In Fehil Zone, Evan's destination was a kind of abandoned mine. This was the place where Moulses managed to sign a contract with the Fire Elemental.
And there was a great explanation for that. Inside those abandoned mines, there was a massive amount of minerals based on elemental mana, and most of them were driven by the principles of fire.
That was why the chances of making contact with an elemental in that place were about 100x higher.
As he crossed Fehil Zone on his way to the mines, Evan couldn't help but notice the sheer discrepancy of that place. It was as if he had returned to his old life in Japan, watching the tired and lifeless looks on so many people's faces.
Even though bringing what was left of the human race to Etherea had been a good choice, not everyone was born privileged. Those from lower social classes didn't receive many opportunities... or almost none at all.
But in Evan's current position, he really couldn't complain.
...
Arriving at the famous abandoned mine of Fehil Zone, Evan could feel the tense atmosphere surrounding the place. Even the mana itself behaved more aggressively there.
Even someone with a mediocre classification like Evan could feel that mana around him. After all, even a G-ranked kid was about 50x stronger than a normal person.
"I hope this doesn't take too long..." Evan muttered.
At the entrance of those mines, there was no security at all, nothing that could stop Evan from entering. At that point in the story, no one should've known the true importance of that place.
"Aaghr... I can barely see inside these caves."
Just like the name implied, that place had been completely abandoned for a long time. All it had were old tools and equipment, already rotting away... and small lanterns that barely worked as lighting.
In the story, it never really explained how Moulses found the exact spot to perform the contract, and there were no clues about it.
Forcing Evan to rely on pure luck.
At least, for his own luck, he could use the light reflecting from the crystal on his forearm to guide his way through the countless tunnels.
...
"Aaghr... this place never ends, what a pain in the ass!" Evan complained, his throat completely dry because of the atmosphere in there.
{Storage Capacity – 10/2000}
{Water Bottle – Capacity 20L} – Rarity (G)
A common container for storing water, with a capacity of 20 liters.
As the water went down Evan's throat, it felt like the boy had been reborn inside that completely inhospitable and oppressive place.
"I never thought drinking water could feel this good."
As he kept walking forward, Evan began hearing different sounds echoing, getting closer and closer to where he was.
Clirck! Clirck!
"But... what the fuck is that?!" the boy cursed, until he spotted crabs nearly half his own size.
{Activating Function (Examine)}
One of the chip's greatest abilities was the ability to examine any species/creature stored in the empire's database, an initiative created by Last Hope Academy itself to help humans survive against the dangers of that world.
{Analysis – Completed}
{Crab – Biomodified}
{Threat Level – (F-)}
A predominant species in the lands of Fehil Zone. This species developed mutations on its own to adapt to the harsh and inhospitable climate of the region. Its main threat is its claws, reinforced with ferrous metal.
"Ah... this is seriously a pain."
At that point, the body Evan had reincarnated into had completely mediocre combat capabilities.
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-- Art --
Swordsmanship (G)
The most basic level of swordsmanship, lacking its own style and patterns.
-- Skills --
Spark (F)
Ability to generate small sparks of fire for a few seconds.
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The only combat equipment Evan had brought with him was a small iron sword that belonged to the old Evan.
{Iron Sword – Common} - Rarity (F)
A sword with its blade forged from low-quality iron ore mixtures.
"This has to be enough." Evan said, gripping the sword's hilt with all his strength.
In front of him were about three crabs, all Rank F-, which meant they were an entire level above Evan's current body.
"Come at me, you bastards!!"
Evan took the initiative before the crabs could fully sense his presence, landing a direct strike on the closest creature.
PHUAAL!!
But to his misfortune, the attack didn't even scratch the creature's shell.
"Hahaha... what a piece of sh@t!"
In that instant, all three creatures rushed straight at Evan, while he managed to kick one of them away to the side.
The other two dug their claws into Evan's legs and arms.
"AAGHR!!" the boy screamed, as blood began spraying from his body.
But Evan obviously knew this would happen. A calculated risk.
"DIE, YOU BASTARDS!!"
Suddenly, from the blood dripping off Evan's body, small sparks of fire began to form.
In just a few seconds, the boy's body was completely engulfed in flames, burning both himself and the crabs around him.
CLIRCK!!
"AAARGH!!"
But something strange was happening inside that firestorm. While the crabs seemed to be completely consumed by the flames, Evan's body looked like it was resisting the fire with terrifying strength.
And then, a completely demonic smile appeared on the boy's face.
Endurance: G
Affinities: Fire (Elemental)
With only one crab left alive, the creature tried to run after witnessing the others die, but failed miserably when Evan drove his sword into one of its claws, pinning it down, while the flames on Evan's body burned it ferociously.
"Uhg... ugh..."
Evan's breathing grew heavier and heavier as he struggled to stay conscious, even while the flames kept burning his flesh.
"A-at this rate... I'm going to die."
But something deep inside Evan seemed to say otherwise. His heart was pounding harder and harder, while his mana circuits desperately tried to save what was left of his skin.
Just as he was about to close his eyes completely, a crimson wave seemed to take over the area, with Evan violently sliding between the rocks of the cave.
"..."
"Human..."
A deep voice echoed through the mine's labyrinth.
"As the fruit of your sacrifice, I am willing to acknowledge you as someone worthy of my power."
Even completely burned, Evan could still at least hear what was happening in that moment.
The trigger necessary to sign a contract with an elemental.
At first, Evan had no idea how to unlock that trigger or condition... but it seemed that burning yourself to the point of almost dying was one of them.
"Evan Thompson, I grant you the blessing of divine fire." The voice echoed through the entire cave.
For about five minutes, Evan's body, already nearly charred, remained completely abandoned inside that cave.
Then, suddenly, a notification appeared in front of him.
{Condition Met}
{Blessing of the Fire Elemental – Granted}
Evan slowly began to open his eyes, while an intense wave of heat covered his body. Even though he was lying still, it felt like thousands of needles were piercing his flesh.
Suddenly, that fully charred body began to crumble apart, as a red light filled the entire area.
After the blinding glow, a completely restored figure rose from the ashes.
"Hehehe..."
"I guess it was worth it." Evan said, with a stunning smile on his face.
Before, his body had been completely destroyed by flames... but now it was entirely renewed. A fully toned physique, his skin shining as if it reflected the sun itself.
His eyes glowed with such an intense golden light that they reflected the flames flowing through his mana circuits.
But on the other hand, the boy was completely naked at that moment, after the flames destroyed his clothes.
"I'll worry about that later... let's take a look at the changes."
"System."
When the status window appeared in front of him, a happiness he hadn't felt in a long time rose from deep within his being.
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Name: Evan Thompson
Potential: ???
Rank: G-
Strength: G-
Speed: G-
Endurance: G
Intelligence: G
Mana Capacity: G-
Luck: G+
Charm: G-
Affinities: Primordial Fire (Elemental)
-- Skills --
Spark (F)
Ability to generate small sparks of fire for a few seconds.
Elemental Resistance (A+) (Passive)
A blessing granted by a pure elemental being. The user receives a 50% increase in resistance against elemental attacks.
"HAHAHAHA!!"
That was all that could be heard in those caves abandoned by the gods. A massive echo of Evan's laughter spread through the place.