《Evolution Online: I Can Fuse With All Things》 Chapter 1: Expelled Chapter 1 - Expelled "Ah... what a drag... I hate this..." A pair of half-sleepy eyes stared at the brown oak door that had just shut with a soft click. The air still carried her presence¡ªa plush scent of citrus that wrapped around him like silk. Sweet and intoxicating, yet sharp enough to cut through his drowsiness. The owner of those lazy eyes slowly rose from his king-sized bed, white sheets twisted around his limbs like chains. His room stretched wide enough to swallow most people''s entire homes whole. At the center sat his delicately carved bed, white wood flowing like frozen water caught mid-stream. Every piece of furniture whispered of divine taste¡ªeven the floor beneath his feet seemed to pulse with artistic rhythm. The ceiling above curved in interwoven waves, like white sand sculpted by invisible winds. To his right, a coffee table and chair waited in perfect arrangement. Behind them stretched a wall of books¡ªstories and knowledge gathered from distant countries, their spines displaying languages he could read like old friends. He dragged his feet as if his body weighed more than mountains. It didn''t¡ªhe was a lithe young man who looked like he''d forgotten to eat for weeks. He was simply too lazy to walk like normal people did. If he had his way, he''d never leave this sanctuary. The maids brought meals when hunger called. Books waited when boredom struck. Sleep embraced him when exhaustion won. Why venture beyond these walls when everything he needed lived within arm''s reach? And yet, here he was, moving against every instinct that screamed for stillness. ''Ah... dear lord.'' He opened the door and stepped into a passageway lined with glittering lights. Ancient white wood formed the walls¡ªtimber that had aged for decades before craftsmen deemed it worthy of use. Along the bright hallway, young ladies in black and white gowns passed like ghosts. They bowed their heads in practiced courtesy, then quickly covered their noses with delicate hands. They tried to hide their disgust, but their movements spoke louder than words. Whether he noticed or not, he couldn''t bring himself to care. He couldn''t remember his last bath, so their reaction made perfect sense. There was just one thing he was worried about... He stopped before a particular door after what felt like an eternity of walking. His hand hesitated on the handle for just a moment. Then he slowly opened the door and stepped inside. The room he entered was much smaller than his own, but no less impressive. The interior bloomed in completely different colors¡ªlike stepping between worlds. Brown walls embraced the space. In the center, round couches circled a black wooden table like old friends sharing secrets. Beyond this seating area stretched a large black table that gleamed like polished obsidian. Behind it sat a man with rectangular glasses perched on his nose. The man''s face bore the marks of time, but his handsomeness cut through the weathering without effort. Grey eyes moved like liquid mercury as they studied papers scattered across his desk, each movement precise and enchanting. Even with a new visitor standing before him, he continued his work. Finally, he raised his head with deliberate slowness. His gaze lingered for a moment before he removed his glasses and leaned back in his chair. "Tell me, old fool. What do you want to do with your life?" The person being addressed¡ªold fool¡ªscratched the back of his grey, ruffled hair and responded with a voice like gravel. "Uhm... sleep? I''ve not really hit my milestone for sleep but I do have plans to feed stray cats too sometimes later." The older man stared at him with blank eyes, then sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Seven university degrees. Four master''s. Two doctorates. All before you turned twenty-six. You''re an anomaly, Lucien. Even your mother and I were baffled. But at the end of the day, you are only twenty-six. All these achievements at such a young age have set the stage for greatness. What you need to do now is walk that path with confidence, not lock yourself in your room and sleep all day." The boy winced with slight irritation, then shook his head. "No, father, you are wrong. I did all those things because you wanted me to. I could have chosen to play games, sleep, do everything people my age were doing back then. But I decided against it. Why sacrifice a few moments of play and sleep and lazing around when I can have over sixty years of it, free from your orders and expectations¡ªas long as I achieve everything I need to achieve as fast as possible? I sacrificed a lot to reach this point. It makes no sense for you to challenge me now." The man looked at his son with worry creeping across his features, then exhaled slowly. "Listen, Lucien. I am not challenging you¡ªI respect the decisions you have made for yourself. But what I do not respect, and will challenge, is the manner in which you live your life. You are an adult. You will be held responsible for your actions and inactions. I did not push you all the way just to have you sleep and feed cats. And to get that into your head, I will have to force my hand a little." Lucien winced again. He could feel the trap closing around him. "Father..." His small, hesitant whisper drifted past his father''s ears like meaningless wind as the man continued. "You cannot leave the responsibility of the entire company to just your brother and sister. Since you have proven yourself to be an irresponsible fellow, I will have to send you out of my house. You can laze around and feed cats however you want, but it won''t be under my roof." "Dad... that''s mean... at least pity the cat." "Indeed it is, son. I''m sure you can do anything you put your mind to. You might have come this far with your big brain, but you also need to realize that behind that big brain of yours was my mountain of money paving the way for everything. If you will undermine that, then I have to teach you with complete severity." Lucien''s face darkened like storm clouds as he stared at his father. "Does mother even know about this? Laziel too? And Liora?" The old man waved his hand dismissively. "It is not your business, nor is it theirs. I deal with my son however I see fit. Now, get your things and get out of my house. Also, I blocked all three of your black cards. Come back when you are ready to serve your father''s company." A dark and slightly twisted grin crept across Lucien''s face. "Dad... This is not funny." The man stared evenly, meeting Lucien''s grey eyes with his own steel gaze. "Look at me, old fool. Do I look like I''m joking?" He studied Lucien with piercing eyes for several heartbeats, then settled back into his chair. His index finger drummed a steady rhythm against the polished table. "However, there is a way out of all this..." Lucien''s brow creased as he watched the man carefully. "The Balerons have been running a gaming company for some time now. Word is they''re choosing their flagship title. Three years running, it''s kept them in the top one percent of profitable companies worldwide." The man''s fingers stilled. "I remember you had a small passion for games as a child. If you can break into their closed beta and reverse-engineer their monetization loop within a month, I''ll know you still have the fire and won''t bother you anymore." Lucien''s frown deepened like storm clouds gathering. "Since I was a child, I''ve done nothing but obey you. Do you really think I''ve sacrificed everything I have just to reach this point and take orders from you again? To let you pull the strings of my life?" The man''s voice grew thick, climbing a dangerous octave. "If you want to live your life the way you choose, then forget it all and get out from under my roof, boy!" Lucien lifted his head, confidence radiating from every line of his body. "Yeah. I''d rather leave your roof than be your hunting dog. Get your eldest son to do that for you instead. Or let me guess¡ªyou probably already have ten people doing it, but they''re so useless you had to call on your genius son." The man''s face turned to stone. "Father, I''ve lived a life of excellence and given you the pride of having a genius son. Among your peers, you can boast about me without end. Isn''t that why you put me through such a rigorous education? Well, I''m finished now. And if you''re not satisfied with that, I''m sorry¡ªthere''s nothing more I can do for you. I''d rather starve in a gutter than take one more order from you." Lucien walked out and slammed the door. Chapter 2: Halo Chapter 2 - Halo Lucien slumped beneath the bus stop''s weathered shed, his legs stretched out carelessly. A couple huddled at the far end of the bench, arms wrapped around each other as they shot him disgusted glances while pinching their noses. He didn''t seem to notice. Dark shades shielded his eyes from the brutal afternoon sun. ''Ah, it''s been forever since I stepped outside... how long? Six months? Eight?'' He squinted at the blazing sky. ''I don''t remember the sun being this vicious.'' A heavy sigh escaped him as he pulled out his phone, fingers dancing across the screen. The girlfriend craned her neck, trying to get a better look at the device in his hands. She leaned close to her boyfriend''s ear. "Honey, that''s the latest Nexus Dynamics AI-7 Pro." Her boyfriend''s eyes widened as he studied the phone. "Damn, you''re right. That thing costs three million dollars. Most expensive phone in the world right now¡ªcutting-edge AI features and everything. It even has that adaptive UI system that learns your usage patterns." Lucien caught fragments of their hushed conversation but couldn''t care less. The woman''s lip curled with disgust. "He must have stolen it. Should we call the police?" "Stolen?" Her boyfriend shook his head. "You think a phone with that level of AI security can just be swiped? Even if someone could steal it, they''d need access to the world''s elite¡ªpeople like the Vales, the Balerons." Lucien finally glanced their way, sliding his shades down his nose. The boyfriend was unremarkable¡ªbrown wavy hair framing a forgettable face. His girlfriend wasn''t much different. They suited each other perfectly. A synthetic roar shattered the afternoon quiet as an automobile prowled into view, its engine growling like caged thunder before settling beside the bus stop. The couple''s heads snapped toward the sound, jaws dropping. The machine crouched before them like a predator¡ªchrome bones wrapped in midnight skin, a beast born of pure rebellion. Its body had been carved from obsidian alloy, every angle sharp yet flowing, brutal yet breathtaking. The front grille yawned wide like a gladiator''s maw, barely containing the twin-breath supercharged V12 that purred with barely restrained power. The rear was a masterpiece of symmetry and menace¡ªtwin halo taillights connected by a razor-thin strip of crimson, like the slit eye of some ancient god watching the world disappear in its wake. The wheels sat deep and aggressive, wide as clenched fists, gripping the asphalt as if it owed them a debt. The doors whispered open with a soft, sweet hiss, rising like wings to release their occupant. A young man emerged¡ªcasual in his round-neck shirt and shorts, slippers slapping against the pavement. He glanced at the woman and flashed her a quick wink. Her heart stumbled. Recognition dawned slowly across her features as the pieces fell into place. But the young man had already crossed to Lucien. "Wait, you serious? Your old man actually kicked you out?" Lucien nudged his luggage with his foot. "Grab that thing and toss it in the car first." He shot a glance at the couple, who were now whispering energetically. "These people are giving me the creeps." The young man followed his gaze, then turned back with a knowing grin. "Ha... that''s probably my fault." Lucien raised an eyebrow, sliding his shades down slightly. "How''s that?" His friend''s grin stretched wider. "Remember that game I told you about? Evolution Online?" "Yeah? What about it?" The young man puffed out his chest with pride. "Well, I sort of became a big shot in it. I''m a pretty popular player now¡ªranked top 100. Even got my own clan." Lucien''s face twisted with irritation as he slowly pushed himself to his feet. His friend immediately stepped back, covering his nose. