Mutant awakening: My evolution knows no bounds

[Name: Silas Griswold]

Race: Mutant

Evolution Tier: Tier 3 Soul Devourer

Level: 73

Health: 100/100

Soul Points: 200/200

Soul Reserve: 100/100

Attribute Panel:

Strength: 50

Speed: 39

Reflex: 39

Agility: 44

Intelligence: 50

Available Attribute Points: 128

Skill Panel:

Lightning Dash (LVL 4): Boosts speed for 5 seconds. Costs 10 soul points.

Soul Claws (LVL 3): Extends claws from fingertips. Costs 1 soul point.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Soul Control (LVL 2): Manipulates beings with souls.

Soul Jab (LVL 1): Channels soul energy into a punch, halving higher-grade opponents' health.

Arsenal:

Grade 3 Chest and Leg Armor

Grade 4 Sycrax Blade

Grade 5 Soul Reaper Scythe

Grade 5 Dagger

Ghost Mask and Outfit

---

Silas examined the glowing screen intently, fingers stroking his chin thoughtfully. The total of 128 unallocated attribute points loomed in his mind, tempting him with limitless potential. Yet, he chose to hoard them for a critical moment, one where survival might hinge on a single point.

"Or," he mused aloud, eyes narrowing on the lower stats, "maybe I should bring the rest of my attributes up to par with Strength." His gaze lingered on Speed, Reflex, and Agility, each one slightly lagging.

"It makes sense to balance them all at 50. Then I'll decide what to do with the remainder later." His decision made, Silas navigated the interface with swift, practiced motions, distributing the points meticulously.

[Speed + 11]

[Speed is now 50]

[Reflex + 11]

[Reflex is now 50]

[Agility + 6]

[Agility is now 50]

[Attribute points left to distribute: 100]

A surge of raw, electric energy coursed through his veins as the final points settled. For a fleeting moment, power vibrated in his core, his muscles taut with anticipation. Then, as quickly as it came, the sensation dissipated. He clenched and unclenched his fists, flexing his fingers experimentally, tilting his head to assess any subtle changes.

"I feel... the same." His brow furrowed slightly in disappointment, dismissing the screen just as a distant rumble echoed. Dust particles trembled; the structure was collapsing.

"Time to leave." He moved to the colossal corpse of the Realm's god, hacking off its massive wooden hands and head with precise strikes, before turning away. The severed limbs and head thudded heavily into his bag, grotesque trophies of victory.

He traversed the desolate landscape, the silence broken only by his footsteps crunching on scattered debris. After several minutes, he reached the sheltered area where Ava and the other female staff members anxiously waited.

The moment they spotted him approaching, relief and joy washed over their faces. Ava, radiant with gratitude, hurried to meet him, her sapphire-blue eyes glistening.

"You're back!" she beamed, her smile warm, eyes fixed on Silas with an almost reverent adoration.

"Here." Silas handed the monstrous body parts to Shirley and Rose without ceremony. His voice remained even. "We need to leave. The whole place is coming down." He turned, ready to depart, but Ava's slender hand shot out, gripping his arm. Her touch was firm, earnest.

"Silas." Her voice was soft yet resolute, her eyes piercing. "You've done so much for us—more than we could ever repay. Because of you, we have jobs. We can support our families. Isn't there... any way we can repay you?" Her words were solemn, her gaze unwavering.

A flicker of guilt twisted in Silas's chest. He knew the truth: his aid wasn't born of altruism. It was the system's rewards that motivated him, not some benevolent desire to ease their struggles. Without those incentives, he might have stood idly by, watching them fend for themselves. Yet, here they were, seeing him as a savior.

Silas remained silent, wrestling with the truth they didn't know. Finally, he spoke, his tone carefully neutral.

"You don't owe me anything. It's fine. Besides, you've already helped me by keeping my secrets."

Ava's grip didn't loosen. "Are you sure? I'll share my tokens with you. I'll give you my share of mutant body parts. Even..." She hesitated, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Even my body."

Silas's eyes widened. "Your... body?" His voice wavered, the word almost a whisper.

"Yes. If that's what you want." Her gaze didn't falter, her sincerity striking. The other women nodded in quiet agreement, their expressions earnest.

Silas's heart pounded, a rare flutter of nervousness coursing through him. His wide eyes flicked from Ava to the others, uncertainty clouding his usually sharp focus. He hadn't felt this unsettled in a long time.

