Reborn As An Evolving Monster

When was the last time that I enjoyed a discussion with another?

Has it been decades? No, it's been centuries.

Located deep within the dark forest at the center of the Monster Realm, rare are the intruders.

The Invisibility Spell that I Cast on the entry makes it even more unlikely for any to find this place.

But some do from time to time.

And usually, I'm the one to push the discussion on them.

It usually turns into a monologue while I dissect them. Sometimes, I take my time so that they can hear me talk for as long as possible.

But you're different, white-scaled Monster.

I enjoy the conversation.

You make me think, which is something that, after so long, I force myself to do. I don't need to force myself when talking to you. Your thoughts and conversation give me ideas. I'm sure that sparks of inspiration would start appearing again with you by my side.

Yes. Having an Assistant wouldn't be bad.

But I can't.

I have a job to do.

A job I must do alone.

***

I like this Lich.

It says interesting things, unlike the one inside the Dungeon.

That one had probably lost itself. I wonder if that Corruption user... The Connector? I think that's what Nia called him. Wonder if he had anything to do with that.

That's if that Lich was indeed part of this Dark Triad.

This place... Is interesting.

The Lich... Is interesting.

I'm learning a lot just talking with it.

Apparently, Fire Magic cannot be used in spaces where there isn't enough Oxygen. That's funny. I wonder if Ice Magic cannot be used in places with low moisture or humidity? I won't ask though.

 I think... I could learn a lot by staying here.

Plus, it wouldn't be bad.

In this dark forest, away from those that I ran away from.

Elisa, Krista.

Nia, Gaavah.

I ran away from them all.

This might be a good spot for me.

Staying underground, hiding, like a cockroach.

I'm sure... I won't be found here.

No.

I won't let myself hide.

I'm having fun talking to the Lich.

I can't let myself have fun.

Not after what happened. After what I did. After I ran away.

This is pleasant.

And that's exactly why it needs to end.

"Ready for those questions?" The Undead Lich asked after it let out a long sigh.

In the first place, it burnt that Mural but hasn't talked about it at all since I entered the Room. 

It's sad but... I'm sure that talking about it will naturally lead to the end of this.

It's sad... And that's why I need to do it.

"I am. I'll ask first, since I have five and you three. Your answers will dictate how thorough is thorough enough."

The Undead Lich remained silent for a couple of seconds.

Its facial expression couldn't change, as it was all bones.

Mark imagined it smiling. And it was, internally.

"Ask away."

"What is the Undead Dark Triad?"

"A group of three Undead individuals with a common goal."

"This is how you want to play it?"

"We've talked enough, haven't we? There's no need to be as thorough now."

"What's your common goal?"

"To bring back the Age of the Monsters. Who do you serve?"

"I don't serve anyone. Why did you burn that Mural?"

"Secrets are meant to be kept. Who brought you to this World? You said it involved Magic."

"They call him the 'Connector'. Does that Mural depict the First Demon King's journey?"

"It does not. It depicts a time before the Demon King. Who are you supposed to serve?"

"A time before the Demon King? You mean before he became Demon King. Before he acquired that Title."

"Who are you supposed to serve?"

"Who am I supposed to serve...? Mm. Those who brought me to this World, I suppose."

"A circular answer."

"It'll have to do. A time before the Demon King is unacceptable as an answer."

"Before becoming Demon King, yes. It depicts the journey of the individual who would become hailed as such."

"Then I'm supposed to serve... Gaavah, I guess."

"Gaavah? I see..."

"Was the First Demon King..." Mark slowly stood up. After this question is answered, the Contract would have been fulfilled, and the fight would begin. "The Great Red Dragon?"

"How... Do you know that Title?"

"Am I to assume the positive?"

The Undead Lich extended an arm towards the white-scaled Monster.

"It is one of the King's many Titles."

[The Contract has been...]

Before Mark could even read the floating words, a volley of Ice Spikes was formed around the Undead Lich.

They were shot right away.

The white-scaled Monster spread its wings.

