The morning sun filtered through the reinforced glass of the med-bay. It painted golden streaks across Arin's hospital blanket, but he barely noticed. His thoughts were consumed by the translucent interface hovering quietly in his vision.
> [System Menu: Open]
> [Inventory]
– Basic Muscle Recovery Serum x1
– Empty Slot x4
> [Quests Completed: 1]
> [Stat Panel]
Strength: 4
Agility: 2
Stamina: 2
Intelligence: 4
Unassigned Stat Points: 0
> [DNA Status: Rank F | Progress to Rank E: 0.3%]
"DNA Rank… F," Arin murmured. "Still weak. But at least it's a start."
The words didn't offend him. They were accurate. For most of his life, weakness had defined him. But now he had a system—something no one else in Sector 9 possessed. Not even the elites.
He clenched his fists, feeling the subtle but undeniable difference in his body. He wasn't just recovering anymore.
He was evolving.
---
Moments later, a soft knock on the med-bay glass caught his attention. A tall figure stepped in—lean, well-built, and dressed in a black and gray uniform bearing the insignia of the New Terra Academy Defense Division (NTADD).
"Arin Verma?" the woman asked, her voice firm.
He nodded, cautious.
"I'm Lieutenant Mira Rao. You were unconscious outside the defense wall last night, near a restricted zone." Her tone wasn't hostile—just curious. "Tell me… how did you end up there?"
Arin's mind raced.
If he told the truth—about the falling drone, the sphere, the system—what would happen? He didn't even understand it all himself.
"I don't remember much," he lied. "I failed the compatibility test… went walking. I guess I collapsed."
Mira's eyes narrowed slightly. She tapped her wrist console, reviewing data only she could see. "No implants. No records of artificial modification. But your vitals show an elevated cell regeneration rate and neuro-acceleration consistent with early-stage system bonding."
She leaned in. "So I'll ask again… Are you hiding something?"
Arin met her gaze. "No, ma'am."
She studied him a moment longer, then straightened. "You'll be discharged today. But you've been flagged for a re-evaluation trial at NTADD due to your sudden physical recovery. You'll receive an orientation packet. Report within 48 hours."
And with that, she turned and left.
The door hissed shut.
Arin exhaled sharply. "That was close."
---
By evening, Arin was back in his shared apartment—a narrow room in the crumbling residential stack of Block 17. The air smelled of rust and recycled water. His roommate hadn't returned yet. He liked the silence.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he summoned the system menu again.
> [Daily Quest: Day 2 Available]
"The DNA Within"
Objectives:
– Scan your own DNA
– Absorb 1 Muscle Recovery Serum
– Complete 15 squats
Reward: +1 Stat Point, Genetic Insight +1%, DNA Fragment (Basic)
A new option blinked in the corner:
> [Skill Tree: Locked – Requires DNA Analysis]
"DNA scan… alright, let's try it."
He tapped the option in his mind.
> [Analyzing Host DNA...]
Scanning...
Neural pathways: Enhanced (Level 1)
Muscle tissue: Undeveloped
Bio-core resonance: 3.6%
Evolutionary Sequence: Inactive
Unlockable Trait: Bio-Regen (Passive)
Description: "Grants 1% passive regeneration of minor injuries every 12 hours."
Status: Locked (Requires Genetic Insight ≥ 1%)
Arin's eyes lit up. "I can unlock new traits… like powers?"
This was more than just leveling stats.
This was rewriting what it meant to be human.
He grabbed the recovery serum from his inventory—an unlabeled vial that had materialized in the inventory tab—and hesitated. "Hope this doesn't kill me."
He drank.
The effect was immediate.
Warmth spread through his limbs. His aching shoulders, sore from yesterday's push-ups, felt refreshed. A soothing sensation passed through his muscles.
> [Serum Absorbed. Recovery Boost Activated.]
> [Objective Complete: Serum Absorbed]
Next—squats.
He positioned himself in the cramped space and started.
One. Two. Three…
Fifteen.
The interface dinged.
> [Objective Complete: 15 Squats]
And then…
> [DNA Scan Complete]
Genetic Insight: +1%
[Daily Quest Completed]
Rewards Granted:
– +1 Stat Point (Unassigned)
– +1% Genetic Insight
– +1 Basic DNA Fragment
– Trait Unlock Available
> [Trait Unlocked: Bio-Regen (Passive)]
Description: "Minor cuts, bruises, and fatigue recover gradually over time."
Arin's jaw dropped.
"I just gave myself a healing factor…"
He sat on the bed in awe.
---
Far above Sector 9, in the towering spires of Bio-Control HQ, the system flagged another alert.
> [Unauthorized Trait Activation Detected]
Host: Arin Verma
Rank: F (Unregistered)
Status: Developing at Unnatural Rate
"Again?" Director Kane muttered, sipping his synthetic caffeine as the report appeared on his desk.
"This one's a street kid. No funding. No corporate bloodline. How is he evolving so fast?"
"Sir," his assistant replied, "we believe he may have come in contact with a foreign AI Core."
Kane frowned. "Run background checks. Discreetly. No alerts. If this boy's evolution continues unchecked…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
---
That night, Arin stood on the rooftop of his building. The city lights glimmered far away—Sector 1's domes glowing like stars, unreachable. But he wasn't looking at them.
He opened the Skill Tree.
A skeletal interface appeared, shaped like a human body made of light. Lines extended from the core, each leading to potential paths.
> – Bio-Regen (Unlocked)
– Neural Sync (Locked)
– Reflex Boost (Locked)
– Bone Density Enhancement (Locked)
– Memory Storage (Locked)
Each skill had its own requirements—DNA Fragments, Insight, Stat Minimums.
"This… this is the real path to strength."
He looked at his stat menu.
> [Stat Points: 1 Available]
He placed it into Stamina.
He felt his lungs expand, his endurance grow. It wasn't much. But it was real.
---
Suddenly, a message blinked:
> [Special Event Detected]
You have unlocked the Skill Tree.
Side Quest: "The First Test"
Objective: Defeat a Class E Threat
Reward: +2 Stat Points, +1 DNA Fragment, Combat Log Memory Access
A map icon pulsed in the air.
"Combat? Now?"
He hesitated.
Then smiled.
"Let's see what I can really do."