Chapter 6

First, I apologize. To those who have eaten before or after, I sincerely apologize.

Although it's a humble work, if you enjoy it, I would appreciate your ratings, subscriptions, and comments.

---

Zeo hurried back to Charlotte's room, feeling grateful for the transparency skill. He was savoring the usefulness of this skill more than ever before.

(Who knew... that leveling up by zamaa would be possible. Not to mention, evolving as well—this has never happened before.)

It was only natural that he didn't know and shouldn't have expected it. In what world would a monster level up by getting revenge? Sadly, it was Zeo himself.

When he heard about evolution, he looked in the mirror, but there was no visible change in his appearance. He decided to check his status using the "Status View" skill, and his eyes nearly popped out.

---

Name: Zeo

Race: Protochimera

Lv: 1

HP: 135/135

MP: 127/127

Attack: 97

Defense: 95

Magic: 98

Agility: 93

SP: 34

Skills:

- Status View: Lv--

- Language Understanding: Lv--

- Appraisal: Lv--

- Evolutionary Path: Lv--

- Skill Purchase: Lv2

- Fire Breath: Lv5

- Electric Breath: Lv3

- Cold Breath: Lv4

- Transparency: LvMAX

- Flight Enhancement: LvMAX

- Poison Resistance: Lv1

- Mental Resistance: Lv1

Titles:

- Reincarnated

- Cowardly Chicken

- Lady's Pet

(What... What a significant change...!)

Although his level is 1, the level of "Skill Purchase" has increased, and his stats have significantly improved. Moreover, the MP that should have been depleted from using "Fire Breath" on Kelly has been fully restored. If he plays his cards right, he might be able to defeat Aestor normally.

(Plus, there are new skills.)

Like "Status View," these are skills with hidden levels. Considering previous examples, these might be useful skills. Zeo decided to try activating one.

[Insect Chimera] Evolution Lv: 25 Required Skills: [Compound Eyes] [Antennae]

[Beast Chimera] Evolution Lv: 25 Required Skills: [Stiff Fur] [Enhanced Sense of Smell]

[Dragon Chimera] Evolution Lv: 40 Required Skills: [Dragon Scales] [Fire Breath]

etc.

It seems to show the races he can evolve into in the future and the skills required for evolution. As a bonus, it even shows detailed information about the races and their post-evolution appearances.

(Evolutions that specialize in changing the body to insect or beast types... I see, so chimeras are this kind of race.)

Zeo was beginning to understand the characteristics of chimeras in this world. It seems that by repeatedly evolving, he can change his entire body or parts of it, like his arms, to resemble any creature.

If he doesn't specialize in one type of chimera, he might be able to acquire almost all skills that depend on physical attributes. For example, he could change his arms to gorilla-like strong arms to increase his striking power or change his jaw to a crocodile-like one to increase his biting power.

(When I check "Skill Purchase," the level has increased, and there are new skills that seem necessary for evolution... but skills that change the body, like growing armor-like fur all over or turning eyes into compound eyes, are quite expensive... Growing dragon scales all over, for example, requires 2500 SP.)

Among the lineups of chimeras, such as amphibian and bird types, which are currently lacking in skills and cannot meet the evolution requirements, he found one that could evolve if he just raised his level.

[Berserker Chimera] Evolution Lv: 30 Required Skills: None

[A mindless, pure monster that wields the power of all types of monsters and wreaks havoc to the fullest extent. According to legend, a goddess's blessing is needed to regain sanity, but the truth of this is unknown.]

No way. Zeo immediately removed the Berserker Chimera from his list of evolution options. Even though his body is a monster, his heart is human, which is his pride.

Moreover, looking at the post-evolution appearance, the Berserker Chimera seems to grow much larger. This would make it impossible for him to live in Charlotte's room, and the "Transparency" skill would not be as effective.

(Therefore, this evolution is out. Maybe I should work hard to save SP and evolve into a Dragon Chimera... for the sake of male romance. But if my appearance suddenly changes, how will I explain it to the lady... hmm.)

While pondering, he carefully checked each item. Then, an evolution path that seemed like divine inspiration caught his eye.

[Human Chimera] Evolution Lv: 30 Required Skills: [Humanization] [Language Understanding]

[A chimera based on a human that can change parts of its body or the entire body into a monster for battle, possessing high intelligence and rationality. When not using skills, it looks no different from a regular human, and some individuals live and blend into the city like normal people.]

(Humanization! The skill made for me!!)

How many times had he wished to return to being human? The bitter memories of being attacked by humans because he couldn't communicate and had a monster's body resurfaced.

After all, he couldn't say "hello" and could only make a "Gaa" sound. He couldn't have a proper conversation with Charlotte, and he always felt frustrated because he couldn't express what he wanted to say.

But if he evolved into a Human Chimera, all these problems would be solved. The evolution path that would practically return him to being human made Zeo's spirits soar.

