After adding Dangle to their party, Julian sat back on the couch with Maria as Dangle went into his explanation.

“Before we breakdown the den information in the city, we have new Eidos information we need to discuss.”

Dangle hit a few buttons on his keyboard, and suddenly, everyone’s bracers pulsed.

[Eidos Information: Updated]

[Affinity Type Advantage: Updated]

[Evolution Scale: Updated]

“What’s all this?” Maria asked, looking her bracer over.

“This is the updates released by other researchers to show what they have discovered about the Eidos so far. I’ll give you the quick rundown.” Dangle tapped away at his keyboard.

Maria beat him to it. “Looks like twelve affinities have been confirmed so far, and it’s like rock, paper, scissors. Damn game things.” She grumbled.

Julian looked his bracer over.

[Eidos Affinity Chart]

[Nature | Water | Fire]

[Electric | Air | Earth]

[Mental | Physical | Frost]

[Light | Darkness | Toxic]

“Seems simple enough,” Julian said.

“It’s not complete,” Maria noted, tapping away at her bracer. “Remember, Matilda was weak against frost and darkness.”

Dangle turned to Maria. “You can update it through the forum. Just be careful. There is no ID masking on the forum.”

Julian looked up at that, glaring at Dangle. “So, it’s the internet.”

Dangle glared back at Julian. “It’s so much more than that.”

“Sure it is.” Julian folded his arms and leaned back on the couch.

Kiyoka chuckled, raising her hand in the air. “What’s with the Evolution Scale?”

Dangle tapped a few more buttons on the keyboard. “Apparently, it’s theorized that the Eidos can evolve. Forum members who chose evolutionary as their class have hinted this. Evolutionary implied temporary adaptations to adapt to any situation, but there are theories stating the Eidos can evolve and become stronger.”

Julian tapped at his bracer once more.

[Eidos Information Update]

[First Form: Hule]

[Second Form: Kinoun]

[Third Form: Telos]

——

[Eidos Classification Update]

[Prehistoric]

[Extant]

[Hybrid]

[Mythic]

“Wait a second,” Andre started, “these are-

“-Aristotle’s theory of forms, correct,” Dangle finished.

“No, I mean, yeah,” Andre shrugged, “but Dr. Miura theorized this. He was the only one who had access to this information.” He looked over at Kiyoka.

Kiyoka looked her bracer over. “Dad never named them after this. Victor Artino did.”

Maria was practically buzzing on the couch. “Did you guys actually observe evolution in the lab?”

Andre shook his head. “No, we didn’t have the means to invoke evolution. However, the Eidos we studied could take in large quantities of energy, and we theorized that if they could break through a certain threshold, the new energy would invoke change.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Dangle folded his arms in thought. “Moving on to classifications, extant is the most common classification, since living fauna served as the template for Eidos manifestation. You four have seen prehistoric Eidos based off the fossilized data of dinosaurs. Penelope is an example of this. There are others besides dinosaurs as well. Hybrid combines the attributes of two or more different creatures. I proposed we call them chimera, but the forum rebutted.” Dangle mumbled under his breath before continuing.

“Mythic is a different type all on its own. It’s believed that the Overseers themselves are informing the creation of these creatures. Everything from dragons and phoenixes to Bigfoot has been reported on the forum.”

Dangle turned back to his computer screens. “Okay, now that you’re updated on what the forums have discovered, let’s look at the local situation here.”

Julian cleared his bracer. “Thanks for this, Dangle. This already makes such a difference.”

Dangle stopped his typing on the keyboard. “I plan on doing my part. We have a lot to do to ensure we survive this. It’s going to take all of us.”

“Aww, Dangle,” Maria cooed, “that’s sweet!”

Dangle turned back towards them, his face red as he blushed, “Don’t get me wrong, I prefer to be alone and in the dark with my screens. I hate depending on anyone, but if I get a say on who I depend on, I’d rather it be you than Victor Artino. At least you guys are just trying to survive this the best you can and not conquer the destroyed world.”

“We’ll do our best, Dangle,” Andre said, smirking at the man. “Now, continue, please.”

Dangle shifted the image on his screen, revealing a map of San Francisco. “Four dens have appeared across the city. Each one seems to have a rank in place to show the level of challenge present. This is new, but the forums have been busy figuring out the breakdown.”

“Mid-Market Den appeared shortly after the tutorial. It’s showing to be filled with electric Eidos, so unless you are looking to stack you teams with more electric affinity Eidos, I’d avoid this one.”

Andre spoke up. What about the rankings?”

“Ah, yes, Mid-Market is ranked ‘quartz’ awkwardly enough. That seems to be the foundational rank of most tamers since the end of the tutorial.”

Julian looked around the room. “Really? I’m ranked bronze.”

“Same,” the others agreed.

Dangle shifted in his seat nervously. “A handful of tamers were already up in the ranks due to capturing more than one Eidos or clearing the tutorial den. You four accomplished both, so, possibly, the four of you are among the top tamers in the world. For now.”

Julian let that news sink in for a bit. “Okay, then. What else is there?”

Dangle turned back to the screen. “There is San Francisco Zoo. It turned up yesterday evening as Eidos took over the area. It’s an Earth Affinity raid, so it’s pretty solid.”

