Every Hunter had their own path of evolution, that is, using genes to become stronger. Some aspects might be similar, but the conditions and process usually differed.
Thus, most Hunters typically needed the genes of specific monsters or certain resources to become stronger.
It was rare for a Hunter to need a large amount of diverse genes at the very beginning of their journey.
Kreyn collected everything in his path and grew stronger. Well, Groza was hoping for that, since she still didn’t understand why they needed to kill so many spiders. So far, no changes had occurred with Kreyn.
[Sand Shiver Boots
[Type: Equipment
[Tier: I
[Cells: Stone Garud (100% Development)
[Sockets: Vibration Step.]
[The Sand Shiver Boots are ready to evolve.]
Groza turned around only to see Kreyn’s wide-open eyes. He was looking at the system window that she could see as well.
’What is this? Is he going to create something out of all these genes? But... Why didn’t he do this sooner, and... Is it even possible to create something from nearly a hundred genes at once?’
True, Groza was a far more experienced Hunter than Kreyn, but she still had a long way to go, and there were many things she was learning for the first time as well.
"Alright, it’s time to do this!"
Kreyn’s voice, full of excitement, echoed throughout the caves.
"System! Begin the evolution of the Stone Garud Cell!"
[Accepted.]
Without delay, a bright green light burst forth from Kreyn’s boots. In a flash, they soared up before him. From the center of each boot emanated light from the green orb, it was the Stone Garud Cell that Kreyn had installed in the boots back at the research facility.
Groza blinked, trying to figure out what was happening.
’His boots? What is he going to do with them, and why right now?’
Tremble!
The space trembled as a multitude of white orbs appeared around the Sand Shiver Boots. These were all the genes that the Stone Garud Cell had absorbed.
The genes rushed toward the Sand Shiver Boots, causing them to tremble more violently and shine brighter until nothing remained but light.
Whoooosh!
With the next blinding flash, new system messages appeared before Kreyn.
[The evolution of the Stone Garud Cell was successful!]
[The evolution of the Sand Shiver Boots was successful!]
[The Sand Shiver Boots have been modified in accordance with the Cell and the item’s original gene.]
Tremble!
Another shiver, and a new pair of boots appeared before Kreyn.
[Mountain Wind Boots
[Type: Equipment
[Tier: I
[Evolutions: One
[Cells: Mountain Ragazo
[Sockets: Earth Strike.]
[Description: These boots, which were originally the result of using the Sand Lizard’s gene, have become something more by absorbing numerous genes and undergoing Cell Evolution. On any sandy or rocky surface, they provide better stability. The boots ensure excellent protection and also add extra weight to every strike.]
Kreyn had already realized that the description focused mostly on the details. The real essence lay in the Sockets and Cells. It was precisely these parts of the gear that made it unique and granted its abilities.
[Mountain Ragazo (Energy Cell)
[You’ve gained the power of a monster you haven’t encountered yet, but this was made possible because you helped the Stone Garud Cell evolve. Previous effects remain active. Now, after accumulating enough power, you can perform a powerful stomp that sends a shockwave through the ground and knocks opponents off their feet.]
Kreyn’s eyes narrowed as he carefully studied the new capabilities.
’Hmm, this isn’t a full-fledged ability like a Vibration Step in a Socket. It’s closer to the Arms of the Red Banner. Something like an active-passive ability, right?’
The Arms of the Red Banner was the first piece of gear Kreyn had created and was, in fact, a mutation. It didn’t have any Sockets, but still, Kreyn could create barriers and gather energy for the crimson blasts.
Now, the Mountain Ragazo Cell worked in a similar way.
’Alright, I’ll have a chance to try this out later. Now let’s move on to the most interesting part!’
[Earth Strike
[When you kick and land a precise hit on the target, energy will be used to summon a stone pillar to amplify your strike. This ability will only work when energy is activated. The stone pillars can appear from any direction, but only if there is ground or a stone surface.]
Kreyn’s eyes scanned the text from top to bottom once more as he nodded with satisfaction. Then, his gaze turned to the Mountain Wind Boots, which were still hovering before him, waiting for his touch.
The boots had become bulkier, taller, and heavier. The scales had turned gray and thicker, like stone slabs, and the sole was solid.
Tap.
As soon as Kreyn touched them, the new boots appeared right on his feet.
At that very moment, Groza approached from the side.
"Kreyn... What was that? Did you just change your boots?"
Instead of answering, Kreyn showed her the information about the boots.
Groza began reading the description as her eyes widened in disbelief.
"This... Did you make all of this from those useless spiders?!" Groza exclaimed in shock.
Kreyn waved his hand with an awkward smile.
"It’s not that simple. The spiders were more like fuel than a resource. But, yeah, if we hadn’t killed them, especially those five big ones, I would’ve had to look for genes somewhere else."
After that, Groza’s eyes darted to her sword lying nearby.
Now she realized that Kreyn wasn’t bragging earlier.
How could he have properly appreciated her sword, worth tens of thousands of credits, when he’d just created those boots?
Her resentment over not having a good enough sword grew stronger, as did her desire for Kreyn to create something for her.
"I see." Groza clenched her jaw, controlling herself. "I’m happy for you. You have a great future ahead of you, Kreyn. But we’re still on our mission. We’ve only finished the first part."
Kreyn nodded deeply.
"I know. That’s what you’re talking about, isn’t it?"
The purple egg with white beads trembled from time to time. Now, nothing stood in their way of obtaining the Queen Egg.
Step.
The two of them stepped forward, and at Groza’s nod, they simultaneously pulled upward, yanking the Queen Egg out of the ground. It was anchored to the ground by thick veins like roots, drawing resources from the caves and from what the spiders brought it.
At the same time, a system window appeared before them:
[Queen Egg of the Green-Tipped Spiders
[This is a mature egg that has nearly reached its peak of growth. With a small amount of resources, the Queen will be able to hatch. It is also a valuable resource, as all the energy the Queen has gathered over a long period of time is contained within this egg, and its scent can attract powerful monsters wandering nearby.]
Groza smiled. She got exactly what she came here for. But Kreyn saw something else before him.
[???]
[???!]
’What the...?’
[It is impossible to see the uses of this rare resource.]
[The Gene Forge level is too low.]
[Increase the Gene Forge level to see the possible uses for rare resources!]