Chương 21: Chapter Twenty

Ding! Bob jerked as the alert chimed inside his head; not having expected any notices from the system until after he'd gobbled up all the silver he'd spotted. At first, he was worried. Afraid that he was about to be notified that the crab had infected him with some terrible bag-rotting disease, or that the system had suddenly decided it only accepted coinage for all species-leveling purposes.

Instead, he was given his first bit of evidence that – perhaps – this Universe wasn't quite as out to get him as he'd believed. Congratulations! New Class available! Class: Treasure Hunter Rank: B For some, Treasure is more important than food. More important than water. More important than living a life of comfort, respect or dignity More important than life itself, in fact Class Focus Detection Attributes Perception, Dexterity, Willpower Requirements: Go alone to the depths of a Dungeon in search of Treasure.

And find it. Possession of an 'Evasion' Path Skill Willpower: 20 Enable Class? For a moment, Bob could only stare at the windows in shock. He'd been tempted multiple times during his endless trek across the Dunes to accept one of the Classes he'd picked up. Only managing to resist the temptation because both seemed like, if anything, they'd make his situation worse. Attempting to use 'taunt' to fight the local grouper with the goal of acquiring another option actually ranking above choosing either in his mind.

A show of restraint which certainly seemed to have paid off now. He glanced over towards the silver ingots, the mimic part of his brain screaming at him to gobble them down, before focusing back on the screen in front of him. The ingots would keep. Had already done so for untold centuries. The Class option felt as if it would disappear the moment he took his eye off it. Even if experience told Bob that was almost certainly untrue.

Still, it was a feeling he didn't need to resist, doubting he'd find a better ranked Class anytime soon. Certainly not before he got out of his current life-threatening situation. Not interested in allowing himself any more time for overthinking, Bob scrolled to the bottom of the page and mentally pressed the 'Enable Class' button. Non-existent fingers crossed that the benefits he gained would be enough to give him some options in his present… predicament. Congratulations! You have chosen a Class!

Welcome to the Great Battle! As a sapient of Seraphia, you will be broadly reliant on your Class to defend yourself against That Which Mana Has Birthed. Those Creatures which are Cursed to destroy all intelligent life for its slight against Her. You can gain experience in your Class in various ways!

Including, but not limited to: Destruction of Creatures Touched by the Dungeon's Heart The Capture of a Lesser, Moderate or Greater Node Maintaining Control over a Lesser, Moderate or Greater Node Class specific methods (limited to Classes ranked C and above) The maximum Level obtainable in a Class is based upon its Ranking. Which will increase as follows: F – 10 E - 20 D – 30 C - 50 B – 75 A - 100 Upon reaching Maximum Level in a Class, Evolution is possible.

But only if the Sapient in question has developed an understanding of their Class which betters The System's own. At which point they will be given a unique (S)pecial Class; with a maximum level dependent upon their own actions. You have Chosen the Class: Treasure Hunter (B) Go to Class Page now? … What? Bob just stared at the window for a moment. His glee at having gained a higher ranked Class quickly snuffed out by the confusion, and no small amount of concern, brought on by the system's first paragraph.

Most of what came after 'Cursed to destroy all intelligent life' kind of being glossed over.' Wait.' Bob's mind stilled as he came to a sickening realization. Was this why all those crabs outside were so desperate to tear him to pieces? Why that slime seemed so intent on chasing him, despite them both running past numerous, delicious-looking piles of garbage? Because he was 'Sapient life'?' But how would they even know?' Bob thought, before looking down at himself.

Wondering what part of 'empty sack falling through the water' screamed out 'Sapient life' to these things. Shouldn't they just think he was a monster too? The humans he'd encountered had certainly done so. And, honestly, he wasn't living a life all that outside what the rest of the monsters were. Desperately trying to survive while seeking out any opportunity for evolution or advancement. Hell, He could even understand them. Hear their gross little words dripping into his brain.

Something which, in hindsight, probably had more to do with him being turned into a monster, rather than all of them weirdly possessing telepathic abilities. Just like how the language of those three adventurers automatically translated itself in his mind while they were having their conversation. Because he was also Sapient. Which was why everything outside wanted to clip him up into a pile of Bob-themed confetti. Bob's aggravation only grew as his thoughts began to run circles around themselves.

The fact that whatever had sent him here had not only stripped him of his humanity, but caused all the other freaks to hate him too, stoking a burning pit of anger somewhere deep inside him. He turned his head back up to glare at the boxes; taking back every nice thought he'd ever had about this universe, or the system, or anything that had happened to him since he'd arrived here. Because apparently it wasn't enough to be turned into a bag.

