Reborn As An Evolving Monster

[Fire Giant Core: [S] Ranked Item.]

"Shit... Ranks for Items are different than for Skills or Monsters, aren't they?"

[Items are Ranked based on Rarity.] 𝐟𝐫𝗲𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗻𝐨𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝗺

"So like Titles?"

[Correct.]

"Mmm... Feels fucking weird talking to the System this way, when there isn't someone behind it. Anyways, Fire Giant Core, huh? You really think it's related?"

[Your Title "Evolving Monster" nods.]

"The Monster that had in inside was... A Lower Demon Giant, right? A Fire Giant Core should come from a Fire Giant... At least, that's what you would expect. It was definitely put there by Nia then. Fire Giant... This guy used Red Lightning though. Barely, but still. He didn't use Fire Magic. Then is it the Giant part that's important? He was taller than me... And looked Human. Giants. Think they're bigger than Olgas?"

[Your Title "Devourer" looks at you with shining eyes.]

"He wasn't that strong, but he was also pretty old. Ex-General too... Of the Tyrs, whatever that is. Feels like I heard of that at some point. He was... What? Four meters tall? Don't know how tall Humans get in this world. But Wolves are normal-sized for the most part, so I can assume it's the same for Humans. Between Giant and Human then? The Skill is locked... Because Sprite is a weapon of Giants? The same thing as with the Elven Necklace, except with a Skill? I suppose that's possible."

[Your Title "Devourer" wants you to swallow it right away!]

[Your Title "Devourer" argues that you have been putting it off for too long.]

"Shut up. I just need to think a bit more. Consuming it before was dangerous... I'm stronger now. Plus, it's a FIRE Giant Core, so my ability to use and control fire will make it easier to handle... I guess? Anyways, it looked Human. So did Yarnha, who's a Spirit. So looking Human doesn't mean much. Wait, now that I think about it... So did Zephyr? Oh. Oh! The thing he did before we fought... It healed me and filled the holes in the Boss Room. Some kind of Barrier... The Tyrs'... Something? Could they be related? Zephyr and..."

The white-scaled Monster suddenly erupted in laughter.

"I killed someone related to Zephyr? Well... Hahaha! Related might be a stretch, but still! If they're of the same Race then that's... That's pretty fucking good. Especially with how easy it was! Hahaha!"

Mark's gaze went back to the Fire Giant Core.

"System, any information on it?"

[Fire Giant Core, [S] Ranked Item:

The Fire Giant Core used to be a Fire Giant's Heart. After centuries passed, the Heart solidified and crystallized into a Core. Within it, reside the blood and flames wielded by Fire Giants, an ancient Race that has long vanished.

The Fire Giant Core can be consumed as an Elixir.]

"The Heart solidified and crystallized... Guess it proves how powerful these Fire Giants were, for an organ to immortalize itself this way. How come I'm getting the information? It's not in those Hunter's Notes or whatever that Raven gave me, is it?"

[The Information is recorded within your Title "Follower Of Gaavah".]

"Then it was definitely put in there. A Race that has long vanished... Rank?"

[A Fire Giant's Rank cannot be determined as the Race has been extinct for centuries.]

[The Rank [S] would be a safe estimate.]

'A safe estimate? Raven as a Vampire Lord was about [A] Rank, right? Estimate... Anything beyond that is [S], huh? I've noticed that inside the Dungeon too. The higher the Rank, the wider the level of strength it covers. It's the same for Skills, which is why a Skill Evolving didn't always lead to a change in Rank despite the new Skill being stronger.'

The white-scaled Monster brought a hand to its chin.

"If Raven is [A] Ranked, it's safe to assume that the Demon Lords are [S] Ranked. Fire Giants and perhaps Giants too are [S] Ranked, or used to be..." Mark whispered to himself. " Since they're gone, I'll consider them the lower bar of what it means to be [S] Ranked. If I do that, then anything stronger than them is [S] Ranked. No matter how much it's stronger than them... Is the [SS] Rank a thing, or was it just inside the Dungeon?"

[Skills, Items, and Beings are Ranked [F] through [S].]

"So those were just something Nia added in... In that case, it's surprising that she didn't put the Fire Giant Core as [SS] or even [SSS] inside the Dungeon. Mmm..."

The white-scaled Monster stared at the Fire Giant Core, hesitant.

"What's my Rank?"

[You are currently a [C+] Ranked Monster.]

"That's it...?" Mark scratched his head. "That old man was stronger than me Stats wise. My Skills were more numerous and stronger but... Aura is what made the difference." He opened and closed his hand but, "Can't use it at will yet. Still, at its peak it gave me... A 50% boost in Strength and Agility? Something like that. The defensive boost was also pretty good..."

[Your Title "Evolving Monster" looks at you.]

[Your Title "Devourer" looks at you.]

"A [C+] Ranked eating an [S] Ranked Item..."

[Your Title "Evolving Monster" looks at you.]

[Your Title "Devourer" looks at you.]

"Yeah. No use thinking about it too much."

The white-scaled Monster dangled the Fire Giant Core above its mouth for a second, before letting go.

Gulp-

Five seconds later,

'Shit...'

***

"Arani." The General called out.

"What is it, Al?"

"How are you?"

"You can cut the pleasantries. I have to get moving. My Candidate is leaving the Dungeon soon."

"I see..."

"Well, what is it?"

"Any idea what happened to General Nia's Candidate?"

"She's running around trying to find him. Why?"

"Nothing... It's just... I had a bit to do with certain Monsters inside his Dungeon."

"As you did for many Monsters inside most of the Dungeons that the Lord made."

"Yeah but... I kind of put something in there without her knowing..."

"Huh? Pfahhahaha! I didn't know you were malicious like that! You should have told me earlier, would have made us better friends! Sabotaging her Candidate?"

"Not exactly... Apparently Raven worked with her quite a bit. I had this crazy idea for something I found long ago and-"

"You mean Raven gave you permission?"

"I assumed Raven would tell her but-"

"No, you didn't! Pfahahha! You didn't tell her about it at all?"

"I wouldn't want to get in the middle of that..." General Al scratched his head.

"What was it?"

"I'm not sure it matters. The Candidate isn't dead, so it must have gone well-"

"Tell me everything!"

"One of his Unique Titles is the Devourer, right?" Arani nodded. "So I wondered what would happen if the Devourer fed on an Elixir, something that is supposed to be consumed or... Well, Devoured."

"What kind of Elixir?" Arani asked with sparkling eyes.

Opposite to her eyes, a darkness filled Al's.

"An [S] Ranked Elixir."

"WHICH ONE?"

"..."

"PFAHAHAHAHA! YOU AND YOUR PERVERSE CURIOSITY! THAT'S WHY I LIKE YOU!!"

General Al looked away. With a hand on his chin,

"Do you think that Unique Title would be enough to tame an [S] Ranked Elixir? Something that would, otherwise, be fatal?"

"Raven agreed on you doing it?"

"Mm? Yeah, yeah..." Al scratched his chin. "He was thrilled by the idea really."