Mutant awakening: My evolution knows no bounds

[The Realm's Key grants the host the option to cancel the evolution quest and leave the realm. Exiting will forfeit all rewards, including evolution.]

'The Realm's Key… I could leave right now," Silas thought, eyeing the notification he'd received after killing the first bat, a message he hadn't reviewed until now. 'But leaving would mean abandoning them.'

He lingered on the option briefly, then lifted his gaze toward the three Grade 4 orcs advancing on him, their malicious eyes locked on his, their towering forms casting long shadows. Their movements radiated intimidation, reminding him just how massive and deadly they truly were.

'Do I really have a chance against them? Or should I just leave?'

Silas stood, deep in thought, the look of contemplation unmistakable on his face, while sweat drenched his skin.

'What the hell is wrong with me? I'm letting fear get the best of me. I haven't even tried my hardest, yet I'm already concluding I don't stand a chance? This is the kind of thinking the old Silas Griswold would fall into—the weakling!'

'But… I am no longer that weakling! I've become someone different! I have to give this my all, and in order to do that, I have to kill the weakling within, so the Apex predator can be born.' He clenched his scythe in his right hand, feeling a surge of power as glowing blue energy pulsed from its blade.

The odds of victory were slim, but they weren't zero.

The orcs finally reached striking distance, and with no further warning, they swung their massive claws down on him, aiming to obliterate him with brute force.

[Active skill: Lightning Dash has been activated]

**WOOOSSHHH!**

Silas darted to the side, evading the heavy strikes with ease, before launching himself forward at blinding speed until he was positioned behind the orcs.

Without hesitation, he swung his scythe toward the leg of the nearest orc. A thunderous roar echoed through the chamber as Silas's blade sliced through flesh, dark purple blood spilling onto the ground.

The other orcs whipped around, claws slashing through the air as they tried to catch him. Silas responded with swift reflexes, sidestepping to avoid their deadly blows. Then, activating his Lightning Dash, he propelled himself forward at lightning speed, arriving once more behind his enemies.

Silas tightened his grip on his scythe, swinging it toward the legs of the second orc.

[Soul Slash has been activated]

**Slash!**

The scythe tore through the creature's legs, severing one entirely. The orc dropped to its knees, its agonized cries reverberating in the cavern.

'Hmph!' Silas leaped several meters backward, evading a retaliatory claw by a hair's breadth.

Landing lightly, he dashed forward again, his scythe blazing with energy, his body encased in an intimidating aura, his eyes fierce with determination.

The mutant turned its bloodshot gaze on him, its annoyance evident as it prepared to shoot a red laser beam from its eyes.

The beam rocketed through the air, aiming directly at Silas. He ducked low just in time, narrowly avoiding the scorching blast as it hit a distant wall, shattering it and scattering debris.

Silas resumed his advance, determined to close the distance. As he neared, the orc swung its claws once more, attempting to slice him in two.

At the last second, Silas darted to the side, evading the strike, and countered with a swift, precise swing of his scythe, aiming for the outstretched arm.

**SLASH!**

Silas's scythe sliced through the orc's arm, dark purple blood spilling from the wound. The orc let out a roar of pain that echoed through the cavern.

Silas didn't stop there. His eyes locked onto the first orc, now crippled with its legs severed, and he charged, ready to end it.

[Active skill: Lightning Dash has been activated]

In a burst of speed, Silas leapt into the air. Now hovering over the orc, he gripped his glowing scythe with both hands, raising it high above his head, preparing to strike down with deadly intent.

Descending, Silas wore a fearsome expression, resembling a Grim Reaper about to deliver judgment.

The scythe buried itself into the orc's skull with a sickening crack, splitting it in half. The creature released a final scream before collapsing, lifeless.

[Congratulations, you have slain a Cave Orc]

**SHIUK!**

Silas yanked his scythe from the mutant's skull, sidestepping swiftly to avoid another incoming claw strike. Before the orc could recover, he swung his scythe in a clean arc, severing the creature's head.

Dark purple blood sprayed like rain, the massive head rolling toward the remaining orcs who had been watching the battle from afar.

[Congratulations, you have slain a Cave Orc]

A notification appeared before Silas, but he ignored it, shifting his gaze toward Vic and the others to check their status.

"Angelica, start helping already! I'm out of stamina!" Vic shouted, stomping his foot, summoning three earthen spears that shot toward an approaching wave of bats. The spears impaled three of them, but two more screeched and continued their approach.

Vic collapsed to his knees, sweat pouring down his face, his breathing ragged. Despite his best efforts, exhaustion was overtaking him, and the swarm of bats made it seem as though he hadn't made a dent in their numbers.

Angelica stood paralyzed, her heart hammering. The weight of Silas's earlier warning—that they were in a Grade 5 realm, facing Grade 4 orcs—had struck a chord of terror within her, immobilizing her completely.

"Angelica, do something!" Vic, still kneeling, looked back at her as the bats closed in. "If you don't, we'll all die, and you'll never get a chance to make your family pay!" His voice was a desperate cry.

The words jolted Angelica out of her paralysis, igniting a spark of resolve. Her frightened expression hardened into one of steely determination.

She took a steadying breath, planted her feet, and focused, her hands sparking with electricity as she thrust them forward, releasing a powerful bolt of crackling purple lightning.

"""

A/N: Gifts for motivation and tickets for motivation. Thank you.(◔⁠‿⁠◔⁠).

(⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠) (⁠✿⁠^⁠‿⁠^⁠)