Epic of Caterpillar Chapter 4: Evolution, Servant and The River Emperor!

| DAY 7 | "Hmm, what... that was a strange dream... huh?" | CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY EVOLVED INTO: UNDINE BUTTERFLY | | YOUR LEVEL HAS BEEN RESET TO 1/20 | | YOU ARE NOW ABLE TO UTILIZE TITLES | | YOU ARE NOW ABLE TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF CERTAIN SKILLS | | YOU CAN NOW USE MP AND MAGIC | | YOU OBTAINED TITLE: LOVED BY THE WATER SPIRITS | | YOU OBTAINED TITLE: RIVER QUEEN | | YOU LEARNED SKILL: BASIC WATER MAGIC LEVEL 1 | | YOU LEARNED SKILL: BASIC WATER MANIPULATION LEVEL 1 | | YOU LEARNED SKILL: MANA USAGE | | YOU LEARNED SKILL: BASIC MAGIC WATER SHIELD LEVEL 1 | | YOU LEARNED SKILL: SUMMON LOWER WATER BEING LEVEL 1 | "Th-th-this..! Uuaaaaaaaaa!!! I actually evolved! Incredible! Truly amazing! Just look at me! I am such a beautiful butterfly now! These wings have such a stunning shade of blue, and I have six dainty little limbs! Haha— wait! Why am I so happy? I am a man! Why do I appear so feminine? And 'RIVER QUEEN'? What is that supposed to mean? Do not go changing my sex out of the blue, Mysterious Voice! Hey!" | SYSTEM MASTER: ######## HAS GRANTED YOU A NAME | | YOUR NAME IS: KIREINA | "He-hey... hold on a second... Kireina?! Isn't that... the Japanese word for beautiful? Are you playing games with me, you bastard Mysterious Voice?! Is my entire existence just a joke to you?" | THANKS TO YOUR NEW NAME YOU ARE ABLE TO PERFORM MULTIPLE ACTIONS | | YOU CAN GAIN DOUBLE THE NORMAL EXP | | YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SELECT MORE OPTIONS IN THE EVOLUTION MENU | | YOUR SKILLS WILL LEVEL UP MORE RAPIDLY | | AFTER MEETING SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE A CLASS | | YOU CAN GRANT YOUR MINIONS A NAME FOR SIMILAR BENEFITS | "Siiighh... so much information is flooding my head; I feel like I might burst. Uugh, I need to process all this gradually, or I am going to lose my mind even more." "For now, let's see... STATUS!" | NAME: KIREINA CLASS: NONE RACE: UNDINE BUTTERFLY | | LEVELS: 1/20 EXP 078/400 STATUS: FULL | | HP: 35/35 MP: 50/50 STAMINA: 154/120 | | STRENGTH: 21 | | DEFENCE: 23 | | MAGIC: 32 | | RESISTANCE: 28 | | SPEED: 31 | | CHARISMA: 15 | | LUCK: -2 | | SKILLS | | TRASH BELLY | | FOREST CATERPILLAR WEAK BODY | | BLESSING OF ######### | | IRON TEETH | | WEAK BITE LEVEL 10 | | CATERPILLAR BASIC REGENERATION | | STEEL BELLY | | WEAK THREAD CREATION LEVEL 7 | | SPIDER'S 8 EYES LEVEL 1 | | UNDERWATER BREATHING | | FISH STRONG GILLS | | DRY SKIN | | WATER ELEMENT AFFINITY | | GROUP COMMAND LEVEL 1 | | ATTACK COMMAND LEVEL 1 | | DEFENCE COMMAND LEVEL 1 | | SILVER BELLY | | RIVER KING STRONG BODY LEVEL 1 | | RIVER KING STRONG CLAWS LEVEL 1 | | RIVER KING STRONG BITE LEVEL 1 | | HIGH WATER ELEMENT AFFINITY | | WATER SHOT LEVEL 3 | | UNDERWATER SENSE | | STURDY FISH SCALES | | BASIC WATER MAGIC LEVEL 1 | | BASIC WATER MANIPULATION LEVEL 1 | | MANA USAGE | | BASIC MAGIC WATER SHIELD LEVEL 1 | | SUMMON LOWER WATER BEING LEVEL 1 | | TITLES | | FIRST KILL IN THE NEW WORLD | | TRASH EATER | | MERCILESS AQUATIC KILLER | | KING OF THE RIVER | | LOVED BY THE WATER SPIRITS | | RIVER QUEEN | "Guuuaaack! A-A-AMAZING! Every stat I have has increased! How can a butterfly possess more Strength than a caterpillar to begin with? Regardless, I can even utilize magic now, and my Charisma has finally become a positive value! But my Luck is still -2?! Does that imply negative events will continue to plague me? N-no way..." I flapped my wings and began to feast on some of the fish I caught yesterday. "Hahaha, this