Evan sat in his private lab, monitoring the biofeedback displayed across multiple monitors. His body had been undergoing constant, subtle changes since the moment he integrated Darwin's genes, and now, the final stage of his system-assisted evolution was approaching.
Reaching Level 3 of Reactive Evolution wasn't just an arbitrary milestone—it was a turning point. The difference between Level 2 and Level 3 wasn't just adaptation, but efficiency, speed, and control. Until now, his evolution had been reactionary, triggered by external stimuli. It had taken seconds for his body to adjust to extreme temperatures or blunt force impacts, which was an improvement over a normal human but still left gaps in real-time survival.
That was about to change.
As the twenty-four-hour mark approached, Evan sat in silence, focusing inward. The process was accelerating on its own. He could feel his nervous system recalibrating, the impulses firing between neurons increasing in speed. His heartbeat remained steady, but each contraction was stronger, more efficient, optimized beyond what was biologically possible.
Then, it happened.
A wave of raw biological restructuring washed over him like an unseen force. Every cell in his body briefly froze, before reorganizing at a microscopic level. It wasn't painful—far from it. It felt like shedding a layer of weakness, like his body had been waiting for this moment to operate at full capacity.
His mind was clearer than ever. His breathing had become perfectly measured without him thinking about it. When he moved his hand, there was no wasted motion—it was perfect muscle coordination, flawless reaction timing.
His system displayed the results.
Reactive Evolution – Level 3 Unlocked
Instant Reflexive Adaptation: Instead of adapting after sustaining damage, his body now preemptively strengthened itself against anticipated threats. A strike aimed at him wouldn't just be absorbed—it would be countered in real-time.
Cognitive-Physiological Synchronization: His enhanced brain processing allowed for complete bodily control, meaning his growing abilities were no longer chaotic or instinctual—they were precisely calibrated at every moment.
Tactical Combat Evolution: His brain could now calculate and optimize every movement in combat situations, adjusting for maximum efficiency in positioning, strikes, dodges, and counters.
Passive Biological Reinforcement: His skeletal structure, muscular density, and internal organ efficiency were continuously self-optimizing, ensuring his body remained at peak condition regardless of external conditions.
This was no longer just survival.
This was evolution tailored for dominance.
He stood up, moving his hand experimentally. The ease of motion was surreal—his body moved exactly as intended, without lag, without subconscious resistance. It was the closest thing to a perfectly tuned machine, but one that could adapt and learn indefinitely.
His brain had played a massive role in this success. Unlike Darwin, who adapted purely on instinct, Evan's evolving intelligence had given him absolute control over his transformation. He didn't need to rely on survival instincts—he could manually command his biology to optimize as he saw fit.
It wasn't just strength or speed. It was absolute control over himself.
But as he perfected himself, trouble was brewing outside his walls.
In another part of the city, Amelia was reviewing company documents in a private meeting room, her focus sharp as she prepared Mercer Biotech's first publicity campaign. She had been working on this for weeks, developing a strategy to introduce their breakthrough medication without drawing unnecessary attention from forces that might seek to suppress it.
She had barely gotten any rest, not since Evan had pulled her from the shadows of her past. And that past had finally caught up.
She stiffened slightly as she noticed something in a report from their market analysis team. A competitor had suddenly taken interest in Mercer Biotech—not just any competitor.
ExxCorp.
Her fingers tightened around the paper. She had escaped them once, but they hadn't forgotten. They had spent years hunting rogue mutants, capturing them under the guise of "regulatory containment," all while selling advanced mutant-based technology to the highest bidders.
They knew she was still alive.
And they had started moving again.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. One of their security team members stepped in, his expression grim. "Amelia, there was an anonymous tip sent to several government agencies. They're saying you're a mutant."
She exhaled slowly, but her heartbeat remained steady. She had prepared for this.
"How credible?" she asked.
"The authorities have started digging," the guard replied. "And ExxCorp… they've been seen in the city."
So they had tipped off the government as well. Clever. They knew how public paranoia surrounding mutants was growing. Mutants weren't exactly common knowledge, but they weren't unknown either. Stories had been circulating for years—whispers of people with powers, reports that the government had been tracking unusual biological anomalies.
If the government confirmed she was a mutant, they could easily frame her as a threat. They wouldn't arrest her—they would use her as an excuse to justify tighter regulations on private biotech firms. And if she vanished? No one would ask questions.
She stood up, her decision already made. "Find Evan. He needs to know."
Back in his lab, Evan was already piecing together the pattern before Amelia even arrived. He had intercepted government surveillance chatter, noting an increased focus on Mercer Biotech in the last forty-eight hours.
The timing wasn't coincidental.
When Amelia walked into the lab, he was already waiting.
"They've outed me," she said simply.
"I know," Evan replied. His voice wasn't panicked, nor did it carry concern—it was purely calculating. "ExxCorp wants to use you as leverage against Mercer Biotech. The government, meanwhile, will see this as an opportunity to justify enhanced mutant monitoring."
She folded her arms. "What's our move?"
Evan turned to one of his unmarked communication consoles and typed out a single encrypted message. "We control the narrative before they do."
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "You're going public with the serum?"
"No," Evan said. "We're going public with you."
Her eyes narrowed. "What?"
"We get ahead of the smear campaign. We showcase Mercer Biotech as a company focused on medical innovation, not mutant exploitation. You become a public figure—the intelligent, charismatic face of a new medical revolution." He glanced at her, a hint of amusement in his otherwise cold gaze. "No one hunts a public figure without scrutiny. You'll be untouchable."
She sighed, rubbing her temple. "That's… actually smart. And annoying."
"Most smart things are," Evan replied.
She sat down. "And ExxCorp?"
Evan's smirk was razor-sharp. "They're about to learn that I don't play defense."
He pulled up a separate terminal, accessing their private research database. Within seconds, he had their offshore accounts, black-market dealings, and their secret mutant containment facilities displayed across multiple screens.
Amelia's lips curled into something close to admiration. "You already had this prepared?"
Evan shrugged. "I make it a habit to keep files on potential enemies."
She shook her head. "I don't know whether to be impressed or worried."
Evan leaned back, his mind already three steps ahead. "Both."
She exhaled. "So what happens now?"
Evan's smirk widened. "ExxCorp thinks they're hunters. Let's see how they handle being the prey."
Amelia chuckled. "And the government?"
Evan's gaze darkened slightly. "I'll deal with them in my own way."
The conversation ended, but the undercurrents of war had already begun.
Evan's evolution was far from over.
And soon, the world would see what came next.
------------------------
Hello, everyone!
Starting today, I'll be posting new chapters daily for Marvel: Mutant Ascension! This means you can expect consistent updates every day, keeping the story flowing without long waits.
I appreciate all the support and feedback so far—it's been great seeing your reactions and thoughts on Evan's journey. With daily updates, I hope to make the story even more immersive for everyone.
Stay tuned for the next chapter dropping soon, and as always, let me know what you think in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
------------------------