Demonic Po*nstar System Chapter 780: Evolving the Army

[Evolution Path 1 of 3 — Monolith]

The Maulfiend art above the menu underwent a transformation. Its already substantial obsidian plating intensified, then re-thickened, with slabs overlapping in layered sheets cascading down its chest and shoulders. The horns receded, morphing into blunt protrusions. The maul clutched in its right hand retained its size, yet the creature wielding it broadened considerably, its legs shortening, anchoring it low and firmly to the ground. A system note appeared adjacent to the visual.

[Monolith — Fortress variant. Extreme durability, drastically reduced mobility.]

’Hell yeah.’

Kaiden’s mind operated autonomously as he proceeded to select the subsequent option.

[Evolution Path 2 of 3 — Quakelord]

The form reshaped once more. The heavy plating remained in place, but the maul head reformed in mid-air, increasing in density as the basalt compacted into a striking surface roughly the size of a small wagon. The creature’s stance shifted from a defensive guard to a preparatory wind-up for a swing, and a secondary animation became visible beneath it. Each impact against the ground unleashed a cone of jagged stone upwards, causing the floor to fracture in a radial pattern emanating from the impact point.

[Quakelord — Ruinsmith variant. Impact strikes generate shockwaves and stone spike formations. Sustained striking produces area hazards.]

’Looks like a sturdy damage dealer with cool AoE capabilities...’

Kaiden leaned forward, engrossed.

He tapped the third option.

[Evolution Path 3 of 3 — Basalt Gunner]

The third path offered a different specialization. The thick shoulder plating thinned and redistributed across its back. The creature’s lower jaw unhinged to an unnatural width for a Maulfiend, and the throat behind it elongated and widened, the neck muscles layering into dense bundles engineered for propelling mass at high velocities. The legs lengthened slightly, adopting a braced, wide stance rather than a marching one.

A demonstration commenced: the creature planted itself firmly, its chest rising as it inhaled deeply, and then its wide throat snapped open, expelling a compressed stone slug, the size of a melon, in a flat trajectory across a phantom battlefield, the projectile piercing a mock aerial target.

[Basalt Gunner — Ranger variant. Hurls compressed stone projectiles at extended range.]

"A tanker, bruiser, and ranger. Amazing..."

Kaiden’s voice revealed a sincerity he hadn’t intended.

From behind him, a soft giggle emerged. Then another, more subdued.

Luna’s eyebrows were both raised in her look towards Bastet, conveying an unmistakable ‘are you seeing this?’ sentiment. Calypso, positioned closest to the dais, bit her lower lip, suppressing a grin. The remaining girls mirrored this knowing tolerance, Vespera included.

None of them uttered a sound.

They had witnessed his exploration of new acquisitions before. They recognized the familiar signs: leaning forward, quiet self-mutterings. The ladies had accurately assessed the situation and granted him his space.

Kaiden felt their collective gaze upon him and his grin widened as he decisively selected Monolith.

[Evolution confirmed. Abyssal Maulfiend → Abyssal Monolith. Cost: 0 DMP.]

His brow twitched upwards. Zero.

A subsequent notification provided clarification.

[Evolution between variants of the same species is not charged. The cost of a Mid-Tier unit is incurred during the progression to Lvl 99. Evolution represents a structural redirection rather than a new summon.]

’Well, that’s a pleasant surprise.’

The roster reordered itself with a subtle interface pulse. The Maulfiend count decreased by one. A new subheading appeared beneath the existing entries.

[Abyssal Monolith ×1]

— Lvl 99

[Abyssal Maulfiend ×39]

— 23 at Lvl 99

— 16 at Lvl 40-60

Kaiden tapped the newly formed Monolith entry.

Below its portrait, a new line of text became visible.

[Level Cap: 120]

Kaiden’s attention was immediately captured by this detail.

One hundred and twenty.

He allowed the number to resonate for a moment. Reaching Level 120 was a threshold that most awakened humans would never attain in their entire careers, and encountering a monster at that level typically meant immediate demise.

And this was considering the benchmark of standard monsters, where each level corresponded to a proportionate increase in stats.

However, not all monsters were created equal.

Abyssal monsters were demonstrably superior. They scaled more effectively than a rudimentary beast-type monster, for instance, designed with greater density to overcome any invading force's capabilities.

[Upgrade 99 → 120. Cost: 800 DMP.]

His grin faltered slightly.

’Ah.’

There it was. He had allocated 400 DMP to each Maulfiend during his initial purchasing spree to elevate them to Lvl 99. The subsequent advancement from ninety-nine to one hundred and twenty incurred double that cost per unit.