is a nice meal to celebrate my evolution! Now then... my older skills have started to display their actual levels, so I was correct after all. My WEAK BITE is at level 10? I suppose that is because I overused it, and WEAK THREAD MANIPULATION is level 7! Expected, given I am an expert with thread. I wonder if skills are capable of evolving into stronger versions of themselves? Like evolving WEAK THREAD MANIPULATION into something like STRONG THREAD MANIPULATION! But it has not hit the level cap yet. Wait, my WEAK BITE is at the maximum level and it still has not evolved! That's so disappointing! Sigh." | SYSTEM MASTER: ######## HAS APPROVED YOUR SUGGESTION | | NOW YOU CAN EVOLVE SKILLS AT MAX LEVEL | | WEAK BITE HAS EVOLVED TO > STRONG BITE | | STRONG BITE: Use your powerful jaws to bite the target. COST: 1 Stamina | "WHAT?! System Master?? Is this Mysterious Voice for real? Why would he do that? What is his motive for helping me? Sigh, I bet he is plotting something to cause me even more suffering! You bastard! ... But, I guess I should say thanks, Hahaha!" ... "He-hey, say something! Are you trying to make me look like a lunatic now? Talking to myself like I always... do, Uggghh! Anyway! It is time to test out my new powers. Let's head to the West River!" While flying toward the West River, I realized how effortlessly I could navigate with my small butterfly wings. "I feel like I have had these wings since birth; flying is so easy that I barely consume any Stamina. It is extremely convenient!" Flap Flap During the flight, I began to wonder why I evolved into an Undine Butterfly specifically. "What was the precise reason I evolved into this particular type of butterfly? I vaguely recall something about having different evolution routes. I believe the others were Giant Caterpillar and Lower Fairy... Now that I consider it, this butterfly was likely the superior choice. A Giant Caterpillar would have been far too troublesome, serving as bait waiting to be consumed, while a Lower Fairy might have led to me being hunted by humans. A silent butterfly was truly the better option in the end. But why was I even presented with these choices in the first place? Was it because I consumed so many fish and acquired Water Affinity Skills? That seems the most logical conclusion at this stage... So, my evolution paths depend on the skills I have obtained? Oh! I have already arrived." I flew near the riverbank and initiated my skills. BASIC WATER MAGIC and BASIC WATER MANIPULATION seem to function perfectly in tandem; I can manipulate nearly the entire volume of water within the river. Both skills combined cost 5 MP and 5 Stamina. Thanks to my two WATER AFFINITY skills, my control over water is twice as powerful. MANA USAGE seems to be a passive ability that allows me to utilize mana more fluently while permanently lowering the MP requirements for all magic types. BASIC MAGIC WATER SHIELD functions as an active buff that I can maintain indefinitely over my body. It effectively serves as a secondary HP bar, absorbing damage until it dissipates, and I have the option to let it drain my MP to regenerate itself automatically. "This one is truly awesome! My HP is effectively doubled with this, though it is quite taxing on my MP if I set it to auto-regenerate. I suppose it is a fair trade. Now, for the most interesting one..." SUMMON LOWER WATER BEING, as the name implies, allows me to summon a water entity. They resemble small slimes composed of water. After some testing, it appears they can level up independently and remain animate as long as there is sufficient water. Each