《Limitless: New Dawn》


 Important Notice

    Hello everyone new_horizon1 here, I would like to clear some doubts about this novel first.


    Many of you might be thinking is Arthur going to leave the forest anytime soon or not. I assure you it will be happening very soon, and I have added his powers in this auxiliary chapter.


    *Chapter length: At least 1500 words*


    This novel is going to be a World-hopping one:


    1) 1st World: It will be a Sci-fi world and I am going to introduce these elements soon. I can''t figure out how to add the sci-fi tag to the novel or if it is even available, as I can''t find the tag. So I will just add it in the synopsis.


    2) 2nd World: For the next world I was thinking about a world with magic (To give him mana/Aether)


    ##SPOILER ALERT##


    STATS OF AN ECHO


    Strength: 2000-2500 Tons


    Speed: 150-200 m/s


    Armour Durability: 150,000 Mpa


    Integrated Nanobots Capabilities:


    -Hacking Assist


    -Rapid Healing


    -Cognitive Boost: Enhance brain function, improving memory, decision-making, and problem-solving under stress.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    -Combat Awareness: Direct integration with sensors or external networks could provide real-time data about surroundings, enemy positions, and potential threats.


    -Toxin and Pathogen Neutralization


    -Radiation Resistance


    -Real-Time Communication using quantum tunnelling


    -Energy Harvesting: Convert ambient energy (Eg. Heat), into usable energy for the soldier''s body.


    -Self-Monitoring and Diagnostics


    -Pain Suppression


    And many more


    ###SPOILER ALERT###


    Arthur''s Stats


    As of chapter 8:


    //-------------------------//


    Strength (Lifting): 50 Tons


    Speed: 30 m/s


    Durability: 450 MPa (Nearly the tensile strength of Grade 2 Titanium)


    Abilities:


    -Reactive Evolution is the ability to, in response to threats and adverse situations, evolve in ways the user previously lacked. This allowing them to be better capable of dealing with said issues faced, and this evolution can come in the following ways:


    1) Developing greater statistics. (Accelerated Development)


    2) Developing new resistances.


    3) Developing new powers or abilities. (Locked)


    //-------------------------//


    This is just the start of his journey and he is going to unlock new powers as he develops his current ones. His powers come from his soul, which many of you might have guessed.


    As of chapter 10:


    //-------------------------//


    Strength: 136 Tons


    Speed: 64 m/s


    Durability: 3720 MPa (Approximately the tensile strength of Kevlar)


    //-------------------------//


    As of chapter 16:


    //-------------------------//


    Strength: 1367 Tons


    Speed: 113 m/s


    Durability: 39855 MPa


    //-------------------------//


    ***

 The Uber Source

    Two masses of energies were floating across a verse unknown to existence and nonexistence. Then the two masses of energy collided.


    Thus, one of the masses of energy created something called [The Absolute Everything], and the other became something called [The Uber Source].


    Inside [The Absolute Everything] contains all that exists and all that does not exist.


    [The Most of Everything] came to be inside [The Absolute Everything]. Then Bnathverse came into existence inside [The Most of Everything]. Bnathverse birthed [The Near Everything].Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    After many such iterations came the existence of Cetaverses, the Boxes and Broxes started to form inside each Cetaverses. Inside Boxes formed Omniverses and infinite variations of it.


    [The Uber Source] during the collision entered [The Absolute Everything] and eventually entered one of the newly formed Omniverse, its location unknown.


    By chance, it encountered a soul drifting through the void between the universes and merged with it. Thus becoming the soul itself. While merging with the soul it noticed a fist sized spherical object glowing with dark hue attached with the soul like a parasite. So it deconstructed it into energy and absorbed it.


    The soul drifted and entered a universe, easily penetrating the universal barrier, and encountered a multicolored river known as the River of Reincarnation. The soul was swept in the currents of the river, its destination unknown.


    ***

 Chapter 0: Prologue

    Arthur Sully''s world was defined by the grind of routine. The sun rose and set over the quiet streets of Andorham, a coastal town too small to be significant but too large to be close-knit.


    He worked at a scrap metal yard, where rusted memories of machines long past piled high, each piece waiting for its turn to be crushed, melted, and reborn. But Arthur had always felt like one of the forgotten scraps, just another cog in an unfeeling system.


    At twenty-seven, he had little to show for his years. He had no family to speak of, no grand aspirations, and certainly no dreams of heroism. During his childhood the orphanage he was at was shut down when he was 12 years old.


    He lost his chance to study even though he was a curious lad and had to beg in the streets to fill his stomach. So he started to scrap for books and newspapers from any place he got a chance.


    As he grew older his days were spent hauling, sorting, and cataloging metal, mundane, grueling work that left his muscles aching and his mind numb. Yet, there was a stubborn spark inside him, a restless voice that whispered in the quiet hours: You''re meant for more than this.


    Arthur''s evenings were his own. He would retreat to his cramped one-bedroom apartment, where stacks of books on a wide range of topics from biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and politics were cluttered everywhere.


    The fascination had started in childhood, sparked by an old biology textbook he had found in his orphanage. The idea that creatures could change, adapt, and thrive under the harshest conditions resonated deeply with him.


    "If only I could go to a school," he often mused aloud, flipping through pages late into the night. To get a good job one had to have a degree, which he was deprived of during his younger days.


    But in Andorham, ambition was a dangerous luxury. The town''s economy thrived on its scrap yards and factories, and Arthur''s co-workers often mocked his intellectual pursuits. "Studying isn''t going to make that crane work any faster," his boss, a gruff man named Carter, had grumbled more than once.


    One evening, while Arthur was elbow-deep in rusted car parts, his coworker Frank leaned against a stack of pipes nearby. "You''re always reading about all that science junk, Sully. What''s it even for? You planning to mutate yourself outta this place?" Frank chuckled, lighting a cigarette.


    Arthur gave a dry smile, wiping grease off his hands. "Maybe I''ll mutate into something who doesn''t have to listen to your jokes anymore."


    Frank laughed, but there was a hint of envy in his eyes. Arthur''s quiet persistence in self-education was an anomaly in the yard. Most of the men had resigned themselves to lives spent among the scrap, but Arthur''s books hinted at a world beyond the rusted fences.


    Arthur''s frustration simmered beneath a layer of resigned acceptance. He wanted to leave, to explore the world beyond Andorham, to find something worth fighting for, but the weight of routine kept him tethered. It wasn''t that he lacked courage; it was that he lacked direction, as no one is there to guide him to the correct path he thought about.


    The turning point came on a cold, rain-slicked evening. Arthur was closing up the yard, his jacket soaked through, the metal under his boots slick and treacherous. The storm had rolled in fast, and thunder growled in the distance like an angry beast. As he locked the main gate, his eyes caught a glint of something unusual amid the piles of scrap.


    Curiosity had always been his weakness. Leaving his bag by the gate, he picked his way through the yard, the rain pelting down harder with each step.


    There, half-buried under sheets of corroded iron, was a strange fist sized spherical, metallic object that didn''t belong among the jagged, rusted edges of the scrap. It pulsed faintly with a dark hue, as if alive, its surface unmarred by rust or time.


    "What the hell is this?" Arthur muttered, kneeling beside it. He hesitated, glancing around the yard. It was empty save for the relentless rain. Tentatively, he reached out and touched the object.


    A sudden jolt shot through him, sharp and electric, as if the object had sensed his touch. "Ah!" he gasped, stumbling back. His vision blurred, and for a moment, the world around him seemed to dissolve into a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds.


    He heard whispers, fragments of voices in a language he couldn''t understand, and saw fleeting images of vast cosmos within darkness.


    When he came to, the object was gone. He sat back on his heels, drenched and shivering, his heart hammering in his chest. The scrapyard was quiet except for the patter of rain and the distant rumble of thunder.


    ''Did I imagine it? A hallucination brought on by exhaustion and stress?'' He thought


    "Arthur! You''re still out here?" Frank''s voice cut through the rain. He was standing at the gate, his silhouette outlined by the glow of a distant streetlamp.


    Arthur shook himself and got to his feet. "Yeah. Just¡­ thought I saw something."


    Frank squinted at him. "You''re soaked. Come on, Carter''ll have your head if you get sick and miss a shift."


    Arthur nodded, trudging back to the gate. As they walked together toward the bus stop, Arthur kept glancing back at the yard, half-expecting the strange object to reappear.


    "You''re acting weird, Sully," Frank said, taking a drag from his cigarette. "You''re not getting ideas about leaving town, are you?"If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Arthur gave a noncommittal grunt. "Maybe I am."


    Frank snorted. "Where would you even go? The city? They''d eat you alive there."


    ''Are there dinosaurs or something in the city?''Arthur thought jokingly but didn''t respond.


    By the time he stumbled back to his apartment, soaked and dazed, Arthur couldn''t help but grumble and thought he had had enough with this life. But for now, though, Arthur Sully slept, oblivious to the storm brewing both within and beyond him.


    ...


    A month passed, and the strange encounter with the object faded into the recesses of Arthur''s memory. Life returned to its monotonous rhythm, though a subtle unease lingered within him.


    He found himself staring at the scrapyard''s piles of metal with a distant, unfocused gaze, as if searching for something, a purpose that eluded him.


    He so wanted to get out of this godforsaken place and go to a city to start a new life. But he reigned in his thoughts.


    ''I still need to save a bit more money'' He thought.


    On a particularly gray afternoon, Arthur was tasked with dismantling a collapsed crane, its skeletal frame looming like a fallen titan amidst the scrap. "Careful with that support beam," Carter barked from the office window. "One wrong move, and you''ll be buried under a mountain of junk."


    Arthur wiped the sweat from his brow and adjusted his gloves. "Yeah, yeah. I got it." He muttered under his breath, frustrated by Carter''s constant micromanagement. Frank was nearby, operating the crane, its claw dangling precariously over the wreckage.


    The day dragged on, the air heavy with the smell of rust and grease. Arthur''s muscles ached as he worked the torch, cutting through the steel beams that held the crane''s structure together. He paused to catch his breath, leaning on the torch and staring up at the gray sky.


    "This job''ll kill me one day," he joked to himself, shaking his head.


    As the final support beam gave way, the crane''s upper section shifted, which should not have happened as it was held together by a gantry crane. A low groan of stressed metal filled the air, and Arthur''s instincts screamed at him to move.


    "Frank! Move the claw!" he shouted, and tried to jump sideways, but it was too late.


    With a deafening crash, the structure came down, a cascade of twisted steel and debris raining down upon him.


    Pain didn''t come immediately due to adrenaline rush, he fell into cold numbness. Then came the pain his world tilted, his vision swimming as he lay pinned beneath the wreckage.


    "Arthur! Arthur, hang on!" Frank''s voice was distant, panicked. The sound of metal scraping against metal and frantic footsteps reached him, but Arthur''s focus wavered. His breaths came shallow, each one a struggle.


    ''So this is it'', he thought. ''This is how it ends.''


    As darkness encroached, he felt an inexplicable pull, as if his very soul was being wrenched from his body. The pain faded entirely, replaced by a sensation of weightlessness. When he opened his eyes, the scrapyard was gone.


    ...¡­


    After what felt like ages Arthur regained his consciousness, he felt like he was floating in space.


    After an unknown period of time a white orb (Arthur''s soul) was seen drifting in an endless void. Arthur slowly regained his consciousness.


    ''What the!!!'' he exclaimed loudly, but no words left his mouth. He tried to move his body but figured he couldn''t.


    ''Where am I?'' He felt he was floating in space, and after recovering from the shock of dying tried to feel if his body was intact or not. He was surprised to see that he was nothing but a floating mass of energy in an orb shape.


    He tried to look around and saw something magnificent, a gigantic black orb with a golden and silver ring around it like the photon ring of a black hole distorting space around it.


    He felt like an ant in front of the sun. Then he felt himself plunging into the gigantic orb.


    After that he lost all of his remaining senses, when he woke up he was in a space with a multicoloured river like structure in front of him, but somehow he was able to see and feel his body. And it was pitch black in colour with golden and silver veins running around his body.


    ''How weird, is this normal? Is this the process one goes through after dying?''


    ''Is that what people called the river of reincarnation? Am I going to reincarnate?'' He thought while being sucked in the river.


    He could see white orb-like objects the size of ping-pong balls floating in the river.


    ''Maybe these orbs are the souls of people, but why is my soul different from them?''


    After what felt like a long time he felt like he was free falling from the sky and lost his consciousness.


    ...


    Arthur groggily opened his eyes, and blinked against the harsh light filtering through a dense canopy of alien foliage. The sky above was a strange, swirling blend of colors, vivid greens, purples, and golds, and the air buzzed with unfamiliar sounds.


    He sat up abruptly, his heart racing. Around him, towering trees with bioluminescent vines stretched toward the heavens, their leaves glowing faintly in the dim light.


    "What the¡­ where am I?" Arthur''s voice cracked, echoing in the vast silence. He scrambled to his feet, his hands trembling as he took in his surroundings. The ground beneath him was covered in moss that shimmered like crushed gemstones, and strange, insect-like creatures skittered across it.


    This isn''t real. This can''t be real. He pinched his arm, the sharp sting confirming his fears.


    "What...? I¡­ I transmigrated?" he muttered in question, while seeing his body exactly the same as before he died.


    Standing at 5''9" with deep-set black eyes, sharp and perceptive. His fair complexion bore a faint, healthy glow, complementing his well-defined features that, while not strikingly handsome, held a certain allure-one that lingered in the mind of people meeting him.


    There was a balance to him, a harmony between modesty and appeal, that drew people in without him even trying.


    As he was trying to gather himself, he was disturbed by a distant roar that echoed through the forest, low and guttural. Arthur froze, his breath catching in his throat. The sound was unlike anything he had ever heard, primal and menacing, a predator''s call.


    "Oh, come on," he whispered, backing away from the direction of the noise. His instincts screamed at him to run, but his legs felt leaden, rooted to the spot by fear. A shadow moved among the trees, too large and fast to be anything harmless.


    The creature emerged, its form both alien and terrifying. It stood on four legs, its sleek, scaled body rippling with muscle. Glowing yellow eyes locked onto Arthur, and a maw filled with serrated teeth curled into what could only be described as a predatory grin.


    Arthur''s survival instincts finally kicked in. He turned and bolted, his boots slipping on the mossy ground as he ran deeper into the forest. Branches whipped at his face, and his lungs burned with exertion, but the sound of the creature''s pursuit was relentless. It crashed through the undergrowth, closing the distance with terrifying speed.


    "Why is this happening?!" Arthur shouted, his voice hoarse. His mind raced, grasping for any explanation, any solution. He didn''t want to die after just transmigrating. He ducked under a low-hanging branch, his thoughts a chaotic swirl. ''I can''t die here. Not like this''.


    A sudden root caught his foot, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain shot through his ankle as he tried to scramble to his feet, but it was too late. The creature loomed over him, its glowing eyes filled with predatory glee.


    "No! Get away!" Arthur screamed, throwing a handful of moss at its face in a desperate, futile attempt to defend himself. The monster''s maw opened wide, and Arthur''s final thought before the darkness consumed him was a bitter realization:


    ''Sh*t¡­!!!''


    The forest fell silent once more, the only trace of Arthur''s scream, his blood painting the moss where he had fallen.


    ***

 Chapter 1: Rebirth and Revelation

    The world was black.


    Arthur was vaguely aware of the sensation of his body being torn apart, his flesh devoured by teeth sharper than steel. The pain was unbearable, but soon it faded, leaving only emptiness. For a moment or an eternity there was nothing. No thoughts, no feelings. Just void.


    Then came a spark.


    Arthur''s consciousness surged back into existence, accompanied by an unbearable burning sensation in his chest. It wasn''t the fiery agony of death but something raw, primal, and alive. His body, what he thought had been destroyed was reforming itself. He could feel his muscles knitting back together, his skin regenerating, and even his bones restructuring.


    Air filled his lungs with a desperate gasp. His eyes shot open, revealing the vast forest around him. He lay on the ground where he had fallen, surrounded by the carnage of his previous death. His blood still stained the earth in dark, sticky pools, but somehow, he was whole again.


    "What¡­ the hell¡­?" Arthur whispered, his voice hoarse. He pushed himself upright, his limbs trembling. His hands, caked with dirt and drying blood, looked different¡ªstronger. His fingers flexed with a power he hadn''t possessed before.


    He looked around wildly, his breath coming in short bursts. The towering alien trees, their twisted branches curling like claws against the sky, loomed above him. The monster that had killed him, a hulking creature with spiky fur and glowing red eyes was gone. Only scattered footprints and the eerie silence of the forest remained.


    "I¡­ I died," Arthur murmured, clutching his head. The memory of the attack was vivid, those sharp claws tearing into his flesh, the hot, sticky sensation of blood leaving his body. "How am I¡­ alive?"


    As he sat there, his body continued to feel strangely different. His muscles, which had always been lean but unremarkable from years of manual labor, felt denser. He looked down at his arms, which were now visibly thicker and more defined, as if sculpted by years of training.


    "What''s happening to me?" Arthur muttered, running his hands over his torso.He was buck naked as his shirt, torn and bloodied, lay some distance from him, and his chest beneath was a solid wall of muscle.


    Driven by a mix of fear and curiosity, Arthur scanned the area. A large tree had fallen nearby, its trunk thick and gnarled. He stumbled toward it, his legs shaky but steadily regaining strength.


    "If this is real¡­ if I''ve changed, I need to know how much."


    Bracing himself, Arthur crouched and wrapped his hands around the tree trunk. It felt impossibly heavy, the kind of weight that would have required a crane to move back in the scrapyard. He gritted his teeth and lifted.


    At first, the trunk refused to budge. But then, with a deep growl of effort, Arthur felt the weight shift. Muscles he hadn''t realized he had roared to life, and the massive tree trunk slowly rose off the ground. He held it aloft for a moment, stunned, before letting it drop with a resounding crash.


    Arthur staggered back, staring at his hands. "This¡­ this can''t be real," he said aloud, his voice trembling. His breathing was ragged, but not from exhaustion, more from disbelief.


    He clenched his fists, watching the veins bulge against his skin. ''What the hell happened to me? How did I come back from that¡­ and how am I this strong?''


    Arthur''s mind raced through possibilities. He thought back to the strange thing that had happened to him from the strange object he''d touched a month ago in the scrapyard, its strange hum, and the visions that had flashed through his mind, to the black hole in the endless void .


    "That thing," he murmured. "Did it¡­ do this to me? Is this connected to what happened back home?"


    A shiver ran down his spine as he pieced together the events. The strange object, his sudden death, his unexplained revival. "No way this is just a coincidence," he muttered.


    He looked around the forest, the alien landscape pressing in on him from all sides. The air was thick and heavy, buzzing faintly with unfamiliar sounds. The trees stretched impossibly high, their bark glistening as if coated with resin. In the distance, he could hear the faint rustling of creatures moving through the underbrush.Stolen story; please report.


    Arthur took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Okay," he said, trying to inject some confidence into his voice. "I can''t stay here. If that monster comes back, I''m not dying again. I need to find people. Civilization. Something."


    He started walking, his steps more surefooted now that his strength had returned. Every movement felt easier than before, his body responding with a speed and precision that surprised him. His mind buzzed with questions, but there were no answers here, only the oppressive silence of the forest.


    As he moved deeper into the woods, he couldn''t help but marvel at his surroundings. Strange plants with glowing leaves and spiraling vines grew in clusters, their bioluminescence casting an eerie light on the forest floor. In the distance, he saw a stream of water, its surface shimmering with a faint iridescent glow.


    "This place¡­" Arthur murmured. "It''s beautiful. Terrifying, but beautiful."


    His newfound strength filled him with a cautious sense of hope. Whatever had happened to him, it was clear he wasn''t the same person he''d been before. And while the danger was real, so was the opportunity.


    That hope was tested not long after. As he pushed through a dense thicket of vines, he froze at the sound of rustling ahead. Something was moving, a creature, smaller than the monster that had killed him but large enough to be a threat.


    Arthur crouched, his heart pounding. He scanned the area, his eyes locking onto the source of the sound. From behind a cluster of bushes emerged a creature that looked like a rabbit, if rabbits were the size of wolves and had razor-sharp talons. Its fur was mottled green and brown, blending seamlessly with the foliage, and its eyes glowed a faint red.


    "Oh, come on," Arthur muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. The creature''s ears twitched, and its gaze snapped to him.


    "Great. You heard that," he said, understanding he made a mistake by talking out loud, then he started standing slowly. The rabbit-like monster bared its teeth, which were far sharper than any herbivore''s should be.


    Arthur''s instincts screamed at him to run, but he held his ground. His body, still buzzing with the strange energy from his revival, felt ready to fight. He clenched his fists, the memory of his newfound strength giving him confidence.


    ''I can handle this. I have to.''


    The creature lunged, its talons slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Arthur dodged to the side, his movements faster and more fluid than he''d ever thought possible. The creature''s claws raked against a tree trunk, leaving deep gouges.


    Arthur retaliated, swinging a fist at the creature''s side. His punch connected with a solid thud, sending the monster skidding across the forest floor. He stared at his hand in shock.


    ''I did that?''


    The creature recovered quickly, snarling as it charged again. This time, Arthur grabbed a fallen branch and swung it like a club. The impact sent the creature sprawling, but not before its talons caught his arm, leaving three shallow gashes.


    "Ah, damn it!" Arthur hissed, clutching his bleeding arm. The pain was sharp but bearable. He stared at the creature, which was circling him now, wary but determined.


    ''This thing isn''t going to stop until one of us is dead'', Arthur realized. He tightened his grip on the branch.


    ''Fine. Let''s end this.''


    The fight was brutal. The creature was faster than Arthur expected, its talons slicing through the air with deadly precision. But Arthur''s strength and determination gave him the edge. After a fierce exchange of blows, he managed to pin the creature beneath the branch, using all his weight to keep it down. With a final surge of effort, he drove the sharpened end of the branch through its chest.


    The creature let out a choked snarl before falling still.


    Arthur collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. Blood dripped from his arm, mixing with the dirt and the creature''s dark ichor. He stared at the lifeless body, his mind racing.


    "I killed it," he said aloud, his voice shaking. "I actually killed it."


    A mixture of emotions surged through him, relief, pride, and a lingering sense of horror. He looked at his hands, still trembling from the fight. ''I''m not the same. I can''t be. But¡­ what am I now?''


    Arthur sat there for several minutes, his chest heaving as he stared into the distance. He thought back to his old life, the monotony of the scrapyard, the quiet resignation he''d carried for years. That version of him was gone. This world didn''t care about his past or his dreams. It only cared about strength and survival.


    ''I''m in a different league now'', he thought. ''But why? Is this a test? A punishment?''


    The scratches on his arm had already begun to scab over, the wounds sealing faster than humanly possible. He flexed his fingers, marveling at his body''s newfound resilience. The adrenaline was fading now, replaced by a steely resolve. This world might be harsh, but it hadn''t killed him, not permanently, anyway.


    Looking around the alien forest, Arthur''s expression hardened. "If I can survive this, I can survive whatever else is out there," he muttered. "I need to find out why I''m here. And I need answers."


    With that, he got to his feet, wiping the blood from his hands. The forest seemed less intimidating now, though he knew it was still full of dangers. But for the first time, Arthur felt something he hadn''t felt in years: a sense of purpose.


    He took a deep breath and saw his naked form.


    ''Maybe I can use the hide of the rabbit as a temporary cover for me'' and started to skin the rabbit like monster with difficulty with the tree branch as there were no tools to do so.


    After donning the rabbit hide to cover himself he started to walk towards the direction of the sun rising.


    The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear, Arthur Sully was no longer the man he used to be. And this world, strange and hostile as it was, would have to contend with the force he was becoming.


    ***

 Chapter 2: Adaptation

    Arthur stood over the lifeless body of the rabbit-like creature, its fur matted with blood. His breath came in short, sharp gasps as he stared at his hands, now covered in scratches from the fight. The reality of his situation was sinking in.


    This was no dream. He had died and come back, stronger than before. And now, with the taste of survival fresh on his tongue, he realized that his power was the key to staying alive in this alien world.


    ''Adaptation. Evolution. That''s what''s happening to me.''


    Arthur wiped his hands on the grass and glanced around. The forest was alive with sound¡ªchirps, clicks, and distant roars echoed through the dense canopy.


    He felt a surge of determination. If he was going to survive here, he needed to understand his powers. What were their limits? How far could they take him?


    ...


    Arthur tugged at the makeshift pants he had fashioned from the hide of the rabbit-like creature. The process of skinning it with only a jagged branch had been grueling and messy, but the end result, while crude, offered some degree of modesty and protection.


    He glanced at the horizon, where the sun was beginning to rise, and started walking toward it.


    The forest was still and quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or distant calls of unknown creatures. Arthur''s muscles ached, and his mind buzzed with unanswered questions.


    He had survived so much in this alien world already, and yet, he felt as though his journey had only just begun.


    ....


    Arthur ventured deeper into the forest, weaving between towering trees with bark as tough as metal and vines that glowed faintly in the dim light.


    The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and alien flora. Every step felt like a gamble, but he was growing more confident. His body felt stronger, more resilient.


    After wandering for sometime, he spotted a broken branch lying in the underbrush. It was nearly two meters long, with a sharp, jagged end on one side. He picked it up, testing its weight and balance.


    "This could work," Arthur murmured, holding the branch like a spear. The jagged edge could pierce, and the length would give him some range. It wasn''t much, but it was better than nothing. He felt a surge of determination as he gripped the makeshift weapon.


    "This forest doesn''t seem to be giving me a break. If I''m going to survive here, I''ll need more than just luck." He exhaled deeply, his resolve hardening.


    ...¡­..


    After securing his weapon, Arthur''s journey led him to a strange tree with a cluster of glowing purple fruits hanging from its branches. The fruits were the size of peaches, their surface shimmering as if dusted with stardust.


    "What in the world are these?" Arthur murmured, stepping closer. He reached out and plucked one of the fruits, marveling at its weight and texture. A faint, sweet aroma wafted up, enticing and mysterious.


    ''It could be food. Or it could kill me.''


    Arthur''s mind raced. Back on Earth, he had always admired how certain species could adapt to poisons, turning what was once deadly into a source of strength.


    ''Maybe my powers work like that. There''s only one way to find out.''


    He hesitated for a moment before biting into the fruit. The taste was unexpectedly sweet, with a tangy aftertaste that lingered on his tongue. He finished the fruit and waited, his heart pounding in anticipation.


    At first, nothing happened. Arthur began to think he might have lucked out, but then a burning sensation spread through his chest. His throat tightened, and his vision blurred.


    "Argg¡­ damn it¡­" he gasped, stumbling to his knees. Pain shot through his body as his breaths came in shallow gulps. His heart raced as panic set in.


    ''What if this is the one thing I can''t adapt to?''


    Arthur collapsed, clutching at his throat. Darkness crept in, and for the second time in this alien world, he died.


    ...¡­..


    A sharp gasp escaped his lips as Arthur jolted back to life. The burning sensation was gone, replaced by a cool clarity. He sat up, blinking in disbelief.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "I¡­ I''m alive," he whispered, his voice trembling. His fingers touched his throat, where the pain had been most intense, but there was no trace of injury.


    Then it hit him: he felt different. Stronger. More resistant. The memory of the fruit''s effects lingered in his mind, but the fear was gone. He picked up another fruit from the pile he had gathered before eating the first.


    ''If I died and came back immune to its poison, then¡­''


    Without hesitation, Arthur consumed the rest of the fruits. Each time, his body reacted violently - convulsions, burning pain, and even temporary blindness.


    But each time, his body adapted to the toxins. By the time he finished the last fruit, he felt an undeniable change.


    "I''m immune to its poison now," Arthur said aloud, his voice steady. He clenched his fists, marveling at the strength coursing through his veins.


    ...


    Arthur''s mind raced with possibilities. If there were other such fruits in the forest, they could be the key to unlocking more abilities.


    He began searching the surrounding area, scanning for similar trees. Hours passed as he wandered, his eyes sharp and his senses heightened.


    Eventually, he found another tree, this one bearing blue, pear-shaped fruits with an iridescent sheen. He approached cautiously, plucking one and examining it closely.


    "Here goes nothing," he muttered, taking a bite. The fruit was tart, with a hint of bitterness. Moments later, his vision dimmed, and his muscles seized up. His body hit the ground as paralysis set in.


    .....


    As Arthur thought for how long he was going to stay paralyzed¡­ a few minutes later, he felt a rush of clarity. His senses had sharpened, his reactions quicker.


    Testing his newfound agility, he sprinted around the clearing, marveling at how fast and light he felt.


    "This is incredible," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "It''s like every death and harmful thing I consume makes me better, stronger."


    His search continued. He found a tree with red, bulbous fruits that emitted a faint heat. Eating one caused his skin to blister and his body to burn from within, but after a few agonizing minutes he started to adapt to the heat, he felt an odd resistance to heat.


    Another tree bore green, spiky fruits that induced hallucinations and made him lose his sense of direction, but once he adapted, he noticed his spatial awareness had improved significantly.


    Not all fruits were deadly. Some were simply edible, providing him with sustenance and a temporary boost in energy. Arthur''s confidence grew with each discovery, and he began to see the forest as less of a threat and more of a resource.


    ...¡­


    As he wandered, Arthur spotted a herd of deer-like creatures grazing in a clearing. They had shimmering, silver fur and antlers that glowed faintly. His stomach growled. He hadn''t realized how hungry he was until now.


    ''Alright, time to test my hunting skills,'' he thought, not committing the same mistake of thinking out loud, while gripping his makeshift spear.


    He moved carefully, staying downwind to avoid alerting the herd. Picking out a smaller, weaker-looking deer, he crept closer, his heart pounding with anticipation.


    When he was within striking distance, he lunged, aiming the sharp end of the branch at the creature''s side.


    The deer bolted, its movements swift and unpredictable. Arthur chased it through the underbrush, his enhanced agility keeping him close but not quite close enough.


    The hunt lasted nearly an hour before he managed to corner the creature against a rocky outcrop. With a final thrust, he struck true, his spear piercing the deer''s side.


    The creature let out a plaintive cry before collapsing. Arthur stood over it, his chest heaving.


    "I did it," he murmured, a mix of pride and relief washing over him.


    ''I am not as exhausted as I should have been normally, looks like my stamina also increased while running after the deer like creature''


    He then tore open the hide of the creature and bit at its flesh, while trying to stop his gag reflex. He used to live in a civilized society, not stone age.


    He had no idea or the urge to try raw meat, but here it is the only option until he can start a fire which he doesn''t know how to.


    ''I will try it later'' After thinking of learning how to start a fire, he removed the hide from the deer-like creature to use it later, he started to explore the forest and search for civilization.


    ...¡­.


    The sun''s rays pierced through the canopy in fragmented beams, casting an eerie glow on the forest floor. Arthur''s instincts screamed at him to stay vigilant. He tightened his grip on the branch and continued moving, his senses sharper than ever.


    As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Arthur stopped. He crouched low, scanning the area. That''s when he saw it, a creature unlike anything he had encountered before.


    It was roughly the size of a large dog, but it''s sleek, reptilian body and sharp, curved claws reminded him of a velociraptor. Its eyes glinted with predatory intelligence as it sniffed the air, searching for prey.


    Arthur froze, his heart pounding in his chest. ''This isn''t like the rabbit-thing. This is a real predator.''


    He watched as the creature prowled, its movements precise and deliberate. He noted the way its tail swayed, the flexing of its powerful legs.


    ''I can avoid it, but should I?'' He knew in this unforgiving forest he would encounter more danger. So it is useless to avoid it now. As he could become stronger after every deadly battle, he wanted to use every opportunity to become stronger.


    His grip on the branch tightened as he considered his options. He needed to fight, but this wasn''t the rabbit-like creature from before. This was a predator, built to kill.


    ''Think, Arthur. Use what you''ve got.'' Though he can''t die, the pain of dying is as real as it could get. He didn''t want to feel the same sensation if he could.


    He shifted his weight, moving as silently as possible through the underbrush. The creature hadn''t noticed him yet, its attention focused elsewhere. Arthur studied it, noting the way its muscles coiled as it moved and the deadly precision of its claws.


    ''If I can catch it off guard, maybe I have a chance.''


    Arthur took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. The branch in his hands felt heavier now, not just a tool but a weapon-his lifeline. He stepped forward, every muscle in his body tense with anticipation.


    The creature''s head snapped up, its eyes locking onto him. For a moment, neither moved. Then, with a guttural growl, the velociraptor-like beast charged.


    Arthur braced himself, the makeshift spear held at the ready.


    ''This is it'', he thought, while charging towards the velociraptor.


    ***

 Chapter 3: Deadly battle

    Arthur''s grip on the branch tightened as the creature''s cold, predatory eyes locked onto him. The velociraptor-like monster lowered its sleek, scaly body, tail swaying rhythmically as it prepared to pounce.


    "Grrrrrr¡­"


    A guttural growl rumbled from its throat, echoing through the silent forest.


    Arthur''s heart pounded like a drum. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and every instinct screamed at him to run. But he knew better. This wasn''t an opponent he could outrun, not with its speed and precision. His only chance was to stand his ground and fight.


    "This isn''t just survival," Arthur whispered under his breath. "It''s a test. Let''s see how far I''ve come."


    The creature charged, its claws digging into the dirt with terrifying speed. Arthur swung his makeshift spear as the beast lunged, aiming for its exposed flank.


    The sharp, jagged end of the branch scraped against the monster''s tough hide, drawing a shallow line of blood. The creature howled in pain, a guttural roar that sent a shiver down Arthur''s spine.


    But the attack barely slowed it down. The monster twisted its body with fluid precision, its tail whipping toward Arthur like a club. He barely ducked in time, the force of the swing stirring the air above his head.


    ''I need to react faster.''


    Arthur ducked, the claws whistling over his head.


    ''It''s like fighting a whirlwind'', he thought, his muscles tensed. The beast was relentless, its attacks coming in quick, calculated bursts.


    Arthur stepped back, breathing heavily. His muscles tensed, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The creature circled him, its movements deliberate and predatory, eyes glinting with intelligence. Arthur could see it assessing him, looking for an opening.


    It''s smarter than I thought, he realized, adjusting his stance.


    Arthur thrust his spear toward its chest, but the creature twisted its body, avoiding the blow with terrifying agility. Its tail swung around, a heavy club of muscle and bone, and struck him square in the ribs.


    The impact sent him sprawling, the air forced from his lungs in a sharp gasp.


    "Damn it!" Arthur coughed, clutching his side as pain flared. He scrambled to his feet just as the beast lunged again, its jaws snapping inches from his shoulder.


    The next attack came swiftly. The creature leapt, jaws snapping inches from Arthur''s face. He thrust his spear upward, driving it into the monster''s shoulder.


    The sharp end sank deeper this time, eliciting a furious roar. The beast recoiled, its claws raking across Arthur''s torso as it retreated. Pain shot through him as blood seeped from three deep gashes across his chest.


    "Ahh!" Arthur stumbled, clutching at the wound. His vision blurred for a moment, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay upright. Focus. You''ve been through worse.


    To his astonishment, the bleeding slowed within seconds. The pain dulled as his skin began to knit itself back together. He glanced down, watching in awe as the wounds healed before his eyes.


    Not entirely, there were still faint lines where the gashes had been, but enough to keep him going.


    The monster didn''t give him a chance to recover fully. It lunged again, this time swiping with its razor-sharp claws.


    Arthur sidestepped, using the spear to deflect the attack. The creature''s talons scraped against the wood, splintering the end of the branch. Arthur cursed under his breath.


    ''This thing is relentless.''


    The battle raged on, each exchange more brutal than the last. Arthur landed a few more hits, his strikes growing stronger and more precise as the fight continued. Yet the creature seemed almost unfazed, its resilience and ferocity unmatched.


    In one swift motion, the beast''s claws caught his arm, tearing through muscle and sinew. Arthur cried out as pain exploded in his right hand. He dropped the spear, his fingers refusing to obey him. Blood poured from the wound, and his right arm hung useless at his side.


    "No, no, no!" he gasped, retreating as the creature closed in. His vision blurred again, but this time it wasn''t from shock, it was rage.


    His mind screamed at him to give up, but something deeper, primal, urged him to keep fighting.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The healing began, slow and agonizing. Arthur could feel his body working to repair the damage, but it wasn''t fast enough.


    His hand throbbed, the shattered bones and torn flesh knitting together at a frustratingly sluggish pace. He needed more time.


    "Come on, you bastard!" Arthur roared, grabbing the spear with his left hand. The creature charged again, and Arthur swung with all his might. The jagged branch struck the beast''s jaw, shattering a row of its teeth. The creature howled, its head snapping to the side from the force of the blow.


    ''It''s hurt now. I can do this.''


    Arthur''s newfound strength surged through him as he pressed the attack. He swung the branch again, this time catching the monster across its side.


    The impact sent the creature skidding across the forest floor, but it quickly scrambled back to its feet, growling with renewed fury.


    The fight turned into a deadly dance. Arthur moved with a fluidity he hadn''t known before, dodging and countering as the beast lashed out.


    Each time he was struck, he healed faster, his body adapting to the injuries. And with every injury, he felt a slight increase in strength, a subtle but undeniable growth.


    "I''m not dying today," Arthur snarled, lunging forward. He drove the spear into the monster''s chest, feeling the wood sink deep into flesh and muscle.


    The creature screeched, its claws slashing wildly. One talon raked across Arthur''s face, leaving a deep cut that bled profusely.


    Arthur stumbled back, clutching his face. The pain was blinding, but he forced himself to stay upright. The wound began to heal, enough to not hinder his vision. He could feel his body reaching its limits, the rapid healing taking a toll.


    ''I need to end this now.''


    The creature charged again, blood dripping from its wounds. Arthur noticed something, a pattern in its movements. The way it feinted before lunging, the way its tail always swung to counterbalance its strikes. It was predictable, almost mechanical.


    ''It''s following a rhythm'', Arthur realized. ''If I can time it¡­''


    He waited, heart pounding, as the creature circled him. It lunged, as he knew it would, its jaws snapping at his throat.


    Arthur sidestepped at the last moment, driving the spear into the creature''s exposed side. The beast howled, thrashing violently as Arthur twisted the weapon, driving it deeper.


    "Die, damn you!" Arthur roared, adrenaline fueling his strength.


    But the creature was far from done. It whipped its head around, catching the spear in its jaws. With a sickening crunch, the wood splintered, leaving Arthur holding nothing but a jagged stump.


    ''Great. Now what?''


    The beast tossed the broken weapon aside and lunged again. Arthur raised his arms instinctively, and the creature''s jaws clamped down on his right forearm.


    Pain exploded as its teeth sank deep, but something remarkable happened, his skin, tougher than before, resisted. The teeth didn''t penetrate as deeply as they should have.


    Arthur roared in defiance, his free hand grabbing the creature''s neck. With a surge of adrenaline-fueled strength, he wrenched his arm free, leaving a trail of blood.


    The wound throbbed, but even as he watched, the bleeding slowed, the torn flesh beginning to knit itself together.


    The creature collapsed, its body convulsing as blood pooled beneath it. Arthur felt his breath ragged and his body trembling.


    ''I''m getting stronger with every hit.''


    The realization gave him a grim sense of hope. He might not match the beast''s raw power, but he could outlast it.


    The monster circled him, growling low, its golden eyes never leaving him. Arthur could see it was growing cautious due to multiple injuries it sustained from a weak looking prey. He stood straighter, his breath steadying despite the pain coursing through his body.


    "Come on," he muttered, gesturing with his hands. "Let''s finish this."


    The creature obliged, rushing forward with a terrifying roar. Arthur dodged the first swipe but wasn''t fast enough to avoid the second. Claws raked across his chest, creating just skin deep gashes. He staggered back, and a grin appeared on his face.


    He could feel his body hardening, his muscles swelling with renewed strength. The beast lunged again, and this time, Arthur grabbed hold of its jaws. It thrashed violently, nearly dislocating his shoulder, but he held firm.


    ''I can do this.''


    He twisted with all his might, forcing the creature to the ground. Its tail lashed out, striking his legs and sending him sprawling. Arthur rolled away just in time to avoid a crushing bite aimed at his throat.


    He grabbed a nearby rock and hurled it at the beast, striking its eye. The creature howled, momentarily disoriented.


    Arthur scrambled to his feet, his body aching but stronger. He lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the creature''s neck. It thrashed wildly, its claws tearing at his back, but he held on, his grip tightening with every second.


    The beast''s growls turned to whimpers as Arthur applied pressure, his muscles straining. He could feel its life slipping away, its struggles weakening.


    Finally, with one last shudder, the creature fell still.


    Arthur collapsed beside it, gasping for air. Blood covered his arms, chest, and face, but the wounds have already healed. He stared at the lifeless beast, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over him.


    "I did it," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "I actually did it." He had survived. He had won.


    The forest was silent once more, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the wind. Arthur stared at the creature''s lifeless body, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over him.


    "I''m not the same anymore," he muttered, flexing his fingers as his hand slowly began to heal. "This world¡­ it''s amazing."


    He sat there for what felt like hours, his mind racing. The battle had pushed him to his limits, revealing both his strengths and weaknesses. He knew there would be more fights, more challenges, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of rest.


    The forest loomed around him, vast and unyielding. Arthur took a deep breath, the scent of blood and earth filling his lungs. He wasn''t sure what lay ahead, but one thing was certain, he was ready to face it.


    After resting for nearly an hour, Arthur knew he needed to find shelter. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor. He climbed to his feet.


    He spotted a tall tree nearby, its thick branches high above the ground. Using his enhanced strength, he climbed swiftly, searching for a sturdy branch to rest on.


    He found one near the top and began gathering vines, weaving them into a makeshift hammock.


    As he secured the final knot, he lay back, staring up at the darkening sky. The stars began to emerge, unfamiliar constellations twinkling above.


    With that, he closed his eyes, letting the fatigue of the day pull him into a restless sleep.


    ***

 Chapter 4: Predator Vs Prey

    Arthur''s feet pounded against the forest floor, the rhythmic thump-thump of his sprinting body cutting through the unnatural silence of the alien wilderness.


    Every breath came in sharp bursts, but his face was calm, determined. Behind him, the sound of snapping branches, snarls, and heavy talons tearing through the earth echoed closer and closer.


    The three velociraptor-like monsters were relentless, their eyes glowing with a predator''s hunger.


    Arthur could hear the screeches and guttural growls just a few meters behind.


    ''Faster'', he urged himself, pushing his legs harder.


    His body responded, moving at a speed he would have thought impossible days ago, faster than any human should run. It felt both exhilarating and terrifying.


    ''They''re close. But they are going right where I want them.''


    To any observer, it might look like Arthur was fleeing in desperation, aimless and panicked. But there was nothing random about his path.


    This was a calculated plan, one he had decided on the moment he woke up that morning.


    ¡­


    *** Hours Earlier ***


    Arthur had woken in the hammock he''d tied between two sturdy branches, the sunrise painting the sky in vibrant streaks of violet and gold. The air was cool and crisp, the forest still waking up.


    He sat up, groaning slightly as his body creaked from soreness, though the pain faded quickly, leaving him feeling stronger.


    Yesterday''s victory over the velociraptor-like monster had filled him with a renewed sense of purpose.


    He couldn''t just wait for things to happen; he had to find challenges, force himself to adapt, to evolve. He climbed down from the tree and set off into the forest.


    The morning exploration brought strange sights. Strange looking flora dotted the landscape, plants with glowing, bioluminescent petals, and others with pulsing veins of light running through their stems.


    One bulbous plant hissed and released a puff of noxious gas when Arthur got too close, forcing him to back away quickly. ''Definitely poisonous.''


    He then got near the plant again and breathed in the noxious gas and felt a burning sensation in his lungs, and after a few moments he felt fine and breathed in the gas again and felt nothing and continued his journey.


    Along his journey he noticed a narrow valley, plans beginning to churn inside his mind.


    ''I could lead my prey into the valley, that way I can fight more than one monster at a time.''


    But then came the real heart-stopping moment, the wyvern.


    Arthur had been trekking quietly when he spotted the massive beast from a distance. The wyvern lay curled on a rocky clearing, its armored scales glistening in the faint sunlight.


    Its wings twitched slightly as it slumbered, each wing as long as a bus, its talons digging into the stone beneath it. The sheer size of the creature took Arthur''s breath away.


    He froze. ''Not today''. He crept backward, keeping his movements deliberate and silent. When he was far enough, he turned and ran in a different direction, avoiding the area entirely.


    It wasn''t long before he stumbled upon another clearing, and that''s when he found his targets.


    Three of the same velociraptor-like creatures he had fought the previous day were hunched over a carcass, tearing into the flesh of a deer-like beast with brutal efficiency.


    Their scaly bodies rippled with muscle, and their jaws snapped and cracked as they devoured their meal.


    Arthur crouched low behind a boulder, a smirk forming on his face. ''Perfect.''Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    He tightened his grip on the smooth pebble he''d picked up earlier. He didn''t just want to fight them; he wanted to test himself, to see how far he''d come.


    But he wasn''t stupid. Taking on three of them in open ground was suicide. That''s when he remembered the narrow valley he''d seen earlier, a natural choke point.


    "Let''s see if you like being hunted," Arthur muttered. He drew his arm back and hurled the pebble with all his strength.


    The rock sailed through the air and struck one of the raptors directly in the eye.


    The creature let out a deafening screech, throwing its head back in pain as blood spurted from the wound.


    The other two raptors snapped their heads up, blood dripping from their jaws. All three turned their murderous gazes toward Arthur.


    "Time to run."


    Arthur bolted from his hiding spot, sprinting toward the valley as the enraged monsters roared and barreled after him.


    ¡­


    *** Now ***


    Arthur skidded into the entrance of the valley, its jagged walls looming high above him. The rocky passage narrowed to just a few feet wide, perfect for funneling the creatures one at a time.


    Arthur stopped at the far end, turning to face the monsters that now crowded the mouth of the valley. Their growls reverberated off the stone walls, their eyes glinting with fury.


    Arthur exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders.


    ''Time to see if this works.''


    The first raptor lunged forward, squeezing into the narrow gap with surprising agility. Its jaws snapped at Arthur, but he ducked to the side and slammed his fist into its side.


    The creature screeched as it smashed against the rock wall, a sickening crunch echoing through the canyon.


    It stumbled, but Arthur gave it no time to recover. He stepped forward and delivered a brutal kick to its chest, sending the raptor flying backward three meters.


    Arthur blinked, astonished at his own strength.


    ''I can throw them that far, they weigh at least 150 kg.''


    The second raptor leapt over its fallen companion, charging straight at him with claws outstretched.


    Arthur sidestepped the swipe, but the creature''s talons scraped against his arm, leaving shallow scratches. Pain flared, but it was muted. Within moments, the wounds began to close.


    He was surprised at just the scratches as yesterday it was deep gashes, reminding him of the increasing toughness of his skin, while still looking soft as before.


    "Not gonna stop me," Arthur then growled. He grabbed a loose rock from the ground and hurled it into the raptor''s jaw, shattering teeth with a loud crack.


    "Roar¡­"


    The monster staggered, its roar rattling Arthur''s ears.


    But the third raptor was smarter.


    As Arthur focused on its companion, the third monster lunged from the side, trying to snap its jaws around his thigh. Arthur knowing he will be able to avoid injury did not avoid it.


    "Got you!" he shouted, taking the opportunity to pound his fists against its skull. His blows landed with bone-cracking force, but the raptor refused to let go.


    He grabbed the creature''s head with both hands and twisted with all his strength. The monster''s neck snapped audibly, and it dropped to the ground, twitching.


