Beast Evolution Forge

A week went by and progress has been made.

"Phew, that makes it...97 monster kills and...." She looked at her master taking the dungeon core, "6 dungeon clears."

"Come on Wren, lets go meet up with the others." He put the core in his inventory as his skin shifted back to normal.

"You are getting the handle on that," She said, jumping on his shoulder in her weasel form. "its a really powerful ability."

"Yeah, I am ... stronger... way stronger." He replied with a smirk, rubbing her chin causing her to purr.

"Just a few more to go," he said as they walked through the forest path. "four more dungeon clears and three monster kills."

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Her tail swished excitedly on his shoulder. "We're so close to the second floor! What do you think it will be like?"

"Harder than here," he replied with a small smile. "But nothing we can't handle."

They reached the camp where the others were waiting. Luna was checking her crossbow while Ruby sharpened her claws on a nearby rock. Ada sat cross-legged on the ground, her eyes closed as she practiced controlling her mana.

"How did it go?" Luna asked, looking up from her weapon.

"Another dungeon clear," he answered, rolling his shoulder. The new ability made fighting much easier. He could now change parts of his body to adapt to different situations - hardening his skin against attacks or making his arms stronger for powerful strikes.

"Just a few more and we qualify for the second floor," Wren announced proudly, jumping down and transforming back to her human form.

"We should be able to finish tomorrow." He added.

Regina handed him a water flask. "You need to rest, Master. You've been pushing too hard."

He took a drink and nodded. "Just eager to move up. The first floor isn't challenging enough."

Luna studied him carefully. "Your new ability is quite impressive. You barely used your swords in the last two dungeons."

"Why use swords when I can do this?" He held out his arm and they watched as it transformed, his fingers extending into long, sharp claws before shifting back to normal.

"Show-off," Ruby muttered, but there was a hint of admiration in her voice.

"We should plan for tomorrow," Luna said, spreading out a rough map she had drawn. "There are two small dungeons here, here and here," she pointed to two locations. "And a larger one over here. If we clear all four, we'll have our ten."

He studied the map, his eyes tracing the paths she had marked. The smaller dungeons would be quick work, but the larger one—that would be their true test before advancing to the second floor.

"We'll split into two teams," he decided, tapping the smaller dungeons. "Luna, you'll take Ruby and Jia to clear these two. I'll take Wren, Regina, and Ada to the third. We'll rendezvous here—" he pointed to a clearing between the dungeons "—before tackling the large one together."

She frowned. "Splitting up could be risky. The monsters have been growing stronger, even for the first floor."

"That's precisely why we need to be efficient," he countered. "The longer we stay on this floor, the more anomalies we'll encounter." His fingers absently traced the pattern of veins on his forearm. "Besides, I need to test something."

[Always testing, always pushing. Your curiosity will be the death of you one day.]

'Or the salvation of everyone.'

"What are you testing now, Master?" Wren asked, her eyes bright with curiosity. Since her awakening, her questions had become more pointed, more perceptive. The lightning element had sharpened not just her abilities, but her mind as well.

"The limits of adaptation," he replied, allowing his hand to subtly shift form—the fingers elongating before returning to normal. "I need to know exactly what I can become in battle."

Regina set a pot of stew over the fire, the rich aroma filling their small camp. "You should eat first. Adaptation requires energy."

He nodded, accepting a bowl when she offered it. The food was simple but hearty—forest roots and the meat of a low-level monster they hunted earlier. As he ate, he observed his team.

They had all changed in the short time since entering the tower. Ruby's claws were longer, sharper, her movements more predatory. Ada's control over her mana had improved drastically—she could now form complex patterns that shimmered in the air around her. And Luna... there was something different about her too.

---

Dawn broke over the forest. Vell was awake for hours, sitting cross-legged at the edge of their perimeter, eyes closed in meditation as he explored the changes within himself. The core had integrated fully now, its power becoming an extension of his own.

"Master?" Wren's voice pulled him from his introspection. She stood a few feet away, already dressed and ready for the day's challenges. Lightning occasionally sparked between her fingers—a habit she developed since her awakening.

He opened his eyes. "Everyone else still asleep?"

"Luna's up. She's checking the map again." She sat beside him, her small form vibrating with barely contained energy. "I'm excited about today. Finally reaching the second floor!"

He smiled slightly, ruffling her hair. "About that. There's been a change of plans."

Her head tilted in curiosity. "What kind of change?"

"You'll be going with Luna and the others to clear the smaller dungeons." His voice was casual, but his eyes watched her reaction carefully.

"But... we were supposed to go together." Her excitement dimmed slightly. "You said I'd be with you and Regina and Ada."

"Plans change when information does." He stood, rolling his shoulders. "I'm going to the larger dungeon alone."

"Alone?" Her voice rose in pitch. "But that's dangerous! Even with your new abilities—"

"That's precisely why I need to go alone. I need to test these abilities without holding back." His expression softened at her concern. "Besides, you're more than capable of helping Luna lead the others."

"That was your plan all along, wasn't it?" Luna's voice came from behind them. She approached, crossbow already strapped to her back, her eyes sharp with suspicion. "You never intended to split us evenly."

He met her gaze without flinching. "The smaller dungeons need clearing too. It's efficient."

"It's reckless," she countered, though there was resignation in her voice. She knew him well enough by now to recognize when his mind was set. "What if you encounter another anomaly like the Chimera Lord?"

"Then I'll whoop its ass." His arm morphed briefly, skin hardening into armored plates before shifting back. "That's the point of this test."

She sighed, turning to wake the others. "You're impossible."

By the time the sun had fully risen, the camp was packed and the team assembled. Vell stood slightly apart, checking his swords—though he wondered if he would even need them now.

[Still relying on those? I thought you were embracing your new nature.]

'Always good to have a backup plan.'

[so how long will this test of yours last? because I feel like its a waste of time, no monster on this floor is a match for you, the chimera lord was a special case.]

'Its a test for all of us, not to use more than 50% of our powers, its a good why to adapt and grow, especially for them.'

"You're not going alone," Luna said firmly, stepping forward as the others finished packing. "I understand the need to test yourself, but there's no strategic advantage in risking our strongest member."

He turned to face her, his expression neutral. "The plan stands. You'll take Wren, Ruby, and Jia to the smaller dungeons. Regina and Ada will remain at the rendezvous point."

Her eyes narrowed. "And what purpose does that serve?"

"Regina can provide support if either group needs it, and Ada can maintain a mana connection between us."

"I've been practicing a new communication technique," Ada explained, summoning a small orb of pulsing light in her palm. "I can maintain awareness of everyone's approximate location and condition."

Wren bounced on her heels, electricity crackling around her. "See, Luna? Master has thought of everything. He'll be fine!"

Luna didn't look convinced, but she nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But we maintain regular contact. If anything—'anything'—goes wrong, you pull back and wait for us."

"Understood," he replied, though his tone suggested he had no intention of retreating.

[She knows you're lying. They all do.]

'They know I'll succeed.'

They set off shortly after, splitting at a fork in the path. Luna led her group east toward the smaller dungeons, while Vell headed north toward the larger structure. Regina and Ada established themselves at the predetermined rendezvous point, setting up a small base camp with defensive wards.

As he walked alone through the forest, he could feel the core's power flowing through him, more integrated with each passing day. His senses were sharper, his body lighter.

[You're enjoying this new power too much. ]

'Its hard not to, its a good ability.'

[True but don't neglect your other abilities.]

'I know, I am not that stupid.'

[Good.]

---

"Found you." Jon said, watching Vell from a sniper scope.