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Lucy, when''s the last time you took a shower?" Lucien scratched his head, trying to dig through his hazy memory. "Don''t know... two weeks? Three? I really can''t keep track of these things when I''m busy." "Hell no! Lucy, we both know the only thing you''ve been busy doing since graduation is sleeping!" Lucien''s lips curved into a lazy smile. "Exactly what I meant." He slipped his hands into his pockets and strolled toward the car. His friend grabbed the luggage and hurried after him. The sleek remote chirped softly as he popped the trunk, sliding Lucien''s belongings inside. Just as he reached towards the door, the girl approached. Lucien, leaning against the car''s polished frame, watched with growing interest. "Excuse me, sir... are you Halo? The first human to evolve into a Demonic Angel on Evo?" The young man''s smile bloomed as he pulled out a pen. "That''s me." The girl nearly bounced on her toes. "Could I please have your autograph? I absolutely love your raid videos! They''ve been so helpful¡ªmy boyfriend and I had no idea a Demonic Angel evolution was even possible. You''ve inspired us in so many ways." She thrust a small journal toward him. Halo accepted it with a gentle smile dancing on his lips. "Well, anything''s possible in Evo. That''s the whole point." He glanced up as the boyfriend shuffled forward, sheepishly extending his own notebook. "Like she said, we''re huge fans of your content. Really looking forward to your clash with the Asura race." Halo let out a dry chuckle. "That''s going to be brutal, no doubt. But I don''t believe in impossibilities." The couple finished the phrase with him in unison. Halo laughed and flashed them a thumbs up. "Thanks for the support. And hey¡ªkeep grinding. This game can make you stupid rich, just like me. Don''t give up." "Yes sir! Thank you so much!" Both of them bowed enthusiastically before walking away. Halo turned back to his friend, spreading his arms wide. "See?" Lucien studied him through his dark lenses, surprise flickering across his features despite the shades. "You''re actually serious. You''re some kind of celebrity? Making real money... from a game?" Halo grinned and clicked the remote, doors rising with a soft whisper. "That''s the common mistake people make¡ªthinking Evolution Online is just a game. Maybe it started that way ten years ago, but Evo has grown beyond gaming. It''s become its own reality." He slid into the driver''s seat after Lucien settled beside him, and didn''t stop talking about Evolution Online until they reached home. Chapter 3: Rebellion Chapter 3 - Rebellion Halo''s engine roared like trapped thunder before gasping to silence as he parked. He stopped and tapped the sleek steering wheel with a wide grin. "We''re home!" Lucien, who had been lost in thought, slowly regained focus and stepped out of the car. He raised his eyes and frowned as he scanned the exterior of Halo''s apartment. "This is..." He paused, still turning around. The house rose like a wave caught mid-motion¡ªgraceful, weightless, impossibly still. It didn''t just sit on the land. It hovered, curved, and flowed as though shaped by wind itself. Its sweeping white form curled from ground to sky, as if it had grown from some alien seed rather than blueprints. A single arch stretched out like a giant''s limb, shielding the driveway and casting long shadows over pale stone. Beneath it sat Halo''s car. The entire front wall was glass. Through it, Lucien glimpsed curved staircases, golden light spilling across floors, and a chandelier like frozen lightning. From every angle, the structure whispered movement¡ªno harsh lines, only smooth, seamless flow. It looked like something meant for the future, somehow left behind in the present. "Isn''t this Aether Curve, designed by Mira Ellion in 2033?" Halo nodded eagerly. "I knew you''d recognize it! As expected of rich kids!" Lucien frowned slightly. "You got the fortune to build a gem like this... from gaming?" "I already told you, Lucy. People are literally moving their lives from reality into Evo. Do you know that Mira Ellion and I are buddies in Evo? Thanks to me, she recently completed the requirements for a rare Evolution race. She''s an established builder in Evo¡ªpeople pay her fortunes to design their Clan Territories and personal homes." Lucien frowned. Confusion rattled him to the core, and he found it harder to digest with each passing second. He had degrees in Architecture¡ªbachelor''s and master''s. While he''d lost interest and didn''t pursue his doctorate, Mira had gone further. She was the second-best student in his generation. After he abandoned his path, she naturally became the world''s best architect. And she moved her entire life into a game? It sounded absurd. Yet... interesting. He was starting to understand why his father would even care about it. ''Really, how intriguing could a game be?'' Lucien wasn''t particularly bothered or concerned, but it sounded interesting. And interesting things were quite irresistible to anyone. Especially if this interesting thing has his father''s competitor doing ten times better in gross profit. The idea of entering it simply to spite his father was beginning to sound tempting. Halo tilted his head, grinning at his friend and rubbing his palms together. "What do you say, friend... wanna check it out?" Lucien gave him a flat look. "Bro... no. I wanna sleep. Show me the way." He walked past Halo, along the pathway that led to the glass door. As Lucien stepped toward the front door, the golden light reflecting inside the house suddenly dimmed. Immediately, Halo ran forward with Lucien''s luggage and stepped closer to the door, making the light brighten again. The glass door slowly slid apart for them to enter. Halo glanced back at Lucien with a smug grin. The interior was as stunning as the exterior. The living room felt like walking into an art museum that still knew what comfort meant. Halo walked easily to the center of the plain parlor and slid his hand low across the air. Slowly, a modular sofa began rising from the floor¡ªwaves of brown marble molded by unseen forces. Lucien dropped onto the sofa and exhaled tiredly. Halo sat on another sofa and studied the young man for a moment. Then he spoke. "So... wanna talk now?" Lucien sat in silence, his head resting against the worn headrest. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. "That... Evolution Online." Halo''s brows knitted together slightly. "Yes? What about it?" "The Balerons created it, didn''t they?" Halo paused for a moment. "Well, it''s not that simple, but yeah, I guess you could say that. Why?" Lucien''s voice came out flat, drained. "He wants me to join and dig up information for him." Halo''s eyebrow shot up. The silence stretched between them. "Oh..." He hesitated before speaking carefully. "And... that''s bad?" Lucien turned to him, his eyes vacant and lifeless. "He said, ''Lucien, this is a great course. You have big brains. Doing this will make you a great physicist¡ªI did.'' Then he said, ''Lucien, I found an appealing course for you in business administration. Usually, you''d need to finish one degree before starting another, but you''ve got the brains to juggle both, right?'' So yes, I did... I accepted every single one even though none of them sparked anything in me. My own passion, my drive¡ªI lost it all because I was too busy following his orders. My only hope was finishing as fast as I could and slapping all those degrees in his face. "I worked so hard to earn the right to break free from his control. So yes, it was beyond bad, Harun." Halo let out a dry, nervous chuckle. "Alright, alright, I get it. But what do you want to do now? I mean, you''re welcome to stay, but is rebellion really the way forward? Won''t that make your father even angrier? You know, to a man like him, I don''t mean anything. He could erase me with a snap of his fingers once he finds out I''m sheltering you." Lucien''s eyes narrowed as understanding dawned on him. A subtle frown creased his brow. "You know what... you''re right." Halo smiled. "I know, right? I''m usually right." Lucien cut him off before he could finish. "I should enter the game and slack off just to spite him. You know, I can show him that I''ll do whatever I want without his support." Halo stared at him, blinking slowly. "Lucy, that wasn''t what I meant. But forget that¡ªif you want to spite him, why would you go there just to slack off?" Lucien shrugged. "To crush his ego." Halo frowned, confusion written across his face. "Wouldn''t the proper way to do that be to actually play the game?" "Well, it could work, but I don''t really need to go that far. I know my father¡ªsimply being in that game and doing nothing is enough to get under his skin." Halo shook his head, still puzzled. "I guess it makes sense. The dynamic in your family is strange, after all." He exhaled and scratched his head. "Oh well, if you want to enter the game, I guess I can help. However... there are a few problems." Chapter 4: Login Chapter 4 - Login Lucien studied his friend''s face, unease creeping into his voice. "What''s the problem?" "Money." Lucien''s brow shot up, then pulled into a frown. "I don''t have a dime. That old man froze my cards. Besides, didn''t you say you were rich now?" Halo''s grin spread wide. "Lucy, rich means different things to different people. I was rich. But the game''s been... demanding lately. I''ve been feeding it cash like a hungry beast. We just need money to refill our NSI, that''s all." Lucien''s frown deepened as he watched his friend. He knew Halo¡ªor Harun, his real name¡ªinside and out. The guy wore masks like clothes: jovial comedian one moment, sharp schemer the next. Lucien hadn''t wanted to come here. But Halo was his anchor. The only person who''d stuck around despite Lucien''s habit of keeping the world at arm''s length. Now he was trapped. Again. Harun dangled this problem in front of him like bait, and Lucien could feel the walls closing in. With his cards sat frozen in digital ice, his phone, though which was custom-built, not some factory clone could fetch decent money. "What''s NSI?" "Right! NSI means Nutrition Supplement Injection. Think of it as liquid food pumped straight into your veins. You can live in your Capsule for months without stepping outside. The thing monitors your health, patches you up if needed. Hell, if something goes wrong, it''ll knock you into a coma while keeping your mind plugged into Evo." Lucien''s eyes dropped as the words sank in. ''Impressive doesn''t even cover it.'' "How much do we need for this NSI refill?" Lucien''s gaze drifted sideways, his mouth twisting. "About one million dollars." The number hit like a punch. Lucien''s eyes went wide, his body jerking forward before he caught himself. His fingers found the bridge of his nose, massaging away the shock. "One million dollars. For supplement injections. Because of a game. Are you insane?" Harun''s lips pushed out in a pout as he spoke. "Look, cheaper Capsules exist. They work with NSI packs that cost maybe a hundred to a thousand bucks. But quality costs money¡ªthey''re built to work together." He paused, then added quickly: "I''ve got some NSI packs lying around. Enough for you to test the waters, see what all the fuss is about. But first..." His nose wrinkled. "Please, my friend¡ªI''m begging you¡ªhit the bathroom and scrub yourself clean." Lucien let out a long breath and slowly pushed himself up. He started toward the door, then stopped and turned back. "I''ll sell my phone. It''s custom made directly from Nexus Dynamics, only five of it exist so it should fetch around 1.5 million. You can have one million for whatever you need. Deal?" Tears began pooling in Halo''s eyes, threatening to spill over. Lucien''s frown returned. "What now?" "I love you." Lucien winced and stepped back like he''d been burned. "Don''t. That''s creepy as hell." He spun around and marched toward the door, only to freeze mid-step and glance back. "Where the hell is your bathroom?" *** After a few dozen minutes of thorough washing, Lucien stepped out of the steamy compartment of the washroom. He took the white towel folded on a sleek matte black drawer, dried his body, and by chance caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His grey hair clung damply to his forehead, framing a face that looked carved from cold light. Not perfection¡ªno, something sharper. As if he were sculpted to be beautiful only so others would bleed trying to reach him. His eyelids hung low, half-closed in a gaze that hovered somewhere between disdain and detachment. There was an edge to his stare, subtle but undeniable, like the glint of frost on a blade''s curve. Beneath them, those eyes¡ªthose storm-grey eyes¡ªstared back without flinching, as if daring the reflection to lie. It was no surprise how flawless he was in his looks. As a child, he had starred as a model on several occasions. People would often say he took his father''s gentle handsomeness and his mother''s fierce beauty, bringing out the best of what the mix could offer. Even his sister, who was nearly as beautiful as their mother, seemed plain when placed next to him. Everything about him was perfect, and yet... he felt so imperfect, so empty. It was a subtle feeling he had learned to bury, but it had always been there since childhood. Nothing in this world could make his heart race. He had tried everything, but nothing worked. Not dating the most beautiful girl in the world¡ªa goddess in mortal flesh. Not becoming the best at what he did. Not being born rich. Not even sleep and endless laziness. Lucien sighed and pushed the rest of the thought away. ''I may be asking for too much. Let''s just settle in there and sleep for the next twelve hours.'' He wrapped the towel around his body and slowly walked out of the bathroom. After he was done, he wore a white oversized sweatshirt and black track pants that fit perfectly with his frame. Halo took him to the room where the gaming Capsule waited, and in the center of a bland, olive-themed room sat a sleeping beast¡ªsleek, silent, and predatory in its elegance. It didn''t look like a machine so much as a concept car sculpted from a dream¡ªits body was a seamless curve of silver alloy and carbon-forged panels. Halo took a clean towel and carefully wiped the edges of the Capsule. A moment later, he pressed the main button on the right side. Immediately, with a hiss and sigh, the canopy¡ªa single translucent dome¡ªlifted, revealing a cockpit that looked borrowed from a starfighter. Padded in adaptive memory gel and wrapped in a support lattice, the interior cradled the user like a throne built for gods. Modular interface pads lined the armrests, touch-reactive and linked to the nervous system. Holographic UI nodes floated mid-air, waiting for a gesture, a glance, a thought. Halo looked at Lucien and smiled. "This, I call an old beast. I filled it with the extra NSI I have while you were washing. It can last you up to three months." Lucien studied the Capsule with a blank expression. Then, as if remembering something, he looked at Halo with a slight frown. "What if I need to use the toilet?" Halo smiled smugly. "Well, there''s an engineered neural network that tricks your body in that regard. The update of that particular network works hand in hand with the NSI duration. So you''re not gonna pee for the next three months. Of course, unless you leave before then. Also, if anything goes wrong outside here, the in-game system will alert you. As a matter of fact, my own system is built into my household security, so if anything happens in my house, I''ll know. I can even turn off the lights, shut windows and doors of my house from inside the game." Lucien forced out a pale smile. "Wow... okay... I guess I am a little intrigued." Halo smiled and folded his arms. "Don''t worry, you won''t be disappointed. Now hurry up and get in." Lucien slowly entered the pod and sat down, laying his back comfortably. Then