Volume 3 Chapter 166 The Evolution Of Being 3️⃣
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It would be a lie to say he didn’t hesitate to tell Natra about the evolution of being. But as he remembered their days training with wooden swords, the fierce duel against Oswald, and the moment he inherited the Secret Technique Pursuit of the Shadow, he couldn’t bring himself to trap her with a magic contract.
Right before he brought up Owl’s words to Natra, his heart pounded strangely loud. It felt like he had stepped off a shallow riverbank and was suddenly swimming in a deep, endless current.
Yet the moment he mentioned the topic, that heavy unease vanished completely—as if it had been nothing but a passing shadow.
”You’re telling me I’ve evolved into a shapeshifter-type monster?” Natra said, frowning as she walked slowly through the maze of Ramsey at sunset.
”It still doesn’t feel real,” she murmured.
”Well, that’s just what Owl said,” Kian replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know for sure if you’ve really broken free from my curse bind.”
”Shouldn’t we test if Sir Kian’s control still works on me?”
Stretching out her hand toward the empty alley, Natra’s voice stayed calm. The stone houses on both sides stood silent, their gaze turned elsewhere.
”Then… kneel, Natra,” Kian said quietly.
”────!”
His eyes glowed faintly red. In an instant, Natra dropped to her knees with a soft thud.
But after a moment, she raised her head. Her body followed, slowly rising until she stood before him once more.
”I can resist it now,” she said clearly.
”…So Owl was right,” Kian muttered.
Even so, he still didn’t want to seal her with a contract. Magic contracts carried weight—they could trap a person’s mind. If not careful, they could distort a person’s entire path.
If Natra were bound by such a contract, she might chase after witchcraft knowledge just to suit Kian’s expectations, rather than honing her swordsmanship. That thought alone made him hesitate. Her talent was too bright to be forced down one path.
As a fellow swordsman, a martial artist who respected her—and someone who secretly viewed her as a rival—he wanted her to grow freely, without chains.
While he kept those thoughts to himself, Natra walked quietly beside him, looking down at her hand.
”Evolution of being… But I’m not sure I’ve really changed. What if my face suddenly turns into Sir Kian’s?”
”If that happened during… y’know, something private, I’d probably throw up everything in my stomach,” he said dryly.
”Ugh… Please don’t even imagine that…”
”We probably need to test whether you’ve actually gained the ability to transform,” he added. “If you can’t change form at all, then you might not be a true shapeshifter.”
”If I am one, I could become the perfect warrior monk of Azrael,” Natra said, eyes narrowing.
”Assassinating key targets would be simple,” she continued. “As long as the intelligence agencies of other countries don’t catch on, I could move without laws stopping me. Even if they did, preparing countermeasures wouldn’t be easy.”
Kian gave a short nod. Natra went on.
”Besides that, I might be able to steal a magic sword that enhances the user’s body.”
”Like if you took Oswald’s right hand?” Kian asked. “You might be able to fool the Phoenix sealed in the Holy Sword of the Sun’s scabbard.”
They had talked about this before—back when they saw Owl’s transformation.
If Kian kept developing his vampire traits, he might eventually gain a shapeshifter’s form too. In that case, he could impersonate Oswald and try to steal the Phoenix.
Natra brought a hand to her chin.
”Yes… But if I fail to take it, I’d die. So I’d need to be extremely careful.”
”The Phoenix incinerates anyone who touches the scabbard without being chosen. The sword itself might be different—if we wrap it in thick cloth, someone else might be able to hold it.”
”There’s another issue,” she said. “Can a shapeshifter even copy a body that has a spirit-class factor? Even if one tried to become Oswald, without the proper traits, it’d probably just look human on the surface.”
”Hmm… Oswald once told me,” Kian said, tilting his head, “that if you’re chosen by the holy sword, you see a dream. In the dream, something enters you. When you wake up, you’ve changed—superhuman powers, golden eyes. That’s how he described it. On the other hand, Eleonora’s eyes returned to normal when the sword was taken from her.”