(And the post-evolution appearance looks almost the same as my previous life... This is practically a transfer to another world rather than a reincarnation! Moreover, I already have "Language Understanding," so I just need to purchase the "Humanization" skill...!)

Humanization: Lv1 Required SP: 15000

It seems that things don't usually go so smoothly. Zeo had grown a bit more mature.

---

One day, when Lily used the surname Connor, she learned that her father was born into a prestigious ducal family in the Grandia Kingdom.

At the time, she wasn't exactly poor, but she had a strong desire to be a princess in her mundane life. She asked her father to use his connections to make her a foster child of the ducal family.

She wanted to enjoy the glamorous life of a noble rather than the boring life of a commoner. She knew that her father, Duke Hybel, and her father were still in correspondence despite her running away from home.

It was a parent's duty to wish for their daughter's happiness and send her off warmly. Lily made this request to her parents without any doubt, but their response was not what she wanted.

"Nobility is not the world you think it is, Lily. As a commoner with mixed blood, you will face some criticism. As a political marriage candidate, the Hybel family already has two sons and one daughter, especially Charlotte, who is the epitome of a lady. Your uncle wouldn't take in a foster child without a reason."

Lily was indignant. She had the blood of a ducal family, a situation like the protagonist of a popular romance story about overcoming class differences. Why would they cut off her path to happiness?

In stories, the heroine rises through a dramatic encounter and ends up with a handsome prince. Asking to be adopted by the ducal family was a shortcut to this. Parents who didn't consider their daughter's happiness were no longer needed.

...Her parents said they were considering the cold treatment a commoner with noble blood would receive, but Lily didn't hear it. She was dreaming of a glamorous life.

"Besides, it's unfair that she was born with everything I want."

Her anger turned to jealousy, and her resentment was directed at Charlotte, whom she had never met. No matter how much she tried to persuade her stubborn parents, they wouldn't agree. Feeling lost, a divine revelation came to her one day.

"Poor Lily. You have the potential to become the most noble woman in the world, yet you are being buried by adults."

The voice in her head sounded full of compassion. "Who are you?" Lily asked, and the voice answered.

"I am the guide of this world and the protector of humanity. To put it simply, I am a god revered in religion. I can't bear to see you suffer, so I have come to give you a skill to fulfill your wishes and become the most radiant person."

Lily was elated. The god was watching over those who tried to live righteously.

A skill is a special ability that humans are born with, which determines the magic they can use. About half of the population has a skill. Children in the skill manifestation period can learn about their skills at the church, but unfortunately, Lily didn't have one.

It can also be acquired through training, but the lazy Lily had to give up on it early.

"I'll give you a skill to make you the most noble woman. It's a divine revelation, and you should follow it."

Lily decided to follow the words.

"But a skill is meaningless without an opportunity to be noticed. To catch the duke's eye and be adopted, a tragic event is needed. For example, the death of your parents."

Is it really that simple? Lily revealed her cruel nature. After all, parents who hinder their daughter's happiness should be happy to die and become the foundation of her happiness.

Deciding this selfishly, Lily killed her sleeping parents with a knife, making it look like a robbery. She moved to an orphanage and used the "Light Magic" skill given by the god to attract attention. Soon, she was adopted by Duke Hybel, who didn't know she had killed her brother and sister-in-law.

From there, it was easy. Using the skill to be liked, she ingratiated herself with many people, including nobles, and acted as a kind and beloved girl.

At the same time, she didn't forget to tarnish Charlotte's reputation. It was easy to believe the bad things she said about Charlotte. Seeing her rival fall was refreshing.

"If you have any problems, please let me know. From today, I am your older sister, so don't hesitate to rely on me."

Lily, who had no evil intentions, even rejected this. Not only that, but she took everything from Charlotte, including her parents, siblings, servants, childhood friends, and even her beloved fiancé and the future position of queen. The sight of Charlotte's tearful face when she lost everything still makes Lily laugh.

The peak of her life. She felt like a chosen heroine. During dinner one day, she was about to end the day contentedly.

"Hey, the kitchen seemed noisy. Did something happen?"

"Actually, the maid Kelly had a series of unfortunate events after falling... like a pot on her head..."

"Really!? Is Kelly okay!?"

"Yes, don't worry. Fortunately, she only has a confused memory and no injuries. However, she was quite scared, so she's resting today."

After giving the impression of a kind lady concerned about her maid, Lily sat in the seat where Charlotte used to sit and enjoyed the luxurious meal served in the dining room where the entire ducal family was gathered.

Beef stew, a dish she was unfamiliar with in her commoner days, was nothing like the simple meals her poor mother used to make. As she savored the gourmet food made by a dedicated chef, she felt something hard and brittle in her mouth.

"Lily? What's wrong?"

"Ugh!?"

Her brother-in-law, the heir to the ducal family, Rufus, asked worriedly. Lily spit out the foreign object in her mouth onto a paper napkin. It was a brown kitchen pest with antennae and spiky legs.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,