The Skeleton Magician’s Play Diary
Vol. 1 - Ch. 13 - Evolution and Job

I Logged in. After bringing the two of them to the lab, I registered them as friends and then asked goodbye because it was already late.

 And today is Friday. I had to work overtime, so I logged in late, but thankfully I don't have to work on weekends this week, so I'll play until dawn.

"Good evening."

"Oh, good evening! Huh? It's early evening here, so hello?"

"Haha, anything is better?"

 When I logged on, Iris was immediately mining the lab's walls by using her tentacles. However, she was dexterously using her myriad tentacles to mine while processing skins, grinding herbs, spinning threads, and working on the wolf's fangs.

 Well, she is certainly doing a lot of work simultaneously. She is a professional multi-tasker. But still, how can she manage so many different tasks simultaneously! I wouldn't be able to do that very well.

"How's production going?"

"Yes, it is going well.......... Listen to me! My ability, skills and job levels have increased tremendously! Now I can pay you back!" Jigoro said to Isam.

 Iris shakes her tentacles happily. The ability to perform several manual tasks simultaneously is an advantage that outweighs the poor appearance of the character.

"And about the Quality... superior...?"

 The leather she tanned, the healing medicine she made from medicinal herbs, the thread she spun, and her workmanship with wolf fangs were all of "excellent" quality.

 This is a marvellous thing. There are six levels of quality, from "god" to "garbage," but "god" is literally a quality that can only be given to one-of-a-kind items made by the god of this world. The same is true for something like an ordeal drop.

 This means that Iris has all of her production of the highest quality. The irony is her job title is "apprentice producer".

 Iris did not hear my monologue, so she curiously moved one of her tentacles. Her tentacles are surprisingly expressive of emotion.

"Hey, what happened to Jigoro?" I asked

"I think Jigoro went to hunt."

"Okay."

 Hmmm, so what about me? The time of the game is evening. Is it too early to go hunting outside? Then I should do [alchemy].

 No, I have to evolve first! I should do it because I can change jobs.

Unfortunately, I can't change the job firsthand, then I guess I'll have to start with evolution. Let's see what kind of evolutionary paths are there?

Skeleton Mage

 A higher species of moving skeleton that primarily uses magic.

Evil Skeleton Mage

A variant of the skeleton mage, an evil skeleton mage who can use the magic of the "Skeleton Mage" type.

 More powerful than the usual skeleton mage.

 Evil skeleton mage, huh? From the description, it must have to do with the fact that I can use [necromancy] and [conjuration]. There are cases where the evolution destination increases depending on the ability skills.

 Wait? Then what happens when I acquire the [seance] I've been putting off? It is thought to be a type of magic. If that's the case, let's use the SP we have leftover. I may find another evolutionary path!

Thanks to [Blessings of Yifa], I can access seance.

Retrieved from [seance].

Newly learned the spell of summoning the dead.

You have acquired the [Evil Arts] skill from our previous action experience.

Newly learned hallucination and death spells.

The title, "Heretics", has been changed to "those who know the abyss".

 Wait, wait, wait, wait! I'm getting confused. How did this happen just by checking out [seance]?

The original purpose of [seance] seems to be the art of bringing spirits and making them fight. Isn't this the same as necromancy? I thought this was a technique to summon the dead of the afterlife as helpers for a certain period, like summoning a zombie for help.

 At first, it seems to be only the dead. Still, as the level is increased, it will be possible to summon spirits who have made a name for themselves on the battlefield and wild gods who have gone insane.

 This is a technique that can be a trump card if trained properly.

 Here's the problem. First up is the [Evil Art]. This is said to be a magic of mental attack and instant death. Yes, instant death,

 The conditions for acquiring [Evil Arts] are uncertain, but I have now finished collecting abyssal magic. I know this because I have written in the description of the changed title, "The One Who Knows the Abyss".

The One Who Knows the Abyss.

 The sign that a person can use all the arts that are considered evil.

Universally feared.

 Slight increase in the effectiveness of abyssal magic

 It was a long detour, but I think I have more places to evolve.

Skeleton Mage

 A higher species of moving skeletal skeleton that primarily uses magic.

Evil Skeleton Mage  

 A variant of the skeleton mage, a skeleton magician who can use multiple abyssal magic techniques.

 More powerful than the usual skeleton mage.

Abyssal Skeleton Mage

A variant of the skeletal mage skeleton mage who can use all abyssal magic.

 Far more powerful than the usual skeleton mage.

 Okay! More! As expected! No, it was right to acquire [seance] first. The description also explicitly tells me to choose this one. Now, let's evolve!

