I Became A Bat

37: Familiar Voice

We're now back to Sacred Wood Castle after our adventure in the Abyssal Tower. Currently, I'm inside my room located at a basement inside the castle. Despite the presence of lamps that are emitting faint orange light, the place is still somewhat dark since I had this room designed for it to suit my tastes as a creature of the night.

Currently, I'm sitting on the cold floor while a glowing purple cubic barrier is enshrouding me. It's about three meters wide in terms of height and width so I can still freely move while I'm inside it. It's an added protection for me who is going to conduct my evolution to become a Third Tier creature.

Just outside the door is Fortista who is keeping watch over the surroundings in case someone intrudes while I'm in the middle of my evolution.

I know, I know. I'm being overly cautious over here but I think there's nothing wrong with being extra careful in doing things that concern my safety. Hmm... Everything's already prepared. Then let's start the evolution!

My Status Window appears on the air with the three evolutionary options I can take. I start scanning my eyes across the screen while taking in a deep breath and at the last option, I finally found it. The Vampire!

A creature that looks like a human but preys on other creature's blood. It has a high regeneration rate and long lifespan. Other than a slight allergy towards photons, it doesn't possess any weakness. It's the perfect race anyone can evolve too. I'm quite nervous about that blood seeking nature but I think it doesn't have to be a human I'm gonna prey on, right?

Just to make sure, I also start reading the other choices. Incubus and Energy Vampling, huh? Incubus seems to be a bit humanoid and specializes in soul type abilities. Energy Vamplings are an evolved version of my current form. It's a Vampling adept at controlling various types of energies aside from mana.

Human. A human body. It's something that a person from the modern age like me couldn't live without. Since I'm mostly a vegetarian type of monster, my teeth are not that suitable for meat. Moreover, I can't even speak since my vocal chords are similar to that of an animal's. Each day, I feel more and more like an animal rather than a human because of my current body.

Since the other evolutionary forms are not that attractive, I guess I'll just go with the initial plan, the vampire. I take a deep breath and slowly reach out my hand towards the screen. After that, my forefinger move to click on the choice.

Just as my finger is about make contact with the screen, the contents suddenly changes. The option for Vampire and Energy Vampling starts fading leaving only the Incubus. It all happened in a short amount of time. I try to stop my finger from moving but it's actually already pressing on the Incubus.

No! What's happening? I don't want to become an Incubus!

I try clicking on the screen once again but it suddenly fades away as if someone had closed it without my permission. A spell of weakness is now about to overcome my body. Starting from my head and into my feet, I begin to lose control over them.

I can see myself falling to the ground but the moment my body comes into contact with the ground, there's no feeling of pain that is transmitted. Slowly, my other senses starts fading away until finally, there's only darkness left.

-----

A sea of darkness. I'm back in this place again, huh?

There's this drowsy feeling trying to take my consciousness. I try to fight it but is it worth it? If I'm in my normal self right now, I would've sighed at my situation.

I'm now evolving into an incubus, another humanoid monster. When all of this is finished, I'm still gonna be a monster to the eyes of others again and live the life of an aberration. If it's like that then why should I even try to finish the evolution? Might as well just-

Tsk! What am I saying? I don't want to die. There's still a chance to become human in the future. Don't give up! Ugh! I hate myself.

A dim light appears and starts flashing a distance away from me. Even though I have no eyes at the moment, I can see it. Oh? The evolution is already done? That's fast.

The light begins to turn brighter and brighter until finally, the scene of my dimly lit room enters my sight. I try to raise my upper body up and the feeling of it being heavier than usual catches my attention while I'm doing so.

I look down and now, I can see the lean naked body of a adolescent boy with light brown skin. My gaze trails down even further and there, I can see that the legs are also those of a humans. However, the fingers on the feet are somewhat longer than a those of a normal human and sharp fingernails are potruding at their tips. It's also the same for the arms. The hands also looks out of place.

With some slight difficulty, I move my feet and them willed my body to stand up. After that, I start approaching a table where a huge mirror is placed on top. I open a drawer to take out a glowing stone to light up the surroundings and my current appearance unravels in my eyes.

An average face that looks just the same as my appearance as a human before with curly black hair. However, curving horns are present on both sides of my forehead similar to that of a ram's. There are two red lines that look like blood flowing from the end of my eyes to the neck. My eyes themselves are almost all black. I can barely see the whites unless I purposely move the pupils.

There's also a huge pair of black bat-like wings behind me. It looks heavy but I can barely feel its weight. It's like, something this heavy is supposed to feel right for my body.
"H-Hello!" I try moving my vocal chords to speak, something I haven't done in years and a somewhat horse voice leaks out. My throat hurts as a feeling of dryness tells me that I need to drink some water.

I quickly move to approach a water dispenser nearby and begin to pour water on a glass. After that, I begin drinking. That feels good!

T-this is... This is nice. I don't look that bad. I can even speak right now. When I clicked on the incubus option, I thought that my life is over but I guess this result is fine. My appearance looks like I'm a fifteen year old right now though with a certain addiction towards cosplay but it's cool. Why do I look younger though? As a result, the me who's already shorter than those of my age is now even shorter than ever.

But how did this happen? The Status Window changed all of a sudden especially without my permission. I'd be a fool if I don't realize that someone had tampered with it.

The memory of that time with the wolves flashes back in my head and the time at the treasure vault. S-someone... someone is possessing my body. What is that person planning though?

Before I can think even further, my head suddenly starts aching. It's as if something is piercing me from the inside. My breath is caught in my throat my eyes widen. I can't help but scream in pain while my body falls into the floor.

W-what's happening? I'm gonna die. This pain is killing me!

The pain is still intensifying as each second passes. I try rolling on the floor while massaging my head with my hands but it does nothing. Helpless, I can only slam my hands to the floor with all my might to divert the attention my body is paying to from my head towards them.

Somehow, my plan works out. The pain also starts to subside until it only leaves an intense feeling of tiredness. However, I'm already feeling dizzy from all that pain I had to go through. I let out a sigh. I guess it's better if I sleep this off.

While I'm about to lose consciousness, a voice suddenly resounds in my head. It's a very familiar voice I will never forget. "Don't think too much."

Huh? Is that-

My thoughts are interrupted as a sharp pain assaults my head once again. This time, I finally sink into darkness.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE]

When I began writing this book, I planned to make this scene emotional but after adding all the new stuff like fairies and Demon King's Crown, I had to throw that idea away.

Anyway, who do you think is that person that spoke?

Thanks for reading!