I Evolve 10,000 Times Faster

The transport was unmarked, with no insignia, flags, or anything else that might draw attention.

From the outside, it looked like an ordinary delivery truck, which was exactly what they needed. It moved through the Capital streets with the calm efficiency of a supply vehicle making a routine run during a riot, and nobody paid enough attention to wonder where it was going.

Maeve sat in the back surrounded by screens, using the military-grade equipment she’d pulled from the Academy archives to track their route through the Capital’s gridlock. Her fingers moved fast across the tablet as she cross-referenced geological data with surveillance feeds, occasionally glancing toward the map displayed on the largest screen.

"Turn right at the old millhouse," she said without looking up. "It connects to the northern trade road, and that goes straight into the Valleys." She paused, frowning at something on her screen. "Energy readings are already climbing. Monsters there have evolved around the density, so don’t underestimate anything just because it’s Rank 2. Most of the territory runs six to nine-Star."

She zoomed in on the map. "And if you see anything pushing past nine-Star? Don’t engage. Not without Holden."

"Got it." Holden glanced back from the passenger seat. "Extraction points?"

"Already locked. Two high-value targets." She tapped the first marker. "Upper canyon, ledge position. Iron-Scale Basilisk. Rank 2, nine-Star, earth-element core." Her finger traced the creature’s silhouette on the screen. "Scales are harder than steel. Normal weapons won’t do much."

"Second?"

"Tempest Hawk. Same rank, same star rating, but storm-element. It hunts the high thermals and its fast enough to make Renna’s arrows look slow." Maeve finally looked up. "You’ll want to take it down before it knows you’re there."

Holden nodded. "Third?"

"Nothing viable in the upper and mid-regions. Rest of the population peaks around six-Star, though I marked seven additional candidates that match your elemental needs. Earth, storm, ice. Most fall between seven and nine."

Emric looked up from his wrist display. "Lyra’s situation is different, though. Her frost affinity is mutated and ordinary ice cores won’t work properly. She needs something much purer."

Maeve brought up another section of the map, her expression tightening slightly. "The suitable core is deeper in the Valleys. Much deeper."

"Then I’ll get it," Holden said.

Emric frowned. "You? Alone?"

"Me. Just me. You three stay with the transport."

Renna leaned forward immediately. "Holden, that’s–you can’t be serious. You’re going into the deepest part of the Valleys alone? That’s not just reckless, that’s the kind of decision they write cautionary tales about. I could look it up for you. I’m pretty sure there’s a whole section in the Academy archives about people who did exactly what you’re about to do."

"Maeve will guide you through the canyon," Holden said, not turning around. "You three keep the transport safe."

He stood and moved toward the rear exit, but Emric stopped him.

"Wait. The briefing of the Basilisk’s scales s totes aid they’re nearly impenetrable by conventional weapons. Without me there to calculate the right angle, extracting the core could take longer and increase detection risk."

Holden glanced back. "I don’t need an angle. I’ll go through the belly."

"The belly is where the core is, yes, but—" Emric hesitated, visibly recalculating. "The scales there are still extremely tough. Even the Solar-Forged Sword might struggle to pierce them cleanly. Repeated strikes could damage the edge."

Holden smiled. "Then I won’t use the sword."

Emric blinked. "Then how—"

"I’m not cutting through the scales. I’ll go inside the beast and take it out by hand."

Silence.

"That’s..." Emric started, then stopped. When he spoke again, he sounded more impressed than concerned. "Your confidence is terrifyingly well-founded."

"Thanks."

"That wasn’t entirely a compliment."

Holden turned toward Renna. "Renna?"

"I’m getting my bow!" She was already reaching for it. "Do not leave without me!"

"Stay with the transport."

Renna froze, hand still extended. "What?"

"Guard it."

"That is so unfair. Why does he get all the fun?"

"Because he’s the protagonist," Renna muttered, dropping back onto the couch with exaggerated grace. "That’s just how it works. Protagonist gets the cool solo missions, everyone else babysits the truck."

"Renna. Guard the truck."

"Fine." She folded her arms. "But I’m filing a formal complaint when we get back."

"Filed and noted," Emric said.

Renna’s eyes narrowed. "And he’s taking the easy targets. The Basilisk and the Hawk are supposed to be the dangerous ones. I wanted those."

"The deeper target is more dangerous."

"But I can handle a Rank 2."

"You can handle a Rank 2," Holden agreed. "Doesn’t mean you need to fight one today."

Renna opened her mouth, then paused. Something shifted in her expression.

"Maeve. Tell me where the deeper target is."

Maeve didn’t look up from her tablet. "Why?"

"For research."

"You’re absolutely going after it."

"I said research."

"Maeve, give her the location," Holden said. "Just don’t let her anywhere near it."

"Fine." Maeve was already pulling up coordinates. "But you’re the one who told me to keep her from doing stupid things."

"Exactly."

She sent the location to Renna’s display, then switched back to the main map. "Holden—I’ve updated your route. The deeper region is worse than the upper levels. You’ll need to use the terrain to mask your approach."

"Got it."

"And Holden?"

He was already halfway through the rear exit.

"Already gone."

The transport pulled away from the curb. Renna threw herself back onto the couch and crossed her arms.

"I hate when he does that."

"Welcome to my life," Emric said, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Although, honestly? It’s nice not being the one running point for once."

The Shattered Valleys lived up to their name.

A massive canyon cut through the landscape like a scar, its dry riverbed winding between sheer cliffs that looked as though something enormous had clawed its way through the earth. Elemental energy filled the air so densely that the atmosphere shimmered with heat and static. Occasional bolts of lightning jumped between the canyon walls, crackling and dying in the space of a breath.

Even from inside the transport, the pressure was obvious.

Emric and Renna drew their weapons as they prepared themselves for the brutal struggle ahead.

Holden stepped in front of them.

"Put those away."

Renna stared at him. "What?"

"This isn’t a survival test."

He looked toward the canyon.

A beat of silence.

"This is a grocery run."

Emric lowered his weapon slightly. Renna looked between him and the dangerous wilderness outside, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and annoyance.

"I’ll do the heavy lifting," Holden continued. "Save your energy for your breakthroughs."

Renna frowned. "You’re seriously going to do all of it yourself?"

"Yes."

She opened her mouth, but Holden was already reaching for his weapon.

The Solar-Forged Sword appeared in his hand.

He looked toward Maeve.

"First target."

Maeve checked the map. "Upper canyon. Ledge position."

Holden looked toward the towering cliffs.

"Got it."

He stepped forward, ready to begin the hunt.

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