A new path?

What advantage would I gain from it compared to following the standard path?

Does an Ark Monkey have a specific evolution path?

Is it a good thing to deviate from it?

This is getting more and more complicated.

"What happens if I choose the standard evolution?"

[All attributes unrelated to this evolution path will be lost.]

[Do you wish to evolve from Ark Monkey into Pre Monkey Kin?]

[Y/N]

"Oh, oh, oh, slow down, slow down!"

If I choose this evolution, I risk losing all the attributes I’ve accumulated so far?

What exactly does that refer to?

[You have accumulated the following attributes: Goblin, Frog, Lesser Mouse, Nocyris Snake.]

I see.

Those are the monsters I’ve more or less eaten so far.

As he reflected, Mamadou viewed evolution as something synonymous with advantages.

He did not know when such an opportunity would present itself again, so the stronger he became, the better.

But one thing bothered him.

The creatures whose attributes he possessed.

Monsters stranger than the last.

He wondered how he would evolve.

Would he become some kind of fusion of all those animals?

He was drifting farther and farther away from his goal of becoming human again, and the thought saddened him.

In his mind, he imagined several scenarios in which he possessed a grotesque, misshapen body.

His own imagination frightened him so much that he waved his hand as if trying to chase the thoughts away.

"If I follow the standard evolution, there’s a chance I’ll become human later!"

"Isn’t there a theory that humans and monkeys share a common ancestor? If that’s true, maybe at the end of the path I’ll become human."

Mamadou lay down and raised a hand as if he wanted to grasp the sky.

"And yet... is that really the right solution?"

"Didn’t humans evolve to adapt to their environment?"

"In this place there are monsters, venomous animals, goblins, and all kinds of creatures. Given how quickly I’m evolving, choosing based on appearance rather than my situation would be a mistake."

"Damn it."

"God of Fantasy, please make sure it isn’t too bad."

Of course, it wasn’t that Mamadou believed in God.

If he had to believe in anything, he would be closer to an animist than anything else.

Even then, he merely appreciated the philosophy behind it.

Mamadou was the kind of person who simply lived.

He decided to embrace the unknown.

He was certain that possessing the attributes of several different species would make him more versatile.

[Do you wish to begin the evolution process?]

[Y/N]

"Yes. Let’s see what kind of monster I’m going to become."

Mamadou felt the strength leave his body.

???

Hey, that wasn’t part of the deal!

His eyelids became heavy.

He could no longer control his body.

It was like the moment before undergoing major surgery, when anesthesia takes effect.

Had he known, he would have found another place he considered safe.

After all, he had no idea how long the process would last.

I just hope I don’t get eaten in the meantime.

[Attribute calculation complete. Evolution in progress.]

[Failure!]

What???

Already???

[Level too low. Body incapable of supporting the nature of the changes. Magnitude of collapse judged excessive.]

Huh?

Weren’t you the one who said I could evolve?

I hope you’re not using this opportunity to perform some shady experiment on me.

[Your body is unable to endure all these changes. Degree of collapse judged excessive. Beginning removal of certain species and their attributes from the fusion process.]

This bastard is basically telling me he’s going to erase all my hard work?

Of course, he only said that because he did not truly understand the value of those attributes.

He simply felt better complaining.

It was also a way to ignore the anxiety and fear consuming him.

[Goblin attributes judged excessive. Removing Goblin attributes and initiating second evolution attempt.]

[Evolution in progress!]

[Failure!]

[Your body is unable to endure all these changes. Degree of collapse judged excessive. Beginning removal of certain species and their attributes from the fusion process.]

[Removing Frog attributes and initiating third evolution attempt.]

[Failure!]

[Your body is unable to endure all these changes. Degree of collapse judged excessive.]

[Failure!]

[Your body is unable to endure all these changes. Degree of collapse judged excessive.]

[...]

[Your body is unable to endure a large number of changes. Fusion with the attributes of a single species is recommended.]

[Compatibility rate between Lesser Mouse and Nocyris Snake judged acceptable.]

[Which species’ attributes do you wish to retain?]

Nocyris Serpent.

[Calculating Nocyris Serpent attributes. Attempting evolution.]

[Evolution in progress.]

Mamadou waited a few seconds, expecting another failure message.

None came.

Instead, he felt as though something was moving throughout his entire body.

The motion followed no particular rhythm.

It was as if his flesh were boiling while his bones vibrated in response.

Then pain arrived.

At first, he paid little attention to it.

It was negligible.

But then, like a steadily rising curve, the pain continued to intensify.

Which was abnormal.

Eventually, it reached the point where Mamadou began to cry and scream.

"Damn it!"

"My Pain Resistance is Level 4! How is it possible for me to suffer this much?!"

His body trembled violently, seized by spasms.

He immediately checked his SP.

With Pain Resistance active, his SP should have decreased by ten every minute.

But that was not what he saw.

The pain had exceeded the limits of the skill itself.

It was so overwhelming that even while burning through all his SP, he struggled to remain conscious.

Curse you.

Curse your damned mother.

The pain continued for a long time.

His bones, muscles, and entire body felt as though they were being kneaded and twisted in every possible direction.

After a period that felt like an eternity to Mamadou, the pain finally subsided.

[Evolution complete.]

His consciousness was on the verge of collapse.

Ma woke up, immediately rose to his feet, and released a savage cry.

Then he fell and closed his eyes.

[Individual Ma is not in a condition to respond. Random name selected.]

Mamadou could still hear the System messages.

[Evolution of Individual Ma completed successfully.]

[You have evolved from Ark Monkey into Ark Nocyris Monkey.]

[New Class Unlocked: Nocyris Serpent.]

[Base statistics have increased.]

[Skill level-up bonus acquired.]