'What the fuck is happening right now?'

Nile scrutinized his brows as he saw the crocodile, Croc lying on the corner of the cave. He was lying there motionless as if he was dead.

Nile walked over and inspected the animal closely. After a while, he heaves a sigh as he realized that the crocodile was only sleeping.

Or so he thought…

He used the System function, stats, to examine the crocodile's current state. He just doubts that it could sleep that easily even though they had just arrived here.

[Croco(Pet): Half-Step Final Stage Level One Mutated Crocodile

Spiky armored back

Metallic Scales

Arm-Blades

Swift Legs

Status: Evolving.

Note: Previously interrupted by the System due to emergency reasons. No repercussions, safe, and sound. Initiated the continuation of the evolving process.

]

'System, what the fuck is this? I thought we couldn't interrupt an evolving animal?' He questioned the System sternly.

If it was indeed the case, he wouldn't have to fight those bastards from before. Maximo wouldn't lose his eye in the process, and the most important, he should have not wasted his time fighting them.

[This is a rare case Host, this will only happen one time due to the emergency. It was also quite taxing for the System, Host. It is not recommended to purposely stop your pet's evolution process, Host.]

Reading the System's reply, he already understood what's this all about.

It looks like the System really does have the ability to pause or halt an animal's evolution process.

Previously, it deems that the situation was still manageable, hence it offered him a mission. This time however was different, if he remained there, it would be guaranteed that he would be killed, which the System wouldn't like.

Hence, it decided to postpone Croco's evolution and only resumed it when they got inside this cave.

'What a scaredy-cat!' He thought, trying to pass the blame towards the System.

'Well, it's not like it's not good for me either. The System really did care for me… or it's own life.' He confirmed his theory once again that the System would do anything to preserve his life, as it would also mean preserving its own.

The System no longer replied and ignored his inner grumblings.

He took one last glance at the evolving crocodile before walking towards the jealous Maximo.

"Hey, don't fret over it Max, take your time, you will surely evolve tomorrow." He patted Maximo's forehead before lying into his bloated belly. A devious smile appeared under his mask as he thought of a plan to let Maximo evolve faster.

Hearing his master's assurance, Maximo finally made a sigh before his expression finally relaxed.

'Notify me when there's any movement from the map, System. It's better this way so that we could make necessary actions according to the factors present.' He said as he slowly closed his eyes to take a nap. He hopes that the next time he opens them, it will be morning already.

…

At the agreed meeting place of the hybrid, dozens of figures stood apart from each other.

"They're here!" Said a hybrid with a slim appearance as he pointed towards an incoming two human figure.

The two human figures arrived in front of them. They beat their chest very hard as though it could lessen the beats of their throbbing heart.

"What happened to you two?" One hybrid asked curiously. What made them so out of breath?

After a while, the two finally calmed their heart as one of them instantly reported what they had seen.

"What? Are you two sure there's a dozen of them?" A hybrid, that seems to be the senior of them all, asked.

"Yes… Those level two zombies noticed us, fortunately, they didn't pursue us." Said one of the hybrids who saw the grouped zombies earlier.

The senior hybrid contemplated for a bit before saying, "I'll report this to the chief. It looks like there would be another big battle after a few days."

"Everyone, report what have you gathered? Did any of you see the level two zombie?"

"I think we found it. But.." He hesitated for a moment and took a peek towards his partner. His partner nodded his head as if giving his permission.

They were gathered here to kill and bring home the said level two zombie. However, to suddenly report that it was already dead and didn't even have any apocalypse virus inside, he was sure that the captain would reprimand them again, at least.

He steeled his resolve as he reported what they had witnessed.

"But, it's already dead. Its blood was still a little fresh, maybe it was killed by someone an hour ago…" He then explained some minor details such as how the car was broken, the distance from the car, and the body.

He already expected that the senior hybrid would lash out immediately, however, contrary to his expectation, the senior zombie was actually pretty calm at the moment.

He cupped his chin with his palm as he gazed above the stars to ponder deeply.

"It's alright, we are still not sure if that's what we were searching for, but the dozens of level two zombies was bad news for us." The senior hybrid said.

"Let's withdraw for now." He continued.

"Uhmm… We also have something to report." Said a hybrid pair.

"What is it?" The senior hybrid instantly replied and beckoned his hand, permitting them to speak.

The two then reported the scene that they had witnessed in the area that they were assigned.

"A headless body of a level two female hybrid? Must be the stubborn woman from before. Are you sure it's a woman though?"He said.

"We don't know as her face was smashed into a puddle. We only know that she was a woman due to the rare display that we have seen!" The hybrid said with a little embarrassed expression.

It was a forest but it's definitely a treasure.

The pair looks at each other before nervously flicking their eyebrow as a signal that they had passed.

The senior nodded his head as he understood what the two were implying.

As he was about to turn around and return to their base, the town hall, another hybrid pair actually also raises their hand.

"Yes?"

"Uhmm. We also have something to report…"

_____

Thanks for reading guys, and sorry for the very late upload.

Thanks to all those who voted for the novel, even though I wasn't able to update it.

I appreciate it guys. Thank you very much.