[ **EVOLUTION MODULE PROGRESS**
Program: P-Class Advancement Protocol
User: Koda Jackson
Current Level: 97
Current XP: 7,756,864 / 7,760,000
3,136 XP needed to level up ]
Koda stepped out of the room wearing blue-green armor that made her look powerful while still preserving her feminine shape. The suit moved with her perfectly, as if it were a second skin.
"I'm ready," she said, glancing around the empty space. "So... only us? Where are the others?"
"Whoa, that's a cool suit," Felix said, eyes widening.
His own armor was simpler—dark gray plates covering his chest, shoulders, forearms, and shins. The material looked lightweight but strong, perfect for quick movement while protecting vital areas.
"They'll be here soon."
Theon silently admired Koda's armor, saying nothing.
The healer arrived first—a kind-looking, somewhat shy C-class healer.
"Let's go through the plan," Felix said, gathering his courage. "Then we can start the journey." He led them to the table.
Within the hour, everyone had joined them.
"Leonid, can you explain the route?" Felix asked.
Leonid Takahashi, a C-class navigator with the power to fly, nodded.
"Most of the journey to the cave, we can use the tactical vehicle to avoid beast attacks," he explained. "Then we'll have to go uphill on foot where the vehicle can't reach."
Everyone fell silent when he described the planet's beasts.
"Okay, let's review our fighting plan for large beasts," Felix said. "I don't expect any according to reports, but we need to be prepared."
After covering all details, they headed to the station where their tactical vehicle waited. They loaded their gear and climbed aboard.
"Hey man... I heard you're doing well these days," said an older man with a metal turtle-shaped device on his back.
"Oh, don't believe everything you see online," replied the younger man who carried a massive axe.
"Your name's in all the community chats. That can't be just rumors."
"Had a few good gigs, that's all. The teams were solid too," the young man shrugged. "That helps a lot."
"Good for you. I'm barely surviving. All the good jobs go to young guys like you now."
"What do you think about this team? Lot of rookies, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I doubt many will survive if we go on foot all the way," the young man said quietly.
"Did you see that suit? Never seen a mech like that before."
"Probably some Solori kid's rich friend with Tech Integration ability. E-class, says the report."
"I heard those suits need mental interface skills—every movement controlled by the mind. Explains the class."
"Fancy suit doesn't mean much against a blaze tier beast," the young man snorted.
"So true... And who's that other one? His class isn't in the report," the older man asked, nodding toward Theon.
"Probably no ability. Another rich friend along for the thrill."
"Nah, look at that old trench coat. He's no rich kid," the older man observed. "Probably got the job because he works cheap."
"At least we have a healer. There are fewer working hunting parties these days."
"Who'd risk their life when hospitals pay better?"
"Let's try to keep the Solari kid alive," the young man suggested.
"That should be our main mission," the older man agreed.
"Are those guys trying to flirt with us?" Elise asked, nodding toward the two men.
"That's C-Class hunter Viktor Kazimirov and Ronan Seong, E-class hunter," Anya explained. "Viktor controls metal objects. Ronan controls earth materials."
"Wow, someone's been studying the team report," Elise smiled.
"I just read it a few times to pass time," Anya replied shyly.
"Is this your first job? I'm Elise Choi, C-class thermal energy controller," she said with a laugh.
"I'm Anya, healer. This is my third one."
"This is my first. I'm nervous," Elise admitted.
"Don't be. If all goes as planned, this is just a retrieval mission," Anya reassured her. "Though I don't know why they hired me."
In the front of the vehicle, Theon gazed out the window.
"This realm is more beautiful than I imagined," he said, watching the landscape flow by.
"All beast planets aren't like this," Koda replied. "Each has its own ecosystem. Different beasts too."
"I hope there are no blaze tier beasts like the report mentioned," Felix said nervously.
"Everything will be okay. You did well earlier," Theon said, trying to reassure Felix though he had no idea what they were heading into.
"Is that suit what the military used during the early war?" Theon asked, changing the subject.
"No, this one's special. I made it myself," Koda said proudly.
"Doesn't it need a lot of power?" Felix asked.
"The military abandoned these suits partly because of power issues. But I can use them fine. How? That's my secret," Koda replied.
"Hey, boy," a large man who had been silent until now suddenly spoke. "No protective armor or weapon? Did you come just to watch?" His voice was gruff.
"Not that I care, but I won't defend you if her suit fails." This was Dmitri Arnaud, their E-class hunter and main defense.
"I don't have any," Theon mumbled, embarrassed.
Before coming to the Gate complex, he'd searched online for armor and weapons, but couldn't afford anything. So he'd asked Felix to bring something for him.
"I got something for you," Felix said, pointing to a weapon at the front of the vehicle.
It was a plain, unmarked longsword that required two hands to wield.
"Great, a sword for someone good at hand-to-hand combat," Koda said, looking disappointed. "Can you even use one?" she asked Theon.
"I have some practice, but no real experience," Theon replied, remembering Darius's brief sword lessons.
"Try not to cut us with that thing," Viktor called out mockingly. "Using a sword without practice—he'll kill himself."
"We've reached the end of the ride," Leonid announced, standing. "Now we walk to the cave."
