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After naming my War Spirits Ares and Hermes and watching their faint silhouettes sharpen into more defined forms, I lay back on my bed and turned my attention to the other items I had obtained: the Rare Trait Scroll, the Spirit Beast Tattoo Ink, and the Weapon Upgrade Stone.
I was particularly interested in the Ink, but I knew I couldn't apply it myself. I would need to ask an Elder for help. As for the Weapon Upgrade Stone, I could use it on my precious Atlas later.
For now, though, I was most eager to use the Rare Trait Scroll.
"I guess I'll use this."
I took the Rare Trait Scroll and opened it. The paper, etched with countless glowing runes, dissolved into particles that flew toward me and merged with my body, granting me a powerful new Trait.
Or perhaps multiple Traits?
Ding!
[You have used the Rare Trait Scroll (B Grade) x1.]
[Please choose between these four options.]
Option 1: [Sunshine (B Rank)]
Option 2: [Nature Soul (B Rank)]
Option 3: [Beastification (B Rank)]
Option 4: [Evolution (B Rank)]
The four options left me stunned. For a moment, I could only stare at them in silence. Then I turned to Freyja.
"Freyja, can you show me more detailed explanations for these Traits?"
"Oh! Of course, sorry about that."
Freyja, in her adorable fairy form, fluttered around me and quickly adjusted the red system window, displaying the expanded information.
Option 1: [Sunshine (B Rank)]
A lesser version of the power possessed by the Heralds of the Sun, servants of Solaris, the God of the Sun and Pride. It grows stronger by absorbing sunlight. Depending on the time of day, the user's body undergoes powerful transformations, becoming larger and stronger as the sun rises, only to weaken as it sets. Accumulated sunlight can be used to activate these empowered forms at will.
Grants extremely high affinity with Sun Magic. While transformed, Sun Magic cannot be blocked by barriers or immunities.
Option 2: [Nature Soul (B Rank)]
A lesser version of the power held by Spirit Druids, who refine the Essence of Nature and Spirits within their souls, eventually transforming themselves into part of Nature itself.
Grants high affinity with Nature and Spirits. Allows the soul to evolve into a Spiritual Soul, unlocking abilities such as Full Body Spiritualization, Spirit Fusion, Spirit Weaponization, and more.
Option 3: [Beastification (B Rank)]
The power to transform into a beast. By channeling mana through the body and awakening one's inner beast, the user can take on various creature forms or powerful hybrid shapes that combine human and animal traits.
If the user has tamed a beast, Beast Fusion becomes possible, creating an even stronger half-human, half-beast form through the union of two bonded souls. In Beastification forms, new powerful beast skills can be learned.
Option 4: [Evolution (? Rank)]
Little is known about this Trait, but the Scroll has detected the potential within you to awaken it. This power allows you to "Evolve" any compatible target. Further evolutions require specific materials. It is possible to evolve something limitlessly as the Trait grows stronger.
"Huh?"
Both Freyja and I were left utterly speechless, our eyes wide with disbelief. Never in our lives had we imagined receiving such extraordinary options.
"Um, Freyja… is this normal?" I asked. "How can a mere scroll grant such powerful Traits?"
"I have no idea," she replied, equally shocked. "I didn't even know a scroll could let you choose! I'm just as surprised as you are."
We stared at each other in silence, then reread every description carefully to make sure we weren't hallucinating. Once I was certain, I sat on the edge of my bed and studied the options with sharp focus. This was easily the hardest decision I had ever faced.
"What do you think I should choose?" I asked.
"Please don't ask me!" Freyja cried. "Everything looks incredible! I can't decide!"
"Yeah… that makes two of us," I sighed. "This is going to be tough, but we'll figure it out."
I decided to think more deeply for once, to rely on my mind instead of my muscles. In my past life, I had been a genuinely intellectual person, not this giant mass of muscle I am now. Over time, I had grown far too dependent on brute strength, and I could no longer afford to continue that way.
There were things that needed to be considered carefully.
First was Sunshine. It was incredible, truly breathtaking. It reminded me strongly of a character I had once loved: the Sun Hero Helios from another game in this same franchise.
He had possessed the exact same ability, and it had been overwhelmingly powerful. His stats skyrocketed depending on the time of day, sunlight accumulated in a special gauge, and he could unleash devastating defense-piercing Sun Spells or transform into an even greater form. The possibilities were immense.
With that Trait, I could truly become an indestructible Sun Sentinel. Yet there were still three other Traits that felt just as extraordinary.
