Looking at all of the choices in front of her, Scaly didn’t take long to narrow down the list until there were only two choices left...
[Young Sea Dragon]
[Young Tempest Dragon]
Although she didn’t find anything wrong with the young water dragon evolution, it was ultimately just a weaker version when compared to the young sea dragon evolution, while the young tempest dragon evolution was in no way inferior to the young sea dragon evolution. Meaning that these two evolutions were the only two options in her eyes, one focused solely on water magic like she had done so far, while the other branched off in the direction of new magic like wind and lightning.
Even though she hadn’t decided to only ever focus on water magic, she had never thought she would have to make a choice on whether to continue on with her focus on water magic or change things up with new magic now, but... Looking at the description of the young tempest dragon, Scaly did feel tempted to go with this new evolutionary path that also involved lightning and wind magic.
However, the main thing that pushed her towards being more favorable of the young tempest dragon evolution was the fact that the young sea dragon evolution would have her give up on her dream of flying through the air and would limit her to the ground until she became far stronger than she was at the moment.
Not just that, but the young sea dragon evolution was also clearly weaker on land compared to in the water. Although not explicitly mentioned, Scaly could guess as much from reading through the description of the young sea dragon... And although she would be able to explore the sea on the third floor of the dungeon more in depth compared to before with her abilities as a young sea dragon, she didn’t think it would be of any use on the fourth floor of the dungeon or when she inevitably had to leave the dungeon in the future.
After a few minutes silently thinking about what evolution would be best for her to choose, Scaly ultimately ended up at the young tempest dragon evolution.
Although the evolution itself wasn’t as focused on water magic like the rest of her evolutions and it could be considered a brand-new path for her, Scaly felt that continuing along the path of solely focusing on water magic wasn’t a good option with the choices she had before her.
The young water dragon was too weak compared to the other two dragon evolutions, while the young sea dragon was too extreme and might not even be strong enough to get her out of her current situation.
After all, she still had to find a way out of her current situation after she finished her evolution... And although the young sea dragon might be among the strongest evolutions present, she doubted it would be any good when it came to digging her way out and back to the surface. Especially when considering that a young sea dragon should be weaker on land compared to in water.
It might be even weaker than the standard young water dragon evolution...
[Do you want to evolve into a Young Tempest Dragon?]: [Y/N]
Yes!
So, without any hesitation, Scaly decided to go with the young tempest dragon evolution. Soon seeing the familiar blue spark appearing before engulfing her entire body, as a wave of pain soon appeared. Disregarding her pain resistance, as it almost immediately knocked her unconscious.
Following the sweet embrace of darkness once again being forced upon her as she began her fourth evolution, the blue spark that had already engulfed her body began to change it.
However, compared to the past where the growth of her body wasn’t too noticeable, it was obvious that this time around was different, as her body began growing at a speed far beyond what it had done during any of her past evolutions.
...
"Finally found you...!"
At the same time Scaly began to undergo her fourth evolution buried beneath the ground, back on the third floor of the dungeon, the crimson flame knight human was happily smiling to himself as he made eye contact with one of the two ancient dire wolves that had caused the guardian barrier of the dungeon town to activate.
Roar!?
Spotting this terrifying human as well, the ancient dire wolf in question couldn’t help letting out a somewhat panicked roar, as it could clearly feel how dangerous the human in front of it was compared to any of the other humans it had encountered so far-
Whoosh-!
And so, without missing a beat, the ancient dire wolf turned around and escaped in the opposite direction of the crimson flame knight human. Showing none of the dignity it had back when it had shown up and saved its companion and cubs who had been caught off guard by the humans at the human town.
"Hehe, it won’t be that easy to escape from me, I’m counting on you to lead me to the rest and save me the trouble of having to search for them on my own." Chuckling in a somewhat mocking tone as he saw how fast the ancient dire wolf escaped, the crimson flame knight didn’t hurry to chase it down and kill it.
Instead opting to slowly follow it from a distance. Planning to make use of this ancient dire wolf and have it guide him to the rest of the ancient dire wolves.
After all, from the information he had received, there were two powerful ancient dire wolves and a few cubs following them.
Considering the danger of these ancient dire wolves, it would be best for him to not only kill the two stronger ancient dire wolves, but also kill off the weaker cubs and prevent any new problems for the third floor of the Howling Caverns in the near future...
Roar! Roooar!
Roar?
In the end, after close to half an hour of chasing after the escaping ancient dire wolf, things finally paid off, as the ancient dire wolf he had been chasing anxiously ran up to a second equally powerful ancient dire wolf that seemed to have lost one of its limbs.
This should be both of the powerful ancient dire wolves. Now... The only thing I need to find is the cubs that should be following them- Ah! There they are...
Looking around for the ancient dire wolf cubs for a few seconds, the crimson flame knight soon spotted them running over filled with happiness as they greeted their parents, a truly heartwarming situation if not for fact that these ancient dire wolves had caused no small number of deaths among the adventurers who had unknowingly been exploring the large forest they resided in.
Be it the cubs or the adult ancient dire wolves, all of them had killed and devoured no small number of adventurers and as a senior he would have to step in and avenge his juniors, while also getting rid of this clear problem.
Thump-!
Roar?
Roooar?
R-Roar...!
So, with everything clear, the crimson flame knight slowly jumped down from the tree he had been hiding in while confirming that all of the ancient dire wolves were present. Instantly catching the attention of all the ancient dire wolves.
Among whom, only the one he had been secretly following seemed to grasp the danger he posed, as it let out a somewhat fearful roaring sound while the rest of the ancient dire wolves all let out threatening and curious roars while staring at him with a hungry expression on their faces. Especially the younger ones who weren’t able to fully control themselves, as they soon charged towards him.
Rooar!
Trying to call out to these reckless ancient dire wolf cubs, the powerful ancient dire wolf was far too slow-
FWOOOSH-!
As the next second, the crimson flame knight casual brought down his sword along with a terrifying crimson flame that soon cut through all of the ancient dire wolf cubs. Killing them all with a single move.
Roar!?
Rooaaar...!
Seeing this, the two still living ancient dire wolf adults both let out pained and fearful roars before trying to escape-
Swish-!
However, they were far too slow in the eyes of the crimson flame knight, as he almost instantly closed the distance between them and brought his flame covered sword down towards the two escaping ancient dire wolves.
Ptsh! Ptsh!
In the next second, two large heads rolled on the ground. Not a single drop of blood ever left their bodies, as the wound had been sealed shut by the terrifying flames on the blade as it passed through their necks.
"Hm... Weaker than I expected. Oh well, their bodies should be worth quite a bit considering how rare adult ancient dire wolves are..." Muttering this to himself as he looked down at the two dead ancient dire wolves, the crimson flame knight didn’t take a second glance as he began preparing to transport the two bodies back to town for processing.
Unfortunately, the small cubs were far too weak and had been directly reduced to ash by his attack...