slowly the translucent dome lowered and closed with another hiss. He sighed as he closed his eyes. A gentle helm of wires slowly lowered itself onto his head. And inside his mind, he heard a clear, mechanical, and soothing feminine voice. [You are the 9,789,899,081st user to log in] [Welcome to Evolution Online] [Create a User Profile] Chapter 5: Creating Profile Chapter 5 - Creating Profile Lucien found himself floating in a dark void, tiny stars scattered across the endless expanse like diamonds on black velvet. He raised his hand slowly. Though he felt the motion, he couldn''t see his limb against the darkness. If he''d had brows, they would have furrowed. One star moved and flowed, gliding swiftly before it vanished. Another followed, then another. Lucien realized none of the lights stayed still¡ªthey were all diving toward something. They were all diving into the game. So why wasn''t he diving like them? [Create a Profile] The mechanical feminine voice rang out, and an HUD display materialized before his eyes. [What is your name?] [Note: you can use your real name. In the Virtual World, you can hide your name from view and use an Alias instead.] Lucien paused, then sighed. "I''ll go with Cien." [Name: Cien] [Confirm this name one last time with speech] "Cien." [Name "Cien" registered] [Choose your gender?] [Note: you can only start with Male, Female, or Genderless. Any other gender is defined by your actions in the Virtual World] "Male." [Gender "Male" registered] [Confirm your age?] "Twenty-six." [Age: 26 confirmed] [Create your appearance...] [Note: you can use your normal appearance. The system has run a real-life identity check on you. Your real body can be replicated in the Virtual World. You can also make adjustments or create a completely new body] ''I''ll make a few changes.'' A blue hologram appeared before Lucien''s vision, slowly building his exact likeness with unsettling detail. Even the area between his legs was perfectly replicated. The accuracy left him stunned. Then again, technology had reached a new age. He shook his head¡ªat least, it felt like he did, though he was only a spark of light right now. Lucien zoomed in on his face. He traced a long scar across his left eye, stretching from his forehead, over his eye, and down to his cheek''s end. Lucien studied the scar with a satisfied nod. [Your starting stats will be based on your real-life body capabilities] [An external and internal scan has been completed...] [Developing Stats] [Player Stats] Strength: 12 Stamina: 10 Dexterity: 76 Agility: 19 Composure: 75 Intelligence: 189 Wisdom: 23 [Your race has been automatically registered as Human] [Note: any race you wish to become requires achieving specific requirements in the Virtual World] [Choose a Basic Class] [Note: Growth comes from evolution through repeated actions. The base class system reflects this philosophy of modular, adaptive, and combinable roles. Each class has the potential to evolve into complex hybrid classes depending on player choices, behavior, skills, and in-world evolution mechanics] [Fighter] - Core Concept: Melee physical combat. - Focus: Strength, endurance, close-quarters tactics. - Basic Evolutions: Warrior ¡ú Knight ¡ú Warlord - Adaptive Branches: Berserker (rage-based), Duelist (precision-based), Weapon Master (versatile), Juggernaut (tank). [Ranger] - Core Concept: Ranged physical attacks and survival. - Focus: Dexterity, tracking, precision, nature affinity. - Basic Evolutions: Archer ¡ú Sniper ¡ú Hawkeye. - Adaptive Branches: Beast Archer (tames beasts), Shadow Tracker (stealth), Arcane Arrower (magic-infused arrows). [Caster] - Core Concept: Spell-based combat. - Focus: Intelligence, elemental control, ranged AoE magic. - Basic Evolutions: Mage ¡ú Elementalist ¡ú Archmage. - Adaptive Branches: Time Mage, Blood Sorcerer, Gravity Bender, Curse Weaver. [Sentinel] - Core Concept: Defense, support, and control. - Focus: Protection, formation control, resilience. - Basic Evolutions: Guardian ¡ú Aegis ¡ú Shieldbearer. - Adaptive Branches: Spellwarden (magic defense), Counterknight (retaliation-based), Iron Root (immovable tank). [Cleric] - Core Concept: Healing, blessings, and spiritual magic. - Focus: Wisdom, regeneration, divine energy. - Basic Evolutions: Healer ¡ú Priest ¡ú High Cleric ¡ú Saint - Adaptive Branches: Lightbringer (offensive support), Plague Purifier (cleanses debuffs), Martyr (sacrifices health for power). [Trickster] - Core Concept: Deception, mobility, utility. - Focus: Agility, illusion, sabotage. - Basic Evolutions: Rogue ¡ú Assassin ¡ú Phantom. - Adaptive Branches: Hexblade (curse-based), Chronothief (time abilities), Mirage Dancer (evasion-focused). [Engineer] - Core Concept: Constructs, tools, machinery. - Focus: Intelligence, creativity, technology-magic fusion. - Basic Evolutions: Tinkerer ¡ú Artificer ¡ú Technomancer. - Adaptive Branches: Drone Caster, Alchemical Builder, Dimensional Forger. [Class Recommended: Engineer, Caster, Ranger] Lucien studied all the classes intently for a few seconds then shifted his gaze. At that moment, a new display appeared. [You can also decide to be classless until you find something that interests you. However, this decision will cost you, and less than 1% of the population choose to be classless] Lucien smiled. "Well, that''s satisfying. I prefer to be classless." There was no point choosing a class or doing anything, he was going there to enjoy his sleep and laze around. But perhaps, the world would have really great books to offer too. [You have chosen to be classless.] [Basic Player Profile has been created] [PLAYER PROFILE] Name: Cien Alias: none Gender: Male Age: 26 Race: Human Class: None Level: 0 HP: 100 / 100 MP: ¡ª [CORE ATTRIBUTES] Strength: 12 Stamina: 10 Agility: 19 Dexterity: 56 Composure: 75 Intelligence: 189 Wisdom: 23 [SYSTEM NOTES] Status Effect: [Classless] System Flag : None Evolution Path: Undefined Special Trait: None [You are ready to enter the first world of Evolution Online, The Cradle World] [Choose your starting city] [Shae''ratin] City Information: Shae''ratin is a city nestled within the Kingdom of Rhamira, known for its serene landscapes, flowing crystal rivers, and deeply spiritual roots. Governed by the Tri-Seers, a council of dream-readers and elemental sages, Shae''ratin is a haven for scholars, soul-weavers, and mystics. The city is quiet but deceptively complex¡ªbeneath its peace lies a network of ancient ruins and dormant artifacts, remnants of a forgotten age. Gameplay Flavor: Ideal for players who wish to explore soul magic, elemental arts, or uncover hidden lore. Progression here favors intellect, composure, and exploration. [Gungland] City Information: Gungland is the fortified capital of the Daltian Empire, a militarized powerhouse built on conquest, steel, and strict order. Towering walls, steam-fed forges, and disciplined battalions define its skyline. The Emperor''s Edict governs every corner, and only those strong enough to survive the training grounds or gladiatorial pits are granted true citizenship. Gameplay Flavor: Best suited for warrior builds, martial evolution paths, and aggressive PvP players. Gungland offers access to the most advanced early weaponry and beast combat arenas. Strength, stamina, and raw dominance thrive here. [Skyland] [City Information: Skyland is a floating city suspended above the Sea of Mists, held aloft by gravitational cores and techno-arcane engines. Governed by the Harpy Queen, it''s a chaotic blend of innovation and ambition. Trade flows rapidly, and information is currency. The city is divided into tiers¡ªthe rich dwell in the high platforms, while the forgotten masses survive on the drifting underplates. Gameplay Flavor: Perfect for rogue-like classes, engineers, tricksters, and players who prefer adaptive evolution paths. Skyland rewards cunning, speed, and resourcefulness. Expect unstable quests and high risk-reward systems.] Lucien continued to scroll through the list of cities ¡ª and there were a lot of them. He spent some time on it because he wanted to choose somewhere that is going to be very silent and with a serene environment. He was also very aware that this was a dangerous game no matter how appealing it may look, so he needed to find somewhere with less monster populations. Eventually he found a place. [Evelaine Hollow] City Information: while this can be considered a city, it is also more of a sanctuary ¡ª a forested basin at the edge of the Western Continent, hidden beneath a veil of thick mists and whispering trees. Once the location of a thriving elven sanctuary, the Hollow was abandoned after the fall of the Moonshade Pact, an ancient covenant that sealed away a nameless beast in its heart. Gameplay Flavor: The land is quiet. Too quiet. With no common spawn zones nearby and a strangely consistent lack monsters, most players avoid it entirely, dismissing it as a bugged or undeveloped area. "Thanks, I''ll be going to Evelaine Hollow." The system was silent for a bit, almost causing Lucien to worry. Then a new display appeared. [WARNING] You have selected a Non-Standard Starting Region. This zone is classified as: ? Tier III Hostile Domain ? Population: None ? Respawn Point: Unavailable ? Local Economy: Inactive ? Danger Level: Persistent Apex Threat is sealed in the heart of this City. Are you sure you wish to proceed? > YES > NO ''It''s sealed. It''s not like I''m going to walk around unsealing what has been sealed. And since no one comes around too, I don''t have to be worried about any other person unsealing it.'' "Yes. I''d like to proceed." [Access Granted] [Welcome to Evolution Online] Immediately, Lucien felt his world being pulled in, all the darkness around him swirled and vanished in an instant. Then he found himself standing on a green lumpy ground. Chapter 6: Finding Motivation In Unexpected Battles Chapter 6 - Finding Motivation In Unexpected Battles Beep Beep Lucien winced in his sleep and rolled to his other side. The system''s beeping continued, persistent and grating against his ears. It had been a couple of days, perhaps months, since Lucien started living in Evelaine Hollows. And truth be told, it was a peaceful life¡ªlike he had hoped. Though Evelaine Hollow was drenched in perpetual darkness and intermittent, noisy rain. But even the noise of the rain sometimes sounded like soothing ASMR, lulling him into deeper sleep. Beep Beep He had silenced the system notifications of the game to avoid any disturbance. That was why, now, even though the system remained stubborn, Lucien showed no signs of waking up. He slept on a unique bed that seemed crafted from aged but exquisite wood, with foam manufactured from pure cotton. The bed sat in a cottage that appeared to have grown from the enormous branches of a tree rather than been built there. The entire tree shuddered, sending a soft and eerie rustle rippling across the dark and silent Hollows. The murky waters danced with subtle ripples spreading endlessly across their surface. The grasses swayed gently. Everything moved softly at first, then suddenly the pace quickened. Even though Evelaine Hollow was sealed off from the world by strange mist¡ªreceiving no natural breeze or sunlight¡ªa terrifying gale suddenly tore across the dark landscape, violently shaking every part of the Hollows. Even through this chaos, Lucien slept on, snoring peacefully in the cottage suspended in the tree. The violent shaking of the entire Hollows continued, growing even more fierce, until something terrifying ripped from the ground. The earth itself rose, tearing up through the tree. In a single, unbelievable instant, what had seemed like eternal peace suddenly flipped to devastating chaos. Lucien was still sleeping... At least, until the tree holding his little cottage suddenly tilted to one side as the ground itself seemed to want to stand up. He rolled off the bed, crashing against the wall and hitting his head hard. Pain spiraled through his skull like lightning. Then his eyes snapped open, trying to process what the hell had disturbed his beautiful sleep. Sleep in Evolution Online hit deeper than he''d thought it would. It was like sleeping inside his own mind, so it felt truly satisfying. In fact, he almost never did anything else besides sleep¡ªexcept for reading the elven books scattered around the cottage. ''I thought there was not supposed to be any disturbance.'' Before Lucien could continue his thought, a terrifying force rose from the ground, tearing through the tree with its sheer mass. As it ripped the tree apart, every cottage clinging to its branches shattered like glass. Everything was destructive and confusing. Lucien, trapped inside his cottage, felt like he was aboard a ship tumbling through a storm. Eventually he was thrown out with terrible force, crashing straight into the waters with a tremendous splash. He rolled until he smashed his back against a lump of rock, feeling sharp pain tear into his chest from behind. Beep Beep Frowning, Lucien got up. As he did, his eyes slowly widened as he saw what had disturbed his sleep. His heart was beating... very fast... with fear. He understood that this was a game... or did he? What he saw in front of him felt more real than anything he had ever experienced. Granted, he had never seen a creature like this before in his life. He could see and feel as clearly as he could in the real world. Everything was real, and at the back of his mind, he tried talking to himself. ''Calm down Lucien, this is just a game. Calm down Lucien, this is just a game. Calm the hell down Lucien, this is just a game!'' His chest rose and fell, his eyes frozen, sweat slowly rolling down his face. It looked like something born from a nightmare no mind should have. Not just scary¡ªoffensively real. Wrongly real. And yet... "Why the hell does this feel amazing?" He was afraid. But beneath that fear, something old and primal cracked open in his chest. It was strange. His heart was beating fast, he could feel something heavy twisting inside it, and at the same time, he was riding a level of adrenaline that he had never experienced before. So much so that a small, crooked smile slowly broke across his face. There was a strange