Shovels In Spades

B2: Chapter 38: Evolution and Status

Congratulations! The host has successfully fulfilled the requirements to undergo their second Evolution!Please select one of the following to evolve:Grand Reaper [SS-Rated Species]Justice Reaper [SS-Rated Species]ReasonReasonHost's current species is [Reaper].Due to the host's tendencies to punish the evil with death and due to the host currently being a Reaper.DescriptionDescriptionA more advanced and simply stronger Reaper in every single aspect.

A subspecies of the powerful and widely hated Reapers. Normally, they are the peacekeepers and judges of any remaining Reaper societies.

They can see the truth in all situations where the law is a concern and it is impossible to lie to a Justice Reaper.

All other Reaper Species respect the Justice Reapers and treat their words like gospel.

Soul Devourer [SSS-Rated Species]Gravekeeper [S-Rated Species]ReasonReasonDue to the host's strong desire for souls and due to their tendency to consume them without remorse.Due to the host's self-created skill, [Grave of The Humans].DescriptionDescription

A species so rare, no one even knows what they look like anymore save for the system itself.

These mist-like beings search for powerful souls and live only to consume them.

Immune to most forms of attacks but lack all forms of communication.

A species solely devoted to tending to and defending a graveyard.

Born from the will of such places, the Gravekeepers are incredibly strong in any resting areas of the dead.

The undead respect and worship them, so a Gravekeeper will never be attacked by any type of undead creature, regardless of how powerful they are.

"Again, only four options, huh?" Daz noticed. "System, are there only ever four species to choose from when evolving, or can there be more?"

Confirmed. The system selects the four most suitable possible evolutions from all of the ones the host has met the requirements for based on their personality and on their experienced situations.

"I see," Daz replied while he put a hand on his chin and began to think.

From what he could see, the only two that were actual options were the Justice Reaper and the Gravekeeper.

In Daz's knowledge, the Grand Reaper was a choice anyone would get regardless of their species, much like the Higher Human option he had received during his first evolution. It was simply a more advanced Species of whatever species they currently were.

The Soul Devourer was interesting, but that was obviously meant for a person trying to get by on their own. Daz couldn't survive with a mist-like body and the inability to communicate, not now, perhaps not ever.

"I should talk to Cecil, He's a Gravekeeper, after all, so maybe he can give me more insight," Daz mumbled. He then picked himself up off the couch and left the living room.

He made his way to the bedroom, put his pyjamas on and then snuggled up next to the already sleeping Madison. She, as if she was awake, pressed herself into Daz and appeared to get more comfortable. Daz smiled and it wasn't long before the young Reaper had drifted off to sleep.

"So yer world really only has Humans on it?" Cecil asked with amazement clear in his voice while he sat on a nearby tombstone.

Daz nodded. "Yeah, well, we have animals and stuff, but that's it. So, can you tell me which of the two is better?"

"That's really weird..." Cecil stroked his grey facial hair. "I was born as a Gravekeeper, and I can tell ya this, ye won't be much tougher than a normal Human unless yer in a place that honours the dead like a shrine or cemetery," he shrugged before jumping down from the grave he was perched on.

Surprisingly, his back didn't give out this time. "But if ye're in a place like that," he said before he took the ordinary-looking shovel that was by his side and swung it, creating a massive shockwave that rippled out further than the naked eye could see, "Then ye'll be the toughest guy fer miles. There aren't many people out there that can match a Gravekeeper on his home turf, not on my planet at least," he added with a smug grin.

Daz shook his head. "It's a useless evolution for me then. My planet doesn't have nearly enough sites like that to justify choosing it. Justice Reaper it is then. Thanks for letting me know about your species though, Cecil."

With a toothy grin, Cecil waved his wrinkled hand dismissively. "S'not a problem."

He walked over to Daz and looked at the small Reika who was peacefully lying down on the young Reaper's head. "Interestin' thing ye've got here. How'd ye get it?"

"You can see her?" Daz asked with mild surprise in his tone.

"'Course I can. Gravekeepers can see all dead things. Her body died a long time ago. Maybe five, no, six thousand years ago? Tough soul to last that long," Cecil admired.

Daz placed out his palm so Reika naturally flew onto it. "She was a gift. I have a 'Box of Wonders' that gives me something I need every cycle."

"Never heard of something like that, though it's a big Multiverse," Cecil laughed a bit. "Treat 'er well, yeah? A soul that powerful will be mighty useful to ye with time."

"I will," Daz answered immediately.

He had already promised that he wouldn't consume her, and since she directly helped him with increasing his own strength through Hamson, he was determined to protect Reika and help her grow.

"Good, good. Well, wanna show me what ye've learned? Ye better not have been slacking and wasted my lesson on the Grave of the Gods, hahaha!" Cecil roared as he slapped Daz on the back.

The two remained and Cecil helped Daz hone his Grave of The Humans skill while he pointing out the flaws in it. Daz found the whole experience to be very helpful and he was sure that he could max the skill if he spent another hour or so training it in the real world.

When Daz awoke, it was six in the morning and Madison had turned herself around and was loosely cuddling onto him with her head buried in his chest.

Daz smiled faintly and kissed his girlfriend's hair before he carefully got out of bed and got dressed in his travelling gear of Altros.

Now sat in the living room, Daz spoke to the system. "I'd like to choose 'Justice Reaper' as my second evolution, please."

Confirmed. Implementing racial changes.

Immediately, Daz noticed that his death energy arm had changed colour from a light green to a pastel grey, almost white, colour. He assumed the same had happened to his leg which was covered by his pants and boots.

If he had a mirror, he would have seen that his eyes and hair had similarly gotten closer to the colour white as opposed to the previous pure-grey.