It wasn't enough to be transported to some alien world and left to die – paralyzed and helpless – in some damp underground cavern. No, instead he was to be pit against both sides in some world-spanning war he'd only just become aware of. Probably only surviving as long as he had due to the isolated areas he'd been thrown, or sucked, into. Bob allowed himself to seethe for a few more moments; cursing and swearing and promising retribution against all and sundry before finally… letting it go.

Forcing himself to push away all the useless aggravation rattling in his brain so that he could focus on things that actually mattered. Because nothing had actually changed from the revelation. The crabs would still have been outside, waiting to kill him, regardless. Now he just happened to know why. And even if the reason why was some stupid, ridiculous, discount-bin RPG bullshit, there was still no point in getting upset about it. Okay. So maybe he wasn't entirely done letting it go yet.

Unfortunately, he also had an unknown period of safety available to him, so he really couldn't afford to dawdle. He opened up his Class page, hoping to at least find some good news there. Surprisingly, discovering quite a bit of it.

Class: Treasure Hunter (B)Level: 1/75 EXP: 0/16 Attribute Gain Per Level: Perception + 5 Dexterity + 4 * Willpower + 3 Class Skill Treasure Sense (B) Evolution Path Detection Level 10: Skill Evolution 1 Level 20: Skill Evolution 2 Level 30: Skill Evolution 3 Level 50: Skill Evolution 4 Level 75: Skill Evolution 5 -Unique Experience Gain- If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Treasure Hunter (B) Gains (10) Experience points per Gold Coin value of treasures found. Those were a lot of attribute bonuses. As well as a… Class Skill? And Evolutions? Mildly confused, Bob focused on his newly obtained ability like he would his normal skills. Asking it to open up. Luckily, this time The System chose to acquiesce to his request. Though likely only because it also had something it wanted to say. Ding! You have acquired your first Class Skill!

Class Skills operate differently from Obtained Skills. Their capabilities being far broader in scope and not leveling via use. Class Skills are instead the vast, generalized abilities of each Class made Manifest. Evolving into greater and more personalized versions of themselves as you level up. You have acquired the Skill ' Treasure Sense (B)', from the 'Detection Path' Treasure Sense (B) (Advanced form of ' Dungeon Sense (C)'.) As well as aiding in the detection of Traps, Curses, Monsters and Mana Flares; this Skill allows its user to sense out Treasure hidden within the Dungeon's embrace. Bob stared at his new Skill in mild shock, marveling at its utility, before wondering if the ability was supposed to be an active or passive one. A thought which was almost immediately answered by The System. Though it decided to use unsettling, psychological assaults in lieu of conversation.

As Bob was suddenly beset by the strangest sensations he had never experienced before. The closest thing he could acquaint them to being the feeling of someone staring at you from across the room. From all around the tower he felt a sort of pressing danger. A bad 'vibe' that lingered around windows and other entrances, urging him to stay away. One which he assumed had something to do with the massive horde of flesh-rending crabs currently surrounding him.

Alternatively, from the direction of the silver ingots not ten feet from him, there was a strange 'beckoning' sensation. A gentle, sunny warmth which almost felt like it was tugging him forward. After focusing for a bit, he could feel other bits of 'sunshine' out there. Most of them squashed to nothing by the cloud of danger he was encompassed by; but some flickers of light cutting through. Enough for him to know that the darkened silver in front of him wasn't the only 'treasure' hidden in this building.

Once Bob had managed to wrangle all the new information flooding his mind, putting each into their own new 'homes' within his brain, he paused to calculate how this might affect his situation. And then began to feel the first burgeoning flames of hope. This might be very good news for him. Might save him, even. At least if he could find a way to get around an army of angry crustaceans. Though, more and more, he was beginning to think 'through' might be the better alternative.

Bob flexed himself slightly, feeling out the improvements his body had gotten from just a single level in his new class. A single level, he was just now realizing, which gave him more than twice as many attribute points as leveling his species did. If he combined this with whatever he got from swallowing down those ingots, which at the very least should be a new Trait, then he might well stand a chance against some of the smaller crabs. At least if he could catch one alone. And by surprise.

Still, even if it took him time, just a single level would allow for a massive improvement in his overall abilities. Which should allow him to kill them easier. Leading to a source of semi-consistent experience. And thus, quick level ups. Of course, that was assuming that the crabs counted as 'Creatures touched by the Dungeon's Heart'. Which Bob assumed meant monsters; though it would have been nice if the System had made that clearer. Jesus. Even the flavor text reminded him of old D&D modules.

