Chapter 21: Metamorphosis and the Middle Floors
Drake's eyes fluttered open slowly. He found himself curled in a fetal position, suspended in a thick, swirling fog. A groan escaped his lips as he tried to move. Then the memory of the boar-like man stabbed his mind.
"Fuck that bastard... trying to steal my buddies. Hope I meet him again."
He opened his status window and grinned. Level 35 at last.
"Ooh, system, initiate my next evolution."
UNDERSTAND: INITIATING EVOLUTION TO CRYSTAL MANTIS
Light engulfed Drake's body as it began to shift and change. His arms transformed into razor-sharp blades, his two legs multiplied into eight spindly ones. His skin became nearly translucent, and eight gleaming eyes appeared across his face.
Before the light dimmed, his body lurched forward, then suddenly crashed onto the ground.
"Arrgh, what the hell is this?" Drake groaned, trying to stand, but one of his blade-arms was stuck deep in the floor.
Staring dumbfounded at his own arm, he finally managed to pull it free and rise. Examining his new form, he bellowed, "What the hell, system? First a rabbit, then a monkey, and now you turn me into a damn bug? This is bullshit!"
Anime-style tears streaked down his face, but he started adjusting to the awkward movement of his eight legs. It's so freaking hard to move like this... but I'll get used to it. And I'll tear that boar-like bastard to shreds.
"System, what floor am I on?"
USER IS STILL ON FLOOR 12. WHEN USER DIES, HE RESPAWNS ON THE FLOOR OF DEATH.
"Thanks for the info. Everyone, come out."
Five lights glowed and shimmered around him as his Pokémon gathered close.
Kirlia floated gently, landing on top of Drake's head, patting him like she was silently asking, Are you alright?
Meanwhile, Infernape and Gabite burst out laughing at their master's strange new form. But the oddest thing was the behavior of his two bird Pokémon.
Drake turned to them and noticed both Pidgeot and Staraptor were drooling, eyes fixed on him.
"Pidgeot, Staraptor — are you guys serious? Stop looking at me like I'm dinner."
Snapping out of their trance, both birds lowered their heads sheepishly.
Drake gave a dry laugh. "Alright, I get it. Kirlia, locate the stairway down."
Kirlia nodded, her psychic energy flaring. Moments later, she pointed firmly in a direction. The party moved out.
Within minutes, three Silverback variants emerged from the fog.
"Leave these to me," Drake said, flexing his new legs. In a blur of motion, he appeared before one monster, slashing his blade-arms in a cross and cutting the beast clean into four pieces.
Sensing the others lunging at him, Drake spun faster than he thought possible on his eight legs. The Silverbacks, caught mid-jump, couldn't dodge and were sliced in half.
"This body isn't half bad... I could get used to this." Drake smiled.
The group pushed forward until the exit of the floor came into view. They ascended the stairway and sat down for a break.
Drake withdrew piles of crystals and handed them out. Cheers erupted as everyone munched—Infernape's pile was noticeably larger, looking like a small Snorlax after evolution.
Break over, they stood and pressed onward.
Upon stepping onto the 13th floor, familiar cave-like corridors greeted them—then a sharp DING echoed in Drake's mind.
CONGRATULATIONS, USER! YOU HAVE REACHED THE 13TH FLOOR. FROM NOW ON, YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE FLOORS.
SURVIVAL QUEST RELEASED:THE DUNGEON HATES YOU FOR BEING ABNORMAL.SINCE YOU HAVE REACHED THE MIDDLE FLOORS, THE DUNGEON CAN EXERT GREATER CONTROL.IT WILL TRY MORE AGGRESSIVELY TO KILL YOU.SURVIVE FLOORS 13 TO 17 AND DEFEAT THE SPECIAL BOSS ON FLOOR 17.
REWARD: ARMAMENT HAKI
Drake grumbled, "Isn't the dungeon already trying to kill me? Whatever, time to move."
Almost immediately, monsters swarmed from every direction, ambushing them relentlessly. Drake took command, barking orders like a seasoned general—knowing a single slip could mean death.
They pushed forward and entered a vast circular chamber. The walls trembled, and monsters poured out from every crack.
Drake grumbled loudly, "What the actual fuck? Hours of fighting and now a monster party? Fuck this crap."
"Pidgeot, Staraptor, whip up a hurricane! Infernape, hold your fire blast until the hurricane's ready! Kirlia, use psychic to hurl the farthest monsters into it!"
His Pokémon sprang into action. A blazing fire whirlpool erupted, swirling violently as it decimated the monstrous horde.
When the inferno died down, the only thing left was a massive pile of crystals.
A/N Well short chapter enjoy