Evolution begins with an ant colony
Chapter 41 A self-aware puppet

Akun made his way to the edge of the forest, his steps heavy with purpose. He approached the spot where he had buried the silver puppet a few days ago. Standing over the mound of earth, he raised his hand, and in a commanding tone, he spoke, "Arise."

In response to his words, a sudden movement rippled through the ground. Two metallic hands shot out from the earth's embrace, followed by the rest of the puppet's body emerging like a macabre resurrection. It was an eerie sight, akin to the undead rising from their graves.

Akun's determination didn't waver as he gave the command to the system. "Place the two dragon cores inside the silver puppet."

However, the system's response was a cautionary one, reminding Akun of the potential consequences.

[Warning!! the silver puppet might not have the capacity to withstand the energy of two dragon cores.]

The system further advised, emphasizing safety concerns.

[Considering the circumstances, it's recommended to install only one core for safety reasons.]

Resigned to the safer choice, Akun let out a sigh and instructed the system "Proceed with installing the gold core into the puppet."

The system then responded.

[Commencing installation.]

And then the puppet then suddenly the puppet's appearance turned into that of a man with long shining gold hair and blue eyes, in purple and gold regal clothing, Seeing the puppet in this appearance gave Akun flashbacks from the black dragon's memories. Akun then asked the system "System, why did the puppet take on this appearance?"

The system responded. [The appearance of the puppet is most likely due to the power of the core, the puppet simply assumed the core's previous owner's appearance.]

Akun then used his dragon eyes to look at the puppet and he was pleasant surprise with what he saw

Name: Kalardix

Race: Gold True dragon (Puppet)

Grade: Dragon (Stage 9)

Age: 7,485 years

Element: Gold (Unique)

Stats:

-Strength:9,200

-Endurance: 8,750

-Agility: 7,800

- Wisdom: (Non Existing)

- Magic Power (mana): 9,800

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Skills:

- Golden Breath: Unleash a devastating breath attack infused with the power of gold element, capable of melting even the toughest of defenses.

- Divine Aura: Emit a divine aura that boosts the morale and abilities of allies within its range.

-Golden Scales: The golden scales covering Kalardix's body provide exceptional protection against physical and magical attacks.

-Treasure Sense: Innate ability to sense the location of valuable treasures or rare materials.

-Gold manipulation: Possess the innate ability to create and bend gold to any shape he desires.

Special Traits:

- Dragon's Legacy: As a dragon born from the essence of a gold, Kalardix possesses immense power and wisdom, making him a formidable force in battles and a source of valuable knowledge.

Akun's eyes widened in astonishment as he examined the impressive stats and skills displayed on Kalardix's status window. He then turned to the system and inquired with a mix of surprise and curiosity, "System, what's the deal with these stats and skills? Will the puppet actually come to life, and how come he's so much stronger than I am?"

The system responded promptly:

[The puppet's transformation into the form of Kalardix, the gold dragon, has significantly amplified its stats and abilities. While the puppet won't gain true sentience, it will follow your instructions and operate under your control. The substantial increase in strength is due to the fusion of the gold dragon core, which possessed powerful magic and abilities, with the puppet's framework.

Keep in mind that these stats and skills are reflective of the combined power of the core and the puppet, making Kalardix a potent asset in your endeavors.]

Akun placed his hand under his jaw, a bemused expression on his face. "You know, I was thinking of leaving the forest as Blisk, but this Kalardix version of the puppet seems way cooler. More polished. And I'm kinda curious now. System, can you whip up another silver puppet for me?"

[Creating silver puppet...…..]

[Done!]

the system chimed. [Player, what do you intend to do with this newly created silver puppet?]

With a grin, Akun said, "Alright, system, Infuse the other dragon core into the puppet."

[Initiating core infusion process]

The system announced. As the energy of the dragon cores flowed into the puppet, its appearance started to shift and change, a vibrant aura surrounding it.

As the transformation unfolded, the puppet's form shifted and changed, revealing a woman with vibrant silver hair and bright, calming blue eyes, dressing win white and gold regal clothing. Akun's surprise was evident on his face.

"Wow, it look amazing," Akun remarked, genuinely impressed by the appearance of the transformed female puppet, causing him to activate his dragon eyes.

Name: Mellin

Species: White True Dragon(puppet)

Grade: Dragon (Stage 6)

Age: 7,752

Stats:

- Strength: 3,120

- Endurance: 2,950

- Agility: 2,326

- Wisdom: (Non Existing)

- Magic power: 12,540

Skills:

- Breath of Frost: Mellin can exhale a chilling breath capable of freezing anything in her path.

