Syl: Chapter296

Chapter 296: Decision Made

After thoroughly reviewing all my options, I made the decision. While some of the mutations did still tempt me, I couldn't see a reason not to pick Prismatic now and grab one of the others later.

One line in particular for the evolution, mentioning that the Prismatic slime had the full capabilities of merged slimes, made me suspect it would grant me an effect I was really hoping for—to no longer have my slime mass eventually revert back to only [Mana Slime].

And it also solves my greatest fear of losing my colossal Mana pool. Evolving into a black or gold slime would be a power-up, but it would likely come at a cost I'm not willing to make.

If my suspicion and hope were correct, then it would also mean that I'd be getting a massive boost when I returned to the elves and got my pink slime core. My only hope was that there was some form of toggle; otherwise, being a permanent acid and heal slime together would create quite a conflicting arrangement.

I just have to trust in Gramps. He's a smart guy; no way he hasn't thought of potential pitfalls like that. And if I can't toggle them… well, then I guess I just won't eat the pink core, as much as that pains me to do.

"You look like you've fully made up your mind," Vee commented.

"Oh yeah. It's gotta be the Prismatic evolution."

"You sure I can't convince you to take the Doppelgänger? I still think that one is stupidly strong."

I shook my head. "I don't want it. I'd rather make my own power than steal it."

"And the Rift Spirit?"

I flinched a little. "That… certainly tempts me, but I like being a slime. I'd lose my shapeshifting, and blobbing out, and my tendrils!"

Vee giggled. "Well, we certainly can't be losing those!"

"And my explosions! [Nitro Slime] is just too much fun!"

"Actually, I changed my mind. Pick the spirit evolution!"

"Nope, not happening," I said with a smirk.

We'd been making our way back down the stairwell, as that was the location I had set up and initiated the evolution.

"I guess this is it then," Vee said when we arrived.

"You make it sound so final."

"I mean it's a big moment, isn't it? This is the last time I'll get to see the blue you."

"I think one of the very first things I'm doing is turning myself blue again."

"Boo, you gotta be prismatic for a little bit! Think of all the colors! You'd be like a walking rainbow, a real kaleidoscope of beauty!"

"I'll think about it."

I began my work casting a [Rift Door] nearby, ensuring it wasn't linked to myself so that there wouldn't be any mishaps during my evolution.

<Excuse me, what are you doing to my dungeon?>

"Syl here is just setting up a little sleeping arrangement while I'm down below for our meeting," Vee responded.

<I beg your pardon?>

"Oh, come on, won't you allow it for a fellow kin? You'll hardly notice it, it'll be tiny."

"I just want a safe place to evolve…" I added.

<You're evolving in my dungeon!? I see… Well, it's not like I can really stop you, but I'm going to be upfront and say that what you're doing is at your own risk. I'm not responsible for protecting you!>

"That's why Syl's gonna close the door behind her. It'll be foolproof," Vee replied.

"Speaking of which, I'd better quickly save these coordinates in case I need to reopen it from the inside."

"Oh, good idea! I'll do the same. If you don't pop out in two weeks, then I'll try to reopen the rift and get you out."

I nodded. It certainly was prudent to have some extra contingencies. Even if it closed up fully behind me, I wasn't at risk of dying thanks to not needing air to survive.

I finished stabilizing the spell and then tore open the hole in space, a feeling of power that I was growing quite fond of.

Damn, I'm almost second-guessing myself with the whole Rift Spirit thing… but I want to believe I can do whatever it could do as a slime. I could always eat a Rift Spirit, right?

"Well, good luck with your… whatever it is you're doing with the spider [Dungeon Master]," I said to Vee.

"No idea. Hopefully I actually get the answers I'm seeking. Enjoy your nap, say hello to the gods for me! Maybe give Mother a slap for me?" Vee teased.

"Um. I won't be doing any of that, not even for you."

"Where was the confident slime who said she could survive a dozen smites?"

"Yeah… still not happening. I might have confidence in my survival now, but I'm not going to actively seek death."

