The Mortal Evolution

"It's like I just expressed my wish to return and it was fulfilled... Just like that!"

"Everyone! Let's return."

The Team returned to their base camp. Hao-Yun packed his things and said his farewell to the other Squad members. Unlike Hao-Yun, most of the people were feeling sad that he was leaving their team.

"Squad Leader Jin, shall we go?"

"Yeah, let's go."

The two stepped out of the portal. It was evening on the Earth. Nothing had particularly changed in a few days. People also seemed to have calmed down. It's like they have accepted the System as a reality of their life.

It was strange... how the air on Earth felt so light. No threat of monsters lurking, no scent of metal in the air. It almost felt... too quiet.

"Hao-Yun, I'll talk with my seniors, you can do anything in the meantime. When I'm done, I'll call you."

Hao-Yun was overjoyed. The first thing he did was head to Jiwon's place to meet Joo-na. He had taken her responsibility. So, it's his job to make sure she is doing well.

Unlike Orbis-9, Hao-Yun was feeling like he was in the air. Everything was so light. He didn't need a Taxi, his feet were enough for this distance.

In the blink of an eye, Hao-Yun was at Jiwon's house entrance.

Ding-Dong...

"Who is it?"

"Jiwon, it's me! Hurry up! Open the door!"

"Brother Hao, you have already returned?"

Jiwon rushed to welcome him.

"Brother Hao, you're back!"

"How are you feeling? Are you alright? Did you get hurt somewhere?"

"Is this how it feels when you return to your parents' house?"

"I'm doing fine! I am undergoing a transfer to another planet. So, in the meantime, I thought how about check on you two."

"Where's Joo-na?"

"S-she..."

"What? I can't hear you! Can you speak a bit louder?"

"It's better for you to see yourself."

Jiwon took Hao-Yun inside. However, Hao-Yun was stunned by what he was seeing.

"Joo-na, what are you doing here?"

"Big Brother Hao? You are already back?"

"Big Brother Jiwon?"

"I'm sorry, Joo-na, I didn't know it was Brother Hao."

"Can someone explain what is happening here? And first, Joo-na, put away that knife."

"Y-yes..."

Jiwon explains the situation to Hao-Yun over the next few minutes.

"Hmm... So, it's like you just wanted to ease me a bit at home, so you asked Jiwon to teach you cooking..."

"Y-yes, Big Brother Hao-Yun."

"But don't you think you are too young for cooking?"

At least, wait a few more years.

"Listen, Brother Hao, Joo-na is feeling a bit guilty for doing nothing and still receiving so much from you."

"No... Who said you aren't giving me anything?"

"I'm receiving a lot from you. You are my family now. I took you in, so it's my duty to make you happy. And if you are happy, then I am also happy."

***

Hao-Yun took another glance at Joo-na's face.

"Still, if you're feeling you want to do something, then fine, you can learn to cook. But! You can't do anything if Jiwon is not by your side."

"Okay, Big Brother Hao-Yun, I understand."

"Hmm... By the way, Jiwon, I'm surprised a person like you knows how to cook."

"What? Now that's a bit rude, Brother Hao."

"Before this chaos, I was trying to become a chef."

"A second-generation kid trying to become a chef? Why? Are chefs in short supply?"

"No... Brother Hao, it was like I was passionate about cooking from my childhood. My parents also gave me permission to do anything else as long as I manage our family business properly."

"Wow, you were also blessed by nice parents."

"I always thought rich parents were super strict on their children and forced them to do only things they wanted them to do."

"No-No-No, my parents weren't like that, we were more like friends."

"Ah, by the way, Brother Hao, how long are you going to stay?"

"Why? Are you lacking in rooms? Am I bothering you somehow?"

"No! I didn't say that! It was just that one of my cousins from America had returned to Korea to sign a business deal with the government. She was facing problems with her System Task, so I was hoping if you could..."

"Oh, so it's a business client! Why didn't you say so before?"