Natra nodded once.
”If the thing that entered them is the Phoenix factor… then copying that would be impossible. Without the factor, the Phoenix would burn me to ash.”
”So, a shapeshifter can only reproduce things they can understand—cells, patterns. The Phoenix factor can’t be mimicked.”
”Right. In that case, it’s probably safer to go after Lord Rean’s magic armor,” she said.
”I see. That sword isn’t like Oswald’s—it doesn’t change Rean into something else. If his body was reshaped into a normal human’s, then someone like you, who doesn’t hold a contract, might be able to use it.”
”But then, who pays the price for using it?” he asked.
”That would still be Lord Rean,” Natra answered. “The contract is with him. The one who gets the bill is him, too.”
”It’s the same principle as real-world contract law,” Kian said with a wry smile.
”Yes. From his side, he might want to charge me for the soul debt and usage… but since he doesn’t understand magic, he has no way to push back.”
”So basically… you get to use powerful equipment without any consequences?” he said.
Natra nodded again, then turned to him with a firm expression.
”Even so… I won’t steal Lord Rean’s magical armor, even if Sir Kian orders me to.”
”Because Rean would be in trouble?”
”No. Because of the innocent people who believe in him,” she said softly. “They’d be the ones to suffer.”
”I get it,” Kian muttered. “Without that armor, he can’t hunt monsters the way he does now. He wouldn’t be able to pay with their souls. So he’d start sacrificing his comrades again.”
If Rean kept offering others’ souls to the spirit of Black Onyx, it would eventually destroy his reputation. When that day came—when no one stood by him—he would have no choice but to offer up himself.
And that roulette would finally stop spinning.
Natra placed her hands on her hips and looked straight at him.
”That’s right. If I clash with that man, it’ll be tough to win with that magical armor in play. So, maybe stealing it temporarily could be considered. But you… You wouldn’t even think about keeping it forever, right? Not stealing Lord Rean’s soul armor for yourself.”
”Of course not,” Kian replied, firm and calm. “I’d never use someone else’s soul to make my party stronger. If I had to choose, I’d rather push myself and climb higher on my own.”
Hearing that, Natra smiled gently.
”That’s exactly why I like you. Because you’re like that.”
”…!”
That soft smile… it wasn’t fair.
It reminded mhim too much of Sarah—how she used to smile during those quiet days when they trained together. He turned his face slightly away, hoping Natra wouldn’t notice.
Still unaware, she gently slipped her arm around mine once again.
* * *
By the time the sunset melted into deep twilight, Kian’s final task called him back to the ancient temple. He had to deliver supplies and escort the information team that had just returned from Ramsey’s Guild branch.
When Kian and Natra’s group arrived at the front of their inn, a crowd had already gathered. Five wolfkin girls, three guild staff, and the familiar faces of Rufna, Serena, Sarah, and Linca stood waiting to see them off.
The four of them were speaking to a middle-aged knight in a white surcoat—none other than the vice-captain of Owl Knight Order. He had been stationed at the main gate with Lord Owl himself, trying to persuade the townsfolk… but judging from the teleportation glow faintly clinging to his boots, he’d traveled here in haste.
He wasn’t just a knight—there was power in him. Strong magic, likely first-class. Probably a knight-mage hybrid, brought in as Owl’s right hand.
”Oh! Master, over here!” Rufna called, waving her hand as usual.
Kian walked up, arms crossed. Beside him, Sarah gave a small, sad frown when she saw him and Natra together. Linca said nothing, but the sharpness in her smile was enough to make him sweat.
”Did you forget something?” she asked coolly.
Trying not to react, Kian turned to face the vice-captain. Natra finally let go of his arm and stepped back to stand beside him like a quiet shadow.
The vice-captain narrowed his tired eyes kindly.
”Lord Owl asked me to see you off. Also, we’ve arranged for the tamed Wing Cain to escort you, so I’ll need your consent for that. There’s also the matter of travel tax and a bit of persuasion for your companions.”
