I stealthily floated down near the rat pack making sure to move very slowly so as to not alert them. I got as close as 12 cm before I saw one of the rats twitch instantly putting me on high alert. I kept my eyes locked on that rat but after a while, it looked to be fast asleep so I carried on my next step of the plan. I activated {Aura of Rot} and a shimmer of dark green energy started projecting outwards from me in a radius. The range was quite a bit smaller than I expected, only being a measly 3 cm away from me. I pump more mana into the spell to hopefully increase that range.

  After expending 4 points of MP, my {Aura of Rot} finally hit 4 four rats right below me and I eagerly watch to see its effects. At first nothing happened and I was left confused but then the fur of the rats started sizzling as if on fire, then a black mold-like substance started growing on their skin. It spread with alarming speed and it wasn't long before the rat’s entire body was covered in it. I watched with rapt attention as the mold disintegrated their bodies, with the rat’s not even able to offer any retaliation. It only took a few minutes before the flesh of the rats were fully disintegrated, leaving only bone.

  Looking around, I saw the rest of the rat pack still sound asleep so I turned off {Aura of Rot} and went to check my notifications.

  {You have inflicted 6 magical damage to Nuvarno Rat: Lv 1}

  {You have inflicted 6 magical damage to Nuvarno Rat: Lv 1}

  {You have inflicted 6 magical damage to Nuvarno Rat: Lv 1}

  {You have inflicted 5 magical damage to Nuvarno Rat: Lv 1}

  {You have slain Nuvarno Rat: Lv 1}

  ……….

  {Congratulations, you have reached level 4}

  {+1 Intelligence, +1 Arcane, +2 Free points}

  {Aura of Rot has risen to level 2}

  “Hehehe, ehhehe, AHAHAHA” I cackled internally. Unable to contain my glee at the hilarity of the situation. A full level for only a few minutes of work, how great is that. I shake my skull, quickly setting my focus back on track, I remind myself not to be too overconfident and to just kill these rats. Arrogance is a slow and insidious killer, I need to keep that in mind.

  Getting back on track, I open my status to see which of my stats I should put the free points in. Seeing the pitiful numbers of {Strength} and {Dexterity}, I distribute the points there to somewhat balance my rather skewed attributes. Finished with that, I gaze upon the still sleeping rat pack and grin. “Time to grind.”

  An hour and multiple dead rats later, I turned off {Aura of Rot} and was greeted with my second level up of the day as well as an unfamiliar notification.

  {Aura of Rot has risen to level 4}

  {Congratulations, you have reached level 5}

  {You have reached the current level threshold, evolution is possible}

  {Commence evolution (Y/N)}

  “Whoa, I can evolve!” I wasn’t entirely sure what the process would do to me but I couldn't help but feel excited nonetheless. I mean, who didn’t feel a sense of amazement when their starter pokemon first evolved. Pokemon, that was a game from my old world, I used to play it with…with…...with someone. I tried to remember more details of my past but my head started hurting something fierce so I let go of the memory and turned to the evolution screen to occupy my thoughts.

  “I wonder what I can evolve into, hopefully something with arms.” I joked privately. I was about to click yes on the evolution prompt when all of a sudden things went horribly wrong.*RAAAAARGH* “What the shit was that?!” I turned to the source of the noise and was horrified by what I saw.

  A monstrosity with six legs and a jaw ringed with sharp teeth. It looked like an odd abomination of a horse, its skin was the color of rust and was pulled taut against its ugly frame. Numerous pustules ring the sides of its body, giving off the appearance of a sickly creature. But the worst part of the beast had to be its mouth. Its mouth covered its entire head leaving no room for eyes, only teeth. “What in god's name even, are you?” I used {Identify} on it to figure out what I was looking at.

  {Eqonigar: Lv 10}

  {A fetid creature of equine terror. This beast is what occurs when the corpse of an equine is tainted with a steady infusion of blight and then infested with a rageful spirit. Once a trusty steed, now merely a monster who hungers for anything living. Notoriously difficult to kill, it is best to avoid these creatures as once they encounter their prey, they will stop at nothing to devour it’s flesh}

  All im getting from reading that description is I need to fucking leave. Without warning, the beast sprints toward the tree with an unbalanced but still ridiculously fast gait. The rats had already long awakened once the beast first roared and by the look on the Alpha’s face, I can say for certain it truly wants to kill me. Unfortunately for him, I {Float} back into the crown of the tree and hid as best I could.

