CHAPTER 207: CHANGES

"I see."

Adyr gave a slight smile as he accepted the role assigned to him.

Fame wasn’t something he desired. He had no interest in praise or admiration. But it could be useful. With the right kind of influence, his reach would grow, especially toward figures far above his current clearance. People like the City Managers. Or the Mad Scientist, who likely held the answers to more than a few of his questions.

Still, shaping him into a hero? A public symbol? Someone the masses would rely on for a sense of safety?

He smirked.

In his previous life, his very existence had been a warning. A walking nightmare whispered about in hushed tones—a monster that lurked within the cracks of society. And now, that same man was being paraded as a protector?

It was like handing the sheep over to the wolf... and calling it security.

The thought alone was amusing.

"You look happy, huh?" Rhys caught the expression on his face and chuckled. He thought Adyr was excited about the attention, the fame, the sudden rise to public recognition.

"I am," Adyr said, smirk still in place. "I’m just curious what they’ll call me after my debut."

His grin widened, not with pride, but with quiet mockery.

For a brief moment, Rhys sensed something in him. A flicker of something dark, familiar. He, too, was a man who kept a shard of violence tucked away—always present, always restrained. And for that instant, he recognized it in Adyr.

But the feeling passed. And before he could dwell on it further, a sharp voice cut through the rooftop air.

"Hey! Wait up!"

Three figures were approaching at a brisk pace, boots striking the concrete with hurried precision. Leading them was a tall, lean man with a long blond ponytail swaying behind him. He raised a hand high, his face lit with a smug grin that stretched from ear to ear.

Adyr let out a quiet chuckle as he caught sight of Victor’s signature expression. "Looks like I’m not going alone."

He had already sensed this might happen during their earlier call—Victor was exactly the kind of person to pull something like this. Missing out on the Cannibal encounter had clearly left a mark on him. It wasn’t just regret—it was unfinished business. And now, Adyr could see it plainly. He must’ve done everything he could to make sure he didn’t miss this one.

Victor had changed noticeably.

His pupils were now completely red, faintly glowing even in daylight. His skin had grown pale, almost bloodless, like that of a terminal patient. When he grinned widely, Adyr noticed his molars had grown longer and sharper, resembling fangs.

Is this guy trying to become a vampire? Adyr smirked.

He could already guess Victor’s motivation for his evolution path. Something over-the-top, theatrical. Most likely aiming to become a vampire lord or whatever equivalent the world offered—probably just to build some ridiculous undead harem for himself.

Just behind him was Selina, her midnight-purple hair catching the light as it rippled in the breeze. She wore a sleek black tactical suit, so precisely fitted it looked custom-made, hugging her form, emphasizing every graceful line. In one hand, she carried a long, ice-blue sword that gleamed with quiet menace.

She, too, had changed. The tips of her ears had taken on a faint, elegant point—subtle, but enough to give her the appearance of a natural-born elf. It didn’t make her look strange. On the contrary, it only deepened her beauty. Her violet eyes and dark hair now carried more of the night in them, as if her entire being reflected a silent moon cast high in an empty sky.

Next to her walked Dalin Ravencourt.

Her red hair flowed like fire, every wave catching the light as though it might ignite the air. She wore the same style of tailored black uniform, fitting her body with deliberate precision, accentuating both grace and command. Her expression was pure arrogance—that familiar, condescending tilt of her head only reinforced the noble blood behind her name.

As her hair shifted, it seemed to spark faintly, scattering embers that weren’t really there. Her crimson eyes, too, carried a subtle glow—tiny flames flickering deep within, as if she could breathe fire at any moment. The pressure she gave off was unmistakable—like a dragon wearing human skin.

Clearly, after coming together as a team, they hadn’t just reached their Rank 2 evolutions. They had grown stronger, sharper, and more defined. Their synergy, their preparation, even the foundations of their builds... it was all tighter now.

As they approached, Adyr asked, "Where’s Eren?"

He genuinely wanted to see what kind of transformation Eren had gone through. Even before, he had looked almost inhuman, like a monster in the making. Now that he had completed his second evolution, he was probably the one who had undergone the most noticeable change among them.

Victor was the one who answered. "He drew the short straw. He’s staying back to guard our bodies in the other world."

It was clear now—they had managed to reunite over there, and they’d become a real team. That kind of coordination brought all sorts of advantages, and they were clearly starting to make use of them.

Before Victor could keep running the conversation, Dalin stepped forward.

"I heard you’re heading to Shelter City 8. Can we tag along?"

Her usual arrogance in both tone and behavior seemed noticeably subdued in front of Adyr. She asked in a surprisingly meek manner. More than anything, she didn’t want to miss the chance to witness his power with her own eyes. Comparing his growth to her own was the most direct way to measure how far she had come.

"Sure," Adyr said with a shrug. As long as they didn’t interfere with his fun, he had no problem letting them watch. He understood their reason and couldn’t blame them for it. Still, he turned to Rhys before giving a clear answer. "Are they allowed?"

Rhys was still the commander, regardless of the division. And as the acting supervisor for this mission, his word was final.

With the same casual tone, Rhys replied, "As long as you take responsibility as their captain, why not?"

"Captain?" Victor blurted out the word, staring at him. "You became a captain?"

Even Selina, who had been quietly observing Adyr for a while now, raised her eyebrows slightly. Dalin also looked surprised. They both waited for clarification.

In the military, earning a rank wasn’t like gaining social status. It required experience, time, and recognition—none of which came easily. And Adyr was only 18.

"I am. Do you have any objections, soldier?" Adyr said with a grin, mocking him just enough to sting.

"No, sir, yes, sir!" Victor quickly straightened up and gave a sharp salute, playing along without hesitation.

"If you want to keep chatting, do it inside. There’s still a city waiting to be saved."

Rhys’s tone left no room for debate. The lack of discipline in this newly formed division was already starting to irritate him, and it showed.

No one argued. Without another word, they climbed into the hoverjet one by one, entering through the open side hatch and taking their seats with barely contained excitement.

They all knew what was coming. In just a short while, they would witness the strength of a third-generation mutant at his peak. And that anticipation alone was enough to fill the cabin with electric tension.