Kian nodded slightly.
”Lord Owl never wastes time.”
(He also moved fast when it came to women, like Maribel.)
The vice-captain chuckled faintly at the unspoken implication, but soon stepped closer, his expression turning serious.
”Lord Kian. I beg you. Please fight alongside us to protect Ramsey. I’ll keep pretending to negotiate with them for now… but unless they fully retreat, true peace is out of reach. When the wheat turns gold—that’s how soon this will all break apart. We’ll need to take the fight outside to protect the fields, but right now, we simply don’t have enough forces.”
”As I told Lord Owl, we’ll talk it over with everyone and decide together,” Kian answered calmly.
”Understood. Lord Kian, your group won’t be charged the travel tax, and we’ll make sure the rewards are generous. If anyone is injured, we’ll cover all medical costs. ──Here’s a draft of the contract. Your companions already have a copy. We hope for a positive reply.”
With a polite bow, he left to speak with the guild staff, shifting the conversation to matters unrelated to Kian’s party.
Kian and Natra walked over to rejoin the others.
”I’ll ask just in case,” Kian said. “Who here thinks we should fight for Ramsey?”
Rufna, Sarah, and Linca didn’t speak. They just looked at him as if the answer was obvious.
Serena bit her lip and stepped forward.
”I want to help the people here. The taxes are too high. They can’t escape. They’re trapped and scared. If fighting can change even a little… then I want to try.”
”Ms. Serena. I understand, but it’s far too dangerous,” Sarah said quietly.
Serena nodded, accepting the truth. “Yeah…”
Even so, her eyes still held a spark.
”I feel the same,” Natra said clearly, standing next to Kian. “I want to fight too.”
Rufna blinked in surprise.
”Really? I didn’t expect that from you, Milady.”
”You might not know what to think of me, Rufna. But I’m still an apostle of Azrael. If the people of this land are about to be crushed unjustly, of course I want to protect them. ──I’ve come to understand them, even a little. That makes it… hard to walk away.”
”You’re too young.”
Natra glanced sideways.
”If I were ten years older, like Lady Linca, would I be able to stay so cold?”
A vein twitched on Linca’s forehead.
”Could you not call me ‘older’? You make it sound like I’m some elderly woman.”
”But aren’t we both the same? Late bloomers without a single marriage to our names?”
”Lowering yourself won’t make me feel better.”
”Hey, hey… stop it, you two,” Kian said with a sigh.
He glanced at each of them in turn.
”Three are against fighting from the beginning. Two want to, but believe it’s impossible.”
”I wonder… what do you think, Kian?” Sarah asked softly.
Kian shook his head.
”We shouldn’t fight. After seeing Arminus’ power, it’s clear—this isn’t about glory. It’s about survival. But… if there’s anyone who can tip the balance in this hopeless situation, I believe it’s me.”
Even if Owl reached out to nearby lords, real reinforcements were unlikely.
But Kian had options. Guy of Châtillon and Priscilla might lend troops under the right terms. Maribel had her own forces, small but loyal. And if he could get Oswald’s and Maribel’s approval, he might even reunite Oswald’s scattered knights… if only for a while.
Even here, some of them could easily serve as powerful mage attackers. With good planning, maybe they could break through nearly three thousand enemy soldiers. That’s the kind of feeling Kian got, even if his instinct wasn’t perfect.
But still, defending Ramsey… felt wrong.
As the leader of proper party, they had no choice but to go against it.
Rufna let out a lazy shrug.
”The talk was already dead from the start, wasn’t it?” she said, brushing back her short hair.
”Yeah, that’s right,” Kian replied with a sigh.
”So, what do we do now? If we’re not gonna fight, we should leave fast. But where? Back to Izerland? Or head to East End?”
”There’s also the Royal Capital in the west,” Sarah suggested, tapping her chin. “Monster hunt requests would drop a lot, but if we care more about Lady Serena’s training and Natra finishing the Witch course… relaxing out west might be a good idea.”
