Beast Evolution Forge - Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Rebellion
In the bar that everyone loves, Henry sat at his favorite spot with his drink when a voice disturbed his peace. “Why are you just enjoying life like things are all ok?” He looked at the person asking and sighed.

“What do you want Sara, I told you I don’t want anything to do with your little rebellion.” He took another sip, taking a look at the people in the bar, “people look happy, why do you want to cause more trouble?”

She stared at him and sat across him, making sure her face was not visible, “Look, I know what he said back in the arena has made people hopeful but do you really believe that is what he wants? to help us grow? do you truly believe that?”

He looked at her, dumbfounded to say the least. “You are joking right? It has been what, a few weeks since he took over? Look at how much things have changed for the better. The poor can make money without paying tax, weak players including me can now train in the grand training centers and even dungeons are not available to us. He is treating people a lot better than the guild masters, so why should I go against him?”

“You are blind, that man is evil, he is going to lead us all to our dea-”

“Enough!” He finished his drink and left.

The beast girl knowing exactly what was going on looked at Sara and smiled, returning to her customers.

Sara got up and walked out, her expression solid, showing that she has no intentions of giving up. As she made her way through the new town, she could not help but admit that people did seem happier but part of her still didn’t think it would last and that’s why she had to prepare.

—

Vell made it back and went straight to his office where he found the guild masters waiting for him in the meetings room. As soon as he entered they all stood up and bowed in respect.

“Welcome back master.” They said together, waiting for him to say something.

“Yes, you can take your seats. How are things coming along?” He asked, taking a sit in his chair.

They exchanged glances before the master Chen them spoke. “The integration of the training centers has been successful. We’ve seen a 300% increase in attendance from lower-ranked players.”

“And the complaints?” He asked, his eyes scanning each of their faces.

“Minimal,” another replied. “Some of the elite players expressed… concerns about sharing space with beginners. But after your demonstration last week, no one’s dared to voice objections openly.”

A small smile played at the corners of Vell’s mouth. The “demonstration” had involved him personally training a group of novice players while several elites watched. The display of power made his point clear – the strong could either help the weak or answer to him.

“The dungeon access program has also shown promising results,” a third master added. “With experienced players required to mentor newcomers, we’ve seen fewer casualties and better skill development overall.”

Vell nodded, but his mind was partly elsewhere. He could feel Ada’s mana signature from several floors below, where Yenna was helping her adjust to her new quarters. The girl’s power was still unstable, fluctuating between calm pools and violent storms.

“And what about the dissent?” he asked quietly. “The whispers of rebellion?”

The guild masters shifted uncomfortably. Finally, one cleared his throat. “There are… some elements that resist change. A woman named Sara has been particularly vocal, gathering supporters in the shadows.”

“Sara?” The name sparked recognition. “Ah…her.” His eyes narrowed. “Let her talk. Sometimes the loudest voices are the best measure of our progress.”

“But sir,” Lyon protested, “if we allow such dissent to spread-”

“Then what?” His power flickered briefly, making the lights dim. “We crush it? Silence it? Become exactly what they fear?” He stood, walking to the window that overlooked the transformed town. “No. Let them watch, let them see what real change looks like.”

The corruption under his skin pulsed, reminding him of his recent… indulgence at the laboratory. The memory of that violence sang in his blood, but he pushed it down. There was a difference between necessary force and mere brutality.

“Focus on the integration programs,” he ordered. “I want every player, regardless of rank, to have access to proper training and resources. If anyone objects…” his smile turned sharp, “send them to me for a personal demonstration. Oh and tomorrow, we will begin our talks on money and how we can develop our section with resources found from the dungeons.”

“Yes sir!”

As they filed out, his system pinged:

[Alert: Ada’s corruption levels spiking]

[Location: Training room B]

[Warning: Structural damage likely]

He sighed. “Looks like my new student needs attention.” The darkness coiled around him, eager to respond to another corrupted presence. “Let’s hope she hasn’t destroyed too much furniture.”

As he headed for the training room, he caught a glimpse of movement in the shadows – a figure in a cloak, quickly disappearing around a corner. Sara, most likely, scouting her enemy’s fortress.

“Careful, little rebel,” he murmured. “You might not like what you find here.”

