Cyber Valkyrie - Legendary

"Mom…" she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably.

Serina hugged her tightly, gently patting her back. "Thank goodness… You did it," she said, slightly sobbing.

After a while, they finally released their embrace.

Adam, who had been observing from the side, immediately asked with curiosity, "How do you feel?"

He examined Amel from head to toe, looking for any physical changes or abnormalities, but so far, he didn't notice anything unusual.

Amel wiped her tears and then focused on the transparent screen that only she could see. "I can see my status panel, Boss. My current stats are still at zero," she explained.

However, her next words made Adam freeze.

"Also, the evolution I received is Cyber Valkyrie - Legendary," Amel stated casually, as if it wasn't a big deal.

Adam felt like he had been struck by a sledgehammer.

"No way… Legendary?" he thought to himself.

His eyes widened, his mind tensed. No, this wasn't something trivial.

"Amel, are you sure it says Legendary?" he asked, his voice more serious than before.

Previously, he had only speculated that Ozan, the leader of the dark gang he had encountered, might be a Legendary Evolutionary. But that was just a temporary hypothesis.

Now, with Amel achieving the same, he started questioning the true rarity of legendary evolution. According to the evolution chests, the chance of obtaining a legendary evolution was extremely low.

"Yes, Boss. It says Legendary here," Amel confirmed confidently.

She then attempted to activate her first skill.

Slowly, changes began to occur.

Amel's once bare legs were now covered in sleek, silver armor. Her combat boots looked sturdy, with black metallic soles that appeared highly durable. It didn't stop there—both of her hands were now encased in mesh-metal gloves that fit perfectly over her fingers. As she clenched her fists, the metallic curves above them adjusted fluidly, making her resemble a futuristic warrior.

Amel then took a step forward, slightly leaning her body. In an instant, she vanished from sight.

Adam blinked.

"Huh?"

In a fraction of a second, Amel was already in front of an abandoned computer store's glass door. Then, without pause, she ran again, moving to the back corner of the store before returning to her original spot—repeating the motion several times.

Serina couldn't even react. All she could see was a faint afterimage left behind in Amel's wake.

Incredible speed.

Adam raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Amel's speed was beyond expectations. Even at the initial stage of evolution, her abilities already showed extraordinary potential.

"Impressive… a solid evolution," he said, his voice carrying an enthusiasm he couldn't hide. The thought of her next evolution flashed through his mind. If his guess was right and Amel's transformation leaned toward a mecha form, her strength could surpass all expectations.

That thought sent a thrill through his veins.

"Hahaha! I can run so fast!" Amel cheered, her voice filled with excitement. Her eyes sparkled as she examined her hands, as if she still couldn't believe the changes in her body. The curiosity that had plagued her since last night had now been answered in the most satisfying way possible.

Adam simply smirked. "Good… now you're officially under my command. Understood?" he said, reminding Amel of their previous agreement.

Without hesitation, Amel stood straight and gave a salute. "Yes, Boss!"

"Good. Get ready," Adam continued, his tone casual but firm. "We're heading out soon to explore the area."

He did want to assess the surroundings, but more than that, something inside him stirred—a growing urge to test his strength, to see the true extent of his new limits in this drastically changed world.

Amel nodded and turned to her mother. Serina, who had been holding back her emotions, could no longer stop the tears welling in her eyes. She held her daughter's hands tightly, whispering something in a hushed tone—too soft for Adam to hear, but enough for Amel to nod repeatedly.

Adam watched from a distance, his expression unreadable. There was something about the sight that unsettled him—something he couldn't quite explain.

His gaze drifted downward, his mind wandering far away.

Uncle… Aunt… are you still alive?

The longing came without warning, like waves crashing against a shore. How long had it been since he last saw them? More than a month since the world collapsed. Sumatra Island… over 1,500 kilometers from here. Too far. Too dangerous.

Suddenly, his expression shifted. The longing was replaced by something darker—something that had been buried deep within him all this time.

His fingers curled into a fist.

Agung…

The name left his lips, laced with an icy coldness.

A face surfaced in his mind—an arrogant smirk, eyes full of contempt, a voice dripping with falsehoods. The man who had destroyed his life, stripped him of his job, his dignity, and everything he had worked so hard to build.

No. He wouldn't die before settling the score.

Adam's thoughts spiraled, but then—

GGRGRGRG…

The deep rumble of heavy machinery shattered the silence.

His body tensed, instincts kicking in immediately. His eyes narrowed, scanning the surroundings. That wasn't just any sound—it wasn't just an ordinary vehicle, but something much bigger.

The roar of a truck engine.

And it was getting closer.