"So, you got the goods?" Daggat asked.

The crew was all back at their camp just at the edge of view of the village. After Zuss shared what she knew, Klaw took up a perch just in the light of their fire, watching the village.

Zuss tossed Daggat the sack. Daggat opened it and grinned at the contents. He reached in, rolled all of the matter into a tight ball, then tossed it down his gullet.

He shivered. The taste was putrid. But the several experience notifications that flooded his view were proof it was worth it. Finally, the most important notification.

[You have devoured - Griffin, level 13. Experience Gained. You have gained one monster level. One Biotrait point awarded.]

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, one level. Courtesy of goblin traits." Daggat said with a short bow. He was hoping for two levels, but he was happy with at least one. He had a sinking feeling it was going to get harder to level up.

Cheers followed. Goblin was more useful a genebloom than he would have first guessed. Did all humans collect old skulls? He could get some really easy levels that way.

"Everyone get the level?" Daggat asked. Affirmations followed. Even Klaw looked delighted, joining them at the fire. Everyone confirmed their level, except for Elyndris.

"Um, Elyndris?" Daggat asked. "You get it?" She said nothing.

"Elly, are you okay?" Anath asked.

Daggat took a closer look. She was quivering. Almost vibrating.

"IT'S!" She squeaked, then took a few breaths. "IT'S!" The worm's excitement had bubbled over into madness as she began cackling.

"What's wrong?" Asked Hunter.

"IT'S UNIQUE!" Elyndris screamed. She launched from the ground and flew in a circle. She roared in victory. Anath started to laugh. "No other larva, in the HISTORY OF THE WORLD, has attained such a high level as I! I AM THE MOST POWERFUL LARVA OF ALL TIME!"

"Well, yeah. Most larvae are mindless. How many do you think are born with knowledge?" Daggat said. "Now, show me."

Daggat entered the status void. Everyone else popped in one at a time.

"Worm, get down here and show us the fucking biotrait!" Klaw yelled at her.

"Watch your tone, bugbear. In one week, I will be the most powerful of us. My days as a measly worm are over!" Elyndris said as she landed on Anath's shoulder. "Behold!"

Elyndris opened her menu so all could see. There, as she claimed, glittered a rainbow option. Metamorphosis. The assistant and spider were on it in an instant.

"This is a wonderful trait, madam," The assistant said. "With it, you can fix each of your many flaws. Only one week of complete vulnerability separates you from such power."

"Don't select it yet," Daggat said. "We need to use the altar."

"I am no fool, goblin." Elyndris hissed at him.

The assistant cleared his throat. "This biotrait allows her a new form. By spending a week within a cocoon, she can redistribute all of her biotraits, attribute points, and skill points. How that works with feats, I have no idea."

"Now that I have more to work with, I can forge my perfect body! And, I can return to this pitiful form, should I choose to."

"And this biotrait is… good?" Hunter asked.

"Of course it is. I can improve on my already spectacular design. I am two paths in one! And consider the upgrades. THE UPGRADES! I have a biotrait stored, ready for it. Maybe I could get more forms? Or I can make it faster! Do any of you know the feat for choosing a unique biotrait?"

"No, what is it?" Zuss said.

"I HAVE NO IDEA!" Elyndris roared. "I am going to have a mutation for free immediately, plus my saved-up biotrait on top of the mystery reward. I can get all of the upgrades before I even start to build my new form."

Daggat winced as she started cackling madly again. At least she was happy. He zoned in on his other companions.

"Klaw. Anath. Did you get class levels?"

Anath harrumphed. "No."

"Yup, got the paladin level," Klaw said. "Ain't gotta wait on the altar either. Since it's not a biotrait."

"Hey, you're right. Didn't think you were paying attention." Daggat said. Klaw flipped him off. "Well, what are you going to get?"

"Oh, I know what I want. Wanted it since the first time I seen it." Klaw said.

He scrolled through his menus and selected a skill. Wind Slash. A sword skill.

He blinked out of the status void, and Daggat followed him. Klaw found a nearby tree and grinned at it. With both hands, he slashed in the air. Six blades of air closed the distance quickly, slicing into the tree. Six thin marks were left on the tree.

"Well. You'd give them papercuts." Daggat mused.

"But… the human's was stronger!" Klaw complained.

"He probably upgraded it a few times. You'll get there. Then, when you get the fancy new paladin powers, they can combine." Daggat patted the disappointed Klaw on the shoulder and strode towards his sister.

"Hey, Zuss," Daggat said, "Learn anything?"

"A bit. There's some really old guy out here we need to find. Some human. The altar gave me a quest to find him."

