The cave returned to calm.
I opened my eyes.
Looked toward the cave center.
Two magic beasts stood there.
Brownie and Waspy.
But they... had changed.
Brownie's size had grown considerably.
About as large as me now.
Fur color had become emerald green.
Very vibrant, like spring's tender leaves.
Body covered in vine-like patterns.
Extending from head to tail.
Looked like part of the forest.
Its eyes had also changed.
Turned green.
Carrying a gentle glow.
Gave a feeling of vitality.
Waspy's changes were also significant.
Size increased considerably.
Wings became broader.
Transparent with a purple sheen.
Faintly reflecting in the light.
Body patterns more complex.
Exquisite and mysterious.
Antennae had grown longer.
Tips glowing with faint purple light.
Overall gave a mysterious and powerful feeling.
"So beautiful..." Venom murmured.
"Such a strong aura..." Spike also sensed it.
Shell, Horn, Shadow all watched in shock.
I immediately opened Brownie's panel.
[Forest Elf] [Brownie]
[Level: 1/50]
[Experience: 0/200]
[HP: 200/200]
[MP: 300/300]
[Strength: 15]
[Defense: 12]
[Speed: 22]
[Luck: 15]
[Rodent-type magic beast in deep symbiosis with the forest, can sense the entire forest's state, control all plants within range, healing abilities greatly enhanced]
[Traits: Forest Perception, Deep Symbiosis, Life Force]
[Skills: Life Drain, Leaf Camouflage, Vitality Bestowal, Forest Bind, Heart of the Forest]
HP increased from 130 to 200.
MP increased from 200 to 300!
Strength and speed also increased.
And gained the new skill "Heart of the Forest."
I opened Waspy's panel.
[Psychic Queen Wasp] [Waspy]
[Level: 1/50]
[Experience: 0/200]
[HP: 180/180]
[MP: 280/280]
[Strength: 22]
[Defense: 14]
[Speed: 38]
[Luck: 18]
[Wasp-type magic beast with powerful mental force, can control enemy minds, extremely strong group disruption ability]
[Traits: Mental Dominance, Telepathy, Iron Will]
[Skills: Poison Sting Shot, Mental Disruption, High-Speed Flight, Mental Shock, Mind Control]
HP increased from 150 to 180.
MP increased from 180 to 280!
Speed increased from 32 to 38!
Strength also increased.
And gained two new skills: "Mental Shock" and "Mind Control."
I closed the panel.
Looked at Brownie and Waspy.
They simultaneously opened their eyes.
Gazes clearer than before.
Carrying new power.
"Gray..." Brownie looked at its body.
"I... I changed?"
"Yes, you evolved." I said.
"Now you're a Forest Elf."
Brownie looked down at itself.
Emerald green fur.
Vine-like patterns.
"I feel... so strong..."
"I can sense the plants outside."
"All the plants."
"Trees, grass, vines..."
"I can feel their presence."
Waspy was also adapting to its new body.
"My mental power... got so much stronger." It said.
"I can sense everyone's emotions."
"Spike is very excited, Horn is envious..."
"Shell is calm, Shadow..."
"Enough, enough." Shadow interrupted. "Don't read my mind."
Waspy felt a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry, I'm not used to it yet."
I smiled.
"Adapt slowly."
"Brownie, try your new skill."
"Heart of the Forest."
Brownie nodded.
It closed its eyes.
Concentrated.
The next second.
Green light spread from its body.
Warm and gentle.
Enveloped the entire cave.
Enveloped all members.
I felt warmth flowing into my body.
The lingering pain in my chest vanishing.
Injuries healing.
[HP: 180/230→220/230]
Recovered 40 HP!
I looked at other members.
On Shell's armor, cracks were slowly healing.
[Shell HP: 80/250→140/250]
On Horn's rock horn, fractures were also mending.
[Horn HP: 110/180→160/180]
Spike, Shadow, Venom's injuries were all recovering.
All members.
Healed simultaneously.
This was the effect of group healing.
Green light lasted about ten seconds.
Then slowly faded.
Brownie opened its eyes.
Gasping.
[Brownie MP: 300/300→220/300]
Consumed 80 MP.
