The Mortal Evolution

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

"Oh shit! The new Task should have come by last night, yet I forgot to check it."

"Let's not delay it anymore."

[Task List]

[Task: The Origin Miner]

[Objective: Collect 100 Stones that are only found in a particular world, 20 Stones from each of the 5 Dimensional Nexus Worlds. ]

[Time Limit: 30 Days]

[Penalty: The Host would be turned into a Zombie who loves to kill humans indiscriminately.]

[Reward: Dimensional Resource Handler Title (Gives Host early access to crafting & alchemy recipes using dimensional materials), Dimensional Storage Function, Random increase in all stats (Maximum 10)]

[Task Name: Apex Core Hunt]

[Objective: Defeat and extract one Core from any Creature of each Nexus World]

[Conditions: 5 Cores in total (One per world).]

[Time Limit: 30 Days]

[Penalty On Failure: Host will be stripped of his stats and left on any random world to be eaten by Monsters.]

[Reward: Skill Predator Instinct (Boosts Host's instincts to the level of a Mythical Rank Monster), Dimensional Seed Core (Allows the Host to grow his own pocket realm), Apex Hunter Title (Grants bonus stats when facing high-level predators), (Skill Little Thief: Gives Host 5% chance to take any 1 random skill of the defeated target)]

"Wow... Looks like many things have changed after the System upgrade..."

"I have two Tasks to complete, each with a time limit of 1 month."

"But... The main problem is how I can even enter the portals? The government must have taken strict measures to surveil them."

"I don't think they would allow a random person to enter it. Going near it would be hard enough."

"So, what am I supposed to do now?"

In the Government office, the positions have completely changed, 3 out of the 9 survivors have resigned out of fear of not being able to complete their individual Tasks on time.

Now, except for the 5 old senior officials and President Jun, all of the positions have been replaced by new officials. There's not a single person in the office who doesn't take the System seriously.

President Jun: "Everyone! First of all, I would like to thank you for your cooperation and extreme hard work in completing the impossible Task in such a short time."

Officials: "No-no President Jun, what are you saying, it's all thanks to your leadership and vision that we were able to complete this Task. You are the real savior of our country."

President Jun: "I appreciate your feelings, but I don't deserve it. Because of me, tens of thousands of people died in vain. I have to take responsibility for it. But, we can't afford to repeat this kind of mistake in the future."

Officials: "So, what does President Jun plan to do?"

President Jun: "From today on, I declare that we will prioritize System Task above anything else! Stop the rest of the projects except for the necessary ones. If even those projects come in our way to complete the task, we will also halt them for some time! Do you understand what I am trying to say? No matter what situation comes, completing the System Task is our top priority!"

Officials: "Understood, Sir!"

President Jun: "Now, there are some other important things we must focus on."

"First of all, all of you must complete your Individual Tasks and become stronger. For now, the power gap isn't much among people, but soon it will widen a lot. Those without enough power will be reduced to nothing; no one will take you seriously."

"Secondly, find all the portals throughout the country and surveil them 24/7. All of them should be heavily guarded, and no one is allowed to come near them without permission."

"Thirdly, build a new organization to recruit strong individuals, convince them with benefits, good payment, and if there are exceptional people, try recruiting them as a special government employee."

"Fourthly, build some squads consisting of our country's best soldiers, and a few scientists, and send them to explore the portals. Also, post a temporary recruitment poster. If any strong individual wants to help, they are free to do so, but first, evaluate their strength."

"Is that clear?"

Officials: "Yes, sir!"

President Jun did his best to evaluate the current trend and the future; he didn't want to see Korea reduced to ashes.

Here, Hao-Yun, on the streets, is still thinking about how he can get inside those portals.

"Man, thinking is so tiring... But it's not like I have any other choice."

Growl...

"Let's eat something first. A hungry man can't think of anything except food."

"And I have a lot of money now, so I don't have to restrain myself like in the past."

(Pulls out Smartphone.)

"Hey Byuri! Recommend me some good places to eat."

[Sure, here are some good places nearby your location.]

"Let's choose the best-rated one."

Hao-Yun followed the directions of the restaurant, and with his current speed, it took him just 3 minutes to reach there. However, just as he was about to enter the restaurant...

"You brat! I told you not to come here again!"

"But... I have enough money to eat..."

"Take your money with you and get outta here!"

The restaurant staff scolded a young girl in tattered clothes and kicked her out of the restaurant. Hao-Yun was deeply saddened by this.

"Such a high-quality restaurant, but with such cruelty. Maybe they paid people for reviews."

"Hey lad, are you okay?"

"Huh... Who are you? Another restaurant staff member, who wants to drive me away..."

"No-no... Don't take me wrong? I'm just a passerby. Can you tell me why they were so rude to you?"

"This is none of your business!"

"I know, I am bothering you, but maybe I would be able to help you."

"Why don't you just ignore me like others?"

"For some reason, I can't..."

