Homunculus Rebirth-Chapter 18: Its time to evolve

After the explosion of light that spread throughout the world, every crisis humanity had created was reverted.

The polar ice caps were restored, smoke no longer polluted the atmosphere, oceanic waste was cleansed, and deserts, though dry, were no longer as hostile. It was a global miracle.

But miracles aren't cheap.

I was right to think it came with a price.

"Apart from dimensional outbreaks, which can be detected before they even occur, Towers are a different story. They're said to be connected to another dimension—maybe the original home of other races. Whatever the origin, there's one truth everyone accepts: these structures are a menace. They won't disappear until they're cleared.

But why are there so few? When I died, we had just cleared the 73rd Tower. It's been five years—why haven't they cleared more?" freeweɓnøvel.com

Neon was stunned when he learned about the appearance of a new Tower in the Dark Forest. No matter how he tried to rationalize it, the reality remained—the Tower had manifested near his disciple.

To make matters worse, its number was alarmingly close to the last one Neon had entered.

"Why is the number still so low...?"

[System Notification: The 78th Tower has granted early access to its discoverers.

The Tower has detected your presence, even from afar. Would you like to enter its domain?

Difficulty will scale based on the participant's level, allowing anyone to challenge it.

Greater rewards await those who select the highest difficulty.]

"I get why you don't want me to go in," Alex muttered, dragging his feet. "We're just survivors. We'd be a burden in there. But... it's such a wasted opportunity! I've always dreamed of entering my first Tower!"

Neon, however, was calm.

"If I remember right, a Tower only reveals itself publicly after a month. But because of us, it's extended its secrecy to three months. We're the pioneers this time. That gives us four months to train.

I could wait... but clearing it now would be a massive advantage."

Three Weeks Later – Shadow Ape Valley

"Golden Eyes of the Abyssal Tiger... grant me your power."

After three weeks of harsh solo training, Alex had transformed. Neon left him with a note detailing monster weaknesses, rations, and advice. Contact was sparse.

[System Notification: The guardian has activated [Freezing Snow Field] & [Formation Boost].

Synergy detected. Effects prolonged. Hostiles in extended range suffer slow effects.]

Thanks to the synergy between his skills, Alex could slow his enemies and pick them off from a distance. When he couldn't rely on his bow, he used hand-to-hand combat and a knife gifted by his master.

But the shadow apes were catching up.

"I knew this was coming."

[Special Ability Activated: Devouring leeches have answered the call of the host.]

Has merged with the body per the host's will.]

"Homunculus Shift: Devouring Tentacular Limbs!"

His flesh twisted. Leeches morphed into writhing tentacles, acting as natural extensions of his will. He grappled a tree and launched himself into the air. Once at a safe distance, he summoned his bow.

"Checkmate, you outrageous apes. I just wanted some of your bananas. I read that you could understand humans! But no, you had to be unreasonable. Here's a parting gift."

"Arrow Barrage!"

Dozens of arrows exploded from his bow—then multiplied again mid-flight. Enhanced by his passive weapon effect and skills, a torrential rain of arrows wiped out the shadow apes.

[Alex Hersh LVL 31

Title: Formation Killer, Ranger of the Night, One Shot, Sniper

Class: Ranger

Race: Homunculus

Special Abilities: Golden Abyssal Eye, Behemoth Scales, Devouring Leech, Thornerus Bone Structure, Fangs of the Hydra

Health: 146 | Attack: 129 | Int: 97 | Luck: 83 | Dex: 90 | Speed: 87 | Defense: 73 | Stamina: 82 | Mana: 66

Race Unique Abilities: Inheritance, Homunculus Shift, Lesser Homunculus, Infestation

Skills: Bow Proficiency (D+), Freezing Snow Field (F+), Formation Boost (E+), Dagger Proficiency (E+), Arrow Barrage (F-), Ranger's Haste (F+), Rapid Firing (C-), Accuracy (F-), Heal (E+), Hand-to-Hand Combat (F+), Hunter's Instincts (D-)]

"Three weeks. It's been that long since I was sent out for 'special training.' I check in once a week for rations, but... something's off. My master...

I don't know much about evolution. My previous race never had one. I wonder if it's hurting him..."

BOOM

"That explosion... it came from the cave!"

Alex rushed back, tearing through monsters flooding toward the source of the explosion. Wounded, exhausted, but desperate, he made it to the cave.

The scene was devastating.

Destroyed herbs. Scattered materials. The entire place was trashed.

At the center of the chaos—a glowing cocoon. Monsters circled it, but as Alex arrived, they vanished. An illusion. A memory. The will of what Neon had devoured.

Inside the cocoon: a naked boy. Emitting immense power.

"M-Master...!?"

The boy stirred.

[System Notification: Evolution Successful]

Simulation stats integrated.

The first Homunculus, [Neon], has evolved.

Status:

New form registered: [Manifesto].

Known effect: Can force Homunculus Guardians into catastrophic release.

[Neon LVL 39

Title: Defier of Fate, First Blood, Super Rookie, Demon Hunter, Overkill, Speedrunner, One Shot, Formation Killer

Class: Transcender

Race: Homunculus

Special Abilities: Golden Abyssal Eye, Behemoth Scales, Devouring Leech, Thornerus Bone Structure, Fangs of the Hydra

Health: 200 | Attack: 184 | Int: 167 | Luck: 135 | Dex: 173 | Speed: 158 | Defense: 125 | Stamina: 143 | Mana: 162

Race Unique Abilities: Inheritance, Homunculus Shift, Lesser Homunculus, Infestation

Skills: Unparalleled Alchemical Knowledge (SSS+), Empower (C+), Crafting (D+), Herb Gathering (E+), Brewery (B+), Sword Proficiency (B+), Ailment Boost (C-), Physical Resistance (D+), Mental Resistance (E+), Green Thumb (F+), Vine Manifestation (D-), Magical Resistance (D-), Skill Mastery Boost (S-), Thorny Field (D+), Formation Increase (E-)]

"It seems my evolution was a success."

Neon's golden eyes gleamed. His body shifted, taking on traits of his new catastrophic form. For the first time in a while, a wide grin spread across his face.

"Hoh? Alex, did my new form scare you a bit? What happened to your body? You look like a monster buffet victim."

"Ah... I get it now. So that explosion wasn't just in my head. Sorry for worrying you."

Neon opened his inventory, dressed himself, and gave his disciple a teasing smile.

"Come on, let's get something to eat. You must be starving."

Dragging Alex by the arm, Neon guided him to their small kitchen—half-broken, but still functional.