Ashborn Imp? Mirefiend? Noxling? Gremlin? Succubus?
These were the existing Lesser Demon races I had expected to see when the time came for my evolution. Yet, as I stared at the options before me, none of them were listed.
Why?!
Instead, what appeared were choices that held no meaning to me, names I had never encountered before. I was completely in the dark, and that uncertainty gnawed at me. If I had a say in it, I would have preferred something familiar, something predictable. But that wasn''t my reality.
No harm in treating this as another high-risk, high-reward moment.
Among the unfamiliar options, one immediately caught my attention: Devil of the Primordial Pride Lineage.
Just seeing the word Devil sent a rush of excitement through me. The description was clear? Devils were the strongest lineage among all demonkind. That was what I wanted, what I had always strived for. Strength. Power. Greatness.
And yet… none of these options truly offered me that.
Each evolution held promises of an eventful future, but they all came at a cost. The cost of servitude. Every path led to submission beneath a greater force, a leader whose shadow I would be forced to live under.
That was not who I was.
Demons like Igon, the Ashborn Demon; Gulmeg, the Mirefiend; Togmoth, the Noxling; Vangrur, the Gremlin; and Lilura, the Succubus. They had all chosen to be ruled. They were content in the service of another, their fates tied to those who commanded them.
But me?
I was not born to serve. I was born to rule.
I am Malvos.
The available evolutions clashed with everything I believed in, every fibre of my being rejected the idea of subjugation. But at the same time, I could not afford to remain as I was. Stagnation meant insignificance, and I refused to be insignificant.
What… should I do?!
It felt like a cruel dilemma to choose power at the cost of my freedom or remain powerless and forever irrelevant. There was no easy answer. No perfect solution.
I clenched my fists. No. I had to make a choice. I had to evolve, no matter how bitter it felt.
Among the seven options, Devil was the only one that still held a glimmer of hope for me. Even if it meant being one among many, at least it ensured that I would stand out.
With a heavy heart, I made my decision.
> Would you like to evolve into a Devil [Lesser Demon]?
(Yes) (No)
I selected Yes.
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The moment I did, my vision blurred, my body wobbled, and the world around me darkened. A deep pull overtook my senses, dragging me into unconsciousness.
ERROR! ERROR! ERROR!
> Your Title: "Nature''s Opposite" is resisting!
The Title "Nature''s Opposite" does not conform to the rule of nature!
"Nature''s Opposite" is in a frenzy!
"Nature''s Opposite" is defying the natural law of evolution!
A storm of unseen forces erupted within me. My entire existence trembled, a chaotic energy tearing at the constraints of the evolution process.
> "Nature''s Opposite" has taken the owner''s desire into account!
"Nature''s Opposite" is acting on the owner''s will!
"Nature''s Opposite" is reforming a new brand of demon evolution for the owner!
A surge of power exploded inside me, something far beyond my comprehension. It wasn''t just an evolution, not anymore. Beyond normal... it was creation.
The system struggled against it. Warnings flashed, and errors flared. The very laws of nature fought to suppress this unprecedented change, but my title, Nature''s Opposite, refused to yield.
> …
…
"Nature''s Opposite" has succeeded!
My evolution was no longer bound by the established paths. My title had taken everything? My will, my ambition, my defiance. And from it, forged something new.
---
Referring to your Title "A Nightmare''s Birth!" "Nature''s Opposite" has forged from it a new Demonic species!
A New Demon is Born!
> Melbourne!
A newly acclaimed Lesser Demon, born from the authority of the eight Primordial Demon of Nightmare!
A race never before seen, its abilities and nature still unknown. A demon formed from the sheer will to transcend all limits.
TRAIT: The Primordial Demon of Nightmare
ATTRIBUTE: Lightning
> NOTICE!
A new evolution option has been added!
Would you like to evolve into a Melbourne?
(Yes) (No)
I tried to respond, but my consciousness was too far gone. My body refused to obey.
> NOTICE!
Demonic individual is not in the right frame to deliver a response.
But then—
> NOTICE!
Title "Nature''s Opposite" has interfered!
"Nature''s Opposite" has chosen on behalf of the demonic individual!
The choice was made.
> Commencing evolution as a Lesser Demon—Melbourne!
---
---
---
EVOLUTION SUCCESSFUL!
> Demonic Individual Malvos has evolved from:
Demon Larva Lv. 10 → Lesser Demon Lv. 11
> NOTICE!
You have evolved into a one-of-a-kind demon species!
You have broken the natural laws of evolution!
You have defied multiple restrictions!
> A large amount of experience is acquired!
---
LEVEL UP!
> Lesser Demon Lv. 11 → Lv. 12
8 Stat Points acquired!
2 Skill Points acquired!
> Lesser Demon Lv. 12 → Lv. 13
8 Stat Points acquired!
2 Skill Points acquired!
> Lesser Demon Lv. 13 → Lv. 14
8 Stat Points acquired!
2 Skill Points acquired!
---
ERROR!
> As the first of your kind, additional stats should be rewarded…
"Nature" rejects this request!
> ERROR!
Title: "Nature''s Opposite" opposes Nature''s decision!
A fierce battle erupted between the very forces that governed my existence. Nature demanded balance, while my title refused to be bound.
> NOTICE!
"Nature''s Opposite" has devoured the Title: "Fear Dominator" to increase its influence!
A consensus has been reached!
ERROR!
Your level is too low to accommodate nature''s consensus!
Thus! The proposition of extra stats has been dissolved!
Your Title; "Nature''s Opposite" has conceded!
In return!
You have acquired Nightmare''s Authority!
> ERROR!
Level is too low to accommodate a primordial ranked authority!
Authority locked!
---
SKILL EVOLUTION!
> General Skill [Comprehension] Lv. 8 → Lv. 9
General Skill [Comprehension] Lv. 9 → Lv. 10
> NOTICE!
Skill [Comprehension] has reached its limit threshold!
[Comprehension] has evolved into [Clairvoyance Lv. 1]!
> NOTICE!
Title "Nature''s Opposite" has assimilated [Clairvoyance]!
"Nature''s Opposite" has evolved into a Unique Skill: [Call of Force]!
> ERROR!
A Lesser Demon cannot possess a Unique Skill!
> NOTICE!
"Call of Force" has dismissed Nature''s interference!
The system spiralled into chaos. Notifications broke down, messages fragmented, and everything descended into static.
> NOTICE…
NOTIC…
NOTI…
NOT…
NO…
N…
Then—
Utter Silence.