"It's nothing special. Nobody wants to bring down their place's reputation by feeding a dirty girl in tatters like me."

"How come you are in this situation? Where are your parents?"

"My name is Joo-na. I came with my parents to Seoul on a trip, but then suddenly, they died."

"People said it was because they couldn't complete their Task."

"Don't you have any other relatives?"

"I don't know. I never met any relatives."

"So, nobody around helped you until now?"

"No, all people were running for some reason, so I also ran and hid in the corner of this street."

"Hmm... What should I do? I can't leave a little girl like this alone."

"Say, Joo-na, would you live with me?"

"L-live with you?"

"A-are you one of those bad guys mama told me to stay away from?"

"No-no... I just can't leave a cute and small girl like you on the streets..."

"What do you say? Living with me isn't that bad. You will get to eat as much as you like, wear good clothes, and do anything you like."

"R-Really... y-you... won't abandon me?"

"Yes, so how about it, Joo-na?"

"Okay..."

"By the way, what should I call you?"

"I'm Hao-Yun."

"So, big brother Hao-Yun then."

"Joo-na, how old are you?"

"Mmm... I turned 10 two months ago."

"Oh..."

Hao-Yun takes Joo-na to buy some clothes at a shop. Then, they both take out some fast food and return home.

"Joo-na, from now on, this is your home!"

"It might be a bit small, but don't worry, your big brother will buy a larger house soon."

"It's not small, big brother!"

Grooowwwwl....

"Let's eat something first."

"Hmm... Now that I have taken in Joo-na, I must earn enough money. But there's also the Task deadline."

"Let's try calling Jiwon."

"Hey Jiwon!"

"Yes, brother Hao. Were the fees wasn't enough?"

Geeghh...

"N-no... It was enough... More than enough..."

"I just wanted to ask you, do you have any friends who are struggling to complete their Tasks?"

"Brother Hao, are you planning to also help them? You are so magnimonius! I do have a lot of friends who are in deep trouble! I will immediately tell them to contact you."

(Call-cut)

"Wow... that was fast!"

"I didn't even have to explain to him anything. As expected of my benefactor. You are great, Jiwon!"

"Big brother Hao, who was that?"

"That's your second brother, my best friend in this cruel world!"

"Oh!"

Soon after Jiwon cuts the call, Hao-Yun begins receiving a lot of calls, emails, messages, and some personal requests over the period of the next 2 days.

He helps dozens of 2nd generations of wealthy families, some even request him to help their whole family. The word of mouth starts showing its effects, and Hao-Yun becomes a popular person among the rich and influential people.

Along with developing good ties with a lot of people, Hao-Yun's dream of becoming a Billionaire without doing much comes true.

"It's only 27 days left until the deadline."

(Pulls out Smartphone)

(Tap-Tap-Tap)

[Bank Balance: 1,773,298,812]

"Now, I don't have to worry about money. As for my Task, I've got another lead."

Hao-Yun, completing another request of the client, walks out of their mansion and takes a glance at the large System screen.

[New Task Assigned: South Korea]

[Task: Dimensional Resource Survey Project]

[Objective:  Explore the 5 Nexus Worlds through your assigned portals. Locate and mark a minimum of 100 valid mineral extraction sites. Each site must contain energy stones, rare metals, or unique crafting materials.]

[Deadline: 100 days.]

[Penalty On Failure: 50% of Korea's Population would be neutralized at once. Dangerous Monsters from different Planets will get access to portals to invade Earth.]

[Rewards: Rym: A True Artificially Intelligent Humanoid, loyal to its master.]

"Just as this National Level Task was issued, I knew it was my biggest opportunity to complete my Task."

"Surely, the government wouldn't just send out an army to explore the highly dangerous worlds."

"Here's when my turn comes, I will apply before anyone else to help them and convince them to take me in by showing my strength."

"That way, I cannot only help in the National Level Task, but also complete my own Task on time."

"Still, I didn't understand why such a highly dangerous and long Mission has only one Reward. Just a robot? What can it even do? In contrast to it, the Penalty is extremely harsh, instantly wiping out half of the population."

"I just don't understand what this System wants to do."

(Creak...)

(door-open)

"I'm back!"

"Welcome back, big brother Hao!"

"Did Joo-na behave herself?"

"Yes, I was just watching my favorite drama."

"Oh... and what's the name of that drama?"

"That Time I Fell in Love With My Childhood Friend's Mother."

Geh...

"How did such a cute little girl develop such hobbies?"

"Joo-na, it's not good for you to watch that drama."

"But Why?"

"There's a rumor going around that the drama you were watching is cursed, and those who watch it end up getting taken by Demons."

"Do you want that to happen to you?"

"Sob-sob... R-really, T-then... I don't want to watch that Drama anymore."

"Looks like I've gone too far."

"Forget about Drama, get ready, Joo-na."

"Are we going somewhere?"

"Yes!"

"Where?"

"To fulfill the promise I made to you!"

"Let's go find a Large House!"