with my current supplies limited to what I had taken from Herald, it made sense to stockpile some meat. Each evolution I underwent required more sustenance, and I was keen on ensuring I had enough to keep up with my growing needs. Ultimately, I resolved to take down the boar; I needed those evolution points and a solid reserve of boar meat. Herald had assured me that food stored in the bracelet wouldn't spoil, so as long as I had space, I could keep adding to my supplies.

As I glanced at the lion, I pondered whether it might pose a threat, but it appeared quite distracted, having nestled itself into the fountain with only its head and tail visible above the water's surface, completely ignoring the boar nearby. The boar remained stationary, its eyes darting left and right, clearly on the lookout for any sign of movement. I gracefully glided over to the fountain, perching on the inner rim of the top stone bowl. The fountain featured three tiers, each larger than the one above, culminating in a spacious basin at the bottom where the creatures sat.

I was determined to stay dry for as long as possible, but I knew I would have to dive in if the new creature emerged; there was definitely something concerning about the situation. Finding a secure and discreet spot, I ensured the creatures below couldn't easily spot me. With a flick of my wrist, I shot more leaves into the air, daydreaming about how exhilarating it would be to wield a mana whip. However, Mimic's power description had sparked a curiosity in me, leading me to focus on one particular aspect that I felt drawn to, overlooking my other options.

The boar emitted a whimper as the sharp edges of the leaves struck it, glancing around in a panic while the lion submerged its tail in the water, its ears pinned flat against its head. I wanted to confirm that the lion wouldn't intervene before I unleashed a flurry of leaves.

Once I was sure, I launched into action, sending leaves flying at a rapid rate, slicing into the boar time and again. Yet, it remained in the fountain, paralyzed by fear, even as an invisible threat assailed it. Ultimately, I dispatched the boar without difficulty, but a strange feeling lingered afterward; it felt wrong to attack a creature that wouldn't even fight back or flee. Suddenly, a beep echoed in my ear, causing me to frown.

"Bane, what's that sound?"

[That's just your experience bar skyrocketing.]

"I've got an experience bar!"

[How could anyone possibly miss that?]

"Are there any other status bars I should be aware of?"

[Fine, but if you're one of those delightful folks who can't stop obsessing over their status bars like it's the last slice of pizza, don't expect me to give you the time of day. I'll just pretend you don't exist.]

Then there was a strange buzzing feeling in my brain and I saw:

Name: Enzo Species: Gotcha Bat LV: 20

Health: 500/500

Mana: 250/500

EXP Threshold: 40% Current EXP: 2,400

Aerial: 50 

Bind: 50 

Ninja: 50 

Observation: 50

Reasoning: 50 

Mana: 70

Armament: 40

Luck: 50 

Charm: 50 

Yeet: 40 

Powers: Poison Fang Level 2, Swift Wings, Flesh-Eating Flora Control, Leaf Snipping, Gotcha Gain, Roulette Wheel

 User of the Dark Lord System

"Is it possible to just have health, mana, and EXP threshold bars showing inconspicuously in my vision?" 

[Oh, of course! Because who wouldn't want to share their secrets? Here you go, since you twisted my arm.]

The bright blue glowing text that filled my sight transformed into tiny words drifting in the corner of my eye.

Health: 500/500

Mana: 250/500

EXP Threshold: 40% 

I glanced back over to the lion to make sure that it still wasn't paying attention to me and saw this above its head.

Manticore

Health: 600/4000

Mana: 0

EXP Threshold: 80% 

"I can now constantly see the status of other beings!"

[You can only see the status of those poor souls you've managed to pummel in the last two hours.]

"Is it possible to check out the manticore's other status?"

[Oh, absolutely not. That's a hard pass.]

I cautiously descended, my gaze fixed on the lion. With utmost care and silence, I landed on the lifeless boar, pressing the base of my wing against its back to add it to my inventory. The lion remained oblivious, its attention solely on the entrance to the maze's center. Its ears were alert, and it emitted another whine, sinking deeper into the fountain until only its nose was visible.

Suddenly, I was startled by a buzzing sound reminiscent of a swarm of bees. Without a moment's hesitation, I soared to the top bowl of the fountain, plunging into the water and submerging myself until just my head remained above the surface.

Then, I heard the frantic shouts of Mistly and Valen as they burst into the clearing, trailed leisurely by the tree bark creature.

Misty sprinted through the maze, tears streaming down her face as her body throbbed with swollen red welts. Behind her, Valen unleashed a barrage of spells at the monstrous creature that resembled a tree shaped like a woman. Surrounding this eerie figure was a swarm of black beetles, each armed with long, menacing stingers, darting in and out of the tiny crevices in the tree woman's rough, bark-like skin.

As Misty burst into a clearing, a chilling transformation took place on her face. The corners of her lips twisted into a grotesquely wide smile, and her once-fearful eyes sparkled with a sinister delight. She appeared utterly unfazed by the battle taking place around her. Then, with a haunting sound that echoed through the air, she opened her mouth wide, and from the depths of her dark insides, a swarm of those same black beetles erupted, their stingers glinting ominously. Valen turned towards Misty, confused about the sound coming from behind her and saw the swarm of black beetles flying out from her friend's mouth. Then as the swarm escaped from her mouth, her body rapidly shriveled up, leaving a dried and lifeless husk that collapsed onto the ground, even her bones were nothing but dust.

Coming Next Time: Blood Sacrifice and Glass Angels