    He stumbled back, taking in the situation as the remaining two raptors closed in on him.


    The second raptor lunged again. Arthur met it head-on, catching its jaws with his bare hands. The creature snarled and thrashed, but Arthur''s grip held firm.


    He roared in defiance, adrenaline pumping through his veins as he twisted its head and slammed it into the rock wall.


    The beast went limp.


    Arthur dropped it, chest heaving as sweat dripped down his face. The final raptor, the one whose eye he''d injured earlier, hesitated. Blood dripped from its socket, its snarls more cautious now.


    "You''re all alone," Arthur muttered, stepping forward. "What now?"


    The raptor hissed, backing up a step. But Arthur wasn''t about to let it retreat. He lunged forward, grabbing its neck and forcing it to the ground.


    The creature screeched, its claws raking at his arms and chest without causing any injury, but Arthur didn''t let go. With a final burst of strength, he wrapped his arms around its throat and squeezed.


    The raptor''s struggle grew weaker. Finally, it went still.


    Arthur let its lifeless body drop, collapsing onto the ground beside it. The narrow valley was quiet once more, save for his ragged breathing.


    Blood stained his body and makeshift pants, but his panting grew slower, his body getting accustomed to the stress it went through and growing stronger.


    ''Well, that was easy.''


    He lay there for a few minutes, catching his breath. When he finally sat up, he began collecting the sharp talons from each creature, binding them together with vines.


    He had forgotten to collect them yesterday in the heat of the battle. But now he was calm and collected to think strategically.


    They would make excellent tools, and maybe even weapons. Although he thought his fists were a better weapon than the talons.


    His stomach growled. With a sigh, Arthur cut chunks of meat from the creatures using their own talons, their flesh tough and raw.


    He gathered dry branches and spent several frustrating minutes striking rocks together until he managed to start a fire.


    He used to live in a society where lighting a fire only using woods was not a mandatory skill to learn, so it took him time to succeed in it.


    He then roasted the meat in the fire which was bland and chewy, as there were no condiments in the wilderness, but Arthur forced it down.


    ''Better than nothing.''


    When he finished eating, he quickly smothered the fire. He knew better than to let its smoke attract something worse.


    Slinging the talons over his shoulder, he stood and stared out into the forest.


    This world was dangerous. But with every fight, every injury, he was becoming something else, something stronger.


    "Bring it on," Arthur muttered as he disappeared back into the trees.


    ¡­


    The valley lay silent, littered with the corpses of its former hunters. The predator had become the prey. And somewhere, deep in the forest, new challenges awaited Arthur.


    ***

 Chapter 5: Continuous grind

    The first creature he encountered after that morning''s fight with the velociraptor looking monsters was unlike anything he had seen before. It was a quadruped, roughly the size of a horse, with scales that shimmered like molten gold in the sunlight.


    Its elongated snout ended in a sharp beak, and a crown of spines flared around its head like a deadly mane. Its tail whipped back and forth, tipped with a sharp barb that dripped a viscous, green liquid.


    Arthur crouched behind a thick bush, observing the creature as it rooted around in the undergrowth. Its movements were fluid and predatory, yet it seemed unaware of his presence.


    ''Let''s see what you''ve got.''


    He grabbed a fist-sized rock and hurled it with all his might. The projectile struck the creature''s flank, and it reared up with a piercing screech, its golden spines rattling like a venomous warning.


    The fight began.


    The beast charged, its barbed tail lashing out. Arthur sidestepped just in time, the tail slicing through the air where he had been standing.


    He retaliated with a powerful punch to the creature''s side, sending it skidding several meters across the ground. The impact cracked some of its golden scales, exposing raw, pulsing flesh beneath.


    The creature roared, shaking off the blow and charging again. This time, it aimed higher, attempting to impale him with its beak.


    Arthur ducked, grabbed the tail as it whipped toward him, and yanked hard. The beast let out a shriek, its balance thrown off as Arthur swung it in a half-circle and slammed it into a nearby tree.


    The forest rang with the creature''s cries as it tried to rise, but Arthur was already on it.


    He grabbed one of its flared spines and snapped it off, using it as a makeshift dagger to pierce the exposed flesh on its side. The creature shuddered violently, then collapsed in a heap, lifeless.


    Arthur stood over the body, completely fine from the fight.


    "Not bad," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "But I can do better."


    ¡­


    The next encounter was even more bizarre. While exploring deeper into the forest, Arthur stumbled upon a six-legged creature with a body like a panther but covered in jet-black feathers.


    Its eyes glowed a sinister red, and its growl sounded like a chorus of low, rumbling thunder.


    This time, Arthur didn''t wait for it to attack. He charged first, his fists clenched. The panther-like beast leapt into the air, its claws outstretched, aiming for his throat.


    Arthur ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the attack. He came up behind the creature and delivered a bone-crunching kick to its hind leg.


    The beast howled, a guttural sound that sent nearby birds scattering. It spun around, its claws raking across Arthur''s chest.


    Sparks flew as its talons scraped against his skin, leaving nothing but faint white marks. Arthur grinned. ''Looks like I''m tougher than I thought.''


    The creature circled him, growling, its feathers bristling. It lunged again, but this time, Arthur caught it mid-air.


    With a grunt, he slammed the beast to the ground, pinning it under his knee. The creature thrashed, its claws and teeth finding no purchase against his unyielding skin.


    Arthur grabbed its head with his left hand and started punching with his right, ending the fight with a sickening crack.


    "Two down," he said, standing over the body. His strength was growing with every encounter, and he could feel it, his punches carried more force, his reactions were faster, and his stamina seemed limitless.


    ¡­


    By midday, Arthur had fought and defeated three more creatures, each more challenging than the last. One had been a serpentine monster with wings like a bat, its venomous fangs glistening in the sunlight. Another was a towering, gorilla-like beast with fists the size of tree trunks.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡­


    The gorilla-like creature was unlike anything Arthur had faced. It stood over three meters tall, its muscles rippling beneath its dark, leathery skin.


    Its eyes were intelligent, almost calculating, as it pounded its chest and roared, a sound so deep it seemed to shake the ground.


    Arthur took a deep breath. ''This is going to be tough.''


    The beast charged, its massive fists slamming into the ground where Arthur had just been standing. Arthur rolled to the side and countered with a punch to the creature''s ribs.


    The blow barely fazed it, and it retaliated with a backhand swipe that sent Arthur flying into a tree. He gasped as the wind was knocked out of him.


    The gorilla advanced, its footsteps heavy and deliberate. Arthur scrambled to his feet, his mind racing.


    ''I can''t take this thing head-on, at least for now. I need to be smarter.''


    He darted to the side, grabbing a sharp branch from the ground. The beast roared and swung its massive fist, but Arthur ducked under the blow and jabbed the branch into its side.


    The gorilla bellowed in pain, swatting at the makeshift weapon like it was an annoying insect.


    Arthur seized the moment to land a flurry of punches to its exposed ribs. Each strike reverberated through his arms, the creature''s dense muscles absorbing much of the impact.


    But with each hit, Arthur felt himself growing stronger, his punches gaining more force.


    The gorilla roared again, this time more in frustration than pain.


    It grabbed a nearby boulder and hurled it at Arthur, who narrowly dodged the massive projectile.


    ''It''s not as dumb as the other monsters'', he realized, his adrenaline spiking.


    Arthur changed tactics. He feigned an attack, drawing the beast''s attention to his right, then pivoted and struck from the left, aiming for its knees.


    The gorilla staggered, its balance momentarily thrown off. Arthur pressed the advantage, landing a devastating uppercut to its jaw that sent it reeling backward.


    But the beast wasn''t done. With a furious roar, it lunged at Arthur, its massive arms closing around him in a crushing embrace.


    Arthur gritted his teeth, feeling the immense pressure on his ribs. He struggled, his vision darkening at the edges, but then something clicked.


    His muscles surged with newfound strength, his body adapting to the threat. With a guttural yell, he pried the beast''s arms apart and delivered a headbutt that cracked the creature''s skull.


    The gorilla stumbled, dazed, and started roaring crazily and Arthur seized the opportunity. He grabbed the sharp branch still lying some distance away and quickly grabbed it, piercing towards its open mouth.


    The sharp branch went through its mouth and came out from its back, piercing through its brain instantly killing the beast.


    The beast collapsed on its knees with a thud, and stayed down. Arthur stood over it, his chest heaving, his body battered but unbroken.


    "Now that was a challenge," he muttered, wiping blood and sweat from his face.


    ¡­


    By the time Arthur returned to his hammock, the sun had set, and the forest was bathed in moonlight. His body ached, but it was the satisfying ache of hard-won progress.


    He dropped the spoils of the day, a collection of claws, fangs, and spines, beside his hammock and sat down to catch his breath.


    "Let''s see how far I''ve come."


    He stood and approached a nearby boulder, roughly a meter in diameter. Planting his feet, he bent down, wrapped his arms around the massive rock, and heaved.


    The boulder rose off the ground easily, his muscles straining a bit but holding firm. He grinned, the weight feeling almost insignificant.


    "Definitely more than a ton," he said aloud, dropping the rock with a resounding thud. "Not bad."


    Next, he tested his speed. Starting at one end of a clearing, he sprinted to the other, covering the approximately 100-meter distance in a matter of seconds.


    He repeated the run several times, each faster than the last. Though he lacked precise measurements, he estimated he could now run 100 meters in under six seconds.


    Finally, he tested his durability. Taking one of the sharp talons he''d collected, he pressed it against his forearm and applied pressure.


    The talon didn''t even leave a mark. He tried again, harder this time, but his skin remained unbroken.


    Though there was nothing to be surprised about, he still couldn''t fathom this kind of ability in the modern world. The world would go crazy and perform various experiments on him with or without his consent if anyone found out about it.


    Satisfied with his progress,After plucking a handful of fruits from a few nearby trees, Arthur climbed into his hammock. The sweet juice trickled down his chin as he ate, filling his stomach after a long day of battles.


    As he lay back, staring up at the stars through the canopy, his thoughts drifted.


    "Is there anyone else out there? Civilization? Humans?"


    The idea of encountering intelligent life, human or otherwise, both excited and terrified him. Integration into a society of alien creatures would be a challenge, but he was willing to face it.


    With a deep breath, he closed his eyes, the sounds of the forest lulling him to sleep. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new battles, and new opportunities to grow. And Arthur was ready for all of it.


    ***

 Chapter 6: Another predator hunt

    Arthur jolted awake, his heart pounding as a thunderous roar shook the forest. It wasn''t just loud; it was primal, a sound that reverberated deep in his chest.


    "What was that¡­!"


    He sprang from his makeshift hammock, the urgency of the moment overriding any grogginess.


    Without hesitation, he leapt down from the tree, landing with feline precision.


    He thought if he should check out what was going on, after giving it some thought he decided to go and see it first hand, and broke into a sprint toward the source of the sound.


    ''Whatever made that noise is huge'', he thought, his feet barely touching the ground as he raced through the underbrush. Within moments, he arrived at a clearing. What he saw took his breath away.


    Two massive T-Rex-like monsters, each towering over the landscape at nearly 12 meters in length and nearly 3.5 meters tall, were locked in a ferocious battle, razing the nearby trees into the ground with utmost ferocity and ease.


    Their scales glistened like polished stone, one deep emerald and the other a dark crimson.


    They fought over a massive prey, a creature resembling a mammoth with elongated tusks, which was already lying on the ground with nearly half of the top part of its neck missing, clearly dead. The clearing was chaos.


    The emerald beast lunged first, its jaws snapping inches from the crimson one''s neck. The latter retaliated, slamming its head into its opponent''s side with a resounding thud that echoed through the forest.


    The impact sent the emerald T-Rex stumbling back, but it recovered quickly, letting out a deafening roar.


    "RRROOOAAARRR!"


    The sound made Arthur''s ears ring. He crouched behind a boulder, watching intently as the battle unfolded.


    The crimson monster countered with a swipe of its massive tail, striking the emerald beast''s hind legs and causing it to stumble. The emerald predator roared in frustration and lunged again, this time clamping its powerful jaws around the crimson one''s shoulder.


    Blood sprayed into the air, splattering the ground with dark red pools.


    "THUD!"


    The crimson T-Rex roared in pain but didn''t relent. It twisted its body, tearing itself free from the bite, and retaliated with a devastating headbutt.


    The emerald beast staggered, its grip on victory slipping. The two titans clashed again and again, their roars shaking the very ground Arthur stood on.


    Finally, after a series of brutal blows, the emerald T-Rex managed to clamp its jaws around the crimson one''s neck, shaking it violently before releasing it.


    The crimson monster let out a weak growl and retreated, limping and bleeding heavily. It vanished into the trees, leaving the victorious emerald T-Rex to roar triumphantly and claim its prize.


    The forest fell silent except for the sounds of the emerald predator feasting on its hard-won meal.


    Arthur''s eyes narrowed. "That injured one... it might be my best chance."


    ¡­


    Arthur followed the trail of blood left by the retreating crimson T-Rex. It led him to a cave nestled at the base of a rocky hill. The creature''s labored breathing echoed within, and Arthur crouched at the entrance, formulating a plan.


    ''This thing is massive, at least 12 meters and weighs probably 8 to 10 tons. I can''t take it head-on. I need an edge.''


    As he crouched there, he became aware of the eerie stillness of the forest. A distant growl reminded him that predators could still be lurking.


    He scanned his surroundings cautiously. The flora seemed to pulse with faint bioluminescent hues in the dim light, adding an unsettling beauty to the environment. Arthur shook his head. ''Focus.''


    He retreated silently, gathering materials for a weapon. He found a sturdy branch from a tree he had tested earlier, its wood as tough as steel. Using vines, he lashed together a spear, tipping it with the claws of a monster he had defeated the day before.


    To enhance its lethality, he smeared a potent paralytic poison onto the tip, harvested from a plant he had identified earlier in his explorations. The preparation took nearly an hour, but Arthur worked methodically.


    During his search, he encountered a strange, slug-like creature the size of a dog, oozing a luminous blue liquid. Its translucent body shimmered, revealing internal organs. It moved toward him with surprising speed, opening a circular mouth lined with rotating teeth.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "What the¡­!" Arthur dodged as it lunged. He grabbed a nearby rock and smashed it against the creature''s body. The slug let out a high-pitched squeal before collapsing, its internal fluids splattering onto Arthur''s arm.


    The liquid began to sizzle. "Acid? Great." He quickly rinsed his arm in a nearby pond, gritting his teeth as the burning subsided.


    ''The acid must be quite powerful to burn my tough skin.'' He can already imagine what would have happened if he met the slug-like creature just two days ago, he would have melted into a puddle of goo.


    As the sun climbed higher, he returned to the cave. The crimson T-Rex lay curled inside, its breathing shallow. Blood seeped from its wounds, forming dark pools on the rocky floor. Arthur tightened his grip on the spear, his muscles coiling with tension.


    ''Here goes nothing,'' he thought, stepping silently into the cave. ''I should aim for its eye. It should be its weakest point.''


    Arthur crept closer, each step deliberate. The beast''s massive chest rose and fell rhythmically, its eyes closed. He raised the spear, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Then, with all his strength, he drove the weapon into the creature''s eye.


    "RRRRAAAAUUUUAHHH!"


    The T-Rex jolted awake, its roar a mix of pain and fury. The spear pierced its eyelid and embedded itself 15 centimeters deep, but Arthur was shocked, it hadn''t gone as far as he''d hoped.


    It should be noted that his strength is already approximately above 2 tons, as he could easily lift a one ton boulder without much stress. But the spear didn''t go in much even while using all his strength.


    Before he could retrieve the weapon, the monster thrashed, sending him flying across the cave. He hit the wall hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him.


    "Damn it!" Arthur muttered, rolling to his feet as the T-Rex rose, shaking the ground with every movement. Its remaining eye locked onto him, blazing with rage.


    Blood poured from its wounded eye, but the beast seemed far from incapacitated. Arthur clenched his fists.


    ''The poison... let''s just hope it kicks in soon.''


    The monster lunged, its jaws snapping inches from Arthur''s torso. He dodged to the side, delivering a powerful punch to its snout. The impact barely fazed it.


    The T-Rex roared again, swiping at him with a massive clawed foot. Arthur leapt back, but the claws grazed his side, tearing through his skin and leaving a deep wound.


    "GRRRRAAAHHHH!"


    Arthur grunted in pain but kept moving, amazed at its power. He dodged another swipe, then countered with a kick to the creature''s leg joints.


    The force of his blow caused the beast to stagger, but it quickly recovered, its tail whipping around and striking him like a battering ram.


    Arthur was sent sprawling, he got up and tried to punch at its blinded eye. But his left arm caught in the monster''s jaws as it lunged again.


    "AAARRGGHH!"


    The pain was searing as the T-Rex bit down, severing his arm at the shoulder. Arthur collapsed, blood pouring from the wound. But even as he gasped for breath, he could feel his body working, his regeneration already stitching the wound closed.


    ''I just need time'', he thought, forcing himself to his feet. He felt he was getting stronger as the fight dragged on, but it was still not enough. The T-Rex seemed to be slowing, its movements less coordinated. The poison was taking effect.


    Arthur pressed his advantage, weaving between the monster''s sluggish attacks. He landed blow after blow, targeting its legs and underbelly.


    Each punch carried more force than the last as his body adapted, growing stronger. The T-Rex roared in frustration, swiping clumsily. Arthur dodged, circling around to its blind side.


    With a final burst of speed, he climbed onto its back, grabbing the embedded spear. Summoning every ounce of strength, he drove the weapon deeper, the tip piercing the creature''s brain.


    "RRRUUUAAAGHHHH..."


    The T-Rex let out one last, gurgling roar before collapsing. Its massive body hit the ground with a thunderous crash, the cave trembling from the impact.


    Arthur slid off, panting, his body covered in blood and sweat. His arm, now fully regenerated, flexed as he clenched his fists. He felt stronger, stronger than ever before.


    ¡­


    Arthur wasted no time. He harvested the T-Rex''s claws, marveling at their diamond-like hardness. They would make formidable weapons. Dragging the massive carcass outside, he began cutting the meat into manageable portions.


    The process was laborious, but his enhanced strength made it easier. He carried the remaining parts several hundred meters away, disposing of them to avoid attracting other predators.


    With how easily he was able to drag the nearly 10 tons heavy body of the monster for hundred of meters without a sweat, it could be seen his stregth increased exponentially after the fight.


    ...


    Back at the cave, Arthur set to work cleaning the bloodstains. He carved a tree stump using the sharp talons of monsters, in the shape of a bucket and using it to carry water from a nearby pond, he scrubbed the rocky floor, erasing any signs of the earlier battle.


    He laid down the wolf fur he had collected earlier, creating a makeshift bed. Next, he built a wooden rack to dry the T-Rex meat into jerky, ensuring he would have a sustainable food supply.


    Finally, he turned his attention to the cave''s entrance. He gathered thick branches and vines, his strength allowing him to carry and manipulate materials that would have been impossible before.


    Using monster claws to carve and shape the wood, he constructed a sturdy wooden gate. The vines acted as ropes, binding the structure together. By the time he finished, the gate was secure, capable of keeping most critters at bay.


    Arthur stepped back to admire his handiwork. The cave was now a fortress, a safe haven in the dangerous wilderness.


    He also carved some woods to make large bowls using the sharp talons of different monsters to hold more water, so that he does not have to go to the pond every time he needs to.


    "Well that should do it for now¡­", he murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. As the last light of dusk crept over the horizon, Arthur lay down on his makeshift bed, exhaustion finally catching up to him. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he could rest.


    ***

 Chapter 7: Adding flavors to survival

    Arthur awoke to the soft rustle of leaves outside his cave, the golden hues of dawn spilling into his makeshift home.


    The T-Rex-like monster''s meat from the previous day lay neatly arranged on wooden racks, slowly drying into jerky.


    His body was growing stronger than ever, but his palate craved more than just the bland taste of roasted meat. Determined to explore and expand his resources, he decided to venture deeper into the forest.


    ¡­


    The forest was alive with vibrant colors and different shapes and sizes, every corner teeming with danger and wonder.


    As Arthur trekked further into the wilderness, he came across a massive tree whose trunk twisted upward like a spiral staircase. Its leaves shimmered with iridescent hues, reflecting the sunlight in a mesmerizing dance.


    Beneath the tree''s canopy, he noticed clusters of bioluminescent mushrooms glowing faintly in the shadows.


    ''These mushrooms could be useful someday'', he thought, picking one of them to cook later and carefully avoiding the bunch for now, as their purpose or potential toxicity remained unknown for now.


    Further along, he stumbled upon a bubbling stream that cascaded over smooth rocks, forming a small waterfall. The water''s clarity revealed schools of fish-like creatures, their scales glinting like molten silver.


    As Arthur dipped his hands into the cool stream to drink, he noticed a peculiar plant growing near the water''s edge. Its bright red berries emitted a faint spicy aroma.


    ''Could this be what I''m looking for?'' he wondered, plucking a berry and cautiously tasting it.


    The flavor was fiery, reminiscent of chili peppers, but with an undertone of sweetness. He grinned, his determination renewed.


    ¡­


    Arthur spent hours searching for more plants that could serve as spices. The forest proved both a treasure trove and a challenge.


    He encountered plants with leaves that smelled like cinnamon and others whose seeds had a tangy, citrus-like flavor.


    Some plants bore fruit with an earthy, smoky aroma, while others had an intense bitterness that he quickly spit out.


    One particular discovery left him awestruck. In a clearing surrounded by glowing vines, he found a bush with golden pods.


    Breaking one open revealed tiny black seeds inside. He tasted a pinch and felt a warm, nutty flavor spread across his tongue.


    ''This is incredible, like a mix of nutmeg and cloves'', he thought. The forest was beginning to feel less like a hostile alien world and more like an untapped paradise.


    As he continued his exploration, Arthur''s journey led him to a grove of peculiar trees whose bark emitted a faint, sugary aroma.


    He scratched at the bark and tasted the sap. It was incredibly sweet, like honey, and he immediately began gathering some by using large leaves to collect the dripping liquid.


    ''This will add some uniqueness to my meals'', he thought excitedly.


    After hours of foraging, he returned to the cave with his haul. He laid out his findings on newly constructed wooden racks, carefully spreading the leaves, seeds, and berries to dry.


    Using the sharp claws of the T-Rex-like monster he had defeated, Arthur began carving small containers from thick branches. The claws sliced through the wood with ease, allowing him to create smooth, cylindrical jars to store his spices.


    ¡­


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Arthur decided to experiment with his fresh finds. He took a slab of T-Rex meat and began roasting it over a small fire in the cave. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    He also took a wooden pot, filled it with water, the bones of various monsters and the mushroom he picked earlier. He also added some spices in the mix while letting it boil, to make soup.


    He crushed a handful of the freshly picked spices using a flat rock and sprinkled them onto the meat, while roasting it. Almost immediately, the air filled with a fragrant aroma from the meat and the soup that made his mouth water.


    "Finally," he murmured, turning the meat carefully over the fire. The scent was intoxicating, a blend of smoky, sweet, and spicy notes that reminded him of the rich, complex flavors he had once taken for granted on Earth.


    When the meat was done, Arthur took a tentative bite. His eyes widened as the flavors exploded on his tongue.


    "This... this is amazing," he said aloud, savoring every bite. He devoured the roasted meat, then he tried the soup which was rich with meaty quality and a bit salty and sour, maybe from the mushroom, which either was not poisonous or he was already immune to that bit of poison.


    For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a sense of normalcy. Food was no longer just sustenance; it was a joy.


    ¡­


    After his meal, Arthur ventured out again to gather fruits. He found trees bearing berries that shimmered like tiny gemstones and others with peach-like fruits in hues of blue and gold.


    Some of the fruits glowed faintly, their bioluminescence casting an otherworldly light in the darkening forest. He sampled each one cautiously, relying on his adaptive physiology to neutralize any potential toxins.


    Satisfied with his haul, Arthur returned to the cave and deposited the fruits alongside his growing collection of resources. But he wasn''t done for the day. His instincts urged him to hunt, to push his growing strength to its limits.


    ¡­


    The forest at night was a different beast. Shadows stretched long and dark, and the air was filled with the eerie calls of nocturnal creatures. Arthur moved silently through the underbrush, his senses heightened.


    Though he cannot see in the darkness of the night clear as day, he noticed that he has pretty sharp eyes that didn''t hinder him while trekking through the forest.


    Not only his vision, all of his senses have been dialed to eleven. His sense of hearing, smell and taste all enhanced.


    He spotted his first target, a creature that resembled a cross between a panther and a porcupine, with sleek black fur and quills along its spine. It prowled the forest floor, its glowing yellow eyes scanning for prey.


    Arthur launched himself forward, his enhanced speed turning him into a blur. The creature snarled, quills shooting toward him like darts. He dodged effortlessly, closing the distance and delivering a powerful punch to its side.


    "GRRAAAHH!" The creature yowled in pain, trying to swipe at him with razor-sharp claws.


    Arthur ducked under the attack and countered with a kick that sent it sprawling. Before it could recover, he grabbed its neck and snapped it cleanly.


    "One down," he muttered, dragging the carcass back toward his cave.


    ¡­


    His next encounter was more challenging. A serpent-like monster slithered through the trees, its body covered in iridescent scales that shimmered like oil on water.


    It struck without warning, its fanged mouth aimed directly at Arthur''s chest. He sidestepped at the last second, grabbing its neck with both hands.


    The serpent thrashed violently, wrapping its body around him in an attempt to crush him.


    "Stay down," Arthur growled, his muscles straining lightly as he easily pried the serpent''s coils apart. With a swift motion, he slammed the creature into a tree, the impact breaking its spine.


    ¡­


    As he roamed further, Arthur stumbled upon a tranquil glade filled with luminous flowers that pulsed faintly like living fireflies.


    The beauty of the place was marred by the presence of a hulking beast, a creature that looked like a fusion of a bear and a rhinoceros, with thick, armored skin and a deadly horn. Arthur decided to take it down for both the challenge and the resources.


    The battle was fierce. The creature charged at him, its horn aimed straight for his chest. Arthur leaped to the side, landing on the beast''s back and delivering a series of punches to its head.


    The armored skin absorbed most of the impact, and the creature bucked wildly, throwing him off. It roared, its deep, guttural voice reverberating through the glade.


    "Alright, big guy. Let''s see what you''ve got," Arthur taunted, dodging another charge. He focused his attacks on its joints, aiming for the softer tissue. After a grueling fight, he managed to bring the creature down with a powerful blow to its exposed neck.


    ¡­


    By the time Arthur returned to the cave, he was drenched in sweat but victorious. He added the new meat to his drying racks, taking a moment to admire his growing stockpile.


    His body felt stronger with each fight, his adaptability pushing him closer to dominance in this alien world.


    As he lay on his fur-covered bed that night, staring at the flickering shadows on the cave ceiling, Arthur allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction.


    He was thinking about the wyvern looking monster while lying on his bed made out of fur. He was thinking on how to take down that monstrosity.


    "I should test a few things tomorrow." he thought about checking for its habits, its hunting time, its sleeping time etc.


    But before that from tomorrow he would like to start actively exercising and increasing his strength, though there were no instruments for his exercise he could make those from what was available in this vast forest.


    With that he closed his eyes, while looking forward to tomorrow''s activities.


    ***

 Chapter 8: Preparations

    Arthur stood at the edge of the forest, his eyes scanning the trees for the perfect one to test his idea. He clutched a meter-long claw shaped like a scimitar, its makeshift handle wrapped in vines.


    The weapon was a testament to his resourcefulness, he forged it from the remains of the creatures he had bested.


    Today, he sought a tree capable of bearing immense weight, a task that required both durability and flexibility.


    "This has to work," Arthur muttered to himself, his voice a mix of determination and frustration.


    "If I''m going to keep getting stronger, I need to make the right tools."


    He began his search by testing the trunks of various trees, each measuring between 15 and 30 centimeters in diameter.


    With powerful swings of his scimitar-like claw, he hacked at the bases of the trees. The sound of splintering wood echoed through the forest, mingling with the distant calls of strange creatures.


    Some trees snapped too easily, their cores brittle and weak. Others bent under pressure but didn''t break.


    "Not this one..."


    Finally, he found a species with trunks that resisted his strikes, their fibers dense and springy.


    "These would do the job."


    He nodded in approval and felled several of them, dragging their massive lengths back to his cave.


    ¡­


    Once the tree trunks were secured, Arthur turned his attention to finding suitable weights. He remembered seeing scattered boulders of varying sizes and set out to locate them.


    The area was a few kilometers away, and he jogged at a steady pace, his enhanced stamina making the journey effortless. When he arrived, he examined the stones closely. They ranged from a few tons to massive ones weighing up to 50 tons.


    Arthur crouched beside a particularly large boulder, running his hand over its rough surface.


    "These ones are too big to carry," he muttered. "But I''ll take these when I am able to."


    Using his strength, he lifted stones weighing around 5 tons and dragged others back to his cave using several trips. Each step was a test of his endurance, the ground groaning under the weight of the stones.


    By the time he gathered every boulder, his muscles burned, but his determination remained unshaken.


    ¡­


    Arthur wasted no time in crafting his makeshift barbell. He sharpened the ends of one of the tree trunks to form tapered tips, the process taking longer than expected due to the wood''s metallic toughness.


    T-Rex claw proved invaluable, slicing through the dense material with effort but effectiveness.


    Next, he drilled holes into the centers of the smaller boulders, using the claw as both a chisel and a hammer. The task required precision and patience, each strike sending vibrations through his arms.


    When the holes were complete, he slid the boulders onto the ends of the trunk, securing them tightly. The final product was rudimentary but functional: a barbell weighing approximately 6 tons.


    Arthur positioned a boulder as an elevated platform to account for his 5''9" height, then climbed onto it. Gripping the barbell tightly, he took a deep breath and began to lift. The strain was immediate, his muscles trembling under the immense weight.


    "Come on," he growled through gritted teeth. "You can do this."


    With a roar of effort, he hoisted the barbell into the air. The weight threatened to overpower him, but he held firm.


    Slowly, he lowered it and repeated the motion. After ten repetitions, he felt a noticeable difference. His body adapted rapidly, and the once-daunting weight now felt manageable.


    After that he enthusiastically continued, after 15 minutes of continuous exercise he felt he could easily pick up the barbell without much strain. He cleaned his sweat and felt it won''t increase his strength much more, so he added more weight to the barbell.


    ¡­


    Arthur continued his exercise routine, adding more weight as he grew stronger. He attached additional boulders, bringing the total to 8 tons. The strain returned, but so did his determination.


    He pushed his body to its limits, pausing only to prepare food and eat. By sunset, his muscles ached, but his strength had noticeably increased.


    With a loud thud that made the ground shake he threw the barbell on the ground, Arthur kept panting ,after the exercise although he took rest in between to prepare food and eat he was still quite exhausted. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    But he was happy with his increased strength. He felt now he could easily pick up 30 tonnes of weight without much strain in his muscles.


    He also felt his stamina increase as he rested. He was so indulged in his exercise that he forgot he also had to check the wyvern''s habit but he thought he would do it tomorrow


    "If I keep this up, how much will I be able to increase my strength in a week, a month or even a year," he said, a grin spreading across his face, imagination running wild in his mind.


    To cool off, Arthur made his way to the nearby pond. The water''s chill was invigorating, washing away the day''s grime and exhaustion.


    He filled a few containers with water before returning to the cave to prepare a hearty meal. Using the spices he had gathered earlier, he roasted a slab of T-Rex meat and cooked a bone soup rich with flavor.


    The satisfying meal rejuvenated him, and he drifted into a deep sleep.


    ¡­


    The next morning, Arthur woke with renewed vigor. He decided to test his speed, sprinting across a flat stretch of forest. By his estimation, he covered 100 meters in just 3 to 4 seconds.


    "Not bad," he thought. "But I can be faster than this."


    After his speed test, Arthur returned to the area with the larger boulders. This time, he focused on the heaviest ones, including a massive 40-50 ton stone with a diameter of approximately 3 meters.


    He carried those he could and he managed to drag those he couldn''t to his cave, each step an arduous feat. The stone''s density amazed him, its weight surpassing that of granite from Earth.


    The boulders should have been bigger if it was on earth, the stones should be more denser than granite of earths, which might be the reason for its smaller size with the same weight.


    ¡­


    With his collection of boulders complete, Arthur turned his attention to the wyvern. He had observed the creature from a distance before, but now he wanted to study its habits in detail.


    He found a vantage point over 100 meters away, his enhanced eyesight allowing him to watch and observe the wyvern easily without being detected.


    Arthur crouched low in the underbrush, his enhanced senses attuned to the faintest movements around him. The vantage point he had chosen offered a clear view of the wyvern''s territory, a vast, rocky plateau dotted with sparse vegetation and bordered by steep cliffs.


    From this distance, the creature''s sheer size was daunting. Its body was covered in dark, armored scales that shimmered faintly under the setting sun, each one a natural shield.


    The wyvern was a fearsome predator, its leathery wings spanning over 20 meters from one end to another.


    The wyvern stood on its perch, wings partially unfurled as it scanned the skies. Its head swiveled with predatory precision, the sharp horns crowning its skull casting long shadows. Arthur noted the intelligence in its eyes, a glint that spoke of cunning and danger.


    "Not just brute strength," Arthur murmured under his breath. "This thing is cunning too, just like the T-rex."


    Arthur watched as the wyvern spread its massive wings, their span stretching over 20 meters. With a powerful leap, it launched into the air, the downdraft from its wings bending the nearby foliage.


    The beast ascended quickly, becoming a dark silhouette against the sky before diving toward the forest.


    Its target was a grazing beast, oblivious to the impending attack. The wyvern struck with terrifying speed, its talons sinking into the creature''s back. The prey''s cry was brief, cut short as the wyvern soared upward, carrying its meal back to the plateau.


    Arthur observed every movement, noting the efficiency of the hunt. "It''s fast, too fast for a head-on attack," he thought, narrowing his eyes. "I''ll need to cripple its mobility first."


    "I''ll need to strike at night," he thought, formulating a strategy. "Poison will be key, but I''ll have to aim for its weak points"


    He planned to use his T-Rex claw weapon, its edge smeared with a potent paralytic poison derived from the plants he had found.


    The hardest wood he could find served as the weapon''s handle, ensuring it could withstand the wyvern''s tough hide.


    The wyvern landed with a heavy thud, the ground trembling under its weight. Arthur watched as it began to tear into its kill, using its hooked talons to rip apart the flesh with ease. Its jaws crushed bones effortlessly, the sound echoing across the plateau.


    When the wyvern finished eating, it stretched its wings lazily and settled into a resting position. Its head tucked slightly, and its chest rose and fell in a slow, rhythmic motion.


    He spent hours watching, noting every detail, the way its wings folded when it rested, the vulnerable joints where scales overlapped, and the intervals between its hunts.


    Arthur even noticed how the creature shifted its weight when preparing to take off, exposing its underbelly momentarily.


    "The underside of the wings and the eyes," he whispered. "Those are the weak points."


    The sun dipped below the horizon, and the wyvern remained motionless, its breathing slow and steady. Arthur''s enhanced eyesight allowed him to track even the faintest movements in the twilight. The beast was powerful, but it wasn''t invincible.


    As he slipped away into the night, Arthur''s mind was alive with strategy. The wyvern was a formidable foe, but he was confident that with the right preparation, even this apex predator could fall.


    ¡­


    It was nearly dawn when he returned to his cave, he then continued his exercise with the barbell.


    He tested his barbell one last time, increasing the weight to 25 tons on each side. The strain proves too much for the tree trunk, which snapped under the pressure.


    "I need something more durable to handle the boulder''s weight," he muttered, inspecting the broken pieces, to continue exercising and increasing his strength he would have to find other material to act as the bar.


    Even his two meters tall elevated platform had developed fine cracks from the repeated use and heavy weight it endured for two days.


    By the end of the day, Arthur estimated his lifting strength had reached nearly 50 tons. Though it wasn''t enough to satisfy him, he decided it would have to do for now.


    ¡­


    He would be striking the wyvern at midnight. After resting a bit he prepared everything from smearing poison onto his weapon to checking if everything was ready.


    After a brief rest, he sprinted toward its nest, covering roughly 10 kilometers in just 5 minutes despite the obstacles in his path. His enhanced reflexes allowed him to navigate the terrain with ease, his focus unshaken.


    As he neared the wyvern''s resting place, Arthur slowed his pace, his heart pounding with anticipation. The moment of reckoning was at hand.


    ***

 Chapter 9: The Clash of Titans

    Arthur crouched low behind a jagged rock, his breathing controlled, his enhanced eyesight locked onto the colossal wyvern''s form.


    It lay sprawled across its rocky nest, a gargantuan creature definitely weighing nearly 80 tons, its breathing slow and rhythmic. The moonlight reflected off its armored scales, each as thick and durable as reinforced steel.


    Arthur tightened his grip on the makeshift spear, its sharpened tip coated in a potent, paralytic poison extracted from the alien flora.


    "This has to work," he whispered, positioning himself nearly 40 meters away. His muscles tensed as he raised the weapon, aligning the trajectory with the wyvern''s closed eye.


    He steadied his breathing, every fiber of his being focused on the throw. With a grunt, he launched the spear with all his strength, the weapon slicing through the air like a bullet.


    Just as it was about to strike, the wyvern stirred, shifting its massive head slightly. The spear slid off the thick scales of its neck with a dull clang, bouncing harmlessly onto the rocky ground.


    Arthur''s heart sank. "Damn it!" he hissed under his breath.


    The wyvern jolted awake, its glowing yellow eyes snapping open, pupils narrowing into menacing slits. It snarled, a guttural sound that reverberated through the air, shaking Arthur to his core. The beast''s head swiveled, scanning the area until its gaze locked onto him.


    "So much for the element of surprise," Arthur muttered, bracing himself.


    With a deafening roar, the wyvern lunged. Its wings spread wide, creating a gust of wind that sent loose debris flying. Arthur dived to the side, barely avoiding the snapping jaws that closed around the spot where he had stood.


    The wyvern snarled, its nostrils flaring as it turned to face him again. Its tail lashed out, a whip-like motion that shattered a nearby boulder into fragments.


    Arthur dodged, the force of the attack grazing his shoulder and sending him stumbling.


    "This thing''s stronger than I thought," he thought, gritting his teeth. "I need to keep my distance."


    Arthur sprinted toward a cluster of rocks, hoping to use them as cover. But the wyvern was relentless, its massive claws digging into the ground as it charged after him.


    The ground trembled under its weight, each step a seismic event.


    The beast reared back, then lunged forward, swiping with one of its talons.


    Arthur ducked, the claw missing him by inches but leaving deep gouges in the earth. He retaliated, grabbing a jagged stone and hurling it at the wyvern''s face. It struck the creature''s snout but didn''t even leave a scratch.


    The wyvern loomed over him now, its head lowering as it sniffed the air. It snarled, baring rows of razor-sharp teeth as it prepared to strike. Arthur grabbed the remnants of his spear, the shaft broken but the poisoned tip still intact.


    "This is it," he thought. "One shot."


    With a desperate roar, he lunged upward, driving the tip of the spear toward the wyvern''s exposed underbelly. The creature reacted with uncanny speed, twisting its body. The spear scraped against its scales, leaving only a faint mark.


    "No, no, no!" Arthur cried out as the wyvern''s tail whipped around, striking him square in the chest. The force sent him flying backward, slamming into a jagged rock formation. He gasped, blood trickling from his mouth as pain radiated through his body.


    The wyvern advanced, its eyes glowing with predatory malice. Arthur struggled to his feet, his vision blurry. He clenched his fists, his adaptive abilities pushing his body to its limits.


    "I''m not done yet!" he roared, charging at the beast.


    He ducked under a swipe of its talons and leapt onto its forelimb, climbing toward its head.


    The wyvern thrashed, trying to shake him off. Arthur held on, using the broken spear to stab at the joints between its scales. The creature bellowed in pain, shaking its head violently.


    Arthur reached the base of its neck and aimed for its eye, raising the spear for a final strike. But before he could deliver the blow, the wyvern reared back, its massive wings flapping. The gust of wind threw Arthur off balance, and he tumbled to the ground.


    With a burst of speed, Arthur closed the distance between them in an instant, a shockwave rippling through the air as his fist slammed into the wyvern''s chest.


    The impact cracked scales and sent the beast staggering back, but it barely flinched before retaliating. A massive clawed swipe came at him, faster than he anticipated. Arthur leaped back, but not far enough. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    The edge of the talon scraped his side, the force sending him careening into a tree, shattering it on impact.


    Arthur groaned, his vision swimming. The wyvern was on him in moments, its maw wide, fangs glistening with saliva. He rolled just as its jaws snapped shut, the sound of teeth clashing reverberating through the forest.


    "That was close," he muttered, his voice strained. Arthur planted his feet and launched himself upward, driving a punch into the creature''s lower jaw.


    The wyvern''s head snapped back, but it recovered almost instantly, whipping its tail around. The spiked appendage caught Arthur square in the torso, hurling him through several more trees before he crashed into the ground.


    Pain lanced through his body, but Arthur pushed himself up. His adaptive ability was already kicking in; the bruises on his ribs were fading, and his muscles felt denser, stronger.


    "Come on, you''ve got this," he thought, clenching his fists. He needed it. The wyvern wasn''t just stronger than him, it was smarter, more experienced. Every move Arthur made, the beast countered with devastating precision.


    "ROAAARRR¡­!!" The wyvern roared again, the sound shaking loose leaves and sending smaller creatures fleeing in terror. It charged, its bulk flattening everything in its path.


    Arthur darted to the side, his enhanced speed barely keeping him ahead of the beast. He grabbed a fallen tree trunk, nearly ten tons of wood and bark, and swung it like a club. The makeshift weapon splintered against the wyvern''s shoulder, eliciting a snarl but no real damage. Arthur cursed under his breath.


    "I need a new plan," he thought, dodging another swipe. The beast''s tail lashed out again, but this time Arthur anticipated it. He ducked low and grabbed the appendage, planting his feet and twisting with all his might.


    The wyvern''s massive form was dragged sideways, its balance faltering. Seizing the opportunity, Arthur surged forward, driving his shoulder into the wyvern''s midsection. The beast staggered, its wings flaring as it tried to steady itself.


    Arthur pressed the attack, landing blow after blow on the creature''s vulnerable underbelly. Cracks began to form in its scales, but the wyvern''s retaliation came swiftly. It reared back and slammed its forelegs down, the sheer force creating a crater and sending Arthur sprawling.


    Before he could recover, the wyvern''s talons pinned him to the ground. He strained against the weight, his muscles burning as he tried to push the claw off. The wyvern''s head descended, its teeth bared in a cruel snarl.


    With a surge of adrenaline, Arthur managed to free one arm. He grabbed a shard of a broken tree trunk and drove it into the wyvern''s eye. The beast roared in pain, jerking back and releasing him.


    Arthur scrambled to his feet, his breathing ragged. Blood trickled from dozens of wounds, but he felt his strength growing. "Not done yet," he growled, wiping blood from his mouth.


    But the wyvern was far from finished. It launched itself into the air with a single powerful beat of its wings, the gust knocking Arthur off balance. The beast hovered above, its shadow enveloping him.


    Then it dove, claws extended. Arthur leaped to meet it, his fist colliding with its snout in mid-air. The impact was thunderous, sending both combatants crashing back to the ground.


    Arthur coughed, spitting blood as he stood. The wyvern''s chest heaved, its wounded eye leaking blood. Yet it seemed more furious than weakened.


    "How much can this thing take?" Arthur wondered, frustration and determination warring within him. The creature lunged, its jaws snapping shut around Arthur''s torso.


    His skin held, the incredible durability increasing with the fight and resisting the immense pressure, but cracks began to form. The wyvern''s bite was relentless, each second testing the limits of his resilience.


    "Hold it together," he thought, gritting his teeth. With a guttural roar, Arthur planted his feet and pried the jaws apart, his arms trembling with effort.


    He broke free and drove an elbow into the beast''s snout, followed by a knee to its jaw. The wyvern recoiled, but its tail whipped around, catching him off guard. The spiked end pierced his shoulder, pinning him to the ground.


    Arthur screamed, the pain white-hot and all-consuming. "Not like this," he thought, his vision blurring. He gritted his teeth, pulling himself free with a sickening squelch.


    Blood poured from the wound, but even as he stumbled, his body began to heal. He roared in defiance, charging the wyvern with renewed fury. Each punch landed with greater force than the last, his ability pushing his strength closer to the beast''s level.


    The forest was a battleground of destruction, trees toppled and the ground cratered from their titanic clash. Arthur''s blows sent shockwaves through the air, and the wyvern''s claws tore deep gouges into the earth.


    Yet for all his growing power, Arthur couldn''t overcome the wyvern''s sheer mass and ferocity. The beast''s talons caught him again, slamming him into the ground with bone-shattering force. Arthur''s vision blurred, but he forced himself to rise.


    The wyvern''s jaws closed around his arm, teeth puncturing his skin. Arthur roared in pain, his free hand hammering against the creature''s skull. The bone cracked, but the wyvern''s grip remained unyielding.


    With a tremendous effort, Arthur twisted, snapping the beast''s tooth and freeing himself. He staggered back, blood dripping from countless wounds.


    "This can''t be how it ends," Arthur thought, his breathing ragged. The wyvern snarled, its chest heaving as it prepared for a final assault. Arthur braced himself, his battered body trembling but unbroken.


    When the beast charged, he met it head-on, driving his fists into its chest. The impact sent shockwaves through both their bodies, but the wyvern''s momentum carried it forward. Its claws tore into his abdomen, ripping through muscle and bone.


    "Arggh¡­!!!"


    Arthur gasped, blood bubbling from his lips. His hands clawing weakly at the beast''s face. But the wyvern''s strength was insurmountable. With a sickening crunch, it tore through his skin, severing his spine.


    Arthur''s body went limp, his lifeless form crumpling to the ground. The forest fell silent, save for the wyvern''s labored breathing. It stood over its fallen opponent, bloodied and battered but victorious.


    The air was thick with the scent of death, the once-lush clearing now a graveyard of shattered trees and broken earth.


    Arthur had fought valiantly, his strength pushing him to unimaginable heights. But in the end, the wyvern''s raw power proved too great.


    ¡°Roooaarrrrr!!¡±


    As the beast roared its triumph to the heavens, the forest bore witness to the brutal fight, a testament to the relentless brutality of nature.


    ***

 Chapter 10: Round Two

    The forest lay eerily quiet in the aftermath of the battle. The shattered trees and craters were silent witnesses to the destruction wrought by the clash between Arthur and the wyvern.


    Amid the devastation, the victorious wyvern stood over Arthur''s lifeless body. Its emerald and obsidian scales shimmered in the dim light, marred by scratches and cracks from the brutal fight.


    With a guttural snarl, the wyvern lowered its massive head, jaws snapping open to seize Arthur''s head. The crunch echoed across the clearing as it devoured the remains, the rest of Arthur''s broken body following soon after.


    Blood spattered the ground, staining the moss and earth a vivid red. Sated but wary, the wyvern spread its vast wings and, with a powerful leap, took to the air. It circled once, scanning for other threats, before gliding back to its nest atop a rocky outcrop less than 100 meters away.


    ¡­


    Minutes ticked by. The forest remained still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Then, a strange phenomenon began to unfold.


    The blood that soaked the forest floor began to stir, as though caught in an invisible breeze. Droplets defied gravity, lifting into the air and coalescing into a swirling sphere of crimson.