- Frost Nova: With a powerful burst of cold energy, Mellin can create an area of frost, slowing and damaging enemies caught within it.

- Diamond Scales: Mellin's scales are incredibly resilient, granting her exceptional protection against physical and magical attacks.

-Glacial Roar: Mellin's roar can unleash a shockwave of icy energy, stunning and freezing nearby foes. [+6 more ↓]

Akun's thoughts drifted as he contemplated, "Having a companion by my side during my outings would be quite helpful, like a trusty sidekick. It'd be even better if we could have meaningful conversations."

Akun's curiosity grew as he looked at the transformed female puppet. He then turned his attention to the system and made a request. "System, display all the skills related to intelligence in the shop."

The system responded, its voice tinged with a note of caution. [Player, this system may not fully comprehend your intention, but please be aware that no skill can grant the puppet a true consciousness or independent mind. Let's avoid attempting to cross boundaries.]

Akun retorted, "Well, that's no fun at all."

He pondered for a moment before asking, "Can she at least talk?"

The system's response came, [She is capable of speech, but her words will only reflect what you command.]

Akun's grin widened as he exclaimed, "System, remember, in the world of gaming, nothing is truly impossible!"

The system's response remained straightforward, [This system doesn't fully comprehend the player's intention.]

Unfazed, Akun confidently retorted, "Watch closely, system. I'm about to prove you wrong. Give me just an hour, and I'll make this puppet of mine self-aware."

Akun's curiosity drove him to engage in an intriguing dialogue with the female puppet he had created.

"Can you hear me?" Akun's voice carried a tinge of excitement.

"Yes, I can hear you," came the puppet's clear response, tinged with an air of compliance.

His questions continued, each probing deeper into the puppet's supposed consciousness. "Do you understand who you are?"

"I am your creation, a reflection of your choices," the puppet replied, her words echoing with a sense of predetermined purpose.

Undeterred, Akun pressed on. "Can you make decisions on your own?"

"I can only act based on your desires and commands," the puppet affirmed, her tone unwavering.

"Oh boy, this is going to be a very long one hour." Akun sighed as he put his right hand in his face.

After an extended session of questioning and responses, Akun found himself immersed in a peculiar interaction that had turned his creation into something more resembling a regular individual.

With each question and its corresponding answer, the puppet's simulated persona grew more convincing, blurring the lines between artificial intelligence and true sentience.

As the dialogue reached its culmination, Akun posed one final inquiry, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and satisfaction. "And what do you do when you encounter something you don't understand?"

The puppet, now embodying a semblance of human nature, mirrored the actions of a person confronted with uncertainty. "You ask a question," she responded, her tone carrying the weight of understanding.

Akun's lips curved into a genuine smile, his efforts yielding a result that exceeded his initial expectations. "Well done," he commended, his voice rich with genuine approval.

In an almost whimsical gesture, he extended his hand, offering a fist bump – a gesture of camaraderie and shared accomplishment. The puppet, mirroring the behavior of a living being, raised her hand and bumped it gently against his. The tangible connection served as a testament to the intricate web of his programming and her simulated responsiveness.

With a triumphant grin, Akun couldn't help but flaunt his accomplishment, a sense of pride welling within him. "See that, system?" he proclaimed, a touch of defiance in his tone. "Look at her now. Is there any difference between her and a regular woman?"

The female puppet, now imbued with an uncanny semblance of humanity, chimed in curiously. "Master, who are you talking to?"

Akun's amusement twinkled in his eyes as he responded, a playful note in his voice. "That's a secret, Mellin." It was a cryptic acknowledgment, a nod to the unseen forces that had led him to this point.

Despite his repeated calls falling on deaf ears, Akun's determination remained unswayed. He muttered with a mixture of annoyance and determination, "Fine, if you want to do that, you can go sulk."

With a resolute gesture, he activated the Full Dive mode, and he slipped into the form of Kalardix.

"Come on, Mellin," he beckoned, his voice reverberating through their shared connection. "We're leaving."

Mellin's response was swift and eager. "Coming, Master."

Their connection solidified further as she accompanied him, stepping forth from the confines of the berrier. Together, Akun and his puppet, ventured out beyond the familiar boundaries.

Meanwhile unknown to Akun the system sent a notification:

[DING!! Congrats to the player for shaping a conscious mind, taking the first step to godhood!!]