Abyssal Skeleton Mage was selected.

Begin evolution to Abyssal Skeleton Mage.

The [Immortal Wisdom] skill is gained through evolution.

The [Dweller of the Abyss] skill has been acquired through evolution.

Through evolution, the [Abyssal Aura] skill has been acquired.

The wand of Horai, the mask of skulls, and the robe of the moon have been improved.

 When I touched the evolution floating in the virtual window, my body was enveloped in a black aura. I felt like I was in zero gravity again.

 Iris is looking at me in surprise at the sudden change. I should have mentioned something about evolution. I may have startled her.

It's full of power... this is evolution.

 Amazing. Even though it is a virtual body, I feel incomparably more powerful than ever before. One could say that I have truly risen in stature as a demon. I think I can easily defeat Evolved Rat Mant one-on-one now.

 And I have acquired three ability skills through evolution. All of them are useful. [Immortal Wisdom] increases magic attack and magic defence and corrects the power of [Dark Magic]. Perhaps it is a common ability skill of the skeleton mage.

 The other two may have to do with the fact that I am now of the race that bears the 'abyss'. However, it does not reduce the [Light Attribute Vulnerability].

 If I am hit by a light-attribute attack, the damage is reduced by [Dweller of the Abyss]. The damage is increased by [Light Attribute Vulnerability]. In other words, it will be a long time before I acquire [Light Magic], which is not going to be that convenient.

 The other [abyssal aura] is said to provide an aura that causes various abnormal conditions to anyone who enters within a radius of one-meter x ability skill level centred on me. The effects are poison, paralysis, sleep, confusion, silence, fascination, faintness, fear, hallucination, instant death, and more. It can inflict many of the abnormal states that can be inflicted by abyssal magic.

 And then there is the growth of the equipment. Since it says "in accordance with evolution," the condition for growth must be evolution. The next growth will wait for the next evolution. This time the growth is like this.

Wand of Horai

Quality: God G

Rarity: G-God

 A wand made from the sacred tree of Mount Horai. It is indestructible. Owner fixed.

 True power will be unleashed as the owner grows.

 Initial effect: [Increase Magic Effect] Lv2, [Increase Magic Power] Lv2

      [Demon stone ejection]

Moon robe Quality: Divine

Rarity: G-God level

 A robe of feathers worn by the god who dwells in the moon and his dependents. It is indestructible. Owner fixed.

 True power will be unleashed as the owner grows.

 Initial effect: [Color Change], [Magic Resistance] Lv2

      [Flight] Lv2

Mask of Skull Quality: God

Rarity: G God level

 A mask that amplifies the power of death. Indestructible. Owner fixed.

 True power will be unleashed as the owner grows.

 Initial Effects: [Reinforcement of Necromancy] Lv2, [Reinforcement of Spellcraft] Lv2

      [Disguise] Lv2

 It looks like the original performance there is purely on a higher level. I'm happy about that, but the new capabilities are also great.

 The function of [Demon Stone Ejection] is to solidify my surplus magic power with a demon stone.

 " Flight" is an ability unique to races with wings, but it seems that "Moon Feather Cloak" can fly me just by wearing it. I had difficulty with mobility, but it is great that I can now escape into the air if necessary.

 [Disguise] can help me change the results when others [appraise] me. Thankfully, to detect the [Disguise], you need the exclusive ability [Detect], which is separate from [Appraise]. There are not that many players who have this ability. The required SP is 15, which is quite heavy.

 Let me now explain the markers above a character's head that indicate what position that person is in. Normal players are blue, residents (NPCs) are green, criminals are orange, murderers are red, beasts are yellow, and demons are black.

 The [Disguise] can change this marker and the race and occupation. In other words, it is an ability to hide from the public eye.

 And, the new ability is also at two levels. Maybe the next time the equipment grows and new abilities are added, they'll be at level 3 then.

"Isamu, is that evolution?" Iris asked.

I said, "Oh, yes. Sorry I may have startled you."

No, no, no, no, no, no! And it's so much better looking! It's pitch black and even has a third eye on its forehead! What can I say? It's kind of raspy!"

"Black? A third eye?"

 I looked at my arm, and my bones were shiny black like obsidian. Furthermore, when I looked at my face reflected in the jewel attached to the wand, I saw a third eye socket on my forehead.

 I hurriedly took out the skull mask in my inventory and found that it too had a hole for a third eye in its forehead by default. I guess they are adapted to me now.

 Also, the tips of the finger bones are sharply pointed, and the skull has increased edges in places, adding to the evil atmosphere. If a normal player finds this, they will attack without question. I don't know if I should say this myself, but it's really scary.