  {Hiding has risen to level 3}

  The {Eqonigar} barrels into the rat pack, killing a few and injuring many in the process before smashing its head into the trunk of the {Ruinwood Sapling}. The rat pack angry at the death of their brethren charge and begin biting at the six legs of the {Eqonigar}. I watch all of this unfold from the relative safety of the tree.

  The brawl quickly turned into a bloodbath with the rat pack being cut down to less than half of their members due to the actions of the {Eqonigar}. “Probably didn’t help that, I killed a whole heap of them before this fight started.” I inwardly remarked. I watch as the {Eqonigar} stomps, kicks, and devours clusters of rats whole. The rats desperately try to fell the beast but no matter what they do, it won’t go down.

  Oddly enough, I can tell that it wasn’t because the rats were too weak, it looks as if the horse monster was regenerating. Wait no I am correct, it is regenerating. “It definitely healed its wounds just then, so it can regenerate after eating.” I ponder. The {Eqonigar} is running rampant with the rat pack able to do nothing to stop it, until finally only two are left standing, the Alpha and the {Eqonigar}. I could sense that this was the climax of the battle so I watched fully immersed in this battle and its end.

  It seems however that fate had other plans. *QEEEEEEQ* A screech erupted from a corridor left of the {Ruinwood Sapling} followed by the sounds of numerous wings flapping in sync. Before the Alpha or the {Eqonigar} could react, a whole horde of {Shadestalker Bats} emerge from the corridor and upon seeing the {Alpha Nuvarno Rat} and the {Eqonigar}, Instantly launched themselves at the monsters.

  The bats tear into the equine monster and begin rapidly barraging it with their dark spells. The horse beast goes into a frenzy from the attacks, it starts kicking wildly in the vain hopes of killing the bats. Glancing at the alpha, I saw that it was in an even worse state. Its exhaustion from fighting the {Eqonigar} coupled with the loss of its greatest strength (the pack) made him an easy target for the bats.

  It was now utter chaos with the involvement of the bats so before anything else could join in on this brawl, I hastily made my escape. I waited for the perfect moment when all the three combatants were distracted, I then pushed {Float} to its maximum limit and practically burst out of the tree like a bullet. I felt a slight pang of regret at not being able to end the Alpha but my safety is what matters most. “If there are more things like that Eqonigar running around, then I have no choice but to evolve, I can’t keep running and hiding when things turn to shit.”

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  Thankfully my speedy retreat was unnoticed by any other enemies and I made it back to the cave safely, even getting a skill level for my troubles.

  {Float has risen to level 4}

  Looking around and making sure that nothing followed me, I finally felt safe enough to evolve. Excited at the possibilities, I mentally confirmed yes on and eagerly awaited the evolution process.

  {Warning! Evolution will render the user unconscious}

  {Proceed with evolution (Y/N)}

  Reading the prompt I felt absolutely relieved I didn’t try to evolve back at the {Ruinwood Sapling}, who knows what might happen with my body. Clicking yes, a new screen popped up.

  “Woah, that’s a lot to take in, well at least I know now that I can pick my evolutions and not get changed forcibly into something else.” I spoke internally. Surveying my surroundings once more to make sure I’m perfectly safe, I start reading through the options listed.

  So first of all I'm definitely not picking the {Rotspore Trapper}. From an outside perspective, it appears to be the best option. With it having the highest rank out of the rest as well as more skills and mutation than the others. However, all that is only surface level. Looking more in-depth, it is plainly obvious that picking this evolution will only hinder me in many ways. “I'm guessing it'll probably turn me into a plant monster of some kind and while that might be okay for some, I quite enjoy being able to move so no for me!”

  Quickly dismissing that option, I examine the 4 other options and after some careful deliberation, I quickly take out both {Pygmy Gremlin} and {Lesser Wraith}. The former on account of it not meshing at all with my current build and possibly leading me to waste my high {Arcane} stat, while the latter for the simple fact of me still wanting to have a physical body. Currently I'm nothing but a skull, but I will hopefully regain my body one day so me getting rid of my physical body and turning into an incorporeal wraith would kinda be a redundant choice. “Plus how am I gonna get more info on this world, If i'm a ghost”

  Confident with my decision, I regard my final two choices, {Pygmy Boneling} and {Juvenile Blighted Eidolon}. Weighing both options as well as their benefits and drawbacks, I eventually came to a conclusion and picked the {Juvenile Blighted Eidolon}.

  I feel a sudden bout of drowsiness but this time I don’t fight it, floating over to a flat spot in my cave. I deactivate {Float} and adorn a simple grin as the darkness overtakes me.