A Certain Demon's Evolutionary Tale

I had levelled up significantly, jumping from level 3 to level 8 in a short span. The key to accelerating my growth was now clear. Defeating those far above my level granted me the most experience. The bigger the gap, the greater the reward.

Of course, that also meant greater risk. The higher the level difference, the more significant the disparity in stats. If I recklessly charged at a superior foe without a plan, I'd be signing my own death sentence.

This time, I got lucky. The level 10 Demon Larvae had been defenceless, leaving them vulnerable to my attacks. If they had been conscious and capable of fighting back, taking them down would have been nearly impossible. A fully aware, combat-ready demon of a higher level? That was a nightmare I wasn't eager to face.

I knew better than to let my recent success cloud my judgment. Overconfidence was a death trap, one I refused to fall into.

General Skill [Comprehension] Level Up!

Comprehension (Lv7) → Comprehension (Lv8)

Right… It had been a while since I last paid attention to my [Comprehension] skill.

'Level 8, huh?' I muttered internally, curiosity sparking in my mind.

When the Alpha Demon Larva reached level 10, it had been in the midst of an evolution, helpless, unable to defend itself. If evolution meant ascending into a greater form, then the process itself must be a moment of absolute vulnerability.

So, what about my skills? If my general skill [Comprehension] reached level 10, would it evolve as well? Or was evolution something exclusive to demons and not the abilities they possessed?

I found that hard to believe. If skills weren't meant to evolve, then why did they have levels just like demons?

For now, I'd assume that my [Comprehension] skill would undergo some kind of transformation at level 10. If my theory was correct, I would need to ensure that when the time came, I was far away from any potential threats. If I became as defenceless as the Alpha during its evolution, it would only take a single opportunistic strike to end me.

Pushing my musings aside, I refocused on my surroundings. The aftermath of battle had left its mark, and my surviving kin had reaped the rewards. Their bodies were larger now, more imposing, physical proof of their advancement.

Race: Demon [Infant]

Species: [Demon Larva] - Lv.9

Race: Demon [Infant]

Species: [Demon Larva] - Lv.9

Race: Demon [Infant]

Species: [Demon Larva] - Lv.8

Race: Demon [Infant]

Species: [Demon Larva] - Lv.8

Race: Demon [Infant]

Species: [Demon Larva] - Lv.9

Most of them had reached level 9, with only a handful still at level 8.

I clicked my tongue in frustration. Despite making the first move, others still managed to surpass me. It was infuriating.

Then again, many of them had already been stronger before this. While I had played it safe, targeting only the dying or the weak, the others had risked their existence to fight opponents at or above their level. That kind of gamble had skyrocketed their growth while leaving me trailing behind.

But despite all of this, I felt no fear. Not even a shred of unease.

As long as I could see my available stat points, I had nothing to worry about. A deep, instinctive certainty told me that once I distributed them wisely, I wouldn't just catch up, I'd surpass even those a level higher than me.

Now, the question was… what next?

One thing was clear: I couldn't stay here anymore. Not after what had just happened.

For my own survival, I needed to leave.

I had tried living as a lone entity before, and I despised it for sure. Solitary is not mine to have nor am I interested, but if there's anything I have learned so far, it's that sometimes, we don't always get to have what we want and so for it, there needs to be a compromise in order.

After what happened with the Alpha and other evolving Demoms, I know for a fact now that staying with the group meant constantly watching my back, never knowing when I might become the next prey during my course of evolution. That wasn't a risk I was willing to take.

So, I began to crawl forward, letting my instincts guide me. My destination? Wherever the path led.

But as I moved, I noticed something… strange.

The other Demon Larvae were following me.

At first, I thought it was a coincidence. We had simply chosen the same direction. Nothing more, no reason to read meaning to it.

To test this, I veered to the side, taking a completely different path. Yet, they followed.

I changed direction again. So did they.

What the hell was going on?

Wasn't the natural order supposed to be that the strongest led, and the weak followed? I wasn't the strongest here, not yet, anyway. If anything, I was among the weaker ones at this moment, at least until I allocated my stats.

So why were they following me?

This behaviour made no sense. It wasn't normal.

Frustration crept in as I changed paths once more, this time in an attempt to shake them off. But no matter which way I turned, they adjusted course, trailing me without hesitation.

At first, I was bewildered. Then, I became annoyed.

The whole point of leaving was to be alone, to ensure my own safety without the burden of others. And yet, they refused to let me go.

Why?

Why were they choosing to follow me?

I ground my fangs in irritation, my mind churning with questions I had no immediate answers to.

Losing them wouldn't be easy.

And deep down, an unsettling thought began to take root.

What if the reason they are following me is because they are hellbent on revenge? I mean even if we all committed the act, I started it, so this might be their way of showing they intend to get back at me, that they have no intention of letting me sin-free?!

So am I to assume now that they are following me in preparation to do to me the same thing I did to others?!