The Mortal Evolution

Did Hao-Yun's casual sentence really become a prophecy?

It took a few moments for the sand cloud to disperse, but the Unknown being was quite surprised to see the scene.

"How is this possible?"

Hao-Yun and Jiwon were alright. Not a single scratch can be seen on their body.

Actually, the Lightning the Unknown being summoned avoided hitting Hao-Yun and instead struck the ground.

A faint golden fire could be seen on Hao-Yun's body.

When the Unknown being also noticed it, he was stunned.

"Impossible, is that the Fire of Ephyreon?"

"Are you the newly chosen Ephyreon?"

"Ephyreon, that's my job title. Do you know anything about it, Mr. Unknown being?"

The Unknown being came out of the skies. He was a Large Phoenix. His body was on fire. He emitted an aura that made Jiwon want to kneel and pray to him.

"Forgive me, new Ephyreon, I didn't know it was you."

"What the hell is this creature? Is something like that even allowed to exist?"

"The Guardian Spirit of the Floating Caves of Mytora is just a non-existent being in front of it."

"It's a Phoenix, Mr. Hao-Yun."

"Phoenix?"

"Yes, Phoenix. Didn't you read any mythology or ancient history books? It's a super famous and super strong creature."

"You don't have to tell me how strong it is, I can just tell by taking a single glance at it."

"Still, why does a Phoenix who wanted to kill us just a moment ago ask for forgiveness?"

"Is my Job really that important?"

"Yes, new Ephyreon, it's a very important Job that comes with great responsibility, you will learn on your own when the time is right."

"So, Phoenix brother, if you don't want to kill us now, is it okay for us to take a Rainbow Fruit?"

"We're not greedy and will only take one fruit, just a single one, please..."

"Okay, I'll allow it."

"R-really? Just because he learned my Job title, everything became so easy?"

"Jiwon! What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get one of those fruits and get outta here before he changes his mind?"

"Y-yes, Mr. Hao-Yun!"

Just as Jiwon plucked a Rainbow Fruit from a tree, a portal opened, and it was for their return. Both didn't look back and rushed to the portal with all their might.

Brrrzzkkk...

"Whoa! That was amazing, but also life-threatening."

"You're right, Mr. Hao-Yun!"

"Hey, what are you doing? Do you wanna experiment with delaying your Task?"

"Hurry up and eat that damn fruit!"

"Yes-Yes!"

(Bite...)

(Bite...)

[Congratulations to the Host for completing his Task.]

[Distributing Rewards: Job Change Crystal(Epic), Random Increase to all Stats(Maximum 4)]

[Restoring Host's lost Stats]

[Initiating Random stats Increment:

Strength: +3

Speed: +4

Vitality: +4

Endurance: +4

Intelligence: +3

Willpower: +4

Charisma: +4

System Affinity: +3

Luck: +4 ]

"What did you receive?"

"Hurry up, write it!"

"Yes! I will."

Jiwon wrote everything he received honestly. He was a living example of a second generation who didn't know how harsh the actual world is.

"Damn! This guy is really unfair! There's barely anything that's lower than the maximum increment of 4."

"I bet if he had been a bit smarter and knew a thing or two about the outside world, he would have become the future's strongest person in no time."

"Congrats, Jiwon! You also have taken your first step in the world of advancing."

"Yes, Mr. Hao-Yun... Can I call you brother?"

"Sure, no prob!"

"Thanks! Brother Hao! From now on, you are my benefactor!"

"Eh-heh... I'm not that big!"

"Ah! Jiwon, now that your Task has been completed, I should go, but remember, only you can complete your Tasks from now on, and please! For your own sake, never share your personal information with any stranger or friend, just like you have now done. Understood!"

"Yes, brother!"

"So, I'll be getting going."

"Wait, brother! You helped me so much, how can I send you just like this?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if I let you leave without asking for anything in return, I would feel too guilty..."

"So, can you give me your bank details? I want to give you a small gift."

"Just consider it as your fees for helping me!"

"You don't have to, but if you are insisting that much... Sure."

"Here's my details!"

"Thanks, brother!"

"Aah! For the time being, it looks like my money problem has been solved. I can take a bit more time to find a good working place."

"Surely, from the looks of Jiwon and his place, he would at least give me enough money that would last me a month or two."

"Brother, I've sent your fees to your account! Once again, many thanks to you!"

"Stop that now! Flattery won't get you anything."

"By the way, brother, is it okay for me to contact you in the future if there's a Task I am unable to complete on my own?"

"Sure, I would help you if I have time."

"I am lost for words to show you my gratitude, brother."

Jiwon goes out to send off Hao-Yun. However, the situation outside once again makes them learn that they forgot about the most important thing.

"Oh, right! Death is still knocking on the doors."

"Don't worry, Jiwon, now that you have completed a Task, your chances of getting selected among those 100 random people are very low. At first, only those with the lowest System affinity will get chosen."

