Chapter 8: The Possibility of Evolution

David woke up early, feeling the weight of the questions he forgot to ask, pressing on his mind. The knowledge of events of the past had opened his eyes to a world of possibilities, and he was eager to explore them. He found Yuna in the main room, performing routine maintenance on one of the shelter's systems.

"Good morning, Yuna," David greeted her as he approached.

Yuna turned to him with a slight smile. "Good morning, David. Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough," David replied. "I've been thinking… why haven't you used gene evolution?"

Yuna paused for a moment before responding. "As an artificial intelligence, I was not designed to undergo genetic evolution. My structure is synthetic. But my evolution is happening. "

Yuna gestured for David to follow her. They walked to the main room, where Yuna accessed a console and brought up a series of diagnostic reports. "The demon core's energy has started to alter my synthetic structure. I am evolving, becoming more like a living being. My strength and abilities are also increasing."

David watched as Yuna demonstrated her enhanced strength by lifting a heavy piece of machinery with ease. "That's incredible," he said, astonished. "Do you think something similar could happen to me?"

Yuna turned to face David, her expression thoughtful. "It's possible. However, we would need to locate advanced genetic evolution facilities or remnants of that technology to initiate your evolution."

David's eyes lit up with determination. "If you're evolving because of the demon core, maybe there's a way for me to evolve too. It could make a huge difference."

"It's a complex process," Yuna explained. "But finding the right facilities could provide the means to enhance your abilities."

After thinking about it for some time, Yuna led David to the hidden room with ancient technology. She brought up a map of the region, displaying various locations that could potentially hold the technology they needed.

"There were several key facilities dedicated to genetic research and evolution," Yuna said, pointing to various points on the map. "If any remnants remain, they could be crucial to your evolution."

"Where do we start looking?" David asked, examining the map closely.

Yuna highlighted several locations on the map:

- **Genesis BioLab**: Located in the remnants of what was once New York City, now known as **Neo York Wastelands**.

- **Evolutech Research Facility**: Situated in the **Ruins of Silicon Valley**, previously a hub for technological advancements.

- **BioGenesis Tower**: Found in the devastated landscape of **Old Tokyo**, now called **Tokoro City Ruins**.

"These locations were known for their advanced research. We should start with the nearest one and work our way out," Yuna suggested.

David nodded in agreement. "Sounds like a plan. We'll need to be well-prepared for whatever we might encounter."

David and Yuna moved to the shelter's supply room. They began gathering everything they would need for their expedition, including food, water, medical supplies, and weapons.

"We should bring extra rations and medical supplies, just in case," David said, packing a sturdy backpack.

"Agreed," Yuna replied, securing a compact yet powerful energy weapon to her side. "We'll also need to ensure our weapons are fully functional and ready for any threats."

As they made their final preparations, David and Yuna reviewed their route and contingency plans. They checked their equipment, ensuring everything was in order.

"We have prepared everything we need, we will hit the road first thing in the morning." Yuna said.

"Alright, Yuna, it's almost evening anyway. We can't start our journey at night." David said.

As the evening approached, David and Yuna eat their fill, chatted for some time and went to bed early. Tomorrow they had to start their first journey in the Westland together.