silence that didn''t feel right... then the bastard of a thing turned and lunged forward with a speed that a creature its size should not possess. Lucien spun around and ran, shoving himself through the woods. The creature slammed into the next tree, easily causing it to collapse and crash into the one in front. It struggled briefly, tearing the enormous tree apart with its large forearms to pursue the strange human. Meanwhile, Lucien was already running deeper into the Hollows. He had never even tried venturing this far in the past few months he''d been staying here. However, he wasn''t thinking about that. He wasn''t thinking about anything. He just wanted to find a place to hide. He broke into a building made of concrete, embedded at the edge of the forest. After entering its large hall, he slammed the metallic door shut and exhaled, breathing hard as he staggered back, wondering if the metallic door could even hold the monster. Beep He frowned and turned his attention away from the door, finally unsilencing the system. A pile of messages poured into his vision, accompanied by the same voice. [Please choose a class] [Please choose a class] [Please choose a class] [...] [Please increase your level] [Please increase your level] [Please increase your level] [Please increase your level] [Please increase your level] [Please increase your level] [...] [Congratulations] [You have achieved the impossible in the world of Evolution] [Every action and inaction in Evolution Online is rewarded] [You have been sleeping for 399 days, 21 hours, 34 seconds.] [No player has been inactive for 399 days, while being active in this game] [You have done something no one else has dared.] [You walked the path of inaction through a world of endless action.] [You have touched the Source Code.] [If Evolution is a path away from the Source Code into the diversities of impossibilities. You have found a path that returns to the Source Code through fusion of diversities of impossibilities] [Fusion Path unlocked.] Thud! The sound suddenly made Lucien snap his eyes upward. The enormous monster was already upon him¡ªjust one hit against the door had echoed throughout the entire Sanctuary. He clenched his fist as a strange surge rippled through his heart. ''I want to fight it.'' ''I want to defeat it.'' ''I want to win.'' It was a strange feeling. Lucien really saw no way he could defeat the monster. Besides the fact that he wasn''t even level one, the monster had a whopping [Level 120] floating above its head in thick blood-red letters. But he still wanted to fight, and he wanted to win. It was a strange feeling, but it had his entire body pumping with blood¡ªexcitement, purpose, life. It was so strange. Throughout his pursuit of excellence, and at every milestone where he''d flawlessly excelled, he''d felt nothing as exciting as this. Had he been focusing on the wrong thing this entire time? Was school really a scam? And gaming was the way? The thrill of wanting to defeat something undefeatable, of wanting to survive. It was so intoxicating! Thud! Lucien shivered as another massive blow rippled through the Sanctuary. The metallic double door was already tearing away from its hinges. [Congratulations] The voice echoed in his ears, distracting him for a moment. [New Class Unlocked] [Do you want to accept it?] The massive door suddenly flew with great speed, crashing into Lucien and throwing him backward. [You have lost 34 Health Points] [You have lost 23 Health Points] [You have lost 17 Health Points] Lucien continued to roll and crash into the pillars of the great hall until he slammed against the altar of the Sanctuary. The massive creature stood on its hind limbs, its tail slithering across the ground. It took its massive forelimbs and crashed through the upper entrance of the temple, giving itself enough height to enter. Its eyes burned with fierce malevolence, and its entire obsidian body was scaled with jagged lines that seeped with ominous crimson light. Each step the creature took seemed to make the entire ground tremble. It looked like a black Godzilla, its maws dangerously equipped with terrible sharp teeth, its claws at the ready as it marched closer. Lucien saw a silver sword with a delicately designed golden handle on the altar and picked it up quickly. Immediately he heard the voice. [You have found an Artifact-grade item: Sword Of The Forsaken] [You have received a Legendary Hidden Quest] Lucien was trying not to be disturbed by everything the system was saying. Instead: ''I accept the class, I accept everything, as long as I can defeat this thing.'' He gritted his teeth as he watched the monster draw closer with a wicked pace, like a predator circling its meal. Lucien raised the silver sword up, but he could feel it trembling in his hand. The Black Godzilla lowered its forelimb and suddenly charged forward with all four limbs, its massive tail whipping against all the pillars and shattering them instantly. Lucien gritted his teeth and shifted to the side, hoping to dodge the charge and attack from the side while the monster crashed into the altar. But he was too slow. Before his legs could even carry him away, he felt his entire world go blank as the Black Godzilla crashed into him and the altar together. Everything shattered and sprayed with a shockwave that rippled across the hall. [You have lost 17 Health Points] [...] Darkness swallowed him. [You have died.] [You won''t be able to log in for 48 real-world hours.] Lucien blinked into black nothingness. And laughed. "That... was amazing." Chapter 7: The Change Chapter 7 - The Change The Capsule''s dome hissed as it lifted the moment Lucien logged out. He opened his eyes and stepped out slowly. Halo had already heard the prior beeping and was approaching with a steaming cup of coffee, vapor curling into the air like morning mist. As he reached the doorway, he leaned against the frame and crossed one leg over the other, ready to observe Lucien. A frown creased his brow. "Huh? Are you... smiling?" Lucien raised his head slowly to look at his friend, who brought the coffee to his lips while staring with dazed eyes. He walked closer and gently took the cup from Halo''s hands, then brought it to his own mouth. A soft, delighted smile played on his lips. He looked up and exhaled deeply. "Haaa... life sure is good when you die." Lucien walked away from the room without a glance back. He paused at the doorway and turned. "Right. Can I borrow your PC for the next forty-eight hours?" Halo''s response came after a beat. "It''s in my room, straight down to your right." Lucien nodded, that soft smile still lingering. "Alright. Let me freshen up first, then I''ll get to it. I have a lot to learn about Evolution Online in the next forty-eight hours." He turned toward the bathroom but stopped and looked back. "What is the Fusion Path?" Halo''s frown deepened. "Fusion Path? Never heard of it. There''s only the Evolution Path¡ªthat''s the whole point of the game." Lucien nodded. "Right, right. I see." He turned to leave, but Halo snapped out of his surprise and caught up to him. "Wait, what happened in there? I thought you said you found somewhere peaceful. Why does it look like you got killed?" Lucien''s voice was flat. "I did get killed." Halo grabbed his shoulder, stopping him. His eyes flashed with a dangerous fire. "Was it a player? Tell me. I''ll make their next five hundred days in Evo pure hell. They''ll keep dying, unable to access field or dungeon raids. All their items will be lost, and even their friends and family will suffer for their sins. Just tell me." Lucien smiled tenderly and removed his friend''s hand from his shoulder. "Don''t worry about it, Harun. It wasn''t a player, and I have plans to get back at the bastard myself." His face darkened, something cold creeping into his expression. "I will shred every scale from its body. I will gouge its eyes out, sever its limbs and hang them like trophies. Every tooth in its mouth will become a delicate piece in my collection." A maniacal grin split his lips. "And I am going to savor every moment of it. Oh my God! How I look forward to this. I have never anticipated anything like this in my entire life." He paused and looked at Halo with genuine gratitude, touching his shoulder lightly. "Thank you, my friend, for showing me the way." Then he turned and disappeared into the bathroom. Halo stood frozen, mouth agape, eyes unfocused. What in the world just happened? "Why... do I feel like I''ve introduced Evo to something that should never have gotten into Evo?" Soon, the sound of the shower began beating against the walls, and through it all, Halo could hear a melodious hum floating from within. It was strange and unsettling. Lucien had never been motivated to bathe properly. He simply did it because he had to¡ªwhen stepping out¡ªand often preferred a quick rinse. Sometimes it seemed like he was trying to look bad on purpose. Halo always felt that if Lucien took better care of himself and his hygiene, he''d probably steal half the city''s girlfriends. But Lucien was indifferent to all of that. He was indifferent to everything! And that same guy was now taking a proper shower? Why? What happened in there? Lucien emerged wearing a robe. He looked at Halo with a steady gaze and placed the empty cup in his hand. "Thanks for this." Halo''s mind went blank. ''He even said thank you!'' Everything was happening so fast it felt unreal. Lucien strolled away casually, and half a minute later, entered Halo''s room. The space was themed in white with azure blue lights lining the ceiling corners, casting an ethereal glow. The bed sat low without a frame, but blue light traced beneath it, making it appear to float. Beside the bed stood Halo''s Capsule¡ªa sleek, sharp pod made of black glass. In the right corner sat a simple white floating desk with a wheeled chair positioned perfectly in front. On the desk: a curved monitor and white keyboard. Lucien settled into the seat and began working the PC. He had a few things to check. He entered the Evolution Online player forum and typed: Level 120 - Black Godzilla. Responses poured in moments later. Eggricydles: "Huh? What is that?" ServantofLust: "Which area?" Sharpshooter: "Never heard of it." Simp4Lyra: "Are you trying to ragebait? What the hell is black godzilla?!" NecroQueen999: "LMAO is this a creepypasta event? Level 120 and you call it Black Godzilla? Get some lore, my guy." BanmeDaddy: "Bro''s cooking fanfic again ???? ain''t no ''Black Godzilla'' in Evo unless it''s some dev joke. Post a screenshot next time." CryoLancer: "Bro you''re either high, or cursed. If it''s the second, I''d recommend deleting your character. Not even kidding." MuffinKing23: "Y''all chill¡ªthis sounds like a new boss teaser. Devs probably leaked a silhouette to hype it up." VOID_Eater9: "Black Godzilla is what we call it. That''s not its name. But if you saw it, you''re marked now." ''So even they don''t know what it is...'' Lucien scrolled through the comments, disgust spreading across his face at the absurdity of each person''s reply. He hissed and typed something else. How much preparation does a Level 0 need to kill a Level 120 monster? WhiteStalker: "Huh?" AncientSwordsman: "Meditate for one thousand years. Reach enlightenment, discover the true path to nirvana and abandon your mortal body, surpass heaven''s will and don the armor of the Jade Emperor." DemiLich420: "You don''t. That''s the answer. You don''t kill a Level 120 boss as a Level 0 unless you''re a dev, a myth, or a terminally ill speedrunner." RawdogRonin: "Forget the level gap. Even if you were 119, you''d still die like a tutorial mob. Only thing Level 0s can kill is their own hope." TittyTitan99: "Can''t lie, I respect the grindset. You see a world-ending behemoth and your first thought is, ''How do I murder it with bare hands and a dream?''" VOID_Eater9: "You don''t understand. If it saw you, it''s already over. There''s no escape mechanic. No logout safety. It doesn''t even drop loot. It drops regret." CursedCleric: "I had a friend who mentioned Black Godzilla. Next day his house IRL caught fire. Not saying it''s related, but... you tell me." MetaMage42: "Level doesn''t matter. What you need is curse-dampening gear, five anti-chaos sigils, and the Rite of Reverse-Binding. Oh, and a death wish." SleepyDruid: "Technically, the damage scaling in Evo does allow a Level 0 to hurt higher-level mobs. But the percentage is so tiny, you''d have to hit it 8 billion times. And not die once." Simp4Lyra: "Bro really said ''I got killed by a walking apocalypse'' and immediately logged in to ask how to kill it back. LMAO we found the villain arc protagonist." Lucien leaned back in the chair, frowning slightly. "Why does it seem like everyone on this forum has a dozen screws loose?" Chapter 8: I Can Fuse With All Things Chapter 8 - I Can Fuse With All Things Lucien sat hunched over his screen for sixteen hours straight, digging through everything he could find about Evolution Online¡ªspecifically, Evelaine Hollows. What he scraped together was barely more than scraps he already knew. The strange Moonshade Pact had thrived in the game''s early days before vanishing without a trace. Their territory now lay cut off from the Western Continent by an impenetrable mist. He stumbled across several forum threads and discovered what Artifact-grade items truly meant. They were beyond rare. One user had offered fifty million dollars for a single piece. Another player tried to outbid him, and the thread nearly turned into a full auction before an admin shut it down. Hours of research filled his head with faces of prominent players. His friend Halo appeared in a few discussions, though far less than legends like the Demon God and Ice Empress. Information overload finally drove Lucien to the kitchen. Harun had stocked the house with basic supplies, and the cooking skills he''d picked up in school served him well enough. He threw together simple noodles with chicken and egg, made some in-game purchases online, and converted his remaining cash into Evo currency while he ate. Afterward, he collapsed onto Halo''s bed. Halo spent most of the time glued to his phone, talking to