Vee shrugged and we said our farewell, with me entering the [Rift Door] and beginning to close it behind me. I looked around at the empty void and prepared myself mentally as I pulled up my evolution menu one last time.

<Confirm Chimeric Cluster Slime (Prismatic) evolution?

Warning: Evolution will cause the body to torpor until complete.>

Well, here goes nothing… Ye—wait!

I remembered at the last minute that my entire form was going to collapse. I quickly began apparating stone using my earth spells and shaping a large tub for myself. It was crude, and it made me miss the one that Trixie had made, but it was serviceable.

I plopped myself into the tub after depositing everything into my [Core Storage] and fully blobbing out. I pulled up the menu again.

<Confirm Chimeric Cluster Slime (Prismatic) evolution?

Warning: Evolution will cause the body to torpor until complete.>

Let's do it. Yes!

<Evolution in progress.>

The world went black.

***

Vee watched as the tear in space was zipped up into a tiny pinprick of a hole. Even if she shrank to her tiniest size imaginable, she wouldn't be able to enter the gap in space.

I guess that's as safe as possible. Better than any evolution arrangements I made.

She waited a bit longer and then sensed her connection with Syl fade, and at the same time, the hole closed up entirely. It was a possibility they both knew would likely happen when she underwent evolution. Although they were a dimensional rift apart, she could still sense a familiar and reassuring string in the back of her mind from the [Companion Bond].

<Are you finally done?>

Yes, yes, I'm coming down already. Sheesh, I just wanted to make sure my best friend is safe while evolving. Don't get your panties in a twist.

Vee wasn't sure if the [Dungeon Master] could hear her thoughts, as the telepathic bond was currently broken. She took one last glance at where the rift once was and began descending.

If the tunnels above were spider overrun by spiders, then this level was absolutely infested by them. The floor was more web than floor, and the ceilings and walls were coated in the substance. It honestly felt more like a cocoon than a web network at this point.

But Vee didn't feel worried; she knew the [Dungeon Masters] had some orders from the gods not to attack the [Experiments] except in self-defense, and she also had confidence in the threat that Syl had left behind.

I'm definitely glad I'm on Team Syl, and that new evolution might make her a world-ending calamity. That dragon better watch out before it becomes slime food.

<If you are truly my kin, you will be able to find the heart of my nest. That is your task if you wish my aid.>

Quest received… Vee joked to herself and began wandering the hallways.

Once again, the spider monster blocked her path, but they were still vastly inferior to her, even if she didn't have Syl's help at present. [Warp] was too good of a movement ability, allowing her to ambush with precision, and Vee's [Thread Mastery] was far beyond whatever ability of these dungeon monsters.

Vee even started to notice that the threads covering the dungeon floors and walls were open to her manipulation if she exerted enough willpower, and soon she began turning the literal dungeon against them.

It was a startling discovery, and it gave a new meaning to her skill being called [Thread Mastery]—it wouldn't be true mastery if she were limited to only her own. That line of thinking also brought up another thought, one related to her slimy companion.

Syl was obsessed with the full compatibility of slime abilities mentioned in the evolution, but that one line: "The prismatic slime has untold mastery over its slime," might actually be the real prize. If Syl gets a trait like [Slime Mastery], then who knows what she could do?

It was an exciting thought, even though it wasn't her own power. Perhaps due to the influence of the bond they had formed and nurtured, Vee couldn't help but see Syl's power as her own, and vice versa.

Hopefully, my next evolution will bring more to the table. Then again, my [Rift Threads] have come in clutch for our victories, so I shouldn't sell myself short.

Vee continued exploring and exerting her [Thread Mastery] over the web labyrinth she was in. Thanks to that, her senses were expanding out, and she was beginning to not only explore the deeper reaches of the dungeon without physically being there, but also take out enemies multitudes of rooms away from her without them even knowing.

Her [Thread Mastery] skill reached an astounding level nine suddenly, after being stuck at level eight for what felt like ages. She was suddenly reminded of the warning Syl had given regarding needing ten points to uncap a trait or skill.

