The Dragon Heir (A Monster Evolution LitRPG)

First up, Feathered Wings. A bit of a twist, eh? Adding feathers for that more aerodynamic pizzazz? Quite the clever idea, though a few of the terms sounded like they were plucked straight out of my... dreamland dictionary. But no time for wool-gathering, Jade, keep your noggin in the game! I just understood the terms, and that was all that mattered!

The gist of it? A quieter, more refined flight, like a proper bird of prey—swooping down all stealthy-like when the baddies least expected it.

Although, I must admit, I was a bit befuddled about how this would play out in a dungeon. They did tend to get more cavernous as one went deeper, but to what extent, I hadn’t the foggiest. So, feathers? Hmm, not sure about that. I was rather fond of my current wings—smooth, slick, and jet-black.

Next on the list, Hollow Bones. A cunning idea, lightening the load without compromising on strength. It would certainly make me more sprightly in the air, conserving energy that would otherwise be frittered away just to stay aloft. Not that I planned on extended flights at this juncture.

And another thing, it seemed like every single option had something to do with reducing my stamina consumption. What was the deal with that? With only 14 points of stamina in the bank, I was left scratching my head over how much a bit of airborne derring-do would set me back.

No matter, I’d sort it out in due course. But a fleeting thought nagged at me—wouldn’t lighter bones make me more fragile? Apparently not, or so the description assured me. I’d be lighter, more agile, and frankly, it seemed like an upgrade that would never stop pulling its weight, so to speak!

Next up, Improved Membranes. Now, enhancing the flexibility and toughness of my wing membranes—that was more like it! Better maneuverability and sturdier wings? Just the thing for dodging attacks and squeezing through tight spots, especially in these blasted tunnels. Plus, less fretting about tearing them up in a scrap. A well-rounded and efficient choice for someone of my ilk!

Then there were Air Sacs—intriguing, to be sure. Extra air storage and less puffing and panting during long flights? Hmm, didn’t quite do it for me, though. Skip that one, for now.

Lastly, Wing Muscles. Stronger wing muscles for more power and endurance on longer flights. Ideal if I planned on flitting about endlessly, which I most certainly did not.

But still, more oomph behind each wingbeat, staying aloft longer, zipping about faster, and maybe even lugging a bit more weight? Tempting, but I had my heart set on something else.

So, it came down to a toss-up between Improved Membranes and Hollow Bones. Both, frankly, were cracking options. But the more I pondered, the more I leaned towards Hollow Bones. Perhaps I was feeling a bit on the heavy side at the moment, but if I get any bulkier, Hollow Bones might just be the trick to keep me light on my feet—or wings, rather.

Right then, decision made! Hollow Bones it was! I locked it in with a mental command and braced myself. The pain came, but I was ready for it! After a good bit of cursing the heavens and writhing about pitifully, the pain finally eased off.

Wasting not a moment, I pulled up the next advancement. I had to be quicker—Barn would be here any minute now!

Legs +5 Advancement Options
Choose one of the following:

• Spring Tendons: Enhances the elasticity of the user's leg tendons, increasing jumping height and improving landing absorption.

• Muscle Density: Increases muscle density in the user's legs, enhancing strength for both sprinting and endurance activities.

• Foot Pads: Modifies the pads of the user's feet to improve traction and grip, providing greater stability on slippery or uneven surfaces.

• Joint Flexibility: Enhances the flexibility of the user's joints, reducing injury risk and allowing for more agile and precise movements.

• Circulatory Boost: Improves blood flow to the user's legs, enabling quicker recovery from exertion and reducing fatigue during prolonged activity.

I zipped through the options as usual—no dilly-dallying, of course. But this time, I was quick as a flash! There was only one criterion that mattered: what would best bolster my burgeoning skills? As a close-combat maestro—a warrior dragon (at least for now), no less—I needed something that would enhance my physical prowess.

The wings upgrade was the eureka moment that made me opt for the Hollow Bones option. Spring Tendons? Pah! Too much of a harebrained idea for my liking. As amusing as the thought of bouncing around like a deranged bunny was, it didn’t quite jive with my other skills.

Muscle Density—now there’s a straightforward proposition! More muscle, more power. Simple as pie. I decided to keep that one on the back burner for now.

Foot Pads, though… well, they were intriguing. Better grip on dodgy surfaces meant more stability. But did it truly pack a punch? I wasn’t convinced.

Joint Flexibility, on the other hand, had a really neat synergy with my Claw Swipe skill. Flexibility, agility, precision—what’s not to love? A rather solid contender for now.

Circulatory Boost promised better blood flow to my legs, which meant quicker recovery and less fatigue. But to be honest, I wasn’t exactly planning on any marathon battles.

My talents lay in swift, sneaky takedowns, not in drawn-out slugfests.

So, the choice boiled down to Muscle Density or Joint Flexibility. One was pure strength—simple, effective, no frills. The other offered versatility and reduced the risk of injuries in this blasted dungeon. In the end, I went with Joint Flexibility!

I locked in the choice with a mental command, and then… oh, the agony! Once again, it was an excruciating transformation. My legs twisted and contorted in a torrent of pain. It felt like an eternity, but as usual, the whole wretched ordeal was over in less than half a minute.

