Chapter 44 An Evolution, A Horde

[Name: Melia(can be evolved)]

[Species: Meliae]

[Tier/Level: 4/2]

​ 'Evolve' I mentally commanded, bringing up the evolution options.

Melia was doing her usual antics of treating me like some precious kid but I ignored that and instead focused on the option presented to me.

[Roots: Melia is placed in hibernation for centuries allowing her to grow her roots. Evolved to take control of the land she has been on

Fruit: Melia evolved to create greater humans.]

I interrupted the doting Melia had been attempting to tell her of her options.

"The roots one looks more appealing."

"Ok" I didn't question her decision, it was her evolution. I could evolve her the way I wanted to but that would break the trust she had placed in me.

Selecting the roots option Melia disappears in a brilliant flash of green.

Immediately, in my peripheral vision, I see a screen appear.

The four seasons pass by as the falling of leaves turn to lush greenery.

In and out the cycle repeats, a constant struggle for the tree to survive. Weathered by immeasurable time the tree grows older, the tree grows more mature.

Starting from the 15 feet tall tree it quickly grows to 30 then 40 ultimately stopping at an impressive 80 feet tall.

The rise and fall of seasons stop as another brilliant green light appears bringing Melia back from her hibernation.

[Name: Melia]

[Species: Great Meliae]

[Tier/Level: 3/5]

…

From the great tree that appears from nothing comes a beautiful woman.

With the greenest hair cut in a short bob style. Brilliant emerald eyes sparkling with power.

"Off" I commanded. It was like she teleported. One moment Melia was staring at me, her face impassive, then the next I was getting smothered on the ground.

"Hehehe" Melia giggled rubbing herself on me, ignoring my order.

Wiggling my arm out of her grasp I reinforce it with aether then flick her.

A large goose bump appears on her head as she runs it allowing me to wiggle the rest of my body out of her grasp.

…

"Ara" a smile smile played out on her face "you aren't supposed to be here"

Looking off into the distance Melia mumbled to herself.

*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*

Several continuous bangs echoed out in the distance.

I reinforced my legs to give me enough strength, then quickly leaped up into a nearby tree to get a view of the explosion.

Once I was high enough to see what had happened, I saw smoke wafting into the air along with the corpses of at least 20 other elves.

Returning back into the ground were the cannons that Delta had installed.

I had gotten a good look at everything I needed so I climbed down the tree back to where I left Melia.

"Was that you"

Melia answers with a small nod and smile.

"Yeah I can control everything in your territory that is natural. I just connected the right prices of electricity in the turrets and stopped some resistors and bam they were dead."

She raised her head as if asking for a pat on the head for her good job.

Sighing I reach out and pat her on the head

"Nnn" a small groan of contentment leaked out of her voice.

…

After a minute or so of me patting her head she suddenly opened her eyes glaring off into the distance.

"Tch, damn beasts"

"Hmm" I hum asking for an explanation.

Picking up on my question Melia elaborates.

"There is a horde of at least 2000 beasts heading our way."

"Can you kill them with the turrets?" I ask, wondering if the turrets had enough range.

"No, the forest cloaks them too much, and we only have a limited amount of ammo."

I sat in silence for a moment contemplating.

I had asked for further information on the beast's combat power and tier and it seemed like they were only tier 8 at the lost though there was one at tier 6.

This could be a good chance to expand my power.

The last time I had a desperate battle like this one would be I advanced into tier 8.

…

"I've decided" I declare to Melia who was still sitting next to me, "I'm going to fight them on my own"

"Huh!?" She seemed surprised and rightfully so. Unless my combat power was considerably greater or I had a suitable area of effect skill then I wouldn't be able to combat this hoard.

However I wanted to do this, it was an opportunity for me to improve.

Seeing my resolve Melia didn't fight my decision anymore than to send for Tama to back me up.

…

After Tama had arrived we got the directions from Melia and headed off to intercept the beasts.

It took a while the beasts being so far out but eventually after about half an hour of walking we made it to where the beasts were.

*BANG* *BANG*

The stomps of their hooves were deafening.

"Be careful, if I see that you aren't able to handle this I'll pull you out immediately, my Lord."

With a nod I acknowledged Tama's warning.

Brandishing my spear I reinforced it then jumped into the horde following the lines to cut at the first beasts neck.

Instantly blood spurted out and the beast was dead. For a second I took the time to examine the corpse.

It had a body of a bird with no wings, with a head and tail of a lion with the proportions to go with it. Its claws looked like those of an eagle.

After I was done checking out her corpse I took in the rest of the beasts.

There were hundreds in my vicinity with at the very least a thousand more scattered here and there.

*ROOOAR* *ROOOAR* *ROOOAR*

Immediately after I had killed the beast the others roared and charged at me.

Though they were a bit slow as they were competing to who could get to me first as if victory was guaranteed for them.

I was ready for them though, with the time given to me I started up my pathways. With a green glow I reinforced the areas that were directly intersected by my pathways.

I also reached down a hand to reinforce both my legs.

Though that cost me a few seconds and allowed the first few beasts to get closer to me, it was still worth it. With a slash upwards I cut the head of the one closest to me in half and generated a fist of wind.

The beasts, seeing how easily their comrade had been slaughtered, backed off for a bit, stopping their competition to actually collaborate