summon costs 20 MP, but gaining minions is well worth it. This time, I only summoned one Water Being, and I named it Rimuru! "Rimuru, display your stats!" "Guuruuu!" | NAME: RIMURU CLASS: NONE RACE: LOWER WATER BEING | | LEVELS: 1/10 EXP 000/100 STATUS: FULL | | HP: 25/25 MP: 30/30 STAMINA: 100/100 | | STRENGTH: 19 | | DEFENCE: 18 | | MAGIC: 24 | | RESISTANCE: 18 | | SPEED: 23 | | CHARISMA: 2 | | LUCK: 0 | | SKILLS | | WATER SHOT LEVEL 1 | | BLESSING OF THE UNDINE | | PURE WATER BEING | | BASIC WATER REGENERATION LEVEL 1 | | SERVANT AFFINITY | | WATER AFFINITY | | TITLES | | NAMED SERVANT | "Guuuaak! You... you are actually stronger than I was when I was a caterpillar! You could have easily killed me! Buahaha, but now you are my loyal servant! Feel honored, Rimuru; you are the first servant of the one who will become the strongest!" "Guuurururu!" "Uuaaahh, you are so cute! ... Ne-nevermind, let's go train, Rimuru!" "Guururu!" While I left Rimuru to practice catching walking fish, I began to examine the effects of my titles. "Hmm, let's see..." | FIRST KILL IN THE NEW WORLD: Congratulations on surviving a life or death situation! +1 to Strength, Defence, and Speed | | TRASH EATER: A title bestowed upon those who enjoy consuming trash. Max Stamina +10 | | MERCILESS AQUATIC KILLER: You are a ruthless fish slayer! Do you not feel ashamed of your cheap tactics? +5 extra damage to Aquatic Beings | | KING OF THE RIVER: You killed the River King and now you are his successor! Congratulations! +2 to Strength, Defence, and Speed | | LOVED BY THE WATER SPIRITS: You have been blessed by the Water Spirits. +10 Affinity to any water-related skill | | RIVER QUEEN: You are the new and beautiful Queen of the River; congratulations, my Queen! +10 to any water-related skill and grants total domination over Rivers. | "Hmmm, haha... very funny, Mysterious Voice... very funny... let's examine Rimuru's title." | NAMED SERVANT: You have been named by a powerful being! Congratulations, Rimuru! Your EXP gains are doubled. You can easily level up skills. Master affinity +10 | "Wait, so simply naming a minion grants them all these benefits? That is unfair... Regardless, time to check in on Rimuru's hunt..." Right before me, Rimuru stood over a pile of more than ten walking fish! Rimuru displayed a proud expression, virtually asking to be petted by his loving master. "Hahaha, you really are a monster, Rimuru! Well done, here, here." Pat Pat "Guuu!!" | DO YOU WANT TO FORM A PARTY WITH: SERVANT RIMURU? | "What? Party? What does that do?" | FORMING A PARTY WITH A SERVANT LETS YOU TWO SHARE GAINED EXP, TRACK THE LOCATION OF YOUR PARTY MEMBERS, AND UTILIZE COMMAND-RELATED SKILLS IF YOU ARE THE DESIGNATED PARTY LEADER | "Oohohoho! Hohohoho! So that is how it works! Alright then, Rimuru! Let's become a party! Select YES." | YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CREATED A PARTY WITH: SERVANT RIMURU | | YOU GAINED 345 EXP FROM WHAT RIMURU ACQUIRED | | YOU GAINED A LEVEL! | | LEVEL 2/20 EXP 23/450 | "I never anticipated that leveling up would be so effortless now! Alright, Rimuru! Continue hunting the walking fish! Wait... would it not be too easy now? Should I be concerned? After all, I have a negative two Luck stat; nothing in life can be truly that simple... Wa-wait, Rimuru, come here!" "Guruu?" Splash! "GLUUOOOOPPP!!!" Out of nowhere, a massive River King emerged from the water, targeting Rimuru! "Guuuuuaaaahhh! I knew it! Rimuru! Get back! Let me handle him!" "Guuuurururu!" Rimuru swiftly retreated behind me. "Alright, you bastard! I do not fear the likes of you anymore! Activate