I Reincarnated As A Stick-Chapter 8 - Evolving
Finally! Aurus has been rolling for around two days and killed three enemies just so he can finally start the true journey to becoming a God-tier existence.
Now, why does the true journey start at becoming a B-grade Inanimate? These reason behind it is that it is the evolution that sets your class. You could be a stick warrior, a stick ranger or a stick illusionist. Those are the three main paths you can choose and it just expands from there.
Multiple players have given up midway through their journey to becoming a B-grade Inanimate because to them, it would just be a cycle of roll, kill, and repeat. But once they knew that the B-grade Inanimate species had more skills than C-grade Inanimates, they would have the urge to come back...but they wouldn't have the chance to catch up anymore.
Even though a grade seemed like a small difference to every other species, for sticks, it's what truly sets them apart from other sticks. Plus the diversity doesn't end there since they can evolve even further into other types.
Aurus looked at his surroundings and checked if there were any enemies nearby. Seeing that there were a few twigs and sticks that could possibly roll and attack him, Aurus rolled back to the outer portion of the outer area at a speed incomparable to before.
It still took him 14 hours though.
...
Ding!
'[Roll++] has leveled up.'
Aurus ignored this notification and calmed himself down. Since this would be his first evolution, the choice he would make would affect him in the long run. He has to make it count.
"Evolve," he commanded.
Ding!
'Aurus has met all of the requirements needed to evolve.'
Ding!
'Aurus has met special requirements needed to evolve into Special species.'
Hearing the second statement, Aurus' eyes widened. "Special species! I can't believe I can evolve into a Special species right off the bat!"
Special species. From the name alone, these species are extremely special obviously. Why? That's because these species are just like normal species, but with more effects like more active skills or passive skills.
If one were to compare it to a normal MMORPG, it would be akin to a hidden class. If the Warrior was a normal class, then the Berserker and Guardian class are hidden Warrior class.
The same thing applies for Special species.
Ding!
________
Please choose the species that Aurus will evolve into:
[Mahogany Branch]
[Sakura Branch]
[Walnut Branch]
[Wind Mahogany Branch (Special)]
[Wind Sakura Branch (Special)]
[Wind Walnut Branch (Special)]
________
Seeing the amount of species Aurus could choose made him somewhat overwhelmed. But looking closely, it was pretty much the same choices for normal players other than the Wind type species.
Also, people might not usually notice this but, a Stick will now be called a Branch once it evolves since it grows in size once it evolves. What does a Branch evolve to afterwards? Possibly a Branch Formosus or a Sapling, but that's in the future.
"If I remember correctly, the Mahogany Branch is the Warrior class, the Sakura Branch is the Illusionist class, and the Walnut Branch is the Ranger class," Aurus said as he opened the screen for the Mahogany Branch.
"It's been a while since I played as a small branch so the memories are kinda hazy."
Ding!
________
[Mahogany Branch]
Existence Level: Inanimate
Grade: B
The stick has decided to surpass its limits and become stronger, focusing on defense and close range combat. The stick that evolves to this type of species are destined to become guardians or deadly close range attackers.
The active skill [Charge] is obtained.
The passive skill [Tenacity] is obtained.
The passive skill [SP Storage] is obtained.
________
"Ah. Forgot about the [SP Storage] skill," Aurus' memories were revived after seeing the info regarding the Mahogany Branch. Every species of the B-grade Inanimate level gain a universal passive skill, which is [SP Storage]. This shall be explained later.
"[Charge] is a skill that is self-explanatory while [Tenacity] is a passive skill that increases defense and reduces damage once the HP reaches a certain point," Aurus said to himself as he was rummaging through his memories. He played as a Mahogany Branch in his previous life and that's why he can still remember it.
"Identify [Sakura Branch]."
Ding!
________
[Sakura Branch]
Existence Level: Inanimate
Grade: B
The stick has decided to surpass its limits and become stronger, focusing on illusions and deception. The stick that evolves to this type of species are destined to become masters of stealth, masters of illusions, or masters of buffs and curses.
The active skill [Confusion Pollen] is obtained.
The passive skill [Sakura Bloom] is obtained.
The passive skill [SP Storage] is obtained.
________
"According to my memories, the [Confusion Pollen] skill confuses enemies and possibly makes them attack themselves. The [Sakura Bloom] skill is basically the main method on how players can cast illusions. The more flowers on the branch, the more powerful the illusion is," Aurus muttered.
"Anyways, a friend of mine played this and became a God-tier assassin, but it's lacking something," Aurus said to himself as he identified the last normal species in his choices, [Walnut Branch].
Ding!
________
[Walnut Branch]
Existence Level: Inanimate
Grade B:
The stick has decided to surpass its limits and become stronger. The stick that evolves to this type of species is destined to become a ranger able to deal with multiple enemies or a sage that is able to conjure magic spells that could shake the earth and tear the heavens asunder.
The active skill [Nut Shot] is obtained.
The passive skill [Fruit Creation] is obtained.
The passive skill [SP Storage] is obtained.
________
Reading the flavor text alone, Aurus' interest was piqued. "Becoming a ranger or a mage that can conjure spells?" At this point, his decision was set. He would become a [Walnut Branch].
"Well... since I've decided my species, let's see the Special variation of the species."
"Identify [Wind Walnut Branch]."
Ding!
________
[Wind Walnut Branch] (Special)
Existence Level: Inanimate
Grade: B
The stick has decided to surpass its limits and become stronger. Unknowingly, the stick has improved its movement skill so well that it has gained the recognition of the wind that surrounds it. The stick that evolves to this type of species is destined to become a ranger or a mage that would go down in legends but could possibly exceed that.
The active skill [Nut Shot] is obtained.
The passive skill [Fruit Creation] is obtained.
The passive skill [SP Storage] is obtained.
The special passive skill [Wind Affinity] is obtained.
________
Although Aurus wanted to check each and every skills of the [Wind Walnut Branch] right now, he wanted to become a God-tier existence as fast as possible so he'll just check later.
"I've chosen. Evolve to [Wind Walnut Branch]!"
Afterwards, the system asked the same question as a confirmation, to which Aurus readily agreed.
All of a sudden, Aurus felt like he wanted to go to sleep until...
He actually did go to sleep.
As to why this happened, it had something to do with the system. A few minutes later, a notification sound could be heard although Aurus was unconscious.
Ding!
'[Aurus—Stick] has evolved to [Aurus—Wind Walnut Branch].'