    The sphere floated a meter above the ground, pulsating like a living heart. From within the mass, new bones began to form, white and glistening, shaping themselves into a skeletal structure.


    First came the spine, curling and extending, followed by the ribs that encased a burgeoning chest cavity. Limbs sprouted, fingers and toes articulated with uncanny precision.


    The skull materialized last, crowning the ethereal construction. Organs followed suit, weaving themselves into place with eerie fluidity. Veins and arteries sprawled across the skeleton like a map, pumping newly formed blood through the system.


    Muscles wrapped themselves around the frame, taut and denser than ever before. Layer upon layer of flesh and sinew knit together, forming a body more powerful than its predecessor.


    The skin regenerated next, its texture impossibly smooth but now three times more durable. Finally, strands of hair emerged, completing the transformation.


    The reconstructed body hung suspended for a moment, radiant with an unearthly energy, then it slowly touched the ground. Then, after some moment, Arthur''s chest heaved, his eyes stirred, and he finally opened them.


    ¡­


    Arthur pushed himself to his knees, his hands crushing the ground where he touched the earth. "I... I died again?" he muttered, his voice rasping but filled with a strange vitality. He clenched his fists and felt an immense strength radiating from every fiber of his being.


    He stood slowly, flexing his fingers, rolling his shoulders. The pain and fatigue of his last moments were gone, replaced by an almost euphoric energy. His eyes roved over his surroundings, taking in every detail with newfound clarity.


    He saw the caved ground and was surprised to see the result of his unintentional application of force.


    To test it again he crouched low and placed a hand on the ground, pressing lightly. To his astonishment, the earth beneath his palm cracked and caved, the sheer force unintentional.


    "My strength increased by this much?" he wondered aloud, his voice tinged with disbelief.


    He inhaled deeply, his chest expanding like a bellows. "I feel like I could punch a mountain into dust." A grin spread across his face, though it was just a feeling due to an abrupt increase in strength and he would actually not be able to do that yet.


    "Let''s not get ahead of myself."


    Arthur''s attention turned to his reflection in a small puddle nearby on the night of the full moon. He looked the same, yet somehow different, his features sharper, his posture exuding power. Every inch of him felt fortified, his very existence resonating with a newfound resilience.


    ¡­


    His musings were interrupted as his gaze shifted toward the wyvern''s nest, visible through a break in the trees. The beast had returned there after their battle.


    Arthur''s grin widened, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "You thought you''d seen the last of me, huh?" He glanced down at himself and realized he was stark naked. "Right... clothes. Can''t go into round two like this."If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He searched the clearing, finding remnants of vines and leaves that had survived the battle. Fashioning a makeshift pair of pants, he secured them tightly and tested their durability with a few movements. Satisfied, he turned his focus back to the nest.


    "I should make a few spare ones, I am losing them frequently."


    Arthur stretched, his muscles rippling under his taut skin. "This time, it''s different," he said, cracking his neck.


    He began to walk toward the nest, his steps deliberate and unhurried. Each stride felt lighter, as though the earth itself propelled him forward.


    His thoughts were singular, his resolve unshakable. The wyvern was less than 100 meters away, and payback was imminent.


    The forest seemed to hold its breath, the air charged with anticipation. Arthur''s grin widened, the thrill of the challenge invigorating him. "Round two, you oversized lizard," he muttered under his breath. "Let''s see how you handle this."


    ¡­


    The wyvern perched nearby, licking its wounds, its massive form coiled in wary rest. It turned its piercing eyes to him, and for the first time, an expression of surprise flickered across the beast''s visage.


    Arthur smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Surprised?" he muttered, his voice carrying a confident edge. "Let''s finish this."


    The wyvern roared, a deafening bellow that shook the forest to its roots.


    "SKREEEEEEAAAHHHH!"


    The sound echoed like thunder, the sheer force rippling through the air. Arthur didn''t flinch. Instead, he launched himself forward, his speed more than doubled since their last encounter.


    In a blur, he was upon the beast, his fist driving into its snout with a force that sent the massive creature sliding back several meters, uprooting trees in its path.


    "That''s more like it," Arthur thought, his muscles surging with newfound strength. He leaped into the air as the wyvern lunged, narrowly avoiding its jaws.


    The beast''s teeth snapped shut with a sound like grinding steel.


    "CLANK!"


    Arthur landed on the wyvern''s back, grabbing its neck with both hands and slamming its head into the ground.


    "THUD!"


    The earth quaked from the impact, a crater forming beneath the wyvern''s skull.


    The wyvern snarled, twisting its massive body to throw Arthur off, but he clung on with an iron grip. "Nice try," Arthur said, a hint of mockery in his tone.


    The wyvern''s tail whipped around, spikes glinting in the sunlight. Arthur released his hold and flipped over the tail, landing gracefully on his feet. The tail slammed into a tree instead, shattering it with a resounding "CRACK!"


    Arthur darted forward again, ducking beneath a swipe of the wyvern''s claws. This time, he didn''t just dodge, he caught the claw mid-swing.


    "Let''s see how strong you really are," he muttered. With a roar of effort, he twisted, flipping the 80-ton beast onto its side. The wyvern let out a guttural screech, flailing to regain its footing.


    Arthur didn''t give it the chance. He grabbed its wing, muscles bulging as he swung the creature like a giant hammer.


    "WHAM!"


    The wyvern''s body slammed into a line of trees, obliterating them in a cascade of splinters.


    The beast rose shakily, its scales battered and cracked. It lunged at Arthur, jaws wide. This time, Arthur didn''t dodge. He stood his ground, allowing the wyvern''s teeth to clamp down on his arm.


    "CRUNCH!"


    The sound was less dramatic than before, the wyvern''s bite failed to pierce his skin. Arthur''s smirk deepened as he flexed his arm, the pressure forcing the wyvern to release him. "Not bad," he said. "But you''ll need more than that."


    Arthur''s counterattack was swift and brutal. He drove a punch into the wyvern''s chest, the impact reverberating like a cannon shot.


    "BOOM!"


    Scales shattered, and the beast staggered. Arthur followed with a flurry of blows, each one breaking through the wyvern''s once-impenetrable armor.


    "CRACK!" "SMASH!"


    Each hit pushed the beast back, its roars turning from fury to desperation.


    "You''re tough," Arthur thought, watching the wyvern struggle to rise after another devastating punch. "But I Am stronger . You''re not a challenge anymore."


    The wyvern spread its wings, a last-ditch effort to take flight. Arthur wouldn''t allow it. He leaped onto its back, grabbing the base of its wings and pulling with all his might.


    "RRRIP!"


    The wyvern screeched in agony as its wings tore, the membranes shredded beyond repair. It crashed back to the ground, writhing and roaring in pain.


    "SKREEEEEE!"


    Arthur stepped off the crippled beast, his expression calm but determined. He circled the wyvern as it struggled, its movements growing weaker.


    "This ends now," he said, his voice steady. He raised his fist, with a final, earth-shattering punch, he drove his fist into the wyvern''s skull.


    "BOOOOOM!" The ground split beneath them, the force of the blow ending the wyvern''s life instantly.


    Arthur stood over the fallen creature, his chest heaving. The forest was silent once more, save for the creak of damaged trees and the rustle of falling leaves. He wiped the wyvern''s blood from his face and looked down at its massive form.


    "Goodbye¡­.and thanks," he muttered, crouching to lift the beast. He hoisted the 80-ton wyvern onto his shoulders with ease, his new strength making the feat feel effortless.


    As he jogged back toward his cave, the ground trembled beneath his steps. "Time to eat," he thought, a faint smile playing on his lips.


    The forest had been his battlefield, and now it bore witness to his triumph. Arthur''s journey was far from over, but for now, he carried his victory, literally, on his shoulders.


    ***

 Chapter 11: Harvesting

    The wyvern''s massive corpse lay slumped over Arthur''s shoulder as he trudged through the dark forest. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting silver streaks across his path. Every step was deliberate, the sheer weight of his prize slowing him only slightly.


    His muscles taut with exertion, but a victorious grin played on his lips. The faint scent of blood clung to the air, mingling with the earthy fragrance of damp leaves and soil.


    As he neared his cave, the familiar silhouette of his temporary home loomed in the moonlit clearing.


    With a final grunt of effort, Arthur hoisted the wyvern''s body forward and let it fall to the ground with a resounding thud. The ground trembled under the weight, and he couldn''t help but smirk at the sight of his fallen foe.


    "Dinner''s served," he muttered, dusting off his hands.


    ¡­


    Inside the cave, Arthur gathered his cooking supplies. He didn''t have much, but his scavenging had rewarded him with a decent stock of spices and herbs, dried over time in the warmth of his small fire pit.


    He glanced back at the wyvern''s corpse, its flesh glistening in the pale light. "Let''s see how it tastes," he mused, grabbing his tools.


    With practiced precision, he carved into the beast''s side, his makeshift knife gliding through the surprisingly tender meat. The wyvern''s body heat hadn''t entirely dissipated, making the process easier than expected.


    He cut thick slabs of meat, careful to avoid the areas with denser scales, which he would be taking care of tomorrow. After cleaning them with water he collected from a creek nearby, he went towards the fire pit he created.


    Back at the fire pit, he skewered the meat onto sharpened sticks and seasoned them liberally. The aroma of sizzling wyvern flesh filled the cave as the fat dripped into the flames, producing an appetizing crackle.


    Arthur''s mouth watered as he turned the skewers, letting the heat work its magic.


    After what felt like an eternity, he pulled the first piece from the fire, blew on it to cool it down, and took a tentative bite.


    The flavor was rich and gamey, with a faint hint of something he couldn''t quite place. "Not bad," he said, nodding to himself. "You''re a tough bastard, but at least it''s tasty."


    The meal was a feast. Arthur ate his fill, savoring each bite. He set aside portions of cooked meat for later and cleaned his tools before tidying up the cave.


    "No sense in letting the place become a mess," he muttered, sweeping away debris and organizing his supplies.


    Satisfied with his work, he lay down on his makeshift bedding, exhaustion finally catching up with him. His last thoughts as he drifted to sleep were of the next day''s tasks.


    ¡­


    Arthur woke to the gentle hum of the forest morning. Birds chirped, and the rustling of leaves announced the presence of small animals scurrying about. He stretched his stiff muscles "Alright," he said, rubbing his hands together. "Time to get to work."


    Today, he needed tannins, a vital ingredient for tanning leather. It helps in preventing decay and making the leather durable .


    He also needed alkali for the liming process but he did not know where he would find materials for it. So, without alkali, he couldn''t follow the traditional process, but he''d have to make do with what he had. He grabbed his wooden bucket and headed into the forest.


    ¡­


    The forest was alive with activity, shafts of sunlight breaking through the canopy and dappling the ground in golden hues. Arthur moved through it with purpose, his eyes scanning the trees.


    He knew that tannins were found in the bark of certain species, and he''d seen the old tanners in his town harvest it from oak and chestnut trees.


    Finding the tree, he tested the bark with his bone knife, peeling a section away to reveal the reddish-brown inner layers.


    "Perfect," he murmured, carefully stripping the bark and placing it in his bucket. As he worked, he thought back to the tanners of his town. He remembered their weathered hands, stained dark from years of labor. "This might not be perfect," he mused, "but it''ll have to do."Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Arthur wandered deeper into the forest, harvesting bark from several trees. Each piece he gathered brought him closer to his goal, though the repetitive nature of the task gave him plenty of time to think.


    "Funny," he muttered to himself, "I never imagined I''d end up doing something like this. Fighting wyverns, crafting leather... life''s full of surprises."


    ¡­


    By midday, he had completed several rounds of collecting tree barks. He returned to his cave and set the bark aside.


    It was time for the next stage: harvesting material from the wyvern. The massive body was intimidating, even in death.


    He started by removing the scales. Each one was the size of his palm and required some effort to pry free, as he can''t dig his bone knife too deep or it would damage the leather.


    His knife scraped against the dense keratin, sparks occasionally flying as he worked.


    "These things could make good armor," he muttered, setting a pile of scales aside. "Could come in handy later."


    Next, he turned his attention to the claws. Razor-sharp and as long as his forearm, they were tougher to remove.


    He used a combination of brute force and leverage, finally managing to free them. "Weapons," he thought, inspecting one of the claws. "Definitely would make good weapons."


    The skin came next. He worked carefully, peeling it away from the muscle beneath. It was thick and durable, the perfect material for crafting leather armor.


    "I''ll need to tan this properly," he reminded himself, rolling the massive sheets of hide into manageable bundles.


    The tendons and bones followed. He laid the tendons on wooden racks to dry, knowing they would make excellent threads.


    The bones were another challenge; the tendons were so tough that he had to change his knife many times to make progress, as they were becoming dull.


    "This is ridiculous,"


    Finally, he turned his attention to the meat. Most of it he cut into strips, salting them lightly with rock salt he found previously, before hanging them near the fire to dry. The jerky would last for weeks, a vital source of sustenance.


    ¡­


    The sun dipped low in the sky as Arthur began constructing the tanning vat. He chose a large tree with a trunk over two meters in diameter. Using his bone knife and a rock, he started to carve into the wood, hollowing it out to create a deep basin.


    The process was slow and exhausting, but by nightfall, the vat was ready. He kept it in front of his cave and filled it with water and the tannins he''d collected.


    As the stars emerged, Arthur turned his attention to crafting tools. He used fragments of bone to create thin needles, carefully shaping them with his knife. The work required patience and precision, but by midnight, he had two sturdy needles.


    Arthur sat back, inspecting his handiwork. He was so indulged in his work that he even forgot to eat, but a sense of accomplishment warmed him. The wyvern''s corpse was no longer a lifeless mass, it was raw material for him.


    He placed the needles beside his bedding and stretched out, staring at the cave''s ceiling. "Tomorrow," he whispered, "I start the real work." With that, he closed his eyes, the rhythm of the forest lulling him to sleep.


    ¡­


    Arthur awoke at dawn, the golden rays of the sun filtering through the trees and into his cave.


    He had prepared everything he needed the previous day: the vat carved from the massive tree trunk, the bark stripped for tannins, and the wyvern hide carefully removed and set aside. Now comes the intricate process of tanning the leather.


    He walked to the vat outside his cave, where the water mixed with tannins had been soaking overnight. The reddish-brown liquid had deepened in color, and the faint, sharp scent of tree bark filled the air.


    "That''ll do," he said, stirring the mixture with a long stick. The water swirled, tiny flecks of bark floating to the surface.


    Arthur dragged the thick sheet of wyvern hide to a flat stone surface near the cave entrance. The hide was massive, even cut into parts, and its texture was tough yet pliable. He inspected it closely, noting imperfections that needed smoothing.


    Using his knife, he carefully scraped away any remaining bits of fat and flesh from the underside, ensuring the hide was clean and even.


    "This is going to take time," he muttered. He worked methodically, his bone knife gliding across the hide in long, steady strokes. The scraping process was labor-intensive, but it was crucial for preventing the leather from rotting later.


    With the hide cleaned, Arthur rolled it up and carried it to the vat. He unrolled it carefully, submerging it in the tannin-rich water. The liquid immediately darkened further as the hide began to absorb the solution. Arthur used a heavy stone to weigh down the hide, ensuring it remained fully submerged.


    "There," he said, stepping back to survey his work. "Now the waiting begins."


    The first soak would take at least a day, maybe more. The tannins needed time to penetrate the fibers of the hide, strengthening it and preventing decay.


    Arthur stirred the vat periodically throughout the day, ensuring the solution remained evenly distributed.


    He also went to hunt for prey waiting for the leather for tanning, but he found that none of the predators could help him increase his strength, so he just hunted a deer-like creature for his meal.


    He then returned to his cave and prepared a sumptuous meal and cleaned himself in the nearby pond.


    As the hours passed, Arthur found himself returning to the vat again and again. He used a stick to agitate the liquid, lifting and flipping the hide to ensure every part was exposed to the tannins. Each time he stirred the mixture, he noticed the hide becoming darker and more rigid.


    "Good¡­by tomorrow it should be finished," he thought, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.


    ***

 Chapter 12: Crafting

    By the second day, the hide had begun to transform. The once pale and pliable material now had a rich, earthy tone and a firmer texture.


    Arthur lifted it from the vat, letting the excess liquid drip back into the basin. He wrung it out with his hands, his grip strong enough to extract most of the moisture.


    The next step was drying the hide. Arthur set up a drying rack outside the cave, using sturdy branches and vines to create a frame.


    He draped the hide over it, ensuring it was stretched taut to prevent shrinkage or warping. The sun was strong, and the gentle breeze helped speed the drying process.


    As the hide dried, it became stiff and inflexible. Arthur knew this was normal, but it wouldn''t work for his purposes.


    He needed the leather to be both durable and flexible. To achieve this, he spent hours working the hide, bending and twisting it repeatedly to break down the stiff fibers.


    He used a smooth bone of the wyvern to rub the surface, mimicking the action he''d seen tanners perform with their wooden tools. The friction softened the leather gradually, transforming it into a material that was both tough and flexible.


    Satisfied with the texture, Arthur inspected the leather one last time. The hide had taken on a deep, reddish-brown hue, its surface smooth but rugged. He ran his fingers over it, feeling the subtle grain that spoke of its wyvern origins.


    "This will do," he said, his voice filled with pride. "More than do."


    He cut a small section of the leather with his bone knife he made using the claw of the wyvern, testing its strength. The material resisted the blade''s edge, proving its durability. He pulled at it, but the leather held firm.


    Arthur smiled. He had transformed the hide of a deadly predator into something that would serve him as his clothing.


    As the sun set, Arthur rolled up the finished leather and carried it into the cave. Tomorrow, he will begin crafting. But for now, he sat by the fire, to prepare food.


    ¡­


    Arthur woke early, the crisp morning air carrying the scent of the forest into his cave. Today was another day of work. After tanning the wyvern hide, he had a new task: crafting clothes and a sturdy bag.


    The thought of wrapping himself in his hard-earned leather gave him a sense of satisfaction and practicality. The durable hide and soft wolf fur would make for excellent protection and comfort.


    ¡­


    He unrolled the wyvern leather, its rich reddish-brown surface glowing faintly in the firelight. Arthur ran his fingers over it, appreciating its durability.


    Next to the leather, he laid out the dried tendons he had strung out yesterday, now reduced to thin, flexible strands for threading. The bone needles sat nearby, sharp and ready for use.


    "It should be sufficient for making at least three sets of clothes," he muttered, sketching rough designs on a smooth slab of stone using a piece of charcoal. "A shirt and pants each, lined with wolf fur. And a bag... something big enough to carry supplies for long trips."


    In these few days he figured that he had already conquered the area, and it could no longer help him increase his strength. So he will venture out to different areas of the forest in search of a challenge.


    Arthur studied the designs. His goal was functionality. The shirts would be simple but reinforced at the seams for durability, and the pants would feature extra leather around the knees and shins for added protection.


    For the bag, he envisioned multiple compartments and a strong strap to distribute weight evenly.


    "This isn''t going to be pretty, but it''ll do the job," he thought, nodding to himself.


    Arthur grabbed his knife, its blade sharp from a recent honing session, and began cutting the leather. The hide was tough, resisting the blade at first, but Arthur''s strength and patience won out. He traced each piece carefully, ensuring the cuts were precise.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The shirt pieces were straightforward: a back panel, two front panels, and two long sleeves. The pants were trickier, requiring symmetrical pieces for each leg, a waistband, and panels for reinforcement.


    He worked slowly, the rhythmic sound of the blade slicing through leather filling the cave.


    "Focus," he reminded himself. "Any mistake here and I''ll waste this precious material."


    Once the leather pieces were ready, Arthur turned to the wolf fur he had prepared earlier. The soft, gray pelts were perfect for lining the insides of his clothes. He cut the fur to match the size of the leather panels, ensuring a snug fit.


    "This should make the cloth more comfy," he mused, running his fingers through the fur. The contrast between the rugged wyvern leather and the soft fur was stark, but Arthur appreciated both for their unique qualities.


    ¡­


    With the materials prepared, Arthur began stitching. He threaded the dried tendon through the bone needle, marveling at the strength and flexibility of his makeshift thread.


    Starting with the first shirt, he joined the back and front panels, carefully aligning the edges.Each stitch was deliberate, the needle piercing the tough hide with a satisfying pop.


    "Never thought I''d be tailoring my own clothes," he thought, a wry smile on his face. "But I guess survival demands all sorts of skills."


    Once the panels were joined, he sewed the sleeves in place, taking care to leave enough room for movement. The fur lining came last, stitched to the inside edges of the shirt. Arthur turned the garment over in his hands, inspecting it for flaws.


    "Not bad," he muttered, trying it on. The leather felt firm but flexible, and the fur was soft against his skin.


    He repeated the process for the remaining two shirts and then moved on to the pants. These required more reinforcement, particularly around the knees and shins.


    Arthur added extra panels of leather, doubling up on the seams for durability. By the time he finished the third pair, it was already evening, but the sight of the completed outfits filled him with pride.


    Next came the trekking bag. Arthur began by cutting large panels of leather for the main body and smaller pieces for the compartments and straps. He envisioned a bag with multiple pockets for tools, food, and supplies.


    The base of the bag was the most important. Arthur chose to overlap the pieces of leather for this, ensuring it could support heavy loads. He punched holes along the edges of each panel, making it easier to stitch them together.


    As he worked, his mind wandered. "This bag will make life so much easier," he thought. "No more carrying everything in makeshift slings or bundles."


    Stitching the bag was more challenging than the clothes. The leather needed to be stretched and shaped as he worked, and the tendon thread had to be pulled tight to create strong seams.


    The straps were the final touch. Arthur braided strips of leather together, creating thick, sturdy bands that could support the bag''s weight. He attached them to the main body with reinforced stitching, ensuring they wouldn''t tear under strain.


    As midnight approached, Arthur stepped back to admire his work. The three sets of clothes and the bag were laid out before him, their rough but functional designs a testament to his effort.


    He tried on one of the shirts and pants, adjusting the fit. The leather moved with him, its toughness balanced by the soft lining.


    "This will do," he said, smiling. He slung the bag over his shoulder, testing the straps. The weight was evenly distributed, and the bag felt secure.


    Arthur couldn''t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Each piece was a small victory in his battle against the wilderness, a step closer to reclaiming a sense of normalcy in his harsh new reality.


    He then took a closer look at his creation, the clothes reddish-brown hue subtly gleaming in the firelight. The material was supple yet incredibly durable. The clothes had a simple, utilitarian cut, no frills, just practicality.


    Inside, the lining of soft wolf fur added comfort and warmth, its silvery-gray tones peeking out slightly at the seams. The reinforced stitching gave the clothes extra durability, ensuring they could withstand Arthur''s demanding movements.


    ¡­


    After completing his work he started to gather anything important for his journey. First he packed the wooden boxes of spices he had prepared beforehand, stuffed them inside his new bag, and a bottle made of wood to hold water.


    He also rolled some meat jerky with big leaves, some fruits, scales of the wyvern and stuffed them inside the bag. Then came his tools he tied the wyvern claws at the bottom of the trekking bag.


    He also kept some wolf pelts in case he cannot get his hands on some of them later to make his bed. After preparing everything he kept the bag beside his bed.


    As he cleaned up his workspace, Arthur thought about the journey that had brought him here. The wyvern, once a fearsome adversary, had become a source of strength and protection. Its hide now clothed him, its tendons bound his creations, and its bones had become tools.


    "Well, time to leave this place," he thought, staring into the fire. "But this is just the beginning."


    Arthur knew the days ahead would bring new challenges, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of pride. The night was quiet, the forest at peace. Tomorrow he will start his journey to the unknown.


    ***

 Chapter 13: Into the Unknown

    The forest whipped past Arthur in a blur as he dashed through the undergrowth with incredible speed. Each stride covered dozens of meters,even though his feet barely touched the ground before launching him forward again, each of his steps creating a meter wide crater.


    The world around him seemed to distort, the greens and browns of the forest merging into streaks of color. Yet, amidst this rush, his vision remained sharp due to his enhanced dynamic vision, each detail ahead of him as clear as daylight.


    The roots of trees, the rustle of bushes, the flicker of movement in the distance, all were registered in his mind in an instant.


    "My speed¡­it at least doubled after the fight with the wyvern," he thought, marveling at his heightened senses and speed. His body thrummed with newfound power, his strides effortless and his breathing steady despite his breakneck pace. It was intoxicating, a reminder of how far he had come.


    With a sudden halt, he stopped at the edge of a cliff. The wind howled past him, carrying the fresh scent of pine and the faint sweetness of blooming flowers.


    Before him stretched an endless expanse of forest, its green canopy rolling like waves into the horizon. The sun hung high above, casting dappled light through wisps of clouds.


    "Does this forest even have an end?" Arthur wondered aloud, his voice lost in the vastness before him. His gaze lingered on the treetops, noting the variety of foliage.


    Some bore fruits of brilliant red, others glistened with yellow berries or hanging clusters of purple pods. The forest wasn''t just vast, it was abundant.


    He descended from the cliff, navigating the rocky slope with ease, his feet finding sure footing on loose stones. Once back under the canopy, he began collecting fruits from the trees.


    He reached up and plucked a cluster of yellow berries, tasting one cautiously. It was sweet with a tangy bite, and he smiled at the discovery. A few more trees yielded similar treasures: a red, apple-like fruit with a crisp bite and a blue-skinned oval fruit that tasted like honey.


    As he moved deeper into the forest, his senses prickled. Something was nearby.


    ¡­


    While exploring the forest Arthur encountered a predator similar to one he had fought before.


    It resembled a jaguar, but its body was covered in sleek black scales, and it had elongated hind legs that seemed designed for leaping great distances. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Arthur, and with a guttural growl, it pounced.


    Arthur had only a split second to react. He sidestepped at the last moment, the creature''s claws swiping at empty air. The beast landed with a ground-shaking thud, twisting around with a speed that belied its size.


    It lunged again, its jaws snapping, saliva dripping from razor-sharp teeth. This time, Arthur dropped into a crouch, letting the creature sail over him. He could feel the air shift as it passed, its claws narrowly missing his head.


    "Too predictable," Arthur muttered, rising to his feet. He didn''t wait for it to attack again. Instead, he charged, his feet pounding against the forest floor.


    The beast snarled, leaping to meet him mid-air. But Arthur was ready. His fist shot forward casually, striking the creature''s ribs with the force of a battering ram. A sickening crack echoed through the trees as the beast yelped, its body crumpling and skidding across the forest floor, gouging deep trenches into the earth.


    Arthur barely had time to catch his breath before the creature recovered, its glowing eyes narrowing with renewed fury.


    "Oh¡­it recovered faster than I thought."


    It crouched low, muscles coiling like springs, and launched itself at him once more. Its movements were faster, more calculated.


    Arthur stepped aside, but not far enough as he slipped due to stepping on a round stone; its claws grazed his side, trying to tear through his shirt but unable to. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    "Thank god." Arthur felt relief at the durability of the wyvern leather, he did not want to lose the shirt the next day he made it, he then spun on his heel, catching the beast''s neck mid-leap.


    The beast roared, but he slammed it into the ground, the impact sending shockwaves through the soil. The creature twitched once, its body going limp, before falling still.


    "Not even close to the wyvern," Arthur said, brushing dirt off his hands. He glanced at the fallen predator, its sleek form now motionless, and continued deeper into the forest.


    ¡­


    Arthur''s trek led him to a new adversary, one as unyielding as it was massive. A creature resembling a rhinoceros beetle emerged from the underbrush, its size dwarfing any ordinary animal.


    The beetle was as large as a small car, its metallic shell gleaming in the dappled sunlight. Its pincers clicked ominously, the sound echoing like metal scraping against metal.


    Without warning, the beetle charged, uprooting trees in its path. Arthur braced himself, his feet digging into the ground. At the last moment, he leaped into the air, the beetle barreling beneath him.


    He landed on its back, gripping the edges of its shell as it bucked wildly, trying to throw him off. Arthur steadied himself, raising a fist and driving it into the shell. The sound of the impact was like a hammer striking steel.


    "Harder than I thought," he muttered, dodging as the beetle thrashed beneath him. Its pincers snapped wildly, gouging chunks out of nearby trees.


    Arthur''s eyes darted over the creature''s form, searching for a weak point. Then he saw it: a small, unarmored gap at the base of its shell near its head.


    Seizing the opportunity, Arthur leaped off the beetle and circled around to its front. The creature lunged, its pincers aimed directly at him. Arthur sidestepped, grabbing one of the massive pincers and using its momentum to swing himself onto its back once more.


    With a grunt, he twisted the beetle''s head upward, exposing the vulnerable spot. Summoning all his strength, he drove his fist into the weak point. The shell cracked with a sharp snap, and the beetle let out a high-pitched screech before collapsing, its legs twitching in its final moments.


    Arthur stepped back, wiping the invisible sweat from his brow. "Well, that''s dinner," he said, cutting off a chunk of its meat and wrapping it in a spare piece of leather. He glanced at the fallen behemoth, its metallic shell now dull and lifeless, and continued on his way.


    ¡­


    As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest, Arthur encountered his most dangerous foe of the day. A serpent-like creature slithered from the underbrush, its body covered in vivid green scales that shimmered like liquid emeralds.


    Its eyes glowed with a predatory glint, and its fangs dripped with venom that sizzled as it touched the ground, leaving scorch marks on the forest floor.


    Arthur barely had time to react as the serpent lunged, its speed rivaling his own. He twisted to the side, the creature''s fangs narrowly missing his neck. But its tail whipped around like a whip, striking his side with bone-crushing force and knocking him off balance.


    Arthur staggered, due to the sudden push, but the serpent didn''t give him a moment''s respite. It darted forward again, spraying venomous liquid on his face.


    Arthur froze, a wave of paralysis washing over him as the venom coursed through his eyes and entered his body. His muscles locked, and he could only watch as the serpent coiled around him, tightening its grip.


    Its fangs gnashed against his skin, but they couldn''t pierce through. "Arggh¡­" Arthur growled through gritted teeth as the paralysis began to wear off. With a surge of strength, he grabbed the serpent''s head, forcing its jaws open.


    The creature hissed in fury, its forked tongue flicking out as it thrashed wildly. Arthur slammed its head into the ground, the impact sending a shockwave through the surrounding area.


    The serpent''s body loosened slightly, but it wasn''t done yet. It writhed, attempting to coil around him once more, but Arthur was ready. He delivered a powerful punch to the side of its head, the force cracking its skull and turning its brain to mush.


    The serpent''s body went limp, as life left its form. Arthur staggered back, rubbing his eyes where the venom had struck. The forest around him was silent, the creatures wary of the predator who had just claimed another victory.


    "Damn venom," he muttered, flexing his fingers as his body continued to heal. He glanced at the fallen serpent, its vivid green scales now lifeless, and moved on, the forest still holding its secrets ahead.


    ¡­


    As evening fell, Arthur found a small clearing surrounded by trees. It was the perfect spot to rest. He began gathering wood and set about constructing a makeshift tent.


    Using sturdy branches as the frame, he draped leftover wyvern leather over the top, securing it with strips of tendons. The tent was spacious enough to shield him from the elements, with a snug interior, he laid down wolf pelts for a warm bed.


    Satisfied with his shelter, Arthur started a fire. He skewered the beetle meat on a spit and sprinkled it with some of the spices he had salvaged. The aroma filled the clearing as the meat sizzled over the flames.


    As he ate, he stared at the darkened forest, the shadows shifting with the firelight.


    After finishing his meal and tidying the camp, Arthur lay down on the soft fur inside his tent. The forest buzzed with life, but it was a comforting symphony. His eyelids grew heavy, and as he drifted to sleep.


    ***

 Chapter 14: Cave Exploration

    The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy as Arthur finished his modest breakfast of dried meat and fresh fruit. Sitting cross-legged near his campfire, he planned his next move.


    "I should explore more areas of the forest and see what I can find," he thought, chewing thoughtfully. His gaze lingered on the forest path ahead.


    With his trekking bag slung over his shoulder, Arthur moved swiftly through the forest, the cool morning air invigorating him.


    Hours passed as he explored the landscape, noting the changing terrain, denser trees, rocky outcroppings, and the occasional glimmer of unusual flora. It was nearing midday when he stumbled upon the entrance to a cave.


    The cave mouth yawned open like a dark abyss, its interior pitch black to a normal eye. But Arthur''s enhanced vision allowed him to discern faint outlines of the walls, enough to pique his curiosity.


    "Well, let''s see what''s hiding in there," he muttered, setting his bag securely just inside the entrance and attaching a smaller pouch to his leather belt. He moved deeper into the cave, the air cooling rapidly and carrying a faint damp smell.


    ¡­


    Arthur''s footsteps echoed softly as he traversed the dark tunnel. Though dim, his enhanced sight enabled him to navigate without stumbling. As he moved further, tiny lights began to flicker around him.


    Firefly-like creatures glowed faintly, their luminescence a soft blue-green. Fascinated, Arthur reached out to one. It landed delicately on his finger, its light pulsating rhythmically.


    "Beautiful," he whispered, a rare smile crossing his face.


    The creatures illuminated sections of the cave, revealing intricate rock formations that looked almost sculpted. Arthur marveled at the natural beauty as he ventured deeper, wondering how far the cave extended.


    After what felt like half an hour of walking, the tunnel opened into a vertical drop. Arthur peered down, estimating the depth to be at least 100 meters.


    "Well, down we go," he said, gripping the rocky edge. Using his strength and agility, he climbed down effortlessly, his hands and feet finding secure holds on the jagged surface. The descent took about a minute, depositing him onto a rocky floor far below the surface.


    ¡­


    Arthur continued deeper into the cave. The walls shimmered faintly, catching his attention. Embedded in the rock was an ore unlike anything he had seen before, a deep purple crystal that seemed to pulse faintly with energy. He pried a fist-sized piece loose and was startled by its weight.


    "This little thing weighs at least 50-60 kilograms," he muttered, hefting it.


    Curious, he decided to test its properties. Drawing the wyvern claw from his belt, he struck the ore lightly. It left no mark. Arthur frowned and increased the force, slashing at it with all his strength. The claw chipped due to the force, while the ore remained unscathed.


    "Incredible," he thought, examining the claw''s damaged edge. "Whatever this is, it''s tougher than anything I''ve encountered."


    Excited by the discovery, Arthur pocketed the ore and pressed onward. He encountered more deposits as he moved deeper into the cave, the glowing crystals creating an otherworldly ambiance. Finally, he reached an opening in the wall.


    What lay beyond left him speechless.


    ¡­


    The tunnel opened into a vast underground cavern. The space was immense, spanning the size of four football fields joined together. The walls and ceiling were studded with purple crystals, their light creating an ethereal glow. Piles of the purple glowing metal formed small hills scattered across the cavern floor.


    Arthur stood in awe, his breath catching in his throat. "This... this could be priceless," he murmured.


    He crouched near one of the piles, scooping as much of the metal as his small pouch could hold. Despite the weight, he managed to secure a decent amount. As he prepared to leave, he took one last look at the cavern.


    "If anyone figures out how to utilize this stuff..." he trailed off, shaking his head. "It could become a precious resource to any intelligent race."


    Arthur retraced his steps, the journey back taking nearly half an hour. By the time he emerged from the cave, it was already noon. He retrieved his bag and carefully packed the ores inside, resolving to mark this location mentally for future reference.


    ¡­


    Nearby, he found a small clearing beside a creek. The spot was ideal for a base: fresh water, a flat surface, and the shelter of the forest. Arthur decided to construct a temporary cabin to store his findings and rest safely.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    He began by selecting sturdy trees for the structure. Using his wyvern claw tool, he felled several trunks, stripping them of branches and bark. He cut the logs into even sections, envisioning a small but functional shelter.


    "I''ve seen this in videos," he mused, recalling online tutorials about the Japanese jikugumi method of joinery. Though his memory was hazy, he figured he could replicate the basics. Arthur had worked with a mason company for a year in his previous life but never made any house with jikugumi style, so it was a new experience for him.


    Arthur painstakingly carved notches into the logs, ensuring they interlocked securely. His movements were clumsy at first, the process taking longer than expected.


    Sweat dripped down his brow as he worked, the repetitive motion of cutting, fitting, and adjusting testing his patience.


    "This would be so much easier with proper tools," he muttered, shaking his cramped hands.


    Gradually, the cabin began to take shape. He constructed a simple rectangular frame, reinforcing it with cross-beams. The logs fit snugly together thanks to the notched joints. By evening, he had completed the basic structure.


    For the roof, Arthur used a combination of wyvern leather and branches, layering them to provide insulation and protection from the elements. The interior was spartan but functional, with a small space for storage and a bed made from wolf pelts.


    For now the walls were just leaves as he didn'' have time to finish them today.


    ¡­


    As Arthur rested by the creek after finishing his cabin, a low rumble echoed from a distance, he figured it was near the cave entrance.


    His instincts sharpened. He turned toward the sound, gripping his wyvern claw and went towards the cave. Emerging from the shadows of the cave entrance was a massive creature, its eyes glowing the same purple as the ore.


    The creature resembled a golem, its body composed of jagged stone and crystals. It moved with a deliberate, almost predatory grace, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly. Arthur''s pulse quickened.


    "What is that?," he whispered. "So, it''s not unprotected after all." Arthur felt lucky he didn¡¯t encounter it while he was inside the cave.


    The golem''s eyes locked onto him, and it emitted a deep, resonant growl. Arthur didn''t wait for an attack. He bolted into the forest, weaving through the trees as the ground shook beneath him. The creature gave chase, its heavy footsteps crashing through the underbrush.


    Arthur''s enhanced agility kept him ahead, but the golem was relentless. He led it away from the cabin as he did not want his hard work to go to waste, hoping to lose it in the denser parts of the forest. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the rumbling footsteps ceased. Arthur crouched behind a boulder, catching his breath.


    "That was too close," he muttered, his mind racing. "If it''s guarding the cave, getting more of the metal won''t be easy and it looks way stronger than the wyvern." Although he cannot utilize them, who knows what the future holds.


    After returning to his cabin, Arthur slumped onto his makeshift bed. The purple ore he had collected glowed faintly in the corner, casting a soothing light across the room. He chewed on some fruit and jerky, too lazy to prepare a proper meal.


    As he lay back, staring at the wooden ceiling, his thoughts drifted.


    "This forest is full of surprises," he thought.Arthur closed his eyes, the soft glow of the ore lulling him into a deep sleep.


    ¡­


    The next morning Arthur set to complete his cabin.


    "It''s sturdy enough to last," he muttered, running his hand over the interlocked logs. "But it still needs proper walls and storage if I''m going to stay here for a while."


    Arthur rose from his bed of wolf pelts, the soft fur providing much-needed warmth against the morning chill. After a quick breakfast of dried meat and fresh fruit, he grabbed the wyvern claw and stepped outside.


    "I''ll finish this cabin properly today," he decided, cracking his knuckles.


    Arthur scouted the area for suitable trees, searching for ones with straight trunks that could be worked into planks. He chose three sturdy trees growing near the creek and began felling them. The wyvern claw, sharp and durable, made quick work of the task.


    As the trees came crashing down one by one. He stripped the trunks of their branches and bark, leaving clean logs that could be cut into thinner sheets.


    Using his strength and precision, Arthur began slicing the logs into planks about an inch and a half thick. The task was labor-intensive, each cut requiring deliberate effort to ensure evenness.


    "Nothing worthwhile comes easy," he thought.


    With a neat stack of planks ready, Arthur carried them to the cabin. He began affixing the planks to the exterior with wooden nails, covering the gaps between the logs to create solid walls. Each plank was measured and adjusted to fit snugly, leaving no room for wind or rain to seep through.


    As he hammered the final plank into place. He stepped back to admire his work, a fully enclosed cabin that looked sturdy and weatherproof.


    The next step was organizing the interior. Arthur wanted a place for everything: spices, tools, clothes, and a hanger for the precious purple ore to act as a source of light during night. He began crafting simple shelves and hooks from the leftover wood.


    Using the wyvern claw, he shaped flat pieces of wood into rectangular shelves. He notched the edges to fit securely into grooves he carved into the cabin''s walls. Each shelf was tested to ensure it could hold weight without collapsing.


    For the hooks, Arthur used smaller branches with natural curves, stripping off the bark and smoothing the edges. He secured these to the walls, spacing them evenly for easy access.


    "This should work," he said, hanging his clothes on one of the hooks.


    With the cabin complete, Arthur turned his attention to organizing his supplies. He placed the wyvern claws and tendons on one shelf, neatly coiled and ready for future use.


    Another shelf was dedicated to his spices and food: small bundles of dried herbs, jerky, and the fruits he had gathered.


    The purple ore was placed in a corner of the cabin, where its faint glow provided a soothing light. Arthur arranged his clothes and wolf pelts on another shelf, folding them neatly.


    Finally, he set his trekking bag on a hook near the door, keeping it within easy reach. The cabin now felt like a proper home, functional and organized.


    The sound of the creek and the cool evening breeze lulled him into a sense of peace. Arthur allowed himself to savor the moment, a small smile playing on his lips.


    ***

 Chapter 15: Cataclysm and Rebirth

    The infinite darkness of space was pierced by a streak of blazing light, a meteor rushing through the cosmic void with an almost frightening speed.


    Originating from a shattered asteroid field on the fringes of the planetary system. Its surface shimmered with an otherworldly sheen, jagged and cracked. The meteor tumbled end over end, its speed increasing as it entered a distant planet''s atmosphere.


    The icy silence of space was broken only by the roaring fury of its descent as it breached the planet''s atmosphere. Flames engulfed the meteor as the friction of entry turned its edges to molten fire, and the roaring inferno became a beacon visible from miles below.


    ¡­


    Arthur crouched low among the underbrush, his eyes locked on a panther-like creature ahead. The hunt wasn''t just about survival,it was personal. The creature''s obsidian scales, shimmering faintly in the dappled sunlight, reminded him of the beasts that had destroyed his home.


    Arthur had just gone to hunt for a prey this morning, and when he returned to his cabin with his hunt, what he saw made his blood boil with anger.


    He saw a panther-like creature rummaging at what was left of his home. The dried meat and jerky must have attracted the monster to his cabin and destroyed it in search of food.


    Each movement it made brought a wave of bitter memories, sharpening his resolve. This wasn''t just a chase; it was a form of repayment in the form of the panther-like creature becoming his dinner.


    Its obsidian scales shimmered faintly in the dappled sunlight, catching fragments of light as it slinked through the forest. Every muscle in its sleek body rippled with tension, poised to flee or fight.


    Arthur said while gritting his teeth "You think you can get away with what you did."


    The panther bolted, a blur of black slicing through the dense foliage. Arthur gave chase, his enhanced legs propelling him forward with blinding speed.


    The wind whipped past his face, the forest blurring into streaks of green, but his vision remained sharp, tracking every move of his quarry.


    For minutes, predator and prey raced through the wilderness, their speeds evenly matched. Arthur''s heart pounded with exhilaration.


    "This thing is fast," he muttered, his breath steady despite the effort.


    Just as Arthur gained ground, he noticed an oddity in the forest. The usual cacophony of life, chirping insects, rustling leaves, distant growls, had fallen eerily silent. Ahead, the panther-like creature skidded to a halt, its body trembling.


    Arthur stopped, his brow furrowing. Around him, monsters of all shapes and sizes were fleeing in the same direction, their frantic movements betraying a primal fear.


    Some were hulking beasts with scales shimmering like fractured glass, their tails thrashing wildly as they stampeded. Others were smaller, skittering creatures with too many legs and eyes that glinted with terror.


    Their guttural cries and panicked footfalls blended into a cacophony of dread, saturating the air with palpable fear. The stench of sweat and primal desperation hung heavy, mingling with the crushed vegetation under their chaotic escape.


    Even the panther that had been his prey moments ago seemed paralyzed by terror.


    "What''s going on?" Arthur whispered, his voice drowned out by the growing rumble in the air.


    Then he heard it, a sharp, piercing whistle cutting through the sky. His head snapped upward, and through the canopy, he saw it, a fu**ing meteor falling from the sky.


    ¡­


    Arthur froze, his breath catching in his throat. The fiery orb tore through the sky, its golden streaks blazing like a second sun. The air around it shimmered with intense heat, distorting the view of the impending catastrophe.


    Fear gripped him, cold and unrelenting. This wasn''t a danger he could fight or outrun.


    "Move, damn it!" he barked at himself, his legs propelling him forward instinctively.


    The forest blurred as he followed the stampede of fleeing monsters, his mind racing. "I''ve survived death once," he thought, his teeth gritted. "But if this thing falls on top of me, not even a drop of my blood will remain to regenerate."


    The meteor''s roar grew deafening, its heat palpable even from afar. Arthur pushed himself harder, his muscles straining as he shattered his previous speed records. But it wasn''t enough.


    The meteor struck.


    First came the blinding light, brighter than anything Arthur had ever seen, searing through the forest with an intensity that felt like it could pierce his very soul. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    The heat carried the acrid tang of burning foliage, and Arthur instinctively shielded his eyes, though even behind his hands, the brilliance seemed to seep through, carving itself into his memory.


    Then, the ground shook violently, throwing him off balance as a thunderous explosion erupted behind him.


    The shockwave hit next, a force so powerful it obliterated everything in its path. Trees splintered into shrapnel, the air itself seemed to scream, and Arthur''s body was torn apart in an instant like a sharp knife cutting through paper. His skin, muscles, bones, all disintegrated as the searing heat followed, vaporizing even the smallest trace of his existence.


    ¡­


    Few light years away, on a colossal space station the size of the moon of Earth orbiting a distant star, alarms blared, signaling the presence of a powerful energy pulse that signaled a meteor impact on a newly found resource planet controlled by United Federation of Earth.


    This station, one of the many linchpin of interstellar defense, monitored such anomalies to protect inhabited systems from potential threats.


    With the UFE''s technology they could have known ages ago before even the meteor impacts on the planet. But due to it being a recently found planet, no proper defences were placed around the planet, which caused the meteor to pass through their watch.


    Its vast, labyrinthine halls and cutting-edge technology symbolized humanity''s reach into the cosmos, while its crew remained ever vigilant against the unpredictable forces of the universe. In the command center, a holographic display showed a pulse originating from a distant planet.


    "Admiral, you should see this," an officer called out, his voice urgent. "Its RP-2235 sir"


    "A meteor just crashed near the mining station." the officer continued.


    The admiral, a seasoned figure with a stern expression, analyzed the data. "No distress signal," he muttered, "but that energy signature¡­ It''s too significant to ignore."


    "Send an Epsilon with an ECHO squad," he ordered, his tone decisive. "If there''s a beast rampage, we need to contain it immediately."


    "Aye, aye, sir," the officer replied, saluting before relaying the command.


    Moments later, a sleek spaceship launched from the station, disappearing into the Einstein-Rosen Bridge, a wormhole in a flash of light some distance away from the Dreadnaught class space station.


    ¡­


    Arthur awoke, or rather, he became aware. He was floating, weightless, in a seemingly endless expanse of white. A sense of profound solitude enveloped him, mingling with a twinge of unease.


    His mind raced with questions, but the stillness around him offered no answers, only amplifying the disquiet. Yet, beneath the uncertainty, a flicker of awe stirred within him, a strange serenity in this void that felt both alien and familiar.


    "Am I¡­ dead?" he wondered, his voice echoing strangely.


    Unlike the dark void he had experienced before when he died for the first time, this space felt serene yet disorienting. Time and distance held no meaning. Arthur drifted aimlessly, his thoughts spiraling.


    "What is this place? Why am I here?"


    Before he could dwell further, a sudden force pulled him forward, propelling him at unimaginable speed. The sensation was overwhelming, and he lost consciousness.