"What kind of tribe of race did you become?"

"Abyssal Skeleton Mage, I became the Abyssal Skeleton Mage."

"Heh!"

Iris interrupts her work and looks at me seriously.

"I don't mind you looking, but please stop wagging your tentacles while extending them!"

"Evolution. I want to evolve too, but demons don't raise their race wraith level without fighting. I've seen my job level go up a lot, though. But I am not good at fighting..."

"Is that so? I thought it was clever of you to catch the bandit who circled behind me yesterday."

"No problem about that."

"If you say that the races have evolved, then is a job change the next step?"

"Maybe, I will try."

 So, the next step is a job change. Let's see what kind of things we can choose. Wow, there are things like "apprentice warrior" and "apprentice alchemist"? Let's pick up something we haven't seen before related to magic.

Magician

 He is a magician who has graduated from an apprenticeship.

 Slight correction to the effectiveness and growth of any magic.

pyromancer

 He is a full-fledged magician who prefers to use the fire attribute.

 Correction to the effectiveness and growth of fire magic.

black magician

 He is a full-fledged magician who prefers to use the dark attribute.

 Correction for dark magic effects and growth.

Witchdoctor (doctor specialized in treating illnesses caused by magic)

 He is a full-fledged magician who prefers to use non-attributes.

 Correction for non-magic effects and growth.

Summoner

He is a full-fledged magician who is proficient in the art of summoning.

 Correction to the summoner's ability.

Apprentice Heretic Magician

 A sorcerer who dabbles in the evil arts.

 Slight correction for abyssal magic.

Apprentice Abyssal Magician

 A sorcerer who is mastering the evil arts.

 Correction for abyssal magic.

 Mm. I guess ability skills play a big part in this too. And there's only one thing to choose.

"The Apprentice Abyssal Magician" was selected.

"He Who Knows the Abyss" has been changed to "He Who Dives into the Abyss".

 Of course, I went with "Apprentice Abyssal Magician". Then the title changed again, didn't it? So "know" has become "dive"? The effect is as follows.

The Abyssal Dive.

 A sign of a person who has mastered the art of being evil.

 As you head into the abyss, people will look at you with awe, and demons will look at you with respect.

 Increased effectiveness of abyssal magic

 Acquisition condition: Changing to an abyssal magician type occupation.

I've changed my job to 'apprentice abyssal magician.'

"Huh? An abyss? What's that?"

"Uh, that's... hmm?"

 As I continued to speak, a popping, systemic sound rang in my head. It seemed to be the same for Iris. It also seems to be the same inside.

"Friend message from Mr. Jigoro?"

 As I was trying to figure out how to explain the abyssal magic, I received a friendly message from Jigoro to Iris and me. When I read what was in it, I couldn't help but giggle.

From: Jigoro

To: Isam

 I'm on the south side of the West Woods right now, and I've run into a strange combination of big-ass larvae and slime.

 I'm asking for your support.

Name: Isam

Race: moving skeleton Lv10 max!

→ Abyssal Skeleton Mage Lv10 new!

Occupation: Apprentice Magician Lv10 max!

   → Apprentice Abyssal Magician Lv0 new!

Title: Seeker of Truth

   The one who got the title

   Heretics -> those who know the abyss -> those who dive into the abyss change!

   Juniors dominating Senior

   Ingenious scheme

   The one who has passed the test

Ability skill: Remaining SP 58

   [Wand] Lv13

   [Magic Control] Lv15

   [Earth Magic] Lv9

   [Water Magic] Lv9

   [Fire Magic] Lv0

   [Wind Magic] Lv9

   [Dark Magic] Lv2

   [No Magic] Lv1

   [Summoning] Lv10

   [Granting Technique] Lv7

   [Magic circle] Lv9

   [Necromancy] Lv7

   [Jutsu] Lv5

   [Trap Magic] Lv7

   [Seance] Lv0 new!

   [Evil Arts] Lv0 new!

   [Archaeology] Lv7

   Lv6

   [Pharmacology] Lv7

   [Alchemy] Lv7

   [Appraisal] Lv10

   [Night vision] Lv-

   [Covert] Lv10 max!

   [Sneaky Paces] Lv9

   [Surprise Attack] Lv7

   [Disable] Lv-

   [Light Attribute Vulnerable] Lv6

   [Strike Fragility] Lv10

   [Immortal Wisdom] Lv1 new!

   [Dweller of the Abyss] Lv1 new!

   [Aura of the Abyss] Lv1 new!

Unique skills

   Blessings of Yifa.