After getting some new information from the system about these monsters. I was ready to get my power up as I thought about using this new monster essence, a tiny glowing marble appeared on my palm.

Its sudden appearance and glow also attracted both Emi and Mink’s eyes. I stared at the marble for a few seconds. I had thought that this would automatically be consumed by me, not expecting it to appear like this.

I thought for a moment before looking at the system guidance book, to see if this essence orb can be shared with anyone else, except me or not. Surprisingly, it can be given out to others, but again comes with the problem that they might get some random beastly instinct.

But the good thing was I got the Blood Control, so dealing with these orb mutations shouldn’t be a big problem; I should be able to suppress the mutational DNA.

Of course, I still considered letting Emi use it, but in the end, I let go of this thought, because I just couldn’t let her have the power that comes with a price.

She is still too young to take on such heavy lifting. I opened my mouth and swallowed the orb right in front of everyone’s eyes.

[Congratulations, Host, you have swallowed an essence pearl higher than your grade and rank. You would be going through another evolution process.]

[Evolution Begins...]

As this evolution process began, I felt a sharp pain run through my entire body; the pain was beyond my control as I couldn’t control my scream.

I clenched my fist and teeth, suppressing my scream, with all my strength, and used the hellfire to lessen the pain. As the hellfire began to burn through my veins, all the pain began to fade, and my body began to turn numb to everything.

Soon enough, I was able to see things again clearly, as my body was still going through evolution, but my body was completely numb to it because of hellfire’s extreme cold.

The body was burning in hellfire, while Emi and Mink stared at me in shock. What had happened to me all of a sudden?

"Don’t worry, I am preparing our way out of this cage," I said. I didn’t know if they wanted to hear it or not, but I still told them.

The purple flames were lighting up the room as my body was going through extreme changes, but I felt none of it. All I did was stare at Emi’s soft face to pass my time. She had been really silent throughout this trip. I don’t know how I will be explaining all this chaos to Mom.

I needed to make up another explanation for her after dealing with this demon. I didn’t know how much time had passed when I suddenly heard the system prompt.

[Evolution Successful]

Host: Ricky Watson

Species: Human

Rank: Mutant

Grade: Ruler

Skill: Regeneration (Passive), Agility (Passive)

Talent: Hellfire, Eyes of Void, Summon, Cursed, Crimson Blood, Wing of the Dead, Strings of Love, Infected, Silver Lightning, Earth Element, Water Element, Wind Element, Berserk

Physique: 42/90

Mana: 3800/3800

Pervert Points: 1020

Forbidden Points: 0

Storage: +1 (Tier 3 Dungeon Key)

This was finally some exponential growth. I was clearly feeling growth in my body. The increase in strength could clearly be felt. I could feel every single muscle in my body as I realised something really important. My talents are actually becoming stronger with my Rank and Grade, cause after evolution, I was clearly able to feel two separate forces within the hellfire, one that suck life, and one that brings colds. I might even be able to use its ice elemental power in future. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

I summoned a fireball and threw it at the wall, and as it hit the wall, a thin layer of ice was formed there.

Seeing this, a satisfactory smile appeared on my face. I still have quite a lot of new talent to test. But now, I am already a Mutant Rank and Ruler Grade monster... I guess a human or maybe a warrior. Whatever, but now the distance between me and that demon behind this trap was just a single grade and rank.

I controlled my excitement and turned to Emi, and took a deep breath. As I went to share my happiness with her, suddenly the light went off. As everything fell into darkness. Emi quickly took out her phone, whose battery should also be nearing its end.

We walked out of the room to check on others. Outside, everyone was sitting in groups, sticking closer to one another, trying to feel the warmth in this cold weather.

The winds were chaotic outside, and I was able to feel the intensity of the winds out there. With dark clouds covering the sky, it was already dark enough in daytime, but at nighttime, it was simply horrifying.

I turned to people staying here, most of whom were old or middle-aged folks, with very few young people. I looked at the Mink and ordered him to make that fire rune for these people. While I went up to the door, which was locked shut, these guys had even placed a lot of heavy boxes to block the way, from door to window; they had done their best to not leave any opening for creatures from outside to get in. It was pretty impressive for these old folks.

"What are we going to do? The storm is becoming dangerous, and now even the light is gone."

"I heard... that these kinds of evil spirits can appear anywhere in the dark, what if..."

"Stop scaring us!"

"..."

Everyone has something to say in this moment, but of course, I am not gonna join them; all I could do was finish my preparation as soon as possible. I still had that dungeon key left, so before trying out anything, I would like to give it a try.

Trying with everything I have, because I will not be running alone, I need to carry a treasure chest on my back.