Congratulations! The host has learned three new racial skills and had gained three new racial traits.Justice Reaper's Gaze [S-Rank (Higher Tier)]Description

A skill unique to Justice Reapers and was created when their racial branch of the Reapers first came into existence.

This skill allows the host to inspect the criminal past of any target.

Level1AbilitiesAllows the host to check the criminal past of any being.For every crime that the target has committed by the host's moral standards, the host will deal 10% more damage to them and take 10% less damage. Limit: Maximum of 50% extra damage dealt and 25% less damage taken.For every crime that the target has committed by the host's moral standards, the host's words will contain 10% more persuasiveness when used against the target. Limit: Maximum of 50% more persuasiveness.

"By my moral standards? Fuck, that's a bit powerful, isn't it? I suppose it isn't too exploitable, but if I could brainwash myself to believe certain things... it would certainly grant me an edge over some people," Daz thought out loud.

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Justice Chains [S-Rank (Middle Tier)]Description

A skill unique to Justice Reapers that was developed by the most famous Justice Reaper, Ratiel, using the specific Death Energy that only Justice Reapers can wield.

Allows the host to turn their Death Energy into chains that will shackle any evil beings at the will of the host.

Level1AbilitiesAllows the host to bind any being with the evil morality for a minute per chain if they have no resistances (only 10 seconds if they possess resistance to death energy or magical binding). Cost: 500 Death Energy per chain.Allows the host to bind people with a criminal past. For each past crime of the target, a chain will be created to bind them. Can only be used three times a day and the chains will remain for twenty seconds (only 4 seconds if they possess a resistance to death energy or magical binding.) Cost: 100 Death Energy per chain.

"A much more useful Stun for evil creatures or people? That could be handy," Daz mumbled.

Reika nodded her head in agreement. She couldn't see his skill screens, but of course, she trusted his judgement on whatever it was he was assessing.

Enemy of Chaos [A-Rank (Middle Tier)]Description

A skill unique to Justice Reapers.

Instils all chaotic beings who see or speak to the host with a dread of them and plants the subtle desire to become more lawful in their mind.

Level1AbilitiesPuts all beings with the [Chaotic] prefix in a mild state of fear upon interacting with or seeing the host.Passively makes chaotic beings around the host wish to become more lawful to varying degrees based on their willpower and the skill's level.

"That's a bit ironic since I went into this apocalypse with a chaotic-neutral alignment," Daz laughed lightly.

Just AuraMakes the host seem just and trustworthy.Eyes of TruthAllows the host to detect all lies and distortions of the truth.ReformerGreatly increases the chances of a being punished by the host to change their wrong-doing ways forever.

"All three of these traits are helpful for being a base owner. I'm glad. It looks like I chose the correct evolution." Daz nodded his head and sighed in relieve.

"System," he called, "Please show me my status screen and each specific stat's new limit," Daz added with a polite tone.

Host's StatusBasic InformationName:DazSpecies:ReaperRace:Justice ReaperAge:20Sex:MaleClass:Shovel KnightAffinity:Lawful NeutralEnergiesLifeforce:3,000/3,000(4,300) [+1,000]Death Energy:7,100/7,500 [+2,750]StatsStrength:403(483) [+50]Dexterity:353(423) [+50]Constitution:403(483) [+50]Agility:443 [+100]Charisma:500 [+200]Ingenuity:653Defense:263(3,263)Immunity:131Soul Power:0Luck:100(105)Justice:100 [+100]Corruption:0You have 2 unused Stat Slots.StrengthThe state of being physically strong.Effect and LimitIncreases the host's muscle strength by 0.5% per stat point.Limit of 750 stat points for a Justice Reaper. [+250]DexteritySkill in performing physical tasks, especially with the hands.Effect and LimitIncreases the host's dexterity by 0.5% per stat point.Limit of 1,250 stat point for a Justice Reaper. [+500]ConstitutionThe fundamental health and foundation of one's body.Effect and LimitIncreases host's lifespan by 50 days per stat point.Limit of 2,500 stat points for a Justice Reaper. [+500]AgilityThe ability to move with ease and think quickly.Effect and LimitIncreases host's agility by 0.5% per stat point.Limit of 1,000 for a Justice Reaper. [+250]CharismaAcompelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.Effect and LimitIncreases host's charisma by 0.5% per stat point.Limit of 1,000 for a Justice Reaper. [+700]IngenuityThe quality of being clever, original, and inventive.Effect and LimitIncreases host's ingenuity by 0.5% per stat point.Limit of 900 for a Justice Reaper. [-100]DefenseThe physical hardness of one's skin and muscles.Effect and LimitIncreases host's muscle density by 0.5% per stat point.Limit of 750 stat points for a Justice Reaper. [+250]ImmunityThe internal defensive system of one's self.Effect and LimitIncreases host's resistance to negative status effects by 0.5% per stat point.Limit of 1,650 for a Justice Reaper. [+150]Soul PowerThe quality of one's soul and clarity of mind.Effect and LimitIncreases the stored strength of the host's soul by 0.5% per stat point.Limit of 500,000 stat points for a Justice Reaper. [+400,000]LuckSuccess or failure brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.Effect and LimitIncreases the chance for fate to be in the host's favour by 0.5% per stat point.Limit of 400 stat points for a Justice Reaper. [+300]

"A lot of increases, a few with no changes, and a single stat-limit decreased... pretty good outcome, I'd say," Daz concluded.

He looked over his details once more before commenting, "It's a shame that two of my four new stat slots were used up by 'Justice' and 'Corruption'. System, please show me the information about those two stats."