    ¡­


    While Arthur was in that white space thinking about his situation, in the outside world something incredible was happening.


    After the meteor crash which left the area it fell on with a 2 Km diameter crater, there was silence. All the monsters were killed in the vicinity of nearly 5 km diameter due to the shockwave and heat even the sturdy plants were not spared.


    Near the meteor''s core, something extraordinary began to happen. Golden light coalesced, swirling into a dense, glowing mass. From it, droplets of blood formed, shimmering as if imbued with life, floating and converging into a single point.


    The golden light enveloping them pulsed rhythmically, as though echoing the heartbeat of some unseen force, hinting at a deeper, almost divine intent behind the phenomenon.


    The blood began to build a skeletal structure, each bone forming with precise detail. Organs, muscles, and skin followed, knitting together in seconds. The figure that emerged was unmistakably Arthur, but some difference could be noticed immediately at first glance.


    The body looked overall similar to Arthur but there was some glaring difference such as his height, if before he was 5 ''9 now his body is 6'' 3, he stood taller, his body radiating strength. . His once-black hair was now platinum blonde, shimmering faintly before settling into a natural glow.


    Arthur''s body lowered in the ground and his eyes fluttered open. His black eyes pulsed with golden energy before settling back to its original black colour. He stood up as immediately noticed the changes.


    "What happened?" he muttered in shock. He thought he really died this time even though not even a single strand of his DNA must have been spared in the crash; he was still revived.


    He clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through his veins and every cell of his body.


    He also felt his slightly different perspective due to his increased height. He couldn''t see his change in his hair colour or he would have been surprised again. Although he doesn''t know how much his strength increased, he felt he could now obliterate the wyvern with a single punch.


    Experimentally, he jumped and was amazed he could casually jump more than 20 meters in the air without using much strength effortlessly.. He tested his speed while trying to get out of the crater, and he felt he could leave his previous self in the dust.


    "This is insane," he muttered, testing his newfound speed and strength as he climbed out of the crater.


    ¡­


    The devastation around him took his breath away. Trees were flattened, the ground scorched, and not a single living creature remained in sight. Arthur felt a hollowness grip his chest, he was thankful he was still alive after going through an event which caused so much destruction


    This destruction was absolute, overwhelming, and yet he was standing amid it, alive against all odds. "Haa...." he sighed, questions echoing in his mind about the origin of his powers.


    Arthur glanced at his surroundings one last time, trying to orient himself. His cabin was gone, every trace of his path obliterated.


    He chose a direction and quickly arrived again in the forest, seeing his naked form he fashioned a makeshift covering from sturdy leaves and set off in the direction the monsters had fled.


    ***

 Chapter 16: The Mining Station

    Arthur was a blur as he ran through the dense forest, his speed breaking his previous records. The ground beneath him trembled slightly and caved in as he pushed forward, leaving behind faint afterimages of his form.


    Trees became streaks of green and brown, and the wind howled in his ears, unable to keep pace with him. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, focused on one thing, the massive horde of monsters ahead of him.


    After running for nearly 20 minutes, he finally caught up to the edge of the horde. The scene before him was both mesmerizing and terrifying. The creatures, alien in form and design, stampeded forward in unison, their fear evident in their erratic movements.


    Arthur took in the variety of beasts around him. There were massive reptilian creatures with scales that shimmered like molten metal, their tails thrashing wildly as they bulldozed through smaller monsters.


    Some had glowing horns that crackled with arcs of electricity. He saw a six-legged predator that resembled a cross between a lion and a crocodile, its hide covered in bone-like plates.


    In the sky above, wyverns with obsidian scales and leathery wings soared, their shrill cries piercing the air. Their tails ended in sharp, stinger-like appendages that oozed a glowing blue substance.


    Despite the chaos, none of the creatures paid Arthur any attention as he weaved through them. Their singular focus was forward, away from the meteor''s crash site.


    Arthur noticed that the horde continued to grow as more and more monsters joined it, drawn by some instinctive knowledge of safety ahead.


    The sheer scale of the migration was daunting, but Arthur wasn''t deterred. He pushed past the horde and began sprinting at full speed, leaving even the fastest of creatures behind.


    For the next half hour, he ran tirelessly, covering nearly 150 kilometers. The landscape blurred into a surreal tapestry of colors and textures.He passed massive trees with glowing leaves, fields of luminescent flowers that pulsed like heartbeats, and rivers of liquid that shimmered like mercury.


    Then, he came to an abrupt halt, breathing heavily.


    Before him stood a structure that defied comprehension. A colossal wall stretched as far as his eyes could see, towering over the forest at a height of at least 500 meters. Its metallic surface gleamed under the alien sun, reflecting a cold, unyielding light.


    Embedded into the wall were enormous high-tech weapons, their designs utterly foreign to Arthur. Some looked like massive cannons, while others resembled intricate arrays of glowing rods and spirals. Each seemed capable of unimaginable destruction.


    Arthur''s breath hitched as he realized what he was seeing: civilization. After weeks of solitude and survival, he had finally found signs of intelligent life. But his excitement was tempered with caution. What lay beyond the wall? Would they welcome him or see him as a threat?


    Swallowing his trepidation, Arthur approached the massive gate embedded in the wall. As he neared, he noticed a small device, resembling a camera swivel to point directly at him.


    A mechanical hum followed, and several guns emerged from concealed compartments, locking onto his position. A voice boomed from an unseen speaker, speaking in a language he couldn''t understand.


    Arthur froze, unsure of what to do. Thinking quickly, he raised his hands above his head, palms forward, in what he hoped was the universal gesture of surrender. Moments later, the gate began to open with a deep, resonant groan.


    From within, two figures emerged, clad in futuristic suits of high-tech armor. Their sleek designs glinted in the light, and their helmets concealed their faces entirely. Judging by their body structures, one appeared to be male, and the other female.


    The female spoke first, her voice distorted through a modulated speaker. Arthur couldn''t understand her words but responded with an uncertain, "Umm... hello?"


    The male figure glanced at Arthur, and though his helmet obscured his face, Arthur could feel the intensity of his gaze. The man tapped on a glowing holographic display that appeared on his arm. A moment later, he spoke in clear English.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Can you understand me?"


    Arthur nodded, relief washing over him. "Yeah¡­ I can now."


    "Follow us inside," the man instructed, turning toward the gate.


    Arthur hesitated but then followed them, feeling self-conscious in his makeshift pants of stitched leaves. As they passed through the gate, Arthur''s eyes widened at the sight before him. The city was a sprawling masterpiece of futuristic technology.


    Tall, metallic buildings rose high into the sky, their surfaces smooth and seamless. Unlike the natural aesthetics of Earth''s cities, these structures exuded a cold, industrial efficiency.


    Some buildings lacked windows entirely, while others had glowing panels that served as both illumination and displays of information. The air was filled with activity. Shuttles and drones zipped through the sky, weaving between the towering structures with precision.


    On the ground, vehicles resembling trucks transported what looked like raw ores toward designated facilities. Robotic arms extended from some buildings, unloading and processing materials with mechanical efficiency.


    Arthur also noticed humanoid figures, some in armor and others in sleek, utilitarian uniforms, moving purposefully through the streets. They interacted with holographic interfaces and carried devices that emitted faint glows. The entire city seemed to revolve around mining and manufacturing, with the air humming with the sound of machinery.


    The two armored figures led Arthur to a shuttle. Its sleek, aerodynamic design reminded him of a bird of prey. They boarded, and Arthur was surprised by how smooth the ride was. The shuttle took off without a sound, accelerating rapidly.


    Within a minute, they landed atop a building that resembled a high-tech office. Unlike the other structures, this one had large glass windows that reflected the surrounding skyline.


    Inside, they escorted Arthur to an elevator. It moved so quickly and smoothly that he barely felt it descend. When they arrived, they led him to a stark, white room. It contained only a single chair and a wall that was all white.


    The female pressed a button on the wall, causing a compartment to open. She retrieved a neatly folded outfit and tossed it to Arthur.


    "Change into this," she instructed before leaving with her companion.


    Arthur examined the clothing. It was a military-style uniform, soft to the touch but clearly durable. Grateful for proper attire after weeks in his crude clothing, he quickly changed. The fit was perfect, and the material felt oddly comfortable.


    He sat in the chair, waiting. After a few minutes, a voice echoed through the room. "State your name."


    "Arthur Sully," he replied.


    "Where are you from?"


    Arthur hesitated. "I don''t know. I woke up in a forest with no idea how I got there."


    The voice paused, and Arthur could almost hear the gears turning in whoever was listening, as if confirming if he was telling the truth or not.. "Do you remember anything about yourself?"


    Arthur thinks about what to say and decides to not lie, he does not know if they have means to know if he is lying or not, and he does not want to get on their bad side.


    So he decided honesty was his best option. He recounted his life on Earth where he lived, his job, and his sudden appearance in the alien forest, carefully omitting the details of his death and the glowing orb he had touched.


    There was a long pause on the other side for 5 minutes, then a different voice spoke. This one carried more authority. "What year do you believe it is?"


    "2023," Arthur answered truthfully.


    Another pause. Then the door slid open with a soft hiss, and a man entered. He appeared to be in his late twenties, with blonde hair and a commanding presence. His uniform was adorned with brooches that signified his rank, though Arthur couldn''t decipher them.


    "Hello," the man greeted. "I am Commander James, head of this mining station." He studied Arthur for a moment before continuing. "Son, you are in the future."


    James truly believed what Arthur said as he was constantly monitoring Arthur, if he lied then he would have known instantly. And he had heard in theory such events were possible due to space-time anomalies.


    Arthur''s jaw tightened, though inwardly he wasn''t surprised. "What year is it?" he asked, though Arthur felt weird being called a son by someone who looks his age.


    The officer sighed and handed him what looked like a glass slab. Arthur looked bewildered. James seemed to understand and pressed on the middle of the glass slab and it lit up.


    "This tablet will explain everything. Read through it, and you''ll understand, you can access the history of our world from there."


    "Though the mystery is how you arrived here". Arthur was going to say something but was interrupted when alarms blared throughout the building. James furrowed his brows, as he tapped on a device in his ear. "What''s going on?" he demanded.


    A voice responded, "Sir, a beast horde is approaching the station."


    James frowned. "Ready the deck. I want every foot on the ground."


    He then turned towards Arthur, and seemed to think something and said to him. "Follow me."


    ***

 Chapter 17: Defending the Wall

    Arthur nodded, boarding another shuttle with James. This one took them to the top of the wall. The wall was at least 25 meters wide. Through a lift they arrived at a place that looked like a command center.


    The sight of the command center amazed Arthur. Soldiers operated holographic consoles. He then saw on the display as hundreds of cannons emerged from concealed compartments, their barrels glowing faintly as they powered up.


    Soldiers in high-tech armor scrambled into position, taking aim at the horde of monsters that stretched to the horizon. Arthur could see drones and what looked like combat shuttles lifting into the air, their sleek forms weaving through the sky as they began to scan and coordinate with the ground forces.


    The massive screen in the command center displayed the incoming horde in sharp detail. The beasts were relentless, their sheer numbers causing the ground to tremble. Even from this distance, Arthur could see the wyverns circling overhead, their menacing forms casting shadows over the landscape.


    "Status report," James barked.


    A soldier at a nearby console replied, "The horde is ten kilometers out and closing fast. Initial scans suggest over a thousand Class-C and Class-B entities. No signs of Class-A threats yet."


    "Yet," James muttered under his breath, his face a mask of concentration. "Activate the perimeter shield. I want those cannons ready to fire as soon as they''re in range."


    Arthur watched as a faint shimmer enveloped the wall. The shield was barely visible, a translucent barrier that pulsed with energy. He couldn''t help but marvel at the technology, it was light-years ahead of anything he had ever seen.


    "Arthur," James said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "You''re about to witness how future battles are fought. Stay out of the way, and don''t touch anything."


    Arthur nodded, stepping back as the soldiers prepared for battle. The tension in the air was palpable.


    The first wave of monsters reached the outer range of the wall''s defenses. A loud hum filled the air as the cannons locked onto their targets. Then, with a deafening roar, the weapons unleashed their fury.


    Streams of plasma and concentrated energy bolts lit up the sky, striking the monsters with pinpoint accuracy. The ground shook as explosions rippled through the horde, sending debris and carcasses flying in all directions.


    Despite the devastation, the monsters pressed on, driven by some primal fear. The wyverns swooped down, their stingers firing streams of acidic venom at the shield. The barrier absorbed the attacks, shimmering brightly each time it was hit.


    "They''re testing the shield''s strength," James muttered. "Smart, but not smart enough."


    A squadron of drones descended from the sky, engaging the wyverns in aerial combat. The machines were swift and precise, dodging the wyverns'' attacks and retaliating with bursts of energy that burned through their wings. One by one, the flying beasts plummeted to the ground.


    Arthur couldn''t tear his eyes away from the spectacle. It was a scene straight out of a science fiction movie, but it was real and terrifying.


    Arthur''s attention shifted to the soldiers stationed along the wall. Many wielded high-tech rifles that fired bursts of glowing projectiles, cutting down the smaller creatures with ease. Others carried heavier electromagnetic guns that emitted an ominous hum before discharging beams of energy that incinerated clusters of monsters in a single shot.


    A few soldiers just outside the gate with plasma swords glowing in their hands. They met the creatures that had managed to come too close, slicing through them with fluid, practiced movements.


    Arthur''s eyes widened in awe as he observed the soldiers'' enhanced agility and strength. They moved faster than any normal human should be capable of, their strikes precise and devastating.


    One soldier vaulted over a monster''s tail swipe and landed a decisive slash that severed the creature''s wing. Another blocked a clawed attack with a glowing energy shield, retaliating with a shot from a sidearm that vaporized the attacker.


    "These soldiers¡­" Arthur murmured to himself. "They''re enhanced."


    Arthur''s gaze shifted back to the screen. He saw one of the massive creatures, resembling a T-rex clad in scales gleaming in metallic sheen, break through the front lines. Several soldiers rushed to intercept it, their weapons ineffective against its armored hide. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Then, one of them activated a mechanism on their suit, leaping high into the air and landing atop the beast. With a series of rapid strikes, the soldier found a weak spot and plunged their plasma sword deep into the creature''s neck. The beast let out a final roar before collapsing.


    He noticed how they coordinated seamlessly with the drones overhead. The aerial units targeted weak points in the monsters'' armor, relaying information to the ground forces in real-time.


    Combat shuttles swooped down to deliver reinforcements or unleash devastating payloads of explosives, creating fiery craters in the horde''s ranks.


    Despite the advanced technology and overwhelming firepower, Arthur couldn''t shake the tension building in his chest. The sheer scale of the battle was mind blowing, seeing it in movies and in real life are completely different. He found himself gripping the edge of a console, his knuckles white.


    The battle raged on for what felt like an hour. The wall''s defenses held strong, but the horde showed no signs of stopping. More monsters emerged from the forest, joining the fray. Arthur noticed that some of the creatures seemed to be coordinating their attacks, targeting weaker sections of the shield.


    "Reinforcements?" James asked, his voice calm but firm.


    "They''re en route sir," a soldier replied. "ETA, fifteen minutes."


    James frowned. "We need to hold on until then. Divert additional power to the forward cannons and deploy ground units to the secondary line."


    Arthur watched as soldiers descended from the wall in armored vehicles. These machines bristled with weapons, their turrets swiveling to track and eliminate targets. The ground units formed a defensive line, engaging the monsters with precision and efficiency.


    Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed across the battlefield. Arthur snapped his head towards it to see the source of the sound. Emerging from the forest was a massive creature, easily three times the size of the biggest monsters present on the battlefield.


    Its body was covered in thick, armored plates, and its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light. The ground shook with each step it took.


    "Class-A threat detected," a soldier announced, his voice tinged with urgency.


    James''s jaw tightened. "Focus all fire on that thing. Do not let it reach the wall."


    The cannons shifted their aim, unleashing a barrage of firepower at the behemoth. The creature roared in defiance, its armored hide absorbing the attacks. It charged toward the wall, its massive claws tearing through anything in its path.


    Arthur felt a surge of helplessness. Despite the advanced technology and firepower, the creature seemed unstoppable. He could only hope that the station''s defenses would hold.


    "Prepare the plasma disruptor," James ordered. "This ends now."


    A section of the wall opened, revealing a massive weapon unlike others Arthur had seen on the wall. It hummed with energy, glowing brighter with each passing second. Soldiers scrambled to calibrate the weapon, their movements precise and practiced.


    The behemoth was now dangerously close, its roars echoing off the walls. The plasma disruptor fired, releasing a blinding beam of energy that struck the creature square in the chest. The impact was catastrophic. The behemoth let out one final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing to the ground, its massive body lifeless.


    Cheers erupted from the soldiers, but James remained stoic. "Status?"


    "The horde is retreating," a soldier reported. "With zero casualties. Reinforcements will arrive shortly to secure the area."


    James nodded, turning to Arthur. "Welcome to the future, Arthur. This is just the beginning."


    Arthur didn''t know how to respond. The battle had left him in awe, and filled him with questions. What kind of world had he stumbled into? And what role would he play in it?


    As the soldiers began to regroup, James placed a hand on Arthur''s shoulder. "Come with me. We have much to discuss."


    As Arthur was turning around to follow James, there were two more roars similar to the one with Class-A designation. The soldiers paled at the sound.


    "Commander two more Class-A threats are arriving from the south" a soldier reported in urgency.


    "What about the plasma disruptor?" James demanded.


    "Sir it would take 3 minutes to recharge and there is no guarantee we would be able to take down the two threats." a soldier reported.


    "Focus every canon on them then¡­delay them as much as we can" James said.


    All the canons then turned towards the two behemoths and rained plasma beams but it was causing minimal damage. The two Class-A threats will arrive in less than 1 minute at the wall.


    Arthur hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath and said "I can help".


    [A/N: He is really ignorant of the world and is not cautious enough.]


    James looked surprised at Arthur and asked "Are you sure, you will be torn apart if you underestimate them". Though James doesn''t know from where Arthur''s confidence was coming from he chose to believe him.


    He has seen Arthur composed even after knowing he arrived at the future and he was able to stay alive for more than two weeks in the forest, so he must have some capability. Still only ECHOs are able to take on Class-A threats single handedly.


    "Alright" James responded. And asked a soldier to guide him towards the gate, the soldier looked respectfully towards Arthur and saluted him "Goodspeed soldier". Though Arthur was not a soldier technically, him going to the battlefield to defend the station has earned their respect.


    After Arthur arrived outside the gate, it closed. He took a last glance at it, then faced the two behemoths running towards the wall and cracked his knuckles.


    "Alright¡­it''s show time."


    ***

 Chapter 18: Reinforcement

    Arthur stood alone in front the massive gate, facing the charging behemoths. The air around him crackled with tension, and the soldiers behind the wall watched with bated breath.


    The first Class-A monster, a colossal gorilla-like creature, was nearly 40 meters tall. Its obsidian scales glinted ominously in the fading light, and its snarling revealed teeth as sharp as knives. Its movements were deliberate but powerful, each step shaking the ground beneath it.


    The second creature, a crimson-scaled basilisk, slithered with terrifying grace. Its 80-meter-long body moved like a flowing river of destruction, and its dragon-like head bore fiery eyes that seemed to pierce Arthur''s soul.


    The gorilla charged first, its massive fists slamming into the ground as it propelled itself forward with surprising speed. Arthur dodged to the side just as one of its fists came crashing down, shattering the rocky terrain and leaving a deep crater.


    "Fast," Arthur thought, his eyes narrowing as he studied its movements.


    He leapt into the air, aiming a powerful kick at the gorilla''s head. The blow connected, sending the beast staggering back a few steps, but it quickly recovered, snarling in fury. Before Arthur could follow up, the basilisk struck.


    Its massive tail lashed out, catching Arthur mid-air and sending him hurtling into a nearby rock formation. The impact shattered the stone, and Arthur groaned as he pulled himself from the rubble.


    "Okay," he muttered, brushing dust off his shoulders. "Two-on-one isn''t going to be easy."


    The basilisk lunged, its jaws snapping shut just as Arthur dodged to the side. He retaliated with a flurry of punches, each one landing with enough force to split a tank into two.


    Yet, despite his strength, the damage was minimal. The basilisk hissed, its tail whipping around again, but this time Arthur caught it. With a grunt of effort, he swung the massive creature around and slammed it into the ground.


    The gorilla roared, charging once more. Arthur turned just in time to block a devastating punch with both arms. The force of the impact pushed him back several meters, his feet digging trenches into the ground.


    "They''re just a bit weaker than me," Arthur realized, his mind racing. "But their teamwork makes up for it. Every time I focus on one, the other interrupts."


    The gorilla didn''t let up, throwing a rapid series of punches. Arthur dodged and weaved, the air whistling around each strike. He ducked under a wild swing and drove his elbow into the gorilla''s ribs, the impact echoing like a thunderclap.


    The beast howled in pain but quickly countered, swinging its arm in a wide arc. Arthur jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike, only to see the basilisk rearing up behind him.


    Its fangs glistened with venom as it lunged. Arthur grabbed a jagged rock and hurled it with pinpoint precision, striking the basilisk in the eye.


    The creature recoiled with a shriek, thrashing wildly as Arthur took advantage of its disorientation. He dashed forward, landing a devastating uppercut to its jaw that sent it toppling backward.


    The gorilla seized the opportunity to attack, pounding its chest before leaping into the air. It came down with both fists, aiming to crush Arthur. He rolled to the side at the last second, the impact of the gorilla''s fists creating a shockwave that knocked him off balance.


    Recovering quickly, Arthur countered with a spinning kick that landed squarely on the gorilla''s temple, causing it to stagger.


    "Almost got them off rhythm," Arthur thought. But his moment of triumph was short-lived. The basilisk recovered, coiling its massive body and launching itself like a spring.


    Arthur ducked under its charge and landed a powerful punch to its underbelly, the one area where its scales seemed thinner. The creature hissed in agony, but the gorilla was already bearing down on him again.


    Arthur flipped backward to avoid the gorilla''s fists, landing gracefully on a protruding rock. He surveyed the battlefield, his mind working overtime. "They''re relentless," he muttered. "But they''re starting to show gaps in their defenses."


    The gorilla charged again, but this time Arthur didn''t retreat. He met the beast head-on, dodging its first punch and countering with a brutal knee to its chest by jumping high.


    The gorilla''s breath whooshed out, and Arthur followed up with a spinning elbow to its jaw, sending it crashing to the ground.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    The basilisk struck from the side, its tail whipping toward Arthur like a battering ram. He sidestepped and grabbed the tail mid-swing, using the creature''s momentum to fling it into the gorilla. The two monsters collided in a heap, momentarily stunned.


    Arthur didn''t waste the opening. He sprinted forward, his fists clenched as he unleashed a barrage of punches on the basilisk. Each strike landed with tremendous force, cracking the creature''s scales and drawing blood. The basilisk shrieked, thrashing wildly, but Arthur''s assault was relentless.


    The gorilla roared, pulling itself to its feet and charging again. Arthur turned just in time, catching one of its fists and locking it in a deadly grapple. The two titans strained against each other, the ground beneath them cracking under the pressure.


    With a roar of effort, Arthur twisted and threw the gorilla over his shoulder, slamming it into the ground. He turned back to the basilisk, which was coiled and ready to strike.


    Arthur anticipated its lunge, sidestepping and delivering a devastating kick to its exposed side, sending it skidding across the battlefield.


    The soldiers on the wall erupted into cheers. Each time Arthur landed a blow, their confidence grew. "He''s holding them back!" one shouted.


    "Unbelievable," another muttered. "He''s not an ECHO, but he''s holding his ground against two Class-A monsters."


    James, however, remained stoic. His eyes never left the fight, his mind racing with questions. "How is he this strong?" he wondered. "I didn''t remember anyone being this strong in our history before project ECHO was launched."


    ¡­


    Arthur gritted his teeth as he dodged another swipe from the gorilla. Sweat dripped down his face, but his determination burned brighter than ever. "I need to find a weakness," he thought. "Something I can exploit."


    He feigned an opening, baiting the basilisk into lunging at him. At the last moment, he sidestepped and drove both fists into its exposed neck.


    The basilisk roared in pain, but before Arthur could press the advantage, the gorilla was upon him, its massive fists slamming into his side and sending him skidding across the battlefield.


    Arthur groaned, pushing himself to his feet. As the fight wore on, the ground around them became a wasteland of craters and shattered rocks. The monsters'' movements grew more sluggish, their attacks less precise.


    The roar of engines filled the air, cutting through the chaos. James looked up, his expression shifting from grim determination to cautious hope.


    "The Vanguard warship has arrived," a soldier reported, awe in his voice as the Epsilon-Class battleship arrived on the planet.


    High above the battlefield, a massive spaceship hovered, its sleek design and glowing thrusters a testament to its advanced technology. From its underbelly, a smaller shuttle detached, descending rapidly toward the wall.


    Soldiers on the parapets held their breath as the shuttle landed smoothly, its hatch opening with a hiss.Two armored figures emerged, their presence commanding immediate respect. Their suits were sleek yet formidable. The soldiers saluted in unison, their cheers dying down as they gazed at the newcomers with reverence.


    "The ECHO Elites are here," one soldier whispered.


    James stiffened and saluted as well, his voice steady despite the chaos below. "Sir."


    One of the ECHOs, their armor gleaming under the sun, nodded towards James. His helmet concealed his face, but his voice was calm and authoritative. "Who is he?" he asked, gesturing toward Arthur, who was still engaged in the brutal fight.


    James sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well... it''s complicated. I''ll report everything once the wall is secured."


    The ECHO nodded in acknowledgment, then glanced at his partner. Without another word, they both turned towards the battlefield. They exchanged a brief nod before stepping off the wall. Jets of fire erupted from their shoulder blades and feet, propelling them toward the fray at incredible speed.


    Arthur, mid-dodge, was startled by their sudden arrival. The two ECHOs landed with precision, their plasma blades igniting in white-hot fury. The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying. Arthur took a step back, momentarily unsure of what to do.


    "Help has arrived," he thought, a mixture of relief and awe flooding him. "But who the hell are these guys?"


    The fight took on a new dynamic as the ECHOs joined the fray. Their movements were surgical, a deadly dance of speed and precision. The gorilla swung its massive arm, but one ECHO sidestepped effortlessly and sliced through the limb with a single, glowing blade.


    The beast roared in agony as the other ECHO delivered a series of devastating strikes to its torso, piercing the obsidian scales with ease.


    The basilisk reared its head, lunging at the second ECHO with fangs bared. But the soldier was faster, leaping over the serpent''s attack and landing atop its head. With a powerful thrust, he drove his plasma blade through the basilisk''s skull, silencing it instantly.


    Arthur stood in stunned silence, watching the ECHOs dismantle the monsters with an efficiency that left no room for doubt. Within minutes, the battle was over. The once-mighty Class-A threats lay motionless, their massive forms sprawled across the devastated terrain.


    The soldiers erupted in cheers, their voices carrying across the battlefield. The ECHOs turned toward Arthur. One of them deactivated his blade and gave a small nod, as if acknowledging his efforts. Then, without a word, they activated their jets and ascended back to the wall.


    James and the soldiers saluted again as the ECHOs landed. The commanding officer approached them cautiously. "I''ll have my report ready shortly," he said.


    One ECHO nodded, his voice flat but commanding. "See that you do."


    As the shuttle door closed behind them and the vessel began its ascent, Arthur exhaled deeply, his body and mind reeling from the events. The soldiers'' cheers continued, but James''s gaze remained fixed on Arthur, a storm of questions brewing behind his calm exterior.


    ***

 Chapter 19: Advent of a New Era

    The aftermath of the battle left Arthur physically unscathed but mentally drained. As the gates of the wall creaked open to admit him, he felt a strange blend of relief and curiosity.


    One of the soldiers, clad in standard-issue armor with a faint sheen of dust from the skirmish, stepped forward and motioned for Arthur to follow.


    "Come with me. I''ll show you where you''ll be staying," the soldier said curtly, his voice muffled slightly by his helmet.


    Arthur complied, walking through the bustling inner workings of the station. The corridors were a mix of utilitarian design and advanced technology. Soldiers and technicians moved with purpose, their voices blending into a low hum of activity.


    Holographic displays projected real-time data, maps, and alerts. Every so often, Arthur would catch a curious glance from the personnel, their eyes lingering on him.


    After a short walk, the soldier stopped in front of a door that slid open with a soft hiss. "This is your room for now. Don''t wander too far."


    Arthur stepped inside and took in the simple yet functional quarters. The room contained a compact bed, a small table, and a chair. A recessed panel on one wall illuminated the space with a soft, ambient glow.


    Opposite the bed, a screen displayed a rotating hologram of the mining station''s structure. Another door led to a washroom, equipped with sleek, minimalist fixtures that seemed almost alien in their design.


    Arthur wasted no time. He cleaned himself up, washing away the grime and sweat of the battle. The warm water felt like a luxury after weeks of survival in the alien wilderness.


    Arthur was surprised with how much he changed, his increase in height, his change in hair color. But he didn''t pay much attention to these small details, and thought it was because of his evolving.


    When he emerged, a tray of food had already been placed on the table.


    The meal consisted of nutrient-dense rations, neatly arranged, and a bottle of clear liquid. It wasn''t gourmet, but it was far better than anything he''d eaten since arriving on this world.


    As he ate, Arthur couldn''t help but replay the events of the day in his mind. The monstrous Class-A threats, his own strength, and the ECHOs'' overwhelming power all swirled in his thoughts.


    Once he finished his meal, Arthur''s attention turned to the sleek tablet left on the table. Picking it up, he marveled at the device''s lightweight yet sturdy design. Its surface lit up with a touch, displaying an intuitive interface.


    The home screen offered several options: "Maps," "Station Operations," "History," and "Cultural Archives." Arthur''s curiosity guided him to the "History" section.


    The screen shifted to reveal a chronological timeline, and Arthur began scrolling through the entries. The history of humanity, as recorded in this universe, was both familiar and alien.


    ¡­


    The world Arthur once knew shared striking similarities with this universe until a pivotal moment altered its course forever.


    In the year 1981, an archaeological expedition near the Pamir Mountains, a barren no man''s land on the border of Russia and China, unearthed a discovery that would redefine humanity''s destiny.


    Beneath layers of ancient rock and ice lay alien ruins, remnants of an advanced civilization. The ruins contained enigmatic technologies, cryptic symbols, and artifacts that radiated an energy source unlike anything known to man.


    When news of the discovery leaked, the geopolitical balance teetered. Rivalries flared into open hostility, and the fragile peace shattered as the world plunged into the throes of World War III.


    ¡­


    The war that erupted in 1981 was unlike any other. Nations vied for control of the ruins, deploying increasingly destructive weapons. By 1983, nuclear bombs lit up the skies, leaving vast swaths of the planet uninhabitable.


    By that time in history more than ten countries had developed nuclear capabilities, as one country started to use nuclear weaponry, like a domino effect the others followed.


    Cities were reduced to ash, and the ecological damage was incalculable.


    The war went on for more than 3 years which might sound less than the previous World Wars but the damage it caused is many times more than WWI and WWII combined. Over 55 million soldiers perished, with civilian casualties surpassing 350 million by the time the end of the war came.


    As the war dragged into its third year, and the situation of the war was becoming more dire day by day humanity''s collective spirit began to revolt.


    Grassroots movements sprouted worldwide, uniting people from all walks of life from 5 years old to 70 years old. They became tired of the continuous damage the war was causing to their livelihood.


    Parents lost their children, children lost parents, people were losing their loved ones due to the war.


    People from all over the world started to form resistance groups and armed themselves to topple the oppressive regimes, even recruiting disillusioned soldiers amidst them.


    The pivotal moment came in 1984 when the United States government fell to an armed civilian uprising, igniting a domino effect.


    Governments crumbled one after another under the pressure of hundreds of millions of resistance soldiers who sought an end to the devastation. The casualties due to the resistance were also in the tens of millions.


    ¡­


    By 1985, a World Government emerged, representing all nations. Its formation was greeted with jubilant celebrations, the cheers of billions reverberating across the scarred Earth. The new World government was named as The United Federation of Earth.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    The new leadership prioritized reconstruction and cooperation, pooling resources to rebuild civilization. Then came a boom in globalization, in exports and imports, and sharing of technologies.


    The alien ruins, once a catalyst for destruction, became a beacon of hope as nations shared their findings. All the countries shared what they were able to excavate from the Alien ruins which propelled the technological aspect of Earth.


    In 2015 the UFE used microbots developed to rid the Earth of radioactive pollutants produced due to the nuclear war by spreading it in the affected regions. The microbots were also used to clear the ocean of wastes floating on it. The earth became cleanest since the industrial revolution started in the 1700s.


    ¡­


    The artifacts from the Pamir ruins were studied intensively by the greatest minds of the era.


    The ruins revealed that their creators had reached a Type 1.5 civilization on the Kardashev Scale, capable of harnessing energy on a planetary scale with near-unimaginable efficiency. Reverse-engineering these technologies sparked a cascade of innovation.


    With the help of the greatest minds of that time within 50 years in 2035 they were able to crack the technologies they were able to salvage from the ruin. Humanity achieved breakthroughs that would have been inconceivable just decades earlier.


    In the year 2095 the Earth became a full fledged Type 1.5 civilization which could be described as the fastest growth in Earth''s history.


    They cracked quantum teleportation, revolutionizing communication and transport. Fusion and fission reactors became common, providing abundant, clean energy.


    Humanity developed immersive virtual reality, transforming entertainment, education, and training.


    The first fully clad robotic soldiers are born. Robotic soldiers'' bodies are ultra-resistant and lead to the development of new ultra-destructive magnetic weapons capable of compressing the surrounding space. Harnessing compressed spatial distortions for unparalleled firepower.


    Cyborgs and genetic implants became common. Space elevators on planets and moons were built, Interplanetary travel became common and terraforming has taken root.


    Humanity became ready for colonization of the solar system. Spacecraft reaching high sub-light speeds, interplanetary travel became routine. Humanity terraformed Mars, Venus and moons of Jupiter. Humanity discovered dark energy and dark matter, unlocking the secrets of the universe.


    Teleportation of complex molecules achieved in the later period. Nearly a thousand years of development were done in less than 100 years.


    ¡­


    In the subsequent 1,500 years, humanity ascended to Type II status, achieving control over stellar energy sources and interstellar travel. They colonized Proxima Centauri b, heralding the Interstellar Age. The second space age begins to unveil here.


    Dyson swarms were constructed around stars to capture vast amounts of energy. First warp drive and faster than light travel was actualized.


    Virtual reality and virtual universes can now simulate reality. Antimatter weapons became obsolete and are being replaced by monopole weapons, created by anti-alien convention. Magnetic monopole reactors provide extremely high amounts of power while avoiding the dangers inherent in antimatter storage.


    Cryogenic sleep is used in travel between star systems. Antimatter engines and fusion engines are used as engines for spaceships.


    In 3597, humanity encountered its first extraterrestrial neighbors, it was a type I civilization. They called themselves Xarnians in their native language. The aliens were humanoid species reaching 1.5 meters in height with no hair in their body.


    With the help of a universal translator an alliance was made between the two civilizations after a few years of negotiations and cultural exchange, further accelerating humanity''s progress.


    Colonizing other star systems became routine. Wars with hostile alien civilizations shaped humanity''s military innovations, but trade and cooperation flourished with peaceful species.


    ¡­


    Seven hundred millennia later, humanity has reached Type 2.8 status, a pinnacle of technological and societal evolution. The universe is no longer a vast frontier but a bustling hub of civilizations interconnected by alliances, trade, and common threats.


    Humanity''s population expanded to hundreds of quadrillions. Spanning more than 100 million star systems.


    Humanity developed weapons which become used only against alien threats. Interstellar tracking systems are developed around the Dyson sphere which could be transitioning from a swarm to a secure solid sphere as more solar masses are gathered.


    Natural wormholes were explored. As the transhuman era emerges, humanoid settlers begin to become independent in their own colonies. Then developed the ability to use wormholes and devices like stargates, as some faster-than-light technology is too slow for vast interstellar distances. Allowing instantaneous travel across different parts of the galaxy.


    First time travel using relativistic time dilation. Huge Matrioshka brains are created, capable of making a civilization and its data become at one with itself. Dyson spheres are made solid.


    Dark Energy reactors are built, providing near-limitless power. Humanity now moved towards sophonce and became one of the leading civilizations in a bustling galaxy of cooperation and trade, and responding to common threats.


    Humanity came across many intelligent alien species, some were hostile so wars started with them and some were peace loving with whom humanity formed alliances and started trade.


    Artificial wormholes are created with antimatter or stable dark energy fusion reactors. Artificial planet construction became possible for humanity. Stellification is routinely done using artificial black holes. Transforming black holes into energy sources, to rapidly terraform star systems.


    Now megamatter were used to build mega structures as Magmatter materials have free breaking lengths of millions to billions of kilometers. This means that it has the tensile strength required to hold a megastructure together, capable of supporting structures millions of kilometers long.


    The transhuman era has redefined humanity. Genetic modifications, cybernetic enhancements, and advanced versions of nanotechnology and programmable matter were developed.


    In the current era humanity developed serums to enhance humans to have extended lifespans to thousands of years. Physical and cognitive enhancements have made humans capable of feats once reserved for gods.


    ¡­


    Among humanity''s crowning achievements they developed Project ECHO (Enhanced Cybernetic Human Operatives). These elite soldiers represent the pinnacle of human augmentation.


    These soldiers were elites and were capable of lifting thousands of tons of weight effortlessly without breaking a sweat, they were injected with nanobots which have immense computational power and help in combat analysis, navigations and much more.


    ECHOs stand as the vanguard against existential threats, from rogue alien civilizations to cosmic anomalies, they were the forefront of humanity''s defences against hostile parties.Their presence ensures humanity''s continued dominance in a galaxy teeming with life.


    ¡­


    Now a cornerstone of the galactic community, humanity thrives in a delicate balance of power and diplomacy. Its journey from a fractured, war-torn planet to a Type 2.8 civilization.


    Then in the year 703595 they made contact with what humanity collectively called Chimerians, as they had a blue crystalline exoskeleton and humanoid body with bat-like leather wings and reptilian-like head.


    They were a civilization on par with humanity, they resided on the Wolf-Lundmark-Melotte galaxy which was more than 3 million light years away and a warmongering species. They plundered their whole galaxy, rid it of every species becoming the hegemon of the galaxy, and by chance they found life on the Milky Way.


    They established stargates near the Milky Way, UFE had tried to initiate contact after noticing them, but all forms of contact were rejected.


    In the year 703601 war started between the two galaxies, which is still continuing after 20 years.


    ¡­


    The sound of footsteps outside his door pulled him from his thoughts. It slid open to reveal Commander James. The officer''s expression was as serious as ever, though there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.


    "Arthur," James began, stepping inside. "We need to talk."


    ***

 Chapter 20: Departure

    Arthur''s eyes scanned the tablet screen with growing fascination. The history of this universe unfolded before him like a tale from another world which, to his understanding, it was. The timeline of humanity''s progress diverged sharply from what he remembered.


    The discovery of advanced propulsion systems, humanity''s expansion across multiple planets, and the formation of the United Federation of Earth (UFE) painted a picture of ambition and unity. Yet there was a subtle undercurrent of war, the struggle for survival against monstrous creatures, and the rise of the ECHOs as humanity''s elite guardians.


    He marveled at the ingenuity but also felt a pang of unease. "How did I end up here? And why does everything feel so... different? This is totally different from what happened on Earth, so it must be a parallel world." Arthur''s thoughts churned until a sharp knock on his door interrupted him.


    James'' voice came through. "Arthur, come with me. There''s something we need to discuss with you."


    Arthur placed the tablet down and followed James through the mining station''s winding corridors. They entered a room with stark white walls, a metal table, and two chairs facing each other. James gestured for Arthur to sit.


    "Wait here," James said before stepping out.


    The silence in the room was unsettling, but Arthur didn''t have to wait long. The door opened, and one of the ECHOs who had helped to slay the behemoths entered. Without his helmet,


    Arthur could see the man clearly. He was tall, with jet-black hair styled neatly back and piercing blue eyes that seemed to assess everything in an instant. His face was sharp, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline, giving him an air of authority and precision. The dark armor he wore made his presence even more commanding.


    The man sat down across from Arthur and leaned slightly forward. His gaze was direct, almost unnervingly so.


    "Arthur, was it?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.


    Arthur nodded. "Yes. And you are?"


    The man didn''t answer. Instead, he began his line of questioning. "Where are you from?"


    Arthur frowned slightly but answered truthfully. "I told James already. I''m from Earth."


    The ECHO''s eyes narrowed. "Explain how you arrived here."


    Arthur recounted his arrival, his struggle to understand this world, and his confusion over its differences. The ECHO listened intently, only interrupting occasionally for clarification. Then he shifted topics.


    "What was the history of your Earth like?" he asked, his tone still calm but with a sharper edge of curiosity.


    Arthur hesitated but decided to answer. As he spoke, describing the wars, technological advancements, and societal shifts of his Earth, he noticed the ECHO''s expression subtly change. A flicker of surprise crossed his face before he quickly masked it.


    When Arthur finished, the ECHO leaned back in his chair and exhaled. "So, not only are you from the past but also from a parallel dimension."


    Arthur blinked. "You''re... not surprised?"


    "I''ve seen stranger things," the ECHO replied cryptically. He leaned forward again. "How did you become this strong?"


    Arthur had anticipated this question and prepared a response, a mix of truth and omission. "I already had this power when I arrived on this planet," he said. Technically, it was true, though he carefully avoided mentioning the nature of his powers, adaptability and evolution.


    The ECHO studied him for a long moment before standing abruptly. "That will be all for now." He walked to the door and stepped out. Arthur could hear faint murmurs outside.


    ¡­


    Outside the Room


    James stood beside a man in front of a holographic console. The man''s fingers danced over the interface, analyzing Arthur''s vitals, voice patterns, and responses.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Is he telling the truth?" James asked.


    The analyst nodded. "Every word. There''s no indication of deception."


    James'' brows furrowed. "It doesn''t make sense. How could he suddenly gain this much power? Still, if he''s not lying, I have no reason to doubt him for now."


    He turned to a nearby soldier. "Guide Arthur back to his room. I''ll meet with the ECHOs to decide what to do."


    ¡­


    The soldier entered the room where Arthur was being interrogated "You''re free to go. I''ll escort you back to your quarters. If you need anything, you can use the tablet provided to you."


    Arthur thanked the soldier and returned to his room. Once inside, he resumed his exploration of the UFE''s database. He delved into the structure of the government, learning about its intricate hierarchy and the power held by the various parties.


    The ECHOs intrigued him most, their origins shrouded in secrecy but their capabilities revered across the galaxy.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, in a secure briefing room, James sat with the two ECHO elites. One of them, still armored, spoke first. "Arthur''s situation is unique. We should bring him with us to Solace Prime, and ask the admiral what to do with him. He''ll know what to do."


    James nodded reluctantly. "I don''t have the authority to handle something of this scale. Fine. We''ll send him with you."


    The ECHO nodded. "We leave tomorrow morning."


    ¡­


    That evening, another soldier knocked on Arthur''s door. "You''ve been scheduled to leave with the ECHO squad tomorrow morning. Pack your belongings and be ready by sunrise."


    Arthur leaned against the doorway, digesting the news. "Where am I going?"


    The soldier hesitated. "To Solace Prime. Beyond that, I don''t know."


    Arthur thanked him and closed the door. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he thought about what lay ahead. "I''m being pulled deeper into this world. Maybe they will have answers... or more questions."


    The rest of the evening, Arthur immersed himself in learning about the Epsilon-class warships the Space station Solace Prime and their capabilities.


    The sleek, 2-kilometer-long vessels were marvels of engineering, and he couldn''t help but feel both awe and apprehension about what awaited him.


    ¡­


    The next morning, Arthur met James at the landing platform. The commander extended a hand. "Good luck out there. Whatever your path is, I hope it leads to answers to your questions."


    Arthur shook his hand firmly. "Thanks for bearing with me. I''ll do my best."


    The shuttle''s hatch opened, and Arthur boarded. As it ascended, the mining station grew smaller until it disappeared entirely. When the Epsilon-class warship came into view, Arthur was amazed. Its sleek, obsidian hull stretched endlessly, bristling with weapons and exuding an aura of invincibility.


    Inside, the ship''s interior was a seamless blend of functionality and luxury. Soldiers moved with purpose, and the corridors glowed with a soft, ambient light. A soldier guided Arthur to his quarters, a modest but well-equipped room.


    The ship launched smoothly, breaking through the atmosphere and into the void of space. Arthur watched from a viewport as the planet shrank into a distant sphere. Moments later, the ship accelerated, and a swirling vortex of light signaled their entry into a wormhole.


    ¡­


    Exiting the wormhole, Arthur''s jaw dropped as the Dreadnought-class space station came into view. The colossal structure dwarfed the warship, its size comparable to Earth''s moon. Massive docking bays hummed with activity, and the station''s surface glinted with lights and weaponry.


    The warship docked seamlessly, and Arthur followed a soldier to another shuttle. His thoughts raced as they moved through the station''s labyrinthine interior.


    "I don''t know where this path leads, but for now, it''s the best option I have," he thought, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead.


    ¡­


    The shuttle hummed softly as it carried Arthur deeper into the heart of Solace Prime. Through the viewport, he caught glimpses of the station''s immense interior, sprawling cities encased in transparent domes, towering spires that seemed to touch the stars, and labyrinthine industrial sectors alive with the flicker of automated systems and the bustle of countless personnel.


    "It''s amazing how far humanity has reached," Arthur muttered to himself, awe-stricken by the sheer scale of the station. It wasn''t just a hub of military and scientific operations, it was a self-sustaining megastructure.


    The soldier escorting him glanced back. "First time seeing something like this?"


    Arthur nodded. "Yeah. Hard to believe people built this."


    The soldier chuckled. "The UFE''s pride and joy. Solace Prime is humanity''s fortress against it''s enemies. You''ll get used to it."


    The shuttle docked at a sleek terminal, and Arthur was guided through the station''s security checkpoints. As he walked, he noticed the diversity of people, humans of every origin and even a few alien species, their forms and features alien yet oddly humanoid.


    The air was filled with the low hum of activity, punctuated by distant announcements and the rhythmic march of soldiers.


    Finally, they arrived at a chamber with a vast, arched ceiling and walls adorned with holographic maps of the galaxy. At the center stood a circular table, where several figures were already gathered.


    Arthur''s escort saluted and stepped aside as one of the ECHO elites approached. This time, both were without their helmets, revealing another striking figure, a woman with short, silver hair and piercing amber eyes. She exuded an aura of sharp intellect and calm authority.


    "Arthur," she began, her voice measured and deliberate. "Welcome to Solace Prime."


    ***

 Chapter 21: Tests

    After Arthur entered the chamber he saw several figures already in the room, among them were the two who brought him to the space station.


    A woman, who Arthur figured was an ECHO said "Arthur," she began, her voice measured and deliberate. "Welcome to Solace Prime."


    "I''m Commander Lira Valen, and this is my colleague, Commander Kael Dorne. We''ve reviewed your case, and the admiral has taken a particular interest in your situation."


    Arthur inclined his head. "I''m grateful for bearing with me, Commander. Though, I''m still not entirely sure why I''m here."