skill! BASIC WATER MAGIC and WATER SHOT! Combine! MAGIC WATER SHOT!" Flaaash! Boom! "GLUUUEEEE!" The Magic Water Shot streaked through the air with the velocity of the wind, striking the River King squarely in the center of his forehead! "Headshot! Nice! That is what you get for attempting to eat my servant! Are you okay, Rimuru?" "Guuuu!" Rimuru approached me and began to embrace my lower abdomen. "Haha! He-hey! Stop that; do not be so clingy, you little blob! Hahaha!" | YOU GAINED 523 EXP | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED 261 EXP! | | YOU GAINED ONE LEVEL! | | LEVEL 3/20 EXP 96/500 | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED ONE LEVEL! | | LEVEL 6/10 EXP 12/300 | Before I could even check Rimuru's status, two more River Kings emerged out of the blue! Splash Splash! "What? What is wrong with these bastards? Do they all wish to perish and rebel against the River King (or Queen)? Hahaha! Useless! MAGIC WATER SHOT! MAGIC WATER SHOT!" Flash! Flash! Boom! Boom! "GLUEEEEEE!" "GLUOOOOOOOHH!!" Bam! The two fallen River Kings crashed to the ground, motionless. "Haha! Nice shot!" | YOU GAINED 1045 EXP | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED 523 EXP! | | YOU GAINED TWO LEVELS! | | LEVEL 5/20 EXP 91/600 | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED ONE LEVEL! | | LEVEL 7/10 EXP 235/350 | Following the chaos, another River King appeared. This one was the most gargantuan specimen I had ever seen! It was covered in vibrant orange scales, equipped with two extremely long whiskers, a powerful pair of muscular limbs, and a beautiful crest-like fin along its back. It appeared fierce and enraged! "Ooohoho? Are you the final boss of this river? The King of Kings! I shall dub you River Emperor! Alright! Bring it on!" Seemingly infuriated by my provocation, the River Emperor activated his active buffs, boosting his stats toward the heavens! An incredible pressure began to weigh on me, and as I watched, the River Emperor's body nearly doubled in size, engorged with pulsing muscles and veins! "GLUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Flash In a mere heartbeat, the River Emperor vanished from my sight! "Wh-what?! Where did he go? How is he so fast?!" BAAM! A second later, I felt an intense force colliding with my back. It was the River Emperor utilizing a sneak attack, sending me flying directly into an ancient tree. Upon impact, the sheer momentum split the tree in half! Crash! "GUUUAAAKKKH!" The violent impact forced me to cough up dark green blood! "Th-this is dire... this creature is in an entirely different league! If it were not for my WATER MAGIC ARMOR, I would be a goner! Rimuru! Distract him while I chant a potent water spell!" "Guuu!" Upon my order, Rimuru expended massive amounts of Stamina, and his speed increased nearly twofold! Flash! "GLUUOOO?!!" Flash Flash Flash Rimuru began to harass the River Emperor at peak speed, weaving after-images to confuse the massive fish. The River Emperor could not even land a single scratch! Baam! "GUAAAAK!" Rimuru began to unleash water bullets from all directions! "GUUUUUUU!" Pew pew pew! Jets of blood sprouted from the River Emperor's body as he let out a roar of agony. "GLUUUUAAAAKKK!!" "Well done! Hold on just a moment longer, Rimuru! I am almost... ready...!" A massive concentration of water began to aggregate above my head. It drained nearly all my MP and Stamina, yet I felt certain this singular attack would one-shot the River Emperor! "Rimuru! I am giving this everything I have! BASIC WATER ELEMENT MAGIC, BASIC WATER MANIPULATION, WATER SHOT, combine! I