The moment it ended, I flexed them with gusto—woohoo! I could practically feel those tendons gliding over my joints as if they were on a merry slide. The added flexibility was really visible, allowing for a more impressive range of motion.

But there I was, lying flat on my back like a hapless turtle, so no grand experiments today.

Besides, I had more pressing matters to attend to.

Hmm, next up was… Claws!

Claws +5 Advancement Options
Choose one of the following:

• Keratin Reinforcement: Enhances the hardness and durability of the user's claws, increasing resistance to wear and maintaining sharpness over extended periods.

• Retractable Claws: Implements a mechanism allowing the user to retract claws when not in use, preserving their sharpness and preventing damage.

• Claw Flexibility: Improves the flexibility and control of the user's claws, enabling more precise and varied movements in combat or during manipulation.

• Nerve Sensitivity: Augments nerve sensitivity in the user's claws, enhancing the ability to detect textures and surfaces, beneficial for climbing or performing delicate tasks.

• Claw Sheaths: Introduces protective sheaths for the user's claws, minimizing the risk of injury or damage when not engaged in combat.

First up was Keratin Reinforcement. The name said it all, didn’t it? Durability, of course. Toughening up the old claws so they’d remain as sharp and sturdy as a blacksmith’s finest blade. And by the looks of it, they’d stay in tip-top shape even after a bit of wear and tear. Quite the appealing option, especially since monster maintenance kits would likely be in short supply in these parts. Heh. If I were to be slicing and dicing through enemies willy-nilly, having claws that could survive the carnage would be invaluable.

Next was Retractable Claws. How terribly practical! Being able to tuck them away when not in use, preserving them from unnecessary wear. I was still a fledgling hunter—only four monsters under my belt. A hapless spider, a fresh-out-the-dungeon-soil turtle, and two more bug beasts that didn’t know what hit them. So, my claws were still in mint condition. Still, this option felt more like a handy feature than a proper upgrade. But onward I went!

Claw Flexibility. Oh, now this one piqued my interest! Seemed I had a soft spot for things that were a tad more… bendy. No pun intended! Enhancing flexibility and control over my usually rigid claws? How intriguing! I could practically see it now—my claws twisting and turning just so, landing those precise, surgical strikes. At present, my fine control left much to be desired, but with this, I’d be able to manipulate them with a surgeon's finesse. Possibly, going by that description. This one was definitely going on the list, especially if I fancied getting a bit more strategic in my skirmishes.

And finally, Nerve Sensitivity. Hmm? Just reading about it made my claws tingle. But again, this seemed more like a utility feature than something that would add oomph to my combat prowess. Considering my ultimate goal was to get my human form back, if I wanted to handle delicate tasks, I could simply transform and use my hands like any civilized person. I did like the idea of it, but it wasn’t exactly what I was after at the moment.

Lastly, Claw Sheaths. Protective sheaths for my claws to minimize the risk of injury or damage when not in use? Yet, something about them struck me as the tamer cousin of Retractable Claws. It just felt like a bit of added assurance for my claws, keeping them snug and secure until the moment arrived to let them loose.

I daresay my mind was already made up. Claw Flexibility it was! No doubt about it, the most sensible option on the table. More finesse and dexterity in a scuffle could tip the scales in my favor, and that’s no small potatoes! The other options had their appeal, no question, but this one positively leapt off the page! Plus, it came with the most immediate and versatile perks.

Decision sealed—Claw Flexibility, locked and loaded. A mental command sent, and oh, there it was—the familiar sting. Would anyone believe it, I think I was actually starting to savor it. Pain, after all, was just a reminder, wasn’t it? A reminder that I was growing, inch by inch, stronger and stronger! It still smarted like the devil, of course, but I’d wager there was a wicked grin plastered on my face this time.

These claws, they were gaining strength, and I couldn’t help but picture that treacherous wench Jord’s smug mug beneath them. Oh, what I’d give to wipe that phoney grin right off his face. By Thalador’s beard, once I unlocked my human form and had a good understanding of this …system, the very first thing I’d do was hunt down that backstabbing rat. Let him see that the one he sold out for sacrifice was very much alive and absolutely seething.

And then there was father. How he was faring, I could only wonder. I had no doubt he’d managed; he was the toughest man I’d ever known. My thoughts began to spiral, but I gave my head a good shake. I had more immediate concerns to attend to.

One quick prayer to Thalador for father’s safety, and then I turned my attention back to the screen.

Scales +5 Advancement Options
Choose one of the following:

• Scale Overlap: Enhances the overlapping pattern of the user's scales, increasing overall protection by minimizing gaps and enhancing defensive coverage.

• Flexible Scales: Modifies the flexibility of the user's scales, allowing for greater mobility and reduced restriction during high-agility maneuvers.

• Keratin Hardening: Increases the keratin content in the user's scales, making them tougher and more resistant to physical damage.

• Heat Regulation: Enhances the heat-regulating properties of the user's scales, improving the ability to manage body temperature in extreme environments.

• Color Adaptation: Enables the user's scales to automatically change color based on the surroundings, improving camouflage and stealth in various environments.

For whatever reason, as the options popped up, my eyes went straight to the last one.

Hold up a fucking second. Was it the same stuff those creepers had?