"People like you and me will only perish if the Korean government fails to complete the Task."

"Oh! So that's how it is."

"Still, I'm quite surprised brother Hao can talk about things like death like it's nothing."

"Doesn't it scare you?"

"It used to... But not anymore! Since the System got bound to me, I've experienced quite a few situations, including today's, where I was just 2 inches close to death."

"Besides that, completing the Tasks has given me a lot of stats enhancement, and that has made my emotions somewhat numb."

"It looks like brother Hao is also going through a lot of trouble."

"Not only I, but the whole world is on the verge of a mental breakdown since the arrival of the Civilization Advancing System."

"It is not an exaggeration to say that today, we all might really perish!"

"Kzzzk…kzzzk…KZKZK!"

[Congratulations to South Korea]

[Task: "Construct a fully functional, renewable energy infrastructure capable of powering the entire nation without relying on fossil fuels or nuclear sources. Completed.]

[Calculating Rewards...]

[Reward Chosen: Dimensional Resource Nexus]

[Distributing Rewards...]

[Distribution Failed...]

"What's happening? Since the Task is completed, the reward should be distributed..."

"You're right, brother Hao, maybe this System has some fault in it."

[Checking for error...]

[Error found...]

[Error Code: Xiw9920]

[Detected that the System can't distribute this reward on its current beta version.]

[Initiating process to upgrade...]

"Kzzzk…kzzzk…KZKZK!"

"Kzzzk…kzzzk…KZKZK!"

[Upgrade successful]

[Current Version: Alpha]

[Distributing Rewards to Korea...]

[Distribution Successful]

[Congratulations to South Korea for receiving the Dimensional Resource Nexus]

[Dimensional Resource Nexus will open many portals in different coordinates of South Korea. The portals connect to different planets across the Multiverse. Citizens can use these Portals to extract new Substances, Metals, and Minerals from other planets.]

[Warning: Each portal leads to a Planet where no other intelligent or dormant species reside, but each Planet contains a lot of Dangerous Creatures, some can even manipulate elements as they desire, so please, only explore the Planet if you are confident in your strength.]

[Next Task Arrival: 48 hours left]

"Doesn't it seem like the System has changed after upgrading? It talks a lot now! Even the explanation is briefly detailed."

"No matter how much it talks, it doesn't change the fact that we are saved. I'm so happy, brother Hao!"

"Yeah! Me too!"

"Isn't this the best time for a party?"

"You're right, brother Hao, let's have a party!"

"Ah-ha-ha... I can see you're too excited, but keep it short and simple. I need to return home in a short while, the new Task will arrive in a few hours."

"Okay, brother! We'll do as you say!"

Jiwon took Hao-Yun to a 5-star restaurant for a little celebration. The streets, restaurants, diners, clubs, cafes, etc, were filled with a lot of people, all of them celebrating the happiness of Korea completing its Impossible task before getting wiped out.

That night, exhausted, Hao-Yun took a taxi to make it to his apartment. It wasn't physical exhaustion; it was mental exhaustion. After all, it takes a lot of mental power to confront a divine being, face death head-on, and wait to get wiped out without being able to resist at all.

"Haah, so tired..."

"Looks like I can no longer get drunk no matter how much I drink."

(pulls out smartphone)

"Now that I remember, Jiwon transferred me some money. No, it should be called fees, right?"

"Let's check how long I can live off it."

Ugh... Blregh!

(wipes mouth)

"What... in the world... is this?"

"Maybe I'm a bit drunk after all?"

"Let's sleep for now, I'll check it again after getting sober."

(The Next day.)

"Haaah... Looks like I don't even have to suffer from a hangover from now on..."

"Oh, Yeah! Let's check it again."

(Swipes smartphone)

"Oh... My... God! Is that real?"

"So, that means I wasn't drunk last night."

The thing that's bugging Hao-Yun so much is the fees sent by Jiwon. He didn't even think in his dreams that one day he would receive 100 Million Won (Approx. 700K USD) just for helping a person for a few hours.

"I thought it might be 2 or 3 Million Won given that Jiwon is so wealthy, but that's a h-hhh--h... a hundred Million..."

"Jiwon! From now on, you are my sworn brother! You are the real benefactor here, bro."

For a person like Hao-Yun, who had no savings, earning 100 million in a few hours was beyond his dreaming capability; he could easily live for a few years out of this money.

However, that wasn't all. This experience gave him a new Idea, an Idea that could actually allow him to do anything he wants without working.

"If just helping Jiwon complete his Task can give me a 100 million won, won't there be so many other people like him, desperate to complete their Task?"

"Isn't this the World's best business idea?"

"I can begin helping people complete their tasks in return for a fee."

"I don't have to worry about customers or low business since the System won't go anywhere."

"Won't I really become a Billionaire, maybe beyond that?"

"A super strong Billionaire! No one would dare to offend such a person!"