Kian glanced at everyone before speaking.
”Talk it over and pick some choices before I take you all to the ancient shrine with Wing Cain,” he said calmly. “To stay linked with Wing Cain, I need to go to the border between the swamp and the wild lands. That means I’ll probably get back late tomorrow night. After your discussion, do whatever you want. Some of you have been pushing yourselves without rest. Let’s be in top shape for what comes next, so please rest well.”
”What about Priscilla’s little noble girl quest?” Natra asked.
”At this point, there’s nothing we can do,” Kian said, shaking his head. “We’ll just have to sincerely apologize to Miss Priscilla.”
In the end, she still seemed obsessed with the ancient shrine of Erynys.
Honestly, if it had come out that the lead witch of Châtillon was killed by beastmen in the Nordende swamp, assassins probably would’ve been sent from Châtillon. In that sense, this result was safer. Less danger was always better.
Linca turned her gaze toward the old property where she had stayed with Kian just recently.
”Two days of rest here in Ramsey, just before it turns into a battlefield… The house won’t be saved, but maybe we can still sell the furniture and books for some money,” she murmured. Then she looked toward Kian and narrowed her eyes. “──Wait. Sir Kian, you said earlier that you’d take them with Wing Cain. But… are you going alone?”
”That’s the plan,” Kian said simply.
The moment he said that, everyone except Serena and Rufna tensed up.
”No! Absolutely not!” Sarah snapped, taking a step forward.
”Sir Kian, I’ve told you over and over again,” Linca said firmly. “You’re not allowed to act alone. Have you not understood yet?”
”I’ll go with you!” Sarah said, slamming her hand over her chest. “Selling old books is nothing. Your life is way more important, Sir Kian!”
”…You’re all being a little too overprotective,” Kian muttered with a frown.
”It’s just to the edge of the wilderness and back. I’ll have Silver Ice and two magic swords with me. I’ve got enough mana. And if I need more, I’ll pull from Natra and Rufna,” he added.
”But what if Arminus shows up? The black panther tribe is known for assassination,” Sarah said coldly, eyes sharp like blades.
Looking at her angry face, he couldn’t help but think—she really does look like Natra. They’re definitely sisters.
”Are you saying someone might attack me on the way into the wilderness?” Kian asked.
”Yes… It’s possible Sir Umar is leaking information, to kill you,” Sarah said, looking down with a troubled face.
Kian rubbed his chin in thought.
He could guess what they were planning. Since he had to leave Ramsey to control Wing Cain, the return time was predictable. That made it easy to set up an ambush. If he was killed, it’d definitely spark trouble with Maribel, and Eleonora and Owl would turn against the ones responsible. But if the beastmen took the blame, maybe it would be accepted.
(The leak could only come from one of three places—Eleonora’s group, the Guild, or Umar. Eleonora wouldn’t do it, she has her pride. The Guild has no reason to kill me, and it’d only hurt them. That just leaves Umar. People would think he tried to kill me before I could get revenge.)
Also, Kian was the one using Wing Cain to carry food to the ancient shrine, which was almost out of supplies. If Kian didn’t show up, Umar would be called a liar and Arminus might take him out. If he failed the assassination, it’d be over. Even if it worked, depending on others’ reactions, he might get cornered anyway. With Umar’s cautious personality, killing Kian now might seem too risky.
(And if Demete’s trying to guide me to my death… he might be waiting in ambush, thinking he’s in control. But Demete’s inside Linca’s shikigami now. They don’t know my exact location or arrival time. Wing Cain’s flight path is too random. Assassination should be impossible. If Arminus really wants revenge, sneaking into Ramsey and striking while I’m alone would make more sense.)
Linca gave Kian a worried glance.
”I don’t think Sir Umar will move right now, but… the wilderness is still dangerous. Please take someone with you. Like me.”