But the effect was amazing.
"So comfortable..." Horn said.
"The wounds are healing." Shell also felt it.
"Thank you, Brownie." Shadow said.
Brownie was somewhat tired but very happy.
"I... I did it."
"Very well done." I said.
"This skill is much more efficient than single-target healing."
"And can heal everyone simultaneously."
Brownie nodded.
"But the consumption is large."
"My magic power dropped a lot at once."
"That's fine, just recover slowly." I said.
"Everyone keep resting."
All members found places to sit.
Brownie and Waspy also sat down.
Adapting to their new bodies.
New powers.
Time slowly passed.
Outside, the sky had completely brightened.
Sunlight shone through the entrance.
Warm light.
Made people feel at ease.
I closed my eyes.
Also rested briefly.
This battle.
Was really exhausting.
But also very rewarding.
Brownie and Waspy both evolved.
The team's strength greatly increased.
Next...
What should we do?
I looked at Waspy and Brownie.
"Do you still remember the Forest Wolf pack that hunted you?"
Waspy and Brownie paused.
Then nodded.
"Remember." Brownie said. "At least a dozen."
"Encountered them near the thicket."
Waspy's antennae trembled.
"Gray, you want to..."
"Yes." I said. "Find them."
"Get revenge."
A month ago, we were hunted by Forest Wolves.
Forced to jump off a cliff.
Nearly died.
That was my most pathetic moment.
But now it's different.
I have a team.
Spike and Shell evolved.
Waspy and Brownie also evolved.
And I reached level 21.
Time for revenge.
"But..." Brownie was somewhat worried. "There are many of them."
"And they're all Forest Wolves, not low level."
"It's fine." I said. "We're strong now too."
"And we have coordination."
I looked at all members.
"What do you think?"
Spike was first to raise its paw.
"I agree!"
"Those wolves bullied boss, we must get revenge!"
Shell also nodded.
"Right, revenge!"
Shadow, Horn, Venom also voiced their support.
Though they hadn't experienced that hunt.
But since they were boss's enemies.
Then they were their enemies.
"Good." I said. "Then we head toward the thicket."
"Find that wolf pack."
We began heading back.
North.
Toward the thicket.
That wolf pack should still be active nearby.
After all, that was their territory.
We walked about an hour.
The surrounding environment became more familiar.
Getting close to the thicket area.
"Spike, Shadow, increase scouting." I said.
"Look for Forest Wolf traces."
"Yes!"
Both beasts immediately dispersed.
Spike searched on the ground.
Shadow observed from the air.
After another half hour.
Spike suddenly stopped.
"Boss, I found it."
"Forest Wolf scent."
"Very fresh."
I walked over.
Wolf paw prints on the ground.
And some droppings.
Definitely Forest Wolf traces.
"Which direction?" I asked.
Spike sniffed.
"Northeast direction."
"Number... at least five or six."
I nodded.
"Follow them."
We tracked the traces.
Spike led the way.
After about twenty minutes.
Shadow flew down from the air.
"Boss, I see them."
"About five hundred meters ahead."
"Seven Forest Wolves."
"They're resting."
My eyes lit up.
"Let's go, approach quietly."
We lowered our bodies.
Advanced carefully.
Trying not to make sounds.
Getting closer.
Four hundred meters.
Three hundred meters.
Two hundred meters.
I peered through gaps in the trees.
Saw them.
Seven Forest Wolves.
Gathered in a clearing.
Some resting.
Some gnawing on prey.
I checked their information.
[Forest Wolf]
[Level: 8/15]
[Forest Wolf]
[Level: 9/15]
[Forest Wolf]
[Level: 7/15]
Levels all between 7 and 10.
Not too high.
And only seven.
Not the pack that originally hunted us.
But still Forest Wolves.
Use them for practice first.
"Prepare for battle." I said quietly.
"Spike, Shadow, flank from the sides."
"Shell, Horn, frontal charge."
"Venom, Waspy, ranged attacks."
"Brownie, be ready to heal and control."
"Yes!"
All members quietly moved into position.
I took a deep breath.
Then shouted:
"Attack!"