Evolution Online: My 10,000× Reward System Multiplies Everything

Kaelen spread his makeshift map on the truck bonnet as everyone surrounded him, including the blonde woman and Lindsey.

”I’ve mapped out the safest paths we’ll take from the outskirts to the Grand Canyon, and these dots I’ve put in place are safe clearings where we can camp each night until we make it through. Even then, we’ll still have to scout the surroundings for any dangers and clear out any beasts that could pose a threat to the campsite. You guys will also have to take turns keeping watch at night, and anyone who wants to relieve themselves will have to do so nearby and be accompanied by at least one person who can raise an alarm if they spot any danger beyond their capabilities. If we follow this plan, we’ll have a high chance of everyone making it to the Grand Canyon in one piece,” Kaelen briefed.

”Wait... is this map as accurate as you say?” Lindsey asked in surprise. ”Is this actually real? Did you make it to the Grand Canyon to have such a map in your possession?”

”That’s right. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon... once.”

As Kaelen said this, the flashback he received in the forest resurfaced in his mind.

Though he couldn’t remember much from the fragmented memory, and Kaelen didn’t have the opportunity to get to the Grand Canyon as that might take him all day to make it there, he didn’t have to, as his [Sharp Senses] could cover that range, though that was its limit and he couldn’t spy beyond the Grand Canyon.

”Once? And you call this an accurate map?” One of the mercenaries chimed in. ”What are you? You think you’ve got some omniscient brain or something? ’Cause we’ve been this close five times and still can’t tell the path we took.”

”Believe it or not. Unless you want to take over my job, then be my guest,” Kaelen calmly said, making the man frown deeply.

But before he could refute him, the Commander spoke.

”Kaelen, you’re right. I’m glad you recognize your job is to guide and not strategize. You’re like our lamp. We only need you to show us the path and not tell us how we’ll make the journey. Your plan would only be great if we were one of your hunting parties, but that’s not what we’re here for, and you have no experience on the battlefield.”

”What?” Kaelen exchanged glances with the men. ”What battlefield? I thought we were transporting Lindsey to Stronghold 4?” he asked, feigning confusion.

Their expressions immediately turned ugly, except for the blonde woman, whose lips curled up slightly in a faint smile before it vanished, like it was Kaelen’s imagination making things up.

”The wasteland is a battlefield, of course. And if we move rashly, we’ll have our lives to pay for it,” the Commander quickly said. ”So do your damn job and don’t tell us how to do ours, and we’ll get along just fine,” the man said in an intimidating tone.

”If you say so,” Kaelen replied, holding back his amusement as he tried to retrieve his map, when one of the men slapped his palm over it, holding it in place.

It was the same man who had refuted him earlier.

”If this map is as accurate as you say, then I don’t see a need for you if we have this map.” He said in a daring tone as he glared daggers at Kaelen.

The other men went silent as if they were reasoning with his point, and the Commander was just about to speak when a soft but sharp voice came from the blonde woman, who’d been silent ever since.

”There’s no guarantee the map is accurate. You said it yourself; it’s impossible to have an accurate map if he’s only been there once, like he’s claimed. So we still need him as our guide,” she said calmly.

”Exactly. He’s only been that far ONCE. So why are we entrusting our lives to this swindler? I say we—”

”He’s coming with us, and that’s final.”

The blonde woman cut him off, and everyone fell silent for a moment, while the man glared at Kaelen before taking his hand off the map and storming off.

”Everyone rest well tonight. We leave first thing tomorrow morning,” the Commander said and walked away as well, his men breaking off with him.

Leaving just Kaelen and the two ladies.

”You can take your hand off the dagger now,” the blonde woman suddenly said as her eyes fell on Kaelen.

Kaelen’s brows shot up in surprise.

He had indeed taken out a dagger from his inventory and was tempted to cut off the hand of the mercenary who tried to seize his map.

Kaelen had never seen this man before and had never caused trouble for anyone since he arrived there. Yet, the man seemed to be frustrated with Kaelen’s existence.

This angered Kaelen, and if it wasn’t for the sake of his mother, he could’ve killed the man on the spot.

”I’m certain you didn’t have that a few minutes ago. I wonder where it came from,” the blonde woman said, and without waiting for Kaelen’s reaction, she turned and left for their truck.

”We’ll be counting on you tomorrow,” Lindsey said to him. ”Don’t ever forget the good life you’d have once you get into the Stronghold, and try not to get us killed,” she added before she left as well.

Kaelen stood there for a moment as he stared at the blonde woman’s receding back.

She was sharp enough to see the dagger hidden behind Kaelen’s back and could tell he didn’t have it on him before. She also didn’t shy away from calling him out, maybe to let him know she was suspicious of him and would be keeping an eye on him.

If that were the case, why had she insisted he come along with them?

Was it simply because she was clinging to the hope of him actually showing them the way to the Grand Canyon?

That didn’t seem to entirely be the case. And for some reason...

Why does she look familiar?