The Glorious Evolution Chapter 4: The Nightcrawlers’ Evolutionary Paths.

"Kid, you've got three seconds to reveal your info source, or I'll sever your neck." Blee'der's tone grew dark and threatening.

Levi understood the threat was genuine, as Blee'der was a contracted Nightcrawler—meaning his partner would not hesitate to act if their confidential details were exposed.

Yet, Levi remained completely calm.

"Relax, I figured out your situation myself." Levi explained in a casual voice, "This outpost connects to the Harrowing Forest, the sole location across the whole Northern Africa District where soil suits the growth of Blood Crystal Flowers."

"I'm aware your kind needs Blood Crystal Seeds for Limited Evolution or Blood Crystal Flowers for Remarkable Evolution." He stopped briefly, "Seeds are simple to acquire, but Blood Crystal Flowers only bloom deep inside the Harrowing Forest."

"Previously, it was too risky because a Shadow Castle controlled it, but now that the Sunstrike Agency has purged it, the forest has turned reasonably accessible for rogue and low-tier Daywalkers."

"I figure you three belong to one Daywalkers squad tasked with finding the flower, since limited evolution doesn't seem to interest you at all."

"Need I explain further?"

After his words, the trio of nightcrawlers stood stunned, grasping that Levi had pinpointed nearly every detail accurately.

Noticing their expressions, Levi paused briefly before inching toward Blee'der until his lips brushed the other's ear... Then he murmured, "Imagine if I revealed a method with strong odds of securing the elusive Perfect Evolution for you?"

"Get the hell away." Blee'der jerked back from Levi as if he'd heard the most ridiculous joke ever.

"Perfect evolution? Kid, spare us the lies—we won't help you get contracted."

"Hahaha, perfect evolution, he claims—while Blee'der and Shia can barely manage remarkable evolution."

The remaining two nightcrawlers chuckled at Levi's claim, dismissing it entirely... Such skepticism made perfect sense.

Nightcrawlers were thought to divide into nine tiers, from Tier 1 up to their peak at Tier 9.

As a race encompassing countless species and variants, nightcrawlers might start as low as Tier 1 or even emerge directly at Tier 9, according to beliefs.

No one could confirm the higher starting tiers for sure.

What everyone knew for certain was that all nightcrawlers could evolve to their ultimate form, be it Tier 5, 6, 7, or 9.

The small evolutions determined the constraints of that ultimate form.

These incremental evolutions happened between tiers and varied from Limited Evolution to Remarkable Evolution, culminating in Perfect Evolution.

Put simply, a Tier 1 nightcrawler reaching Tier 4 via only limited evolutions might cap permanently at Tier 4.

Conversely, a Tier 1 nightcrawler advancing solely through perfect evolutions between tiers stood a good shot at peaking at Tier 8 or 9.

The catch with that approach was its extreme difficulty—few ever braved such a perilous, uncharted route.

"Laugh if you like, but consider I've mingled with thousands—maybe tens of thousands—of nightcrawlers over ten years?" Levi responded with his typical mild smile, "Wouldn't it make sense I've picked up some valuable insights along the way?"

Blee'der and his fellow nightcrawlers exchanged informed looks, admitting Levi made a valid argument. Perfect evolution's biggest hurdle was the scarcity of information.

Limited and remarkable evolutions demanded plenty of experimentation before reliable paths emerged, but perfect evolutions posed far greater challenges.

Take Blee'der's Blood Half-Mantras species: they relied on Blood Crystal Seeds as primary material, plus a few auxiliaries, for limited evolution through the initial three Tiers.

Blood Crystal Flowers served as the core for remarkable evolution.

Dr. Isaac Mendel, the foremost evolutionist, charted both paths. He also mapped evolutions for countless other nightcrawlers, bolstering Daywalkers' strength immensely.

Despite his genius in this age, he had uncovered just one hundred perfect evolution paths altogether... And those typically spanned three tiers at most.

This highlighted the sheer difficulty of the entire process.

"Why tell me all this?" Blee'der squinted his eyes, "Assuming you're telling the truth, what's in it for you? If you're after my help landing a contract, forget about it—I don't carry that kind of weight."

"Don't jump ahead." Levi replied steadily, "I only need a written recommendation letter for the Contract Ritual Assembly."

"A recommendation letter? You expect our agency to back you for the assembly?"

Blee'der along with the other nightcrawlers lifted their eyebrows in astonishment.

"Yes."

Seeing Levi's utter seriousness, the trio of nightcrawlers found no harsh words to utter.

There comes a moment when ridicule becomes pointless...

"Soulless Gaze, whether you're outright mad or just a fool waiting for reality to hit, I couldn't care less." Blee'der flicked his wings, "Truth be told, it doesn't matter to me. If your intel checks out, I'll secure that recommendation for you."

"That's exactly what I seek." Levi grinned.

Blee'der nodded faintly to his companions, after which they headed back to their partners, passing on the update.

"Arthy, spot the three-person team in line with weapons drawn and describe their actions."

Levi called out as he lounged against the dirt bike, watching the three nightcrawlers vanish from view, shifting into vague humanoid aura shapes.

He was aware that nightcrawlers under contract could shift freely between the Shadow Dimension and reality at will.

Yet they couldn't exist in both realms at once... Their present aura manifestations showed they had assumed weapon forms physically to chat.

They weren't unable to talk to their partners outside the Shadow Dimension, though it would be purely through telepathy.

True enough, Arthur quickly pinpointed two guys and a girl clustered closely, chatting among themselves while glancing their way.

Each one wielded their distinctive weapons.

"They're gesturing toward us as they speak." Arthur reported, "The guys appear unhappy, but the woman seems to be persuading them on some point."

"Got it."

"What's your play here?" Arthur inquired, intrigued.

Levi shared the deal's particulars, leaving his brother's brows arched in shock.

Once done, Arthur pressed once more, "You actually know his tier 3 perfect evolutionary path?"

"No way, or I'd have cashed it in ages ago." Levi answered, "Mom's books never delved into precise paths for individual nightcrawlers."

"..." Arthur gaped at his brother without words.

Sensing his younger sibling's doubt in his choice, Levi pivoted toward him and stated evenly, "Progress demands taking risks now and then."