Wind Blast-

The Spikes were turned into ice dust but... The Undead Lich was nowhere to be found.

Mark leaped across the room.

A stairway that wasn't there earlier.

Mark went down the stairs.

"Just because we have to fight doesn't mean you can run without saying a thing."

"You'll have to excuse me..."

A large room. The ceiling was way higher than before.

Once again, countless Signs were on the walls, the ceiling, and the ground.

"After so long, I forgot about manners.

Unlike in the room above, there was no light, except the one emanating from the Undead Lich's eyes.

No, emitting a faint light were the circles drawn.

Magic Circles. It was Mark's first time seeing them, so he could not know how they worked.

"Was that Spatial Magic?"

"It's not my specialty, but with the right setting, I can use it."

"The right setting...? I'm guessing those Circles have something to do with that."

"Ha." The Undead Lich chuckled. "Come and find out."

The Magic Circle on Mark's right started shining a bit brighter.

Yellow.

The next second, Thunderbolts were shot from that Magic Circle!

Ice Manipulation-

'It's fast, but I could've dodged it. Now that I know how it works, I'll dodge the next one.' Mark thought to himself, as the wave-like structure of Ice protected him from the Thunderbolts.

"Ice Magic, huh?"

"You Lichs are too greedy." Mark sneered as he leaped forward.

The Magic Circle he stepped on shined red. Its light grew brighter and,

"What happens if I cover them all with Ice?"

Ice Manipulation-

Starting from Mark's foot, the Ice spread further and further.

But before it could go beyond the Magic Circle,

Boom-

"A room filled with traps. Really?"

"Well, this is my Boss Room, isn't it? Don't worry, I'll try not to mess your body up too badly."

"Means you'll go easy on me? I'm thankful for that."

"I didn't take you for the type to show such maturity."

"Well," Mark leaped forward. "I wasn't always the type to."

Three purple Magic Circles shined on the ceiling.

As if they were portals, five Ghouls fell down and onto their feet from each Magic Circle.

Mark did not look their way.

Instead, he covered his clenched fist with flames. 

"Let's take some of them off!" Mark shouted as his fist descended upon the ground.

Wind Blast-

"Using Wind Magic at the last moment to increase the force of your hit. Not an uncommon thing, but not very creative either.

Mark slowly straightened his back.

His fist was bleeding.

Sublime Body Restoration-

The ground was cracked, and the Magic Circle stopped shining.

'Forty... No, fifty of them across the room. I can't break all of them-'

From above, a palm made of rock pressed against his body, aiming to crush him.

Mark fought against it, but the weight was nothing to scoff at. The Ghouls and their sharp claws were approaching. Additionally, three Magic Circles shined at once.

"You must be asking yourself, so I'll tell you. Some activate when sensing something in their targetted area. Some I activate myself."

Mark used all his strength to push up, before slipping away as fast as he could, leaving that palm to hit the ground, and disappear.

'Am I really going to have to use it? Now? It's too dangerous. Being underground makes it-'

"You were much more interesting when we were conversing. Fighting isn't your forte, I see." The Undead Lich said as Ice Spikes appeared around it.

"Oh, is that so?" Mark smirked as he jumped back. "Don't blame me if this whole place gets thrashed."

With his palm facing the ceiling, Mark extended his right arm forward.

Could it defeat the Undead Lich with one hit?

He wasn't sure.

But Mark was convinced that it would destroy all the Magic Circles.

He feared that the structure would collapse right away, which is why he had jumped back.

Now that the staircase was to his left,

"Are you even capable of-"

The Undead Lich's mouth remained open, but no words exited it.

Mana. A lot of it. It was all Condensed into a single point.

It wasn't a fire.

It wasn't even a flame.

The Undead Lich recognized that Magic Type.

Fire Ball-

Flames engulfed it.

Mark had instinctively guessed that it had to be covered by flames.

The flames covering it weren't important. They aided only in transporting it.

More than 95% of Mark's reserve in Mana had been consumed.

All for a...

Spark Of The Primordial Flame-

BOOOM-