    Lira exchanged a glance with Kael before responding. "You''re here because you''re an anomaly, Arthur. Your strength, it shouldn''t be possible without any enhancement, even among our best soldiers or the genetically enhanced ECHOs. And then there''s the matter of your origins¡­"


    Kael stepped in, his tone less diplomatic but no less curious. "Parallel dimensions aren''t unheard of, but they''re rare to encounter, and they''re usually unstable. The fact that you''re here, alive and intact, suggests something... unique about you. The admiral wants to evaluate the potential you represent."


    Arthur frowned slightly. "Evaluate? As in, test me?"


    "Partially," Lira admitted. "But also to protect you. If word of your existence spreads, there will be factions, both human and alien, who will want to exploit you. For now, you''ll be under our protection."


    Arthur considered their words carefully. "And in return?"


    Kael smirked. "You''ll cooperate. Help us understand your abilities, and perhaps use them for the greater good. The galaxy could use someone of your caliber."


    Before Arthur could respond, the chamber doors slid open, and a commanding figure strode in. Admiral Tiber Kane, a man whose very presence seemed to command the room, approached the table. His uniform was adorned with medals, and his face bore the marks of a seasoned leader.


    "Arthur," he said, his voice a deep, resonant baritone. "You''ve made quite the impression. I trust Commanders Valen and Dorne have briefed you on the situation?"


    "Yes, sir," Arthur replied.


    The admiral nodded. "Good. Then let me be clear, we don''t know how you''re here, but I intend to find out. You''ll undergo a series of evaluations to determine the extent of your abilities and how you might fit into our operations. In exchange, we''ll provide you with the resources you need to navigate this universe and, perhaps, find your way back to your own."


    Arthur met the admiral''s gaze steadily. "I''ll cooperate. But if I''m helping you, I want answers."


    Tiber''s lips twitched into a faint smile. "Fair enough. For now, get settled. Your first evaluation begins tomorrow."


    ¡­


    After the meeting, Arthur was granted access to roam parts of Solace Prime. His quarters were more luxurious than he expected, equipped with advanced interfaces that allowed him to access vast libraries of knowledge.


    As he wandered the station, he found himself in a massive observation deck. Through the reinforced glass, he saw the swirling expanse of the galaxy, a breathtaking tapestry of stars, nebulae, and distant planets.


    A voice interrupted his reverie. "Beautiful, isn''t it?"


    Arthur turned to see a young technician, her uniform marked with the insignia of the station''s engineering corps. She smiled warmly.


    "It''s easy to forget how vast the universe is when you''re caught up in the chaos," she said.


    Arthur nodded. "It''s... humbling."


    They talked for a while, the conversation light but grounding. Arthur learned her name was Lina, and she was part of a team working on the station''s terraforming research.


    "Maybe this place won''t feel so alien after all," Arthur thought as he returned to his quarters.


    ¡­


    The next morning, Arthur arrived at a colossal training chamber, its walls lined with observation platforms and advanced monitoring equipment. Lira and Kael watched from above, along with a team of scientists and the admiral himself.


    The simulation room was vast and stark, with a metallic sheen covering its curved walls. Arthur stood at the center, the air around him buzzing faintly.


    Lira''s voice echoed through the room''s comm system. "Arthur, this is a combat simulation. You''ll be facing a Class-B threat first. This will test your offensive and defensive capabilities. Be prepared."This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    A robotic female voice announced, "Initiating combat simulation. Threat level: Class-B."


    Arthur braced himself as hard-light enemies materialized, a mix of humanoid and beast-like forms, each bristling with weapons and ferocity.


    "This should be interesting," Lira muttered as the simulation began.


    Arthur''s movements were fluid and precise, a testament to his capability. He weaved between enemies, dismantling them with a combination of raw power and tactical ingenuity. The observers watched in silence, their expressions ranging from awe to intrigue.


    When the simulation ended, Arthur stood in the center of the chamber, his chest heaving but his spirit unbroken.


    "Class-B?" he said, glancing up at the observation platform. "Got anything harder?"


    Lira chuckled. "Careful what you wish for."


    Before Arthur could respond, a ripple of blue light formed ahead of him. The hard-light projector systems activated, materializing his opponent.


    A towering figure emerged, a humanoid warrior standing nearly eight feet tall. Its body was composed of sleek, reflective panels of energy-infused material, shimmering with hues of violet and silver.


    The warrior''s helmet bore a faceless mask, its surface shifting constantly like liquid mercury. In its hand materialized a massive glaive, its edges radiating sharp, luminous energy.


    Arthur tensed, his heart pounding. "Well¡­ let''s get this started with."


    ¡­


    The hard-light warrior charged first, moving with impossible grace for its size. Its glaive swung in a wide arc, leaving trails of searing light. Arthur sidestepped just in time, feeling the heat brush past him.


    He retaliated, delivering a punch with enough force to create a sonic boom. The warrior blocked with its glaive, the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the chamber. Arthur staggered back, surprised.


    "So it''s not just for show," he muttered.


    The warrior pressed the attack, its movements a flawless blend of precision and power. Arthur struggled to keep up at first, dodging strikes and parrying blows, but his confidence grew with each exchange.


    Arthur slammed his foot into the ground, creating a shockwave that threw the warrior off balance. Capitalizing on the moment, he delivered a thunderous uppercut, sending the opponent soaring. Yet, before he could follow up, the hard-light warrior recalibrated mid-air, landing gracefully.


    The fight turned into a blur of speed and destruction, their blows denting the metallic floor and leaving scorch marks along the walls, which regenerated within the next moment.


    Arthur''s strikes were powerful but lacked refinement, occasionally overextending himself or misjudging the timing. Despite his mistakes, his opponent''s strikes couldn''t penetrate his defenses.


    After a particularly fierce exchange, both combatants paused, sizing each other up. Arthur''s breathing was steady, though his knuckles throbbed faintly from striking the warrior''s hardened form.


    From the control room, Admiral Tiber''s voice cut through the tension. "That''s enough. Shut it down."


    The hard-light warrior dissolved into particles of light, leaving Arthur standing alone in the room.


    A door slid open, and one of the ECHO elites stepped inside. It was Commander Kael. "Not bad for someone untrained," he said, his voice laced with a mix of approval and critique.


    Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Untrained? I just fought your glowing knight to a standstill."


    Commander Kael smirked. "True, but you made mistakes. Sloppy footwork. Overcommitted strikes. You rely on raw strength too much. In a real fight, that could get you killed."


    Arthur folded his arms. "Who knows."


    The elite shrugged. "For now. Let''s see what else you''ve got."


    ¡­


    Arthur was led to a futuristic gym filled with advanced machinery and holographic displays. Operatives in white lab coats bustled about, calibrating equipment. A massive cylindrical device stood at the center, its surface gleaming with reinforced alloys.


    One of the operatives, a wiry man with glasses, gestured for Arthur to approach. "This is the Impact Analyzer. Strike it with everything you''ve got. It will measure the force generated in Joules."


    Arthur rolled his shoulders. "Alright. Let''s see how this goes."


    He positioned himself, drawing a deep breath to focus. With a powerful yell, he drove his fist into the cylinder. The impact reverberated through the room, the device emitting a series of beeps before displaying the result on a holographic screen, 9.23 million Joules.


    The room fell silent for a moment before murmurs erupted among the operatives.


    "Impressive, the force of your punch is equivalent to a ballistic missile" one of them said, jotting down notes.


    The operative taking down notes said. "According to the readings, your lifting strength should be around 1400-1500 Tons."


    Arthur smirked. "Guess I''ll have to train harder."


    Next, they tested his speed. A long, straight track was fitted with laser sensors to measure velocity. Arthur took his position and, at the signal, bolted down the track. The sensors calculated his top speed, 121 m/s.


    The Admiral, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke. "For someone with no training or enhancements beyond his own body, these results are exceptional. His potential is clear."


    Arthur wiped the invisible sweat from his brow, glancing at the Admiral. "So, what''s next? More tests?"


    The Admiral shook his head. "Not today. For now, rest. We''ll discuss what to do with you tomorrow."


    As Arthur left the gym, the ECHO elites exchanged quiet words.


    "He''s strong," Lira said.


    "Strong, yes," Kael replied. "But he''s undisciplined. Raw power alone won''t make him a warrior."


    The Admiral nodded thoughtfully. "He''ll learn. And when he does, he might surpass even you."


    "Just imagine if we add him to Project-ECHO, he has the potential to surpass everyone"


    Lira and Kael''s eyes widened after hearing what the Admiral had said. To become an ECHO you cannot take any other enhancements before as it would create conflict with the injected serum.


    So everyone had baseline human strength before joining Project-ECHO, and Arthur was not injected with any enhancement drug.


    And after more tests if it was found then he was compatible with the serum his strength would skyrocket.


    With that Arthur was led to his room.


    ***

 Chapter 22: Offer

    The next morning Arthur''s footsteps echoed softly down the metallic corridor as he followed the soldier assigned to escort him to the lab.


    The stark lighting and smooth surfaces of Solace Prime''s interior added an air of clinical efficiency. He could feel a sense of anticipation building within him. The previous day had been grueling, filled with tests that pushed his physical limits, but today''s examination held a new level of gravity.


    The soldier stopped outside a set of sleek double doors, gesturing for Arthur to enter. "The scientist inside will guide you through the process," he said curtly before retreating down the hall.


    Arthur took a deep breath and stepped inside. The lab was immaculate, its walls lined with glowing panels and equipment he couldn''t begin to identify.


    At the center stood a single figure, a woman in a white coat, her focus fixed on a holographic display. She turned as Arthur approached, her piercing green eyes meeting his. Her dark hair was tied in a neat bun, and her expression was one of calm professionalism.


    "Arthur, I presume?" she said, her voice smooth and measured. "I''m Dr. Elara Vynn. I''ll be conducting the compatibility tests today."


    Arthur nodded, taking in her demeanor. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Vynn. What exactly does this test involve?"


    Elara gestured toward a chair in the center of the room, surrounded by an array of devices. "We''ll begin with a detailed genetic analysis to determine if your DNA can handle the strain of the ECHO serum. I''ll also need to assess your pain tolerance and ensure there are no existing enhancements that might conflict with the serum''s effects. Please, take a seat."


    Arthur complied, settling into the chair as mechanical arms adjusted around him. "Pain tolerance? Sounds fun," he said dryly.


    Elara offered a faint smile. "It''s a necessary step. The process of becoming an ECHO is excruciating. Only those with a natural resilience to pain can endure it without breaking."


    Arthur leaned back, his mind racing. "So, what happens if I''m not compatible?"


    "Then we explore other avenues," Elara said, tapping a console to activate the diagnostic systems. "Now, hold still."


    To become an ECHO one needs to be free from any enhancement that is available in the market that the general populace use. In today''s day and age almost everyone had access to enhancement serums of different grades.


    And all the soldiers of UFE are given enhancements upon joining, which lets them have superhuman strength of up-to 150 Tons and can run 100 meters within 1.5 seconds.


    Though these serums cannot compare to the one given to ECHOs, as first of all it is very difficult to produce and not everyone can bear the pain during the process of enhancement, so generally ECHOs are trained from when they are kids.


    A gentle hum filled the air as a cylindrical scanner descended over Arthur. Pulses of light moved across his body, mapping every detail of his biology. Elara monitored the readings, her expression inscrutable.


    "Your genetic structure is¡­ fascinating," she remarked after a moment. "There''s no trace of the standard enhancements used by the general populace, which is remarkable in itself. Because your bone density, muscle density is off the charts, which should not be possible without any enhancements."


    "And the durability of your skin is off the charts which should be not humanly possible, you are a miracle of nature"


    Arthur''s brow furrowed. "Is that a good thing?"


    "Good?.. It''s amazing!," Elara said, her fingers dancing across the console. "It means your body might be able to handle the ECHO serum''s transformative effects easily. Let''s proceed to the next phase."


    She pressed a button, and a slender needle extended from one of the mechanical arms. Arthur instinctively tensed.


    "Relax," Elara said, her tone reassuring. "This will draw a small sample of your bone marrow for further analysis. You''ll feel a brief sting. Though the needle is made with one of the strongest metal alloys in the known galaxy, to be able to pierce your skin, muscles and bones "


    "Why do you have a needle made that strong?" Arthur was bewildered.


    "Who knows, we need to be prepared with everything," Elara said nonchalantly.


    Arthur was a bit afraid that she would figure out his ability. But after thinking for a while, and remembering how he died last time in the meteor crash he hoped she couldn''t.


    He believed that during the explosion, due to the heat generated, every single strand of his DNA must have been destroyed, but he still somehow revived and came out stronger. From this, he figured out that there were some supernatural reasons behind his powers.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Even if she learned about his ability, they would, at most, capture him and experiment on him. He could slowly accumulate strength, and within a few years, he believed he would be strong enough to shrug off anything they threw at him.


    Arthur gritted his teeth as the needle pierced his skin and burrowed into the bone. The pain was sharp but manageable. He exhaled slowly as the machine withdrew.


    "That wasn''t so bad," he muttered.


    Elara raised an eyebrow. "That''s the easy part. Now for the pain tolerance test."


    Arthur gave a humorless chuckle. "Great. Let''s get it over with."


    Elara activated another device, this one resembling a sleek wristband. She secured it around Arthur''s forearm and stepped back. "This will deliver controlled levels of neural stimulation, simulating different degrees of pain. It''s crucial that you endure as much as possible without losing consciousness."


    "No problem," Arthur said, flexing his fingers.


    Elara offered a small nod before initiating the device. A mild tingling sensation spread through Arthur''s arm, quickly escalating to a burning ache. He clenched his jaw, refusing to show weakness.


    "This is Level 1," Elara informed him. "We''ll increase the intensity gradually."


    By Level 3, Arthur''s breathing had quickened, and sweat beaded on his forehead. The pain was relentless, searing through his nerves like fire. Yet, he held on, his resolve unshaken.


    "Impressive," Elara said, her voice tinged with genuine admiration. "Most candidates struggle to reach this point."


    "Glad to be¡­ an overachiever," Arthur ground out.


    At Level 5, his vision blurred, and his body trembled under the strain. He bit down on his lip hard enough to draw blood but refused to give in. Finally, Elara deactivated the device.


    "That''s enough," she said, her tone firm. "You''ve proven your resilience."


    Arthur slumped in the chair, his chest heaving. "That¡­ was¡­ fun," he said between breaths.


    Elara smiled faintly. "You did exceptionally well. Let''s finalize the analysis."


    As Arthur rested, the lab''s systems processed the data. After what felt like an eternity, Elara approached him with a tablet in hand.


    "The results are conclusive, I have already sent the data to the Admiral" she said. "Your compatibility with the ECHO serum is extraordinarily high. In fact, it''s the highest we''ve ever recorded, so if you want and the Admiral gives to go signal, you will become a huge asset to UFE"


    Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"


    Elara nodded. "It means you''re not only capable of surviving the serum but potentially thriving with its enhancements. This makes you an ideal candidate for Project-ECHO."


    Arthur leaned back, processing her words. Before he could respond, a soldier entered the lab and saluted. "The Admiral requests your presence in his office."


    ..


    Arthur found himself standing before Admiral Tiber Kane once more. The office was imposing, its walls adorned with maps of distant star systems and artifacts from countless campaigns. The Admiral''s piercing gaze met Arthur''s as he gestured for him to sit.


    "Arthur," Tiber began, "Dr. Vynn''s report confirms what we suspected. You are uniquely suited for Project-ECHO. But before we proceed, I''ll give you a choice."


    Arthur leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "I''m listening."


    Tiber clasped his hands on the desk. "You can choose to live as a normal citizen. We''ll create an identity for you, provide resources, and help you settle on a colonized planet of your choice. You''ll be free to live your life as you see fit."


    Arthur''s expression remained neutral as Tiber continued. "Or you join Project-ECHO. This path will be arduous, filled with challenges and dangers. But you''ll gain access to advanced technologies, unparalleled training, and resources beyond your imagination. Most importantly, we''ll dedicate ourselves to helping you find your way home."


    Arthur''s mind raced. The first option was tempting in its simplicity, a chance to escape the chaos and start fresh. But the second option, it offered purpose, growth, and the opportunity to uncover the truth about his predicament.


    "I need a moment," he said finally.


    Tiber nodded, his expression understanding. "Take your time. But know this, we will respect your decision"


    Arthur''s inner struggle was palpable. He thought of his old life, the monotony and routine that had defined it. Here was a chance to break free, to embrace something extraordinary. The decision was clear.


    He met Tiber''s gaze with newfound determination. "I''ll join Project-ECHO."


    The Admiral''s lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Welcome aboard, Arthur. Your training begins immediately. You''ll undergo rigorous preparation in combat, tactics, technology, and more. Only when you''re ready will you receive the serum."


    The admiral was sure that Arthur would accept to become an ECHO as, until now his psyche evaluation all point it to him accepting the second option.


    Arthur nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I won''t let you down."


    ¡­


    That night, Arthur returned to his quarters, his mind ablaze with thoughts about the path ahead. He activated the advanced interface in his room, delving into the vast database of knowledge available to him.


    He started with physics, immersing himself in theories that expanded his understanding of the universe. The equations and concepts that once seemed insurmountable now clicked into place effortlessly. He realized his cognitive abilities had evolved alongside his physical strength.


    "Eidetic memory," he mused aloud. "And my IQ¡­ it''s like I''ve unlocked a part of my brain I never knew existed." he can remember everything he had learned from his previous life, even those he thought he forgot.


    Now he is able to solve all those problems he thought he was unable to previously and all the new physics and maths problems he thought were difficult before.


    Arthur''s enthusiasm grew as he explored subjects ranging from advanced mathematics to molecular biology. He devoured information, his mind processing and retaining every detail with ease.


    "This is incredible," he thought. "I''ve not just adapted physically, I''ve undergone a complete evolution."


    As the hours passed, Arthur lost himself in the pursuit of knowledge, his resolve solidifying with each new discovery. He was no longer the man he had been. He was something more, and he was ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead.


    ***

 Chapter 23: Training & Knowledge I

    The Admiral''s Office, Solace Prime


    Admiral Tiber stood by the large observation window in his office, gazing out at the swirling nebula that framed Solace Prime. Behind him, Elara Vynn, the lead genetic scientist, stood with her datapad, her expression a mixture of intrigue and concern.


    "So," the Admiral began, his voice even but laced with curiosity, "did you find anything special about him? How is he naturally so strong?"


    Elara hesitated. "None, actually," she replied. "He''s perfectly normal. In fact, from his genetic makeup, he could be considered a healthy young man by any standard, nothing out of the ordinary. If I hadn''t seen him perform feats only ECHOs can, I would have dismissed him as mundane."


    The Admiral turned, his brow furrowing. "I don''t understand. How can his DNA appear normal when he''s clearly not?"


    Elara shrugged, frustration evident in her tone. "That''s the paradox. There''s nothing in his genetic structure to indicate why he''s capable of such strength or speed. Yet, the reality defies the data."


    The Admiral exhaled deeply, clasping his hands behind his back. "Continue your study of his genes. Just imagine if we could replicate his ability and potential, what it could mean for the ECHOs, for all of humanity. The possibilities are endless."


    (A/N: Don''t worry there won''t be any scenarios of his clones appearing and they can''t replicate his powers as I had previously said his powers come from his soul, and there is another reason they can¡¯t replicate his powers which I will reveal later.)


    Elara hesitated, her conscience warring with her duty. While she understood the Admiral''s perspective, experimenting on Arthur without his knowledge didn''t sit well with her. Still, the greater good loomed large over her personal ethics.


    "Alright," she said reluctantly, nodding. "I''ll continue the research."


    With that, she exited the office, leaving the Admiral alone in his thoughts. He turned back to the nebula, his expression unreadable.


    ¡­


    Arthur sat cross-legged on the floor of his quarters, surrounded by holographic screens displaying various subjects. Mathematics, physics, biology, and history floated in midair, their glowing diagrams and equations casting a soft light on his face.


    He leaned closer to a screen detailing advanced quantum mechanics. "Schr?dinger''s Equation," he muttered, tracing the holographic text with his finger. "I could barely understand this back in my world from the books I had gathered, and now it''s as clear as day."


    His cognitive abilities had grown exponentially since his arrival. What used to take hours to grasp now took mere minutes. In less than a day, he had absorbed knowledge equivalent to a high school education and was already diving into more advanced topics.


    "It''s like my brain is a sponge," he thought, marveling at his newfound mental acuity. He closed his eyes, and to his amazement, he could recall every detail he had read, even from years ago. Memories he thought were long forgotten resurfaced with perfect clarity.


    His enthusiasm grew as he delved deeper, voraciously consuming data on every subject he could access. For the first time in years, he felt truly alive.


    ¡­


    The next day, Arthur was led to the training hall by a soldier. His boots echoed faintly against the polished floors as he walked, his mind buzzing with anticipation. Today, his training would officially commence.


    When he arrived, the hall loomed before him, a massive space lined with advanced monitoring equipment, reinforced walls, and platforms designed for all kinds of combat scenarios. Standing in the center were Commander Lira and Kael, both looking sharp and focused.


    "Good morning," Arthur greeted, his tone polite but curious. "Why are you both here? I thought I''d be trained by regular soldiers or maybe an AI program."


    Lira''s lips curled into a slight smile."Regular soldiers can''t handle you, and AI lacks the intuition required for this. Kael and I will oversee your training personally."


    Arthur blinked in surprise. "But aren''t you both too busy for this?"


    Kael chuckled. "You''re a priority, Arthur. Think of it as an investment."


    Lira nodded. "Let''s see what you''ve got. Kael will start with combat training, techniques and awareness."


    Kael gestured for Arthur to step forward. "Alright, rookie. Let''s see how you handle yourself in a fight."This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Kael assumed a fighting stance, his movements fluid and confident. Arthur mirrored him, his posture less refined but solid.


    "Ready?" Kael asked. Before Arthur could respond, Kael dashed forward with a speed that seemed impossible, landing a calculated blow to Arthur''s midsection. Arthur stumbled back, winded.


    "Lesson one, never let your guard down," Kael said, his tone teasing but firm.


    Arthur recovered quickly, his eyes narrowing. Kael attacked again, this time aiming for Arthur''s side. Arthur blocked the strike but barely, his muscles straining against Kael''s strength.


    "Good reflexes," Kael noted, stepping back momentarily. "But you''re relying too much on brute force. That won''t always work."


    Arthur gritted his teeth. "I''ll figure it out."


    Over the next hour, Kael pushed Arthur to his limits. He demonstrated complex maneuvers, explaining each in detail before attacking. He explained each technique with precision, showing Arthur how to turn an opponent''s strength against them, how to find openings, and how to anticipate an enemy''s next move.


    At first, Arthur struggled, his movements clumsy compared to Kael''s precision. But as the session progressed, he began to adapt.


    Kael swung a powerful kick aimed at Arthur''s head. Arthur ducked just in time, using the momentum to deliver a counterpunch that Kael barely deflected.


    "Not bad," Kael admitted, stepping back. "You''re a fast learner. At this rate, it won''t take you more than a few months to master everything I can teach."


    Arthur wiped sweat from his brow, his chest heaving. "Thanks, but I''m not letting this go to my head."


    Kael''s expression turned serious. "Good. Because in the ECHO ranks, I''m barely above a new recruit. Some have been in service for centuries."


    Arthur''s eyes widened. "Centuries? Humans can live that long?"


    Kael smirked. "With the right tech, yes. But don''t get distracted. Focus."


    Arthur nodded, his amazement tempered by determination. "Let''s go again."


    Kael didn''t hesitate, launching another series of attacks, this time more aggressive. He forced Arthur into a corner, testing his ability to defend and counter under pressure. Arthur gritted his teeth, dodging and parrying as best as he could, sweat dripping into his eyes.


    As Kael swung a roundhouse kick, Arthur saw an opening. He sidestepped and grabbed Kael''s leg, using the momentum to push him off balance. Kael stumbled briefly before recovering, a surprised but approving look on his face.


    "Impressive," Kael said, straightening. "You''re starting to think ahead. That''s what I like to see."


    Arthur gave a small smile, his confidence growing. "Thanks. What''s next?"


    Lira, who had been observing silently, stepped forward. "Now it''s my turn. Kael taught you how to fight. I''ll teach you how to win."


    ¡­


    After combat training, Lira led Arthur to a room filled with holographic projectors. She activated a simulation, and a battlefield sprang to life around them. The air shimmered as soldiers, vehicles, and alien landscapes materialized in front of them, as real as anything Arthur had seen.


    "Tactics are just as important as raw strength," Lira began. "This scenario pits you against an enemy outnumbering your forces three to one. Your objective, survive and win."


    Arthur surveyed the simulated battlefield. His forces consisted of infantry units, a few armored vehicles, and scattered defensive positions. The enemy, by contrast, was an overwhelming swarm of relentless soldiers backed by heavy artillery.


    "Alright, where do I start?" he asked, his brow furrowing.


    Lira smiled faintly. "Show me what you''ve got."


    ¡­


    Arthur hesitated briefly before issuing commands to his holographic troops. At first, his strategies were straightforward, direct assaults and brute-force engagements. His soldiers marched head-on into enemy fire, taking heavy casualties. The simulation ended with his forces obliterated in less than five minutes.


    "Think," Lira said, pausing the simulation. "You''re not a one-man army here. Use the terrain, anticipate the enemy''s moves, and give command according to that."


    Arthur nodded, determined to do better.


    Restarting the scenario, he scanned the battlefield. This time, he noticed a cluster of rocks and hills that could serve as a natural choke point. He repositioned his infantry there, setting up ambushes with his armored units hidden behind the ridges.


    As the enemy advanced, Arthur''s troops struck with precision, catching them in crossfires and forcing them into narrow kill zones. The enemy faltered, their superior numbers rendered useless in the confined spaces.


    By the end, his forces stood victorious, albeit with multiple casualties.


    "Impressive," Lira said. "Though they were primitive troops, nowadays soldiers have techs to maneuver these kinds of situations, so your tactics won''t work in modern times . But let''s see how you handle a more dynamic scenario."


    Arthur nodded. "Alright."


    ¡­


    The battlefield shifted, morphing into an urban environment of towering buildings, narrow streets, and a labyrinth of alleyways. Lira tapped a few controls on the projector.


    "This time, the objective isn''t to destroy your enemy. A civilian convoy has been captured. You have limited forces, and the enemy is dug in. The clock''s ticking."


    Arthur assessed his available troops: a small squad of elite operatives and a single reconnaissance drone.


    "Alright," he murmured. "Speed and stealth, then."


    He sent the drone ahead, mapping the area and identifying enemy positions. Using the intel, he split his squad into two teams, one creating a diversion while the other infiltrated the enemy''s stronghold.


    The diversion team launched a series of hit-and-run attacks, drawing the enemy''s attention. Meanwhile, the infiltration team moved swiftly through back alleys and rooftops, avoiding detection.


    After multiple tries of the simulation, Arthur was able to save half of the civilians and the other half dead.


    "Well done," Lira said. "You''re starting to use your head. But there is still much to learn."


    "Alright, let''s see how you perform in a different scenario."


    Arthur nodded. "I''m ready."


    ***

 Chapter 24: Training & Knowledge II

    The landscape morphed again, this time into a harsh desert with a massive sandstorm rolling in. Visibility dropped to near zero, and communications were patchy at best.


    "This scenario simulates a chaotic battlefield," Lira explained. "Limited visibility, unreliable comms, and your forces are scattered. Your goal: regroup and eliminate the enemy while surviving the storm."


    Arthur''s initial moves were cautious, relying on small, localized maneuvers to gather his troops. But the storm intensified, disrupting his plans and isolating units.


    Which led to his group to be hunted and being killed.


    After multiple tries of the simulation, he improvised, using the storm''s cover to launch surprise attacks on the enemy while carefully guiding his troops back together. By the time the storm subsided, his forces had regrouped and mounted a counterattack.


    Lira raised an eyebrow. "Not bad. Most recruits panic in that kind of chaos. You stayed calm."


    Arthur chuckled. "I had no choice. Panic doesn''t win battles."


    ¡­


    Arthur wiped the sweat from his forehead, exhaustion mingling with satisfaction. He had learned more in these simulations than he thought possible.


    "So," he asked, "what''s next?"


    Lira smirked. "Rest. You''ve earned it. But don''t get too comfortable, we''ve barely scratched the surface."


    Arthur nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. If this was just the beginning, he couldn''t wait to see what came next.


    ¡­


    Lira led Arthur to a lab filled with advanced weaponry and equipment. She picked up a sleek plasma rifle, handing it to him.


    "ECHOs use cutting-edge tech," she explained. "This rifle fires superheated plasma rounds. Try it."


    Arthur aimed at a holographic target. The weapon hummed as he pulled the trigger, releasing a burst of plasma that obliterated the target.He then started to practice shooting for the next hour.


    "Not bad," Lira said. "Now try the plasma sword."


    She handed him a hilt that ignited into a glowing blade. Arthur swung it experimentally, marveling at its balance and power.


    "These tools are deadly in the right hands," Lira said. "But they''re only as effective as the one wielding them. Remember that."


    Arthur nodded, his grip tightening on the hilt. "I will."


    ¡­


    As Arthur returned to his quarters that evening, he reflected on the day''s events. His body and mind absorbed all the gains from the intense training.


    Settling into his room, he opened his holographic screens, diving once more into the universe''s vast repository of knowledge. If he was going to survive in this universe, he''d need every advantage he could get.


    ¡­


    Three months had passed since Arthur began his rigorous training and relentless pursuit of knowledge. His days were divided into segments, each meticulously planned and executed with almost military precision.


    Mornings were dedicated to combat training under Kael''s watchful eye. Afternoons were consumed by tactical simulations and battlefield strategies with Lira. Evenings were spent in his quarters, devouring the wealth of knowledge stored in his datapad.


    Arthur sat cross-legged on his bed, his datapad hovering in front of him, a holographic chart displayed midair. The title read "Enhancement Serum Grades." His brow furrowed as he read through the information.


    The Enhancement Serums are separated into five grades with various degrees of enhancements in strength.


    Grade 1: Strength: 3-5 Tons | Speed: 15-17 m/s


    Grade 2: Strength: 10-15 Tons | Speed: 20-25 m/s


    Grade 3: Strength: 40-50 Tons | Speed: 30-35 m/s


    Grade 4: Strength: 80-100 Tons | Speed: 45-50 m/s


    Grade 5: Strength: 130-150 Tons | Speed: 60-70 m/s


    Arthur leaned back, letting the data sink in. "Five grades, and only the first two are available to civilians," he mused. "The disparity is staggering. Soldiers with Grade 5 enhancements are like walking weapons. And yet, none of these compare to what the ECHO serum offers."If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    His thoughts drifted back to his own performance in training. Despite his initial struggles, he had made significant strides, adapting quickly to the challenges thrown his way.


    His strength and speed were far beyond what the enhancement serums offered, yet he remained intrigued by the science behind them.


    "Just what makes me different?" he wondered, a familiar question resurfacing in his mind.


    ¡­


    Arthur stood in the middle of the training hall, sweat dripping down his face as Kael circled him like a predator. The commander''s stance was relaxed, but Arthur knew better than to underestimate him.


    "Focus, Arthur," Kael barked. "Don''t let your thoughts wander."


    Arthur shifted his weight, his muscles coiled like springs. Kael lunged without warning, his fist a blur. Arthur dodged, barely avoiding the strike, and countered with a quick jab aimed at Kael''s ribs.


    Kael blocked effortlessly, twisting Arthur''s arm and sending him sprawling to the mat. "You''re improving, but you''re still too predictable," Kael said, offering a hand to help Arthur up. "Try again."


    Arthur gritted his teeth, pulling himself to his feet. "This time, I''ll get you."


    Kael smirked. "That''s the spirit."


    The sparring continued, each session pushing Arthur''s limits of combat awareness. He learned to anticipate Kael''s moves, to read the subtle shifts in his posture that telegraphed his next attack. Kael, in turn, ramped up the difficulty, introducing new techniques and tactics that kept Arthur on his toes.


    By the end of the third month, Arthur''s combat prowess had reached an impressive level. He could hold his own against Kael, forcing the commander to exert genuine effort in their matches.


    "You''re a natural," Kael admitted after one particularly grueling session. "At this rate, you''ll be able to outmaneuver most new recruits in the ECHO program."


    Arthur wiped the sweat from his brow, a rare grin breaking through his exhaustion. "Coming from you, that means a lot."


    ¡­


    Lira stood by the holographic projector, her arms crossed as she watched Arthur manipulate the battlefield simulation. The scenario was a complex one: an outnumbered unit trapped in enemy territory with limited resources. Arthur''s task was to extract the unit while minimizing casualties.


    Arthur''s fingers danced across the controls, issuing commands to his virtual troops. "Send a decoy team to the eastern flank," he muttered. "Draw their attention away from the main force."


    The holographic soldiers moved accordingly, and the enemy took the bait. Arthur seized the opportunity, guiding his main force through a hidden passage and out of the danger zone.


    "Simulation complete," the AI intoned. "Success rate: 92%."


    Lira nodded approvingly. "Well done. You anticipated the enemy''s moves and adapted on the fly. That''s what it takes to lead."


    Arthur leaned against the console, his mind racing. "These scenarios are intense, but they''re also exhilarating. Every choice feels like it could mean life or death."


    Lira placed a hand on his shoulder. "That''s because, in the real world, it does. Remember, Arthur, tactics aren''t just about winning. They''re about survival, for you and those under your command."


    Arthur met her gaze, determination shining in his eyes. "I''ll remember."


    ¡­


    In his quarters, Arthur''s datapad illuminated the room as he delved into subjects far beyond anything he had learned on Earth. Advanced physics, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, each topic seemed more fascinating than the last.


    "Quantum entanglement," he murmured, scrolling through an article. "The idea that particles can be linked, regardless of distance... It''s like something out of science fiction."


    He paused, his mind connecting dots from his previous studies. "No wonder humanity has advanced so far. With knowledge like this, the possibilities are endless."


    Arthur''s eidetic memory and enhanced cognitive abilities made the learning process almost effortless. He absorbed information at a pace that would have been impossible for anyone else. Within three months, he had achieved the equivalent of multiple PhDs across various disciplines.


    "This isn''t just learning," he realized. "It''s like I am cheating."


    ¡­


    Though in these three months his strength might not have improved much as he does not want to freak them out. His strength was in the 1800 Tons and speed approximately 130 m/s.


    The Admiral already has his hands full with his abilities and if he showed he can become stronger under appropriate pressure, he can''t imagine how it would change his situation, maybe they will actively try to experiment on him which he doesn''t want to happen. And he does not fully trust the Admiral to not do so.


    But it does not mean he has not improved in other aspects, now he is able to properly apply his strength to use in actual combat.


    On the final day of the third month, Arthur stood before Lira and Kael in the training hall. A series of tests had been arranged to evaluate his progress. The first was a combat challenge against Kael, followed by a tactical simulation overseen by Lira.


    Arthur faced Kael, his stance confident. The commander attacked with his usual ferocity, but this time, Arthur was ready. He parried and countered with precision, forcing Kael to retreat.


    "Impressive," Kael said, a hint of pride in his voice. "You''ve come a long way."


    Next came the tactical test. Arthur navigated the simulation with ease, outsmarting the enemy at every turn. Lira watched with a satisfied smile, noting his ability to think several steps ahead.


    "Test complete," the AI announced. "Overall performance: Exceptional."


    Kael clapped Arthur on the back. "You''ve earned that score. Keep this up, and you''ll be ready for the serum in no time."


    Arthur nodded, his resolve stronger than ever. "This is just the beginning."


    ¡­


    That evening, Arthur sat by the window in his quarters, gazing out at the stars. The past three months had been transformative, pushing him to new heights both physically and mentally.


    "I''ve come so far," he thought, a sense of pride swelling within him. "But there''s still so much to do. I won''t stop now."


    With that, he turned back to his datapad, ready to tackle the next challenge. For Arthur, the journey had only just begun.


    ***

 Chapter 25: The ECHO Serum

    Arthur''s footsteps echoed down the pristine metallic corridor as a soldier led him toward the lab. His mind was a swirling mix of anticipation about the procedure.


    The ECHO serum procedure was the moment he had been preparing for over the past three months. Each step seemed to amplify the weight of his decision.


    When the door to the lab slid open, Arthur was greeted by a flurry of activity. Scientists scurried between consoles, calibrating equipment and double-checking measurements.


    In the center of the room stood a sleek, intimidating machine, its glass chamber radiating a faint, cold light. The air buzzed with the sterile scent of antiseptics and the faint hum of machinery.


    Waiting for him were Admiral Kane, Kael, and Lira. Alongside them stood a woman in a crisp white lab coat, her dark hair tied back neatly, Dr. Elara Vynn, the lead genetic scientist.


    "Arthur," Admiral Kane called, his tone firm yet encouraging. "This is it. How are you feeling?"


    Arthur managed a small smile. "Ready as I''ll ever be, sir."


    Kael clapped him on the shoulder. "You''ve got this, rookie. If anyone can take this serum and come out stronger, it''s you."


    Lira, Kyle and the Admiral wished him luck as the success rate of surviving the procedure is currently only 71%, though they thought with Arthur''s current strength he can easily overcome the procedure and come out safely.


    Lira added, her voice softer, "You''ve worked harder than anyone. Trust yourself. You''ll make it through."


    Arthur nodded, their words bolstering his confidence.


    Dr. Elara interjected and said,"Arthur the success rate of the procedure is approximately 71%, you have to keep that in mind before going through it, you still have a chance to back out if you want."


    "71% success rate," he said. "Not exactly comforting odds, but I''ve faced worse." Arthur said confidently.


    Dr. Vynn nodded and didn''t say anything on it, holding a holographic clipboard. "We''ve calibrated everything to your unique physiology," she said, her voice calm and clinical. "Given your current strength and resilience, I''m confident you''ll come through this safely."


    Arthur inhaled deeply. "Let''s do it."


    ¡­


    Arthur stepped into the central machine, the chamber sealing around him with a hiss. Inside, the walls were lined with intricate tubing and pulsating lights, giving the impression of being inside a living organism. His reflection in the glass showed a mix of determination and confidence.


    Dr. Vynn''s voice came through the intercom. "We''re starting the process. You''ll feel some discomfort at first, but it''s crucial to remain as still as possible. The serum is designed to integrate with your DNA and enhance your abilities exponentially."


    Arthur braced himself as a series of mechanical arms extended from the walls, each holding a syringe-like device. One by one, they injected a glowing, viscous liquid into various points on his body.


    A searing pain shot through him, unlike anything he had ever felt. It was as if his very cells were being set on fire. His muscles spasmed involuntarily, his teeth clenched so hard he thought they might crack.


    "Vitals are spiking," one scientist reported, monitoring a holographic display. "Heart rate is at 190 bpm. His blood pressure is surging, but gradually it''s stabilizing."


    Kael leaned closer to the console. "How''s he holding up?"


    Dr. Vynn''s brow furrowed. "His pain tolerance is higher than expected. He''s enduring the process remarkably well."


    Inside the chamber, Arthur gritted his teeth, his mind a whirlwind of agony.The procedure was very painful for Arthur at first. But he can feel his pain tolerance increasing gradually, though he still showed painful expressions to hide his ability.


    Lira watched, her fists clenched at her sides. "He''s more resilient than we thought," she murmured.


    Admiral Kane nodded. "He''ll make it."


    ¡­


    Minutes turned into what felt like hours. Gradually, the slight pain Arthur was feeling began to subside, replaced by a strange warmth spreading through Arthur''s body. His vital signs, which had been erratic at first, began to stabilize.


    Inside his body, profound changes were occurring. The serum had triggered a complete overhaul of his physiology. The serum had catalyzed the formation of hyper-dense muscle fibers, dramatically increasing his strength and endurance.


    His muscles no longer relied solely on oxygen for energy; instead, they utilized a hybrid metabolic process that allowed them to operate efficiently even under extreme stress.


    Arthur''s skeletal system had undergone a remarkable transformation. His bones, now infused with a lattice of newly formed, hyper-dense minerals, were as strong as high density alloy while retaining their natural flexibility. This made them nearly unbreakable while still allowing for agility.


    The connective tissues anchoring his muscles to his bones had become remarkably resilient, their toughness exponentially enhanced. This adaptation ensured that his body could withstand the increased force his muscles generated without risk of tearing or injury.


    At a microscopic level, the serum had unlocked a revolutionary shift in his cellular structure. Mitochondria, the powerhouses of his cells, were now capable of producing multiple times the energy of a normal human''s. This enhancement enabled a level of physical vitality far beyond ordinary limits.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "Procedure nearing completion," Dr. Vynn announced.


    After what felt like an eternity, the machine hissed again, and the chamber opened. Arthur staggered out, his body drenched in sweat. Yet, despite the ordeal, he felt...different. Stronger.


    "How do you feel?" Lira asked, her voice laced with concern.


    Arthur took a deep breath, flexing his fingers. "It''s hard to describe. It''s like...my strength has multiplied, but I''ll need to test it to know for sure."


    The room erupted in applause, the team congratulating him on surviving the procedure.


    ¡­


    Dr. Vynn stepped forward, her expression serious. "Not so fast," she interjected, cutting through the celebration. "We still have one more procedure to complete, the nanobot injection."


    Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Nanobots? Oh¡­I nearly forgot about that?"


    Dr. Vynn nodded. "It''s standard for ECHOs. The nanobots enhance cellular communication, provide toxin immunity, suppress pain, and even assist in energy harvesting to sustain their enhanced body. Without them, you''d lack key functions vital to ECHO operatives."


    Arthur sighed. "Alright, let''s get it over with."


    He was led to a second machine, this one sleeker and more compact. Lying down, he watched as a mechanical arm extended, holding a needle filled with a mercury-like silver substance.


    "This will be quick," Dr. Vynn assured him, pressing a sequence on the holographic console.


    The needle pierced his arm, and the silver liquid flowed into his veins. At first, everything seemed normal. The monitors showed the nanobots integrating with his cells seamlessly.


    "Integration is proceeding as expected," a scientist reported.


    But then, the console screens began to glitch. Alarms blared, and the holograms turned red.


    "Malfunction detected!" another scientist shouted.


    "What''s happening?" Admiral Kane demanded.


    Dr. Vynn''s eyes widened as she noticed silver liquid seeping out of Arthur''s skin. She quickly collected a sample, analyzing it. "The nanobots...they''re being damaged."


    "Damaged? How?" Kael asked, his tone incredulous.


    "I don''t know!" Dr. Vynn replied, panic creeping into her voice. "This has never happened before."


    Arthur looked at the silver liquid dripping from his arm, bewildered. "What the hell is going on?"


    ¡­


    Unbeknownst to everyone, within Arthur''s body, something extraordinary was happening. His soul pulsed with a golden energy wave, coursing through his veins like a sentient force. This energy seemed to study the nanobots, understanding their function and structure.


    Moments later, the golden energy rejected the foreign substance, pushing them out of his body. It then seeped into every cell, creating something new, an organelle capable of mimicking and surpassing the nanobots'' abilities.


    Back in the lab, the team conducted several tests, trying to understand the anomaly.


    "His body is rejecting the nanobots as if they were a threat," Dr. Vynn said, baffled.


    "Is this going to affect his performance?" Admiral Kane asked.


    Dr. Vynn sighed. "Without the nanobots, he''ll lose several key functions. But he''s still an ECHO. We can integrate those functions into his armor instead. Though he will not be able to use some of the functions that the nanobots provide to each ECHOs"


    Arthur, keeping his thoughts to himself, nodded. "That''s fine. I''ll make do without them." as he didn''t need those functions as he is able to adapt to harmful things to his body, but they do not need to know his abilities.


    ¡­


    Later that night, Arthur returned to his quarters, cleaning the silver residue off his skin. As he sat down to continue his studies, he noticed something strange, a loading bar in the corner of his vision.


    "What the...?" he muttered, trying to move his head. The bar followed his gaze.


    When the loading completed, a holographic interface appeared before him. Arthur''s jaw dropped. "This...this is the ECHO interface! But I don''t have the nanobots to be able to have this capability!"


    He made some connection with his ability to adapt and evolve and widened his eyes. He exclaimed "My ability is also able to do something like this!" He was excited and started to go through the panel.


    On the first page there were few options like Status, Abilities, Functions. He mentally selected the Status option, and a new screen appeared, displaying his name, age, and various attributes. His strength and speed had increased dramatically, far beyond his expectations.


    //--------------------//


    [STATUS]


    Name: Arthur Sully


    Designation: ECHO


    Age: 27


    Height: 6''3"


    Strength: 6904.6 Tons


    Speed: 357.2 m/s


    Durability: 45567 Mega Pascal (A/N: The serum was not focused on increasing his durability. So, it did not increase by much.)


    //--------------------//


    He then checked the Functions section.


    //--------------------//


    [FUNCTIONS]


    -Map: Direct integration with sensors or external networks could provide real-time data about surroundings, enemy positions, and potential threats.


    -Analyze: Identifying components of a target, enemy strength, abilities etc.


    //--------------------//


    Next, he navigated to the Abilities section. The list stunned him.


    //--------------------//


    [ABILITIES]


    [Reactive Evolution]


    -Develops greater statistics (Accelerated Development).


    -Develops new resistances.


    -Develops new powers or abilities (Partially Unlocked).


    [Technopathy (Lv1)]: The power to psychically interact, communicate and manipulate technology with the power of the mind. Restricted to physical touch for now.


    [Energy Absorption (Lv1)]: Currently only able to absorb ambient dark energy passively to sustain the body''s energy requirements.


    [Superior Regeneration]: Capable of rapidly healing at a level drastically beyond what is naturally possible. Able to instantly heal from minor wounds like cuts, and bruises, and able to regenerate lost limbs, organ rupture, and broken bones rapidly.


    [Toxin Immunity]: Immune to most of the toxins found in nature.


    [Gene Lock]: Restricts others from finding out the host''s abilities by studying your DNA, or to copy, clone and steal, host¡¯s abilities using any means without the host¡¯s consent.


    //--------------------//


    [A/N: The levels represent Arthur''s level of mastery of the said ability]


    Arthur stared at the list, his mind racing. He has some new abilities that he never heard ECHOs possessing. It must have been his ability that improved the already existing functions of the nanobots. Like Hacking Assist must have been improved to Technopathy and such.


    After looking at his main ability [Reactive Evolution] and seeing its description and sub abilities under it he felt satisfied, although he guessed about his ability but seeing a tangible description is still better.


    And seeing some part of his ability partially unlocked, at first he felt confused then thought it must be slowly mastered to fully unlock.


    Arthur felt he should also test the other new abilities he acquired soon.


    ***

 Chapter 26: Shocking Everyone

    Arthur sat cross-legged on his bed, the faint hum of the holographic datapad resting in his palm. The sleek device glowed softly, its translucent interface displaying a series of menus and data points. He stared at it, his mind swirling with curiosity.


    "Alright," he muttered to himself. "Time to see what this Technopathy thing can do."


    Closing his eyes, Arthur focused on the datapad. He imagined an invisible thread extending from his consciousness and latching onto the device. The effort was oddly taxing, like trying to lift a weight he''d never lifted before.


    ¡®I need the complete research on Advanced CRISPR gene editing,¡¯ he thought, directing the command toward the datapad.


    At first, nothing happened. The datapad''s interface remained static, and Arthur let out a sigh.


    "Maybe I''m doing it wrong," he murmured. But just as he was about to give up, a faint loading bar appeared in the corner of his vision, steadily progressing.


    His heart leaped. "It worked?"


    Within seconds, the loading bar reached 100%, and a flood of data appeared before him in an intricate holographic display. Thousands of pages of text, diagrams, and simulation videos on CRISPR gene editing spanned the air around him.


    Arthur''s head throbbed sharply, and he winced. "Ow...what the hell?" He pressed his fingers to his temples as the pain ebbed away.