"I already told you, I don't need you to repay me. Let's just go," Silas finally replied, pulling his arm away from Ava's grip. His voice was firm but carried an edge of frustration. "And please, don't ever offer your body to anyone. You are not a whore. Or are you?" His cold gaze fixed on Ava, and they all shook their heads solemnly, their eyes downcast.

With that said, Silas turned around and began to walk away, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The women followed closely behind, their earlier expressions of gratitude replaced by quiet introspection.

After a few moments, they arrived back at the area they had departed from. A blue portal shimmered to life, its ethereal glow casting long shadows across the ground. Without hesitation, they stepped inside, vanishing from the collapsing realm and reappearing at the construction site.

The construction site was a hive of activity. Staff members bustled around, preparing for their next raid. Several portal devices glowed intermittently, stationed at various points across the site. The air was thick with the scent of metal and dust, the clinking of tools punctuating the low murmur of voices.

"Is it just me, or did they clear that realm a little too fast?" a staff member with a mohawk remarked, narrowing his eyes as he watched Ava and her group emerge from the portal.

"Now that you mention it... I think you're right. They're all Grade 1s—how did they clear the raid so quickly?" another staffer bellowed, disbelief evident in his tone.

"I was expecting them to call for help after failing to clear it within the eight-hour duration. But here they are," a female staff member muttered, her eyes fixed on the group.

"Not only that," the man with the mohawk added, his voice lowering, "take a closer look at them. They don't have a single scratch on them. Not even a bead of sweat. It's almost like they did nothing at all and still somehow cleared the realm." His eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his voice. "Something strange is definitely happening. Something we don't know about."

Silas ignored the whispers, walking away from the construction site with an air of detached indifference. He headed straight for his dorm room, his mind occupied by thoughts he couldn't shake. The sun hung high in the sky, its light filtering through the windows as he stepped into his room.

Without wasting time, he headed straight for the shower. The hot water washed away the dust and tension from the recent battles. Minutes later, he emerged, toweling off quickly before slipping back into his uniform.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The sudden sound at the door drew his attention. He walked over and opened it, finding Vic standing there with a grin.

"Sup, man. Glad you're back from your punishment. How was it?" Vic's voice was casual, but his eyes held a spark of curiosity.

"Uh... it was fine. What are you doing here?" Silas asked, a hint of surprise flickering across his face.

"We're done with the fights at the ranking arena, so we thought we'd go for a stroll outside the academy walls. You know, do some shopping, play some games," Vic replied with a smirk.

"I don't think we're allowed to leave the academy," Silas said, frowning slightly.

"Relax. Have you forgotten who I am? I'm a Hardcastle. Besides, we're not the only ones leaving—almost all the students are out. The academy gave us the day off to do whatever we want," Vic explained, his tone convincing.

After a moment of contemplation, Silas nodded. "Alright then. Let's go." He stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Wait, won't you change? You don't have to wear the uniform," Vic asked, raising an eyebrow.

Vic was dressed in a sleek black long-sleeve shirt and a pair of blue jeans. His long, snow-white hair was braided into two neat plaits, and a single crimson earring dangled from his left ear.

"I... don't really have any other clothes besides this uniform," Silas admitted, a touch of embarrassment in his voice. "Let's just go."

"You poor thing," Vic teased, squeezing Silas's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll get you some new clothes once we get there."

Together, they walked toward the academy's main gate. Angelica, David, and Sebastian stood waiting, their expressions relaxed but expectant. When the duo arrived, they exited the academy together.

Outside the gate, a bustling marketplace unfolded before them. The air was filled with the scent of exotic foods and the chatter of vendors hawking their wares. Colorful stalls lined the streets, displaying everything from trinkets to weapons and rare mutant artifacts. Students roamed the area, their laughter mingling with the hum of activity.

"Come on, let's head forward," Vic urged, leading the group deeper into the marketplace. After several minutes, they arrived in front of a massive shopping mall, its glass facade reflecting the vibrant energy of the streets.

"Now this is what I'm talking about," Vic smirked, his eyes gleaming as they entered the mall.

---

Meanwhile, near a secluded corner of the marketplace, a green portal flickered ominously. Supplies lay scattered around its base, abandoned by the team that had entered hours ago. The portal shimmered, its light intensifying until a loud crack echoed through the alley.

Suddenly, the left side of the portal device fractured, sending out a pulse of energy. The portal's hue shifted from green to a sickly, pulsating glow. From its depths, a guttural growl rumbled, vibrating through the air.

A shadow emerged, its form monstrous and alien, eyes gleaming with predatory malice. The marketplace remained unaware—for now.

"""

A/N: Your support will be very much appreciated.