Chapter 361: Second Round... Of Evolution

Leon spent the whole night with his partner, battling in bed. Perhaps because they were both Tier Two, they lasted far longer than ordinary humans would.

Marie lay sprawled against Leon’s chest, panting as she listened to his steady heartbeat. Her finger traced lazy circles on his torso, slow and affectionate.

Leon exhaled, then ran a hand through her hair.

"You’re really... a beast."

Marie’s brows furrowed, and she pouted. "Hey, I was just being energetic."

Leon chuckled. "Yeah, sure. I totally believe that."

"You..." Marie paused, hearing his steady breathing. "You aren’t tired?"

Leon smiled thinly. "Not in the slightest. Adaptation keeps me going."

"Insane..." She murmured, a smile forming on her face. "Um... I think we should get a shower and clean up. This place is a mess already."

The auburn-haired woman’s reminder made Leon notice the condition of the room.

The bed was... soaked. It was like it had been doused in gallons of water. Surely not water, but anyone would understand.

The couple themselves were soaked. Leon gave a strained smile and wiped something from Marie’s lips.

Then, he carried her in his arms, princess-style, and headed to the bathroom. As they left, she set the bed on fire, quickly reducing it to ashes. That furniture could no longer be saved, anyway.

Like adults, they didn’t indulge their fantasies too much in the bathroom. They only spent an hour, and came out clean and flushed.

Leon hugged Marie from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder with a peaceful expression.

"Haa... I want to be like this forever."

The woman smirked and elbowed him slightly. "You’re being cheeky and lazy, Leon. Get a grip."

He hummed and hugged her tighter, then glanced at the place where the bed used to be.

"You really burnt it."

Marie giggled. "We needed to clear the evidence."

"You’re making this sound like a crime," Leon sighed. "I could have kept it in my storage ring or something, y’know?"

Marie turned to give him a long look before turning away and muttering, "Pervert."

Leon blinked, astonished by whatever conclusion she had come to. Releasing her from his embrace, he said, "Let me go get another bed from one of the empty rooms."

Marie nodded and watched him head for the door, suddenly, they both froze.

Goosebumps spread across their skin, and cold sweat covered their backs. The air suddenly grew thick and suffocating. It felt pure, yet somehow unbearable.

[Planet Earth is evolving. Phase 2 Evolution has begun]

Leon’s eyes slowly widened. "So... so fast?"

He turned to Marie and noticed the surprise in her eyes too. Surely, he wasn’t seeing things.

Although they had predicted that the evolution would happen soon, they hadn’t expected it to begin so early.

Marie’s expression turned grim. "Damned Star Stream. Just when I was enjoying my honeymoon."

Leon laughed awkwardly. "I’ll make it up to you later. For now, let’s check on the others."

They quickly rushed out of the room and headed downstairs. Unsurprisingly, Selene and Gwen were already there.

Leon gave Selene a weird look. "Why are you... wearing pajamas and holding a sword?"

She froze, seemingly realizing how strange her outfit was.

"Shut up," She hissed. "It’s not like you’re not wearing a pajamas too."

Leon blinked and looked at himself. Indeed, he was wearing pajamas, and they matched Marie’s.

"Ah, well, at least mine looks cooler than—"

"Alright, that’s enough." Gwen cut them off. "Stop arguing like kids. There’s an emergency."

Selene glared at Leon and sheathed her sword, while Leon coughed in embarrassment.

Marie smiled faintly and said, "I’ll go wake Cassie and the others."

Gwen nodded gratefully and watched her go before turning to the other two with a serious expression.

"City Lord and Vice City Lord. You both need to take that seriously now."

Leon grumbled, feeling as though his mother were chastising him, while Selene’s gaze sharpened.

"Any news yet?" Leon asked, sitting on a couch.

Selene sat beside him, though they pretended to ignore each other.

Gwen looked at the phone in her hand and shook her head. "Nothing concrete yet, but give the world ten minutes. I’m sure social media will be on fire."

Leon nodded, then said, "Looks like the flood of mana has stopped."

"No." Selene shook her head. "You merely adapted. I have adapted too. Tier One Evolvers and above should have an easy time adapting. But normal humans and regular Evolvers? I’m not so sure."

Leon’s expression hardened. "I’m heading out to check."

"I’m coming too." Gwen stood up, equally serious.

The others came down the stairs and found them ready to leave.

Miguel yawned and looked around in confusion. "Why are you all tense? Is the world ending or something?"

Leon shot him a look. "Phase Two has started. Get that straight."

Miguel’s spine straightened immediately. "Holy shit! Just when I was sleeping?"

Leon ignored his further comments and looked at the others: Cassie, Fel, Richard, Reymond, and a sleepy Nora, who was being carried by her mother.

"First of all, everyone gear up. I’ve got a bad feeling about that Mutated Forest lying right outside our gates. Also, Gwen, please contact Park Slope City. They might be having disturbances too."

"Got it." She nodded, immediately typing on her phone.

Leon turned back to Miguel. "You’re heading there with Richard and Selene. Now."

"What? It’s just five o’clock in the morning!" He groaned, grabbing his blonde hair.

Leon rolled his eyes. "I’ll put in a word for you to Bliss."

Miguel’s expression instantly sharpened. "Understood, Boss. We’re departing immediately."

Leon turned to Selene and met her eyes. "Park Slope is close to the shore... kinda. I have a bad feeling about those aquatic creatures."

Selene nodded. "Don’t worry. I’ll handle it."

Leon nodded and addressed the others. "Everyone, head out. Check the Inner Ring and Outer Ring for any disturbances. If there are none worth your attention, head to the walls. Now, move out!"

The Eternal Night City was already in motion, and so was the rest of the world.