I Can See Evolution Paths

Another concentrated wave of freezing energy suddenly erupted from one of the Beasts. Arthur immediately turned toward it and thrust Dusk forward. Golden mana surged through the spear before exploding outward, blasting most of the freezing attack apart.

However, a portion of the energy slipped around the edge of the explosion and continued toward Arthur.

Before he could move, Star suddenly stretched its tiny body toward the incoming attack. "Star?"

The little Slime absorbed the freezing energy. Its body trembled violently as the strange power spread through its translucent form. For several seconds, faint blue light moved through its body before gradually fading.

Arthur watched carefully.

Star bounced once. Then again.

Arthur’s expression softened into a smile. "You really are getting used to strange environments."

Star wiggled happily in his arms.

Eden flew down beside them and looked curiously at the little Slime. "I think Star liked that."

Arthur glanced toward her. "I don’t think that’s the word I’d use."

Star bounced again.

Eden giggled. "Star disagrees."

Arthur laughed and gently held the Slime closer. "Apparently."

The battle became more difficult once the giant crystal-horned Beast, which had been watching the others from the edge of the fight, finally decided to join it. It timed its charge for the exact moment the river began freezing.

Arthur realized what it was doing. "It’s timing its attacks."

The Beast’s body began glowing blue, and instead of stopping like the others, it used the frozen state to charge straight through their attacks. Vedas tried to intercept, planting his feet and bracing his spear against its approach, but the moment the weapon struck the Beast’s hardened hide, it simply bounced away, and he was thrown backward across the stone. "Damn!"

Arthur immediately activated Guardian Shield, the golden dome snapping into place just as the Beast crashed into it.

BOOM!

The barrier cracked under the impact, and Arthur slid backward, his boots carving lines through the frost.

Eden rushed down toward him. "Arthur!"

Arthur gritted his teeth, bracing against the shield’s remaining strength. "I’m fine."

The Beast struck again, and the shield shuddered violently, warning cracks spreading further across its surface.

Athena looked toward the river, watching the ice begin to thin. "Arthur! Wait for the thaw!"

Arthur looked at the frozen river, then at the Beast bearing down on him, and smiled despite the strain in his arms. "Got it."

Everyone prepared. Athena watched the river closely, tracking every ripple. Athy circled overhead, keeping watch for the exact moment the ice would break. Mithra and Melo positioned themselves behind the Beast, ready to strike the instant it lost its defenses. Sun and Kong moved to the side, Long and Kong’s fists both raised. Vedas steadied his spear. Arthur drew the Frostheart Bow.

The ice began melting.

Athena shouted, "Now!"

The Beast lost its blue glow. Arthur fired, and the Frostheart arrow struck its shoulder, ice spreading across its leg. It stumbled.

Vedas rushed in immediately, Magic Burst erupting from his spear as Blazing Spear wrapped his attack in condensed flames, slamming into the Beast’s exposed side.

Sun followed right behind him. "Kong!"

Kong launched forward. "Got it!"

Sun struck with Long. Point Shockwave! The impact staggered the Beast, and the secondary Ember Shock erupted across its body. Kong grabbed the Beast’s side, and Nova Burst detonated point-blank against its ribs.

The Beast roared. Mithra appeared behind it in that same instant, Melo’s five tails piercing forward as Mithra’s Kusa flashed, the combined strike tearing through its weakened defenses.

Athena raised Aegis one final time. "Athy!"

Athy dove.

Brave Light! A concentrated slash of light crashed into the Beast, and it finally collapsed, its enormous body dissolving into scattered frost across the stone.

The other Beasts hesitated.

Arthur noticed something strange. They were no longer attacking. Instead, as the river flowed, they slowly turned back toward it, one after another entering the water. The river froze. They became statues. Then the water returned, and they continued walking deeper into the cavern.

Nobody followed.

Sun lowered Long. "They’re leaving."

Athena watched them disappear. "They weren’t trying to kill us."

Mithra looked toward the river. "Then what were they doing?"

Arthur looked into the darkness. "Maybe protecting something."

Then the notifications appeared.

[Level Up!]

[Goblin King]

[Level 19 → Level 20]

Vedas looked at his hand briefly but didn’t say anything.

[Level Up!]

[Time Fairy]

[Level 24 → Level 25]

Eden blinked, then smiled. She quietly looked toward Arthur. "I think I got stronger."

Arthur smiled. "You did."

Arthur walked over to the defeated Beasts. Athena watched him. "What are you doing?"

Arthur crouched beside one. "Taking a closer look." He placed his hand against its body, and his Evolution Path Vision activated.

[Frosthorn Behemoth]

[Species: Frosthorn Behemoth]

Evolution Path

[Glacial Horn Beast]

[Frozen War Behemoth]

[Crystal Horn Tyrant]

[Winter Mountain Monarch]

[Evolution Paths Analyzed: 43 → 44]

[Evolution Paths Discovered: 53 → 54]

Arthur said nothing about it, simply examining the body before standing and moving on.

Arthur looked back toward the river. It froze, then melted. He watched the remaining Beasts disappear into the darkness.

After a moment he said, "Maybe the river is cursed."

Everyone turned toward him.

Sun frowned. "Why would you say that?"

Arthur gestured toward the river. "Think about it. They enter the water, become frozen, come back to life, and keep walking."

Luna shivered. "Don’t say it like that."

Arthur looked thoughtful. "What if we stepped into it?"

Mithra’s eyes widened. "Arthur."

Arthur continued completely seriously. "Maybe we’d become like them."

Luna immediately shook her head. "Absolutely not."

Sun folded his arms. "For once, I agree with Luna."

Eden flew closer. "I don’t want to become a statue."

Star immediately pressed itself against Arthur’s chest. Arthur looked down. "Star agrees too."

Star wiggled emphatically.

Even Vedas looked toward the river with suspicion. "We should avoid it."

Athena nodded. "Until we understand what causes the transformation, staying away from the water is the safest option."

Arthur smiled. "Fine."

Sun looked relieved. Then Arthur started walking along the shore. "We’ll stay away from it."

Sun followed. "Good."

Arthur glanced at the river. "Probably."

Sun stopped. "Arthur."

Arthur laughed.

The group continued deeper into the mountain, staying well away from the river. The cavern gradually changed. The ceiling rose higher, and the underground river became wider and deeper until it almost resembled an enormous subterranean sea. Ancient channels fed into it from the surrounding walls.

Athena examined the structures. "This facility was built around the water."

Luna looked toward the river. "So the water was important?"

Athena nodded. "Very."

Arthur kept walking. Then they heard something ahead, a deep wooden creaking sound.

Everyone slowed. The river bent around an enormous chamber, and there they saw boats. Not small boats. Ancient vessels large enough to carry dozens of people. Several sat abandoned along the riverbank. Others were partially submerged, their hulls covered in strange ancient symbols.

Luna stared. "Those are boats..."

Athena approached one carefully, touching the ancient hull. "They’re incredibly old."

Sun looked at Arthur. "Don’t."

Arthur looked at him. "I haven’t said anything."

Sun sighed. "I know that look."

Arthur’s eyes remained fixed on the largest vessel. Athena examined it. "This one might be thousands of years old."

Arthur nodded. "So?"

Athena slowly turned toward him. "...You trust it?"

Arthur considered the question. He looked at the ancient boat, then at the enormous river, then back at Athena. "No."

He stepped onto the boat anyway.

Sun stared. Vedas closed his eyes. Mithra covered her mouth. Eden immediately flew after him. Star bounced excitedly toward the vessel.

Athena remained on the shore for several seconds. "Of course."

Arthur looked back. "Are you coming?"

Athena sighed.

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