The Glorious Evolution

After some time...

Levi had returned to Heliodor's capital city... not foolish enough to enter Nocturn's Heart city through his consciousness in the wild.

Danger lay everywhere, no matter how safe it looked.

He went straight to his apartment, expecting to find it empty or his brother... Instead, his lips twitched after he opened the door and saw everyone hanging out in the living room.

Arthur, Shia, Jojo, Nurah, Rayan, Sergio, and Jamal.

Snacks and drinks were available throughout, while music played in the background. They were sitting in a circle with cards affixed on their foreheads... playing Blind Man's Bluff.

When Levi opened the door, everyone went quiet and turned to look at him, resembling misbehaving children getting caught by their parents.

He was fighting for his life while they were hanging out like this without him... the betrayal.

"Welcome back, big bro... how was the training?" Arthur asked out loud while whispering under his breath, "Tell me what number is on my card."

Levi's brow twitched at his little brother's attempt to cheat using his powers. Alas, he was caught by Jojo, who kicked him in the stomach with an annoyed look.

"Save me a spot, I will take a shower."

"Do you need some help with your back?" Nurah asked with a playful smile.

"I can manage." Levi chuckled as he walked to the bathroom, not falling for her teasing attempt.

After Levi took a shower, he returned to the living room wearing his pajamas and sat down with his friends. Then, he started playing cards with them while keeping his powers limited so as not to cheat.

They asked him about what he was doing on his trip, and he told them nothing much... some nightcrawlers' hunting, meditating under waterfalls, and such.

Levi changed the subject by asking them about their reason for requesting his return right away.

"It's the High Chancellor... He wanted us to meet earlier, but after failing to get in touch with you, they kept the meeting on the same date." Shia replied.

"So, you have no clue what they want?"

"Nope."

"I see."

Levi realized that the higher-ups wanted everyone to be around for the news.

"Tomorrow, you will become official Raiders representing our entire region," Rayan said with a bitter smile, "It sucks ass not to be chosen too."

"It's not like we will be going on a vacation." Shia replied solemnly, "We will be fighting against the most powerful Shadow Castle nests across the world... We might not even make it back home."

"That doesn't scare me." Rayan shook his head, "What scares me the most is stagnation... I hate staying in one spot for too long."

"Well, it's not too late." Levi smiled faintly, "The Main Raiding team consists of six, however... the government would make sure to add two more Raiders in reserve in case something bad happened to either of us."

"I don't know if they already chose the reserve or are planning to put a trial for it... I suggest you find out."

"Now, we are talking." Rayan's expression brightened, "I will give it my all to join the team even if it's as a reserve."

Everyone wished him good luck, also hoping that he could make it... Though, besides Levi and Arthur, the others didn't have much faith in him.

It wasn't like they didn't believe in his potential... just that the two reserve spots would be contested by all Raiders across the region, fitting the requirement.

'I hope Lord Idriss shares the evolutionary formula I left for them too...' Levi muttered inwardly as he gazed at Rayan, Jamal, and Sergio.

Levi wasn't the type to bless some and leave some... Whether his friends would join the team or not, he made sure to leave a couple of perfect evolutionary formulas for their paths.

Though it was up to Lord Idriss to decide whether to share them or not.

...

After a short while, the small party ended and everyone went home. Arthur dropped dead on the couch with one leg facing the sun and a cheek planted on the ground.

Levi was sitting next to him cross-legged... his body here, but his consciousness was in the Nocturn's Heart city.

The moment he stepped inside, he received a celebratory notification:

-Congratulations on your Promotion to TeraOwner rank!-

-For more details about your new rank perks, please access your profile.-

Once Levi settled on the bench, he pressed on his profile with a wide smile, knowing that his days as a homeless person were gone.

//Nocturnal Ring Profile Interface:

Profile Name: Three-Body Problem.

Current Rank: TeraOwner (500 GP required for promotion)

Total Game Points (GP): – 60GP

Total Wins: – 2(The Wailing Bone Pit), (Sandstorm Surge)

Total Losses: – 0

Winstreak: – Null

Map Fragments Owned: – 135 (Desolate)

Territory Units (TU): – Null

Games Played: – 2

Privileges Unlocked: – Pitculler's Privileges(active), The Leviathan's Slayer(inactive)

Next Rank Requirements: – 440 GP

Achievements: – Pitculler, The Leviathan's Slayer.

