Naming Lizardmen

[Yellow Scaled Lizardman.]

-Rank - E - Peak

-Growth Stage - 3/3

-Overall Energy level - 400 points

-Rank Elevation is possible.

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[New Ability Acquired - Overload.]

A stream of information flowed into Michael's mind as he looked over his stats. He had gained yet another ability when undergoing the qualitative change he had undergone while absorbing the energy stored within the carvings.

Overload pushed the power within his body beyond normal boundaries. For his current body which was already graded at the peak of E rank, such a boost would undoubtedly allow him to temporarily cross the dividing line that separated E rank from D rank.

Nodding his head, Michael finally stood up from the ground. Seeing their leader standing up so easily, the five lizards, now lizardmen, that had followed him all this way pushed aside the pain that wracked their bodies. They would absolutely not look weak before their leader. If he could push aside the pain, so could they!

Sadly, they got one thing wrong. With the protection of the game system, the overflow of energy that threatened to overwhelm him earlier was easily cleared out when he had passed on the energy to the lizards around him. Unlike them, whose bodies were being thrashed from the inside out due to excess energy, he was completely fine!

Michael nodded his head at them as they scrambled for purchase on the wet ground. Their new bodies completely astounded them. Just a few minutes earlier they were crawling on all fours. Now they had hands and feet.

"L-Leader..." The one who always took the lead in speaking opened his mouth. "What is this?" His scaly hands ran over his face, feeling each new change. He could hardly believe it. So many had tried to uncover the secret behind the carvings and their new leader had just done it in one go. All five lizardmen prostrated before Michael, completely awed at his deeds.

First, he defeated the tyrant that ruled over their tribe, and then he overcame the mysterious power that laid within the carvings that had eluded their tribe for ages.

"It's nothing, rise." Michael waved his hands, motioning for the five of them to get up. He didn't fancy having lizards bow before him.

Michael's thoughts drifted as the lizardmen fumbled about, getting used to the new functions of their limbs. At first, he intended to come here, get the store of treasure behind the carvings on the wall, and then he would leave. He had no se for F ranked lizards, but now that they had suddenly been promoted to the peak of E rank, he stared to have second thoughts on what he should do. Having a capable fighting force was necessary in this brutal world. This tribe of lizardmen who saw him as their leader just happened to fall into this role nicely; though they would have to hone their skills, because relying on basic instincts wouldn't get them anywhere.

Michael withdrew from the depths of his mind, focusing on his surroundings. He then noticed the lizards standing before him with their heads slightly bowed.

"What are your names?" His eyes scanned them, starting from their supposed leader, whose scales held a vibrant golden tint, to the one who seemed to be the weakest, its scales bearing a lighter shade of yellow when compared to the rest of the lizardmen among their clique.

"We do not have names. The former leader forbade us from naming each other." The leader spoke up again, not raising his head for one moment. Michael's eyes narrowed slightly. If he remembered correctly, then naming a creature should be a sort of sacred action of some sort.

"Very well. When we return, I shall bestow names upon you." With that, Michael walked around them, moving slowly so as to not leave them too far behind. With clumsy, small steps, the lizardmen followed behind him.

Michael sighed. He could see the immense effort it would take on his part to train these lizardmen.

.....

Tap

Tap

Tap

From the entrance of the cave where Michael's lizardman tribe was located, two figures approached.

"This is it. This is where the multi-directional map leads us." Eudora raised a worn-looking scroll before her, scanning it thoroughly.

"Are you sure? Isn't this a bit too... underserving for what we were sent to retrieve?" Brutus stretched his arms as he spoke. He scanned the surroundings, constantly on the lookout for any rampaging beasts.

"Yup. My cousin wouldn't give us a subpar map. I trust him with my life." Eudora eyed Brutus as she put the map away. Although they had known each other for years, and their relationship seemed rocky, they were always on good terms, just frequently arguing and throwing insults at each other.

"If you say so." Brutus shrugged in return before taking the lead and walking into the cave.

"Ugh." Eudora rolled her eyes dramatically before following behind.

Unlike Michael who had to make do with a small body, and constantly watch out for other creatures that would pose a threat to him, Brutus and Eudora were able to make quick work out of every creature that made the mistake of blocking their path.

Soon enough, they arrived at the small river that cut through the path leading further into the cave.

Eudora waved her staff effortlessly and the surface of the water stilled. She stepped on it, walking over like it was solid land. Just as Brutus was about to follow her lead and step on the water, it began flowing again, signaling the end of Eudora's spell.

Brutus fixed her with a flat stare before jumping over the river in one big leap. He smirked at Eudora's falling smile.

"Jerk." She muttered before turning and continuing into the depths of the cave.

.....

Michael and the group of lizards who had followed him around soon returned to the area where the lizards made their home. Michael was able to gain the respect of all the lizards when they heard of what he had done and how he had helped them evolve. They quickly made a temporary place to accommodate him.

He sat on a pile of rocks as his loyal 'disciples' knelt before him. He pointed at the one who head lead the group so far.

"You. Step forth." The lizard with gold tinted scales rose from its kneeling position and took a step forward, coming before Michael.

"You shall be known as the Gold Sovereign, Aiden." Michael walked around the lizardman whose head hung low, examining him. "You shall lead my elite guards. From what I can see, you are the strongest among your peers... You may return."

Michael's eyes scanned the remaining four lizardmen before settling on one of them. Small black dots were scattered over his head, making him stand out from the other lizards of his age. Michael called him over the same way he did Aiden.

"You shall be called Ru."

"You shall be called Ryncol."

"You shall be called Reinhard."

"You shall be called Ryan."

Each lizardman had its distinctive features among their group. Ryncol sported a faded line that ran down his spine, all the way to the tip of his tail. Reinhard's body was larger than that of the others. Ryan's scaled were the lightest among the lizards before him.

All five of the lizards were selected to be part of Michael's so called 'elite guard'. As of now, it was worth nothing but its name, but as soon as the lizardmen were able to train themselves to an acceptable degree, they would be able to live up to their positions as elite guards.

"Thank you, Father." The lizardmen nodded with gratitude, truly touched at how caring Michael was to personally bestow names upon them. To a creature, a name was a sacred thing. Only someone of great importance to that creature, or someone of a high enough stature was worthy to name another creature.

As Michael was the leader of the tribe, he wielded the power to name whichever lizard he saw fit. Of course, he still hadn't expected the lizardmen to call him their father.