MTLNOVEL Chapter 18: Chapter 17: Levelling Up
As Kia was lying down The familiar chime of the **Insect Evolution System** echoed in Kai's mind, the interface appearing before his eyes in a glowing translucent panel.
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**[Battle Complete: Verdant Reaper Queen Defeated]**
**[Rewards Acquired:]**
- **Verdant Core**
- **800 Beast Taming Points (BTP)**
- **New Skill Unlocked: Swarm Commander**
- **EXP Gained: 600**
**[Current Status Update:]**
**Name**: Kai Anther
**Title**: Insect Tamer (Beginner)
**Level**:4 (EXP: 640/1,200)
**Beast Taming Points (BTP)**: 2,700
**Bonded Beasts:**
1. **Titan Ant (Evolved)** – Level 2 (Ready to Level Up)
- Skills: Harden (Level 2), Mandible Strike (Level 1), Acid Spit (Level 1)
2. **Giant Hornet** – Level 1 (Ready to Level Up)
- Skills: Poison Sting (Level 1), Aerial Dash (Level 1)
**Tamed Creatures (Unbonded):**
- **Luminous Silk Moth**
**New Features Unlocked:**
- **Swarm Commander Skill**:
*Passive Ability*: Increases coordination and effectiveness of all bonded beasts and tamed creatures in battle. Provides a 10% boost to speed, damage, and defensive response when commanding multiple insects.
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Kai's eyes lit up as he scanned through the system notifications. His excitement grew when he noticed the glowing **"Ready to Level Up"** marker next to Tiny and Stinger's names.
"About time," Kai muttered, grinning as he brought up the details for Tiny and Stinger. "You guys more than earned this."
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### **Titan Ant Evolution Options**
**[Titan Ant (Evolved)]** – Level 2 -**Level 3**
- **Option 1: Fortress Ant**
*Description*: Reinforce the Titan Ant's physical defenses, transforming it into an impenetrable tank. Gains the skill **Iron Bulwark**, which grants temporary immunity to physical attacks.
*Cost*: 1,500 BTP
- **Option 2: Bladed Ant**
*Description*: Enhance the Titan Ant's offensive capabilities, increasing its speed and attack power. Gains the skill **Bladed Mandibles**, an upgraded version of Mandible Strike that deals devastating damage.
*Cost*: 1,500 BTP
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Kai scratched his chin, glancing at Tiny, who clicked its mandibles expectantly. "What do you think, Tiny? More defense? Or should we make you into a cutting machine?"
Tiny tilted its massive head slightly, as though considering the options. Its antennae twitched, and Kai chuckled. "Yeah, I figured you'd leave it up to me."
Kai weighed his decision carefully. "Alright, Tiny. You've been our shield from day one. Let's double down on defense—you're going Fortress Ant."
With a decisive tap on the interface, Kai selected **Fortress Ant**.
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**[Level-Up Confirmed: Fortress Ant]**
**[1,500 BTP Deducted. Remaining BTP: 1,200.]**
**[Titan Ant has reached Level 3!]**
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Tiny's body began to shimmer with a golden glow, its exoskeleton radiating a faint metallic sheen. The ant's frame grew slightly larger, its already-imposing armor becoming thicker and more segmented. Kai stepped back, watching in awe as the transformation completed.
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**[Fortress Ant Status Updated]**
**Name**: Fortress Ant
**Level**: 3
**Skills:**
- **Iron Bulwark (Level 1)**: Temporarily grants immunity to all physical attacks for 10 seconds.
- **Harden (Level 2)**: Increases durability, reducing incoming damage.
- **Mandible Strike (Level 1)**: A powerful melee attack using its razor-sharp mandibles.
- **Acid Spit (Level 1)**: A ranged corrosive attack that melts armor and flesh.
Kai knelt down, patting Tiny's reinforced head. "Look at you, buddy. You're a walking fortress now. No one's getting through that armor."
Tiny clicked its mandibles in satisfaction, its massive frame exuding an aura of unyielding strength.
---
### **Giant Hornet Evolution Options**
Kai turned his attention to Stinger, who buzzed excitedly as its name lit up in the interface.
**[Giant Hornet]** – Level 1 → **Level 2**
- **Option 1: Venomwing Hornet**
*Description*: Focus on enhancing the hornet's venom, increasing its potency and adding a slowing effect to its stings. Gains the skill **Toxic Cloud**, which creates a poisonous mist that weakens multiple enemies.
*Cost*: 1,000 BTP
- **Option 2: Blitz Hornet**
*Description*: Emphasize speed and agility, transforming the hornet into a deadly aerial assassin. Gains the skill **Blitz Dive**, a high-speed attack that deals critical damage to a single target.
*Cost*: 1,000 BTP
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Kai grinned as Stinger hovered in front of him, its wings buzzing with anticipation. "Alright, Stinger. You've always been the quick and deadly type. Let's lean into that—time to make you a Blitz Hornet."
He tapped the option for **Blitz Hornet**, and Stinger immediately began to glow with an intense, golden light. Its sleek frame grew slightly larger, its wings becoming sharper and gleaming faintly with an iridescent sheen. When the transformation was complete, Stinger let out an excited buzz, its movements even faster than before.
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**[Blitz Hornet Status Updated]**
**Name**: Blitz Hornet
**Level**: 2
**Skills:**
- **Blitz Dive (Level 1)**: A high-speed attack that deals critical damage to a single target.
- **Poison Sting (Level 1)**: A venomous projectile that weakens enemies over time.
- **Aerial Dash (Level 1)**: Increases speed and evasion in midair.
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Kai nodded approvingly, watching as Stinger zipped through the air in a blur of motion. "Nice work, Stinger. You're even faster now—just don't leave the rest of us in the dust, okay?"
Stinger buzzed in response, its movements sharper and more precise than ever.
---
### **Status Update: Kai Anther**
Kai brought up his status interface, eager to see the changes after leveling up his team.
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**[Status Interface – Kai Anther]**
**Name**: Kai Anther
**Title**: Insect Tamer (Beginner)
**Level**: 4(EXP: 640/1,200)
**Beast Taming Points (BTP)**: 200
**Bonded Beasts:**
1. **Fortress Ant (Evolved)** – Level 3
- Skills: Iron Bulwark (Level 1), Harden (Level 2), Mandible Strike (Level 1), Acid Spit (Level 1)
2. **Blitz Hornet(Evolved)** – Level 2
- Skills: Blitz Dive (Level 1), Poison Sting (Level 1), Aerial Dash (Level 1)
**Tamed Creatures (Unbonded):**
- **Luminous Silk Moth**
**New Features Unlocked:**
- **Swarm Commander Skill**: Passive ability that boosts coordination and effectiveness of bonded beasts in battle.
---
Kai smirked, closing the interface and glancing at his team. "You guys are looking stronger than ever. With Tiny's new armor and Stinger's speed, I think we're ready for anything the academy—throws at us."
Tiny clicked its mandibles in agreement, and Stinger buzzed confidently. Glow, though still unbonded, fluttered close to Kai, its light warm and steady.
"Alright," Kai said, his voice filled with determination. "Let's head back to the academy and see what kind of trouble we can stir up next."