Chương 66: Chapter Sixty Five

Ding! Congratulations! You have acquired a new Trait! Create Lesser Minion (E) Allows the (Sub-Evolution Holder) to create a creature of its Species Type (Magical Construct) to serve as a new minion. Gains further access to (Minion Creation) Path traits/skills Intelligence + 10 Bob felt some minor regret as he once again watched 'Kintsugi Repair' fade from his screen, but it was soon washed away as his newest Trait began to modify his form.

The sensation of an immensely complicated magical ability being condensed down into what felt like a 'button' inside his mind starting to become a familiar one.

'Sudden Step' had felt much the same when he'd chosen it, and likely 'Treasure's Allure' prior to that; though given his distracted state at the time he hadn't really noticed. What both of them hadn't come with however, was an intriguing new tab popping up on his menu screen. Something he'd only spotted due to having it open in preparation of his coming Evolution. And also, something which he very quickly 'clicked' on.

Created Minions Type: Magical Construct Species: Mimic Modifiers Sub-Evolution: Pack Leader (E) (+3 minion count) Trait: Create Lesser Minion (E) (+2 minion count) Current Minions: 0/5 Summonable Minions: Lesser Mimic (F) As he looked through the newest tab on his menu, Bob started feeling better and better about his Trait choice. While five minions might not be the army he'd been fantasizing over, it was more than a decent start.

Especially considering there looked to be room for more growth, at least if he could manage to upgrade 'Pack Leader' or 'Create Lesser Minion'. He was admittedly a bit surprised not to see Buddy listed on the screen, but he certainly wasn't going to complain about the matter. Bob only benefiting if the system decided it wanted to keep his 'Planar' creatures separate from those crafted by his latest Trait. After he finished going through it however, he felt some hesitation began to fill him.

The next step was, obviously, to 'create' himself a minion. But as Bob contemplated doing so, he couldn't help but think it would only disadvantage him at the moment. Given he could only summon 'lesser' mimics, they wouldn't really be good for much; the base species unable to even measure up against similarly-ranked crabs.

He'd probably have to 'fatten' the things up first before they'd even be capable of half-way defending themselves; something which didn't sound terribly practical, given his own monetary issues at the moment. And that wasn't even mentioning the concerns surrounding transport and his ability to control the creatures. Would a mimic he created be safe to place inside his Vault? Or would doing so basically be inviting the competition in to eat him out of house and home?

Buddy, while willing to follow his suggestions, still seemed to be its own creature after all. And nobody knew better than him what kind of temptation a mimic would be faced with surrounded by all that gold. Eventually, Bob realized he was beginning to catastrophize. Quickly shaking himself out of the negative loop and deciding to simply give the ability a whirl. Worst comes to worst, he'd have to stomp himself a baby mimic.

Something which, while likely to result in traumatic flashbacks of his own 'youth' in this universe, wouldn't even be the most harrowing thing he'd done this afternoon. Sieving yourself through a near-impenetrable object tending to stay with a man. Ding! You have chosen to create a ' Lesser Mimic (F)' The required cost is (5 Silver, 12 Copper) Create ' Lesser Mimic (F)'? Yes /No Bob's mind stuttered as it felt like the 'button' suddenly halted halfway down.

Him staring at the window that had quickly jumped into view with a sense of weary resignation; feeling relatively unsurprised by the system's attempt at a cash-grab. Still, it was peanuts compared to what the thing would be wringing out of him in just a couple of minutes, so he didn't let it stop him for long. Quickly pressing 'yes' and feeling a small mass of silver go missing from inside him, followed by a tiny smattering of copper suddenly appearing in the center of his main room.

Before he could become too distracted by the unknowably powerful existence making change however, Bob felt himself start to 'choke' on something. A sensation not unsimilar to when he'd first gotten his prehensile limb hitting him as he suddenly felt the irrepressible need to retch; his body contorting itself as it did its best to hunch over and expel the mysterious blockage.

Something which, after a few more attempts, he eventually succeeded in doing; a small patch of beige fabric flying out of his 'throat' and into the surrounding waters. Its form floating for only a moment before descending to the ground below, laying limp and motionless upon the elaborately decorated tiles covering the office floor. Bob tried not to be disappointed as he stared down at the creature in front of him, but it was rough going.

After giving it a 'poke' with his tongue elicited no response, he eventually picked what was hopefully a monster up. Flopping it back and forth in front of his eye as he tried to determine if this was the real thing, or if the system had simply scammed him with somebody's used coin purse. A sharp, golden shine from near the bag's opening finally convinced him however; and let him know the mimic's opening Trait pick as well.

Though he wasn't sure what to think about his first 'minion' choosing what was objectively the worst option available. Still, he supposed it would allow him to see what he missed by passing on 'Gilded Teeth' all those months ago. At least once he eventually decided to feed the thing. Unfortunately, while he might be eager to get started on creating a box-based criminal empire, he wasn't wrong earlier about now not being the time.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. While having assistance scavenging the city would be amazing, getting the creature to the point where it could survive doing so would likely bankrupt him. And unless he could guarantee it gaining the Trait 'Empty Vault', netting a positive return on his investment would take ages. That is, if the monster could be convinced to 'give up' any treasure it gathered in the first place.