shall christen it... Water... Spear... Yes! WATER SPEAR!!!" Fluoooosh! As if shearing the very air, a colossal Water Spear was launched from above. It possessed the potency of at least fifty water bullets combined and cost me every ounce of my MP and Stamina. If I failed to kill the River Emperor now, I would surely perish! Crash! BOOOM! "GUUUUEEEEKKK!!!" Piercing directly through his skull, the Water Spear completely cleaved the River Emperor in half! The force of the strike was so immense it continued to shatter trees for another fifty meters ahead of us. | YOU GAINED 2069 EXP | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED 1035 EXP | | YOU GAINED 3 LEVELS!| | LEVEL 8/20 EXP 156/750 | | PARTY MEMBER: SERVANT RIMURU GAINED 2 LEVELS! | | LEVEL 9/10 EXP 70/500 | | CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED | | NEW SKILL LEARNED: WATER SPEAR | "Haaaah... ahahaha! We succeeded, Rimuru! Leveling up may restore my HP and MP, but my Stamina remains depleted. I am exhausted... Haaah... Rimuru...? Wh-where are you?! Rimuru!" Regardless of how much I called, Rimuru provided no response, as if he had entirely vanished. Furthermore, for some inexplicable reason, everything remained stationary; I could hear or feel nothing. "What is occurring? It is as if time has stopped? Eh?" Before me, a humanoid figure composed of light watched. "So, you have progressed this far," it observed. "Who are you...? Th-that voice... You are that bastard! Mysterious Voice!" "Haha, I am pleased you recognize this voice, but it is merely a simulation. In reality, I possess no voice at all; this is all within your subconscious. Regardless, do you favor the name I bestowed upon you?" "Of course I do not, you bastard! What do you take me for?" "It is simply that your wings were so beautiful, they captivated me. Hahaha, Kireina was a fitting name for an otaku like you, after all!" "Yo-you bastard! It is all your fault! That I perished and was reincarnated into an idiotic bug!" "No... not exactly. You died from a severe fever brought on by a common virus in your original world; it was entirely your responsibility, haha! Regardless, I have grown bored of picking on you. Just grow stronger and enjoy this realm; it is far more vast than you can imagine. Once you are stronger, I shall discuss some significant business with you. Farewell." "He-hey! Are you truly departing just like that?! Hey! Wait, you bastard!" Flash "Guuuuuruuu!" And as quickly as that, time resumed its flow, and I found Rimuru resting atop me, licking my face. "Ah... that bastard... what does he truly desire? What does he imply by 'business'?" "Guuu?" "Ah! Rimuru! I am fine, haha. Anyway, let us return to the nest! I shall show it to you!" "Guuuuruuu!" With Rimuru's assistance, I wrapped the River Emperor's carcass with my threads, and we made our way back to my dwelling. Rimuru gazed at the nest with surprise, and I constructed a makeshift bed for him to rest. It appears he does not have a dire need for water. Regardless, should he ever feel dehydrated, I can always spray him with water produced by my magic. I spent the remainder of the day feasting on the delicious meat of the River Emperor; it possessed the flavor of high-quality raw salmon from my former world. I was in paradise every time I took a bite. I wanted to see if Rimuru could consume something beyond water, so I carved off a substantial piece of meat and offered it to him. "Guuuuru?" "Here, you may consume it." "Guuuu!" Rimuru obediently began to absorb the meat. He enveloped it until the entire portion was inside his body, where it slowly dissolved.