Second was Nature Soul. The ability to harness the power of the Spirits dwelling within my soul—and even manifest them as living Spirits—was extraordinary. Its advanced powers, like Spirit Fusion and Spirit Weaponization, ranked among the strongest in the entire game.
Beastification was another serious contender. The thought of merging with Fenrir or Huginn sent a thrill through me when I considered the immense power I could gain from such a union. Still, Beastification itself could be learned through other means, not only through this specific Trait.
Besides, I was already planning to become a Druid. Nature Soul, Spirit Weaponization, and Beastification would all become available as separate Skills or Spells once I took that path. There was no need to waste a Trait slot on them.
In the end, the true contenders came down to Sunshine versus Evolution.
"Evolution seems like the best choice," I said with a heavy sigh. "The power to evolve anything is simply too tempting. Sunshine is amazing, but… if I can truly evolve things, it could change everything."
"Indeed…" Freyja nodded. "Evolution is the strongest option, Master. Though I'm a little worried you'll become even more powerful and start having dangerous thoughts again."
"That won't happen," I assured her. "Still, this description is so vague. I wonder why? Did I always have this kind of hidden potential?"
"I'm not sure," Freyja said. "But this scroll was a gift from the Gods. Maybe they altered it more than they should have."
"I see." I took a deep breath. "Then… Evolution it is. As much as it pains me to pass on Sunshine for now."
[You have acquired the Trait: Evolution (??? Rank)!]
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[Evolution (? Rank)]
Little is known about this Trait, but the Scroll has detected potential within you to awaken it. This Trait allows for the power to "Evolve" a target, which can be anything that is compatible with the Trait.
For further evolutions, certain materials will be required. It is possible to evolve something limitlessly through this Trait as it grows stronger.
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"It still has a question mark? Why?" I asked, confused.
"It might be so powerful that even the system can't fully analyze it yet…" Freyja replied. "Why not try it on something harmless first?"
"Something harmless…" I glanced around. "Ah, maybe this."
I took out a Mana Potion from my inventory.
"Evolution."
FLASH!
Divine power surged from my body into the potion. The bottle transformed, glowing with mysterious light as the liquid inside changed.
Ding!
[You have used Evolution (?) on the Mana Potion (D Grade) and created the Mana Elixir (B Grade) x1!]
"This is…"
Just the scent alone told me how potent it was. I took a small sip, and the mana recovery was astonishing—far beyond what a normal potion could provide.
"This is ridiculous…"
Emboldened, I turned my attention to the Sunflare Cloak.
"Evolution!"
FLAAASH!
I felt all my divine power and mana being drained from me. Desperate, I drank the Mana Elixir as my energy continued to bleed away. But the Sunflare Cloak before me was truly beginning to evolve. To our collective disbelief, the cloak suddenly doubled in length, its fiery red flames burning far stronger than before. It exuded unique Sun Flames and a brilliant red light, now capable of encompassing my entire body if I wished.
[You have used Evolution (?) on the Sunflare Cloak (B+ Grade) and created the Sun Herald Cloak (A+ Grade)!]
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[Sun Herald Cloak]
[Item Type]: Cloak, Clothing
[Item Grade]: A+ Grade
[Item Requirements]: Solaris' Blessing
[Item Parameters]: Physical Defense: 6,000 | Magic Defense: 14,000 | Durability: 10,000
[Item Bonuses]: +60% Agility, Dexterity, Movement Speed, Fire Absorption
[Item Skills]: {Sunflare Protection} {Sunflare Aura} {Sunshine}
[Item Description]: A cloak crafted by Solaris using his flames for his Saintess, further evolved.
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"Oooh, this is amazing."
All of its parameters had doubled, and it had even gained a new Ability—Sunshine?!
"Is it the same Trait I didn't choose?" I stood stunned. "No way, right?"
"We'll have to find out on our own eventually," said Freyja. "But its stats alone are already impressive..."
"Yeah," I nodded. "Ugh… I'm exhausted. Wow, I can barely move… This took all of my Mana."
"It seems you cannot easily use this power however you wish, Master," explained Freyja. "It still requires your Mana and Divine Power after all..."
"Hm." I nodded, sitting down and drinking the rest of the Elixir. "I think I can at least use it again on this!"
I targeted the necklace I was wearing this time—the Mother Nature's Necklace.
"Evolution."
FLASH!
The necklace absorbed the divinity and began to float in midair, transforming. Its leaves grew and expanded, its body becoming tougher, more beautiful, and far more deadly.
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