No, the 'minion creation' angle had a great deal of potential, but it also required more time, planning, and money than he could currently expend on it. While still happy he'd taken the Trait over 'Kintsugi Repair', Bob was more or less forced to shelf any plans surrounding it for the foreseeable future. At the very least until he was out of the valley's heart. The Boss Crab's aura alone likely to kill any low-ranking creature he brought outside the bounds of this building.

At least, any low-ranking creature not within the safety of his 'Vault'. Which Bob supposed was also where his newest party member would be forced to stay for the moment. Still, with its lack of mobility making it mostly harmless, he didn't feel too worried about it becoming a danger. Though, for safety's sake, when he tossed it in, he did decide to place it on the 'surface' level and as far away from his vault as possible. As well as at the bottom of a small pit he quickly dug.

And which he might place a large rock on top of later. As he cast one last distrustful gaze at the creature through 'Sub-Dimensional Sight', Bob found himself beginning to understand why his species didn't generally create minions. The mimic portion of his brain feeling extremely distressed by the idea of even sharing space with another of its kind; much less actual treasure.

But it was something he was just going to need to come to terms with; it wasn't like this was the first time he'd had to repress harmful 'instincts' brought on by his transformation. Still, that would come later. Now, with his Trait finally chosen, it was time for the main event. Time for the next stage of his journey as a creature, Bob having grown quite curious to see what his 'D' rank options would soon turn him into.

After all, at the peak of rank 'E' he'd already hit the size you'd expect from your standard 'treasure chest', and it felt unlikely he'd just be evolving into larger and larger pieces of luggage. He supposed he'd find out soon enough however, as he mentally clicked 'yes' to the last system message blinking on his status page. Ding! You have chosen to Evolve your Species! Let us show you your options!

Endless-Hoard Greater Mimic (D) Every guild house will have at least one scraggly veteran telling tall-tales from his adventuring days. Yammering on about creatures of legend and lore. One of the more common being the Endless-Hoard Mimic, a monster which has set aside all attempts to defend itself in exchange for the capacity to hold more treasure. Most do not believe so foolish a creature could exist. Unique Trait: Cavernous Capacity (D) Granted! Improved (Spatial) Path Traits Available!

(Armored Defense) Path Traits Restricted. Attributes Per Level: Intelligence + 10 Dexterity + 5 Perception +5 Requirements met: Contain an item at least three times your physical size, Obtain a 'E' Rank Spatial Trait, Dexterity: 100, Intelligence: 50 Phantom-Vessel Greater Mimic (D) Encountering a crewless boat while out at sea is not uncommon, the vast array of monsters lurking beneath the waves marking the end of many a sailor. A statistic Phantom-Vessel Mimics use to their benefit.

Luring the greedy and unwary onto their decks, before swiftly carrying their prey beneath the surface… Unique Trait: Ghostly Vessel (D) Granted! Improved (Movement/Mind Control) Path Traits Available! (Ocular) Path Traits Restricted.

Attributes Per Level: Constitution + 10 Dexterity + 5 Willpower + 5 Requirements met: Spend the majority of your existence within the water, kill over 50 opponents from ambush, Constitution: 100, Willpower: 50, Dexterity: 50 Lesser Brood-Mother Greater Mimic (D) A previously unknow existence has been formed. An abomination decried by both mind and magic now walks the earth, trodding a previously unseen path.

Now able to replicate itself by means of stolen wealth, how long will it be till the world is awash in its brood? Unique Trait: Devoted Children (D) Granted! Improved (Minion Creation) Path Traits Available. (Solitary Predator) Path Traits Restricted Attributes Per Level: Constitution + 5 Willpower + 5 Intelligence + 5 Strength + 5 Requirements met: Creation of a Monstrous minion, Intelligence: 100, Willpower: 100 False-Life Greater Mimic (D) A strangely shaped dog in the shadows.

An odd sheep amongst the flock whose movements are slow and stilted. A hunched over beggar, knocking discordantly at the back door. Most mimics dwell in Dungeons or amongst the scrap-heaps of greater civilizations. But some recognize that true wealth never strays far from sapient hands. Unique Trait: False-Life Transformation (D) Granted!

Improved (Transformation) Path Traits Available (Spatial) Path Traits Restricted Attributes Per Level: Willpower + 10 Intelligence + 10 Requirements met: Remain hidden from over 100 enemies, Kill over 50 enemies from ambush, Intelligence: 100, Willpower: 100, Ability to understand Sapient Creatures. Artifact-Bound Greater Mimic (D) Occasionally, during the process of building their hoard, a mimic will happen across a magical item or artifact which truly resonates with them.

Something which, during the process of evolution, can leave an indelible mark. One they will carry with them for the rest of their existence. Unique Trait: Bound Artifact (D) Granted!

Improved (Magical Absorption) Path Traits available (Transformation) Path Traits Restricted Attributes Per Level: Intelligence + 5 Willpower + 5 Constitution + 5 Strength + 5 Requirements met: Possess a powerful connection to an obtained artifact (Azcoran Seal of Binding (B)), Near-immunity to a Path of Magic (Light, Law) Bob watched in shock as multiple, potent paths were laid out before him, his mind buzzing as it tried to weigh the pros and cons of each choice.

Realizing almost immediately that whichever option he took, it would greatly determine the course of his life going forward. He should probably warn Buddy that they might be staying in this room for a bit longer than previously expected.