Zhou Mei'er and Wu Chen's sharp gasps of amazement echoed through Hou Liang's headset, but he barely registered them. His entire focus had narrowed to the lines of code glowing on his screen. He compared the new structure against his own work, pulling it apart, reconstructing it in his head, admiration growing with every second.
This wasn't just an upgrade.
It was a transformation.
Then his other computer chimed.
Hou Liang's heart skipped. He snapped his head toward the screen and clicked the notification open.
>> My fees are expensive, but I won't collect payment from the Black Stars. You're welcome.
>> You need to up your game, KeymonSTER. You have the ability, but not enough confidence.
>> — **Krakkan**
Hou Liang shot to his feet so abruptly that his chair clattered onto the floor behind him.
"K-Krakkan?!" he blurted out, voice cracking. "No way… no way!"
His pulse thundered in his ears.
Was this really the Krakkan he was thinking of?