Bob canceled out the blue screens in front of him and slowly began inching his way towards the center of the room. Deciding it was best to get his species leveling done too so that he could see what he was working with. He did his best to skirt around the various sigils and pentagrams along the way, figuring it always paid to be careful. Eventually arriving in front of the blackened metal blobs without incident. As he'd gotten closer, the warm, coaxing sensation continued to grow.

Making him hopeful both for the amount of silver each ingot was worth and for how much this skill was going to aid him in the future. Not wanting to waste any more time, he quickly reached down to grab one of the tarnished bars before tossing it to the back of his 'throat'. To an instant eruption of satisfying alerts. Ding! Congratulations! You have acquired an amount of Silver equal to (7) Coins! Species Level Increased! 8 – 10 New Species Trait available! New Skill Slot opened! Alert! Species Evolution Available!

Bob felt nearly beside himself as the alerts came in. Each one adding another small measure of hope for his continued survival. Ecstatic to have gotten not only an additional trait, but also an unspoken of – but desperately desired – Species Evolution. Something which, after witnessing 'Bite' evolve at level ten, he had been getting his hopes up for; despite attempts otherwise. He watched in awe as his body was quickly repaired by the level increases.

Once torn and mangled materials now made new and untouched; their form bettered, even. The drab bag he'd once been, now transformed into a stylish, velvet-trimmed sack fit for only the finest of people. Bob felt the temptation to preen slightly but, as images of a literal army of crabs flashed through his mind, pushed it aside for more important concerns. He instead mentally clicked the 'Species Traits' button. Wishing he had fingers to cross as his options began to fill the air in front of him.

The descriptions of each appearing without him needing to request it; which he appreciated. Congratulations! For elevating yourself to Species Level (10) you are awarded (1) additional Species Trait! Please choose carefully!

Treasure's Allure (F) Grants the mimic an air of innocence and temptation Gains further access to 'Mind Control' Path traits/skills Willpower + 5 Gilded Teeth (F) Grants the Mimic metal teeth surrounding the opening of their bag/chest Gains further access to 'Maw' Path traits/skills Strength + 5 Taste for Gold (F) Grants the Mimic a prehensile tongue which can extend out of the opening of their bag/chest Gains further access to (Prehensile Limb) Path traits/skills Dexterity + 5 Armored Safe (F) Grants the Mimic armored plates/materials along the surface of their bag/chest Gains further access to (Armored Defense) Path traits/skills Constitution + 5 Bob glanced over each of the traits, his decision far more difficult than it would have been prior to falling down yet another pit.

Part of him wanted to take 'Treasure's Allure'. Mostly in hope that the added willpower and, perhaps, greater understanding of 'mind control' abilities would help protect him from any further use of the Boss's Skill. After a few seconds of thought however, he dismissed the idea. An extra five points not really being that much help. Especially considering he could gain Willpower from leveling his Class. Something which he wasn't sure 'Treasure's Allure' would be much help with.

Crabs not known for being terribly financially minded.

'Gilded Teeth' was abandoned similarly quickly; though it pained him to do so. He hated to toss away the only purely offensive Trait he had access to, but feared that his previous skill evolution would make it largely useless. With 'Toothless Grasp' specifying a negation of all bite damage, as well as turning his jaw into a floppy, bendable mess, it just seemed too risky and impractical a choice. So, it too was pushed to the side. Which left him with only two remaining options; 'Armored Safe' and 'Taste for Gold'.

One strictly defensive, while the other served a broader utility of use. Bob hesitated a moment; mind flip-flopping back and forth between the two options. Trying to decide which would prove more beneficial in his current situation. While the idea of built in armor and extra constitution points felt more than a little tempting, especially given he was not ten minutes out from being literally torn in half, he wasn't sure he could afford to think completely defensively in this moment.

He needed to be able to fight back. If not for the experience points, then simply because he wouldn't always be able to run away from a dangerous situation. Or even run away at all. The speed disparity between him and the crabs looking pretty vast when not on a steep tiled roof. That said, would having a 'prehensile tongue' really help him out that much either? Bob was suddenly hit with the horrible image of him attempting to assault a crab with it, only to have a single 'snip!'

leave him out of both a tongue and his only working limb. It was the kind of decision he hated being forced to make. One which would almost certainly have long-term consequences to his life and general wellbeing. And, unfortunately, wherein Bob felt he was missing crucial information. As he dithered about, feeling entirely unsure about which to choose, the mimic bits of himself drew his eye to the ingot still remaining on the floor. Twin to the one in his belly. And as it did so, an idea bloomed within Bob.

