Back at the hidden base, the tension was as thick as the humid forest air outside. Despite the high-tech facilities and structured calm, Mia couldn't help but feel the unrelenting presence of the agents who now openly followed her every step. No more pretending. No need for discreet surveillance when their orders were to monitor her directly.
But Mia didn't care.
They could stare all they wanted—as long as they didn't get in her way.
She leaned against the railing of the observation deck that overlooked the beast training grounds. Hootsworth was in deep conversation with a researcher about beast psychology and rune-linked behaviors, while Nutmeg was sparring with a mechanical opponent, his tail thudding heavily against the reinforced mats.
She exhaled slowly, trying to loosen the knot in her chest.
They'd found it.
The beast trafficking syndicate's hideout was real.
Even with all their skills, the enemy hadn't anticipated someone like her. Ordinary by the world's standards, but determined to dig until she unearthed the truth. And now they had it—proof. The officers had already begun assembling a plan to raid the concealed stronghold.
Still, Mia couldn't relax. Her mind wasn't on the strategy meetings or what the mission might entail.
It was on the strange warmth that had been growing inside her since the moment they returned from the mission.
Something familiar, yet different.
A gentle pulse. A beckoning tug at the edge of her consciousness.
She closed her eyes and sank inward.
In the center of her mindscape, surrounded by a constellation of flickering lights, hovered a small, glowing seed—the manifestation of her unique skill: Evolution Heart.
But this time, something was different. A soft chime echoed in her mind, and a shimmering screen appeared before her eyes, flickering with bold white letters:
[Karma Accumulated: 99/100]
Perform one really good deed to evolve Evolution Heart to Tier 2]
Her eyes flew open, heart pounding.
"Tier 2…?" she muttered.
She didn't even know there were tiers.
Lira from lab never mentioned anything about evolution levels in skills—especially ones that made you a walking anomaly in the beast taming world. Most people had cultivation-based abilities or battle-supportive ones. Evolution Heart was rare. Dangerous, if exposed. And now it could… upgrade?
She leapt from her spot on the railing and bolted across the training field. A few agents started to tail her, but she didn't slow down.
She needed to find Vessa.
Now.
Ten minutes later, she found the imposing officer just outside the main strategy tent, overseeing the preparations for the raid.
Commander Vessa raised an eyebrow when she saw Mia running toward her like she was chasing a beast on the loose.
"Let me come with you," Mia said without preamble, catching her breath. "When you go for the rescue—I want in."
Vessa tilted her head. "You're not trained for combat."
"I don't need to be. Let me stay back and help with the transport. Once the area's secured, I can help evacuate the beasts. You'll need people who understand them, someone who can calm them."
"And what's the sudden rush?" Vessa asked, her voice cool and piercing. "You're not exactly known for volunteering for danger."
Mia hesitated.
Because saving them would evolve her skill.
Because she wanted to do something good.
Because deep down, despite trying to keep to herself, she was tired of standing on the sidelines while the world burned around her.
"I just want to help," she said quietly. "I don't want to sit around anymore."
There was a long pause.
Finally, Vessa gave a short nod. "Fine. You'll be stationed with the recovery team. You move when I say, and if I see even a sliver of danger near you, you're out. Understood?"
Mia beamed. "Yes, ma'am!"
The mission began that very night.
The air was thick with tension as armored vehicles rolled through the camouflaged tunnel entrances. Hootsworth, Nutmeg, and Mia sat in the rear transport alongside three medics and five handlers, all ready to recover whatever wounded creatures they could save once the initial strike team neutralized the outer perimeter.
When they arrived, the scene was chaos.
Smoke hissed from rune-detonation points where the syndicate's illusions had been shattered. Flashbombs lit the sky like stars, and the sounds of clashing metal and beastly howls echoed from the deeper caverns.
The base, once perfectly hidden, now lay exposed under the glare of mobile spotlights. Dozens of cages were scattered around, some already opened, others still sealed tight with bound beasts inside.
"Move!" Vessa's voice barked through the comms. "Recovery team, go!"
Mia leapt out with the others, darting between cleared corridors. She spotted a collapsed drake with scales peeling off its back from electric burns. She knelt beside it, murmuring gently, and guided the medics to stabilize it.
Nutmeg helped lift a boulder pinning a two-headed lynx. Hootsworth projected calm energy to pacify an enraged cave bear that nearly tore its cage apart in panic.
It was frantic. Dirty. Chaotic.
And it felt right.
One after another, they saved injured beasts—Mia soothing them with soft words and warm hands, her presence steady and sure.
The final beast she found was a baby thunder elk, chained to a cold slab of rock, barely breathing.
She knelt and cradled its head.
"You're okay now," she whispered. "You're safe."
As her hand brushed its fur, the warmth in her chest surged.
She didn't even have to look.
In her mind, the familiar chime rang out.
[Karma Reached: 100/100]
Evolution Heart has evolved to Tier 2]
A pulse of golden light burst outward in her consciousness, rushing through her veins like stardust. The world tilted for a moment. Her breath caught.
And then, just like that—it was done.
The warmth settled again, deeper and calmer.
Tier 2.
She felt stronger. More connected. Like she could understand her beasts in a way that was once just out of reach. Their emotions, their fears, their joy—it was all clearer now, like a veil had been lifted.
She looked at the thunder elk, who blinked up at her, then pressed its head gently into her lap.
"Thank you," she murmured. "For helping me grow, too." As she was patting him a tinge of golden light was transmitted from the centre of her palm and the light was actually not only soothing but also healing the beast's inner injuries.
Mia unaware of her new abilities continued the help.
Hours later, back at base, Mia sat on a cot, exhausted but content. Hootsworth and Nutmeg were asleep, curled up nearby.
Vessa entered silently, a tablet in hand.
"You did well today," she said, placing it down on the bedside table. "You're still not one of us. But for what it's worth—you saved more lives than most."
Mia smiled, her eyes half-lidded with sleep. "I'm not trying to be a hero."
"Good," Vessa replied. "We've got enough of those already."
She paused at the door.
"But if you keep doing what you're doing—some might start calling you one anyway."
Then she left.
Mia lay back on the pillow, hand over her chest, where Evolution Heart still pulsed quietly.
She wasn't ready to save the world.
But maybe, just maybe, she could change a small part of it.
One beast at a time.