One by one, they exited the vehicle.
The world around them was breathtaking—massive trees, mountains, forests and waterfalls creating a beautiful landscape. They walked in silence as Leonid instructed, to avoid attracting beasts.
The danger lurked unseen.
On their way to the cave, they encountered an ember tier Kanorath beast—a hybrid of dog and rodent, but larger than a dog. Leonid dispatched it with explosive arrows.
"That's the cave entrance," Leonid said, pointing to an opening beneath a rock.
"What a relief. No blaze tier beasts," Felix exhaled, his armor catching sunlight as his shoulders relaxed.
"Now the real danger begins," Koda said, fear edging her voice.
"Looks like a fire user tried to melt the cave for a long time," Elise observed, studying the entrance and walls.
"That's how they identified this as the right cave," Felix explained. "Probably beasts did it when they lived here."
"Let's go then," Dmitri said, taking the lead. Everyone followed.
Inside, they noticed crystals embedded in the ceiling and walls. As they ventured deeper, darkness enveloped them. Just when everyone was considering their lights, Felix created a glowing ball from his fingers, illuminating the space.
Everyone stared at Felix for a moment.
That's the Solari power, Theon thought, eyeing the wall crystals.
"So we go inside the mountain?" Felix asked, breaking the silence.
His voice echoed, creating an eerie chorus of his own words.
"Yeah, this cave has two levels, as the scan shows," Leonid explained from the middle of the group. "We're on the top level now. The second level is below."
"The crystals are likely on the second level," Koda added.
"Everyone be silent now," Viktor commanded.
The deeper they went, the more Theon felt a strange sensation. He ignored it, assuming it was just his imagination.
After hours of walking, they stopped.
"I think this is the end," Dmitri announced.
"No, this is the end of this level," Ronan corrected, pointing to a large hole in the floor.
"Let's rest here," Viktor suggested. "We can go down after some sleep."
Everyone checked their NIPs for the time.
"Good idea. It's almost midnight," Felix agreed.
"Walking at night isn't smart," Koda added.
"Let's move away from this hole. If beasts come, we won't be directly in their path," Viktor said, leading them to a safer spot.
They settled down while one person kept watch.
They arranged rotating shifts: Theon, Koda, and Elise would take turns as the newest hunters. As team leader, Felix was exempt from watch duty.
Hours passed in silence except for occasional water drops from the ceiling. Then suddenly—
"WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" Koda shouted.
ROOOOAAARR!
A terrifying roar echoed through the cave. Everyone jumped to their feet, taking fighting stances.
"What happened?" Felix asked, his armor clicking as he rose.
"Something was there," Koda said, pointing frantically toward the entrance.
Her voice trembled, eyes wide with fear.
"Where's Elise?" Theon asked, scanning the area.
"Eli... Elise... she's gone. I think that thing took her," Koda stammered, hands shaking uncontrollably.
"I can't see anything," someone muttered in the darkness.
"Koda, it's okay. Everyone's awake now. Calm down," Theon said gently.
"Get the scanner," Viktor ordered Leonid.
The scanner resembled a thin laptop. It displayed something massive—a beast emitting white energy, about 300 meters away.
"We need to get to the next level. Fighting here is suicide," Viktor said.
Ronan nodded in agreement.
As the most experienced hunters, everyone followed their lead.
"Will it trap us?" Anya asked, visibly shivering.
"Yes, but the underground level is larger. Better for fighting," Viktor explained.
"And it might not follow us down," Ronan added.
"What about Elise? We need to save her," Theon insisted.
"I don't think there's an Elise to save anymore," Viktor said grimly.
Theon felt a powerful urge to act, but without special abilities, he could do little. Reckless action would only endanger others, so he accepted the plan.
"Robot girl, come with me. We'll jump down first," Dmitri said, running to the opening.
"Leonid, secure the rope to that rock and help the others down."
Dmitri and Koda leaped inside, easily absorbing the impact. Leonid then helped the others descend.
"Let's find cover," Viktor said, running deeper into the lower cave.
They ran for an hour until reaching a large chamber at the cave's end.
"I don't think it followed us," Leonid said, showing everyone the scanner's blank screen.
[RIONITE CRYSTAL
Rare Energy Source]
[RIONITE CRYSTAL
Rare Energy Source]
[RIONITE CRYSTAL
Rare Energy Source]
Felix's NIP displayed a message when he spotted lights at the chamber's end.
"Those are the crystals I wanted! Three of them!" Felix exclaimed excitedly.
"What are you waiting for? Get them," Viktor barked.
Felix ran to the crystals and collected them.
The moment he removed them from the wall—
ROOOOAAAAARRRRR!
A deafening roar froze everyone in place.
The scanner screen flashed to life, showing the white energy-emitting beast closing in.
Their hearts pounded. Terror spread across their faces as the roaring grew louder, closer.
Beast Classification
EMBER TIER - Deadly to untrained or lower Class human
BLAZE TIER - Dangerous predators requiring veteran hunters
INFERNO TIER - Catastrophic entities with territorial dominance
SUPERNOVA TIER - Extinction-level threats (mostly considered rumors)