[Crocodile-Mouthed Ape]
Compared to the regular Giant-Mouthed Apes, these ones were slower but much stronger.
They were the same species, just a different evolution path, similar to how Kumoko could evolve into a [Small Taratect] or a [Lesser Taratect].
The former was smaller and faster with lower stats elsewhere, while the latter was the opposite. Kumoko chose the Small Taratect path to maximize her Godspeed skill.
Terrifyingly, these Crocodile-Mouthed Apes could launch themselves with incredible force, leaping clear up to the hundred-meter-high platform Kumoko was defending! Even worse, some of them started throwing their own comradeslike living projectiles!
Suddenly, Kumoko's situation went from bad to worse. The pressure intensified.
The Crocodile-Mouthed Apes opened their massive jaws and lunged at Kumoko. One of them clamped down, tearing off nearly half of her body in a single bite! Her HP instantly dropped to a critically dangerous level.
"Don't think you can run!"
"You like to eat? Then eat this!"
Luckily, she still had plenty of MP. She rapidly synthesized large amounts of poison. Shoving the synthesized toxins directly down the throat of the ape biting her!
"[Poison Synthesis]!"
"[Poison Synthesis] Triple Strike!"
She didn't care about MP cost anymore, desperately creating poison and forcing it into the Crocodile-Mouthed Ape's mouth.
They were called "Crocodile-Mouthed" for a reason Elliotthey could swallow their kin whole; a small spider like her was barely a snack. Poisoning them through their mouths was easy.
The potent toxin quickly ravaged the ape's internal organs. Unfortunately, just like their brethren, at the last moment of life, they chose suicide, denying Kumoko even a single point of EXP.
Meanwhile, more and more apes surged up from below, overwhelming the platform. Kumoko's vision blurred. Half her body was gone, her HP was still dropping, and her SP was almost completely depleted. Things couldn't possibly get any worse.
"Is this... the end?" Kumoko thought, feeling a deep sense of unwillingness. She'd fought with everything she had, but still couldn't protect the Earth Dragon. She was just too weak!
In this world, weakness was the original sin. It was the same for everyone. Only by becoming strong could you protect yourself and the things you cared about most.
But now... she was out of chances.
Thump... Thump... Thump...
A strange sound began to echo. Deep, resonant, like a giant temple bell, each beat vibrating through the air, threatening to shatter eardrums. It sounded like... a heartbeat!
The Earth Dragon! He was finishing his evolution!
Kumoko looked towards the rock cocoon. Sure enough, the stone shell seemed thinner now, the creature inside apparently stretching its limbs.
Instantly, the frenzied apes paused their assault. They instinctively took a step back, showing clear signs of fear.
Some even started trembling uncontrollably. Primal fear isn't easily overcome. It's like humans feeling terrified looking down from a tall building, or a healthy sheep instinctively fleeing from a hungry wolf.
They were afraid. Afraid of the terrifying monster within the rock cocoon.
And then...
CRACK! RUMBLE!!!
The rock shell shattered, and the fully evolved Earth Dragon stepped out.
He still maintained the form of an Earth Dragon, but his overall size was smaller than before his evolution.
However, his appearance radiated an immense aura of majesty. A faint, fleeting spark of divinity flickered in his eyes before quickly fading back to calmness.
The superiority of the Rex Lapis Dragon Emperor race was undeniable.
"Is that... the Earth Dragon?" Kumoko couldn't quite believe it. It was just the first evolution, so why did the Earth Dragon feel completely different, so overwhelmingly powerful? He looked so perfect, while she felt so small and weak.
She felt so envious, incredibly envious. But right now, her HP was practically gone, and her SP had dropped to just 10%, putting her in a [Weakened] state. She had no strength left. Might as well just lie flat.
Seeing the situation, Kumoko wasn't worried anymore. She firmly believed that all the apes here combined wouldn't stand a chance against the Earth Dragon. Even if he was only Level 1 after evolving!
….
After evolving, Elliot was indeed back to Level 1 as a Rex Lapis Dragon Emperor. But this Level 1 was vastly different from his previous Level 1. Even his pre-evolution Level 10 self couldn't compare to his current power.
Name: Elliot
Race: Rex Lapis Dragon Emperor LV 1
HP: 3318/3318
MP: 1526/1526
SP: 500/500
Attack: 1021 (+66) | Defense: 1215 | Magic: 518 | Resistance: 1130 | Speed: 190
Traits: Divinity, Primordius, Sovereign
Divinity: Luck +100. Recognized as a Divine Kin.
Primordius: Divine Rank increased. Immune to influence on actions and thoughts by this world's Administrators.
Sovereign: Deal 30% increased damage to monsters lower level than you. Take 30% reduced damage from monsters higher level than you.
The effects of [Divinity] and [Primordius] were a bit abstract, related to higher-dimensional concepts, but [Sovereign] provided a solid, tangible boost.
Taking 30% less damage from higher-level monsters, combined with his already insane defenses and resistances, made him virtually invincible.
Looking at these stats, Elliot had only one word: Strong!
This stat panel was beyond luxurious! It wasn't just impressive; it was downright broken. With stats like these, even the legendary Earth Dragon Araba at the same level couldn't hope to match him. Heck, Elliot felt he could give Araba a ten-level head start and still crush him.
If any other reincarnator saw his stats, they'd probably turn green with envy until their faces warped.
1087 Attack, 1215 Defense, 1130 Resistance, 3318 HP, plus top-tier talents and skills... Elliot dared say that below Level 20, absolutely no one was his opponent.
He could easily hunt high-level monsters now. Anything under Level 10? He could kill as many as came his way.
Monsters at that level couldn't even scratch his defense; their attacks would only deal the minimum guaranteed damage, probably less than 10 points. And that was without him using any skills.
Especially as he leveled up further, his base HP and MP regeneration would become significant, ensuring he wouldn't run out of mana for basic skills. This was his true, complete form.
"He finally finished evolving... the Earth Dragon..." Kumoko whispered, a mix of awe and relief washing over her. It seemed her desperate struggle hadn't been in vain; she'd bought enough time for Elliot to complete his evolution.
For some reason, just seeing the evolved Earth Dragon calmed her frantic heart. With such a powerful ally present, the swarms of Giant-Mouthed and Crocodile-Mouthed Apes suddenly didn't seem so terrifying anymore. It felt like being safe back in a cradle, a sense of security she'd never experienced before.
Seeing Kumoko barely conscious, with only a sliver of health left, Elliot's gaze softened slightly. She had gotten seriously injured protecting him during his evolution. Even someone with a heart of stone would be moved.
Ahead...
The frenzied apes, after their brief pause, looked at the immensely powerful Earth Dragon before them and roared in helpless fury. They feared him; they knew they stood no chance.
And yet... they still showed fierce aggression. Some strange imperative drove them to attack this mighty dragon, even if it meant throwing their lives away like moths to a flame!
….
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