Chapter 4: Evolution's Price and The War Beyond the Rifts

The Aftermath of the Hunt

Daniel sat against the broken wall, his breath still ragged. His leg wound had already healed—thanks to his rapidly adapting Unstable Mutation—but his mind was spinning.

The Crimson Order wasn't just some random group of apocalypse survivors. They were organized, armed, and worst of all—they knew exactly what they were doing.

That last hunter's words echoed in his mind.

"You are not ready for what is coming."

Daniel ran a hand through his messy hair. "Yeah, no cryptic ominous warnings or anything—just stab a guy and disappear. Love that. Super helpful."

His stomach rumbled.

"…And I still haven't eaten my damn instant noodles."

A loud crash in the distance snapped him back to reality. More Dimensional Beasts were roaming the ruins, drawn by the battle. He needed to move.

If he stayed here, something even worse might show up.

With a deep breath, Daniel pushed himself up—only to immediately freeze.

Because someone was watching him.

---

A Mysterious Visitor

Across the street, standing atop a shattered streetlight, was a lone figure clad in a tattered black cloak.

Unlike the Crimson Order hunters, this person wasn't armored. Their face was completely obscured by a hood, and yet… Daniel felt their gaze piercing through him.

[Unknown Entity Detected.]

[Threat Level: ???]

The system couldn't read them.

Daniel tensed. "Uh, hi there. You wanna—"

The figure vanished.

And before Daniel could react, they reappeared right in front of him.

"OH HELL—"

Daniel instinctively activated Blink Step, warping backward just in time to dodge the razor-sharp dagger that nearly punctured his chest.

The mysterious figure didn't hesitate, lunging at him again with lightning-fast strikes.

Daniel barely dodged, twisting around as the dagger sliced through the air where his head had been moments ago.

"HEY—WHAT DID I DO TO YOU?!" Daniel shouted, ducking under another slash.

No response.

Just a relentless, brutal efficiency in their attacks.

This guy isn't just strong—he's trained.

Daniel needed to counterattack.

He activated his Unstable Mutation, letting his arm shift into the monstrous claw he had absorbed from the previous fight.

And for the first time—the assassin hesitated.

That half-second of hesitation was all Daniel needed.

He lunged forward, his clawed hand swiping at the attacker's chest.

But instead of dodging—

The assassin let it hit.

---

The First Twist: The Assassin's Secret

Daniel's claw tore through the assassin's cloak, revealing strange, swirling symbols etched into their skin.

But instead of bleeding, the wound instantly sealed itself shut—as if the attack had never happened.

"Okay, that's not fair," Daniel muttered.

The assassin finally spoke.

"…You absorbed the mutation."

Their voice was distorted, like it was layered with multiple echoes.

Daniel blinked. "Wait. You know what this is?"

The assassin remained silent for a moment, then sighed.

They lowered their dagger and took a step back.

"…You weren't supposed to survive."

Daniel narrowed his eyes. "Well, sorry to disappoint."

The assassin tilted their head slightly, as if reevaluating him.

"…Maybe you're the anomaly we need after all."

"Cool, cool—great cryptic nonsense. Love that. But who are you, and why did you just try to stab me?!"

The assassin hesitated before speaking.

"My name is Ash."

"I work for the last remaining human faction that hasn't fallen to the rifts."

Daniel frowned. "Wait—you mean there's an actual group of survivors out there that aren't crazy cultists or murder squads?"

Ash nodded. "But they're dying. Fast."

Daniel exhaled. "Of course they are. Because nothing in this world can be easy."

Then Ash dropped the real bombshell.

"The Crimson Order isn't just hunting system users for power."

"They're trying to erase anyone who has the potential to become something more."

---

The War Beyond the Rifts

Daniel didn't like the sound of that.

"…Define something more."

Ash studied him carefully before responding.

"Tell me, Daniel."

"What do you think happens when a system user absorbs too much power?"

Daniel frowned. "Uh, I dunno—become OP? Get a sick new transformation? Maybe unlock a god-tier ability that lets me finally eat my noodles in peace?"

Ash didn't laugh.

Instead, they said something that sent a chill down Daniel's spine.

"No. They stop being human."

Daniel's breath caught.

Ash continued.

"The rifts don't just merge dimensions—they consume them. And humans who absorb too much dimensional energy?"

"They become something even worse than the monsters."

Daniel swallowed hard.

His eyes flicked to his mutated arm, the unstable power shifting beneath his skin.

Was that what was happening to him?

Was he changing into something else?

Ash took a step forward. "That's why the Crimson Order exists. They aren't just hunting system users for fun."

"They're trying to prevent the rise of a new kind of horror."

Daniel exhaled. "So, what—you're telling me if I keep evolving, I'll eventually turn into some kind of apocalypse boss monster?"

Ash didn't respond.

Daniel groaned. "Oh, that's just fantastic. I can't even be a cool protagonist. Nooo—I gotta be at risk of turning into the final boss instead."

Ash sighed. "That's why I was sent to kill you. The faction I work for—the Remnants—thought you were just another unstable system user who would lose control."

"But after watching you fight…"

They paused.

"…I think you might be different."

---

Another Choice, Another Road

Daniel folded his arms. "So, what now? You gonna test me again? See if I start growing tentacles or something?"

Ash shook their head.

"No. I'm giving you a choice."

"You can keep wandering alone—fighting until something stronger eventually kills you."

"Or you can come with me."

Daniel hesitated.

"Why would I trust you?"

Ash smirked.

"You don't have to. But if you want answers about your system, your evolution, and the war happening beyond these rifts… I'm your best shot."

Daniel clenched his fists.

A few hours ago, all he cared about was surviving and eating noodles.

Now, he was caught in a game far bigger than he understood.

But one thing was clear.

He couldn't stay the same.

He had to evolve.

But the question was—

Would he evolve into the hero who stopped the apocalypse?

Or the monster that ended it?

Daniel exhaled.

"…Fine. Lead the way."

Ash nodded. "Good choice."

But as they turned to leave, Daniel heard something in the distance.

A low, guttural roar—one that made even Ash tense up.

Daniel sighed. "Oh, great. What now?"

Ash's voice was grave.

"…Something just came through the rift."

Something big.

---

What Happens Next?

Daniel meets the Remnants—the last human faction.

A legendary monster emerges from the rift.

The truth behind the Crimson Order is revealed.

Daniel's Unstable Mutation begins to take control…

Find out next time on Ancient Legends: In the Apocalypse with My Dimension Devouring System!