    "That''s new," he muttered. "Probably because I''m not used to this yet. But...this speed!"


    He gazed at the display in awe. The data represented over 700,000 years of cumulative research on gene editing, yet it had been downloaded in mere seconds. He mentally flipped through the files, skimming breakthroughs in gene splicing, precision editing, and genome mapping.


    "This...this is incredible," he whispered. "I''ve never seen anything like it. If I can harness this ability fully..."


    His thoughts trailed off as he explored the data, noting the intricate relationships between genetic markers and biological enhancement. His newfound ability opened a door to endless possibilities, and his mind raced with the implications.


    ..


    After hours of poring over the data, Arthur leaned back, rubbing his eyes. "Time to test Energy Absorption," he thought.


    He stood and focused, trying to consciously pull in the ambient energy around him. He imagined himself as a sponge, soaking up the unseen dark energy that filled the air.


    Nothing happened.


    "Figures," he muttered, crossing his arms. "It''s supposed to be unconscious for now. But if I can figure out how to consciously control it, maybe I can find a different way to increase my strength..."


    As he pondered, a memory surfaced. He recalled Kael and Lira''s massive appetites during meals, their trays piled high with specialized nutrient-rich food.


    ¡®They eat so much,¡¯ he thought. ¡®And yet I''ve never needed anything close to that. Is it because of Energy Absorption?¡¯


    He remembered once, during a meal with them, Arthur had asked them. "Why do you two eat so much? Is it just an ECHO thing?"


    Kael laughed, shoveling a spoonful of protein mash into his mouth. "Our bodies demand it, rookie. Enhanced physiology burns through nutrients like wildfire. We need this stuff to keep functioning."


    Lira nodded. "Without it, we''d weaken fast. What about you? You eat way less than us. How are you even standing?"


    Arthur shrugged, offering a sheepish smile. "Guess I''m just built different?"


    They chuckled, but Arthur''s mind was elsewhere.


    Remembering his interaction with Lira and Kane in the cafeteria "If my body''s been sustaining itself without these massive meals, I must have been absorbing dark energy this whole time. It''s been right under my nose."


    Now Arthur knew why he did not need to consume huge amounts of nutrients, as he must have been absorbing dark energy to substitute for it, so he had this ability from the start, it is just it never occurred to him before.


    And Arthur was glad to see he had the [Gene Lock] ability and a huge load just removed from his mind as others would not be able to find out and copy his abilities.


    After testing his abilities he went to sleep for the day as tomorrow he will be demonstrating his strength in front of others.


    ¡­This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The following day, Arthur made his way to the testing and training grounds. The facility was massive, with holographic projectors lining the walls to simulate combat scenarios.


    Kael and Lira were running late, but Arthur wasn''t alone for long. Admiral Kane arrived, his imposing figure cutting through the bustle of operatives and scientists.


    "Admiral?" Arthur said, surprised. "I didn''t expect you here."


    Kane folded his arms, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "I don''t want to miss this, Arthur. Watching an ECHO''s first real test of strength is always a monumental moment, and I have a feeling yours will be...unique."


    Arthur grinned. "Let''s see if I live up to the hype."


    ¡­


    Arthur readied himself to spar with Kael and Lira in a simulated combat scenario. Kael, the resident powerhouse, charged at him with a calculated ferocity, throwing punches that could shatter reinforced steel.


    Arthur moved with precision, weaving through the onslaught. His reflexes, sharpened to an almost preternatural degree, allowed him to anticipate every strike. He countered with swift jabs and well-placed kicks that sent Kael stumbling back.


    Lira entered the fray, her agility unmatched. She darted around him in a blur, attempting to exploit any openings. Arthur stayed focused, tracking her movements and predicting her attacks with uncanny accuracy.


    "Not bad, rookie," Kael said, grinning as he caught his breath. "But let''s see how you handle this."


    He lunged again, this time coordinating his attacks with Lira. The two of them worked in tandem, their strikes synchronized to overwhelm Arthur.


    Arthur''s movements became a blur, his body operating at peak efficiency. He ducked, dodged, and parried with a fluid grace that left the onlookers in awe. Finally, he saw an opening and delivered a spinning kick without putting much strength in it that sent Kael crashing into a nearby wall.


    Lira stopped, her hands on her hips. "Okay, that was impressive."


    Kael groaned from the ground. "You''re telling me."


    Then he went on to challenge different enemies in the training hall.


    The first challenge was a Class-A holographic enemy, a towering, armored beast wielding a massive hammer. Class-A threats were formidable adversaries, capable of taking down multiple elite soldiers.


    The simulation began, and the holographic enemy charged at Arthur. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, delivering a single, earth-shaking punch to its chest. The projection shattered into particles, the sheer force of his attack overwhelming its programming.


    The room fell silent. Kael and Lira had arrived just in time to witness the display, their jaws practically hitting the floor.


    "Holy..." Kael muttered with cold sweat pouring his back, thankful that Arthur didn''t use his full strength during their spar. "He just one-punched a Class-A."


    Lira blinked, stunned. "That''s...not normal."


    Admiral Kane raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Interesting."


    Next came the Class-S threat, a towering, multi-limbed monstrosity that required an entire squad of ten ECHOs to subdue. The room tensed as the simulation began.


    The creature attacked with blinding speed, its limbs lashing out in a flurry of deadly strikes. Arthur evaded with ease, his movements a blur as he ducked, weaved, and countered.


    "This is perfect," Arthur thought, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Time to test everything I''ve learned."


    He applied techniques from his three months of training, executing flawless counters, precise strikes, and evasive maneuvers. The fight lasted no more than five minutes, culminating in a devastating punch that shattered the creature''s skull, ending the simulation.


    The room erupted into murmurs.


    Kael whistled. "That''s...that''s insane. Even I can barely keep track of his movements."


    Lira nodded, her eyes wide. "He''s faster than any ECHO I''ve ever seen."


    Admiral Kane stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Arthur. "You''ve exceeded every expectation, Arthur. Truly remarkable."


    ¡­


    With the combat simulations complete, the next tests were straightforward measurements of strength and speed. Operatives calibrated the machines, and Arthur stepped up for his turn.


    First, he placed his hands on a pressure plate designed to measure force. With a deep breath, he pushed with all his might.


    The machine beeped, displaying the result, 6893 tons.


    The room collectively gasped. Even Kael, known for his immense strength, looked astonished.


    Next came the speed test. Arthur ran down a track lined with sensors, his form a blur as he pushed himself to his limit. The final result was 355 m/s.


    Kael shook his head in disbelief. "That''s...faster than anything we''ve ever seen."


    Lira nodded. "He''s a one-man army."


    ¡­


    After the tests, Arthur joined Admiral Kane, Kael, and Lira in the Admiral''s office. The room was lined with holo-screens displaying tactical data and mission reports.


    Kane leaned back in his chair, his expression serious. "Arthur, your performance today confirms what we''ve suspected. It''s clear that your abilities go beyond anything we''ve seen in an ECHO."


    Arthur nodded, waiting for him to continue.


    "We''re sending you to the frontlines," Kane said. "A training program for new ECHO recruits against the Chimerians at the edge of the galaxy. You''ll depart in fifteen days. By then, your armor and weapons will be ready."


    Arthur''s heart raced. The Chimerians were a fearsome alien race he''d read about extensively.


    Before leaving, Arthur made a request. "Admiral, could I have access to civilian technologies and research databases? I have taken a liking to studying."


    Arthur knew they might not give him access to military technologies so he asked for civilian ones and even these would take him a long time to master.


    He would consider asking for military technologies after he accumulated some merits in the battlefield.


    Kane considered for a moment before nodding. "It''ll be done."


    ¡­


    Back in his quarters, Arthur sat on his bed, staring at the glowing holographic panel hovering before him. His thoughts were a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation.


    "Fifteen days," he thought. He will be using most of his time studying the new techs and blueprints for the next fifteen days.


    ***

 Chapter 27: Learning about the System and Departure

    In the days following his initial training tests, Arthur found himself diving deeper into the mysteries of his newfound abilities. He was both astounded and curious about the implications of his biological transformation.


    In the solitude of his quarters, Arthur sat cross-legged on his bed, surrounded by the faint hum of the station''s systems. A single holographic screen hovered before him. The system menu pulsed gently in his mind, awaiting his command.


    He had been testing the System and trying to learn more about it.


    Today, his focus was on understanding the transformation he had undergone. His mind reached into the system, peeling back layers of data he hadn''t explored before. He felt a ripple of energy within himself, something deeper than the superficial strength and speed he had demonstrated.


    ''Hey System how were you created'' Arthur directed his thoughts towards the System, and to his surprise he got a response from it.


    //--------------------//


    [Responding to host]


    During the process of injecting the nanobots, those nanobots had acted as catalysts, triggering an extraordinary metamorphosis within the host''s body. An unknown surge of energy pulsed through your body, and it had fundamentally altered your biology. Creating an entirely new organelle inside the host''s cells which resulted in the creation of what you termed as a "System".


    //--------------------//


    "It worked?" Arthur was surprised that it could respond to his thoughts. Then he went deeper into the information that his System gave him.


    Inside every cell of his body, a new organelle had been formed. He stared at the visualization displayed on the holographic screen. These organelles were crystalline in structure, pulsating faintly with a blue glow reminiscent of glowing circuits.


    "It''s¡­ like a copy of the nanobots?" Arthur whispered, his voice barely audible. "No¡­ it should be an improved version of them." Because the nanobots were not capable of the things that his system is capable of.


    The text accompanying the visualization described these organelles as computational marvels, each possessing processing power rivaling a supercomputer. And with tens of trillions of cells in his body, perhaps more due to his denser musculature, the sheer scale of this capacity was mind-boggling and it amazed him.


    "I¡­ I''m a walking quantum mainframe," he murmured, leaning back against the bed frame, his mind reeling. The realization hit him like a tidal wave. His body wasn''t just a weapon; it was a repository of infinite potential.


    Each organelle acted autonomously, capable of executing simple AI-like commands. These organelles also have huge capacity to store data, the extent of which he does not know, and analyze complex patterns.


    The implications were staggering. He could download knowledge directly into his cells. He could simulate entire worlds within himself. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying.


    ¡­


    Arthur''s first experiment with these capabilities was ambitious. Using his technopathy, he connected to the station''s civilian databases, granted access by Admiral Kane himself. Arthur doubted the Admiral had anticipated the extent of his abilities.


    Kane had likely assumed Arthur would at most skim a few documents out of curiosity, nothing more. Instead, Arthur commanded his system to download everything.


    The process took five hours to finish, the data flooding into his cells at a staggering rate. Research papers, blueprints, schematics, and theories, hundreds of thousands years of accumulated human knowledge, were absorbed and cataloged within him. The sheer volume of information was dizzying, and yet his system handled it effortlessly.


    When the download completed, Arthur sat motionless for a moment, his mind adjusting to the monumental influx of data. He accessed a random file, a blueprint for a teleporter. The information unfolded before him with startling clarity.


    He saw not just the design but the intricate details of its function, from the particle alignments to the energy flows.


    "So this is what it feels like to¡­ know everything," he thought. Yet, he knew he had merely scratched the surface.


    As the days passed, Arthur immersed himself in the treasure trove of knowledge. He studied advanced theories on Von Neumann machines, self-replicating nanobots capable of transforming entire planets into resources.


    He delved into the intricacies of cold fusion and dark energy reactors, marveling at humanity''s ingenuity.


    One discovery that particularly captivated him was magmatter, a substance with properties so extraordinary it seemed to defy the laws of physics. Magmatter was 10^32 times stronger than ordinary matter, with a density of 10^18 kilograms per cubic meter. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    It was the cornerstone of megastructures that spanned solar systems, enabling feats of engineering that bordered on divine creation.


    "This¡­ these are used to build Dyson spheres, even star forges," Arthur mused, his mind racing with possibilities. But understanding its creation, a process involving the manipulation of subatomic particles under extreme conditions, would take time for him to understand.


    And he does not want to rush it, these intricate technologies would take countless years even for him to understand.


    ¡­


    Three days before his departure, Arthur was summoned to the armory for the testing of his new ECHO armor. The chamber was a sprawling facility filled with gleaming exosuits and weaponry. Commander Lira and a team of engineers awaited him.


    "There you are," Lira greeted, gesturing to a platform where a suit of armor rested. "Meet your new best friend."


    Arthur''s gaze fell on the armor.


    The ECHO Suit has midnight-black plating, an amalgam of nanobots, dense composite alloys and nanofibers, designed to endure the most punishing environments in the galaxy.


    Each segment of the armor was angular yet streamlined, layered with interlocking plates that flexed seamlessly with its wearer''s movements. The suit''s dark finish absorbed the light, giving it a spectral presence.


    A helmet, imposing and sharp-edged, encased the wearer''s head. The display shifted dynamically, feeding tactical data, enemy movements, and environmental diagnostics directly into the wearer''s neural interface. It was a machine and a symbiotic partner, working in harmony with its operator.


    The shoulders carried reinforced pauldrons with integrated kinetic dampeners, capable of absorbing high-velocity impacts and redirecting force harmlessly.


    The chest plate, the suit''s heart, housed a compact cold fusion reactor core, a marvel of humanity''s advanced energy manipulation technology. Its humming energy fields not only powered the suit but could also project a temporary barrier to repel incoming attacks.


    The gauntlets, textured for grip, could generate short-range shockwaves, useful for close-quarters combat or dispersing enemy formations. The armguard also has a place for holo-pad and something that humanity can boast about- a spatial storage orb.


    It is created by compressing space into folds and using a dark energy reactor to stabilize the space inside it. It has a radius of one hundred meters, with space inside the orb with zero gravity and no air inside.


    The Spatial Orb is just one centimeter in diameter from outside and the space inside can be accessed with the holo-pad, altogether it is a marvel of technology, and a single one costs more than the entire ECHO armor.


    The suit''s legs were fitted with magnetic stabilizers for zero-gravity environments and shock absorbers for high-impact landings. Tiny vents along the calves released bursts of plasma, enabling short, rapid dashes or controlled aerial maneuvers.


    A sheathed energy sword slung across the back added an unmistakable air of lethality, hinting at its operator''s battlefield prowess.


    The ECHO Suit was more than just armor. It spoke of an individual who had embraced the chaos of war, wielding humanity''s technological apex as both shield and sword. A harbinger of victory, the armor wasn''t just worn, it became an extension of its wearer''s will, a weapon in its own right.


    "Try it on," Lira urged.


    Arthur stepped onto the platform, and the armor unfolded around him like a second skin. As it sealed into place, he felt a surge of energy coursing through the armor with his technopathy. The HUD activated, displaying a wealth of information: diagnostics, energy levels, tactical overlays.


    "How does it feel?" Lira asked.


    Arthur flexed his fingers, the armor responding with fluid precision. "Like it''s part of me," he said. "What can it do?"


    Lira smirked. "What can''t it do? Flight, integrated weapons systems, and adaptive shielding. And that''s just the basics."


    Arthur''s mind raced as he tested the suit''s capabilities. He sprinted across the chamber, the suit amplifying his speed to near-blurring levels. He struck a reinforced target, the impact shattering the steel plate. He activated the plasma sword, a blade of energy igniting from the handle.


    "This is¡­ incredible," he said, awe evident in his voice.


    Lira nodded. "You''ll need it where you''re going."


    ¡­


    Back in his quarters, Arthur began studying the enemies he would soon face, the Chimerians. The files described them as a warlike species, their bodies covered in crystalline exoskeletons that shimmered with a dark blue hue.


    They were humanoid, with elongated limbs and reptilian heads, their sharp, angular features giving them a predatory appearance.


    "Strength comparable to ECHOs," Arthur read aloud. "Highly adaptable, and¡­ nearly impervious to conventional weapons."


    He accessed combat footage, watching as squads of soldiers struggled against a single Chimerian. Their movements were fast and calculated, their exoskeletons deflecting bullets and energy blasts with ease.


    "These things¡­ they look like fantasy monsters," Arthur thought. Yet, he felt no fear. His training, his abilities, his armor, he was more than prepared to take on these things.


    ¡­


    The day of departure arrived. The docking bay buzzed with activity as Arthur approached, his new armor seamlessly blending under the station''s lights. Lira, Elara, and Admiral Kane stood waiting.


    "Ready to join the fight?" Kane asked, his tone gruff but encouraging.


    Arthur nodded. "More than ready."


    Lira stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Stay sharp out there. And don''t do anything stupid."


    Elara smiled. "We''ll be monitoring your progress. Make us proud."


    Arthur looked around, noticing Kael''s absence. Just as he was about to ask, the hum of an approaching shuttle drew his attention. The craft landed, and Kael emerged, his usual cocky grin in place.


    "Miss me?" Kael said. "I''m your escort. Someone''s got to make sure you don''t get lost on the way."


    Arthur chuckled. "Wouldn''t want to deprive you of the adventure."


    With final farewells exchanged, Arthur boarded the shuttle. As it docked with the massive Epsilon-class battleship, he felt a sense of purpose unlike any he had known before.


    The battleship detached from Solace Prime and entered the Stargate which would lead towards the edge of the galaxy, as star gates are necessary to travel such a vast distance. The fabric of space-time warping around it. Arthur stared out the viewport, the stars streaking past in a cascade of light.


    ***

 Chapter 28: Meeting the Team

    The blackness of space shimmered as the Stargate activated, unleashing a ripple of light that illuminated the void. A sleek Epsilon-class battleship emerged, its hull gleaming under the distant glow of a neighboring star. The ship sped forward, its engines humming with precision, toward a massive silhouette looming on the horizon.


    As Arthur peered out of the viewport, his breath caught. The station they were approaching dwarfed anything he had ever seen.


    The scale was almost incomprehensible. If Solace Prime had impressed him with its moon-sized structure, this battlestation was a colossus, rivaling Earth itself in size.


    Its surface bristled with weaponry, shimmering arrays of particle cannons, missile silos, and the terrifying Q-ball World Destroyers, devices capable of annihilating entire planets. Swarms of battleships buzzed around the station, entering and exiting like ants into a colossal hive.


    "Welcome to Dreadnought Mk XI," Kael said, his voice carrying a mix of pride and reverence. "This is humanity''s ultimate war machine."


    Arthur nodded, still unable to tear his eyes away from the sight. "It''s¡­ magnificent." Arthur has learned about these kinds of battle stations while learning about UFE, but seeing it through a screen is different from being in front of it.


    Kael grinned. "You''ll get used to it. Trust me, you haven''t seen half of what it is capable of."


    The battleship navigated deftly through the bustling traffic, finally docking in one of the station''s enormous bays. As the hatch opened, Arthur and Kael stepped onto the platform, greeted by a blast of sterilized air and the faint hum of activity.


    Kael clapped Arthur on the shoulder. "This is where we part ways, rookie. I''m heading back to Solace Prime."


    Arthur turned to face him, his expression a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. "Thanks for everything, Kael. I''d probably still be fumbling with my data-pad if it weren''t for you."


    Kael chuckled. "Don''t mention it. Just don''t go getting yourself killed out there. And hey, if you ever make it back to Solace, the drinks are on me."


    Arthur smiled. "I''ll hold you to that."


    Before leaving, Kael gestured to a figure approaching them. "This is Lieutenant Nakamura. He''ll be your superior during your time here."


    The lieutenant saluted sharply. "Welcome to the Dreadnought, recruit. Follow me."


    Arthur returned the salute, then watched as Kael boarded his ship. "Good luck, Arthur," Kael called out before the hatch closed, and the battleship departed.


    ¡­


    Lieutenant Nakamura led Arthur through a maze of corridors, each one bustling with personnel. The walls were adorned with holographic displays showing tactical maps, and maintenance schedules.


    "You''ll be part of an ECHO team stationed in battalion Alpha," Nakamura explained as they walked. "Your quarters are shared with three other recruits. They''re waiting for you."


    When they arrived, Nakamura opened the door to reveal a modest room with four bunks and a central table. Three young soldiers stood at attention. Nakamura gestured toward them.


    "This is Recruit Arthur. He''ll be joining your team."


    The first to step forward was a young woman with short, dark hair and a confident demeanor. She extended a hand. "Corporal Elena Torres, team technician. If it''s broken, I fix it. If it''s not broken, I make it better."


    Arthur shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Elena. Looking forward to learning from you."


    The next was a wiry man with sharp features and a reserved expression. "Corporal Samir Patel," he said curtly, then stepped back without another word.


    Before the silence could grow awkward, the third recruit stepped forward, grinning widely. He was broad-shouldered with a boisterous energy that filled the room. "Corporal Leo Grant. Don''t mind Samir; he''s not much of a talker. Stick around long enough, and he might even say two sentences in a row."


    Arthur chuckled. "I''ll take your word for it."


    Nakamura nodded approvingly. "Settle in, Arthur. Mission briefing is tomorrow morning. Rest up; you''ll need it." With that, he left the room.


    Leo clapped Arthur on the back. "Come on, I''ll show you your bunk."


    Arthur followed him, he could already tell this team would be an interesting dynamic.


    These three of the recruits were young in their early twenties, although Arthur might be in his late twenties but after multiple evolutions he appears to be in his early twenties so the other three recruits didn''t find it weird about his age as they thought Arthur was also their age.


    ¡­


    After unpacking, Arthur spent some time familiarizing himself with his quarters. His armor unfolded seamlessly, allowing him to step out and order it to shut down using technopathy.


    Although he could have used his databand in his arm to do so, he thought using technopathy is more convenient and at the same time he was able to practice the ability. The process felt almost instinctive now, a testament to how much he had improved in using technopathy in these fifteen days.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Now, he did not need to touch the object to communicate with them, the object just needed to be within 5 meters of his radius.


    Later, he cleaned up and prepared to join the others for lunch. As he stepped into the common area, Elena was already waiting. She greeted him with a nod.


    They waited for Leo and Samir, and soon the four of them were walking through the bustling corridors toward the dining area. Along the way, Elena struck up a conversation.


    "So, Arthur, what''s your story? How did you end up here?"


    Arthur stuck to the backstory Admiral Kane had provided. "I was an orphan. Admiral Kane found me and recommended me for the ECHO program. I owe him everything."


    Elena raised an eyebrow. "A sponsored ECHO, huh? Must be nice to have connections."


    Arthur sensed no malice in her tone, only curiosity. "It''s not something I take for granted," he said. "I''m here to prove that I''ve earned it."


    Leo chimed in. "Relax, Elena. Not everyone gets handed this gig on a silver platter. Besides, Arthur looks like he can handle himself."


    Samir remained silent, his expression unreadable. Arthur decided not to press him.


    Arthur had already heard about such cases. It was not uncommon for influential individuals to use their connections to secure positions for young people within the ECHO program.


    These privileged recruits bypassed the rigorous training academies entirely, having been tutored privately by expert instructors in the comfort of their homes. For the majority, however, this kind of luxury was out of reach.


    Ordinary candidates were required to endure years of grueling education and training at specialized schools to earn their place in the program.


    This disparity often highlighted the divide between those with power and wealth and those who had to rely on sheer determination to make it through the system.


    While going towards the cafeteria Arthur thought about using the Analyze function on them and the data appeared in front of him.


    He was not worried of others being able to see the holographic panel as it does not appear on the air, it is integrated with his eyes, so only he was able to see the System panel. After that all the data appeared about the three of them. Arthur nodded after seeing all the data.


    //--------------------//


    [STATUS]


    Name: Elena Torres


    Designation: ECHO, Corporal


    Age: 22


    Height: 5''8"


    Strength: 2011.8 Tons


    Speed: 153.2 m/s


    //--------------------//


    //--------------------//


    [STATUS]


    Name: Samir Patel


    Designation: ECHO, Corporal


    Age: 22


    Height: 5''8"


    Strength: 2017.3 Tons


    Speed: 156.4 m/s


    //--------------------//


    //--------------------//


    [STATUS]


    Name: Leo Grant


    Designation: ECHO, Corporal


    Age: 23


    Height: 5''8"


    Strength: 2023.7 Tons


    Speed: 159.5 m/s


    //--------------------//


    Once at the cafeteria, they grabbed their trays and found an empty table. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the chatter of soldiers and ECHOs alike. Arthur couldn''t help but feel a sense of camaraderie despite the unfamiliarity.


    "First lunch with the team," Leo said, raising his glass of nutrient drink. "Here''s to surviving whatever they throw at us."


    Elena smirked. "And to not screwing up."


    Arthur raised his glass with a grin. "Cheers to that."


    Arthur couldn''t help but anticipate some kind of confrontation during lunch. His mind wandered to the countless novels he had read, where such settings often invited drama, mocking remarks, heated exchanges, or challenges between characters.


    However, to his mild surprise, nothing of the sort occurred. The group ate their lunch undisturbed, the cafeteria bustling with the sounds of soldiers and ECHOs engaged in lively but harmless conversation. It was a welcome, if unexpected, reprieve from the tension he had braced himself for.


    ¡­


    Back in his quarters, Arthur began studying. He accessed the data-pad, gathering detailed insights into the Chimerians.


    Elena noticed his intense focus. "Studying already? Eager to impress?"


    Arthur smiled. "Just want to survive. Knowledge is power, right?"


    "Smart answer. Just don''t forget to sleep. Tomorrow won''t be easy."


    Arthur nodded, he was ready for whatever lay ahead.


    That evening, as Arthur packed his belongings, Elena poked her head into his corner of the room. "Hey, Arthur. Feel like testing your skills?"


    Arthur looked up, curious. "What do you mean?"


    "We''ve got a combat simulator down in the training bay. It''s a great way to get a feel for the real thing without the risk of dying," Elena explained. "Besides, we need to see if you can actually fight."


    Arthur hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, let''s do it."


    The team led him to the training bay, where a holographic simulation chamber awaited. Elena set the parameters: a Chimerian scout raid on a colony. Arthur stepped inside, and the world around him transformed into a battlefield.


    The simulated Chimerians were relentless, their crystalline forms glinting in the artificial sunlight. Arthur dodged and countered their attacks, his gun shots barely making a dent in their crystalline armor.


    He didn''t want to use his full strength and scare the others and he was using a plasma gun in this fight. He then targeted their weak points, their joints.


    After Arthur adjusted his strategy, he started taking out one Chimerian after another with precision by targeting their joints and gaps in their armor. By the time the simulation ended, he got a vague idea about how to fight these Chimerians.


    "Not bad, Arthur, you learn fast and your precision was amazing, for how many years have you been practicing shooting?" Elena said as she deactivated the simulator.


    Arthur just smiled without saying anything. Elena didn''t press for more as she thought Arhtur didn''t want to share it with them.


    Leo grinned. "I''d say you passed with flying colors."


    Samir, who had been silently observing, gave a single nod. "Decent."


    After simulating the test a few more times as a team they got a better idea of how to work as a team, after that they returned to their quarter.


    ***

 Chapter 29: Mission Debrief

    The next morning, Arthur woke early, his internal clock synchronized with the station''s schedule. As he suited up, his armor seamlessly formed around him, its AI interface humming to life. A message blinked on his HUD: Mission Briefing: Room C-7, 0800 hours.


    Arthur stepped into the corridor, meeting his team already assembled outside their quarters. Lieutenant Nakamura nodded at him.


    "Right on time. Let''s move," Nakamura said, leading the way.


    The team walked briskly through the labyrinthine halls of the battle station. The corridors were bustling with personnel, some hurrying to their posts, others chatting in clusters. Despite the activity, there was a tangible air of focus. As they approached Room C-7, the faint murmur of voices could already be heard.


    When they entered, the room was nearly filled with ECHO recruits, at least a hundred, clad in their combat-ready armors. The atmosphere was electric, charged with a mix of anticipation and tension. Arthur and his team found a cluster of empty seats near the middle of the room and settled in.


    Arthur glanced around, noting the diverse faces. Every recruit carried a unique intensity, their expressions reflecting either hardened experience or the nerves of their first major operation. The hum of conversations quieted as the door at the front of the room slid open with a soft hiss.


    ¡­


    A group of officers entered, their uniforms immaculate and their movements deliberate. At the head of the group was Commander Elise Tarken, a tall woman with sharp features and a commanding presence. Her piercing gaze swept over the recruits as she stepped up to the central podium.


    "Attention!" barked one of the junior officers. The room fell silent as everyone sat upright, their eyes fixed on the podium.


    Commander Tarken began, her voice firm and resonant.


    "Good morning, ECHOs. Today marks a critical step in our campaign against the Chimerians. As you know, this enemy has pushed us to our limits more times than we care to count."


    She gestured to a holographic projector that activated, displaying a three-dimensional map of a desolate, rocky planet. The terrain was bleak, marked by jagged ridges, deep canyons, and sprawling plains of lifeless rock.


    "This is Sigma-12," she continued. "A barren world with no significant resources or strategic value. At least, that''s what we thought. Our intelligence indicates that the Chimerians have established a relay station here. What they''re doing is unclear, but any operation they''re running is a threat to humanity. Your mission is to infiltrate this relay station, gather intelligence, and, if possible, blow it up."


    Another officer stepped forward, a stout man with a grizzled face and a cybernetic eye. His voice was rough but clear.


    "Here are your objectives:" he said, motioning to the hologram. "First, locate the relay station and determine its purpose. Second, secure any data or technology that could provide us with insight into the Chimerians'' plans. Third, destroy the station if deemed necessary."


    The hologram zoomed in on a specific area of the planet, showing the relay station. It was a fortress-like structure, surrounded by layers of shielding and anti-aircraft defenses. Several Chimerian patrols were marked in red, moving in patterns around the perimeter.


    "Direct assault is not an option," the officer explained. "The station is equipped with advanced defenses, including surface-to-air missile batteries. Any approach by spacecraft would be detected and neutralized before we could get close."


    He pointed to a highlighted area on the map, 25 kilometers away from the relay station.


    "You will be dropped here by VTOL transports. From there, you''ll proceed on foot through this canyon," he said, tracing a narrow path with his finger. "It''s the only route that provides sufficient cover to avoid detection. But it won''t be easy. The terrain is rough, and Chimerian patrols are frequent."


    ¡­


    Lieutenant Nakamura leaned over to Arthur and whispered, "Looks like we''ll be doing a lot of climbing. Hope you''re good with heights."


    Arthur smiled. "Guess I''ll find out."


    The briefing continued, with the officers detailing the equipment loadout. Each ECHO would carry standard weapons and survival gear, but they also had access to specialized tools: plasma cutters for barriers, cloaking modules for stealth, and EMP devices to disable electronic systems.


    Commander Tarken returned to the podium.


    "Remember, this mission is about precision and efficiency. Minimize engagement; your goal is to reach the station undetected. Once inside, your team leaders will coordinate objectives based on the situation."


    She paused, her gaze sweeping over the room.


    "This is not a drill. The Chimerians are relentless, and they will not hesitate to kill. But you are ECHOs, humanity''s best. Trust your training, trust your team, and we will succeed."The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡­


    As the officers concluded the briefing, they opened the floor for questions. A recruit in the front raised his hand.


    "What kind of resistance can we expect inside the relay station?" he asked.


    The grizzled officer responded.


    "Expect heavy resistance. The Chimerians won''t leave such an important facility lightly guarded. You''ll likely face automated defenses, patrol units, and possibly elite Chimerian warriors. Be prepared for anything."


    Another recruit asked, "What''s the extraction plan?"


    "Once the station is neutralized," Commander Tarken said, "your team will signal for extraction. VTOLs will pick you up at a pre-designated location. If extraction is compromised, fall back to this secondary zone," she said, highlighting another area on the map.


    Arthur took mental notes, absorbing every detail. He glanced at his teammates. The girl, Elena, seemed focused, her brow furrowed in concentration. The extrovert, Leo, was leaning back, appearing relaxed but attentive. The reserved one, Samir, sat motionless, his expression unreadable.


    As the briefing ended, the officers dismissed the recruits. Lieutenant Nakamura stood and motioned for the team to follow.


    "We''ve got some prepping to do," he said. "Let''s get to it."


    ¡­


    Back in their quarters, the team began discussing the mission. Leo broke the silence with his usual levity.


    "Twenty-five kilometers on foot, through rough terrain? Sounds like a relaxing hike," he joked.


    Elena rolled her eyes. "Relaxing? Try grueling. And with Chimerians lurking around? Yeah, sure, Leo."


    Arthur chuckled. "At least we''ll get a good workout."


    Samir finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm.


    "Stay focused. This isn''t a game. One mistake could cost us our lives."


    The room fell silent for a moment. Arthur nodded.


    "He''s right. We need to be at our best out there. No room for error."


    The team spent the rest of the day preparing their gear, reviewing the mission plan, and mentally steeling themselves for what lay ahead.


    Arthur checked his equipment, and prepared as they would be leaving for the mission at 1200 hours which denotes 12 noon.


    ¡­


    At exactly 12 noon Earth time, all the ECHO recruits were summoned to the docking bay, their mission imminent. The atmosphere was tense, with an undercurrent of anticipation that rippled through the recruits like an unspoken storm.


    Arthur and his team followed Lt. Nakamura down the metallic corridors, their footfalls echoing sharply.


    Arthur glanced at the others in his squad. They were all clad in their sleek ECHO armor. Even with his enhanced physiology, he could feel the weight of the mission ahead.


    ''This is it,'' he thought. ''No simulations, no safety nets. The real thing.''


    The docking bay was a hive of activity. Hundreds of ECHOs moved with purpose, organizing equipment and preparing to board the massive Epsilon-Class Battleship that loomed before them.


    As Arthur and his team approached, he couldn''t help but marvel at the battleship''s design. Its hull gleamed with dark alloy plating that seemed to absorb the surrounding light, making it appear almost otherworldly. Weapon systems bristled along its surface, and its engines hummed with restrained power.


    ¡­


    Lt. Nakamura gestured for the team to follow him. "Stay close," he said. "We''re boarding with the first wave. No delays."


    As they reached the ramp leading into the ship, Arthur''s team paused to take in the sight. Recruits filed in, their movements precise yet filled with a silent determination.


    "This is where it begins," whispered Elena, the team''s technician. Her voice carried a mix of excitement and apprehension.


    "We''ll be fine," Arthur replied, his tone calm. "We''ve trained for this."


    Elena shot him a skeptical look. "Easy for you to say. You look like you were born for this."


    Arthur just gave a forced smile at that and didn''t say anything.


    Inside the battleship, the corridors were a maze of metallic walkways and bulkheads, lit by strips of harsh white light. Lt. Nakamura led them to a large gathering area where the other ECHOs were assembling.


    The hum of the ship''s systems filled the air, a constant reminder of its immense power. Recruits clustered in groups, checking their gear and exchanging quiet words. Arthur''s team found an unoccupied corner and began preparing themselves.


    "The ship''s huge," said Leo, the extroverted member of their team. He leaned back against the wall, his helmet tucked under one arm. "It''s almost a shame we''ll only be on it for 45 minutes."


    "Think of it this way," Arthur said. "The sooner we''re off, the sooner we get to the action."


    "Optimistic," Leo replied with a chuckle. "Or insane. Either works."


    ¡­


    As the last of the recruits boarded, the ship''s systems came alive. A soft tremor ran through the deck as the battleship detached from the docking bay. Through a nearby viewport, Arthur caught a glimpse of the massive battle station receding into the distance.


    Then, the stars outside elongated into streaks of light as the ship entered warp drive. The transition was smooth, almost imperceptible, but Arthur felt a strange sensation, a brief pull, like the universe had stretched around him.


    Arthur''s focus shifted inward. ¡®Warp technology,¡¯ he thought, accessing the system''s database. The details unfolded before his mind''s eye, space-time distortion, Alcubierre drives, energy requirements that dwarfed anything humanity could imagine in his previous world.


    He glanced around at the other recruits. Some looked relaxed, chatting in low tones, while others seemed tense, their postures rigid.


    "Forty-five minutes," Nakamura announced, standing at the center of the room. His voice carried over the low hum of the ship''s engines. "That''s how long we have until we reach the drop zone. Use this time wisely. Check your gear, review the mission parameters, or get your heads straight. I don''t care which, but be ready when the time comes."


    The recruits responded with a unified "Yes, sir!"


    Arthur adjusted his armor, the suit responding seamlessly to his movements. He flexed his fingers, testing the responsiveness of the integrated systems.


    "Hey," Leo said, nudging him. "You ready for this?"


    Arthur met his gaze, his expression steady. "I was made for this."


    Leo grinned. "Good answer. Let''s just hope the Chimerians don''t make us regret signing up for this."


    "They won''t," Arthur replied, his voice firm.


    The battleship hurtled through the void, carrying its crew closer to the unknown, and the battle that awaited them.


    ***

 Chapter 30: Infiltration I

    The battleship emerged from warp drive with a near-imperceptible lurch. The streaks of light outside the viewports coalesced into the stillness of normal space, revealing their destination.


    Arthur and the rest of the ECHOs gazed out at the reddish-brown planet that dominated the star system. It hung alone in the void, barren and lifeless, its surface a tapestry of rugged terrain and jagged formations.


    ¡°This is it,¡± Lt. Nakamura announced through the comms. ¡°Prepare for deployment.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s mind hummed with anticipation. From this distance, the planet looked deceptively calm, but he knew better. Somewhere down there, the Chimerians were hiding, their plans shrouded in secrecy.


    Moments later, the drop pods detached from the battleship, hurtling toward the planet''s surface. The ride was jarring, the pod shuddering violently as it breached the atmosphere. Arthur gripped the straps of his harness tightly, his heart pounding in sync with the vibrations around him.


    ¡°You good back there?¡± Elena¡¯s voice came through the comms. She was seated across from him, her face partially obscured by her helmet¡¯s visor.


    ¡°Still here,¡± Arthur replied, his tone steady despite the turbulence.


    The pod landed with a bone-rattling thud, the retro-thrusters firing at the last moment to soften the impact. As the doors hissed open, Arthur¡¯s HUD immediately adjusted to the planet¡¯s lighting, casting everything in a pale, reddish hue.


    The team stepped out onto the surface, weapons at the ready. Around them, the terrain stretched endlessly, a desolate wasteland of reddish-brown rocks.


    Jagged formations jutted out of the ground like the teeth of some ancient beast, their sharp edges glinting faintly under the weak light of the distant star. Fine dust swirled in the air, carried by an occasional gust of wind that whispered eerily against their armor.


    ¡­


    ¡°All teams, secure your surroundings,¡± Commander Elise¡¯s voice came through the comms. ¡°Stay alert. The Chimerians have been known to set up traps.¡±


    Arthur scanned the area, his enhanced vision highlighting potential hazards. His HUD tagged a few outcroppings as vantage points, while others were flagged as unstable.


    ¡°Looks clear for now,¡± said Leo, sweeping his rifle in a slow arc.


    ¡°We¡¯ve only just landed,¡± Elena muttered, checking her equipment. ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable.¡±


    Arthur noticed Elena¡¯s hand linger on the oxygen indicator on her wrist. He glanced at his own. The planet¡¯s atmosphere was unbreathable, forcing them to rely on their oxygen canisters. Each lasted two hours, and their spatial orbs contained enough to last over 100 hours.


    ¡°Everyone check your oxygen levels,¡± Arthur reminded them, his tone calm but firm.


    ¡°Two hours per canister,¡± Elena said. ¡°We switch at the hundred-minute mark to be safe.¡±


    ¡°Copy that,¡± Leo replied. ¡°I don¡¯t plan on suffocating out here.¡±


    ¡­


    The larger group of 120 ECHOs began to split into smaller teams, each moving to their designated positions. Arthur¡¯s team, led by Lt. Nakamura, took up a position some distance from the others. They were far enough to operate independently but close enough to call for backup if needed.


    ¡°Remember,¡± Commander Elise said, addressing the team. ¡°If things go south, don¡¯t hesitate to call for reinforcements. We¡¯re not heroes. We¡¯re here to complete the mission and get out alive.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am,¡± all the teams chorused.


    Arthur took a moment to survey their surroundings more closely. The reddish-brown rocks were jagged and uneven, some rising into sharp spires that cast long shadows across the terrain.


    The ground was littered with smaller stones and a fine dust that clung to their boots. In the distance, he spotted what looked like a dried riverbed, its edges worn smooth by what must have once been flowing water.


    ¡°Hard to believe this place was ever alive,¡± Arthur thought. ¡°It looks like Mars before terraforming.¡±


    ¡­


    As the team settled into their position, the tension began to ease slightly. Leo broke the silence first.


    ¡°So,¡± he said, leaning against a rock, ¡°who else feels like we¡¯re in a scene from one of those old sci-fi movies?¡±


    ¡°Except this isn¡¯t a movie,¡± Elena replied dryly. ¡°And the monsters here won¡¯t stop for a director¡¯s cut.¡±


    Leo chuckled. ¡°True. But you have to admit, it¡¯s got the aesthetic. Desolate planet, jagged rocks, ominous vibes.¡±


    ¡°Focus,¡± Nakamura said sharply, cutting the banter short.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Arthur couldn¡¯t help but smile faintly under his helmet. Leo¡¯s humor, while sometimes misplaced, was a welcome distraction from the oppressive silence of the planet.


    Still, Arthur¡¯s mind wandered. He imagined what this place might have looked like in its prime, if it ever had one. He pictured rivers cutting through the rocky landscape, vegetation clinging to the cliffs, and perhaps even lifeforms roaming its surface.


    Lt. Nakamura crouched near a flat rock, projecting a holographic map from his wrist-mounted device. The terrain ahead was displayed in intricate detail, with their position marked by a small blue dot.


    ¡°Our path takes us through this canyon,¡± Nakamura said, pointing to a narrow stretch on the map. ¡°It¡¯ll provide cover, but it¡¯s also a potential choke point. Stay sharp.¡±


    Arthur studied the map, committing the route to memory. ¡°What¡¯s the estimated time to the relay station?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Three hours, give or take,¡± Nakamura replied. ¡°Assuming we don¡¯t run into trouble.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope the Chimerians are taking a nap,¡± Leo said, earning a glare from Elena.


    ¡°Unlikely,¡± she said. ¡°If they¡¯re here, they¡¯re expecting us.¡±


    Arthur nodded, his grip tightening on his weapon. ¡°Then we give them a reason to regret it.¡±


    ¡­


    Arthur activated his system''s Map function as the team began their march toward the canyon. A translucent, glowing overlay appeared in front of him, displaying the surrounding terrain within a five-kilometer radius. The Map function is capable of finding any life form within 5 km radius of Arthur.


    Tiny blue dots represented the positions of the ECHOs, dispersed into their respective teams. To his relief, there were no red markers, indicating enemy life forms in the area.


    ¡°So far, so good,¡± Arthur thought, his gaze scanning the horizon. He didn¡¯t mention his ability to the others. They had no idea the system he carried was far more advanced than standard ECHO tech. Arthur silently resolved to use it to keep his team safe without drawing attention to himself.


    While the Map couldn¡¯t detect traps, using his technopathy he could sense technological devices within five meters, which gave him a critical advantage.


    As the team approached the narrow canyon, the air felt heavier, the oppressive silence of the planet pressing down on them. The reddish-brown cliffs loomed high on either side, their jagged edges casting uneven shadows.


    ¡°This place feels like a perfect spot for an ambush,¡± Elena muttered, her rifle scanning the heights.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Nakamura said. ¡°Eyes up. Arthur, you¡¯re on point. Keep us moving.¡±


    Arthur nodded, stepping to the front of the group. His heart pounded, not from fear but from the responsibility of leading the team through this treacherous terrain. With every step, he subtly reached out with his technopathy, scanning for signs of hostile technology.


    The Map remained quiet, showing no red markers ahead, but Arthur kept his focus sharp.


    ¡°You see anything?¡± Leo asked in a low voice, his grip tightening on his rifle.


    ¡°Just rocks,¡± Arthur replied evenly.


    ¡­


    At the five-kilometer mark from the relay station, Arthur sensed a foreign device embedded in the ground ahead. It was cleverly hidden under a layer of dust and rocks, but its faint electronic signature was unmistakable.


    ¡°Stop,¡± Arthur said, raising a hand.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Elena asked, her tone sharp.


    ¡°Uneven ground,¡± Arthur lied, pointing to a slightly raised patch of earth. ¡°Could be unstable. Let me check.¡±


    While the team waited, Arthur crouched down, pretending to inspect the ground. In reality, he reached out with his technopathy, mentally linking to the device.


    It was a Chimerian proximity mine, its alien circuitry unfamiliar but decipherable. Arthur focused, sending a silent command to disable it. The mine¡¯s internal systems powered down with a faint click, and he exhaled in relief.


    ¡°Clear,¡± he said, standing up. ¡°Just a rock formation. Let¡¯s move.¡± Though he wondered why their sensors weren''t able to pick up the mine signal, so he kept his vigilance high.


    The closer they got to the relay station, the more traps they encountered. Some were simple proximity mines; others were more complex, involving laser tripwires or disguised pressure plates.


    Some were picked up by their sensors and the ones they were not able to detect, Arthur disarmed them one by one, using his technopathy to deactivate each device silently.


    His teammates noticed his careful movements but didn¡¯t question them. To them, it looked like Arthur was just being cautious, an expected trait for a vanguard.


    ¡°Arthur, you¡¯ve got a knack for spotting things,¡± Leo remarked after they avoided a particularly well-hidden trap.


    ¡°Just lucky, I guess,¡± Arthur replied with a small shrug, keeping his voice casual.


    Elena glanced at him curiously but said nothing. Arthur could feel her scrutiny, but he was confident they hadn¡¯t pieced together the truth.


    ¡­


    After over three hours of careful navigation, the team reached the one-kilometer mark from the relay station. The terrain leveled out slightly, but the jagged rocks and scattered debris remained. The reddish-brown cliffs gave way to a more open area, the faint silhouette of the relay station visible in the distance.


    ¡°Hold position,¡± Nakamura ordered. The team crouched behind a rock formation, their breathing steady but tense.


    Arthur glanced around, noting the other teams taking up their positions. They had been instructed to form a perimeter around the station before the infiltration began. Over the next 15-20 minutes, more teams arrived, their movements precise and coordinated.


    ¡°Looks like everyone¡¯s here,¡± Leo muttered, watching the last group take cover, though he detected some oddity.


    Some of the ECHOs looked roughed up, they learned the other teams were caught in some traps, as some were not detected by their sensors. Leo felt they were lucky in this matter.


    ¡°Good,¡± Nakamura said, his voice firm. ¡°We stick to the plan. Minimal noise, no unnecessary risks, stay sharp.¡±


    Arthur nodded, his grip on his weapon tightening. He allowed himself a moment to study the relay station through his HUD.


    It was a large, cylindrical structure made of blackened metal, its surface dotted with glowing blue cannons jutting out. The surrounding area was devoid of life, but Arthur knew that didn¡¯t mean it was unguarded.


    As the ECHOs prepared for the infiltration, Commander Elise addressed all the teams one last time through their comms.


    ¡°Remember, this is a recon-and-sabotage mission,¡± she said. ¡°Our primary objective is to gather intel. Destruction is secondary unless we¡¯re compromised.¡±


    The teams nodded, their expressions grim but determined. Arthur took a deep breath, his mind racing.


    With silent precision, the teams began their approach toward the relay station. The faint hum of the structure grew louder with every step, the weight of the mission pressing heavily on their shoulders.


    The real battle was about to begin.


    ***

 Chapter 31: Infiltration II

    Lt. Nakamura''s voice crackled softly over the comms.


    ¡°Engage stealth modules. We¡¯re moving into position.¡±


    Arthur glanced at his team, nodding slightly as they activated the stealth feature on their armor. His HUD flashed briefly, and his vision adjusted to the faint shimmer of light as his body began blending into the rocky, reddish-brown surroundings.


