Chapter 24 – Evolution
Han had always known he was different—not just because of his Creation skill, but also due to a far rarer gift: the ability to evolve skills. For the longest time, he thought he could only use this power on himself… until now.
"You have a way?" Clara asked, eyes narrowing as she looked at him.
Han scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well… I can't really explain it, but I think I can push someone's skill rank up a bit."
He paused, wondering why he was even sharing so much. Maybe it was trust… or maybe he was just tired of holding back.
Clara raised an eyebrow. "Wait. Are you saying you can boost our skills?" She paused for a second. "Do you think I'm stupid?"
Han's brows twitched. Clearly, she didn't believe him. Fine, then. He'd show her.
Without another word, he reached out and touched Aiden's shoulder. A system prompt appeared:
[Do you want to evolve 'Morph'?]
[Yes/No]
Han accepted.
Immediately, his EP began to drain as Morph evolved from C-rank to B-rank.
Still feeling confident in his energy reserves, Han went a step further.
Evolving...
Evolution Complete!
Skill: Morph
Rank: A
Description: Allows extraction of DNA from living organisms to replicate their biology. Highly effective on beasts and monsters.
DNA Extraction Limit: 20/300
Analyzer Eye activated, showing detailed insights into the new version of the skill.
"How do you feel?" Han asked Aiden.
Aiden opened and closed his palm, confused at first. Then, without warning, his hand transformed into sharp metal claws before reverting back to normal.
"Are you okay?"
Aiden stared at his hand and grinned. "Better than okay. Before, using Morph felt… painful, like I was forcing something unnatural. Now, it feels like second nature. Like it belongs to me."
Han nodded thoughtfully. The previous strain might've been due to the limited DNA capacity of the skill. Then another thought hit him.
If Aiden had a system of his own—like Han—he could probably understand his powers far better.
"Navi, is it possible to integrate a system into Aiden's consciousness?"
[Affirmative. It will take some time.]
Han turned to Aiden, who was still marveling at his transforming limbs. "Do you you trust me?"
"Of course I do," Aiden said without hesitation.
Ever since they met, he'd felt an odd sense of connection to Han. A trust deeper than logic.
"Okay," Han said, placing a hand on Aiden's head. "Navi, initiate integration."
[Confirmed.]
A surge of energy shot through Aiden's body. He let out a bloodcurdling scream, collapsing to the ground as his body convulsed violently. Clara and Nathan flinched.
"What's happening to him?" Clara demanded.
Han gave a weak smile. "Yeah… I forgot how painful it was for me, too."
Minutes passed like hours until Aiden finally stood up, breath heavy. He looked ready to punch Han for putting him through that… until he froze.
Floating before him was a translucent screen.
System Initialization Complete.
Host has been granted a system by the Creator: Navi.
Aiden's jaw dropped as he scanned the glowing interface:
Status:
Name: Aiden Vire
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Skill: Morph (Rank A)
DNA Extraction Limit: 20/3000
Limit increases with future upgrades.
Han also noticed the "Inventory" tab and several other system features.
"What the hell is this?!" Aiden suddenly shouted, eyes wide in disbelief. He turned to Han and pointed at the floating screen in front of him. "Wait—did you do this?!"
Nathan and Clara exchanged confused glances. From Aiden's outburst to the weird screen, it looked like some sort of bizarre cosplay.
Eventually, Han explained everything to them. When they finally understood, both Nathan and Clara were at a complete loss for words.
Having a system? That was something straight out of a comic book. A fantasy. But Han not only had one—he could give it to others.
After things settled down, Han offered to grant the system to Clara, but she declined. The system was powerful, no doubt, but she nearly fainted from Aiden's scream. No way was she letting herself go through that kind of mental torture.
Nathan also had no interest in getting the system, so Han simply nodded.
"Well, since you can evolve skills," Clara said with a smile, "I think that solves all our problems."
It was an insane ability—but a perfect one.
"All you need to do is evolve some of the recruits' skills to D or C-rank. Once that's done, we'll meet the qualifications to form a guild."
Han considered it and nodded. His EP reserves were still high, and evolving low-rank skills didn't consume too much.
He got to work, evolving the abilities of those he believed in most—mainly the ones with a strong interest in fighting, and those who had awakened and believed they could become heroes.
Everyone was stunned when their skills grew significantly stronger. They assumed Han had used some kind of rare artifact.
"Is there even an artifact that can do this?" Ron asked, his body practically glowing with thick yellow essence.
Han had specifically evolved Ron's skill from D to B rank, changing it from Stone Fist to Stone Body.
Han waited for Ron's reaction.
Suddenly, Ron grinned, stomped the ground with all his might, and created a small crater.
"Alright, young master. Fight me now!" he challenged. He felt much stronger and wanted to prove that Han couldn't bully him anymore.
Han gave a wicked smile. "With pleasure."
BOOM. BAM.
Seconds later, Ron lay unconscious on a stretcher.
The two who carried him just shook their heads. "He challenged Han again," one of them muttered.
With that matter resolved, Clara got to work forming the guild.
Han, with nothing else to do, checked his EP and CP.
After evolving skills for over fifty people, his EP had taken a heavy hit. He used the remaining EP to boost his Tiger Punch skill.
His CP, however, remained high—enough to craft about four new skills, roughly between C and A rank.
He created several new skills, but none reached A rank. Most weren't a good fit for him—except the Flight skill he crafted last.
"Well, at least I'm still strong," he muttered—but that thought triggered a memory of the terrifying vision he had before.
"No. I'm not strong enough. I need to get stronger—a lot stronger," Han said with fierce determination.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully.
The next morning, after finishing his daily quest, Han returned to see Clara beaming with excitement.
He could already guess what happened.
Clara had finalized the guild registration. Aiden would serve as their representative, while Han would be the guild's leader.
"Everything's set," Clara said. "Except... we don't have a name yet. I figured you should decide."
Han thought for a moment, then said, "What about Tryst guild?"
Clara considered it, then nodded. She entered the name into the official guild registry.
And with that, the Tryst Guild was born.
The guild that would one day shake the world had taken its first step.
To be continued...