some girl. Sometimes he paced by the wall for hours. Other times he sprawled in the chair with his legs crossed. Lucien caught fragments of the conversation, but it wasn''t his business. Still, anyone could tell his friend had fallen hard. Poor Harun. Lucien killed time for the rest of the forty-eight-hour lockout. Waiting felt like torture, especially when he remembered how reluctant he''d been to start playing just three months ago. Finally, the endless hours crawled by, and Lucien logged back in with his pulse racing. [Welcome Back Player Cien] [Due to Unavailability of Respawn Point in Evelaine Hollow, you will be revived at Thelvaine''s Edge.] A new world spread before his eyes. Ancient ruins stretched in every direction, choked with thick vines that twisted around towering pillars. Moss blanketed the broken structures, and murky pools of water filled the cracks in shattered stone. Only the area around the Respawn Altar remained clear. A wide platform connected the altar to solid ground. At its center sat a stone figure, cross-legged and bowed in eternal prayer. Lucien walked forward and settled on the platform''s steps. His first challenge stared him in the face¡ªfinding Evelaine Hollows. The mysterious mist that sealed it from the world made it nearly impossible to locate, let alone enter. But finding it was his only real problem. He already held the key. [SWORD OF THE FORSAKEN Lv. 100] Item Type: Weapon Rarity: Artifact Binding: Unbound Durability: 350/890 - Base Damage: 800 ~ 1,000 Attack Speed: + 50 Special Effect: [You have a critical chance of 30.5% when fighting nature type monsters.] - Evolution Potential: Dormant [Slay the Black Godzilla to unlock Evolution] - Item Information: [When the Moonshade Pact ruled at the dawn of time, this sword served as their symbol of power. It has become the only key that can pierce the portals within the mist.] As he studied the HUD display, Lucien suddenly remembered. ''Right. I received a hidden quest. Let me see what that''s about...'' Using just his thoughts, he summoned the unread messages. [Hidden Quest (Unique)] Quest Information: Ten thousand years ago, when the Cradle World came into being, the Elves of the Moonshade Pact were among the first to walk the land. However, while trying to seal a primal evil, they were betrayed by their own kin. The strongest race of elves was sealed away. - Unseal the Ancient Race of Wood Elves by spilling the blood of the Black Godzilla upon the altar of the Evelaine Sanctuary. Quest Reward: +1000 Reputation, +5 levels, +10,000 reputation amongst the Wood Elves of Moonshade, A Bespoke Weapon and Armor set of your choice, forged by the lost art of the Moonshade Pact, unmatched in the Cradle World. A small smile touched his lips. "So many rewards for something I''ll enjoy doing. That''s perfect." He sighed and slowly stood up. "First, I need to level up. If there''s one thing I learned from the forums, it''s that a level zero player challenging a level 120 monster is beyond absurd. As much as I want to defy the odds, I have to be realistic. So I need to gain some levels." He paused and looked around. "But thanks to my brilliant decision-making, I chose a place with no monsters. My only options now are waiting for someone to come fetch me, or journeying away from here to hunt. The problem is that Thelvaine''s Edge¡ªthe closest respawn point on the northern edge of the Western Continent¡ªis a level 80 zone. "So if I try to reach the city, I''ll face monsters between level 60 and 80. At least level 50. And I''m level... negative one." Lucien released a frustrated sigh. "If only I''d known gaming would be this intense, I would''ve prepared better. All I wanted was to sleep... how''s that working out for you now, buddy?" He opened his player profile. "At the same time, this new path I unlocked and my class should offer something useful, right?" [PLAYER PROFILE] Name: Cien Alias: none Gender: Male Age: 26 Race: Human Class: Classless Level: -1 HP: 100 / 100 MP: ¡ª FP: 0 - [CORE ATTRIBUTES] Strength: 12 Stamina: 10 Agility: 19 Dexterity: 76 Composure: 75 Intelligence: 189 Wisdom: 23 - [SYSTEM NOTES] Status Effect: [You can use any item, skill and buffs that belong to any class.] System Flag: Fusion Fusion Tier: I (You can temporarily fuse with anything between level 1 - 100 for Fusion Points ranging from 5 to 1,000) Fusion Acquired: None Special Trait: None Lucien''s eyes widened as he finished reading, especially the last part. He looked at the silver sword in his hand, a sudden idea sparking in his mind. Then he touched the blade. "Fuse." [You do not have enough Fusion Points] [You need 1,000 Fusion Points to fuse with Sword Of The Forsaken] [You can gain Fusion Points by slaying monsters] ''...but it''s possible. It''s really possible to fuse with anything. And what would happen if I fused with the sword? Damn, I''m so excited to find out, I can''t just sit around!'' On top of everything, he could use items from any class. The limitations that should have restricted his fusion ability were completely gone with his Classless status. "Is this even supposed to be possible? Isn''t this like a bug or something?" Lucien stared at his hands, trembling with excitement. He could almost hear his heart pounding. "That''s it... I''m going for it. Either I get killed, or I kill something." The only problem was... Lucien looked around the vast ruins. There didn''t seem to be any way out except one place. Behind the statue was a silent waterfall that beat endlessly against the ground. It was the source of the murky pools that had cracked the concrete floor and fed the moss and thick vines with nutrients. Lucien walked closer to the waterfall, circling the statue. ''This wouldn''t be one of those situations where the waterfall has a hidden entrance, right? Like in those old novels¡ªconvenient tropes, really.'' Even as he thought this, Lucien could see darkness behind the curtain of water. He grinned. ''Really convenient tropes.'' Lucien walked into the waterfall, letting it pelt and drench him for a moment before stepping through into a cavern entrance. A narrow passage stretched ahead, and blue ghostly flames began flickering to life along the walls. Instantly, Lucien saw a message. [Congratulations] [You are the first person to find the first Dungeon that emerged in the Cradle World] [A Hidden Scenario is unlocking...] [After ten years of stagnation, the MAIN QUEST is finally proceeding...] That last message was a world announcement. Only Lucien didn''t know it... yet. Chapter 9: The Pumpkin Player Chapter 9 - The Pumpkin Player "Open inventory." [INVENTORY] - Greater Healing Potion ¡Á35 - Laphoen''s Necklace lv.1 - Blessing of Strength lv.1 - Smaller Fire Tome lv.1 - Elipitis Shard of Defense lv.1 - Night and Day Daggers lv.1 - Sword of the Forsaken lv.100 These were all the items Lucien managed to buy with his leftover money before transferring them to his gaming profile. All he had to do was create an online profile that linked to his gaming account, and the items transferred automatically. The only problem? They cost a fortune. He''d blown every last cent from selling his custom phone. Still, he''d seen forum posts claiming these items were cheaper in-game. Just another way for players to scam newcomers. He gritted his teeth and exhaled slowly. ''I chose this path anyway. There''s no way I could''ve gotten items in Evelaine Hollow, and even here.'' Lucien studied his inventory for a moment. Then¡ª "Equip Elipitis Shard of Defense..." Blue light swirled around his body, forming what looked like... a delicate pink pumpkin costume. The shoulder pauldrons resembled oversized pink pumpkins. The chest plate was dry wood painted bubblegum pink. His lower half was covered by thin silk pants and worn leather sandals that screamed "beggar chic." Lucien stared down at himself, his face twisting in disgust. ''...I''ve been scammed.'' The seller had posted images of sleek silver armor with flowing blue fabric. It had looked incredible. What I ordered versus what I got¡ªclassic. ''That bastard... Once I''m done here, I''ll hunt you down in this game and squeeze back every drop of my money.'' [ELIPITIS SHARD OF DEFENSE Lv. 1] Item Type: Armor Rarity: Common Binding: Unbound Durability: 50/50 ¡ª Physical Defense: +10 Special Effect: none ¡ª Evolution Potential: Dormant [Add 100 Evolution Point to activate Evolution Path] "Three hundred thousand dollars for this." His voice was flat. Lucien shook his head, forcing himself to move past it. He hated looking like a walking jack-o''-lantern, but this would have to do. He''d bought these items to take down the Black Godzilla, though deep down he knew they probably wouldn''t make a dent. Still, luck had smiled on him today when he''d stumbled across the most ancient dungeon in Cradle World. [You have equipped Sword of the Forsaken lv.100] [Your Base Damage is now 847] [You have equipped Laphoen''s Necklace lv.1] [Your Agility has increased by +3] [You have equipped Blessing of Strength lv.1] [Your Strength has increased by +5] [You have equipped Smaller Fire Tome lv.1] [You can learn skill Smaller Fireball lv.1 for 100 EP/FP] Lucien''s eyes lingered on the final message. ''Shame I don''t have any of those points yet.'' He gripped the sword''s handle, its weight solid in his palm. Ahead lay the narrow passage of the dungeon ¡ª a challenge meant for teams of three to seven players. He was going in alone. It wasn''t long before he encountered his first monster. As he walked deeper into the ghostly lit passage, the smell hit him first¡ªrain on swamp mixed with a rank, furry stench. He naturally began to suspect he was getting closer to the monsters. Then suddenly, a pair of sharp red eyes ignited in the dark. Lucien paused and stepped back carefully, gripping the sword with both hands. He hadn''t really learned how to fight, but the mechanics were there in his head. If someone knew physics well enough, taking advantage of motion, force, and momentum was bound to give results. He just needed patience and caution. The only problem was his heart. His heart pounded with such excitement that he feared he might slip. Having to fight for his life, knowing that one mistake could mean real pain, made him dizzy with adrenaline. He didn''t want to get hurt, obviously, and he didn''t want to lose. But the thought of battling for survival felt like stepping into an entirely new world. He was even blushing when the creature suddenly lunged from the darkness. The Sword of the Forsaken was a blessing. Last time, Lucien had been caught off guard by the Godzilla''s terrifying speed despite its massive size. But what came at him now was a four-legged creature¡ªa black furry wolf with blood-red eyes and three tails. The wolf was alone, charging toward him with raw ferocity. Above it, blood-red letters read: [Black Wolf Lv.40] A level -1 killing a level 40 was impossible. But there were several anomalies here. Lucien dodged right as the massive Black Wolf shot at him, then immediately shoved left, using his momentum to crash into the wolf. Both of them slammed against the wall. [You have lost 4 Health Points] ''Ouch.'' Lucien smiled as they crashed. He pulled back immediately, but not fully¡ªstabbing the wolf in its lower leg and yanking the sword free as he stood up. [You have dealt 877 damage.] The Black Wolf lunged at him as he staggered back. Clearly, he''d underestimated its speed. Before he could take two steps backward, the creature pounced on him and bit into the wooden armor on his chest, shredding it with madness glinting in its eyes. [Your Armor has been damaged] [Your Armor has been damaged] [You have lost 29 HP] Lucien seized the opportunity. As he fell, he drove the sword into the creature''s neck and hit the ground hard. [You have dealt 914 damage] [You have dealt Critical Damage] [You have dealt 1056 damage] [You have lost 13 Health Points] [You have received Critical Head Damage] [You have lost 47 Health Points] [You have killed Black Wolf Lv. 40] [You have gained ¡Á1 Black Wolf Claw] [You have gained ¡Á1 Black Wolf Fur] [You have gained 1,200 Fusion Points] [You have leveled up] [You have leveled up] [You have leveled up] [You have gained a title] [You have accomplished something no player has ever accomplished.] [A Worldwide Announcement has been made.] [A Strange Level -1 Player doused in Pumpkin Armor has achieved the impossible, killing a Level 40 monster in just two hits and therefore gaining the epic title: Sharp-Killer] Chapter 10: The Anomaly Chapter 10 - The Anomaly Thama-of-then-undead: "Wait, am I seeing this right? A few minutes ago, there was an announcement about the main quest starting back up. We''re still trying to wrap our heads around that. Now a ¨C1 level player just killed a level 40 monster? How is that even possible?" Lord Huron: "Has to be a system glitch. A level ¨C1 doesn''t even exist." VOID_Eater9: "The Dark Lord has finally joined the game." Mr Handsome: "@Sharpshooter, this you?" RawdogRonin: "Guys, I think Fae and her guild are already making moves. I heard they did a raid yesterday and they''re trying to figure out how to push the main quest forward." Sharpshooter: "Idiot, it says Sharp-Killer. I''m Sharpshooter because I''m one of the best snipers¡ªif not the best¡ªat least in Cavenhigh." Mr Handsome: "I can hear a lot of hesitation in that statement." Sharpshooter: "Shut up!" xX_GrimSpitter_Xx: "Imagine getting your first PvE kill and the Evo brands you Sharp-Killer. Dude probably skipped the tutorial and got thrown straight into the fire." LagFiend: "I''m telling you, it''s a marketing stunt. No way some pumpkin-wrapped Christmas gift just obliterates a Lv. 40." TeacupSorcerer: "Be honest. How many of you squinted at your screen when it said ''level -1''?" MadMonk007: "''Doused in Pumpkin Armor'' is insane. Imagine making history while looking like a grocery store reject." FaeTheUnfallen (Verified): "...Interesting." Daroxha: "Yooooo Lady Fae commented on this peasant platform! Lady Fae, I want to dedicate my life to serving you¡ªplease make me your slave!" TittyTitan99: "Guys, listen to me! You won''t believe this! I think I know the guy. I sold him that pumpkin armor!" RawdogRonin: "What? You''re the one responsible for the Pumpkin Reaper''s nightmare?!" TittyTitan99: "I was just trying to grow my business. It''s been hell trying to level up my blacksmithing skills, so I switched to tailoring instead. I was short on resources, so that was my first cheap prototype. I might have used the Empire Knight Armor picture when I uploaded it to the marketplace. And I priced it at three hundred thousand dollars." MetaMage42: "And he actually bought it? Using the Empire Knight Armor picture¡ªthat''s an obvious scam. Everyone knows that armor." TittyTitan99: "Exactly! I was shocked when he paid three hundred thousand for it! Dude must be loaded!" RawdogRonin: "You... evil." TittyTitan99: "I''ve already bought materials for my next prototype. I''m thinking of using the Western Alliance uniform picture this time." AncientSwordsman: "Shouldn''t you use that money to buy blacksmithing skill books and actually improve?" MadMonk007: "Bro, that''s exactly what I was thinking." TittyTitan99: "No! Scamming is my true calling now." MadMonk007: "Anyway... anyone know this guy''s username? I want to add him." TittyTitan99: "Oh, he used an anonymous account. But he was also the same guy ranting about some Black Godzilla yesterday." MadMonk007: "Black Godzilla?" Sharpshooter: "Ohhh, that guy!" MuffinKing23: "I remember him too. Definitely looks like the type to get scammed, lol." MuffinKing23: "@TittyTitan99, can I enter your DM, I have a real business idea for you. And I''d recommend deleting your comments after we are done talking." TittyTitan99: "Uhmm... Okay, sure." *** On the bustling island, filled with cutting-edge glass buildings rising from the waterfront, stood an obsidian titan of curved glass and liquid steel. Spiraling bands of carbon-alloy wrapped around its surface, glowing softly with neural-blue light. This entire island, with every glass building, was the hub where the gaming world took shape, and the towering skyscraper itself was the crown jewel of EVO. Every level of the tower buzzed with activity¡ªdevelopers, engineers, and countless others moved through its halls like blood through veins. In a wide, white office, clean and almost wastefully spacious, a man sat before a holographic screen. His beard was rough and unkempt, dark circles carved deep beneath his eyes. He pushed his glasses up his nose, watching the holographic display with a troubled expression that made his face look older than his years. A young lady burst through his office door, her heels clicking against the floor in rapid succession. She stopped in front of his desk and slammed down the sleek white tablet in her hand. The tablet''s screen displayed a system announcement that had set the community ablaze for the past ten minutes. Her voice cut through the air, harsh and unforgiving. "I can wrap my head around the Main Quest situation. But what is this? I don''t remember the Lore and Title department creating a title from the dungeon we deleted." The man''s frown deepened as he lifted his eyes from the tablet to meet hers. "I''m just as lost as you are, Director. None of us touched anything." The lady leaned closer, her tight blouse straining as she pressed her palms against the desk. "So what are you saying? This is all Gaia?" The man shrugged, removed his glasses, and rubbed his tired eyes like a man trying to wake from a nightmare. "From day one, we built Gaia to evolve herself using all available information¡ªto give EVO unlimited evolutionary possibilities. But in ten years, she''s never been this unpredictable. Which means we might have a very dangerous player on our hands." The lady slapped her forehead and stepped back from the desk, slowly lifting her tablet. "Can''t we just ban his account and kick him out?" The man''s expression darkened like storm clouds gathering, and the air in the room seemed to thicken. "That''s corporate suicide, Alicia. We need to discuss this with the Chairman first. Besides, if Gaia won''t let you delete him, she might become even more erratic. More incidents like this could spiral out of control¡ªnew title creations, changes to lore, even power system modifications. We can''t let our own creation hijack our masterpiece. We have to tread carefully." The lady exhaled and let her shoulders drop like a deflated balloon. "Damn it. The irregulars already have me working overtime. Now there''s this mess. Why can''t people just play games like normal human beings for once?" She stormed out of his office, her frustration trailing behind her like smoke. The man stared at the door for several minutes before turning back to his screen. He tapped the table, and the display shifted. A small frown creased his brow like a crack in stone. "Seems no one else has noticed. Fusion? What the hell is Gaia planning now?" He leaned back in his chair, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. "More importantly... who the hell is this guy?" Chapter 11: Fusion Chapter 11 - Fusion [You have leveled up] A grin spread across Lucien''s lips as he watched his level climb higher. He couldn''t find words for the feeling, but it filled him with such raw excitement that all he wanted was to stay here¡ªkeep killing, dodge death, fight through the pain, and deal it back twice as hard. Strange that he enjoyed it. Even stranger that he''d never cared for boxing or any combat sport. Maybe there was a difference between watching others fight and throwing the punches yourself. He loved this battlefield where he was trapped, every heartbeat spent dodging injury, every breath stolen from death''s grasp. The rush was intoxicating. Complete. That''s why he didn''t mind the cuts and bruises scattered across his body. Better yet, he wasn''t dying so easily now. Nine level ups had boosted his health from a measly hundred to nine hundred points. Death felt further away. Sure, the Black Wolves grew stronger and smarter as he pushed deeper into the dungeon. But that was the whole point of his joy. [PLAYER PROFILE] Name: Cien Alias: Sharp-Killer Gender: Male Age: 26 Race: Human Class: Classless Level: 8 HP: 900 / 900 MP: ¡ª FP: 2,379 - [CORE ATTRIBUTES] Strength: 12 Stamina: 10 Agility: 19 Dexterity: 76 Composure: 75 Intelligence: 189 Wisdom: 23 Available Stat points: 27 (45) - [SYSTEM NOTES] Status Effect: [You can use any item, skill and buffs that belong to any class.] System Flag: Fusion Fusion Tier: I (You can temporarily fuse with anything between level 1 - 100 for Fusion Points ranging from 5 to 1,000) Fusion Acquired: None Special Trait: None [Note: Each level up grants +3 generic stats point and +5 Class-specific stat points. However, you can distribute all available stats freely because of the peculiarity of your Class] Lucien studied the message at the bottom, nodding slowly as he absorbed the information before it vanished. His eyes returned to the profile screen. ''I need to put these points where they''ll help me control my body better. I''m not fast enough¡ªthat''s clear. Every time I strike these monsters, I pay for it with blood, and that''s only when I''m quick enough to land the hit. Agility needs work.'' He drew a breath. "Ten points to agility." [Your Agility has increased by +10] "Twenty to stamina." [Your Stamina has increased by +20] The agility boost felt invisible, but stamina hit like a wave. Energy flowed through him, washing away the fatigue that had been creeping into his muscles. Though no status debuff had appeared, he''d felt like a runner gasping for air. Even this small taste left him hungry for more. Evolution Online really was something else. He studied his remaining attributes. ''Now I''m choosing between strength and speed. Part of me wants to dump everything into strength, but I think I''d rather be fast than strong. I don''t need to crush bones¡ªI just need enough power to move my body the way I want. Most people miss this, but speed gives you better momentum and balance. Not that strength is useless...'' He exhaled. ''What am I doing, giving myself a lecture?'' "Fifteen points to strength." [Your Strength has increased by +15] "Ten more to agility." [Your Agility has increased by +10] [You have 17 stat points remaining] He nodded. Much better. ''Now for the best part...'' Lucien summoned his inventory. [INVENTORY] - Greater Healing Potion ¡Á31 - Laphoen''s Necklace lv.1 (In use) - Blessing of Strength lv.1 (In use) - Smaller Fire Tome lv.1 - Elipitis Shard of Defense lv.1 (In use) - Wolf Fur ¡Á8 - Wolf Claw ¡Á3 - Night and Day Daggers lv.1 - Sword of the Forsaken lv.100 (In use) He narrowed his eyes. ''I can fuse with anything, right?'' A small glass bottle filled with crimson liquid materialized in his hand, emerging from blue light. The moment it appeared, the system HUD sparked to life without him saying a word. [Do you want to fuse with Greater Healing Potion ¡Á1 for 150 Fusion Points] Lucien''s eyes widened slightly. ''It really works!'' "Yes." Light burst from his palm like scattered stars, and the bottle dissolved as the glow faded back into his skin. [You have fused with one Greater Healing Potion] [Your health will automatically replenish itself by 100 Health Points.] One healing potion gave him a hundred health points. A one-time boost, but the real advantage was clear¡ªno more fumbling for potions mid-fight. His health would restore itself while he focused on the kill. He''d never seen anything like this in Evo. The whole point of the game was realism, and auto-healing broke that immersion. Players were supposed to feel every wound, every desperate gulp of a potion. ''Well, some rare items might offer this kind of convenience.'' But he wasn''t using any items. This was pure fusion. A wicked grin crept across his face. ''Looks like I''ll be spending a fortune on healing potions.'' Chapter 12: Red Wolves Troubles Chapter 12 - Red Wolves Troubles Lucien slipped the earring from his ear. [You have unequipped Blessing of Strength] [You have fused with item Blessing of Strength for 100 FP] [Your strength stat has increased by +5] His eyes narrowed as he studied the notifications. ''Time to step things up.'' A small red book materialized in his hands, its cover hard and weathered like ancient leather. [Do you want to learn Skill Fireball for 100 FP?] [Do you want to fuse with Fire Tome for 1,000 FP?] The two HUD displays hovered before his eyes, casting him into uncertainty. He stroked his chin, wrestling with the choice. Why could he both learn and fuse? What set the two apart? ''Maybe it''s about how I use them?'' Learning the skill made sense¡ªhis Classless Class allowed that much. But fusing with the entire tome? That was different territory. If the Fire Tome only offered a simple fireball, the results might be identical. But Lucien doubted shooting fireballs was all fusion would grant him. He wasn''t merging with just the skill¡ªhe was merging with the tome itself. Still, he couldn''t predict what else he''d gain. The nagging thought remained that all his fusions were temporary, each carrying its own expiration rules. Take the healing potions¡ªone use, then gone. The Blessing of Strength had consumed the earring completely, yet the stats lingered. He had no clue what it would take to strip away that [+5]. Though he had his suspicions. ''Let me test the last fusion first. Then we finish this raid and come back to this properly, whatever It has to offer will be best with the Black Godzilla, not these.'' Blue light swirled around his hand as two stilettos took form in his grip. One blade was matte-black, the other snow-white. [Do you want to fuse with Night and Day Dagger lv.1 for 1,000 Fusion points] The moment he agreed, light spiraled around the daggers and dissolved them into his skin. [You have gained +3 strength stat] [You have gained +3 speed stat] [Your attack power has increased to +10] [You have received a Special Trait: Your attack can deal cutting damage] [Note: If Special Traits are used and mastered consistently for a long while, they can remain even after their Fused Sources has been lost due to unavailability of Fusion points.] Lucien stared at his hands, dazed. ''So I can cut things with my bare hands?'' A grin carved across his face. [Note: Special Traits can also be strengthened by fusing with such type of items] His grin stretched wider. ''Is this really supposed to be this simple?'' He felt like he was cheating¡ªlike he''d found some exploit the game developers had missed. But surely they knew about this, right? ''They have to know.'' Lucien exhaled and pressed forward, the golden hilt of the Forsaken Sword gripped tight in his right hand, its silver blade gleaming coldly in the ghastly pale light of the narrow dungeon. After walking for several minutes, he finally reached a wide chamber with three tunnels branching off like hungry mouths. The stench of wet dog and dirt had grown thick and choking, forcing him to press his free hand over his nose. The floor of the opening was slick with murky black water. As he lifted his absurd pink boots, trying to avoid the puddles, crimson lights blazed from the tunnel depths and snarls began echoing outward. Lucien hefted his sword in one hand while clenching his other fist. He felt stronger¡ªbetter than the pitiful state he''d been in before. Only now, feeling this surge of power, did he realize just how weak he''d been back then. The snarls suddenly erupted, and the wolves burst forth like a crimson tide. They plunged forward with vicious speed, rushing at the intruder. Lucien''s eyes widened as he watched them pour out. More troubling, these weren''t the Black Wolves he''d faced before. These beasts had red fur that flowed like liquid blood. Their eyes blazed with a fury that made the Black Wolves look tame by comparison. And their fangs¡ªLucien couldn''t miss those fangs and claws. They gleamed metallic. His suspicion was confirmed when the first red wolf leaped at him and he blocked with the Forsaken Sword. The blade vibrated like metal clashing against metal. The Red Wolf clamped its jaws on the sword, unable to break it but refusing to release its grip. ''Such stubbornness¡ªlike my sister!'' He drove his free hand forward and buried a punch into the wolf''s neck. The creature yelped as his blow sliced through