I opened Spike's evolution options.
[Evolution Path 1: Shadow Striker Weasel]
[Level Cap: 25]
[Weasel-type magic beast skilled in assassination, deep black fur, nearly invisible at night, extremely potent toxin, kills in one strike]
[Traits: Shadow Prowl, Enhanced Toxin]
[Skills: Venomous Thrust, Dodge, Stealth, Assassination]
[Evolution Requirements:]
[1. Kill magic beasts at night cumulative 50 times (Met: 50/50)]
[2. Poison sting hits vital points cumulative 30 times (Met: 35/30)]
[3. Successfully escape from higher-level beast pursuit cumulative 10 times (Met: 10/10)]
[Status: Requirements met, can evolve]
[Evolution Path 2: Steel-Tail Weasel]
[Level Cap: 25]
[Weasel-type magic beast with tail hard as steel, excels at frontal combat, tail can sweep enemies like a whip]
[Traits: Iron Tail, Battle Instinct]
[Skills: Venomous Thrust, Dodge, Steel Tail Sweep, Counter]
[Evolution Requirements:]
[1. Kill magic beasts with tail attacks cumulative 40 times (Not Met: 32/40)]
[2. Successfully counterattack after taking damage cumulative 20 times (Not Met: 8/20)]
[Status: Requirements not met]
[Evolution Path 3: Galewind Weasel]
[Level Cap: 25]
[Extremely fast weasel-type magic beast, compact and agile body, sharp perception, excels at scouting and evasion]
[Traits: Galewind Perception, Lightweight Frame]
[Skills: Venomous Thrust, Dodge, Galewind Step]
[Evolution Requirements:]
[1. Successfully escape from higher-level beast pursuit cumulative 10 times (Met: 10/10)]
[2. Scout and discover enemies cumulative 50 times (Met: 52/50)]
[Status: Requirements met, can evolve]
Only Shadow Striker Weasel and Galewind Weasel had all conditions met.
"Spike, you currently have two paths to choose from." I said.
"Shadow Striker Weasel and Galewind Weasel."
I explained the characteristics of both paths.
Spike thought for a while.
"Boss, I want to choose Galewind Weasel." It said.
"I like scouting, I like speed."
I nodded.
"Good, then Galewind Weasel it is."
I opened Shell's evolution options.
[Evolution Path 1: Heavy Armor Armadillo]
[Level Cap: 30]
[Heavy magic beast with extreme defense, massive body, entire body covered in thick armor, can withstand massive damage and draw enemy fire]
[Traits: Thick Armor Protection, Iron Will]
[Skills: Heavy Strike, Shell Defense, Hold Ground, Taunt]
[Evolution Requirements:]
[1. Take cumulative damage of 5000 points (Met: 5200/5000)]
[2. Successfully protect teammates from fatal damage cumulative 5 times (Met: 7/5)]
[Status: Requirements met, can evolve]
[Evolution Path 2: Armor-Breaking Armadillo]
[Level Cap: 30]
[Powerful armadillo-type magic beast, abnormally hard claws and head, excels at destroying enemy defenses and armor]
[Traits: Armor-Breaking Force, Heavy Striker]
[Skills: Heavy Strike, Shell Defense, Armor-Breaking Ram, Crushing Blow]
[Evolution Requirements:]
[1. Defeat beasts with higher defense cumulative 15 times (Not Met: 8/15)]
[2. Heavy Strike successfully breaks defense cumulative 50 times (Not Met: 28/50)]
[Status: Requirements not met]
[Evolution Path 3: Burrowing Armadillo]
[Level Cap: 30]
[Armadillo-type magic beast skilled in underground combat, sharp claws, can rapidly dig tunnels and move underground, suitable for ambushes]
[Traits: Underground Movement, Vibration Sense]
[Skills: Heavy Strike, Shell Defense, Rapid Digging, Underground Ambush]
[Evolution Requirements:]
[1. Dig tunnels cumulative 1000 meters (Not Met: 120/1000)]
[2. Successfully ambush enemies underground cumulative 8 times (Not Met: 0/8)]
[Status: Requirements not met]
"Shell, you currently have only one path available." I said.
"Heavy Armor Armadillo."
I explained its characteristics.
After hearing it, Shell's eyes lit up.
"Boss, this suits me perfectly!" It said excitedly.
"The higher the defense, the better!"
I smiled.
"Good, then Heavy Armor Armadillo it is."
I looked at Spike and Shell.
"We need to find a safe place." I said. "Evolution takes time, can't do it here."
We continued north.
Spike scouted ahead.
Soon found a hidden cave.
After we entered, I had other members guard outside.
Only Spike, Shell, and I were in the cave.
"Begin." I said.
Spike and Shell nodded.
