Evolution Online: My 10,000× Reward System Multiplies Everything

’What was that just now?’

”What race are you?” Kaelen asked immediately.

”Are you seriously trying to change the topic? Not even denying it?”

”No, I wasn’t looking at that. Could you just tell me your race?”

Before she could reply, the wagon suddenly slowed to a halt, and the driver knocked his cane on the carriage.

”We’re here,” he bellowed from outside.

Black Rose glared at him before pulling her hood over her head and disappearing outside. Cindra looked at him once before following after her friend.

Kaelen sat there for a moment, thinking.

”That’s strange. What could that possibly be?”

He momentarily pushed the thought to the back of his mind as he stepped onto the busy street. The building standing before him had the bold symbol of a heraldic shield bisected vertically, featuring a sword pointing upwards, flanked by outspread avian wings that formed a ’V’ shape.

The White Vanguard Guild building had practically found him before he could look for it.

The Guild Leader and vice captain had already disappeared from view, so Kaelen walked up and stepped into the building, his view narrowing to the vast lobby of the guild, with reception tables on either side.

Before he could move to any of the tables to state his business, a lady walked up to him.

”Idris Thomas?”

Kaelen turned to the woman. ”Yes?”

”Please come this way,” she said and led the way.

After a few twists and turns, they began walking down a narrow passage with the sounds of battle coming from the closed doors on either side.

Kaelen didn’t need to ask what was happening in the rooms, as he could clearly see it with his [Sharp Senses]. They were training rooms, and the combatants were either sparring or battling illusion beasts.

The narrow passageway suddenly expanded into a wide hall, and at first glance, Kaelen could tell it was an auditorium. Or, to be more accurate, an arena.

A fight had just ended, and Kaelen watched the cracked floor repair itself.

He immediately noticed another tiny detail, which was that people were starting to clear out and move out of the arena as soon as he arrived, and they were all shooting him curious glances.

”Is this the guy?”

He heard someone say it, and thought it was something about the dating rumor again, but he soon realized the glances he was getting here were different from the ones he was getting at the city gate.

The lady led him straight into the arena before stopping and facing him.

”Your aptitude test will begin shortly,” she said and turned to leave without waiting for his reply.

The people began surrounding the arena like they wanted to spectate the next battle, which Kaelen was unsure of, and the moment more people began trooping into the arena and slowly filling it up as they shot him weird glances and spoke amongst themselves, it immediately told Kaelen all he needed to know.

”This is definitely not normal,” he whispered to himself, but wasn’t stressed one bit about the entire situation.

He was a Tier 9 after all. Likely the strongest, not just within the guild’s walls, but in the entire city.

”Kaelen...?”

He heard someone blurt his name in surprise and turned to an elf with bright red hair standing somewhere in the crowd, staring at him with surprise written all over her face.

”Who’s Kaelen?” a beast girl beside her asked. ”That’s Black Rose’s boyfriend. And I think his name was Idris something,” she whispered to her friend.

Stephanie had barely heard what her friend said, as her mind fell into chaos.

If Kaelen was a Human player, does that mean he’s really not the same Kaelen Cross as the infamous Slime?

Her mother had pressed her about it, urging her to relay everything she knew about Kaelen to claim the one million Evolution Points reward.

After all, it should benefit both of them, as the Emperor wanted to reward her as well.

She’d hesitated because she wasn’t truly certain, until the news broke out that he was dating Black Rose and she got all the pieces and assurance she needed to claim the reward.

But seeing him here now as a Human player totally shattered her view once more.

If he was a Human player all along, then who was the real infamous Slime?

And most importantly, she’d heard that an outstanding candidate had opted to take on the Hell’s Mode aptitude test, which was why everyone had rushed there to watch the test.

The last time that happened, the player didn’t last ten seconds and had died on the spot, losing an entire Tier over an aptitude test.

Did Kaelen choose Hell’s Mode just to impress Black Rose?

His sudden wealth made much more sense now if he was simply living off Black Rose’s money. But she also heard he went by a different name now, and that could only mean one thing...

He’d lied to her.

He lied to her about his past to gain her sympathy and deceive her into being with him. Thankfully, her mother had made her see through his deceit and got them out of the slums. And now he’d found a new target to leech off, using his good looks and sweet tongue.

Yes. That was the only possible explanation for all of it.

Trying to impress your girlfriend by walking into the lion’s den? Scoffs. Let’s see if you’ll still be so cocky after you lose an Evolution Tier.

Stephanie thought bitterly to herself, trying to feel better after Kaelen had ignored her—twice now. He clearly saw her in the crowd and pretended he didn’t know her.

”Let the Hell’s Mode aptitude test begin!”

Hell’s Mode? Kaelen mused in confusion.

Why was he in Hell’s Mode?

He looked around to see the arena was tightly packed now, and a few betting pools had been erected as people began placing their bets.

Was this actually the White Vanguard Guild, or had Black Rose tricked him into somewhere shady because he told her to her face that she’d been exposed for kill-stealing?

He didn’t see Black Rose or Cindra anywhere, but was certain they were definitely watching from somewhere.

A white-robed figure stepped onto the arena opposite him, and without saying a word, he began casting as runic symbols began appearing all over the arena.

”The Hell’s Mode aptitude test can only be concluded after one side has been utterly annihilated. It’s a fight to the death,” the instructor bellowed again as monsters began materializing from the runic symbols.

The crowd immediately gasped before the beasts were fully formed, and Kaelen couldn’t help but narrow his eyes at the three beasts that had been summoned.

They stood in a ’V’ formation, with one standing further back than the other two, indicating it was the leader.

Kaelen was confused as he assessed the three beasts.

The first two were Tier 4s, while the third was a Tier 5.

I thought this was supposed to be Hell’s Mode? Kaelen scratched his chin when it clicked.

”Ah, I see how it is. This should be the first wave, and there should be about three waves, with the beasts getting stronger each time.”

If that’s the case, let’s waste time with the first wave and save our stamina for the last.

As for the Talent he’d chosen for this disguise...

Infinite Mana.