”Huh? Don’t sneak off without asking,” Sarah said sharply. “Kian, I’m coming. I’ll protect you with everything I’ve got.”
”Sir Kian, it’s better to take me instead of my older sister,” Natra said, stepping in. “If you go with her, you’ll just be reminded of what happened yesterday. It’ll be super awkward.”
”…Natra, could you not stab me from behind right now?” Sarah said with a twitching smile.
Before anyone else could react, Linca shoved Sarah aside and clung to Kian’s right arm. Natra, standing nearby, got bumped away, eyes wide in shock.
Then, feeling her soft body press against him, Kian’s brain instantly stopped working for a second.
”Boob—Uhoo!?”
”Hey, Sir Kian,” Linca whispered sweetly. “You’ll take me, right?”
”Uhh… um, what do I do…”
”That woman only thinks about embracing you outside. She’s not fit to be a guard,” Sarah said coldly. “Take me instead.”
”I’ll do my job. I have the widest sensing range and I can deal with enemies fast,” Linca said proudly.
”I can do that too!” Sarah protested. “Hey, Kian, I don’t care about yesterday at all. So pick me, not this shameless pervert.”
”Older Sister, back off. I’m his number one retainer,” Natra said firmly.
”You had him all to yourself today! Now it’s my turn!” Sarah snapped.
…Please don’t let this turn into a real fight, Kian silently prayed.
Linca clung to Kian’s right, Natra grabbed his left, and Sarah wrapped her hands around the front. His body twisted like a ragdoll, barely holding together.
It hurt… but it wasn’t the worst thing.
Natra’s chest was small, but warm and soft, with the scent of a lively young girl. Sarah and Linca both had a rich, adult sweetness, but Natra’s fresh, clean scent pulled on Kian’s heart in a different way. Each one was different… but they all felt amazing in their own ways.
”Geez, whatever,” Rufna said from the side, waving a hand. “I’ll stay behind. Tomorrow I’m teaching Serena Witchcraft and the Azrael language.”
”Thank you, Ms. Rufna,” Kian said gratefully.
”No problem. You’re doing your best for the fallen Silverwooloo, right? Hope you clear your name someday.”
”Yeah… me too.”
”So, Master?” Rufna asked with a smirk. “Who’re you gonna take with you?”
”Huh? Uh, well… who should I choose?”
”It’s me!” “It’s I!” “Let’s go together, Sir Kian!”
As the three girls spoke in sync, Rufna let out a long sigh.
”…Wouldn’t it be easier if all three of them went with you?”
”That’s a no,” Kian said quickly. “If I bring all three, they’ll just fight all day tomorrow. It’ll be a disaster.”
”Then just pick whoever you want to do naughty stuff with the most,” Rufna said casually.
””””Bwah!?””””
The Guild staff and even the wolf-girl deputy looked over in shock.
Apparently, they were all busy talking about temple-Ramsey cooperation and not paying attention until that moment.
However, the passing adventurers were another story.
Seeing Kian’s current situation, many returning from the gate glanced over with envious eyes, their faces twisted with jealousy as they muttered complaints under their breath.
”What’s he doing, making them think with his lower half like that?” one of them grumbled. “Isn’t this supposed to be Kian’s guard duty? Does he even understand that?”
”Mr. Kian,” Natra said sweetly, clinging to his arm, “you promised me, didn’t you? That today would be just for us? And that you had Elder Sister lie to send the annoying one away?”
”Aaaaaagh?! Stop saying that, Natra!” Kian shouted, flustered.
”…Kian? Is that true?” Sarah asked, narrowing her eyes.
”N-No! I swear, I just didn’t want anyone to get hurt!” he said quickly, waving his hands.
”If you’ve been with Natra today,” Sarah said quietly, “then please go on a date with me tomorrow. I’d rather have your attention than a break.”
This wasn’t the kind of situation that could be solved by thinking with desire alone.
Kian needed to make a calm and rational decision—about who would be safest to bring along.