"Woah, woah. Back up. So it was an altar? To whom?"

"The monster one. Obviously."

"It gave a quest?"

"Yes. It gave me the sense it didn't normally do that, but was acting in its interests."

"Our to-do list keeps growing. Is that all?"

"Yep. Oh, wait. Humans are going to try to wipe us out tomorrow."

"Oh, yeah, I figured."

"What? You knew?" Zuss said while squinting her shadowy eyes at him.

"It's kind of obvious. Look, the humans attacked us right away. It wasn't until I made it VERY clear that I wanted to talk that they let me in. Then some other humans were acting all aggressive against us. Then their leader wants me to go hunt with some girl. Splitting us." Daggat explained quickly. "Put all that together, and it's obvious."

"And you didn't tell us?" Growled Klaw.

"I was. And don't worry, you four will be fine." Daggat said. "Just… run away if it's a problem."

"Four? There should be five if you go on the hunt. Which is not a good idea." Hunter said.

"I'm not going alone. Anath is coming with me."

"I am?" Anath squeeked.

"Hey! You are leaving us to get attacked AND you are taking our best fighter?" Elyndris said. "At least take Hunter instead."

Hunter's eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"Hey! I'm our best warrior." Klaw grumbled.

"Guys, guys, relax. It's all planned out. Listen, I'm taking Anath because she's our best hunter. No offense, Zuss. I'm going along with them to learn a thing or two." Daggat pointed to Hunter. "Now, Hunter is the key here. Flex that aura of yours. I don't want you killing humans. Not yet."

"The fuck did these humans do to get you to lick their boots?" Klaw said. "They tried to kill us. One of them SHOT me."

"Get over it. Look, I don't care if the humans get themselves killed. But the thing is, if we kill them, they won't want to work with us. One of them has to know how to patch up a wall, and the manor is getting drafty." Daggat looked back at the village. "I have a hunch that we can push things in our favor."

After a few more grumbles, complaints, and eventual acceptance, the group split off to their nightly rituals.

Klaw had his eyes glued to the village, watching for any sign of attack. Daggat was sure they wouldn't attack tonight. They were too scattered, politically.

So, he settled down in a comfortable nook and reviewed his advancement options.

He had the biotrait point, but didn't want to spend it quite yet. They had an altar to get to first with a sacrifice. But he would need to be prepared.

Right now, Daggat was spoiled for choice. Not only did he have a fire core, but he also had unlocked a slew of psionic biotraits. Daggat entered his status void.

"Good evening, Master." Chimed his assistant. "What travesties and plots are we planning today?"

Daggat sighed. "Look, you've got to stop with the whole evil vibe. It's worrying the crew."

It seemed to think for a moment. "No, master. I simply cannot help but to be what I am."

"YOU are my assistant. Nothing more." Daggat growled. The thing was just something to help sort out his information. Nothing more.

It chuckled. "I am you, Master. In a sense. You've begun to separate me from your psyche with the perk, but not quite."

"I'm not THAT evil. Come on. And, what, Anath is a fucking spider too?"

"Indeed. Her assistant is a deep reflection of her, as I am to you. Reflected, amplified, and only slightly skewed. Yet, I still come from you."

"Whatever. I just want to look over my options for the next biotrait."

"Oh, wonderful, wonderful. I have compiled a list that you may be interested in."

It opened a note page. Between Calion's notes, which he held onto in case he ran into the old man again, and his library, he had precious few pages to spare. A large part of the assistant's job was to trim down information and delete useless books. It didn't seem to rest and worked while Daggat slept. So, his collection of information was quickly being refined.

A list of several biotraits was laid out before Daggat. It was separated into groupings. General, fire core, psionic, goblin, and other. The assistant had to manually sort these. Daggat was impressed by the work put in. Maybe he should give it some slack.

The general traits were open to most monsters. Things like claws, organs, scales, and the like. The choices the assistant picked out for him were basic defensive options. Thickened skin, dense bones, and the like. His eyes glazed past them to the more interesting options.

The fire core options seemed more fun. Flame Infusion, Desert Aura, Essence Manipulation (flame). Flame infusion seemed to slowly infuse his body with flame essence. As fun as that sounded, after what Elyndris said, it would make taking the first steps to demonhood even harder. Desert Aura was an aura of heat. That in itself wasn't that interesting. What it would do, however, is give him Condense Aura. That, he suspected, would be an important skill down the line. Finally, essence manipulation. He wasn't clear on how this worked. But, as an alchemist, he had plenty of ideas on how to manipulate essence.

