Chapter 1641 – Hope Within the Menu

The triad moved on to the next option. Anthony had been presented with multiple Mythic evolution options at tier seven, and he had even more to select from this time. This was further confirmation to the theory that ants were being rewarded for reaching higher tiers, something that wasn’t expected of their species.

Although, as soon as they examined the next evolution, they had doubts.

[Mythic Evolution: Toxic Swarm. +50 to Cunning, +50 to Willpower, +200 to Might, +200 to Toughness. Every ant knows that strength lies in numbers. Embrace this principle through your form, not just your family. Your body will take the form of a swarm of self-replicating, virulently toxic, palm-sized ants. Your stats and core will be distributed across the first thousand ants. A Swarm Core will be granted for free. All-Toxin Replicant Engine will be granted for free.]

The more the triad looked at the evolution, the more convinced they were that it would be powerful. This would surely absorb the energy that had infected Anthony, driving it into the Replicant Engine and allowing him to survive. A living swarm of creatures that self-replicated, each of them capable of delivering even a watered down version of Theorazzn’s toxin would be… absurdly powerful.

With his organs and mutations still intact, although distributed across a thousand individuals, it wasn’t clear exactly how this strange body would function, but it seemed as if Anthony would retain almost all of his capabilities were he to make this selection, which was equally absurd.

Despite warming to it, the triad knew from the outset that this was not an option that Anthony himself would condone. He had shown a strong negative reaction to any evolution that messed with his body too much. He didn’t want to be formless, nor did he want to be a giant, immobile brain, or even reset to an immobile god-grub. They doubted he would be interested in becoming a distributed swarm of creatures, even if it would be a strong choice.

If they didn’t find another option that would help him survive, then this would have to be it, reservations or no.

There were two more mythic options for Anthony to choose from; hopefully one of them would both carve a path to survival and be acceptable to the monster.

[Mythic Evolution: Toxic Spring Colony Bulwark. +100 Cunning, +100 Willpower, +250 Might, +350 Toughness. Poison springs eternally within, an endless font of corruption that will nourish your core and annihilate your enemies. A creature of endurance and strength, allow your poison to bring your foes to their knees. Even the shadow of harm will become your strength. An Everflow Well of Corruption will be granted for free. Eyes will be reforged into Petrified Infection. An Infection Core will be granted for free. Regeneration Gland will be consumed and replaced with an Infectious Echo Network. Acid Gland, Acid Nozzle, Concentration Gland, Stimulation Gland will be fused, transforming them into a Fused Acid Complex.]

[Mythic Evolution: Colony Contaminant Commander. +150 Cunning, +150 Willpower, +200 Might, +200 Toughness. You have received the Will of the Colony and used it to grow strong, now your own Will can become infectious. Your Brains and Coordination Cortex will be reforged with Ascendant Slime. You will be granted a Corruption Core for free. An Immaterium Spirit Leech will be granted for free. Acid Gland, Acid Nozzle, Concentration Gland, Stimulation Gland will be fused, transforming them into an Acidic Production District.]

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