"A Client who has relations with the Government, it's a great chance for me to expand my business on an international level."

"Jiwon, give my number to your cousin."

"Really, you would help her!"

"See Joo-na, Our Brother Hao is a real living saint! He just came from such a dangerous mission and agreed to help a person in trouble without hesitation."

"Ah, don't do that... I feel bad."

Hao-Yun wasn't doing this out of goodwill. He could clearly see how much profit he was going to make this time.

That night, Jiwon cooked dinner to prove he was telling the truth. There were a lot of luxury cuisines, some of which were Jiwon's original recipe. However, to Hao-Yun, everything looked the same. He hadn't seen food like that before in his life.

"Ehhh... I don't want to eat this celery root puree with black truffle, I want Wagyu beef sliders..."

"Celery, what?"

"If you eat this celery root puree with black truffle, then I will prepare lobster mac and cheese for you!"

"Really, then I'll eat it."

"What the heck is this?"

"It looks like I can't leave my girl with Jiwon for too long. He would turn her into a Picky Princess."

Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring...

"Hmm...? Unknown Number?"

"Hello, who's speaking?"

"Hello, is this Mr. Hao-Yun?"

"Yes... But who are you?"

"I'm Park Evelyn, Jiwon's cousin, Jiwon might've told you about me..."

"Yeah-yeah, I heard about you..."

"I'm ready to help you complete your Task, just tell me when you want to meet?"

"Can we do it right now?"

"Right now? Don't you think it's too late at night?"

"Please... It's a matter of my life..."

"I only have tomorrow morning's time."

"Why do all these rich people only give up when there's barely any time left?"

"Did you say something?"

"No, nothing. Okay, send me your address, I'll come over there."

"Wait... You don't have to trouble yourself, I'll come over there."

"We can't do that, you don't have much time left, and I don't know what kind of Task you received. So, instead of waiting for you to come, I'll go. After all, I'm fast."

"Good... I like fast guys."

"I'll send you my address, then."

In the next few moments, Hao-Yun received Evelyn's address. His energy was overflowing. After all, he could smell a lot of money from this foreigner.

He sprinted on the streets. Barely any person was walking outside. The scene was completely different from the past.

Finally, his feet stop in front of a skyscraper. It was a 30-story building.

"Wow, it's amazing in a completely different sense than Jiwon's house."

He approached a lady at the reception.

"Excuse me, does someone named Park Evelyn live here?"

"Yes, Miss Park Evelyn lives here."

"Can you tell me her house number?"

"Sir, this whole building is her house."

"What? I mean, Wow, that's amazing!"

"Do you have an appointment with her?"

"Yeah, she just called me for some business."

"Are you, perhaps, Mr. Hao-Yun?"

"That's me, right!"

"Oh! I apologize, sir, I'll call her right now."

"Wait... You don't have to call her, I can go to her room, just tell me where she is?"

"Sorry, sir, but Miss Park strictly told me to call her when Mr. Hao-Yun comes."

"Oh! Okay then, go ahead."

Miss receptionist made a call to Park Evelyn.

As soon as she cuts the call, the elevator's door opens.

A woman steps out. She was wearing a charcoal blazer and heels that matched her beauty.

Her jet-black hair was lushing, free-flowing, not a single strand out of place.

A hint of platinum from her minimalist watch caught the light as she moved her hands.

Her skin was like velvet, untouched by anything, makeup sharp but minimal, just enough to make you notice the light red lips that said she didn't have time for just anybody.

But it was her eyes that truly held Hao-Yun's breath.

Cold, savvy, a shade of brown so dark they seemed black, piercing through people like they were spreadsheets, computing their value in seconds.

Even the air around her seemed to hush, out of respect.

Hao Yun straightened unconsciously.

She glanced his way. Gave him an innocent smile.

"Mr. Hao-Yun! I was waiting for you, for like 2 days."

Aaa... Aba... Aba-ba-ba...