Profile Title: – Pitculler(active)//

Before Levi checked on the perks of his new rank, he did a quick scan of his profile, noticing that he was left with sixty game points and needed more than four hundred for his next rank-up.

"The ranking system works like a business... earn enough points to purchase access to the next rank." Levi murmured, "This system works fine in low ranks... but I can't imagine collecting thousands of points to trade them for a single rank-up."

Levi had gone through hell in both games to secure a perfect score... which awarded him with one hundred and eighty points.

Although this gave him the three hundred points needed to rank up, leaving him with sixty points in his wallet, he understood that it was going to get harder and harder.

The game points requirement would keep increasing while the difficulty would make it near impossible to obtain a full mark... In fact, he would feel glad if he won the game in the ugliest manner possible.

"440GP to become a noble Baron... That's three perfect wins if I were lucky." Levi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "It might take a while, but all good... as long as I am climbing."

Levi soon moved on to the Leviathan Slayer's title privileges... his finger slightly shaking in anticipation.

He understood that each title was given an appropriate reward based on its difficulty. Although the Sandscale Leviathan was weakened for the sake of the game, it was still a Leviathan-class Beast.

Beast Race was separated into six classes, with Leviathan being the fifth: Vermin, Predator, Ravager, Colossal, Leviathan, and World-Enders.

Since the Beast Race was known to be much more powerful than other races in a similar rank, taking down a Leviathan was something extraordinary regardless of what means were used.

As expected... the moment Levi pressed on the title, a long list of perks was manifested before him.

'Is this... is this real?' Levi questioned his own reality speechlessly as he read through the benefits.

His reaction was understandable when the list appeared as such:

//1. Prime Location Acquisition.

Grants first rights to purchase or lease one commercial territory in the heart of all Nine Capital Cities (premium merchant district).

The location comes with enhanced foot traffic due to its ceremonial significance.

Rent Reduction Subsidy.

Up to 50% rent reduction for five centuries, with Nocturn's Administration paying for it.

Applies to commercial and residential properties within designated Nocturnal zones.

Trade Tariff Exemption

Permanent reduction (10–15%) on import/export tariffs when dealing with Boundless Expanse goods.

Increases to 30% when it includes desert-unique goods.

Nocturnal Prestige License

Automatic qualification for a Prestige Merchant License, allowing operation across all high-value marketplaces linked to the Boundless Expanse.

Enables instant notification on Leviathan-related relics and materials before they hit closed or open markets.

Nocturn's Administration Contract Priority

The title holder gains priority in desert exploration contracts, supply chain routes, and beast-harvest rights.

Bonus: 100,000 Nocrix Credits.//

Five perks, each more amazing than the last... Even Levi, with minimal knowledge about the business side of the Boundless Expanse, could tell that he had hit the jackpot of a lifetime.

Ash'Kral confirmed it by whistling in amazement.

"They truly have set you up for life... They gave you the power to buy a commercial spot in the heart of the Nine Capitals, tariff reduction on exports and imports, and a prestige merchant license, with priority to desert exploration contracts, and such." Ash'Kral remarked, "Boy, this title has single-handedly skipped you centuries of struggle and pain... If other merchants were to learn about such perks, they would not die of envy; they would outright murder you."

"I can tell..." Levi grinned, his hands still shaking a bit.

He was given literally the best possible supply chain from purchase to selling desert-based goods in the Boundless Expanse.

Sure, he could branch out to other goods, but with a 30% discount on imported and exported desert goods, he would earn the most money in no time.

In addition, he had priority access to desert-based exploration contracts, which would ensure that he would be one of the first sellers to import those goodies in the Boundless Expanse.

With the grant of buying a prime location in any capital city, his shop would always have traffic, ensuring a successful project!

Ash'Kral wasn't wrong... Levi was genuinely set for life, as he could just become a full-on merchant and would never worry about anything in his life again... at least, in the Boundless Expanse.

A worthy title for an untouchable achievement!

"I guess my plans will have to change a little to launch a business." Levi held his chin thoughtfully.