Mutant awakening: My evolution knows no bounds

"The moment I entered this realm, I knew exactly what grade it was," Silas began, his voice low and serious. His words hung in the air like a storm cloud. "The academy didn't send us to a Grade 2 mutant realm like they said. We're in a Grade 5 realm."

The revelation hit the group like a thunderclap. Shock rippled across their faces, draining the color from their expressions.

"We've already encountered lower-grade creatures," Silas continued, his gaze sharp as he studied each member of the group. "But the next ones we run into... they might be Grade 4 or higher. Given our current power levels, our chances of surviving are slim—at best."

A tense silence followed, thick with fear and disbelief. Their eyes turned to Silas, waiting for more, but dreading what he might say next.

"G-Grade 5?" Angelica's voice was barely a whisper, trembling as she stared at him with wide eyes.

"How can you be so sure about the realm's grade, Silas?" Vic asked, his attempt to stay composed betrayed by the tremor in his voice. Deep down, he was terrified.

Vic was a Grade 4 mutant ability user himself, but even he wasn't strong enough to handle a Grade 5 realm alone. If he had a team of high-grade mutant ability users, they might have a fighting chance. But their group consisted of a Grade 1, a Grade 2, and Angelica—a Grade 4 who hadn't yet mastered her ability. She was still raw, and Vic knew he couldn't rely on her fully in a life-or-death situation.

"It's because of the artifact and the powers I've obtained," Silas explained, his voice steady. "They allow me to sense the grade of the realm. The moment I stepped through the portal, I knew this was Grade 5."

Ivy, standing at the back, snapped. "If you could sense the realm's grade, why didn't you warn us *before* we traveled through the portal?" Her voice was sharp, panic clear in her eyes.

"Ivy!" Angelica's brows knitted in concern, surprised at the sudden outburst.

Silas didn't flinch. "I can only tell the grade once I'm inside. I can't just glance at a portal and know what's beyond it."

"This isn't the time to assign blame," Vic interjected, trying to cut through the tension. His fingers moved quickly as he sent out a distress signal to the academy, his face tight with anxiety. "We're in serious trouble here. Instead of turning on each other, we need to focus on how to survive."

"I've already sent the distress call," Vic added, swallowing hard. "But help won't arrive immediately. They'll need to give the portal time to cool down before they can come through."

"Then let's just stay here and wait," Angelica suggested, her voice hesitant. "If we keep moving forward, we're more likely to run into higher-graded mutants."

Silas frowned, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to sit idle. Not now. His system had notified him of an Evolution Quest, and his goal was to clear the realm before help arrived. If the academy intervened, he'd have to abandon the quest—and face the penalty that came with it.

"We can't stay here," Silas announced, his voice loud enough to make everyone's eyes snap to him.

"Why not?" Vic asked, confused.

"Look around," Silas gestured at their surroundings. "This place is a narrow, cramped cavern. If mutants find us here and attack, we'll have no room to fight. We need to keep moving forward. And don't worry about getting hurt—I'll protect you."

Without waiting for a response, Silas turned and began to stride deeper into the dimly lit cavern, his scythe at the ready. The group exchanged uneasy glances before reluctantly following him, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence.

For several minutes, they moved through the narrow passage, shadows dancing along the walls as the dim light flickered. Suddenly, Silas halted, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area.

"What's wrong?" Vic asked, his gaze darting nervously around them.

"There's something here," Silas muttered, gripping his scythe tightly. His senses were on high alert.

A piercing screech echoed from above, deafening and bone-chilling. The group's heads snapped upward, and they saw a massive black bat with glowing red eyes swooping down towards them.

"Get back!" Silas ordered, dropping into a fighting stance. As the bat hurtled closer, he swung his scythe in a powerful arc.

*SWOOSH!*

At the last second, the mutant bat twisted its body mid-air, evading Silas's strike. It soared upward, screeching loudly as it circled for another attack.

[Name: Wingedtant Bat]

[Grade: 3]

Silas glanced briefly at the notification that appeared in his vision. His grip tightened on the scythe as the bat dived toward him again, its screeches filling the cavern.

This time, Silas moved faster. With a swift, precise slash of his scythe—

*SLASH!*

The blade tore through the mutant's body, cutting it cleanly in half. Dark purple blood sprayed across the cavern floor as the bat's lifeless body thudded to the ground.

[Congratulations, you have slain a Wingedtant Bat]

A holographic screen flickered in front of Silas, but he ignored it. The ground beneath him began to tremble, and the sound of approaching footsteps—heavy, thunderous—filled the air.

The group stiffened as the footsteps grew louder. From the shadows emerged a horde of mutants, and above them, a swarm of bats like the one Silas had just killed.

But Silas's eyes were fixed on the towering figures leading the charge. They were monstrous, resembling orcs, each standing nearly eight feet tall. Their bodies were covered in thick, red scales, and their massive claws gleamed like battle axes. Their eyes glowed crimson, shooting deadly beams of light. And at the center of each forehead was a single, enormous horn.

[Name: Cave Orcs]

[Grade: 4]

Cold sweat trickled down Silas's face. 'Grade 4,' he thought, his heart pounding. He could take down one Grade 4 mutant on his own—but there were half a dozen of them.

Before he could react, one of the orcs lunged at him with blinding speed, its claws slashing downward. Silas's eyes widened as he barely managed to raise his scythe in time to block the attack.

*CLANG!*

'What the..'

The impact drove Silas to his knees, the sheer force of the mutant's strength overwhelming him.

""

A/N:

A luxury Car= 5 extra chapters tonight.

A Magic Castle= 10 extra chapters tonight.