The Glorious Evolution

Levi’s heart started accelerating as he painted the picture in his mind in all its details, showing him giant prehistoric dinosaurs being used as props or themes for games.

The picture should have had absolutely no relation to the kind of issue he was having... even the Titan and Ash’Kral were left confused by his reaction.

And yet... a wide grin slowly took shape on Levi’s face.

Without hesitation, Levi accessed the network and dug deep, searching for anyone who had attempted something remotely similar.

The answer was no.

There were a few close calls... a handful of madmen who had brushed against the concept.

But none had taken it this far.

None had attempted something quite as grandiose... or batshit insane... as what Levi had in mind.

”This is the unique experience... this is my path to riches!”

Once Ash’Kral and the Titan glanced at his research results, it immediately became clear to them what he planned to do.

”Whoa... A Real Leviathan Amusement Park?” The Titan raised a brow in surprise. ”That’s actually not a bad concept.”

Even his biggest hater couldn’t help but nod in approval.

”Not bad... It’ll be challenging, but if executed correctly, it could become a gold mine,” Ash’Kral admitted reluctantly. ”You might even use it as a venue for nobility gatherings, with some auctions involved to earn real money.”

”My thoughts exactly!”

Levi shifted his focus to the board, realizing he might already have everything he needed to pull it off.

”Looks like my partnership with the Zen family isn’t over yet.” Levi grinned as he sent a message to Brahmin, requesting an urgent meeting.

***

Sometime later...

Levi sat in front of Brahmin in silence inside the Samsara Temple... he had just spent fifteen minutes explaining his ludicrous plan, which involved him and his people.

After a few more minutes to process everything, Brahmin let out a long exhale.

”So, you’re telling me you plan on turning half of Targon’s territory into a massive amusement park using real gigantic Leviathan carcasses as themes for the games, while requesting a partnership to use my people as staff members to oversee the entire business for a share?”

”More or less.” Levi smiled.

”...”

Brahmin was left speechless.

Not in his wildest dreams did he expect their savior to make a 180-degree turn and become crazy overnight... he had just thanked him for the one-million-credit gift, which they had already used to pay the protection fees and lock down their territory again.

Then, he came back with an even crazier proposal.

”Also... I will allow you to lease the Zen Relic Store from me for a percentage of the profits your family makes from the business,” Levi shared. ”For my plan to work, I need constant promotion, and I believe your family’s business will rebound stronger, creating traffic I could never pull by selling my products in it.”

Levi understood that if his plan succeeded, the store wouldn’t be of much use to him besides providing promotion for his park... if he leased it back to the Runehoof Kin and obtained a small share, he would be earning passive income, and they would be able to support themselves continuously, allowing them to work on his park in peace.

It was a win-win scenario.

”I don’t know what to say... everything sounds like a blessing,” Brahmin muttered, too stunned to react.

He would be getting the store back through a monthly lease and even establishing a long-term partnership with their savior.

He had just been discussing with the elders their family’s plans to create some sources of revenue to pay their taxes and fund evolutionary resources for a new heir if one was born with the will to fight to become a Noble.

Everything cost money, and without their main store, they were clueless... if it wasn’t for Levi’s one-million-credit gift, they might have taken a large loan from a bank using their territory as collateral... a final desperate move to get their business off the ground.

”So, partners?” Levi reached out with a hand and a smile.

”I don’t know how you will create such an unimaginable business, but you have my full support... whatever you need, just ask.” Brahmin gladly shook his hand.

Levi chuckled and told him that all he needed to do was focus on getting their family’s business up and running to hasten the store’s reopening... he relied heavily on the opening day to promote his park.

Following Brahmin’s assurance, Levi tried to leave to get to work... but then he recalled Jojo’s situation. With the borders closed shut and new security management being installed, House Zen would be crowned in peace again.

”Also, is it possible for my friend to come visit now?” Levi requested.

”Of course.”

Brahmin was so pleased with the situation that he didn’t even seem to care anymore if Jojo stayed with them for centuries... in his eyes, as long as Levi wasn’t forcing them to pass down their techniques, then it was all good.

”Thanks.”

Levi smiled, knowing exactly what was going through his mind.

’Jojo might change his mind on the first day.’

***

One Boundless Month Later...

Ting!

Levi was halfway through learning a musical technique when a notification pinged in his mind.

Then... a dimensional screen popped up automatically, and Levi extended it fully.

-Leviathan Slayer: Priority Notice.-

-A full carcass has entered the Eighth Sky Province through the Green Freight Line, cleared one minute ago. Species: Graveyard Drifter Beast. Class: Leviathan. Condition: intact, corruption present in the lower body.-

-Declared destination: private buyer, unnamed. Listing status: not yet posted to closed or open markets.-

-You are receiving this notice ahead of all non-titled merchants and Rifters in the Boundless Expanse.-

Levi immediately desummoned his violin and put on his clothes... then he rushed out and closed the door behind him, heading toward the Void-Anchor Terminal.

His rush was justified, as he had been failing nonstop for the past month to win any serious Leviathan materials... as he had expected, the market was already split between the bigger players; not even his first-dibs notice changed anything.

Sure, he received information earlier than anyone else... but the Beast Hunters already had either long-term unofficial or official contracts with private buyers, making Levi’s efforts to buy from them obsolete without either a lot of money in his pockets or a powerful background to sway them.

So far, he had spent two hundred thousand credits on the head of an aquatic eel-like Leviathan... and it was through a private auction for nobility, which he had luckily received a tip about, along with having the Baron privilege to join.

Besides this small win, everything else was depressing.

’A full Leviathan’s body... If my business proposal doesn’t work, I have to win the carcass at least.’

Levi’s stress was written all over his face as he hurried into the Terminal and teleported straight to the Eighth Sky Province Capital.

The three free monthly teleportations had reset and been consumed a long while ago.

***

Eighth Sky Province... Nocturn’s Palm City.

As one could tell, either Nocturn or the Administration had a funny way of naming such important metropolises in their realm.

But Levi and the rest of the citizens had already accepted the absurdity and kept their focus on the never-ending rat race.

At least, the city earned its name. It was situated in the center of a hand the size of a small continent... it was attached to the ground by its arm, suspended hundreds of kilometers in the air.

The fingers were half-curled as though the hand had stopped mid-grasp and never finished... although it was named Nocturn’s Palm City, no one truly knew if this arm belonged to him or if it was just one of his many sick jokes.

Still, the citizens had already turned it into a permanent home... the districts filled the green creases while the wealthy built along the raised ridges.

Everyone else settled into the deep lines running across the palm, where the buildings stacked in crooked columns because there was nowhere left to build.

Bridges filled the gaps between the fingers... they were thick with vehicles and bestial traffic at every hour.

Levi crossed above the third bridge with his hood up and his hands in his pockets, riding on his Wyvern mount, Vyra... some cities banned flights or mounts entirely, but not Nocturn’s Palm City, which was already suspended so far up in the air.

’Faster, Vyra... if they leave the station, I am done for.’