    It wasn¡¯t true invisibility, but the cloaking field distorted their outlines enough to make them nearly undetectable unless someone was specifically searching for them.


    The teams split, with half taking up defensive positions around the perimeter of the relay station. The jagged rock formations provided natural cover, and the ECHOs moved like shadows, silent and precise. Plasma rifles were raised, scopes scanning for any signs of enemy movement.


    Arthur¡¯s team was among those tasked with approaching the station. As they advanced, Arthur checked his Map. It displayed two red dots just beyond the gate they were approaching.


    ¡®Two hostiles behind the gate,¡¯ Arthur thought. Then he checked his HUD showing the same.


    Arthur whispered through the comms. ¡°Two enemy spotted just beyond the gate, on both sides¡±


    Arthur glanced at his teammates. Elena was already at the panel beside the gate, typing rapidly to override the lock. Samir stood guard, his rifle trained on the surroundings, while Leo and he took up positions on the right side of the entrance.The others got ready to engage with Arthur at the front and Leo over his shoulder.


    ¡°Elena, how long?¡± Arthur whispered.


    ¡°Thirty seconds,¡± Elena muttered, her fingers dancing across the keys. ¡°This system is complex, it¡¯s got layers of encryption. Just... don¡¯t rush me.¡±


    ¡°Take your time,¡± Arthur said, though his grip on his rifle tightened.


    ¡°Positions,¡± Arthur whispered. He signaled Leo to aim right while gesturing to the two ECHOs from the adjacent team to cover the left.


    The Chimerians, oblivious to their presence, stood still, likely scanning the surroundings with their sensors.


    Arthur counted down silently with his fingers ¡®Three... two... one.¡¯


    The mechanical gate opened with a soft whoosh, revealing a dimly lit corridor on the other side. The two Chimerians stood a few meters apart, their frames covered in crystal blue armor.


    The moment he dropped his hand, plasma fire erupted in a controlled burst. Arthur¡¯s shot hit the Chimerian on the right squarely in the neck, where its armor was weakest. The creature crumpled with a faint, gurgling noise before it could react.


    Leo¡¯s shots followed immediately, hitting the same target to ensure it stayed down. On the left side, the other team mirrored their precision, taking out the second Chimerian with synchronized shots to its chest and head.


    The entire engagement lasted less than two seconds.


    ¡°Clear,¡± Arthur said, his voice calm but adrenaline coursing through him.


    ¡°Good work,¡± Nakamura¡¯s voice came through the comms. ¡°Keep moving. We¡¯re on a tight clock.¡±


    ¡­


    The team moved forward cautiously, Arthur leading the way with his system Map scanning ahead. The corridor was narrow, lit by dim, flickering lights that cast long shadows on the walls. The air felt heavy, though their suits provided them with a steady oxygen supply.


    Elena glanced at the walls, her expression tense. ¡°I don¡¯t like this. It¡¯s too quiet.¡±


    ¡°Quiet is good,¡± Samir said, though he sounded unconvinced.


    ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± Arthur thought but didn¡¯t say it aloud. The eerie silence was unnerving, and the lack of resistance made him feel like they were walking into a trap.


    As they approached the next junction, Lt. Nakamura called for a halt.


    ¡°Hold here,¡± he instructed. ¡°We¡¯re regrouping with the other teams before proceeding deeper. Arthur, Elena, check your HUDs for alternate routes. Samir, Leo secure the area.¡±


    Arthur nodded, bringing up the HUD again. The overlay showed multiple branching paths ahead, but none of them appeared to be active with enemy movement. Yet.


    ¡°Anything on your side?¡± Elena asked.


    ¡°Nothing immediate,¡± Arthur said. ¡°But that could change the moment we move forward.¡±


    ¡°It always does,¡± Elena muttered, her fingers twitching nervously near her rifle¡¯s trigger.


    ¡°Relax,¡± Arthur said, though his own nerves were on edge. ¡°We¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    ¡­


    Arthur paused mid-step, his brows furrowing as he brought up his Map function. The system panel overlaid his vision, showing the schematic of the relay station within a five-kilometer radius.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    At first glance, everything seemed normal, no nearby enemy signals apart from the usual Chimerian patrols. But as he scrutinized the display, something odd caught his eye.


    ¡®This doesn¡¯t add up,¡¯ Arthur thought, tilting his head as he zoomed in on the station¡¯s interior.


    Arthur only took a cursory glance at his Map when he was at the gate, so he didn¡¯t notice the oddity at that time. But now as he looked closer he noticed there were less than 20 guards in the whole Station. And he had a bad premonition. He checked his HUD but it didn''t show anything.


    As they searched the relay station it became more apparent that something was wrong.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not right,¡± Leo said, his voice uneasy. ¡°A relay station this critical should have way more security.¡±


    ¡°Unless it¡¯s a trap,¡± Elena muttered, her grip tightening on her plasma rifle.


    Lt. Nakamura also got the same response from the other teams and thought the same.


    Arthur¡¯s gut twisted. He didn¡¯t like this. ¡°It could be. But there¡¯s no way to know until we check. Lt. Nakamura, permission to scout the warehouse. We haven¡¯t checked there yet.¡±


    Lt. Nakamura, who had been quietly analyzing the data, nodded. ¡°Agreed. Arthur, lead the way. The rest of you, stay sharp. Other teams will check additional areas, no one goes solo. Let¡¯s move.¡±


    ¡­


    Arthur and his team went through the dimly lit corridors, relying on his System Map to find the shortest route towards the warehouse and also checking his HUD to compare them.


    The relay station¡¯s interior was eerily quiet, the faint hum of machinery the only sound. As they neared the warehouse, their HUDs finally picked up enemy signatures, marking the presence of Chimerians near the entrance.


    Arthur raised a fist to signal a halt. Signaling his team, of the three hostiles just around the corner.


    The team fell into formation, their movements silent and practiced.


    Arthur moved toward the entrance. He peeked around the corner, spotting the three Chimerians. They stood by a console, their bodies faintly glowing under the dim light, their claws tapping rhythmically against the controls.


    Arthur raised his hand and counted down silently. Three... two... one.


    Arthur stepped out first, his plasma rifle trained on the closest Chimerian. He fired a precise shot to the creature¡¯s neck, its weak point, and it collapsed instantly.


    Leo followed with a volley of shots, taking down the second enemy before it could react. The third Chimerian turned toward the commotion, its claws extending, but Natalia¡¯s quick aim took it out with a clean shot to the head.


    ¡°All clear,¡± Arthur said, scanning the room.


    ¡°Nice shooting,¡± Elena muttered, though her eyes remained sharp and watchful.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable,¡± Lt. Nakamura warned. ¡°We¡¯re just getting started.¡±


    ¡­


    The team pressed forward, their HUDs marking two more pairs of enemy signals deeper inside the warehouse.


    ¡°These corridors are a maze,¡± Leo muttered as they navigated the narrow paths lined with rusting crates and machinery.


    Arthur glanced at his Map, which updated in real time. ¡°Stay close. We¡¯re almost upon the next group.¡±


    When they reached the first pair of Chimerians, they found them patrolling a storage area. Arthur signaled for silence, and the team split into two groups to flank the enemies.


    Arthur and Samir moved to the left while Leo and Elena circled to the right. Lt. Nakamura stayed behind to provide overwatch.


    Arthur took a deep breath, then motioned for Samir to take the first shot. He nodded, his plasma rifle humming softly as he fired. The first Chimerian dropped instantly, and Arthur finished the second with a burst of precision shots.


    ¡°Clean,¡± Lt. Nakamura said, stepping into the room. ¡°Move to the next.¡±


    The second pair was just around the corner, near a stack of glowing power cores. This time, the Chimerians were more alert, their movements sharper and more calculated.


    ¡°Looks like they know something¡¯s off,¡± Elena whispered.


    ¡°Let¡¯s make it quick,¡± Arthur replied.


    The team moved in sync, their rifles lighting up the dim space as they took out the enemies with coordinated shots.


    ¡­


    As the last Chimerian fell, the warehouse grew silent once more. Arthur scanned the area with his System Map, but no enemies appeared on it.


    ¡°Area secure,¡± he said, lowering his rifle.


    Lt. Nakamura nodded. ¡°Good work. Now let¡¯s figure out what they were protecting.¡±


    Arthur approached one of the glowing consoles the Chimerians had been working on. His technopathy flared as he interfaced with the device, pulling up its logs and data.


    Elena also started to check the logs on the holographic console.


    ¡°What do you see?¡± Lt. Nakamura asked, watching her closely.


    Elena¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Nothing good. They¡¯ve been transmitting data to an unknown location outside this star system. We need to figure out what they¡¯re sending, and fast.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s not waste time,¡± Nakamura said, his voice steady. ¡°We¡¯ve got a job to do.¡±


    After Arthur sifted through the data he came across a log of an inventory, at first glance there was nothing suspicious about it.


    But Arthur felt the log was heavily encrypted, Arthur forced his technopathy to delve deeper, he decrypted the log layer by layer and finally saw what it was. The Chimerians just transported a bomb with a heavy payload, just a week ago.


    Thought there was nothing wrong with transporting a bomb, but Arthur felt suspicious about its security so he searched where it was kept, and found it was stored in one of the bunkers in the warehouse where daily necessities were kept.


    Arthur went towards the bunker as it was just on their left.


    ¡°Arthur you got something¡± Leo asked him, after seeing him going towards one of the bunkers.


    ¡°Nothing, thought I should check it.¡± Arthur replied. After arriving in front of the bunker where the bomb was kept and opened the gate.


    As the gate opened Arthur saw a basin sized orb with metallic tubed jutting out of the honeycomb structures of the bomb. When Elena and Lt. Nakamura saw it, their countenance changed.


    They rushed forward to check it.


    ¡°Sh*t, it has a countdown. It''s a live bomb!!!¡± Elena exclaimed and checked the countdown and her face became pale.


    Arthur went and saw that there was only less than two minutes left for the bomb to detonate.


    ¡°Can you do something about it?¡± Leo hurriedly asked Elena as she was the technician of their team. But before Leo could even finish his sentence Elena was already onto it.


    ¡°I can only try, but there is no guarantee I will be able to diffuse the bomb!¡± Elena frantically started to type something on the holo-pad on her arm guard.


    ¡°This is Lt. Nakamura to all teams, IT¡¯S A TRAP. We have encountered a live bomb at the warehouse requesting immediate evacuation of all the teams!¡± Lt. Nakamura relayed their situations to the other teams, but even he knew that it was impossible to leave the relay station in less than two minutes.


    ***

 Chapter 32: Trap

    Antimatter. The mere mention of it conjures images of catastrophic power, the kind capable of reshaping the very fabric of existence. It is the perfect counter to matter, annihilating itself and anything it touches in a spectacular release of energy.


    An antimatter bomb, therefore, is one of the deadliest weapons ever conceived, a payload of unimaginable destruction packed into a deceptively small container. Even a few grams of antimatter could level a city; the bomb Arthur and his team now faced held enough to wipe out an area the size of a small country.


    It wasn¡¯t just the magnitude of the potential devastation that made antimatter bombs terrifying. They were efficient, no lingering fallout, no long-term radiation, just pure obliteration. A clean slate, leaving behind only silence and ash. Arthur couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the grim elegance of such a weapon, though the marvel was tinged with dread.


    ..


    Arthur stared at the basin sized honeycomb shaped spherical device embedded within a reinforced casing in the center of the room. It hummed faintly, its surface adorned with Chimerian glyphs that pulsed in an unsettling rhythm. The eerie glow it emitted seemed to taunt them, as if daring them to make a mistake.


    His heart raced as he realized the significance of the find.


    ¡®An antimatter bomb,¡¯ he thought, the words echoing in his mind like a death knell. ¡®A single detonation could erase everything for miles. And this payload¡­ it¡¯s enough to destroy a small country.¡¯


    He quickly pieced together the puzzle in his head. The lack of resistance in the relay station suddenly made sense.


    ¡®Less than thirty guards. Normal soldiers, not elites. They didn¡¯t even try to stop us, just delay us. This was their plan all along, to lure us here, and ensure we couldn¡¯t leave in time to stop it.¡¯


    Arthur clenched his fists, frustration bubbling under the surface. ¡®How did they know we¡¯d come here? Was there a leak? A mole? Or are they simply better at anticipating our moves than we¡¯d thought?¡¯


    ¡­


    Arthur¡¯s spiraling thoughts were interrupted by the sound of frantic typing. He turned to see Elena hunched over the bomb¡¯s control panel and the holo-pad at her arm-guard, her fingers flying across the holographic keys. Her face was pale, her usually steady demeanor replaced with visible tension.


    ¡°I¡¯m working on it!¡± she snapped, more to herself than anyone else. Beads of sweat rolled down her temple, her breathing shallow. ¡°This interface is¡­ it¡¯s a nightmare. These glyphs¡­ they¡¯re not just a language, they¡¯re a damn maze!¡±


    ¡°Focus, Elena,¡± Lt. Nakamura said, his voice calm but commanding. He stood a few paces away, his helmet¡¯s communicator lit up as he barked orders. ¡°Command, this is Team Alpha. We¡¯ve located an antimatter device in the relay station. Repeat: an antimatter device. We¡¯re attempting to diffuse it, but the situation is critical.¡±


    A garbled reply came through the comms. Nakamura¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but the urgency in his tone did.


    ¡°Understood. Relaying to all teams.¡±


    He switched channels and issued a warning to the other ECHOs stationed outside. ¡°This is Lt. Nakamura. All perimeter teams, evacuate immediately. Repeat: evacuate and retreat to safe distances. This is not a drill.¡±


    Arthur glanced at the lieutenant. ¡°What¡¯s the word from Command?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re scrambling a containment team,¡± Nakamura replied, his jaw tightening. ¡°But even at top speed, they won¡¯t make it in time. We¡¯re on our own.¡±


    Arthur turned back to the bomb, his mind racing. Elena was the best hacker he knew, but even she was struggling to make headway. The Chimerians had outdone themselves with the device¡¯s encryption.


    ¡°How much time do we have?¡± Leo asked, his voice taut, his jolly mood nowhere to be seen.


    Elena didn¡¯t look up. ¡°Two minutes, maybe less if I trip something.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s comforting,¡± Leo muttered, his grip tightening on his rifle. He glanced nervously at the glowing device.


    Arthur activated his Map function again, scanning for any Chimerian reinforcements. Nothing. The eerie silence of the relay station weighed heavily on him.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡®This was a sacrificial play,¡¯ he thought grimly. ¡®Those soldiers didn¡¯t just die for nothing, they died to stall us. And it¡¯s working.¡¯


    ¡­


    Arthur stepped closer, his technopathy kicking in as he reached out to the bomb¡¯s interface. The glyphs danced in his vision, layers of encryption unfurling like petals of a deadly flower.


    ¡®I¡¯ll try to map out the pathways first,¡¯ he thought, his voice steady despite the rising panic in his chest.


    He might survive the blast, but he does not know how he would handle the fall out. If others find out his ending will not be something nice and he knows that. There''s also the matter of his team mates, though he met them for less than a week, still he does not want to see his first team to die, and that so, in their first mission.


    The interface resisted him at first, its alien logic twisting and looping in ways that defied human intuition. But Arthur was persistent. He mentally commanded the bomb to reveal its structure, breaking down its defenses bit by bit.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Elena cursed. ¡°They¡¯ve got fail safes on failsafes. I disable one layer, and three more pop up.¡±


    ¡°Keep at it,¡± Arthur said and then thought ¡®I should trace the power flow. If we can¡¯t shut it down through the interface, we might be able to disable the core directly.¡¯


    Lt. Nakamura interjected. ¡°That¡¯s a last resort. Messing with the core could trigger a premature detonation.¡±


    ¡°No pressure,¡± Leo muttered under his breath, earning a glare from Elena.


    ¡­


    Arthur and Elena worked in tandem, their minds and skills pushed to the limit. The bomb¡¯s interface was a labyrinth, its design meant to confuse and delay. Though his team mates do not know that he is also trying to diffuse the bomb.


    ¡°This section here,¡± Arthur said, pointing to a sequence of glyphs, ¡°It looks like a bypass code. If you crack it, you might be able to shut down the timer.¡±


    ¡°Easier said than done,¡± Elena replied, her hands moving faster. ¡°I need more time, which we don¡¯t have.¡±


    Lt. Nakamura¡¯s communicator crackled to life. ¡°Update?¡±


    A sudden spike in the bomb¡¯s hum made everyone freeze.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Leo asked, his voice trembling slightly.


    Elena quickly scanned the interface. ¡°It¡¯s a failsafe activation. I tripped something, now we have less than thirty seconds.¡± and started to recover and find another way.


    ¡­


    Arthur dove back into the interface, his technopathy surging as he pushed past his limits. He focused on the core of the encryption, ignoring the layers of distractions.


    ¡®Think, Arthur. If this were a human system, what would be the emergency shutdown protocol?¡¯


    Arthur tried to find a back door but he could not find any. ¡®There''s only one option now, to force it through.¡¯


    Arthur forced his technopathy to run on overdrive, he felt a searing headache but did not stop. One by one he blasted through all the encryptions and fail-safes. This was a very dangerous way of defusing a bomb, it could blow at any moment, but he knew this is the only way now, they have less than ten seconds now.


    Lt. Nakamura removed the helmet of his armor, sighed and then hardened his expression and saluted, ¡°It was my honour to work with you brave soldiers, may you all lead a good life in your next life.¡±


    Leo and Samir didn¡¯t say anything; they felt their knees become weak and sat on the floor and Elena, still frantically typing something on her holo-pad.


    Arthur was not aware of what was going on in his surroundings and was fully focused on breaking the encryptions, he felt his brain was gonna blow up with the headache he was having.


    With a final push that took every ounce of his mental strength he broke the last layer, he fell to his knees with blood flowing out of his nose and eyes.


    Arthur felt his vision blur and he figured he was losing consciousness. But he forced himself to stay awake, there was only less than two seconds to detonation, with a mental click he ordered the bomb to stop the countdown and lost his consciousness.


    The bomb stopped the countdown at 0:37 seconds. ¡°It¡¯s¡­It¡¯s stopped!¡± Elena stuttered.


    ¡°What!¡± Lt. Nakamura rushed and saw the stopped countdown. He sighed and then patted her shoulder, ¡°Good work soldier.¡±


    Though Elena was confused and didn¡¯t know how to respond as she knew it was not her who defused the bomb, it just stopped the countdown suddenly. As she was going to explain it to the Lt. she heard a shout from the back.


    ¡°Arthur!¡± Leo went forward to support him, ¡°You alright there buddy.¡±


    Elena and Samir also went forward to check on him. Leo checked his HUD and said, ¡°It looks like he lost consciousness.¡±


    After just a few seconds Arthur regained his consciousness, ¡°I¡­I am alright.¡±


    Elena asked, ¡°What happened to you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know I just blanked out, I am fine now¡± Arthur responded. Elena didn¡¯t pry any further after seeing Arthur fine. They all thought it was the pressure due to the situation that caused him to blank out.


    ¡°Wait the bomb¡­¡± Arthur looked towards the bomb and saw the countdown stopped just shy of detonation.


    Arthur let out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. ¡°It¡¯s offline now.¡±


    The team sagged with relief, but the tension didn¡¯t fully dissipate.


    ¡°Good work,¡± Nakamura said. ¡°But we¡¯re not out of the woods yet. Command needs us to secure this device ASAP.¡±


    Arthur nodded, his mind still racing. "How did the Chimerians know we¡¯d come here? And what else are they planning?"


    As the team prepared to exfiltrate, Arthur couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more sinister.


    ***

 Chapter 33: Confrontation I

    Deep in space: A Chimerian Warship


    A shadow moved across the infinite expanse of space, vast and imposing. The battleship glided silently, its jet-black hull blending seamlessly with the surrounding void. Jagged edges jutted out from its sides, like the teeth of some cosmic beast, and its surface shimmered faintly with a dark energy field.


    At nearly ten kilometers in length, it resembled a floating fortress more than a ship, its sharp angles and layered plating radiating menace. Dim red lights blinked along its hull, casting eerie glows across its surface, as though the ship itself were alive and pulsing with malevolence.


    Within, the air was filled with a cold metallic hum. A towering gate hissed open, revealing a dimly lit chamber. The room stretched wide, with sleek black walls adorned with Chimerian glyphs glowing faintly. At its center stood a throne made of jagged red crystal, exuding an aura of authority and danger.


    Upon this throne sat a Chimerian commander. His carapace, a deep crimson with golden streaks, gleamed under the low light. His elongated limbs rested on the armrests, and his sharp, angular face was devoid of emotion.


    Eyes like molten lava burned beneath a crown-like crest that curved back like a scorpion''s tail. In his hand, he held a crystalline goblet filled with a viscous, glowing red liquid.


    The rhythmic clatter of hurried footsteps echoed through the chamber as a Chimerian soldier entered, his crystal armor dull blue and functional compared to the ornate plating of the figure on the throne. The soldier knelt quickly, his breathing sharp and nervous.


    ¡°S-Sire, the bomb did not detonate in the relay station,¡± he stammered, his voice quivering with fear.


    The commander tilted his head slightly, his burning eyes narrowing as he murmured to himself, ¡°Hmm¡­ so they were able to defuse the bomb. Impressive, as expected of humanity¡¯s so-called greatest soldiers. But it doesn''t matter.¡±


    The soldier remained motionless, his head bowed low as the commander rose slowly from his throne. ¡°Dispatch the three hundred elites waiting on the planet to finish the job that the bomb could not,¡± the commander ordered, his voice deep and resonant, carrying an edge of disdain.


    ¡°Yes, Sire!¡± The soldier scrambled to his feet and hurried out of the chamber. The sound of his retreating steps faded into the distance as the Chimerian commander took another sip of his drink, his expression unreadable.


    ¡°Let us see how long humanity¡¯s bravest can last against true Chimerian strength,¡± he murmured, a cruel smile playing on his lips.


    ¡­


    The ECHO teams fanned out across the relay station, scouring every room and terminal for valuable information. The station was eerily quiet, its halls filled only with the soft hum of machinery and the occasional chatter over comms.


    Arthur moved with his team, his System Map active. The holographic overlay of the station in his HUD guided him as they swept through a storage area.


    ¡°Find anything useful?¡± Elena asked, glancing at a console.


    ¡°Just more encrypted logs,¡± Samir muttered. ¡°I swear, these Chimerians have a fetish for making everything unreadable.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll let Command crack them,¡± Lt. Nakamura said, his tone clipped. ¡°Our priority is clearing the station and securing the bomb.¡±


    Arthur remained quiet, his mind still replaying the events from the bomb room. He knew he couldn¡¯t reveal his abilities, but the weight of what he¡¯d done, and what he was hiding gnawed at him.


    After ensuring there were no remaining threats or vital intel, the ECHO teams began setting charges to destroy the relay station. The dull thuds of detonators being planted echoed through the halls.


    Outside, the teams regrouped near the entrance. Arthur¡¯s team carried the bomb carefully, its ominous hum now silent but its potential for destruction still heavy in the air.


    Commander Elise stood at the forefront, her armor gleaming under the pale light of the planet¡¯s reddish-brown sky. She was flanked by her officers, her presence commanding respect.


    Lt. Nakamura saluted sharply. ¡°Commander, the relay station is secured, and the bomb has been neutralized. We¡¯ve planted charges to destroy the station and prevent the Chimerians from reusing it.¡±


    ¡°Excellent work, Lieutenant,¡± Elise said, her voice calm but firm. Her gaze swept over the team. ¡°I commend all of you for your efforts, especially finding and defusing that bomb. It was a dangerous task, and you handled it well.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Elena hesitated, glancing at her teammates before speaking. ¡°Commander, I¡­ I believe it wasn¡¯t me who defused the bomb.¡±


    The group fell silent. Elise¡¯s sharp eyes locked onto Elena. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Elena took a deep breath. ¡°I tried everything, but the encryption was beyond anything I¡¯ve seen. I didn¡¯t succeed in breaking it. The countdown just¡­ stopped on its own.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s heart pounded, but he kept his expression neutral. ¡®Stay quiet,¡¯ he thought to himself.


    Elise studied Elena for a moment before nodding. ¡°Thank you for your honesty, soldier. Regardless of how it happened, you all ensured the safety of your team and the mission. That¡¯s what matters.¡±


    Elena nodded, though her confusion lingered.


    ¡°Now, we¡¯re moving out,¡± Elise said, her voice brooking no argument. ¡°This was a trap, and I¡¯m not waiting around to see what else the Chimerians have planned. Everyone, to the pickup point, now!¡±


    ¡­


    The teams retreated to a safe distance, about two kilometers from the relay station. Commander Elise held a remote detonator in her hand.


    Arthur turned to look back at the structure, its spires jutting into the sky like jagged teeth.


    Elise pressed the button.


    A faint hum filled the air as a bright white orb expanded from the station¡¯s center. The light grew, swallowing the entire structure, its brilliance nearly blinding.


    Then, just as quickly, the orb began to collapse, compressing inward until it disappeared entirely. The relay station was gone, leaving behind a massive crater, its edges glowing faintly from the residual energy.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± Leo breathed. ¡°That¡­ was intense.¡±


    Arthur stared at the empty space, a knot forming in his stomach. ¡®What if this was just a distraction, what¡¯s their real plan?¡¯


    The teams moved quickly, their boots crunching against the rocky terrain as they headed toward the extraction zone five kilometers away.


    ¡°Stay alert,¡± Nakamura said. ¡°We¡¯re not out of this yet.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s Map remained active, his eyes darting to his HUD every few seconds. For now, the area was clear, but he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of missing something.


    As they approached the pickup point, the faint hum of dropships grew louder in the distance. Relief mingled with tension as the ECHOs prepared for extraction.


    ¡­


    The teams marched toward the extraction zone, their pace brisk and focused. The faint hum of dropships descending from the atmosphere grew louder, their sleek forms visible on the horizon. Relief mingled with anticipation as the soldiers prepared for extraction.


    Arthur glanced at his Map, which displayed the terrain and the descending dropships. His gaze shifted to the horizon when something odd caught his attention, small red blips appeared on the outer edges of his map, moving rapidly toward their position.


    ¡®Wait,¡¯ he thought, his mind churned with urgency. ¡°What are these th¡­!¡±


    Before he could finish his thought, a thunderous explosion rocked the ground. One of the dropships erupted in a fiery blaze, its debris scattering across the rocky terrain.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Samir yelled, diving for cover.


    Another dropship exploded mid-descent, its fiery remnants spiraling downward in a shower of molten metal. Arthur¡¯s Map lit up with dozens, no, hundreds of red markers. They were closing in fast, their numbers growing by the second.


    ¡°We¡¯re being surrounded!¡± Arthur shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.


    Commander Elise¡¯s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. ¡°Take cover! It¡¯s an ambush!¡±


    The ECHO teams scrambled, their training kicking in. Soldiers ducked behind boulders, fallen debris, and anything that could provide cover. Weapons were drawn, scopes adjusted, and safeties clicked off.


    Arthur crouched behind a jagged outcrop, his heart pounding as he analyzed the incoming threat. Chimerian soldiers, hundreds of them emerged from the shadows, their armor glinting under the dim light of the planet¡¯s sun. Some were on foot, others piloted sleek, spider-like mechs bristling with weapons.


    ¡°This is definitely premeditated,¡± Elena said, her voice shaking slightly as she scanned the horizon through her rifle scope.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got to hold them off,¡± Nakamura said, his tone grim. ¡°There¡¯s no other choice.¡±


    Leo¡¯s mind raced as he activated his drone system. The drones hummed to life, taking to the air and relaying more detailed information. ¡°We¡¯re surrounded on all sides,¡± he reported. ¡°North and east are the heaviest concentrations. The South is the weakest, but it¡¯s still crawling with them.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll create a defensive perimeter,¡± Elise said, her voice firm despite the odds. ¡°We hold this ground until reinforcements arrive. No one breaks ranks.¡±


    ¡­


    The first wave of Chimerian elites charged, their weapons firing deadly energy bolts that scorched the ground. ECHO soldiers returned fire, the air filled with the deafening sounds of gunfire, explosions, and shouted commands.


    Leo focused on his HUD, coordinating with his team as he fired precision shots from his rifle. Every pull of the trigger was calculated, each target that was hit, causing a spray of sparks but failed to shatter the Chimerian soldier¡¯s armor entirely.


    ¡°Damn it¡­what are these things made of!¡± Seeing his plasma rounds could not cause much harm to the Chimerian soldiers he got frustrated.


    Elena, positioned at a higher vantage point, picked off advancing enemies with her sniper rifle. ¡°Arthur, incoming mech to your left!¡± she shouted.


    Arthur turned just in time to see a towering spider-mech aiming its cannons at his position. He took out his plasma sword, activated his thrusters to swerve to the left, when he reached within five meters he gave a mental command to disrupt its footings and slashed at the joints to disable its movements.


    Then he jumped above it and plunged his sword and jumped away from it and it blew up.


    ¡°Nice work!¡± Leo called out.


    Just as Athur was going to reply he saw the soldier who was piloting the mech jump out of the debris.


    ***

 Chapter 34: Confrontation II

    The Chimerian soldier emerging from the mech debris was standing over eight feet tall, its crystalline carapace shimmered under the sunlight, exuding an aura of menace with bat-like wings on its back. Its weapon is a double-edged energy glaive, crackled with arcs of plasma that carved scorch marks into the ground as it moved.


    ¡®Analyze¡¯ Arthur used Analyze on the soldier.


    //--------------------//


    [STATUS]


    Name: Torkem Makhh


    Designation: Elite Chimerian Soldier


    Age: 127


    Height: 8¡¯1"


    Strength: 2317.8 Tons


    Speed: 178.2 m/s


    //--------------------//


    ¡°Great,¡± Arthur muttered under his breath, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his plasma sword. His team members were locked in fierce firefights, their focus entirely on holding the line against the relentless waves of Chimerians.


    Arthur glanced at Leo, Elena, and Samir, who were pinned down but managing to fend off advancing enemies. Lt. Nakamura barked orders, his voice steady even amidst the chaos. None of them noticed Arthur slipping away from his position.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Arthur whispered to himself, putting some force behind his legs and closing the gap between him and the elite Chimerian. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you are capable of.¡±


    The Chimerian turned its glowing, segmented eyes toward him, letting out a guttural roar that reverberated through the battlefield. It raised its glaive, pointing it directly at Arthur.


    ¡°So you want a duel,¡± Arthur said, his voice low. ¡°Fine by me.¡±


    Arthur launched himself forward, plasma sword igniting with a hiss. He aimed for the Chimerian¡¯s midsection, but the elite commander reacted fast.


    The glaive swung in a wide arc, forcing Arthur to twist mid-air and activate his thrusters to avoid a direct hit.


    The ground where the glaive struck erupted in a violent explosion of energy, sending shards of rock and dirt flying. Arthur landed a few feet away, sliding into a defensive stance.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± he muttered, eyes narrowing.


    With a mental command, Arthur extended his technopathy to the elite commander¡¯s glaive. He could feel the weapon¡¯s energy signatures. He attempted to disrupt its power flow, the Chimerian was confused at first, but with a snarl it threw the glaive and took out a crystalline sword like weapon, and lunged at him.


    ¡°Okay, so you¡¯re smarter than the average grunt,¡± Arthur muttered, dodging another strike. Arthur was at least three times stronger and two times faster than the Chimerian soldier. But he wants to rely only on his techniques in this fight he learned during his training.


    ¡­


    Torkem Makhh lunged first, his crystalline sword arcing down with the force of a freight train. Arthur sidestepped at the last possible moment, the blade smashing into the ground and sending a shockwave rippling outward. Rocks and dirt exploded into the air, obscuring vision, but Arthur used the momentary cover to circle behind the Chimerian.


    Arthur slashed at the back of the Chimerian, where the carapace plates overlapped, but the plasma blade only left a faint scorch mark. The soldier whirled around, its sword sweeping horizontally. Arthur ducked, the blade whistling over his head, then thrust his plasma sword toward the Chimerian¡¯s exposed midsection.


    The strike landed, but the crystalline armor deflected most of the blow, sending a spray of sparks into the air. Arthur flipped backward, putting some distance between them.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he muttered, adjusting his strategy. ¡°The armor¡¯s too tough for direct hits. I¡¯ll have to aim for the weak spots.¡±


    Arthur feinted to the left, drawing the Chimerian into overcommitting its swing. Torkem Makhh¡¯s sword struck empty air, and Arthur darted to its right side, slicing at the elbow joint. This time, the plasma sword found its mark, melting through part of the exposed joint.


    The Chimerian roared, spinning around with surprising agility and aiming a powerful backhand at Arthur. The blow connected with his armor, sending him skidding several meters across the battlefield. Arthur¡¯s HUD flashed warnings about the impact force, but his armor held steady.


    ¡°Alright, big guy,¡± Arthur said, rising to his feet. ¡°Let¡¯s see how you handle this.¡±


    The two clashed again, their movements a blur of speed and precision. The Chimerian¡¯s crystalline sword smashed into the ground, leaving deep gouges, while Arthur¡¯s plasma blade hissed and crackled against the air.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Arthur darted in and out of Torkem¡¯s reach, his attacks focusing on the joints at the shoulders, knees, and elbows. The Chimerian fought back with relentless ferocity, its strikes powerful enough to shatter boulders and send shockwaves rippling through the ground.


    Arthur¡¯s thrusters fired intermittently, allowing him to maneuver around the battlefield with impossible agility. He leaped over one of Torkem¡¯s horizontal swings, flipping mid-air and bringing his plasma sword down toward the back of the Chimerian¡¯s neck.


    The strike glanced off the thick armor, but Arthur adjusted mid-movement, twisting his wrist to angle the blade toward the base of the neck joint. A burst of sparks and an angry roar from Torkem confirmed he¡¯d landed a meaningful blow.


    ¡­


    Arthur landed, breathing slightly and focused. He used Analyze to map the weak points of the Chimerian¡¯s armor, identifying the most vulnerable areas: The base of the neck, back of the knees, underarms


    He exploited these weaknesses with calculated precision, his plasma sword dancing in quick, controlled strikes. Each hit chipped away at the crystalline armor, exposing small patches of flesh beneath.


    Torkem Makhh, sensing its disadvantage, switched tactics. It activated a secondary function of its crystalline sword, causing it to splinter into smaller, jagged shards that hovered in the air around it. The shards launched toward Arthur in rapid succession, forcing him to go on the defensive.


    Arthur spun his plasma sword in a tight arc, deflecting the incoming shards with precise movements. One shard grazed his shoulder, sparking against his armor, but he ignored the damage and focused on closing the distance.


    Arthur saw his opening when Torkem overextended during a particularly powerful swing. The Chimerian stumbled slightly, its balance compromised. Arthur lunged forward and activated his thrusters, launching himself forward in a blur of motion.


    He drove his plasma sword into the exposed underarm, the blade sinking deep into the Chimerian¡¯s body. Sparks and energy crackled violently as the sword cauterized its wound and damaging his organs.


    Torkem roared, dropping its crystalline weapon and thrashing wildly. Arthur held his ground, twisting the blade to maximize the damage. Finally, with a spasm, the Chimerian collapsed, its crystalline armor having suffered damages all over it.


    ¡­


    Arthur stood over the fallen Chimerian, his chest heaving. His plasma sword flickered, its energy reserves nearly depleted.


    Behind him, the battle continued to rage, Leo¡¯s voice crackled over the comms. ¡°Arthur! Are you okay? That looked intense!¡±


    Arthur nodded, sweeping his eyes around the battlefield. ¡°Yeah. One down, a lot more to go.¡±


    Elena chimed in, her tone both impressed and worried. ¡°You took that thing out on your own? Remind me never to get on your bad side.¡±


    Arthur chuckled weakly, his gaze shifting to the horizon where more Chimerian forces were gathering. ¡°This fight isn¡¯t over yet. Let¡¯s finish the job.¡±


    As the ECHO team regrouped, Arthur couldn¡¯t help but feel a lingering unease. Torkem Makhh was strong, but he was only one soldier. How many more like him were waiting out there?


    ¡­


    The battlefield seethed with chaos. The ECHO soldiers fought valiantly against the relentless onslaught of Chimerians, their weapons lighting up the battlefield in bursts of plasma and kinetic force. But as the enemy¡¯s numbers swelled, the tide began to shift.


    Arthur¡¯s gaze swept over the carnage, lingering on the fresh wave of Chimerian soldiers now numbering in the hundreds. Each one was a towering menace, their crystalline armor gleaming like faceted death as they closed the distance. The team¡¯s once-strong line was faltering under the pressure.


    He tightened his grip on his plasma sword, his mind racing. ¡®Should I reveal my strength? If I go all out, I can crush them. But what happens when the others realize what I am capable of?¡¯


    Arthur¡¯s hesitation was shattered by a piercing scream. His head snapped toward the source, his heart plummeting as he watched an ECHO soldier, one of their own, fall. The soldier had been locked in combat with a Chimerian but hadn¡¯t seen the second one approaching from behind. The crystalline blade had pierced clean through his back, its jagged edge coated in blood.


    Time seemed to slow. The fallen soldier¡¯s weapon clattered to the ground, the sound muffled by the roar of battle. Arthur¡¯s HUD automatically tagged the soldier as KIA. He froze, his breath catching in his throat.


    ¡®This is my fault,¡¯ he thought, his grip on his plasma sword faltering. ¡®If I¡¯d gone all out from the start, if I hadn¡¯t held back, he¡¯d still be alive.¡¯


    His mind replayed the moment in agonizing detail. The soldier¡¯s desperate struggle, the Chimerian¡¯s calculated strike, and the way his body crumpled as life left it. Arthur felt a cold knot of guilt tightening in his chest.


    ¡®How many more lives will be lost because I¡¯m too afraid to show them who I am.¡¯


    ¡°ARTHUR!¡± Lt. Nakamura¡¯s voice cut through the haze. ¡°Get behind a cover! Two incoming!¡±


    Arthur snapped out of his reverie, his HUD lighting up with two Chimerian soldiers barreling toward him. His plasma sword suddenly felt heavy in his hand, the weight of his indecision pressing down on him.


    But something inside him shifted. The knot of guilt transformed into a searing rage.


    ¡°Alright¡­¡± he growled, his voice low and dangerous. He dropped the plasma sword, letting it clatter to the ground. His fists clenched, and he felt the familiar hum of energy coursing through his body. ¡°No more hiding.¡±


    Lt. Nakamura¡¯s voice crackled over the comms, confused and alarmed. ¡°Arthur, what are you doing? Pick up your weapon!¡±


    Arthur ignored the order. His thrusters activated, propelling him forward with a burst of speed that left the ground beneath him scorched. The first Chimerian barely had time to react before Arthur¡¯s fist collided with its chest, shattering the crystalline carapace and sending it flying backward like a missile.


    The second Chimerian lunged at him, its blade aimed for his head. Arthur caught the blade mid-swing, the energy crackling against his armored hand. With a guttural roar, he wrenched the weapon free and drove it into the Chimerian¡¯s midsection, the crystalline armor exploding under the force.


    The battlefield seemed to pause as soldiers, both ECHO and Chimerian, turned to witness Arthur¡¯s sudden transformation. His eyes burned with a fierce light, his movements blurring with inhuman speed and precision.


    Arthur stood over the crumpled remains of the two Chimerians, his breath heavy, his fists glowing faintly with residual energy. He glanced at the fallen ECHO soldier one last time, a silent vow forming in his mind.


    ¡®No more holding back. Not until this is over.¡¯ Arthur swore to himself.


    The battle raged on, but for Arthur, something had irrevocably changed.


    ***

 Chapter 35: Reckoning

    The name Chimerian was humanity¡¯s label for the enigmatic invaders, a term born from desperation and curiosity when the first soldier¡¯s body was retrieved and studied. The autopsy revealed truths both astonishing and horrifying.


    At their core, Chimerians shared significant genetic overlap with humans, enough to suggest a common origin. But their appearance had diverged drastically. Before they looked pale, hairless, with features that hinted at humanity¡¯s shadow but never fully embraced it. But now they looked more animalistic.


    What unnerved researchers wasn¡¯t just their stark physical differences; it was the foreign DNA woven into their genetic code, an unknown sequence that they couldn¡¯t fully decipher. Its effects were evident: increased physical strength, agility, and durability far surpassing human norms, along with an uncanny ability to integrate their crystalline biomechanical armor seamlessly with their bodies.


    The crystalline structures, half-organic, half-machine, formed an external carapace that acted as both armor and weapon. These alien invaders had sacrificed their original humanity for power, becoming beings of war.


    And it wasn¡¯t just their bodies that had changed. Something in their nature had shifted. The same foreign DNA that granted them strength had also awakened a primal bloodlust, turning them into beings whose sole purpose seemed to be destruction.


    For Arthur, standing amidst the chaos of the battlefield, these thoughts weighed heavily on his mind.


    ¡­


    Arthur stood behind the remnants of a fallen transport vehicle, his breathing heavy but steady. His thoughts churned, a storm of anger and self-doubt raging within him. The scene of the fallen ECHO soldier played in his mind on an endless loop, and he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of responsibility.


    All Arthur felt was anger at himself for not taking action earlier. Then he controlled his anger and thought was it really because the soldier died and he felt responsible that he was angry or was it because of his own self-satisfaction that he wanted to take action. Was it his pride, the satisfaction he felt when he took control of a fight?


    His gaze dropped to his trembling hands, hands capable of so much destruction, yet bound by his own fears and caution. Memories surfaced, unbidden, of the mining station where he had first encountered humanity. He had leapt into action back then, reckless and unthinking, simply because he couldn¡¯t bear to watch someone die in front of him.


    Back then, Admiral Kane had intervened, covering up Arthur¡¯s abilities before the wider military could learn the truth. Kane had saved him from what would have likely been a lifetime of dissection and experimentation, but Arthur always knew there was a price to that salvation. Kane had something to gain by protecting him.


    Yet, over time, Arthur had grown cautious, hiding his true potential behind a mask of restraint.


    But now, as he stood on a battlefield littered with bodies, a dead comrade in his peripheral vision, Arthur felt something snap. ¡®If humanity fears me, let them. If they come for me, I¡¯ll face them. But I won¡¯t hold back anymore. If being reckless is what it takes to stay true to myself, then reckless I will be.¡¯


    Resolve hardened in his chest. He rose to his feet, the anger in his eyes replaced with a cold determination.


    ¡­


    The battlefield fell silent as more than ten Chimerians encircled him, their crystalline weapons glinting menacingly. Their segmented eyes glowed with malice, and their movements were deliberate, predatory. But Arthur no longer felt hesitation. He bent his knees slightly, the ground cracking beneath his feet as he prepared to lunge.


    The silence broke in an instant.


    Arthur moved faster than the human eye could track. One moment he stood still, and the next, he was a blur of motion. He closed the distance to the nearest Chimerian in the blink of an eye, his fist striking its neck with unerring precision.


    The impact sent a sickening crack echoing across the battlefield as the creature¡¯s head bent backward at an unnatural angle. It crumpled to the ground, lifeless, before it could even raise its weapon.


    The other Chimerians turned to face him, but Arthur was already gone, dashing to the next target. He drove his elbow into the midsection of one soldier, shattering its armor and sending shockwaves through its internal organs. As it staggered, coughing up black ichor, Arthur spun and delivered a roundhouse kick that crushed its chest cavity entirely.


    The remaining Chimerians hesitated, their instincts struggling to process the whirlwind of destruction that Arthur had become. But Arthur gave them no chance to regroup.


    He leapt high into the air, his thrusters firing briefly to adjust his trajectory, and came crashing down on two soldiers at once. His fists slammed into their heads with such force that their crystalline helmets shattered like glass, their bodies collapsing under the weight of his attack.


    One Chimerian attempted to flank him, its blade humming with deadly energy. Arthur sidestepped the swing effortlessly, grabbing the creature¡¯s arm mid-strike. With a roar, he twisted, ripping the limb from its socket and using it as a club to batter another soldier into the ground.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Two more lunged at him simultaneously, their movements a blur of synchronized precision. Arthur ducked beneath one¡¯s blade, grabbing it by the torso and hurling it into the other with such force that both were sent tumbling across the battlefield, their armor unable to mitigate the damage on impact.


    The last Chimerian, visibly trembling, raised its weapon in a desperate attempt to defend itself. Arthur didn¡¯t even slow down. He punched straight through the flat side of its weapon, shattering the crystalline blade, and followed through with a palm strike to its chest that sent it flying backward, its body limp by the time it hit the ground.


    Arthur stood amidst the carnage, his chest rising and falling with each steady breath. The battlefield had become silent once more, the remaining combatants too stunned to move.


    ¡°I¡¯m done hiding,¡± Arthur muttered, his voice low but resonating with unshakable conviction.


    And as the Chimerians regrouped, their numbers still overwhelming, Arthur prepared to face them head-on, unrestrained.


    ¡­


    Arthur stood amidst the wreckage of his earlier carnage, his hands balled into fists that glinted faintly under the sparse light of the battlefield. His armor bore scratches, scorch marks, and dents, and most notably, the plating around his knuckles had started to crack.


    The nanites that coursed through his suit and body were struggling to keep up with the relentless punishment he was doling out.


    He glanced down briefly, noticing the dull shimmer as his nanites worked tirelessly to repair the damage. ¡®Not fast enough,¡¯ he thought grimly. But there was no time to worry about minor repairs. A Chimerian soldier, weapon raised, lunged at him from his peripheral vision.


    Arthur twisted his body instinctively, his enhanced dynamic vision catching the movement just in time. The crystalline blade sliced through the air mere inches from his head, its energy humming ominously.


    He ducked low and surged forward, ramming his shoulder into the Chimerian''s midsection with enough force to crack its armor. As the alien staggered back, Arthur drove his fist into its chest, shattering the crystalline plating and crushing its internal organs in one savage blow.


    Another Chimerian charged from behind, its weapon poised to strike. Arthur sensed the movement even before he heard it. He spun on his heel, narrowly avoiding the downward slash, and retaliated with a roundhouse kick. The force sent the soldier flying into a nearby debris pile, where it crumpled and lay motionless.


    But even as Arthur fought with precision and ferocity, he was acutely aware of his own limitations. The crystalline weapons of the Chimerians were not just durable; they were deadly. While he could heal from wounds within seconds, the sheer chaos of the battlefield meant that even a momentary lapse could spell disaster, not just for him, but for his comrades.


    Although he can come back to life even if he is killed he does not want others to die if only he can be a bit more cautious.


    The minutes stretched into tens of minutes. Arthur¡¯s movements remained lightning-fast, his strikes precise, but the constant onslaught began to take its toll. His armor was no longer pristine; deep gashes and cracks now marred its once-smooth surface.


    One side of his helmet had shattered entirely, exposing part of his face. His dark, cold eyes gleamed with an intensity that seemed almost inhuman, a stark contrast to the blood and grime that smeared his skin. He could only breathe because the mouth-piece of his helmet was intact.


    Yet, he did not stop. Every punch, kick, and lunge was delivered with unrelenting force. The battlefield had become a graveyard for the Chimerians he faced, their lifeless bodies scattered across the blood-stained ground.


    The ECHO soldiers around him began to cheer, their morale bolstered by the unstoppable force that Arthur had become. His actions gave them hope in the face of overwhelming odds. They pushed harder, moving with newfound confidence.


    But even with this surge in morale, the battle claimed its toll. Arthur caught glimpses of ECHO soldiers falling, some crushed under the weight of Chimerian mechs, others impaled by crystalline weapons.


