Becoming a Monster

Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Lucky Loot or Intentional

”Trying to learn this way just isn’t possible.” Noah stood with his eyes closed, his thoughts centered on the changes within his body as it underwent the process of bestowing him with the changes of his new skill. He felt his body becoming clearer than before; the skill that pertained to his Nexus eye had more to do with his soul than his magical power, something that touched on the very essence of his being.

He could feel an emptiness within him being filled that wasn’t there before. The skill strengthened his soul to allow him to create more fallen, it made him feel more complete, exposing his inadequate soul from before. And this is where the problem lied, the change wasn’t something that he could follow, nor something he could explain. It was similar to trying to explain how to jump, or to move your arm; it was just something that you know how to do.

That instinct is what was happening here, he just knows how to use the improved skill, but for the life of him he couldn’t follow the changes so he could improve the skill further on his own, at least for now.

He had no way of knowing if the reason for this was because of the system or not, but for now, he would just continue to focus on what was in his control. This led him to materialize one last object from his ring, it was his last upgrade stone. Inwardly, Noah felt pressed, pressed at the fact that his chest’s contents only allowed him so few items. Inwardly, he envied groups similar to Mark’s, where each and every one of their members were able to obtain loot. Where Noah gained three or four things, Mark’s group over all would earn ten times that easily.

Although that was his initial feelings, Noah didn’t truly regret it. The quality of items he’s received thus far was surely better than anything that they could obtain despite the quantity of their loot. His thoughts went back to the mimic stone, and then the ascension stone. He was positive that those who fought the same battles as he had and with groups would not be able to obtain such an item, at least, that was his assumption. But thinking about the loot he’s recently acquired made his mind ponder extensively about a realization that he wasn’t sure to be true.

”Why does it seem that everything I get now seems to be exactly what I need?” The realization left him more eager to gain more loot to confirm this belief, but it also left him in a pensive state. He recalled upon the time he first awakened and was notified that he would be granted loot based on his class, but as of late, equipment, which he didn’t need, wasn’t dropping as often, nor did useless virus antidotes. Even when it came to skill scrolls, he’s seen less of them, although skills were welcome, at the moment, it was the upgrade stones that he needed the most that were appearing in his loot, alongside with unique items like the dungeon core.

The more he pondered, the more he believed that the maker behind all of this was plotting something behind the scenes. He could still vividly recall the beings last message; tomorrow was the supposed last day. Was this the reason for the selective loot? Did they not prove to the being that they were able to contend with zombies’ constant evolution? Was this some way for the Deity to prepare them for the consequence of not amounting to their expectation? The more Noah thought about the situation, the more he grew frustrated. He didn’t even consider himself human, nor did the system, but the being’s decisions were only considering human achievements.

His emotional thoughts continued temporarily before he stabilized. The consequences of their supposed failure weren’t stated. What may be considered a consequence for everyone else might just be another blessing in disguise for him.

Focusing once again, Noah gazed back towards the stone in hand, willing it to dissipate as it upgraded the main skill he had in mind, and his once true trump card. ”Heh, I wonder how big I can make it this time...” His inner otaku was pleased. There were other skills he could have upgraded, skills such as his lesser abilities. Each lesser ability requirement was all the same, requiring for them to kill a certain number of creatures and to kill a certain number of evolved beings while influenced by the skill, and lastly it required for Noah to use the skill a certain number of times.

Killing evolved creatures was already accomplished, but now he still needed to complete the other two which he planned to accomplish during this night’s outing. And with the new mechanic he can come up with, allowing him to trigger the abilities from a distance, he would be more proactive with using the ability.

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”Are you ready to go?” Noah was addressed as he walked outside, seeing his companions eagerly discussing. Ailetta was the first to notice Noah approach, her question quickly stopped the banter between the rest of the creatures. Each of his creatures showed in their own way to express their eagerness, but it was only Eve who approached him. Her small strides and somewhat hurried state created a comical site.

”Book!” She exclaimed with both hands out. She tried her hardest to look serious, her exaggerated seriousness contradicting her efforts to appear mature. She was in a rush to go, ready to go out there to put the plan her and Ailetta put together into action. Her request was already expected as Noah didn’t need any extra content to bring out the unholy book from his ring. Eve’s tiny arms stretched as far as she could to quickly hold the overly large book within her two hands, barely managing to balance the oversized tome in her hands.

Her gaze flickered briefly, her expression shifting as the sheen of the book’s power connected to her mind. Her pupils dilated as the knowledge within the book connected with her. The change was subtle, but Noah caught it, it wasn’t the first time this happened. He came to realize that the book was able to record the information of any zombie within her presence, imbedding that information into her very being. However, all of that knowledge seemed to only be present when she was in contact with the book. As of now, now still was unsure what other uses the book had, but he still had an inkling that the book was more valuable than it led on.

With the group now gathered, they had all they needed to leave, and yet they were curious why they were waiting. But then they saw Noah’s gaze look over within the confines of the forest.

”I need you to stay near Pandora and protect this place with her.” Noah’s following words only brought on an even greater confusion with the others. It appeared as if he was talking to no one, but suddenly, as if it materialized out of nowhere, the giant snake materialized from the shadows. Its predatory violet gaze shined brightly within the contrast of the night that wasn’t there before.

The snake was first surprised when being addressed by Noah. Although it was he who had told Pandora to relay the message to come back and he was most likely expecting it to return, that didn’t explain how Noah was able to pinpoint it from its camouflage from such a distance.

The snake wouldn’t be able to grasp the full extent of Noah’s unique abilities, particularly his eyes, which were exceptional in all aspects. The subtle shifts within the shadows, the faint disturbances that would escape even the most perceptive beings, were instantly noticed by his primary set of eyes. Yet, even if those failed, his Nexus Eye revealed far more. It effortlessly detected the elongated, massive trail of mana emanating from the snake’s body as it slithered closer.

The realization came swiftly to the snake. Despite its initial surprise at being seen through, it instinctively accepted Noah’s ability, as though it were a divine truth. To the snake, Noah’s powers were unfathomable, its perception of Noah was akin to a worshipper catching fleeting glimpses of their deity’s prowess.

”Okay,” the snake hissed in readily acceptance, its body once again merging with the shadows as it began to slowly slither away to a place where it could further hide itself. Unlike before, where it would lie in wait among the tree branches, it had already learned a painful lesson, that if intruders were to show, particularly the hybrids between the ants and bees, then fighting atop the trees would only leave it at a disadvantage.

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With the snake staying near their base, Noah and the others finally made their way out of the forest. It was then that they were able to witness Pandora’s hard efforts. A wall that besides Noah and Ailetta, the others were just now learning of it. Initially, they were curious how they were to get past, or in Fenrir’s case, he was conflicted if he was allowed to destroy it. Before anyone could let their intrusive thoughts take over, the roots began to move.

Each root uncoiled from one another, only separating enough to allow the group through before eventually closing again as they passed. Unknowingly, as they drew closer to leaving the forest, everyone was smugly smiling at the aspect of being able to kill.