skin, but the wound was shallow, and the beast held on. Worse, five others were already circling them, all showing the same level marker... [Red Wolf lv.45] Lucien pulled the sword with all his strength, but the wolf''s eyes blazed even more fiercely. The bastard almost looked like it was grinning. It seemed to be thinking: You''re not going anywhere. You''re dying here today. At least, that''s how it looked to Lucien. His frown deepened, anger boiling over. This thing had his sister''s stubbornness, so he''d treat it like he treated her. He lifted his foot and stomped on the wolf''s leg with crushing force. But he didn''t stop there¡ªthis wolf was definitely stronger than his sister, so he needed to add more to the mix. As the wolf yelped, Lucien drove his fist straight into one of its eyes. The first punch didn''t cut, but the second split the eyeball and sent blood spraying. But the damn Red Wolf still wouldn''t let go. Another wolf seized his pink boot and shredded it apart with ease. While a third wolf leaped over the one gripping the sword, crashing into Lucien''s face. Its jaws snapped shut, fangs carving crude gashes across his face as it drove him to the ground. [You have received 122 damage] [You have received 174 damage] [Your armor has been damaged] [Your armor has been damaged] He lost his grip on the sword as the wolf slammed him down. Two other Red Wolves were busy tearing at his boots like rabid dogs while the last one prowled between his legs. Chapter 13: Survival of the Fittest Chapter 13 - Survival of the Fittest ''Shit...'' Lucien had made a terrible mistake. He should have fused with the Tome when he had the chance. He''d been a fool to look down on Level 40 monsters just because he''d stumbled upon a sword meant to slay Level 100 beasts¡ªand could wield it without Level limits thanks to his Class. He''d truly underestimated them. But now wasn''t the time to wallow in regret. Before the Red Wolf could tear into his groin, Lucien twisted his body, ripping his legs free from the other wolf''s jaws and flipping over its back. His increased strength made such a move possible, though the pain of tearing flesh from fangs burned worse than he''d imagined. Lucien didn''t waste a second. As he rolled away, he jumped to his knees and scrambled to his feet, running with a staggered gait. The Red Wolves gave chase immediately. He summoned the Tome as he ran. ''Damn it, I''ll get another one later!'' White light poured from his hands, and the book began to dissolve. It scattered into fragments of light, and suddenly Lucien stopped. The Wolves stopped too, their eyes blazing with red fury¡ªand something else. Wariness. Lucien turned slowly, opened his palm, and grinned like a madman. Fusing with a Tome felt completely different. The potion and earrings had barely registered, but this¡ªthis was something else entirely. The sensation defied description. He felt larger, though he looked the same. It was as if he hovered just outside his own body, watching himself from above. Information flooded his mind. His brain seemed to flip through countless pages, the sensation so foreign he nearly lost himself in the rush of knowledge pouring through his skull. All five Red Wolves watched him with strange expressions. They snarled with their usual ferocity, but hesitation crept into their stance. When prey suddenly radiated the aura of a predator, even monsters knew better than to charge blindly. Lucien stretched his hand forward. The beauty of fusing lay in how natural it felt¡ªlike the power was part of him, not some system command. He didn''t need to execute anything. Just one thought, one clear intention. Fire bloomed in his palm. The dark air blazed with heat and light, shadows retreating from the flame''s reach like living things. The Wolves froze at the sight. Lucien stared at the fire, confused. "What is this?" The Wolves seemed to share his question. Monsters in Evolution Online weren''t mindless beasts¡ªthe higher their level or habitat, the more they could think and interact. Of course, there were limits to this development. A monster was still a monster, in the end. And there was always a pattern to study. Lucien stared at his hand, almost breaking into tears as he saw the tiny flame dancing in his palm. It was barely enough to light a lamp¡ªgood for illuminating dark places, perhaps, but this place wasn''t dark. What he needed wasn''t light. He needed devastation. Which he''d had all along. Lucien''s frown deepened. Then he shot forward without warning. His sudden movement caught the Wolves off guard, making them stagger back. But their prey wasn''t attacking them. The movement was part of his plan. Using every ounce of agility, Lucien pushed himself forward and crashed through the flustered pack, not caring about the claws that raked his skin. It was a gamble, but a smart one. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him¡ªthankfully, he hadn''t wandered far. As he reached the opening, he dove to the ground and snatched up his sword, spinning around in one fluid motion. The first Wolf burst from the narrow passage just as Lucien brought the blade down with all his strength. Steel bit deep into neck and bone, slicing clean through. The monster''s head rolled away while its body stumbled forward. [You have killed Red Wolf Lv.45] [You have gained Red Fur] [You have gained 1,409 Fusion Points] Lucien jumped back from the remaining pack, waiting for the final notification. He frowned as he took another step. It was taking too long. The Wolves circled him, snarling. After losing one of their own, they moved with deadly caution. Lucien''s gaze fixed on the one with steel fangs, hanging back behind the others. Only now did he realize it was different from the rest. He hadn''t gotten a good look before, but now he could see clearly. The one that had stolen his sword was larger and bulkier than its packmates. ''Could it be... the dungeon boss?'' Lucien gripped his sword tighter. Fear and excitement burned in his chest like twin flames. He refused to die without clearing this dungeon¡ªrefused to spend another forty-eight hours locked out of this world. The last forty-eight hours had been torture. Another wolf lunged. Lucien shifted backward, retreating into one of the tunnels. As he stepped inside, blue ghostly light flickered to life along the walls, bathing the passage in eerie radiance. Lucien didn''t stop running. Neither did the Wolves. Suddenly, he spun around and charged straight at them. The sudden reversal caught them off guard, but they didn''t slow their vicious advance. As he reached the first wolf, Lucien veered toward the wall, leaped up, ran a few steps along the stone, and launched himself over their heads. He landed on the wolf behind them, driving the cold blade of the Sword of the Forsaken deep into its back. It howled in agony. The Steel Fang continued charging from behind, crimson eyes blazing even in the passage''s ghostly light. But Lucien ignored it¡ªfor now. He grabbed the wounded wolf and shoved it into its attacking packmates, sending them stumbling backward. His sword lashed out from behind the chaos, plunging through one wolf and straight into another''s maw. [You have killed Normal Red Wolf Lv.45] [You have gained Red Fur] [You have gained Red Tail] [You have gained 1,409 Fusion Points] [You have leveled up] [You have gained +3 Generic stat points] [You have gained +5 Class-specific stat points] Lucien twisted the sword and wrenched it free. He crouched low with the wounded wolf, using it as a shield while he pushed forward. He kept one eye on the Steel Fang lurking behind, but the beast was taking its sweet time. As if it knew that no matter how hard Lucien struggled, he''d still die on those metal fangs. Lucien drove the sword into the wolf''s body again, but the remaining one proved elusive. It kept dodging and ducking, snapping at Lucien''s bare, bleeding feet. Like that was its specialty. Frustration boiled over. Lucien stabbed the weakened wolf straight through the neck, the blade bursting out the other side. Then he let go. [You have killed...] As the last wolf lunged downward, Lucien met it with a strike that didn''t just crush¡ªit sliced clean through its snout. The wolf stumbled backward, blood streaming from its ruined nose. Lucien stepped out from behind his fallen shield and lunged forward, driving his sword deep into the disoriented beast. [You have killed Normal Red Wolf Lv.45] [You have gained Red Tail ¡Á2] [You have gained 1,409 Fusion Points] Lucien exhaled slowly and turned back. His bare feet ached against the stone. Though fully healed now, his reserve of fused potions had run dry¡ªhe could only afford three at a time. He summoned two more and crushed them in his hands before the system could even prompt him. [You have fused with two Greater Healing Potions] Lucien locked eyes with the Steel Fang, who had been watching the entire time. The Steel Fang remained calm, unhurried. It had waited patiently for Lucien to finish his business. Now it seemed ready. But just when Lucien braced himself, the creature took a step back and bowed low. Lucien blinked in confusion. ''It''s bowing? To me?'' He patted himself down, glancing around to make sure. But as he turned, his face went pale. Two massive, menacing eyes approached from the dungeon''s depths. A enormous white wolf with black steel fangs towered above them both. Above its head, Lucien could see the notification that made his blood run cold. [Dungeon Boss - White Steel Lv.50] Chapter 14: Fusing With A Wolf Chapter 14 - Fusing With A Wolf Lucien''s body trembled like a leaf in a storm. This wasn''t just any monster¡ªit was a ''named'' creature, the Dungeon Boss itself. Behind him lurked another Red Wolf, far stronger than any he''d faced before. Trapped. No options left. Nothing he could do. Tears threatened to spill, but surrender never crossed his mind. He refused to lose, refused to embrace defeat. He was no loser. He couldn''t waste this chance¡ªthis wild, terrifying experience of standing against such a mighty enemy. Maybe that''s why his body shook so violently. Cornered, outmatched, death creeping closer. Yet he didn''t want to lose. No path forward, but still he hesitated. His pulse hammered as adrenaline flooded his veins. Fear of failure mixed with a strange thrill¡ªnot of dying, but of the fight itself. White Steel loomed above him, its gaze dripping with contempt. This wasn''t just a predator eyeing prey. The creature looked at Lucien with pure disgust, as if he were nothing more than dirt beneath its paws. Behind him, the other Red Wolf¡ªSteel Fang, as Lucien had named it¡ªgrowled low and threatening. White Steel''s eyes began to glow with an eerie light. Something deep in Lucien''s gut screamed danger. He threw himself sideways, lunging away from the path. But the Boss Monster moved like lightning¡ªtoo fast, impossibly fast. It shot forward, jaws stretching wide, razor-sharp fangs tearing through flesh and bone. Blood erupted like a broken dam, painting the air crimson as agony crashed over Lucien in waves. [You have lost 321 Health Points] [You have lost 219 Health Points] [You have entered a stunned state for three seconds] [You have entered Bleeding state] [You will continually receive damages and lose Health Points while in Bleeding state] The world went blank. His mind reeled, his body screamed. The pain felt too real, too sharp for any game. [You have lost 34 Health Points] [You have lost 22 Health Points] Quickly, he pressed his remaining hand against the bloody stump, fighting to stem the flow. White Steel stood there with Lucien''s severed hand between its teeth. It fixed him with that same dark, mocking stare, eyes burning with malice. Lucien clenched his jaw. That look¡ªlike he was nothing, like he was far beneath this creature''s notice¡ªmade his blood boil. Crimson drops fell from his wound, each one hitting the ground with a soft patter. His face had turned ghostly pale from blood loss. He had to stop the bleeding completely. Fighting like this would be nearly impossible. The Boss Monster had leaped to the other side, leaving the path ahead clear. Lucien didn''t waste a second. He shot forward, sprinting through the opening. White Steel didn''t follow. Instead, Steel Fang gave chase, its paws thundering against the ground. Within moments, it ran alongside him, snapping its steel-like fangs at him repeatedly, hungry for more flesh. Each time those jaws snapped shut, Lucien either leaped away or pushed himself faster. He dumped all his remaining stat points into Agility and suddenly burst forward like a rocket, finally crashing through a wooden door that opened into a vast hall. The ceiling stretched impossibly high above him, and glass chandeliers hung down like hundreds of thousands of frozen teardrops caught mid-fall. Lucien rolled across the floor as he tumbled inside, then scrambled to his feet behind a marble pillar. Dozens of pillars filled the hall, transforming the space into a stone forest where shadows danced between the columns. As the Wolf paws echoed closer Lucien slipped behind a pillar and crouched low, waiting. The Forsaken Sword was gone¡ªtorn away with his severed hand when the Boss Monster had struck. But he wasn''t helpless. Far from it. Lucien melted into the pillar''s shadow, watching as the wolf padded into the hall and began its hunt. The search wouldn''t last long, though. Steel Fang lifted its nose and sniffed the air. Immediately, Lucien sparked a fireball to life and hurled it in the opposite direction. Flames crashed against something in the distance, and the wolf''s head snapped toward the sound. It bolted toward the distraction. ''Perfect.'' Lucien pressed his palm flat, fingers straight like a blade, and shot forward. Before Steel Fang realized death was rushing toward it, the strike landed. Lucien''s hand slammed into the beast''s skull, tearing a wide gash that sent blood spraying upward. One of Steel Fang''s eyes was already ruined from their earlier fight. Now Lucien aimed for the other. As the wolf staggered, he drove his straightened fingers straight into its remaining eye. The beast released a wild, piercing yelp. Steel Fang stumbled