They closed their eyes and began evolving.
Faint white light surged from within, enveloping them.
I stood nearby, quietly observing.
The light grew brighter.
The surrounding air began fluctuating.
I could feel energy surging.
Spike's body began changing.
Its size was shrinking, form becoming more streamlined.
Tail became longer and thinner but looked more flexible.
Fur color was also changing, from original brown to light gray, approaching silver.
Shell's changes were even more obvious.
Its body was expanding, becoming more massive.
Shell was thickening, color changing from gray to deep gray with metallic luster.
Limbs became thicker, claws also grew larger.
The entire body radiated a heavy, oppressive feeling.
Time slowly passed.
About a night went by.
The light around Spike began dimming.
Gradually fading.
Finally completely disappeared.
Spike opened its eyes.
It looked at its body, eyes full of delight.
"Boss! I... I succeeded!"
I looked at it.
Its size had indeed shrunk, about two-thirds the original.
But the entire body looked more coordinated, more suited for high-speed movement.
Fur was silver-gray, faintly reflecting light.
Tail had become very long, the barb at the tip turned dark silver.
"How do you feel?" I asked.
"Great!" Spike said excitedly. "I feel... so much lighter."
"And everything around me is so much clearer."
"I can sense farther away."
I opened its panel to check.
[Galewind Weasel] [Spike]
[Level: 1/25]
[Experience: 0/200]
[HP: 110/110]
[MP: 60/60]
[Strength: 10]
[Defense: 8]
[Speed: 32]
[Luck: 10]
[Extremely fast weasel-type magic beast, compact and agile body, sharp perception, excels at scouting and evasion]
[Traits: Galewind Perception, Lightweight Frame]
[Skills: Venomous Thrust, Dodge, Galewind Step]
Level reset after evolution.
But speed greatly increased!
And gained new traits and skills.
"Good." I said. "You're a Galewind Weasel now."
"Speed increased greatly, and you gained new abilities."
Spike nodded excitedly.
"Thank you, boss!"
Just then.
The light around Shell also began dimming.
Gradually fading.
After the light completely disappeared.
A massive magic beast appeared before me.
Its size at least one and a half times the original.
Thick armor, deep gray color with metallic luster.
Thick limbs, each step made the ground tremble slightly.
The entire body gave an immovable feeling.
Shell opened its eyes.
It looked down at its body, eyes full of shock.
"I... got so big." It said in a deep voice.
Even its voice had become more resonant.
I opened its panel.
[Heavy Armor Armadillo] [Shell]
[Level: 1/30]
[Experience: 0/200]
[HP: 250/250]
[MP: 100/100]
[Strength: 28]
[Defense: 42]
[Speed: 8]
[Luck: 10]
[Heavy magic beast with extreme defense, massive body, entire body covered in thick armor, can withstand massive damage and draw enemy fire]
[Traits: Thick Armor Protection, Iron Will]
[Skills: Heavy Strike, Shell Defense, Hold Ground, Taunt]
HP and defense both increased significantly.
And gained the new skill "Taunt."
"Shell, you're a Heavy Armor Armadillo now." I said.
"Defense increased greatly, and you gained new abilities."
Shell nodded.
"I can feel... my shell got harder."
"And it seems I can... draw enemy attention?"
"Right, that's your new skill." I said. "Taunt."
"Can force enemies to attack you."
Shell was silent for a moment.
"Make enemies attack me..." It said quietly. "Won't I take more damage?"
"Yes." I nodded. "But your defense is very high."
"Attacks others might not withstand, you can easily bear."
"And protecting teammates means protecting yourself."
"Think about it, if Spike or Venom gets focused, they'll die."
"Then team combat power drops, you'll be in more danger too."
"But if you draw fire, they can survive and keep dealing damage."
"This way we have a better chance of winning, and you have a better chance of surviving."
Shell thought, then slowly nodded.
"I understand, boss."
"Thank you."
I nodded with satisfaction.
"Come, test your new abilities." I said.
Spike immediately acted.
It ran a lap around the cave.
Its speed was astonishing, the figure almost invisible.
And very quiet when running, almost no sound.
"So fast!" Spike said excitedly. "I feel like I can fly!"
"And I can sense the situation outside."
"Shadow and the others are at the entrance, about twenty meters away."
I nodded.
Perception ability also enhanced.
"Shell, try Taunt." I said.
Shell nodded.
It concentrated and used "Taunt."
The next second.
I felt a strange sensation.
An... urge to attack it.
Though I could suppress this urge.
But in battle, this forced attention-drawing would be very useful.
"Good." I said. "This skill will make enemies prioritize attacking you."
"Combined with your high defense, can protect other members."
Shell nodded.
Just then.
Sounds came from the cave entrance.