Okay… I'm thrilled I didn't spend them all. Even if it was just to stop Syl's nagging.

It would break her bank of savings, but it was definitely her best trait to invest in, especially after this newfound discovery. Vee also realized she should probably adjust her experience distribution back to at least an even split, as she would probably need more spider levels soon.

Vee kept going deeper and deeper. She was now on the eighth floor by her rough calculation, and she'd had to stop and take numerous food breaks and even some naps protected in a cocoon of [Rift Thread]. She wasn't as crazy as Syl to attempt sleeping in the [Rift Door], so that was as safe as she was going to get.

Vee had hardly heard from the [Dungeon Master], who only occasionally chimed in with a "good work" every now and then. The enemies had grown stronger as she progressed further down, but so had she.

Vee was observing the layout of the floor when she suddenly spotted a strange opening in the web network that seemed to be almost inviting her in.

I think I've found my goal," she thought eagerly and began making her way there rapidly.

As she neared it, she found her influence over the webs failing, as if another entity held control over them. By the time she reached her destination, they were entirely seized away from her, no matter how much she tried.

"Welcome, Vee. I'm so glad you have made it," a womanly voice echoed out from the opening. It had a strange alien quality to it, with some chittering noises added.

"Uh, hello?" Vee replied, and suddenly found a telepathic connection she hadn't even noticed was established.

"Come in, come in," the voice urged. "You must be tired after traversing the dungeon for so long. It'll be nice to finally meet face to face."

Vee gathered her courage and entered through the gap in the web to the next room, and came face to face with the most enormous spider she had ever seen in her life. She instinctively flinched a little, despite being one herself, and threw out an [Identify] which was blocked, as predicted.

I'm starting to see why Syl complains about the skill failing all the time.

"No need to panic, Vee, we're basically family," the voice said.

"Sure… nice to meet you…?"

"Qhilleeqeth, also known as the Spider Queen centuries ago, before I regained my sanity," she explained. "By the way, my eyes are up here…" she said in an almost playful tone.

Vee's gaze went up, and atop the spider's body, in an almost centaur-like fashion, was a beautiful woman, ghostly pale with blood-red eyes.

"Oh! So that's how you're talking!" Vee said excitedly.

"Indeed. It was a form given to me after I became a [Dungeon Master], while my reign as the Spider Queen was just the body you see below."

"Shit… does that mean I need to become one to evolve that way?"

"You could do that, or you could receive my blessing and that will unlock it for you," she explained.

"Really? Is it that easy? There's got to be a catch."

"Well, you need my approval, of course, which can be hard to gain."

"Ugh… let me guess, you want me to do some quests for you or something."

"Normally, yes; however, the circumstances are a bit different," she replied. "Firstly, the Carren elves, with whom I am allied, have made arrangements with Sylthaeryn Feirelle to provide information to you. Imagine my shock and horror when one of the elven heirs is apparently a slime monster in disguise…"

"Hey, we're working together with Loreleia, so don't get the wrong idea."

"Indeed. While you were descending, I had a chat with some of the other elven-aligned [Dungeon Masters], and Juniper vouched for your slimy companion, despite her younger brother's protests."

"That damn crying tree, after all we did for him," Vee snarled.

"Your friend has a bit of a bad reputation, I'm afraid. Not as bad as the dragon, but still…"

"Hey, I've heard the full story behind that—" Vee began defending, but Qhilleeqeth interrupted.

"As have I from Juniper. It seems there's been quite a bit of gossip. Anyway, that's besides the point, as even if that weren't the case, I'm a bit biased towards you."

"Oh? Positive bias, I hope?"

"Indeed. Firstly, you're a rare species of spider that I've not come across, and just you entering my dungeon has unlocked the evolutionary pathways required for spawning such children myself."

"Wait, what—"

"Secondly, the Mother of Magic is the one to whom I owe my sanity, who is apparently your benefactor. So, Vee, my kin, would you like to receive the blessing of the Spider Queen?"

Vee didn't even hesitate for a second. "Oh hell yeah!"