backward, blind and disoriented. In that moment, Lucien grabbed the creature and pressed his palm against its fur. A mad gleam flickered in his eyes. "Fuse." [You want to fuse with a sentient being Elite Red Wolf Lv.45?] [This could cause uncertainties? Penalties? This has never been done before.] The system''s voice wavered, almost sounding flustered. Lucien pinned the weakened wolf to the ground with all his strength. "Just do it!" [Fusing with Elite Red Wolf Lv.45 will cost you 10,000 Fusion Points] [If you wish to continue without extra available Fusion Points, all Fusion Points from your levels will be deducted. You will lose eight levels and stat points.] Lucien''s jaw tightened. He''d suspected this might happen. Instead of normal Experience Points like other games, Evolution Online used Evolution Points. When players wanted to evolve, the price was brutal. It was entirely possible to burn through all accumulated Evolution Points¡ªand lose levels and stats in the process. A crazy rule, but it struck a harsh balance. Lucien would lose his levels and stats, but he''d gain the power of a level 45 monster. Somehow, he''d be able to face that level 50 Boss. The system wouldn''t let him keep his levels and fuse with such a powerful creature¡ªthat would be broken. His resolve hardened like steel. "Fuse." Light poured from Lucien''s palm, flowing into the monster. Steel Fang lay bleeding in a growing pool, already weakened. Even its struggles were feeble now. The light consumed the wolf and began breaking it apart. As the fragments scattered into the air like dying embers, Lucien slowly rose to his feet. Deep in his eyes, a red glow began to smolder. Chapter 15: White Steel Chapter 15 - White Steel [You have fused with Elite Red Wolf Lv.45] [You have lost 8 levels] [You have lost 24 Generic Stat Points] [You have lost 40 Class-specific Stat Points] [New Trait Gained: Predator''s Instinct (Passive) ] [New Trait Gained: Crimson Hunger (Passive) ] [New Trait Gained: Pack Memory (Passive) ] [New Trait Gained: Steel Rend (Active) ] Lucien stumbled back, his legs nearly giving out. The messages blazed across his vision, each word hitting him like a physical blow. His head spun as he tried to process what he was seeing. So many traits from one monster. His body felt hollow, drained¡ªyet something new stirred beneath his ribs. Power coiled in his gut like a sleeping beast, waiting to wake. Lucien''s eyes sharpened. "Steel Rend." Heat exploded from his severed wrist. Pain shot up his arm like lightning, and he doubled over, clutching the stump. His vision blurred. Blood poured from the wound¡ªbut not blood. Crimson muscle twisted and writhed, flowing like liquid metal before hardening into flesh and bone. A new hand bloomed from the stump, complete and whole. Crimson stripes wrapped around the skin like war paint, ending in razor-sharp steel claws that gleamed under the dim light. Lucien''s breath caught. Pale laughter spilled from his lips as he watched his other hand transform. The flesh thickened, bones stretched, and his fingers grew into deadly talons. Steel claws. He scraped them together. Sparks flew, lighting his face with orange fire. His grin split wide, and then Lucien lunged. These wolves loved to wait. They stood there, proud and sure, convinced they''d already won. That arrogance had always worked against them. Today, their overconfidence would feed him the FP he needed. As he prepared to charge, ice ran down his spine. Something was wrong. He could sense it¡ªfeel it in ways he never could before. [Predator Instincts has detected killing intent from 2m radius] His eyes went wide. He spun around just as white claws raked across his face, sending him spinning through the air before he crashed into the ground. [You have lost 119 Health Points] [You have gained +100 Health Points] [You have exhausted Fusion: Greater Healing Potion] Lucien glared at the Dungeon Boss through the haze of pain. Confusion and dismay churned in his chest, but his face stayed stone-cold. How had the beast gotten so close? Stealth was the only answer that made sense. Which only made him angrier. The White Steel Wolf was already stronger than him¡ªdid it really need invisibility too? The world felt rigged against him. Lucien clicked his tongue, the sound sharp with irritation. The Boss Wolf watched him from across the chamber as he dragged himself to his feet. No rage burned in those pale eyes, no hunger or haste. Just cold certainty. That calm confidence made it far more dangerous than any snarling beast. Lucien straightened and locked eyes with the creature. Then he shot forward. The wolf didn''t even blink. As Lucien closed the distance, one massive paw swept out and batted him aside like he was nothing more than an annoying fly. Lucien''s body slammed into a stone pillar. He crumpled to the ground, groaning as he forced himself back up. [You have lost 78 Health Points] Frustration crawled through his veins like poison. He''d thought the fusion would change everything. Losing levels for the power of a level 45 monster should have evened the odds against the Dungeon Boss. Instead, what little chance he''d had before seemed to have vanished completely. He was slower now. His strength felt like a shadow of what it used to be. He didn''t even know if he could reach the Dungeon Boss with any element of surprise. Everything had gotten so much worse. But... Despite it all, Lucien was grinning. He stood there, beaten and bloodied, smiling with pure satisfaction. ''I''m happy it''s not boring. Looks like there''s no way I''m surviving this. I''m going to die... but why the hell am I so happy about it?'' [Passive Trait: Pack Memory is in effect. You have 15% - 30% chance of learning a certain Trait from your foe] Lucien stared at the message, his face blank. That was promising¡ªit could flip the fight at any moment. But it wasn''t reliable. He couldn''t count on it to defeat the Dungeon Boss. He flexed his steel claws and studied the Wolf standing across from him. The beast watched him with chilling calm, as if nothing in the world mattered. No passion, no drive¡ªeverything was just a nuisance to it. Even this fight was beneath its notice. It reminded him of himself. Lucien met the monster''s gaze and spoke with bold confidence. "You''re so sure of yourself, aren''t you? But I''ll tell you something today. I''m going to kill you and make you wish you''d tried harder." White Steel lifted its chin higher. Its condescending stare climbed to new heights, red light glowing wickedly in its eyes. Lucien moved¡ªbut not toward the monster. He darted away from it. The beast was superior in every way, so his only hope was to find something, anything, that could help him. The hall stretched wide, filled with towering pillars. While he wanted to use the environment to his advantage, White Steel''s Stealth skill could turn it against him just as easily. But that didn''t mean he wouldn''t try. He glanced back at the Dungeon Boss. One moment it stood there, watching. The next... gone. [Predator Instincts has detected killing intent from 5m radius] Lucien spun and crossed his arms over his face. The Wolf''s claws came down like a falling mountain. Sparks exploded as steel met steel, and the force drove him to one knee. But he used the moment. Lucien surged forward, diving low toward the monster''s chest. His fist buried deep into its ribs. Air exploded outward, but the beast barely flinched. It looked down at him with cold malice burning in its eyes. Desperate to keep his opening, Lucien shouted. "Fire Ball!" Small flames sparked to life on both claws. He drove his other hand into the Wolf''s chest, and this time the impact roared with power as fire erupted around his fist. The wolf stumbled back, actually staggered. Lucien stared at his hands. The fireball had lost its shape, but flames still danced across his claws like he was a living torch. For the first time, something shifted in how White Steel looked at him. The monster snarled, a dangerous sound that spoke of real threat. Lucien''s grin stretched wide, surprise and joy flooding through him. "Ah... now this is starting to feel right." Chapter 16: The True Monster Chapter 16 - The True Monster After Lucien discovered the precious method of infusing his Steel Rend Trait with the Fireballs from the Knowing of Fire Trait he received from fusing with the Fire Tome, the battle took a more interesting turn. His steel claws blazed with fire, making his punches not only hurt badly¡ªeach cleave carved deep with searing heat that ate into the monster''s flesh. The Dungeon boss now saw him as a real threat and moved with deadly purpose, unlike the sluggish attacks from before. And that turned out to be devastating for Lucien. Because the bastard was lightning fast! Throughout the battle, Lucien couldn''t help but wonder: how exactly did he plan to defeat a level 120 monster if a level 50 one was giving him hell? He threw himself between the pillars, sliding around their corners like a desperate snake. This was his only lifeline. The White Wolf''s massive size and blistering speed made it nearly impossible to navigate the tight spaces with the same deadly efficiency Lucien used. The creature had no choice¡ªslow down or crash into the stone columns. Two crashes already. Each impact had surely torn chunks from its Health Points. The entire hall shuddered with both bone-rattling collisions. Lucien burst from the shadows, launching a lightning-fast strike at the wolf''s flank. His punch erupted in flames and sliced through fur and flesh, drawing an angry yelp from the beast. The wolf whipped around to sink its fangs into him but slammed its skull into a nearby pillar instead. Lucien seized the moment, unleashing a storm of blows like a man possessed. Each strike was like cutting through meat with a red-hot blade. Lucien battered the White Wolf without mercy. The hindlimb and surrounding fur were painted crimson with blood¡ªso much that it was hard to tell who was really the monster here. Lucien stood gasping, a dangerous hunger burning in his eyes. His steel talons and hands dripped with blood. Even his face was splattered with crimson. He slowly backed away from the wolf, smoke rising from his hands and the beast''s wounds. The wolf snarled through its pain, but before it could lunge, Lucien had melted back into the shadows between the columns. In these few brutal moments, the battle had pushed Lucien to his breaking point. He was hanging by a thread¡ªone more hit from the Dungeon Boss would end everything. He would die and fail. But that wasn''t even the worst part. The worst part was that the Dungeon would likely seal itself forever, and he would lose the path to Evelaine Hollows. Lucien had read somewhere that dungeons unlocking new locations were different beasts entirely¡ªincredibly rare. Even worse, when players failed these challenges, the dungeons didn''t just reset for another try. They vanished completely, sealing off any chance of reaching new territories. There were different types, but these special dungeons were the keys to expanding the game world. They had a specific name, but Lucien couldn''t quite remember what they were called. Lucien pushed the thought aside and focused on the fight at hand. There was still one major problem¡ªthe White Wolf''s stealth ability. It had used the skill several times, and Lucien had barely managed to sense the incoming attacks thanks to Predator Instincts, which let him feel any killing intent aimed his way. Even so, most of his damage came from those stealth moments. The White Wolf would vanish completely, never showing itself until it was ready to strike. That''s why the killing intent always hit Lucien so late¡ªwhen death was already breathing down his neck. But that wasn''t his biggest problem. His real problem was that he wanted to fuse with the Dungeon Boss too! He already knew his level was far too low for it. However, he had a plan brewing. The idea was to backtrack through the other tunnels and hunt the remaining monsters he''d skipped before stumbling upon the White Wolf. But first, he needed to cripple this beast badly. Which was exactly what he was doing. The wolf vanished again. For a heartbeat, deadly silence wrapped around the Boss room¡ªno movement, no sound, nothing. Then Lucien jerked his head back, barely a split second before the White Wolf materialized and crashed into him. Even with his guard up, the impact sent him rolling backward into a pillar. He collapsed forward and spat blood. [Your Health has fallen below 30%] [Passive Trait: Crimson Hunger has been activated] [Your Attack Power will increase by 30% with every hit you take until your death.] Lucien gritted his teeth as he pushed himself up. This was exactly what he''d been waiting for. He''d studied this trait carefully, and it was the reason he refused to touch his healing potions despite carrying plenty. If he healed himself, he wouldn''t be dancing on death''s edge. This way, with the knowledge that dying would seal his chance at a quest the entire world didn''t even know existed, his blood sang with raw excitement. So much that the only way he could honor this feeling was to play with that razor-thin line between death and victory. It was absolutely thrilling. The monster charged with a bone-rattling growl, but Lucien simply ran, losing himself in the maze of pillars. The wolf stopped, confused for a moment. It didn''t use stealth immediately. Lucien had studied the White Wolf''s pattern¡ªthere were gaps between uses. And those gaps were when he struck, driving them both deep into the pillar forest, getting the massive beast tangled up while he dealt his damage. Just like now. And with his boosted attack power, he rained down claws like a wild man, flames dancing in his hands, making each wound bleed and smoke. The deadly dance continued until the Dungeon boss lay in a pool of its own blood, breathing in shallow gasps, glaring at the blood-soaked man standing over it with crimson eyes. Lucien looked down and smirked. "Didn''t I tell you?" He turned away from the fallen boss and walked toward the entrance of the pillar hall. "You wait right here for me. Let me go grab some fusion points."