He exhaled at this realization.

Expensive, indeed, but the kind of expense a Dungeon Master was apparently expected to shoulder. Mid-Tier units came with Mid-Tier financial obligations.

He had not yet committed to any specific course of action. He merely sought to understand his available resources thoroughly before making concrete decisions, and he intended to solicit investment advice from his companions. As always, this endeavor was not a solitary undertaking, and Kaiden preferred it precisely that way.

He tapped back out of the Monolith entry and accessed one of the Lvl 99 Nightclaws.

The familiar evolution panel unfurled once more. Three variant options awaited his consideration beneath it.

He commenced his review.

[Evolution Path 1 of 3 — Abyssal Gorefiend]

Above the menu, the Nightclaw began to expand. Its dog-sized frame thickened, growing towards the bulk of a leopard, its talons elongating into hooked scythes, and its jaw unhinging to reveal rows of recurved teeth. The chirping sounds from the animation faded, replaced by a low, wet rasp.

[Abyssal Gorefiend — Apex variant. Fewer but larger, designed for eliminating priority targets. Drops from ceiling cover onto key threats.]

'Truly brutal.'

He advanced to the next option.

[Evolution Path 2 of 3 — Abyssal Nightshroud]

The image shifted, the creature becoming leaner than its base form, its wings broadening and developing translucent black edges. The animation depicted it opening its maw to unleash a pulse of darkness that engulfed a twenty-meter radius. A secondary effect layered a high-pitched keening wail that visibly distorted the surrounding space.

[Abyssal Nightshroud — Controller variant. Discharges darkness fields and disorienting screeches. Impairs invader vision and coordination.]

Kaiden's eyebrows rose slightly.

He then selected the third path.

[Evolution Path 3 of 3 — Abyssal Skyfiend]

The display enlarged considerably, the creature morphing into a form capable of bearing a warhorse. Its talons were reinforced to withstand landing impact, and a saddle-compatible ridge emerged along its spine.

[Abyssal Skyfiend — Mount variant. Grants aerial mobility within the dungeon.]

Kaiden leaned back against the bone throne, contemplating the three forms now floating side-by-side.

A killer. A disruptor. A mount.

Three distinct roles, each with tactical applications that hardly overlapped. Unlike the Maulfiend evolutions, which were all variations of direct assault, each of these new paths addressed a critical gap the others couldn't fill.

He tapped back, choosing none for the moment.

The Salamawyrms awaited their turn.

[Evolution Path 1 of 3 — Abyssal Dreadwyrm]

The Salamawyrm's physique elongated and gained mass, its sleek predatory form reshaping into something even more menacing. Its head widened, the jaws deepened, and the animation showed the creature erupting from a magma surface to expel a concentrated lance of molten rock across a phantom battlefield, its impact devastating a simulated target.

[Abyssal Dreadwyrm — Offensive variant. A ferocious magma predator. Delivers lava lances from afar and burst-breath attacks up close.]

'The sheer firepower.'

[Evolution Path 2 of 3 — Abyssal Magmashaper]

The creature's size remained consistent, but its skin rippled with a different texture, arcane runes and patterns of heat distortion shifting across its flanks. The preview demonstrated the magma around it bending to its will. A geyser erupted on command, while a molten column rose nearby to form a barrier. Further away, the magma drained into a suddenly cooled stone, entrapping the legs of a phantom invader in solidified rock.

[Abyssal Magmashaper — Shaper variant. Controls magma to shape the terrain. Generates geysers, erects barriers, and drains areas into cooled stone.]

Kaiden's thumb hovered over the menu's edge.

'How fascinating...'

[Evolution Path 3 of 3 — Abyssal Pyremother]

The predator diminished in size. Its aggressive posture softened, the ferocity dialing back, and in its place, the body broadened around the middle, becoming heavier with a more matronly stance. The demonstration showed it birthing swarms of smaller flame serpents that dispersed into the magma, initiating hunts.

[Abyssal Pyremother — Brood variant. Possesses reduced personal combat strength. Spawns waves of lesser flame minions.]

An assault specialist. A terrain manipulator. A breeding commander.

Nine distinct evolution paths across three species. Each occupied a unique tactical space, and every single one required a resource he currently lacked in sufficient quantity.

He exhaled and retreated to the main roster view.

"Alright, everyone. It’s time we make an investment."

Preparations were progressing rapidly, and the Dungeon Master Duel was rapidly approaching!