He walked down to the training room, following Ada’s mana signal. He could hear crashes and yells from inside. When he opened the door, he found Ada surrounded by broken training dummies and furniture. Her eyes were black, and dark energy swirled around her.

“Having trouble?” he asked calmly.

She turned to him, breathing hard. “I can’t control it. Every time I try to focus, it just… explodes.”

“That’s normal,” he said, stepping into the room. “The corruption responds to emotions. Right now, yours are all over the place.”

“How do you do it?” she asked. “How do you keep it in check?”

He thought about it. “I don’t always. You saw what happened in the lab.” He walked closer to her. “But I’ve learned that the corruption isn’t just a weapon. It’s a part of us now. Fighting it only makes it stronger.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Accept it. Work with it.” He held out his hand, letting his own corruption surface. “Here, let me show you.”

She took his hand. As soon as their mana touched, they both felt that familiar connection. Their power recognized each other, like two parts of the same whole.

“Close your eyes, feel how my mana moves. Don’t try to copy it exactly – find your own rhythm.”

She did as he said. Slowly, her wild energy began to calm. The darkness around her stopped lashing out and started flowing more smoothly.

“Good,” he smiled. “You’re getting it.”

[Alert: Unknown presence detected]

[Location: Upper rafters]

He looked up sharply.

In the shadows of the ceiling, he caught a glimpse of movement. Sara again, watching them train. She was either very brave or very foolish to come this close.

“We have an audience,” he said quietly to Ada.

She opened her eyes, now glowing with controlled power. “Should we do something about it?”

“No. Let her watch,” he smirked, his thoughts turning evil again.

They went back to training, but he kept part of his attention on the shadows above. He knew Sara would try something soon. The question was: what would she do when she realized she was fighting the future itself?

“Again, this time, try to shape the mana. Make it solid.”

As she practiced, Vell thought about Sara and her rebellion. He didn’t want to hurt them – they were just scared of change. But if they forced his hand…

He pushed the dark thoughts away. There would be time for that later. Right now, he had a student to teach, and a future to build.

Whether Sara liked it or not, change was coming. And this time, it would be for everyone’s benefit.

—

Sara met with her group in an old warehouse at the edge of town. About twenty people sat around, waiting for her to speak. Most of them were former elite players who didn’t like the new changes.

“Well?” asked Tom, one of her most trusted allies. “Did you see anything useful?”

She pulled down her hood, revealing her worried face. “He’s training someone new. A girl with the same dark power as him.”

Murmurs spread through the group.

“Another one like him?” someone asked. “How is that possible?”

“I don’t know, but I watched them train. Their power… it’s not natural. And now there are two of them.”

Tom stood up, crossing his arms. “So what’s the plan? We can’t just sit here while he builds an army of corrupted soldiers.”

“We don’t know that’s what he’s doing,” said a quiet voice. Everyone turned to look at Mary, a healer who had joined them recently. “Has anyone here actually been hurt by his new rules?”

“That’s not the point!” Sara slammed her hand on the table. “Don’t you see? He’s getting everyone to trust him, making them dependent on his help. And when we’re all under his control…”

“Then what?” Mary challenged. “The poor can finally make a living. Weak players are getting stronger. How is any of that bad?”

Suddenly, they heard footsteps outside. Everyone went quiet.

“Someone’s coming,” Tom whispered, drawing his sword.

The footsteps passed by their hideout and faded away. They all let out a breath of relief.

“We need to be more careful,” Sara said. “If his people find us…”

“I heard his guard – that woman Yenna – she can track people just by their smell and footprints,” one member said nervously. “Maybe we should meet somewhere else next time.”

Sara shook her head. “No. We stay here. Tomorrow he’s holding an open training session for new players. That’s our chance to gather more information.”

“You want us to just walk into his territory?” Tom asked in disbelief.

“He’s inviting everyone to watch. If we don’t show up, it’ll look suspicious.” Shelooked around the group. “Besides, I want to see this ‘training’ for myself. See what he’s really teaching people.”

The group nodded slowly, though many looked uncertain.

“Remember, we’re not ready to fight him yet. We just watch and learn. The time will come, but not tomorrow.”

As the rebels left one by one, she stayed behind, staring at a map of the town pinned to the wall. All the changes Vell had made were marked in red – new training areas, open dungeons, tax-free zones for poor players.

“It all looks so perfect,” she muttered to herself. “That’s what scares me the most.”