An idea which relied on far more 'maybes' than he'd usually be comfortable with; but still, an idea. Which was a vast improvement over the lack of them he'd been working with until now. When no competing thoughts made themselves known, Bob decided to make his choice. Affirming it with the system before he succumbed to another wave of 'what ifs' and stood around, staring at his options for the next two hours. Ding! You have Chosen the Trait (Taste for Gold) + 5 Dexterity! Prehensile limb added!

Bob had no more time to think as he felt his entire body convulse and the 'neck' of his bag bloat explosively outward. Swelling to a ridiculous extent before suddenly compressing back down to near its original size; a strange new sensation now lingering within him. He poked at the feeling slightly, the unnaturalness of it already beginning to fade, only to be startled when a thick fiber cord whipped out from the mouth of his bag.

Slamming ineffectually into the ground before zipping back inside him again in the space of half a second. For a few moments, Bob just paused. Mind trying to wrestle with the alien feeling of having a supposably prehensile limb curled tightly within his 'throat'. Trying not to grimace at the 'stuck pill' sensation the new appendage was giving him.

After a bit of trial and error – mostly involving him spitting out his tongue like a drunken chameleon – Bob slowly managed to get the cord to extend out of his mouth on command. The almost hempen-looking appendage twitching back and forth in front of his observant eye. Understanding of how to operate it seemed to naturally advance from there.

It taking only a few minutes more before he felt comfortable enough to casually pick up the remaining ingot; wiggling it about in the air in an attempt to measure the cord's strength and dexterity. Here he found himself very pleasantly surprised. He'd been concerned that the Trait might give him nothing more than an extended version of the tassel his eye was attached to. Something which could grip onto and pull small items towards him, but not much else.

Instead, he found himself the new owner of a dense, whip-like, rope. One which was not only beginning to feel more dexterous than he'd expected, but also significantly stronger. Capable of not only easily lifting up the silver ingots, but also – he noticed upon gripping onto one of the cauldron's legs – Bob himself. As he waved the greater portion of his body through the water solely by the strength of his new limb, Bob briefly exulted in how much this would increase his mobility.

Now able to yank, pull and push himself around the area; he was no longer reliant on the short, slow, slug-like movements which had nearly been the death of him on far too many occasions. He briefly started dragging himself around the room, getting used to the new movements and 'muscles' unique to this form, before suddenly remembering that it was pointless. Because pretty soon it wouldn't exist anymore. As he settled himself back on the ground, Bob decided that he was quite happy with his Trait choice.

Even feeling, given the cord's surprising strength, decently confident in his half-baked plan to combat the crabs. Now he just had to hope he'd be further emboldened by the results of his Evolution. He looked briefly at the ingot still gripped in his new appendage, before tossing it down to sit with its brother. Deciding it was time to get on with it. Ding! Congratulations! You have acquired (7) Silver pieces! Alert! Species Maximum (Rank F) exceeded! Undergo Species Evolution to further increase Species Level.

Bob, as best as he was able, frowned. Noticing that none of the monetary alerts he'd gotten had given him Class experience. Making him wonder if he needed to get all the way up to one gold coin's worth of value before it paid out; or if the ingots didn't count because he 'found' them prior to having the ability. To be fair, he supposed most other 'Treasure Hunters' weren't swallowing their finds down as soon as they came across them. Meaning he probably shouldn't expect the notices to only come post-ingestion.

Bob dismissed the window. Forcing himself to do one last clear of the room and hallway before leaving himself potentially vulnerable. He'd never gone through a 'Species Evolution' before, after all. And, given that the process to switch out skills felt like it did actual brain damage, he didn't think it was a good idea to go into this expecting anything but the worst. After assuring himself again that there weren't any crabs hiding behind the bookcases, Bob started looking around for a shadowy area of his own.

He briefly considered hopping into the Cauldron itself, his current body fitting easily inside, before giving it up in fear of finding himself stuck post-transformation. This concern nixed the majority of the other decent spots as well. With him eventually choosing to hunker down to the side of the bookcase furthest from the stairs. Not exactly 'hidden', but at least not in plain sight as soon as anything entered the room.

Then, after giving himself a few moments to settle his nerves, Bob reopened the last window he'd dismissed. Before mentally selecting the glowing blue words at the bottom. He was ready. Ding! You have chosen to Evolve your Species! Let us show you your options!