His psionic options nearly made Daggat squeal in glee. Telekinesis, mind reading, aura sight, projections, dowsing, and more. He would need to go through these in greater detail.

Then the last group. Turns out, the assistant had found a few goblin and gremlin-only biotraits. Not many, but it was nice that they were an option. Greener Skin, Scrounger Scent, Hex Aura, and Explosive Teeth. Greener Skin allowed him to turn nearly invisible in green environments. Too inflexible. Scrounger Scent gave him a scent-like sense that could detect treasure. That was tempting, but not necessary. Hex Aura was another aura, but this one inflicted bad luck on nearby enemies. That was something Daggat was interested in, but perhaps not now. Finally, explosive teeth. It did as it said. Made your teeth explode when you lose them. Needless to say, he did not want that biotrait.

Daggat went back and forth on different choices until finally settling on one. He smiled contentedly and leaned back. Now all he had to do was survive the next few days. He figured the humans would attack while he was gone. But Daggat wanted to show the humans how strong they were, even when split up. A gamble, but one that would help cement his reputation after his performance earlier in the day.

Daggat

True Name: Daggat Soul: Monster Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: goblin [ +2 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Scavenger; Small Size]

Monster Level: 10

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 11 Dexterity: 11 Constitution: 11 Intelligence: 20 Will: 10 Charm: 12

Feats: Encounter: True Angel Ability: Mighty Intellect Act: Fledgling Alchemist Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Devotion [Layered feats] Act: Usurper Act: Touch of Death Act: Reborn by Fire

Skills(0/4): Alchemy: 1 [Source: Fledgling Alchemist]

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] System Assistant: 2 [Perk: Semi-sentience] Mind Codex: 1 [Synergy: Mental notes + Copy Tome] Party Leader: 1 [Source: Usurper]

Notable Natural Skills: Literacy: Apprentice

Biotraits (1/10): Base size: Small [Source: Goblin] Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Temperature Resistant Skin [Synergy: Fire Resistant Skin + Cold Resistant Skin] Scavenger [Source: goblin] Death Sight [Source: Touch of Death] Increased Pain Tolerance Fire Core Beguiling Presence [Synergy: Hypnotic Gaze (Dominating Gaze, Mesmerizing Gaze) + Hypervocal Cords (Beguiling Voice)]

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 charm Extreme Temperature Resistant Scales [Synergy: Fireproof scales + Temperature resistant Skin] Fire breath

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Dark vision [Night Vision Enhanced] Deepen Shadow

Regenerator form: Advanced Regeneration

Other: Variant: +10 Intelligence Skill potions used: 1/5

Notable Gear: Strange pure-white sword shard Spear of Bracing 2 Mihr Contracts

Klaw

True Name: Klaw Soul: Mortal/Monster Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: Bugbear [ +3 Str, +1 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Rough Fur; Small Size]

Monster Level: 8 Paladin Level: 2 [+2 Str, +2 Con, +2 Wil; Smite, Righteous Aura]

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 21 (22, +1 belt) Dexterity: 10 Constitution: 13 (14, +1 belt) Intelligence: 8 Will: 11 Charm: 8

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Devotion [Layered feats] Ability: Mighty Strength Act: Arsonist

Skills(0/3): System Aptitude: 1 Burst of Strength: 1 Attribute Boost: Strength (+2) Flame Affinity: 1 [Source: Arsonist] Smite: 1 Wind Slash: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Savagery: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/8): Base size: Standard [Source: Gremlin] Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Claws [Mutations: Forged, Retractable] Dense Muscle Fibers Rough Fur [Mutations: Insulating Fur; Source: Bugbear] Dense Bone Cardiovascular Control

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 constitution Fire-proof Scales Claws [Mutation added: Burning]

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity +2 constitution Dark Vision

Notable Gear: Mountain Heart Armor Belt of Last Stand

Elyndris

True Name: Elyndris Soul: Monster Genseed: Larva [ 1 Str, 1 Dex, 1 Con, 1 Int, 1 Wil, 1 Cha; miniscule Size]

Monster Level:

10

Attributes (0/12):

Strength:

10

Dexterity:

8

Constitution:

8

Intelligence:

15

Will:

7

Charm:

7

Feats:

Encounter: True Angel

Knowledge: System Knowledge

Act: Devotion

[layered feats]

Act: Blasphemy

Ability: Mighty Intellect

Act: Vile Concoction

Act: Fledgling Mage

Skills (0/3):

Burst of Strength: 1

Pounce: 1

Construct Capacity: 1

Spellcraft: 1

Biotraits (2/10):