Sarah was out of the question. She couldn’t be trusted. If Arminus were to attack, she’d likely get both herself and Kian killed. That alone was enough to eliminate her.
As for Linca and Natra—Linca could possibly respond to Arminus, and Natra’s abilities were still unclear, but promising. However, Linca alone might not be able to handle his attacks. Natra’s sharp senses would be more reliable in this case.
(…Linca fell too easily for the wrong reasons. Unreliable. Bringing both of them was an option, but pairing Linca with Sarah to keep each other in check made more sense. That left Natra as the best choice.)
Now that the decision was made, all that remained was to offer a reasonable excuse to exclude Sarah and Linca.
Kian turned to Sarah.
”First, Sarah,” he said firmly. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. As the leader, I’m asking you—no, ordering you—to take a proper rest.”
”I don’t need rest,” Sarah replied, frowning. “I’ve always been this way. I can’t sit still unless I’m doing something.”
”That’s not healthy,” Kian said. “You won’t perform well if you don’t leave some space in your mind to think clearly. Maybe the reason you couldn’t respond to Arminus last time… was because you were already too worn down. Don’t you think so?”
”Th-That’s not true…” she murmured.
Her face darkened. She looked up at Kian, eyes trembling, as if begging for something. But he gently placed his hands on her shoulders and moved her away from him.
”You’re on guard duty,” he said. “This base needs you. Keep everyone safe here.”
”…So, you really don’t care about me anymore?” she asked softly.
”That’s not true,” Kian said quickly. “I care about you, I really do—ssu!”
”…It’s fine. I understand. It’s my fault anyway.”
Sarah gave a small smile, one filled with tears she didn’t let fall.
”But you’re not just going out for some shallow reason, right?” she added. “You’re going because you need to. So don’t make it into something stupid.”
”Of course not. Don’t say things like that,” Kian replied, forcing himself to meet her eyes.
Then, turning toward Natra and Linca, he straightened up.
”The decision will be made with a coin toss.”
”Wait, Master,” Natra said. “Isn’t it fine to bring both of us?”
”No,” Kian replied flatly.
”I agree,” Linca said. “It’s my job to protect Sir Kian.”
”Then let’s decide with a coin toss,” Kian said clearly, holding up a copper coin.
He turned his back slightly and flipped the coin into the air. After catching it, he placed it on the back of his hand and covered it with his palm.
”Natra, call it,” he said.
”Tails.”
”Heads,” Linca said right after.
(Linca’s always had sharp instincts—or maybe just good luck. But luck doesn’t work against someone who’s mastered card games.)
Kian used the moment of distraction between them to switch the coin. Natra noticed the motion and glanced at him, but Linca, who usually relied on sensing magical shifts, didn’t catch it.
”Tails,” Kian announced.
”I win,” Natra said with a grin. “Ms. Linca, please don’t be mad.”
”…If it was a fair contest, then I won’t complain,” Linca replied with a faint smile. “But, Sir Kian, when you return… please give me your time too, alright?”
”I understand,” he said. “But could you not say things like that in public?”
Just like that, it was settled—Natra would accompany him.
He wanted to test her growing abilities and, honestly, he was looking forward to training with her again.
After giving instructions to the vice-captains, Kian left Ramsey on schedule.
Meanwhile, Demete had been completely forgotten by everyone. Not even the Guild staff had anything to say.
Notes:
• Mag – The wolfwoman under Yelmar—the one who was caught by Kian’s group earlier.
• Serena – Wolfmen Girl
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Arminus – Male. Leader of the Black Panther Tribe. Possesses extraordinary physical abilities, enhanced by the tribe’s unique technique that repels energy and magic attacks. His speed and strength surpass those of High Warlord Isthbaran. Wields the magic sword Balmung, capable of cleaving through an ice dragon with a single strike. His black fur provides camouflage in low visibility, making him nearly undetectable. Relationship: Leader of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Demete – A male dark elf shaman and a servant in the Umar household.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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