With the death of their leader and greatest Speaker, the humans were quickly demoralized and destroyed. It was strange how easy it was for me to slaughter them. My new evolution was definitely a contributing factor in giving me the literal ability to slay them, but the emotional detachment was... strange. I wasn't sure if it was reflective of my new body's physiological makeup or just my [Combatant's Bloodlust], but whatever it was, I felt nothing as I shredded through the nearly unresisting humans. Some were easily run through with my new spear, others eviscerated by my free hand, and still others trampled underfoot. Yet, despite understanding their cries of physical pain and emotional anguish, I continued my path forward through the pooling crimson.

As the humans crumbled under the pressure mounting on both sides, a couple of Speakers tried to take some of the swarming keelish down with them, but they were quickly targeted; they were unable to do anything in the end. In the lull of combat, I stepped back and simply watched the rout take place. Human screams of pain and rage rang out, but still, I felt nothing other than a fierce pride in my swarm holding strong against the assault long enough to serve as an anvil to Redael's hammer.

Under my watchful eye, no humans were left to escape their doom. Crumpled corpses covered the ground, but I only mourned the loss of the smaller keelish ones. I was, officially and truly, a keelish now. Certifiably a monster by any other intelligent race. Yet, even as I deactivated [Combatant's Bloodlust], I realized that I was happy to have changed; my new state of mind and enhanced power would better serve to enact my revenge and protect my future.

Finally, I let myself read the flashing [System] notification in the corner of my eye.

[Growth achieved. Quest Completed. Status updated.]

With trepidation and excitement, I opened my [Status]

[Status:

Name: Ashlani

Race: Sonic Khatif Sub-Swarm Alpha

Title: None

Current quests:

—Have one of your spawn grow to adulthood successfully. Progress: Fetus. Rewards: Constitution +5, Intelligence +6, Magic +4.

--Kill 10 humans. Progress: 10/10. Rewards: Constitution, Strength, Agility, Intelligence, Magic +7. QUEST COMPLETE. NEW QUEST: Upgrade [Dominance] skill. Progress: 87/100. Rewards: [True Dominance] skill, Strength +2, Intelligence +2, Magic +1

—Usurp control of the entire swarm. Progress: 5%. Rewards: Intelligence +9.

Stats:

-Constitution: 40+12+7=59

-Strength: 45+17+7=69

-Agility: 46+19+7=72

-Intelligence: 40+20+7=67

-Magic: 34+19+7=60

Skills:

Innate Leadership—cannot evolve

Pack Tactics—current evolutionary progress: 1/10

Combatant's Bloodlust—current evolutionary progress: Unknown

Dominance—current evolutionary progress: 87/100

Improved Vision--current evolutionary progress: 0/18

Improved Sonilphon—current evolutionary progress: Unknown

Evolutionary foresight

-Sonic Khatif Swarm Beta—Requirements: Acknowledgement of the Swarm's Alpha.

-Sonic Khatif Swarm Alpha—Requirements: Deposing the current Swarm Alpha. Acquiring the approval of 75% of the total swarm.

Other evolutions possible, but not currently foreseen.]

I rocked back on my heels, amazed. The growth that I had experienced wasn't just in a greater bodily versatility, but also a vastly improved body. My stats had improved, on average, by about 50%, and my body was also generally better suited to using tools now, which had been exhibited in the slaughter that I had brought about by my spearmanship. Holding the spear now, it was strange how familiarly it settled into my palms, how easily I threw it with deadly accuracy, and how intuitively I had moved with it. The spear was like an extension of my own body, but it wasn't from my previous life. Back then, I had used it a couple of times, but only really focused on Speaking. Then... where did this instinctual knowledge come from? [System]?

[The Administrator has deemed it unnecessary to divulge that information. However, that decision may be rescinded, depending on your future growth.]

Ugh. Regardless of if the Administrator wanted to tell me where this came from, the fact that they said nothing was pretty indicative of the fact that it came from somewhere. That said... what was the deal with this new [Title] section?

[Now that you have progressed sufficiently, you have qualified to acquire a [Title]. The effects of a [Title] will vary, but nearly all [Titles] are wholly beneficial, with a scant few being primarily beneficial with slight detriments.]

Well, that's good news.

Suddenly, I was pulled from my reverie by the sounds of battle ceasing. Looking around, I could see Took, Foire, Vefir, Silf and Sybil gathering around me, followed by most of the youngest, smallest, and weakest keelish who had made it through the tumult of battle. The old guard smiled and nodded at me with familiarity, while the newcomers glanced hesitantly between me and Redael, who was approaching with Rulac at his flank.

Looking at him now, I was bigger and thicker than Redael. I might also be quicker than him, given that my Agility was higher than any other of my stats at this point. I stood tall and proud, as tall as Rulac, but not as stocky. A surge of defiant pride swelled within me, and suddenly, I knew, I could no longer stomach lurking in the shadows, no longer could I brook this arrogant old-timer's air of superiority. Much sooner than the me of yesterday had thought, I would be subordinate to none. Subconsciously, I snorted in derision and looked down my snout at this fool who thought that he could take my place as true Alpha of the keelish. Redael's eyes flashed as he saw my insubordination, and suddenly, a notification flashed: [True Dominance skill is being exerted on you. Due to your [System] advantages, you resist. Due to you possessing the [Dominance] skill, you resist. However, it is advised that you leave the influence of the True Dominance skill as soon as safely possible. If you acquire the [True Dominance] skill, it will no longer have any effect on you.]

Redael looked up and down the line, observing the carnage. He nodded appreciatively, then spoke.

"I'll be direct. I am not in the habit of culling the young and weak, but you are no longer juvenile nor weak. Do you plan on submitting or dying?" He was not overtly threatening (at least, no more than he was habitually), but his tone was flinty. Involuntarily, a part of me whispered to submit to his experience, his power, and I realized that I only resisted [True Dominance], but was not immune.

I looked down the line at my Beta, Gamma, and the rest of my pack, then my swarm. I slowly shook my head and looked him in the eye as I snarled low, in my throat. Rulac's jaw dropped, stunned, as I began to speak. "No. I think that I am better qualified as the swarm's Alpha. Fight me, tomorrow. Before the entire swarm, I wish to prove my dominance and rightful place as Alpha."

Redael slightly dipped his head, and, walking away, said, "Then, tomorrow's dawn will be the last one of you ever see." As he jogged off and the rest of the elites of the swarm followed, I couldn't hold back the arrogant snarl in my throat, and I roared defiance at his back.

"It will be a glorious morn in which I paint the walls of the den with your blood, gorge myself on your viscera, and claim the swarm as my own! Rest as well as you can, because tomorrow your entrails will strengthen the swarm and your eyes will bake in the sun! Count the seconds until then, because it shall be your last!"

My defiant shouts rang through the clearing, and suddenly, another [System] notification flashed in the corner of my eye:

[Quest Completed. Growth Achieved. Quest Board updated.]