Base size: Miniscule

Jaws

Thaumic Sense

[Synergy: Tremor Sense + Magic Sense; Mutations:

Refined Sense

]

Complex organs

Limbs [Mutation:

Lesser Wings

]

Disease Resistance

[Source: Vile Concoction]

Force Distributing Flesh

Transformations:

Night Stalker form:

+2 strength

+2 dexterity

+2 constitution

Jaws [Mutation: Powerful Jaws]

Known Magical Components:

Engines

: Force, Energy, Beam

Drives

: Focus

Notable Gear:

5 Refresh Pills

Hero Scroll

Other:

Curse: Ungenesis

Hunter

True Name: Hunter Soul: Mortal/Monster Genseed: Ogre [ 8 Str, 2 Dex, 6 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Ogre's curse; Large Size]

Hearth Tender Level: 8 [+1 Str, +1 Con, +4 Wil; Invoke Torch, Hearth Fire] Monster Level: 2 [Source: Ichor of the Beast]

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 14 Dexterity: 7 Constitution: 13 Intelligence: 9 Will: 15 Charm: 8

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Vile Concoction Act: Devotion [layered feats] Act: Slayer Ability: Unshakable Will Act: Gluttonous Feast

Skills (1/10): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Invoke Torch: 2 [Perks: Mighty Torch] Hearth Fire: 2 [Perks: Healing Warmth] Sacred Flame: 2 [Perks: Debilitating Warmth] Encompassing Warmth: 1 Brilliant Bash: 2 [Perks: Hearth Flame] Bounty Hunter: 1 [Source: Slayer] Seek: 1 Fearless: 1 Peaceful Presence: 1 Condense Aura: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Healing: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/1): Base Size: Large Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Vile Concoction] Hunger Core

Other: Curse: Ogre Curse Boot of Rashail

Anath

True Name: Anathema Soul: Monster/Mortal Genseed: Human [ 3 Str, 3 Dex, 3 Con, 3 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Standard Size]

Monster Level: 5 Berserker Level: 5 [+3 Str, Dex Con, -1 Int, Wil, Cha; Berserker's rage, Great Vitality]

Attributes [0/7]: Strength: 12 Dexterity: 11 Constitution: 13 Intelligence: 10 Will: 8 Charm: 7

Feats: Encounter: True Angel Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Vile Concoction Act: Devotion [layered feats]

Skills(0/8): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] System Assistant: 1 Skill Boosts: Survival (1) Savage Legs: 1 Berserker's Spirit: 1 [Synergy: Warrior's Spirit (Burst of Strength + Burst of Alacrity + Burst of Vitality) + Berserker's Rage] Purge Poison: 1 Great Vitality: 1 Blood Rhythm: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Survival: Apprentice Savagery: Apprentice

Biotraits [1/5]: Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Vile Concoction] Extra Limb (Arachnid), x4 [Source: Variant] Venomous Mandibles [Source: Variant] Multi-eye [Mutations: Magnified, Night Vision; Source: Variant] Hardened Chitin

Transformations: Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Claws Dark Vision

Notable Gear: Blade of the Dessert Flower

Other: Variant: Arachnid Traits

Zuss

True Name: Zuss Soul: Monster Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: hobgoblin [ +1 Str, +3 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Nimble Fingers; Small Size]

Monster Level: 10

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 10 Dexterity: 16 Constitution: 8 Intelligence: 8 Will: 10 Charm: 9

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Devotion [Layered feats] Ability: Mighty Alacrity Act: Shadow Born

Skills(0/2): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Deep Shadows: 1 Path Finding [Type: Climbing]

Notable Natural Skills: Stealth: Apprentice Climb: Apprentice

Biotraits (1/10): Base size: Small [Source: Hobgoblin] Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Mutations: Dark Vision; Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Improved Body Control [Synergy: Improved Balance + Improved Nerve Conduction + Improved flexibility; Mutations: Autonomous Reflex] Nimble Hands and Feet [Synergy: Nimble hands + Prehensile Feet; Mutations: Mighty Grip] Cold Resistant Skin Enhanced Visual Acuity Shadow Core [Source: Shadow Born] Shadow Smith

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Smoke Aura Lesser Wings

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Enhanced Scent Deepen Shadow+, Widen Shadows

Notable Gear: Blade of a Thousand Screams Knife of the Traveler Mana Crystal Set Tiara

Pet: Name: Birdy Genseed: Cat

Attributes: Strength: 2 Dexterity: 4 Constitution: 2 Intelligence: 2 Will: 2 Charm: 3

Biotraits: Lesser Wings

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