Re: Evolution Online

"Just how many of these does he have?" Eldrin looked shocked as he watched the two wyverns coordinate and take down the huge beast as if it were nothing.

When they were done, they even started carefully tearing down the beast apart. They took out the mana core. They made different portion sizes of the beast meat. They cleaned out tendons, skin, and bones. They started storing the blood, fur, and horns.

One of the wyverns was a water-type beast and it used a water gun to wash everything properly to remove all the stains.

Eldrin's face twitched. What sort of beasts were wyverns? Why were they doing this type of work?

He was not weak and he did not lack insight. He could sense the strong undead aura coming from the beasts. It also seemed that these beasts still possessed their original intelligence from the way they attacked so ferociously.

So how did they submit so easily, even doing such menial tasks?

Eldrin simply couldn't wrap his mind around it. Snapping him out of his thoughts a familiar voice sounded behind him.

"You came? It's been so many days that I was starting to doubt if you would come or not?" 

Liam stood at the spot where there was previously the swirl of mana. He nodded at Elira, a little surprised that the elf chose to come back, though he had somewhat expected it.

Eldrin, on the other hand… to Liam, he was simply a wild card. 

Eldrin immediately took a step back his jaw falling on the ground. He looked at Liam dumbfoundedly and then searched around for the mana swirl. Clearly, it was no longer present.

"You… you… have a pocket space?" He stammered in shock. 

As far as he knew, only a pocket space was able to produce a phenomenon like this. It was evolved space magic when compared to a simple spatial ring.

He hadn't even digested mighty wyverns acting like goblin slaves and now Liam had already dealt the next blow.

Taking a few deep breaths, Eldrin finally sighed and shook his head helplessly. "You damn progenitors. You are always the luckiest ones." He knew that Liam would never reveal his secret so he did not ask about it any further.

"Progenitors?" Liam raised a brow.

"Progenitors are the first civilization on a new world that is granted the blessing of mana. Our current empires are also founded by guys like you. Every single one of them is a monster."

Hearing him, everyone thought of the obvious thing. Elira's face fell as she was the first one to ask, "Do we have to face them inside this forbidden territory?"

A tense second later…

"Of course, not." Eldrin grinned. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have suggested this plan in the first place. Come on. I am a young and charming elf. I don't plan to commit suicide."

Elira rolled her eyes. Even the dryad Lunaria rolled her eyes.

Only Liam remained indifferent as he stood there like an immovable rock. 

When the elf was concerned, this was what Liam planned to do. He neither trusted him nor doubted him. He was going to take everything as it comes.

"Inside the forbidden territory, when it is the season of blessings, only those below a certain level are allowed. This is to prevent the balance of the world from toppling."

"1000?"

Eldrin shook his head. "It's not that simple. Each time the level varies. It is decided by the ancient guardian depending on the harvest. Or at least that is the assumption."

"Basically it depends on how much the barrier is loosened up."

This meant that they could be facing anyone. Liam did not like this variable. If it comes to that, he had already decided not to take risks.

Lunaria and Elira were also deeply pondering Eldrin's words. It looked like they would be pretty heavily relying on their luck. 

The group stood in silence when finally Eldrin spoke up again.

"Alright. Why are we all standing here like this, awkwardly in the middle of nowhere? How about we have a feast to celebrate our success so far and then discuss our future plans?" He laughed, trying to raise morale.

"No need." Elira was the first to decline, followed by the dryad.

Eldrin pitifully looked at Liam. "Boss, what do you think? Don't you want to celebrate a little considering that your world is still whole and your family is doing well? You should have also gotten a huge haul from the system shop?"

Liam did not say anything.

"Ah! Come on! Do you know how seriously the entire empire is searching for you? You must have gotten several billions and zillions of tokens worth! At least give me a preview!"

"...."

"Did you heal your mana core?"

"..."

"I am not able to sense anything so most probably you did. What about your level? What level are you now?"

"..."

"Come on! We are comrades. Friends. Fighting together. Shouldn't you tell me at least this much? Where is the trust between friends?"

Eldrin waited but it looked like he was not going to get any response after all. This guy! Why did he have to be so damn serious all the time!

"Tch. Alright. Shall we make a move then?" Eldrin spoke with a scowl. "It is almost time for the forbidden territory to open up to everyone so we might as well get a head start."

Naturally, everyone agreed to this.

"You boring bunch of assholes!" Only he was in high spirits but now he also became serious. He shook his head and pointed his hand to the depth of the forbidden territory that lay deceptively silent. 

"Let's go. It's going to get more ridiculously dangerous from here onwards. So say your prayers first."

As the group started moving, Eldrin scoffed inwardly as he looked at Liam. 

'Just how long could you possibly hide your strength from me? Let's see what you have been up to these past few months! Sooner or later I will know all your secrets and then I will decide if you are worthy or not!"