Chapter 12 The Power of Evolution 5

[No 03.]

[Race: Skeleton Warrior (-)]

[Specialty: Defense]

[Bone Toughness | ★☆ (1.5)]

[Physique | ★ (1)]

[Agility | ☆ (0.5)]

[No 09.]

[Race: Clay Golem (-)]

[Specialty: Striking]

[Strength | ★☆ (1.5)]

[Physique | ★ (1)]

[No 15.]

[Race: Treant (M)]

[Specialty: Vine binding]

[Vine binding | ★★ (2)]

[Physique | ★ (1)]

[Agility | ☆ (0.5)]

Unlike with the Goblins, there wasn't a variety of spirits to choose from for each species, so he only really had one of the three choices.

Naturally, all three spirits had their advantages and disadvantages.

The Skeleton Warrior had a height of around 2 meters and didn't require any food since it was an undead monster. Furthermore, since it's body was made of bones, then other than its bones getting broken, it wouldn't really get injured.

Its main weapons, that of a typical tanker, was a sword and shield. While it's armor consisted of a helmet and body armor.

The problem, however, was that it required a lot of mana to maintain. Thus, the Skeleton Warrior was too much for the Mammon Dungeon to handle, as the dungeon primarily relied on just Yong-Ho to replenish its mana.

The Clay Golem, just as its name implied, was made out of clay. Similar to the Skeleton Warrior, it required no food, but compared to the Skeleton Warrior, it consumed less mana.

The Clay Golem was about 2.5 meters in height. Its shoulders were also quite wide, which was ideal for blocking enemies.

Its downside was that its movements were quite slow, but that wasn't much of an issue since its primary role would just be defense. Its role would just be to sit in the middle of a narrow passageway and endure the enemy's attacks.

The Clay Golem didn't use any weapons and looked more akin to a clay doll made by a child rather than a combat spirit.

Finally, the last spirit was the Treant.

The Treant was a tree monster that had a face in the center of its large body and had branches for arms and legs.

It was the largest of the three. It had branches extending out of its head as well, so it was difficult to perceive its exact height, but it was definitely somewhere over three meters. Its body was also quite thick, where a grown man would be incapable of fully embracing it.

Since it could plant itself into the ground like an ordinary tree, it also didn't require to be provided any food. All it required was the right amount of nutrients and water, and since it was a dungeon spirit, it didn't require much sunlight.

'Mobility is an issue though.'

Its mobility was worse than the Clay Golem, but he was quite impressed that it could freely move its branches and vines around the dungeon-like tentacles. If it rooted itself in the middle of a passageway, then it could stretch its branches and vines to create a strong barrier.

'Clay Golem or Treant?'

From their stats alone, they would be equivalent to just an ordinary spirit, so he had to make his choice solely based on their individual characteristics. He had to consider whether he wanted a strength type, that could be used in a variety of different fields, or a specialist, that excelled in one particular field.

Yong-Ho alternated his gaze between both spirits. He examined the evolutionary route that each had and imagined their potential synergy with Catalina.

A few seconds later.

Yong-Ho had finally decided.

***

After stirring for a bit, Yong-Ho woke up and opened his eyes. He shook his head to get rid of his daze. Standing a couple of steps away, he saw Catalina and Eligor who were fidgeting anxiously.

"Haaa... Haaa..."

He had no strength left in his body. He had felt like he had repeatedly ran a hundred-meter sprint.

"Master, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Catalina carefully asked, while wiping the sweat from Yong-Ho's forehead with a handkerchief. Eligor also spoke with an anxious expression.

"You consumed too much mana. And you've been in the virtual branch for too long."

Yong-Ho took a deep breath, instead of answering. After Catalina wiped off his sweat, he took a step back and spoke. His throat felt quite dry.

"H-how long was I in there?"

"You were in there for about two hours."

Eligor responded immediately. Yong-Ho closed his eyes again and sat down on his throne.

The coolness of the stone throne felt very comfortable.

'I used too much mana.'

Staying in the virtual branch for two hours wasn't that much of an issue. The problem was that he had been using the power of evolution to examine the spirits, just after he had evolved the two Goblins.

'I've still got a long way to go.'

Yong-Ho had contemplated his own evolutionary route, but it seemed that he had to grow his mana first.

After taking a few more breaths, he opened his eyes again. The two Goblins, Jon and Ron, Catalina and Eligor were all staring at him. He looked at each one of their faces in turn and then smiled.

Even though they were worried about Yong-Ho's condition, they desperately wanted to ask what kind of spirits he had purchased. However, since Yong-Ho hadn't fully recovered, they had held themselves back.

Yong-Ho smiled and spoke, "A Treant, I bought a Treant."

Catalina and Eligor were stunned. Catalina blinked her large eyes, and Eligor asked with a perplexed expression.

"Master, but isn't the Treant a rank two spirit, not rank one…?"

"Did you forget who I am? I'm the demon king who inherited the power of greed."

Yong-Ho continued to explain his encounter with Sitri.

There was no need to keep it a secret, and he felt like he needed to share the information with his closest subordinates, Catalina and Eligor.

Sitri's favor of him was definitely a huge boon, but Yong-Ho couldn't completely trust her. He couldn't let his guard down around her, even if it meant that he would gain something from her.

"Eligor, I've only spent half of the money you deposited into the Dungeon Market. So I bought an additional two Goblins to speed up the dungeon's development. Since I bought a lot, they also gave me a free Skeleton as a bonus."

As Yong-Ho spoke with a smile, Eligor looked as if he had become deeply moved. He could foresee what Eligor was about to do next, so he quickly intercepted. He stood up from the throne and further spoke.

"I eagerly await our new companions. Shall we eat in celebration?"

Even though he had spoken with confidence, his body reacted more honestly. Before he had finished talking, his legs started to shake and he almost collapsed. Catalina quickly rushed to support him. Yong-Ho could see her worried expression. He smiled without realizing it.

"You're definitely more comfortable to be with."

He could read her thoughts from just looking at her expression. Although they were equally beautiful, Catalina had a much healthier mindset than Sitri.

"Master?"

"It's nothing, you're just cute."

Three days ago, he had found it difficult to stand with her face to face.

Yong-Ho shook his head, and then leaned a bit more on Catalina, who had become as stiff as a tree. He smiled and spoke to Eligor and the Goblins behind him.

"Anyway, let's eat. Let's eat and then get some rest."

There was no need to overdo it all the time. Eligor, Catalina and even the Goblins all began to do their set tasks.