The room was silent for a beat.

Dangle coughed. “It’s a bronze ranked raid. So the system is expecting others to catch up with you fairly quickly.”

The team looked at each other before Julian spoke up. “What’s next?”

“There’s Fisherman’s Wharf.” Dangle shifted the image on the screen once more. “Like the name implies, water affinity Eidos will be here. It’s bronze ranked, so it would be a good challenge.”

Dangle continued, shifting the image. “And last, there’s Golden Gate Bridge, Fire Affinity Den, ranked silver. This den is causing problems around the Bay Area.”

“What do you mean?” Andre asked.

Dangle shifted the image back to the singular map of the city. “As four dens appeared, four safe zones appeared as well. You guys are familiar with USF. Artino brought in a reclaimer and establish a safe zone north of the Golden Gate Bridge. South of the bridge, at Fort Winfield Scott, sits a neutral safe zone. However, the den is literally on the bridge itself, and the Eidos continue to hunt the area, including around the safe zones. The big, winged Eidos that busted from the tower when all this started has turned the top of the bridge into its personal nest. There are even some theorizing that the bird itself is mythic.”

Dangle shifted the image to another part of the city. “There is also a major safe zone established in Chinatown, though word is the safe zone is in the hands of the triads. Many tamers from that safe zone have already broken into open conflict with the Artino tamers in the area. You guys will need to be careful.”

Julian thought for a moment. “Artino has established their own safe zone, and they have USF in their pocket. Should they connect with the Fort safe zone, Artino will have control of San Francisco.”

Dangle nodded. “Don’t underestimate Chinatown, though. They are already on the move to the other dens. I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys ran into them soon.”

The group exchanged glances before Julian spoke up. “Well, we have to clear Golden Gate, so I say we hit Fisherman’s Wharf. Water beats fire, so I say we at least get a type advantage in our pockets.”

Andre crossed his arms. “Dorffi has water affinity, so I’m set. An electric type doesn’t sound so bad, though. Penelope is a beast.”

Maria beamed at the compliment.

“We have electric, earth, and water to choose from, and experience tells us that the den leader will have a second affinity of some kind. So, what do you guys suggest?” Julian asked.

Andre spoke up. “Mid-Market is the lowest rank, so we should be good to take it on. This way, we can get a clear idea on how the system views its own threat scale.”

Kiyoka nodded. “That’s true. We need to get as much experience as possible. Mid-Market should serve as a good starting point.”

Julian folded his arms. “So, we work our way up?” He looked to the map. “Mid-Market, then Fisherman’s Wharf, and then the zoo?”

Everyone nodded.

“Sounds good to me,” Maria said.

Dangle raised his hand. “Remember, the other teams out there are working on the same information we are. Hopefully, we can get ahead of them.” He turned back towards his computer. “I’ve already established some trade connections with survivors in the city. Is there anything you guys need? Techniques? Upgrades? Gear?”

Andre stepped forward. “We need better access to the system in the field. Can we get Maria set up with a laptop or tablet to take into the field? She’s a researcher, too.”

“Nice!” Dangle turned around, offering her his fist.

“Oh, yeah!” Maria said, giving Dangle a fist bump.

“I’m limited on hardware in here. If you can pick up some hardware while you guys are out, I’ll get her the best setup possible.”

Andre nodded. “We’ll see what we can do.” He turned to Julian and Kiyoka. “Anything to add?”

Kiyoka stood from her seat. “See if anyone has supplies for trade. It’s going to be a long shot, but we might as well see about stocking up on everything from Eidos capsules to food. If Dangle is going to be separated from us, we need to make sure he’s took care of.”

Dangle smiled at her. “I appreciate that. Thank you, Miss Miura.”

Julian sighed, standing to his feet. “We need stronger techniques and abilities. We have a good start on our bonds with the Eidos we have, but they can get stronger. We are going to need to focus on team building, and affinity coverage, not to mention how our class abilities fit into all this.”

Dangle nodded. “Techniques and abilities, got it. I’ll see about gear and upgrades as well. With the capsules you brought back to me, it should be a decent start.”

“Also, if you can get an Eidos or two in trade, that would be awesome, Dangle.” Julian said. “We’ll keep our eyes peeled for an Eidos for you, but if you find a deal on one you want, try to trade for it.”

“Thanks guys, will do!” Dangle waved at them, watching them as they stepped out of the camper van. “Oh! Wait!”

Everyone was already standing outside as they turned to see Dangle jump to his feet, snatching a box off a nearby shelf.

“I’ve been working on these. Should make communication easier.”

He stepped up to the door and opened the box.

Inside were five sets of wireless earbuds, top of the line.

“Why did you buy five sets of these?” Julian asked, taking a set out.

Dangle sighed. “I got them in a trade yesterday. I used my researcher class and turned them into system recognized gear. Check them out.

Julian felt his bracer pulse.

[Pairing Complete]

[Tamer Gear: Earphones (Common) Added]

“Sweet!” Maria cheered, grabbing a set for herself. “Now, if we get separated, we can stay in touch.”

“That’s another thing!” Dangle said, snapping the now empty box shut. “Don’t get separated. There’s a reason splitting the party is a trope. Just be careful out there and keep in touch. I’ll stay on the comms and fill you in on new developments.”