Reincarnated as a dragon’s egg ～Lets aim to be the strongest～ - Chapter 664

664 – Sixth Evolution
For the time being, thanks to treant and the Aros, I was able to narrow down the evolution candidates.

Unfortunately, treant’s first choice, the python, is out of the question because of its slowness. I can appreciate the benefits of toughness and power, but in my experience, some amount of speed is needed. Slow monsters are suited for reliably defeating lower-ranked opponents, but can’t do much aganist stronger opponents. The wide-range skills are attractive, but compared to the other options, it’s not enough.

The azhdahak proposed by Aro no. 3 has its strengths and weaknesses, but there’s little reason to choose it over the other candidates. I’d rather not choose a multi-headed dragon if I can help it. I don’t think I can expect powerful skills from the azhdahak like I can from the chronos.

All that remains are the healer nun, the close combat apocalypse, and the skill-focused but low-rank and lo- stats chronos. These three are the promising candidates.

I still have a lot of good recovery skills from my time as an ouroboros, so there might be little point in evolving into another healer. I already have [High Rest], [Autoregeneration], [Wide Rest], [Ligne], and my recovery skills. I still rely on a lot of these skills.

As an L+ healing specialist, I could probably expect to replace them with more powerful skills, but the fact that I already have sufficient healing is reason enough take the nun out of the running. I also have the unconditional full recovery of [Butterfly Dream], even though I don’t trust it at all. I have enough healing already. It should be okay for me to not pick the nun.

『So it’s down to just the apocalypse or chronos…』

Should I go for the time-manipulating skills of the chronos, or the high stats of the apocalypse?

“Chronos… You should go with chronos! Dragon-god-sama! You’ll probably get skills that can take God’s Voice by surprise!”

The chronos Aro desperately appeals to me.

“Dragon-god-sama, please think this through calmly. There are times when a single skill can make the difference, but in those situations, having a little higher stats from the start would usually be enough to win reliably. Against an opponent with much higher stats, sometimes no matter what clever scheme you do, it’s impossible to win.”

The apocalypse Aro says, her tone slightly accusatory as she offers her reasoned arguments.

『…I’m going to go with apocalypse.』

The apocalypse Aro’s arguments were correct. In addition, if the apocalypse is a physical attacker, then in addition to a high attack stat, I can probably expect a decent amount of health and defence. I won’t get new healing skills like I would with the nun, but with my ouroboros skills combined with the apocalypse’s physical stats, I should have enough survivability.

In the end, speed, damage output, and stamina are indispensable. I have versatile attacks from being an oneiros. I might also gain some new useful skills as an apocalypse, and most importantly, I think I should prioritise my stats.

I’m a little worried there might be some sort of negative mental effect like happened to Miia, but the apocalypse’s species explanation didn’t suggest anything of the sort. Besides, Miia herself said that the adverse effects of the thanatos on her mental state built on her hatred for God’s Voice, and the main culprit was God of Madness. If I were avoid choosing the apocalypse for this reason, then the other options would be dubious too. I shouldn’t worry too much about that at this point.

The chronos Aro slumps her shoulders in disappointment.

“U, uu…”

The apocalypse Aro crosses her arms and looks at the chronos Aro proudly.

To be honest, I was persuaded when the apocalypse Aro pointed out that I hardly ever use my oneiros skills, besides the simplest ones. Illusion resistance is too common, and [Hellgate] is to slow and the backlash is too severe, so it’s pretty rare to have chances to use it…

For [Wormhole]-san, the activation time is too long and my destination is broadcasted, so I can never find times to use it. The origin matter did use it effectively against me, but that was only worked because the origin matter itself was slow, and because it could spam the long-range [Dark Rays] while casting it. I wouldn’t be able to do the same without having to wait an unbearably long time for the [Wormhole] to complete, and then also be unable to dodge anything right after coming out. Th-that’s why it can’t be helped that I don’t use my fancy new skills…

The apocalypse Aro stares at me, as though seeing straight through my thoughts.

『Uguh…!』

Sh-she shouldn’t have [Telepathy]…

Immediately, the chronos Aro steps behind the apocalypse Aro and hugs her.

“Sorry, dragon-god-sama. I’ll get rid of her now…!”
“W-wait! Umm, I still have things I want to say to you and dragon-god-sama…!

The outline of the apocalypse Aro breaks down into black light, and is sucked into the body of the chronos Aro. She’s gone back to being one person.

『Aro… Umm, if you have something you want to say, you don’t have to hold back, okay?』

“No, that’s not it! She’s not me!”

Aro vigorously shakes her head in refutation. Aro seems against it, but that her opinions were useful as a reference, so I would have liked her to stay out a little longer… 

I close my eyes. My next evolution will be the apocalypse.

There’s also the option of postponing my choice, but I’d like to raise my level here a little first before returning to the surface. With that in mind, it’s best if I get through the evolution quickly.

【Apocalypse: Rank L+ (Upper Legendary)】
【The dragon said to appear at the end of the world, in accordance with the final prophecies recorded by the Holy Guidance.】
【A calamity of red and black will fly throughout the world in a single night, burning all to ashes with the flames of hell.】
【However, what makes it truly terrifying is its fangs and claws.】

As soon as I decide to evolve, heat runs through my body. My body becomes stiff as it contracts. The pressure increases, as does my internal temperature. My blood, muscles, and bones melt away. But, mysteriously, there’s no pain or discomfort.

Then, I feel my body suddenly expanding.