Growth (2/2)

As a Dungeon Core, Trishda had explained to me that I was able to create Monster Cores for any of my creatures. However a Core was very costly. Even for a weak creature, a Monster Core would take at least 80 Aether points to create. Other than that, a Dungeon monster with a Core was basically immortal, for as long as I had the Aether points to spare, I could always bring them back to life if they were destroyed. This situation was perfect for me, because I could obtain a more powerful monster for free! I agreed to the development of the Core and sat back to watch the light show!

The Deep Fisher swelled in size, becoming even larger than I had designed. Its length doubled once more to almost 2 meters and with a height of 40 centimeters, it was closer in size to a small crocodile. Its pincers grew accordingly and their strong tentacles now wriggled constantly on the outside, looking for pray to grasp. Its coloration darkened even more and the golden markings I had gifted it with, became more pronounced. It appeared to have also gained two new Skills as well!

[Pressure Net: Place a net of camouflaged silk on a surface connected to an intricate system of trapped threads. When triggered the net will spring upwards, trapping any creature that is within.]

[Cave Breaker: Focus Mana in a clenched pincer before pounding an opponent with enough force to break down a cave wall. The attack is slower than normal and costs Mana to activate.]

[Core creation is complete! Please name your new creature.]

I smiled in satisfaction and thought about the name for a second. The name "King Fisher" came to mind and thought that King would be a kickass name for a monster. Buuut I then realized it was too early to start having cocky names handed out. I laughed at the thought and said.. "Fisher.. His name will be Fisher!". I felt the System complete our transaction and my once small arachnid was now a goliath, insectoid monstrosity! I could sense the Reception Room shrink around him as he swelled in size, taking up almost a third of the room's ceiling! "I am here Master.. My transformation is complete and I am stronger then ever!" a deep, breathy male voice echoed inside my head. "Oh shit.. You can speak!?" I screamed and nearly fell over.

"Only to you Master, for we are connected. I cannot use the words of man.."

"I understand.. I'm.. I'm happy we can have this. It's been a while since I talked to anyone, without the facade of greatness that is.." remembering how I faked a persona the previous night when speaking to the humans.

"You need not lie for my sake Master.. Your strength is undeniable! You give life, you give strength and wisdom! You mold the earth and conjure energies from the far realms on a whim. There is no facade Master.. only greatness!" he said with his ghostly voice and I truly felt appreciated. But i guess, to a small arachnid I must have seemed like God, the way I transformed it into Godzilla in a span of a few days..

"Thank you Fisher.. you have been by my side since day one and now.. Now that we are connected you will never have to fear death again. As long as you protect me, you will never truly die! When I get the chance we will make new arrangements for you. The Reception Room will be better suited for smaller creatures."

"Understood Master. I shall wait for your command, standing watch as always."

I was so happy with our development. This was amazing! For the first time since I arrived here I didn't feel alone! Fisher was my ally. I had an ally! A subordinate who I could speak with, socialize, share ideas, talk strategy and.. anything really! I sat back down and tried to control my enthusiasm. I had one more evolution to take care of! I focused on my Coyote finally, spending some Aether to level her up to level 10. Once she was ready to evolve I went ahead and agreed to the process of fashioning a new evolutionary path for her. I gave her the size of a grey wolf and made her fangs and talons larger and more pronounced. I increased her bone density and durability further before deciding to give her two sharp horns on the sides of her head. I made the horns' edges sharp as blades and elongated her spinal protrusions by just a few centimeters. Lastly, I changed her coloration to a blood red and the final result looked like a coyote from hell.

[New Evolutionary path created! New Evolution named. "Blood Wolf". Evolution is now available for immediate summoning. Blood Wolf Lv.1 successfully created.

*Ping* [Specimen has reached Rank 2 by evolving for a second time. This creature has absorbed enough Aether to develop a Monster Core! Will you allow this development?]

"Yes!" I said mentally and the process began. My coyote grew even larger but not by much. The growth in size seemed minor, especially when compared to that of Fisher. Her muscles however grew significantly, transforming her once lean form into a more aggressively athletic build. A perfect balance between strength and speed. The horns I had granted her became slightly longer and sharper, like two axe blades at the sides of her head. And finally, she gained two Skills to go along with her transformed body.

[Enervating Howl: Any creatures fighting under this Alpha's wing gain a 8% Speed increase and 8% physical damage increase for the next minute. Cooldown 1 hour.]

[Core creation is complete! Please name your new creature.. Creature named, Fiona. Congratulations Evolution Completed.]

"Master! Master! I'm here Master! I can hear your thoughts! Can you hear mine? Have you rested? I haven't! I'm still standing watch, just like you asked!", a teenage feminine voice shot through my mind like a ray of sunshine through darkness. A ray of PINK sunshine, mind you.

"Oh.. oh my.. Um.. I'm assuming this is Fiona." I said overwhelmed by her invigorating enthusiasm.

"Yes Master, yes! It's me! I'm Fiona now! Thank you for naming me!"

Fiona was the name of a stray we tried raising with dad when he was still alive. It was one of my fondest memories of our time together. It seems that maybe some of that happiness seeped into my connection with the former coyote and now she had the personality of a puppy on ecstasy! It was refreshing honestly but I couldn't hold a conversation with her for more than a minute without becoming exhausted. Now, with all my evolution crafting, out of the way, I could finally summon a few mobs to replenish our numbers before going back to Cultivating.

Five additional Slimes, four Dire Cave Fishers and three Elgolar Coyotes. Then came the painful part.. I started handing out massive amounts of Aether in order to strengthen my creatures to a respectable level. I raised all of the new Slimes to level 3, spending 45 Aether points! I groaned when I saw the number but it had to be done. Next were the Cave Fishers for 32 points, raising them to level 4. Last but not least were our new pups, those I raised to level 6, since they would be our main attack force, in case of an attack on the Dungeon. The Slimes would act as support, the Arachnids would lay traps, deal sneak attacks and the Coyote pack would be our main damage dealers. That left me with 25 Aether points. A measly sum compared to what I had a moment ago but it was a respectable quantity to have for my level. I could experiment with a new monster the next day, using this energy as needed.

For now I was done. I gave Fisher the "go ahead" to start laying traps with the other Arachnids, using his new Skill. I had one more important task to take care of, before addressing my new guests. I took a good look at my core room and took some visual measurements. "Yes.." I thought with a smile, "This is going to do just nicely.. And with that estimated cost in Mana, two hours of Cultivation should more than cover it..". The mother and daughter would have to wait until noon, for I needed to get my altar up and running!