    ¡­


    As the fight reached the half an hour mark Arthur seeing casualties on their side increasingly fastened his pace in killing his opponents, he traded injuries for a killing blow. Arthur¡¯s pace had quickened to a desperate frenzy. He no longer cared about the minor injuries he sustained; every strike he delivered was traded for a killing blow.


    A Chimerian lunged at him with a blade aimed at his chest. Arthur didn¡¯t flinch. He allowed the blade to graze his side, the searing pain barely registering, as he drove his fist into the Chimerian¡¯s throat, crushing its windpipe.


    Another soldier managed to land a glancing blow on his leg, the crystalline blade slicing through his armor and drawing blood. Arthur ignored the pain and retaliated with a kick that snapped the Chimerian¡¯s neck with a sickening crunch.


    His movements became more reckless, more savage. He tore through his enemies like a force of nature, each blow leaving behind a trail of destruction.


    For an hour, the chaos raged. The battlefield became a hellscape of fire, smoke, and blood. Arthur¡¯s once-pristine armor was now a mangled ruin, barely holding together. His exposed face was smeared with dirt and blood, but his expression remained cold and unyielding.


    ¡­


    Finally, as the Chimerian forces dwindled to fewer than fifty, their resolve broke. Those who remained began to flee, retreating into the shadows from which they had come. The ECHO soldiers cheered once more, their voices rising in a triumphant chorus.


    Arthur, however, did not celebrate. He stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Blood dripped from his exposed wounds which healed within seconds, pooling at his feet. His fists, caked with the ichor of his enemies, hung loosely at his sides.


    The soldiers around him stared in awe and reverence. They had seen the way he fought, how he moved like a whirlwind, dismantling their enemies with brutal efficiency. His fighting style lacked the elegance of a trained martial artist; it was raw, primal, more akin to a barbarian¡¯s rage. Yet it was undeniably effective.


    To the ECHO soldiers, he was no longer just a comrade. He was something greater, a savior, a deity of war.


    Arthur¡¯s eyes scanned the battlefield, taking in the aftermath of the carnage. The cost of victory was steep, and the weight of those losses settled heavily on his shoulders. But there was no time to mourn. The war was far from over, and Arthur knew that the battles to come would only grow more challenging.


    As he straightened his back and wiped the blood from his face, a single thought echoed in his mind, ¡®I feel this is only the beginning.¡¯


    ***

 Chapter 36: Aftermath

    Killing. This word may be interpreted in many ways, when talking in terms of taking a life, there lies also multiple perspectives. For example most humans do not think much before killing a bug, though some might disagree.


    To kill something bigger for example a chicken some might hesitate who is doing it for the first time, some might not. But taking the life of an intelligent being is not something a sane person would do and is always frowned upon in our society. Though this also varies on occasion to occasion.


    To kill something as sentient as a human was a spectrum of moral weight that humanity had grappled with for centuries.


    For Arthur, killing had once been about survival. The first time he arrived in this universe, it was him or the monsters. The decision was simple. The first Chimerian soldier he killed with a plasma rifle had been distant, impersonal. But here on this battlefield, things had changed.


    He hadn¡¯t just killed; he had massacred. His fists, his body, they had all been weapons of destruction. Over a hundred Chimerians lay dead by his hand, their blood staining the ground. And now, with the battle over, the adrenaline fading, he felt a weight settle in his chest, a suffocating and stuffy feeling.


    Arthur exhaled shakily, his once cold dark eyes now a bit dull scanning the battlefield. The once-chaotic field of battle was now eerily quiet, save for the groans of the wounded and the distant hum of ECHO soldiers working to secure the area. Smoke rose in tendrils from charred ground, and the stench of death hung heavy in the air.


    ¡­


    ¡°A..Arthur¡­¡±


    The familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned to see Elena approaching, her expression a mixture of concern and hesitancy. She paused a few steps away, as if unsure how close she could get. ¡°Are you¡­ alright?¡±


    Arthur blinked at her, unsure how to respond. Was he alright? Could anyone truly be alright after what had just happened? Before he could answer, Leo stepped beside him and patted his shoulder without a word. The gesture was brief but reassuring.


    Samir was next, his eyes reflecting something Arthur hadn¡¯t expected: respect. There was no fear, no hesitation, just a silent acknowledgment of Arthur¡¯s actions.


    Then he faced Lt. Nakamura. The older soldier¡¯s face was etched with a mixture of exhaustion and understanding under his helmet. He stepped closer and spoke in a low voice. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it,¡± he said, his tone steady but not unkind. ¡°I¡­ understand it¡¯s your first time taking someone¡¯s life, but it happens in battle. Don¡¯t overthink it.¡±


    Arthur nodded slowly, letting the words sink in. This helped him ease his mind a bit, and they gave him something to hold onto, a reminder that he wasn¡¯t alone in this.


    As the team gathered around him, Arthur felt a small measure of relief. What he had feared most, that his teammates would see him as a monster hadn¡¯t come to pass. Instead, they seemed to regard him as a comrade, someone who had fought alongside them in the harshest of circumstances.


    At least there are people like them, though they haven''t known each other for much time, but camaraderie is created during the harshest of time. And during this life and death situation they have someone like Arthur on their side, otherwise they could imagine being either killed or captured by the Chimerians.


    Commander Elise approached next, her stride purposeful. She stopped in front of Arthur, her sharp eyes locking onto his. For several long seconds, she studied him in silence, she gave Arthur a deep piercing look, her expression unreadable. Then she spoke.


    ¡°Good work, soldier,¡± she said, her voice firm. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you¡¯re so much more powerful, and honestly, I don¡¯t care. What matters to me is that you saved lives today. And that¡¯s what counts.¡±


    ¡°It was my duty, Ma¡¯am,¡± Arthur replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.


    Elise allowed a small smile to cross her lips. ¡°Well, duty or not, you did good out there. Now, we need to take care of the aftermath. We¡¯ve got injured soldiers, casualties, and intel to secure. Let¡¯s move.¡±


    ¡­


    Elise¡¯s orders rang out across the battlefield, and the ECHO soldiers sprang into action. Medics tended to the wounded, their hands steady despite the grim conditions. Supplies were unpacked, makeshift triage stations set up amidst the wreckage.


    Arthur watched as two soldiers carefully secured the body of a fallen comrade onto a stretcher. The sight made his stomach churn. Thirteen ECHOs had fallen today, thirteen lives cut short in the chaos of battle. He clenched his fists, the weight of their loss adding to the burden he already carried.


    ¡°Over here!¡± one of the medics called, gesturing toward a wounded soldier. Arthur moved instinctively, helping to lift the soldier onto a stretcher. The man groaned in pain but managed a weak smile.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he murmured.


    Arthur nodded, his expression somber. ¡°Hang in there.¡±


    Meanwhile, a team of scientists and soldiers worked to secure the bodies of fallen Chimerians. Their crystalline armor and alien physiology is of interest to some scientists to study them and figure out their weaknesses. Each body was carefully cataloged and transported for further study, the eerie glow of their armor a stark contrast to the blood-stained ground.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the battlefield, the low hum of approaching rescue ships filled the air. The ECHOs turned their eyes skyward as sleek, angular crafts descended from the heavens, their searchlights cutting through the smoke.


    Arthur helped carry another wounded soldier toward the nearest ship, the ramp descending with a mechanical hiss. Medics and crew members swarmed the area, guiding the injured aboard and securing the perimeter.


    Commander Elise stood near the main ramp, her comm device in hand as she coordinated with the rescue team. ¡°I want a full report on casualties and injuries by the time we¡¯re back on the station,¡± she barked. ¡°And make sure those Chimerian bodies are secured for transport.¡±


    Arthur was one of the last to board, his gaze lingering on the battlefield as the rescue ship¡¯s ramp began to close. The sight was haunting, a stark reminder of the cost of war.


    ¡­


    The warp jump back to the battle station was disorienting but brief. As the ships docked, the ECHO soldiers disembarked, weary but alive. The injured were rushed to the infirmary, while the rest of the team gathered for debriefing.


    Arthur stood silently in the hangar, watching as the chaos around him slowly settled into order. The weight in his chest hadn¡¯t lifted, but he knew there was no time to dwell on it. The war wasn¡¯t over, and there was still work to be done.


    As he turned to leave, Commander Elise¡¯s voice called out to him. ¡°Arthur.¡±


    He stopped and looked back.


    ¡°You did good today,¡± she said, her tone softer than before. ¡°Rest up. We¡¯ll need you for what¡¯s coming next.¡±


    Arthur nodded, his expression unreadable. As he walked away, the faint hum of the station¡¯s engines filled the air, a reminder that the battle might be over, but the war raged on.


    ¡­


    In the dimly lit chamber of the Chimerian warship, an oppressive silence hung like a storm cloud. The air was heavy, tinged with the faint metallic tang of the ship¡¯s atmosphere.


    The room was both austere and imposing, dominated with sleek black walls adorned with Chimerian glyphs glowing faintly. At its center stood a massive throne-like seat, fashioned from a fusion of jagged red crystal and gleaming metal.


    Seated upon it was Commander Vorsk. His visage was striking, with sharp features that seemed carved from stone. His eyes, an unnerving shade of iridescent yellow, glowed faintly as he stared down at the soldier before him. The red liquid in his crystalline goblet swirled lazily, catching the light in a way that made it appear almost alive.


    The soldier kneeling before him was rigid, his posture stiff as if bracing for impact. He dared not meet the commander¡¯s gaze, his head bowed low. The silence dragged on, the tension mounting with each passing second.


    ¡°Speak,¡± Vorsk commanded, his voice low and venomous, like the hiss of a serpent.


    The soldier swallowed hard, his throat bobbing as he began his report. ¡°C..Commander, the mission¡­ it failed. The human forces repelled our assault.¡±


    Vorsk¡¯s silvery eyes narrowed, his expression growing colder. ¡°Failed?¡± he repeated, the word dripping with contempt.


    The soldier¡¯s voice faltered, but he pressed on. ¡°Yes, Commander. Their soldiers fought with unexpected vigor. And¡­ there was one among them, a warrior unlike any we have faced before. He moved faster, struck harder, and¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough.¡±


    The single word was spoken softly, but it carried the weight of a thunderclap. The soldier immediately fell silent, his body trembling as if the temperature in the room had dropped.


    Vorsk leaned forward slightly, his gaze boring into the soldier. ¡°You mean to tell me,¡± he said slowly, ¡°that a single human managed to decimate our forces?¡±


    The soldier hesitated, then nodded. ¡°Y..Yes, Commander. They call him Arthur. Among our ranks, he has been termed¡­ a Demon.¡±


    For a moment, Vorsk said nothing. Then, with a sudden burst of motion, he crushed the crystalline goblet in his hand. The viscous red liquid it contained, something disturbingly similar to blood, spilled over his pale fingers, dripping onto the floor in thick, sticky rivulets.


    The soldier flinched but dared not move.


    ¡°Useless,¡± Vorsk muttered, his voice seething with anger. The shards of the shattered goblet fell from his hand, tinkling like broken glass against the floor.


    He rose from his seat, his imposing frame towering over the trembling soldier. ¡°You¡¯ve embarrassed me,¡± he hissed. ¡°You and the rest of your pathetic unit. You were given one task, one, and you failed.¡±


    ¡°Commander, I¡­¡± the soldier began, but Vorsk silenced him with a glare.


    ¡°Do not speak,¡± he snarled. He stepped closer, the faint glow of his crystalline red armor reflecting off the soldier¡¯s terrified face. ¡°Get out of my sight.¡±


    The soldier didn¡¯t wait to be told twice. He turned and fled the chamber, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.


    ¡­


    Vorsk stood alone in the chamber, his bloodied hand clenched into a fist. His deep yellow eyes burned with fury as he turned his gaze toward a holographic display hovering above the crystalline table in the center of the room. It showed a tactical map of the battlefield, overlaid with the locations of fallen Chimerian soldiers and key points of human resistance.


    ¡°Arthur,¡± Vorsk muttered, his voice laced with disdain. The name was foreign on his tongue, but he spat it out like a curse.


    He scoffed, his lips curling into a cruel smile. ¡°A Demon, they call him. How fitting.¡±


    He paced the room, his mind racing. The failure of the assault didn¡¯t concern him for the lives lost; Chimerian soldiers were expendable, their deaths mere numbers on a ledger.


    He wanted to make an example out of those human soldiers by killing them. But this defeat, it was a stain on his record, a setback that would linger like a scar. His rivals would seize upon it, using it to weaken his position within the Chimerian hierarchy.


    Vorsk¡¯s fists tightened at the thought. He would not allow it.


    ¡°No,¡± he muttered, his voice low but filled with resolve. ¡°You think you can get away with this, human? You think you can humiliate me and walk free?¡±


    He turned back to the holographic display, his fingers dancing across the controls. A new image appeared: a dossier on Arthur, pieced together from scattered reports and battlefield recordings. The man¡¯s face stared back at him, impassive yet defiant.


    Vorsk¡¯s smile widened, a predatory glint in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll find you,¡± he said softly, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°And when the time comes, I¡¯ll crush you with my own hands.¡±


    He tapped a command into the console, sending orders to his intelligence officers. ¡°Gather every scrap of information on him. I want to know his strengths, his weaknesses, his history. Everything.¡±


    Vorsk returned to his throne, sitting down with an air of calculated calm. He rested his chin on one hand, his bloodied fingers leaving faint smears on his pale skin.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t over, Demon,¡± he whispered to the empty room. The room fell silent once more, save for the faint hum of the ship¡¯s systems.


    ***

 Chapter 37: Burden of Fame

    Arthur stepped out of the med-bay after helping the wounded soldiers. The dimly lit corridors of the battle station hummed with a quiet intensity, the sound of distant machinery and muffled conversations echoing faintly.


    His armor, battered and scarred, will have to be entrusted to the station¡¯s engineers for repair.


    As he walked through the metallic halls, soldiers passed him, some offering nods of respect, others a brief word of gratitude.


    "Mr. Arthur," a young technician called out from one of the repair stations. He stopped and turned.


    "Yeah?"


    The technician, barely out of his teens, looked awestruck. "I just wanted to say... what you did out there, it was incredible. You saved a lot of lives. Thank you."


    Arthur offered a small, tired smile. "I just did what I had to. Stay safe."


    The boy nodded fervently as Arthur resumed his walk, his footsteps steady but heavy.


    When he reached the armory, the head engineer, a stocky woman with a no-nonsense attitude, greeted him with a raised eyebrow.


    "Arthur," she said, eyeing the damaged armor he carried. "What the hell did you do to it? Looks like it got chewed up by a grinder."


    "Something like that," he replied, setting the suit down on the workbench. The chest plate was dented, the arm pieces riddled with fractures, and one side of the helmet was completely shattered, revealing the delicate circuits beneath.


    The engineer whistled low. "This¡¯ll take some work. Nanites tried their best, but even they couldn¡¯t keep up with the abuse you put it through. You''re lucky you didn¡¯t get yourself killed."


    Arthur shrugged. "If it¡¯s not fixable, let me know. I¡¯ll have to submit an application for a new one."


    She gave him a sharp look, her tone softening slightly. "Don¡¯t be stupid. It¡¯s fixable. I just need time. Might want to consider not punching things that hit back harder than you do, though."


    He smirked faintly. "Noted."


    As she inspected the armor more closely, she muttered, "You¡¯re a damn mystery, you know that? Most of us would be dead wearing this after what you went through. But you¡¯re walking around like it¡¯s just another day."


    Arthur didn¡¯t respond, his gaze drifting to the glowing panels of the workshop.


    "You¡¯ll have it back in two days," the engineer said, breaking the silence. "Three, tops."


    "Thanks," he said. With a nod of gratitude, he turned and headed toward his quarters.


    ¡­


    The corridor to the living quarters was quieter, a stark contrast to the bustling central areas. The solitude gave Arthur time to think, though his thoughts were far from comforting.


    He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of the Chimerians¡¯ crystalline armor shattering beneath his fists, the lifeless eyes of the fallen staring back at him in silent accusation. For the first time since the battle, the weight of what he¡¯d done settled heavily on his shoulders.


    As he neared his room, the soft hum of the station seemed louder, the silence amplifying his introspection.


    "Arthur," a voice called from behind him, breaking his reverie. He turned to see Elena hurrying toward him, her expression a mix of concern and exhaustion.


    "Elena," he greeted, his tone neutral but warm.


    "Are you okay?" she asked, stopping a few steps away. "I mean, after everything that happened out there¡­"


    He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I¡¯m...doing fine."


    She frowned, crossing her arms. "You don¡¯t have to do this alone, you know. What you did out there, it was incredible, but it was also... a lot. No one would blame you if it¡¯s weighing on you."Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Arthur sighed, leaning against the wall of his room. "It¡¯s not just the battle. The killing, the responsibility, the thought of what would have happened if I took actions earlier, maybe some from those thirteen might have been alive now. "


    Elena stepped closer, her voice soft. "You¡¯re not alone, Arthur. We¡¯re a team. And whatever happens, we¡¯ve got your back."


    He looked at her, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks, Elena. That means a lot."


    She smiled faintly. "Get some rest. You¡¯ve earned it."


    With a nod, she turned and walked away towards her room, leaving Arthur alone once more.


    ¡­


    When Arthur finally reached his room, he stepped inside and let the door slide shut behind him. The small space was sparse, functional, a bunk, a desk, and a few personal effects. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands resting on his knees.


    For a long moment, he stared at the floor, the events of the day replaying in his mind. The faces of the Chimerians he¡¯d killed, the cheers of the ECHO soldiers, the serious look of Commander Elise as she assessed him, it all swirled together in a chaotic jumble.


    Finally, he lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The hum of the station¡¯s systems was a steady, comforting rhythm, lulling him into a restless sleep.


    But even in sleep, the battle lingered.


    ¡­


    The faint beeping of his datapad stirred Arthur from his sleep. Groaning softly, he rubbed his face, trying to push away the remnants of restless dreams. The room was dimly lit, the artificial lighting programmed to mimic the soft glow of morning.


    He blinked at the glowing device on his arm, its insistent tone growing sharper with each passing second.


    Reluctantly, he tapped the screen to accept the call. Admiral Kane¡¯s familiar face appeared, his expression stern but tinged with a hint of weariness.


    ¡°Mr. Arthur Sully,¡± Kane began, his voice carrying the weight of authority, ¡°you¡¯re a reckless man, you know that?¡±


    Arthur sat up straighter, still shaking off the haze of sleep. ¡°Good morning to you too, Admiral,¡± he replied dryly. ¡°I take it this isn¡¯t a social call?¡±


    Kane leaned back in his chair, the background of his office faintly visible, walls adorned with medals, star maps, and a holographic display flickering in the corner.


    ¡°What you did out there... It¡¯s amazing. Truly. But damn it, Arthur, you¡¯ve made my job a hell of a lot harder. Do you know how difficult it is to suppress information about someone single-handedly taking down an army of Chimerians?¡±


    Arthur met his gaze through the screen, his tone even. ¡°I understand, sir. But I was prepared to face the consequences when I took action on the battlefield.¡±


    The Admiral sighed heavily, running a hand through his graying hair. ¡°That¡¯s the thing about you, always ready to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You remind me of myself in my younger days, though I never had powers like yours.¡±


    Arthur allowed a faint smile to flicker across his face. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡±


    Kane¡¯s expression softened slightly, though his tone remained serious. ¡°Listen, Arthur. I¡¯ve done everything I can to shield you, but even I have limits. Word¡¯s going to get out, sooner or later. The higher-ups are already sniffing around, asking questions.¡±


    ¡°I figured as much,¡± Arthur said, nodding.


    Kane leaned forward, his voice dropping to a more conspiratorial tone. ¡°Here¡¯s the good news, nobody will touch you as long as I¡¯m here. But,¡± he paused, choosing his words carefully, ¡°You might have to make some concessions. The brass upstairs, they¡¯re going to want your cooperation and request samples of your blood and cells to research. They¡¯ll spin it as patriotism, but make no mistake, they¡¯re interested in what makes you tick.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°And if I refuse?¡±


    Kane¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°You won¡¯t. Not really. Because refusing will only paint you as a threat, and threats don¡¯t last long in this game. But you¡¯ve got me in your corner, and I¡¯ve already spoken to someone higher up, a General who I am under. He¡¯s tough, but fair. I¡¯ve explained your situation to him.¡±


    Arthur exhaled slowly, the weight of the conversation settling heavily on his chest. ¡°I appreciate everything you¡¯ve done for me, Admiral. More than you know.¡±


    Kane waved off the gratitude. ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet. Just be ready. Someone will contact you soon, could be today, even. They¡¯ll want to debrief you and outline their terms.¡±


    Arthur nodded, his expression resolute. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll handle it.¡±


    For a moment, Kane regarded him in silence, his sharp eyes studying the young man who had already been through so much. ¡°You¡¯ve got a good head on your shoulders, Arthur. Just remember, no matter how powerful you are, this is a game of politics as much as it is a fight for survival. Play smart.¡±


    ¡°I will, sir,¡± Arthur assured him.


    The Admiral¡¯s stern fa?ade cracked ever so slightly, allowing a small, approving smile to show. ¡°Good. Now get some breakfast, for God¡¯s sake. You look like hell.¡±


    Arthur chuckled softly. ¡°Thanks for the pep talk, sir.¡±


    Kane grinned faintly. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Kane out.¡±


    The call ended, leaving Arthur staring at the blank screen of his datapad. He leaned back against the headboard, letting the Admiral¡¯s words sink in. It wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d been at the center of attention, but this time felt different, heavier. The stakes were higher, the risks greater.


    But he knows with his [Gene Lock] ability they won''t get anything even if they tried for a hundred years to understand his power.


    After a moment, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood. If today was the day he¡¯d meet one of the top brass, he needed to be ready. His life was no longer just about survival; it was about navigating the labyrinth of power and politics that came with being a living weapon.


    He then headed for the bathroom of his quarters to freshen up. The day was just beginning, and he had no intention of wasting it.


    ***

 Chapter 38: Negotiations I

    Arthur stepped out of the steamy bathroom, a towel draped around his neck, his damp hair tousled from the quick shower. The chill of the air-conditioned room brushed against his skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the bath. As he reached for his clothes, the datapad on his desk lit up and began to beep.


    Curious after putting on a T-shirt, he walked over and tapped it, activating the holographic display. The familiar figures of Lira and Kael materialized in front of him, their faces filled with concern.


    ¡°Arthur!¡± Lira¡¯s voice was laced with urgency. Her wide eyes scanned his image as if searching for any visible injuries. ¡°What happened out there? We heard bits and pieces, but don¡¯t know the full details.¡±


    Kael, standing beside her, crossed his arms and gave a nod of acknowledgment. His tone was calm but inquisitive. ¡°You alright, rookie? You¡¯ve been making waves, not just in our crew but across the entire network. People are talking about you.¡±


    Arthur offered a small smile, pulling a chair closer to sit down. ¡°I¡¯m fine, just a little banged up. It was... intense out there.¡±


    ¡°Intense?¡± Lira¡¯s voice rose an octave. ¡°Arthur, they¡¯re saying you took down an entire battalion of Chimerians practically on your own! That¡¯s not ¡®intense,¡¯ that¡¯s insane!¡±


    Arthur rubbed the back of his neck, his expression modest. ¡°It wasn¡¯t exactly like that. I had backup, and the situation left me no choice. Besides, they weren¡¯t expecting us to fight back as hard as we did.¡±


    Kael chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°But you¡¯ve got to know, word is spreading fast. Some are calling you a hero, while others...¡± He paused, his gaze steady. ¡°Well, they¡¯re less thrilled. You¡¯ve ruffled a few feathers.¡±


    Arthur sighed, leaning back in his chair. ¡°Yeah, Admiral Kane already warned me about that. I¡¯ve got a meeting later today with someone higher up. They¡¯ll probably want to poke and prod, see what makes me tick.¡±


    Lira frowned, her hands gripping the edge of her desk in the holographic feed. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay with all this? It¡¯s not fair that they¡¯re putting you under a microscope just because you did what you had to do.¡±


    Arthur met her gaze, his voice steady. ¡°I knew the risks when I acted. If it keeps everyone safe, it¡¯s worth it.¡±


    Kael nodded approvingly. ¡°That¡¯s the Arthur I know. Just don¡¯t let them push you around too much, alright? You¡¯re not some lab rat.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Kael,¡± Arthur said with a faint smile. ¡°And Lira, I appreciate the concern. Really. I¡¯ll be careful.¡±


    Lira¡¯s expression softened, but her tone remained firm. ¡°You¡¯d better be. If you need anything, you know we¡¯re here.¡±


    Arthur nodded. ¡°I know. And I¡¯ll reach out if I need to. Thanks, both of you.¡±


    After a few more moments of casual conversation, the call ended, and the holographic display blinked off. Arthur stood, stretching briefly before slipping into his uniform. As he adjusted the cuffs, a knock sounded on his door.


    When he opened it, Elena, Leo, and Samir were waiting in the hallway.


    ¡°Morning,¡± Elena greeted with a smile. ¡°You heading anywhere, or are you up for a little R&R?¡±


    Leo leaned against the wall, his usual grin in place. ¡°We¡¯re thinking of checking out the entertainment district. You know, loosen up a bit after surviving our first mission. What do you say?¡±


    Arthur hesitated, glancing back at his room as if weighing his options. ¡°I¡¯d like to, but I can¡¯t. Someone¡¯s supposed to come for me soon. Apparently, I¡¯ve got... other obligations.¡±


    Samir raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. ¡°Obligations? Sounds serious.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, something like that,¡± Arthur said with a faint smile. ¡°Sorry, but I¡¯ll have to take a rain check. Next time, though.¡±


    Elena nodded understandingly. ¡°Fair enough. Just don¡¯t work too hard, alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± Arthur replied with a chuckle.


    Before they could say more, another knock echoed from the door of their quarter. Arthur opened it to find a soldier standing there, his uniform pristine and his demeanor crisp.


    ¡°Arthur Sully?¡± the soldier asked, his voice formal.


    ¡°That¡¯s me,¡± Arthur replied.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°You¡¯re requested to follow me immediately,¡± the soldier said.


    Arthur glanced back at his teammates. ¡°Guess this is it. I¡¯ll catch up with you all later.¡±


    Leo gave him a thumbs-up. ¡°Good luck, man. We¡¯ll save a seat for you at the bar.¡±


    As Arthur followed the soldier down the corridor, his teammates watched him go, a mixture of curiosity and concern on their faces.


    ¡°What do you think that¡¯s about?¡± Elena asked, leaning against the wall.


    ¡°Could be anything,¡± Samir replied. ¡°But after what he pulled off out there, it¡¯s probably something big.¡±


    Leo smirked, crossing his arms. ¡°Arthur¡¯s got a knack for getting into the thick of things. Whatever it is, I believe he can handle it.¡±


    The three shared a quiet moment of reflection before heading off toward the entertainment district, leaving the mystery of Arthur¡¯s summons to unfold on its own.


    ¡­


    The corridors seemed to stretch endlessly as Arthur followed the soldier in silence. The soldier¡¯s pace was brisk, his polished boots clinking rhythmically against the metallic floor.


    After a few minutes, they arrived at a heavy door marked with the insignia of the United Federation of Earth (UFE). It slid open with a low hiss, revealing a well-lit office. The room was spacious yet uncluttered, with sleek, modern furniture and walls adorned with strategic maps and holographic displays.


    At the center of the room sat a middle-aged man behind a polished metal desk. His uniform was immaculate, the insignia on his chest denoting a high rank. Behind him, several holograms flickered to life, each displaying figures in uniforms adorned with stars and brooches, unmistakably marking them as the top brass of the UFE.


    The man looked up as Arthur entered, his sharp eyes studying him with an air of authority. He gestured toward a chair across the desk. ¡°Mr. Arthur Sully, please, take a seat. I am Admiral Viktor Thalberg, commander of this station.¡±


    Arthur saluted respectfully and took the offered seat, feeling the weight of the gathered gazes, both from the Admiral and the holograms.


    ¡°Thank you, Admiral Thalberg,¡± Arthur said evenly, his tone polite but firm.


    The Admiral leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he regarded Arthur. ¡°You¡¯ve made quite an impression, Sully. What you accomplished on the battlefield was nothing short of extraordinary. But with extraordinary actions comes extraordinary attention.¡±


    Arthur nodded, meeting the Admiral¡¯s gaze. ¡°I understand, sir. I was just doing what I thought was necessary to protect my team and complete the mission.¡±


    One of the holographic figures, a stern-looking middle aged woman with silver hair, leaned forward slightly. ¡°Necessary, yes. But your actions revealed capabilities far beyond those of any soldier we produce. We need to understand how you achieved what you did.¡±


    Arthur resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably in his seat. ¡°I¡¯m willing to cooperate where I can, but my focus has always been on the mission and the safety of those around me.¡±


    Admiral Thalberg¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile. ¡°A noble answer. But let¡¯s not dance around the subject. Your abilities are a matter of significant interest to the UFE, and we intend to explore them. Of course, this will involve certain protocols and benefits for you, which we¡¯ll discuss in detail.¡±


    Another hologram, this one of a grizzled man with a scar across his cheek, spoke up, his voice gruff. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about understanding your abilities, Sully. It¡¯s about the future of our species. If what you¡¯ve shown can be replicated or even studied, it could give us an edge against the Chimerians we desperately need.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s jaw tightened slightly. Arthur understood these people are like vultures and they would tear him apart if he showed any weakness. ¡°With all due respect, sir, I¡¯m not a lab experiment.¡±


    The room fell silent for a moment, the tension thick in the air.


    Admiral Thalberg raised a hand, diffusing the moment. ¡°No one is suggesting you are, Sully. But you must understand the stakes here. We¡¯re not asking for blind obedience. We¡¯re asking for collaboration. Your abilities could save countless lives.¡±


    Arthur considered his words carefully. ¡°I understand the stakes, Admiral. And I want to help. But there are limits to what I can, and will, but I also want something in return if I am going to¡±


    The silver-haired woman¡¯s hologram nodded approvingly. ¡°Fair enough. We¡¯ll respect your boundaries, as long as they don¡¯t compromise our efforts.¡±


    ¡­


    The room grew quiet for a moment, the tension palpable as the officials exchanged brief, almost imperceptible glances. Admiral Thalberg finally broke the silence, his voice steady but commanding.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start with what we need from you, Sully,¡± he said, leaning forward. ¡°First, we¡¯ll require periodic blood samples and stem cell extractions. These will allow us to study your genetic and cellular makeup, nothing invasive beyond what¡¯s necessary for research.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s expression remained neutral, though his mind churned at the implications. He nodded slightly. ¡°I assume this is non-negotiable?¡±


    ¡°Correct,¡± said the silver-haired woman hologram, her tone firm but not hostile. ¡°This is essential for understanding the foundation of your abilities and their potential applications.¡±


    The scarred officer chimed in next. ¡°Second, we¡¯ll need you to be available to respond to high-priority assignments. Given your unique capabilities, your presence on the field could turn the tide in critical engagements. Until we are able to replicate your abilities.¡±


    Arthur leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. ¡°You want me on call like a weapon to be deployed at your convenience?¡±


    ¡°Not a weapon, Sully,¡± Thalberg corrected, his gaze sharp. ¡°An asset. But, yes, we expect you to prioritize these calls.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s gaze flicked between the faces present. He could see they were accustomed to giving orders, expecting compliance without question. But that wasn¡¯t who he was.


    When the officials paused, signaling the end of their demands, Arthur spoke up, his tone measured but resolute. ¡°If you want my cooperation, I have conditions of my own.¡±


    Thalberg raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°Go on.¡±


    Arthur leaned forward slightly, his posture confident. ¡°I want access to every piece of military technology and research up to date, no redacted files, no restricted systems.¡±


    ***

 Chapter 39: Negotiations II

    After hearing Arthur¡¯s demands the scarred officer scowled. ¡°That¡¯s a tall order, Sully. Military technology and classified research are humanity¡¯s most closely guarded secrets. Handing them over to anyone, even someone like you, is out of the question.¡±


    Arthur anticipated the resistance and kept his tone calm. ¡°I¡¯m not asking for unrestricted access to the most guarded secrets of humanity. I understand the importance of protecting certain technologies. But I need access to everything else, anything not classified as top secret. In return, I¡¯ll settle for occasional supervised interaction with the restricted tech.¡±


    The room fell silent again as the officials considered his counteroffer.


    The silver-haired woman finally broke the silence. ¡°You¡¯re asking for a lot, Sully. Even limited access to restricted technologies would require oversight and constant monitoring.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Arthur replied smoothly. ¡°I expected as much. All I¡¯m asking for is the chance to familiarize myself with the tools that could help me do what you¡¯re asking of me, keeping humanity safe.¡±


    Thalberg stroked his chin thoughtfully. ¡°You¡¯re shrewd, Sully. I¡¯ll give you that.¡±


    After a moment, he glanced at the holograms, a silent exchange passing between them. The silver-haired woman nodded, followed by the scarred officer, albeit reluctantly.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Thalberg said at last. ¡°You¡¯ll have access to technologies not classified as top secret, with periodic opportunities to interact with the more sensitive ones under strict supervision. But know this, you¡¯ll be monitored throughout the entire process. Every interaction, every move, will be logged and scrutinized.¡±


    Arthur inclined his head, suppressing the smirk threatening to form on his lips. This was precisely what he had aimed for.


    ¡°One more thing,¡± he added, his tone casual but calculated. ¡°I¡¯ll need a well-equipped lab for my personal use. Somewhere I can work on understanding and improving myself, as well as studying the tech you¡¯ve agreed to let me access.¡±


    The scarred officer looked as though he might protest, but the silver-haired woman waved a hand dismissively. ¡°That¡¯s reasonable,¡± she said. ¡°A lab will be provided. Consider it part of your collaboration.¡±


    Thalberg nodded in agreement. ¡°You¡¯ll have the tools you need, Sully. But remember, cooperation goes both ways. We¡¯ll expect results.¡±


    Arthur stood, his expression calm but firm. ¡°You¡¯ll have my cooperation, Admiral.¡±


    Thalberg rose as well, extending a hand. ¡°Then we have an agreement.¡±


    Arthur shook the Admiral¡¯s hand, the firm grip sealing the deal.


    As he exited the office, Arthur allowed himself a small, fleeting smile. The negotiations had gone exactly as he¡¯d planned. He had the access he needed and the freedom to work on his terms. The game had begun, and he was ready to play it.


    Because, ¡®Status¡¯.


    //--------------------//


    [STATUS]


    Name: Arthur Sully


    Designation: ECHO


    Age: 27


    Height: 6''3"


    Strength: 7013.8 Tons


    Speed: 369.2 m/s


    Durability: 89586.9 MegaPascal


    [ABILITIES]


    [Reactive Evolution] [Superior Regeneration] [Toxin Immunity] [Gene Lock] [Energy Absorption (Lv1)]


    [Technopathy (Lv3)]: The power to psychically interact, communicate and manipulate technology with the power of the mind within a 5 km radius of the host. Able to understand the inner workings of any technology host interacts with.


    //--------------------//


    [A/N: Arthur¡¯s top speed was faster than the speed of sound even before his fight against the Chimerians. But typically a human is only able to utilize around sixty percent of their strength with expert martial artists around ninety percent. So Arthur was unable to create sonic booms with his movements as he is unable to utilize the full potential of his body. He would need at least thirty to forty percent more speed than the speed of sound to easily break the sound barrier.]


    With his improved technopathy it would allow him to achieve his goals without anyone knowing. It happened when Arthur was trying to decrypt the antimatter bomb encryption, he overused his technopathy leading to overloading his brain with information which forced his brain to evolve to use the ability better.


    ¡­


    The hallway outside the Admiral¡¯s office was quiet, its sterile white walls gleaming under soft lighting. Arthur¡¯s boots echoed faintly as he made his way back toward the main corridors of the station.


    The negotiations still swirled in his mind, each word, each subtle shift of power and control replayed in his head. But one thought stood out among the rest, should he allow them to replicate his regeneration ability?


    Arthur¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as he contemplated the implications. His [Gene Lock] ability ensured that nobody could replicate his powers without his express consent.


    If he allowed them access to just his regenerative abilities, it could mean saving countless lives on the battlefield. Soldiers gravely wounded in action could heal rapidly, potentially turning the tide in humanity''s favor against the Chimerians.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    But the question wasn¡¯t about capability, it was about trust.


    Would these people, the admirals, the scientists, the shadowy figures lurking in UFE¡¯s corridors of power, use this for the betterment of humanity, or would they twist it into something darker? Arthur shook his head, dispelling the thought. This wasn¡¯t about them; it was about the soldiers risking their lives daily.


    He sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡®I¡¯ll do it. For the soldiers.¡¯ The decision brought a small measure of relief, a reminder that despite the power games, he could still choose to help in his own way.


    ¡®But it¡¯s up to them how much they are able to uncover from this ability.¡¯ Arthur thought with a smile.


    ¡­


    As Arthur made his way to the entertainment district, the atmosphere shifted. The once-sterile corridors gave way to brightly lit pathways, their walls adorned with holographic advertisements for restaurants, virtual arcades, and lounges. The low hum of conversation and laughter drifted through the air, a stark contrast to the tense silence of the command center.


    He tapped his communicator and called Leo.


    ¡°Arthur! You finally done with all that top-brass stuff?¡± Leo¡¯s voice crackled through.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Arthur replied, his tone lighter. ¡°Where are you guys?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re at Nexus Lounge. Second level. You¡¯ll see Elena waving; she¡¯s been trying to flag down every poor soul who looks like you.¡±


    Arthur chuckled. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll be there soon.¡±


    ¡­


    The Nexus Lounge was alive with energy. Neon lights flickered overhead, bathing the room in hues of blue and purple. A stage in the corner hosted a band playing soft, upbeat tunes, while hardlight holographic waiters weaved through the crowd, serving drinks.


    Arthur spotted his teammates at a corner booth. True to Leo¡¯s word, Elena was waving enthusiastically, drawing a few amused glances from nearby patrons.


    ¡°There he is!¡± Elena called out as Arthur approached.


    ¡°Finally!¡± Leo grinned, sliding over to make room. ¡°Thought you¡¯d gone AWOL.¡±


    ¡°Not this time,¡± Arthur said, smirking as he took a seat.


    Samir leaned back, his arms crossed. ¡°So, what was all that about? You¡¯ve got the look of someone who just made a deal with the devil.¡±


    Arthur hesitated for a fraction of a second before shrugging. ¡°Let¡¯s just say there were... negotiations. They wanted something from me; I got something in return. It¡¯s nothing that¡¯ll affect us¡­yet.¡±


    ¡°¡®Yet¡¯ being the operative word,¡± Elena quipped, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re playing a dangerous game, Arthur.¡±


    ¡°Always,¡± he replied smoothly, grabbing a glass of water from the table.


    As the team settled into casual conversation, Arthur found his thoughts wandering back to his earlier decision. Eventually, he brought it up.


    ¡°Leo, Samir, Elena,¡± he began, his tone more serious now. ¡°If you had the chance to give the soldiers out there something that could save their lives, a piece of yourself, but at a risk, would you do it?¡±


    The table grew quiet.


    ¡°I mean... it depends on the risk,¡± Samir said cautiously.


    ¡°And who¡¯s asking,¡± Elena added. ¡°But if it¡¯s for the grunts on the ground, I¡¯d probably do it. They¡¯re the ones in the line of fire, not the people making the big calls.¡±


    Leo nodded. ¡°Yeah, same. Those guys deserve all the help they can get. Why¡¯re you asking?¡±


    Arthur leaned back in his seat, his gaze thoughtful. ¡°Because I have the chance to do exactly that. I can share a part of what I have¡­regeneration. It won¡¯t weaken me or cost me anything, but it could mean the difference between life and death for a lot of soldiers.¡±


    The team exchanged glances.


    ¡°Then do it,¡± Leo said simply. ¡°If it doesn¡¯t cost you, and it can help, why not?¡±


    Elena frowned slightly. ¡°Just make sure they don¡¯t twist it into something ugly. You know how these things go.¡±


    Arthur nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll keep it under control. Thanks, guys.¡±


    ¡­


    The Nexus Lounge buzzed with life, the warmth of camaraderie replacing the cold efficiency of the station¡¯s corridors. Arthur leaned back in the booth, a faint smile tugging at his lips as Leo recounted a story from their mission, adding exaggerated flourishes that made even Samir cringe hearing that.


    ¡°And then,¡± Leo continued, waving his hands for dramatic effect, ¡°Arthur here just walked through that storm of plasma bolts like he was on a Sunday stroll. I swear, the Chimerians were more scared of him than we were of them!¡±


    Elena rolled her eyes but couldn¡¯t hide her smirk. ¡°Leo, you¡¯re impossible. The only reason you¡¯re alive to tell that story is because I had your back from a kilometer away.¡±


    ¡°Oh, come on, Elena,¡± Leo said, holding up his drink. ¡°Let me have this one!¡±


    The group burst into laughter, the sound blending into the hum of the lounge. For a while, the war outside felt like a distant memory.


    ¡­


    As the evening wore on, a group of recruits approached their table, hesitant but clearly eager to speak. Arthur recognized them immediately, they were part of the platoon he¡¯d helped during the mission.


    ¡°Excuse us,¡± one of them, a young woman with short-cropped blonde hair, said. ¡°We just wanted to say thank you.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡± Arthur asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°For saving our lives,¡± another recruit, a tall man with a nervous smile, replied. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t intervened when you did... well, we wouldn¡¯t be here right now.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s expression softened. ¡°I was just doing my job. You all fought hard and held your ground. You should be proud of yourselves.¡±


    The recruits exchanged glances, clearly grateful for his words. One of them, a curious-looking young man with glasses, hesitated before asking, ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking... How are you so powerful? I mean, the things you did out there, no one else can do that.¡±


    Arthur paused, the question hanging in the air. A small, enigmatic smile crossed his lips, but he didn¡¯t answer.


    Before he could deflect, Elena leaned forward, her sharp tone cutting through the moment. ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡±


    The recruits stiffened, looking slightly embarrassed.


    ¡°Elena,¡± Leo said, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. ¡°They¡¯re just curious. Cut them some slack.¡±


    She huffed but leaned back, crossing her arms. ¡°Fine. But they should know there are some questions you don¡¯t ask.¡±


    Arthur raised a hand, his voice steady but kind. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Elena. They¡¯re just curious.¡± He turned back to the recruits. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯ve been through a lot of experiences that led to it. That¡¯s all there is to it.¡±


    The recruits nodded, sensing that was all they were going to get. ¡°Understood,¡± the blonde-haired woman said. ¡°Thank you again. For everything.¡±


    ¡°Keep up the good work,¡± Arthur replied.


    The recruits gave quick salutes before retreating, their gratitude evident in their expressions.


    ¡­


    As they left, Leo leaned back with a grin. ¡°You¡¯re becoming a legend, you know that? If you¡¯re not careful, they¡¯re going to start naming drills after you.¡±


    Arthur gave a weak smile. ¡°Let¡¯s hope not. I¡¯d rather not have my name attached to burpees or something equally awful.¡±


    Elena chuckled despite herself, and Samir raised his glass. ¡°To surviving another day, and to Arthur, our walking, talking miracle creator.¡±


    The team clinked their glasses together, the sound ringing out like a promise.


    The evening wore on, the group¡¯s camaraderie a welcome distraction from the weight of responsibility. As they laughed and joked, Arthur allowed himself a moment of peace. He had made his decision, and for now, that was enough.


    ***

 Chapter 40: The Lab

    The next day Arthur walked through the corridors of the station, his footsteps echoing faintly against the metal walls as he followed the soldier assigned to escort him. He wasn¡¯t surprised by the clinical efficiency of the UFE¡¯s operations, this wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d been led into unknown territory under their watchful eyes.


    However, the purpose of this visit was different. Today, he would provide the UFE with samples of his blood and stem cells, fulfilling a significant part of the agreement he¡¯d made with Admiral Thalberg.


    The soldier guiding him maintained a brisk pace, only pausing as they approached a door marked "BIO-RESEARCH LAB V7." The entrance shimmered with a faint blue light, indicating a sophisticated energy field layered atop the heavy metal plating. It looks like it was a heavily protected and restricted area.


    With a sharp hiss, the door slid open, revealing an expansive laboratory that immediately piqued Arthur¡¯s interest. The space was enormous, easily the size of a football field, with high ceilings crisscrossed by automated tracks carrying various devices.


    Workstations buzzed with activity, each one manned by a researcher or technician. Holographic displays projected complex diagrams, genetic structures, and simulations.


    Arthur¡¯s eyes swept over the scene as his technopathy kicked in, brushing against the machinery. It was a chaotic symphony of data, he could sense the potential in every piece of equipment, their inner workings humming in his mind like a distant melody.


    The soldier gestured for him to follow. ¡°This way, Mr. Sully. Dr. Elrich is waiting for you.¡±


    Arthur kept pace, his gaze flitting from one workstation to the next. As they moved deeper into the lab, the air grew cooler, and the hum of machinery became a low, constant thrum.


    At a central console stood a man with a disheveled appearance: grey hair slightly unkempt, with dark circles under sharp blue eyes, and a lab coat adorned with the insignia of UFE Biotech. Despite his tired demeanor, his posture radiated eagerness.


    The man looked up from his console as they approached, offering a firm nod. ¡°Ah, you must be Arthur Sully,¡± he said, his voice deep but carrying a faint trace of anticipation. ¡°Welcome to the Biotech Research Facility. I¡¯m Dr. Conrad Elrich, head of biological research here. It¡¯s an honor to finally meet you.¡±


    Arthur shook his hand, noting the firm grip and calloused fingers, unusual for a scientist. ¡°Pleasure to meet you, Doctor. I assume you¡¯ve been briefed about today¡¯s procedures.¡±


    Dr. Elrich smiled faintly. ¡°Thoroughly. But before we begin, there are formalities to address.¡± He gestured toward a sleek console, where a digital tablet awaited. ¡°These are consent forms outlining how your samples will be handled, studied, and stored. We take privacy and ethical considerations very seriously here.¡±


    Arthur picked up the tablet, his technopathy instantly analyzing the document. It took mere seconds to scan for hidden clauses or fine print, none existed. Satisfied, he signed and handed it back.


    ¡°You are quite decisive,¡± Dr. Elrich remarked, a hint of admiration in his tone. ¡°I like that.¡±


    The soldier excused himself, leaving Arthur alone with the scientist.


    ¡°Follow me,¡± Elrich said, motioning toward a secured section of the lab. ¡°We¡¯ve prepared a specialized environment for the extractions. Your physiology demands precautions and secrecy most subjects don¡¯t require.¡±


    Arthur followed him into a separate chamber, the walls made of reinforced metal and lined with advanced instruments. The air carried a sterile tang, and the space was dominated by a medical station surrounded by mechanical arms and diagnostic devices.


    ¡°This is where we¡¯ll work,¡± Elrich explained, gesturing toward the station. ¡°Take a moment to familiarize yourself if you¡¯d like.¡±


    Arthur smirked faintly but didn¡¯t reply. Instead, his technopathy reached out, scanning the room. The machines ¡°spoke¡± to him, their designs and functions unfolding in his mind. Within seconds, he¡¯d downloaded their blueprints into his System database.


    ¡°Interesting setup,¡± Arthur remarked casually. ¡°Some of this tech is leagues ahead of anything I¡¯ve seen before.¡±


    Elrich raised an eyebrow, clearly satisfied with Arthur¡¯s words. ¡°Well these are the best UFE has to offer. Now, if you¡¯ll take a seat on the medical station, we¡¯ll begin.¡±


    Arthur complied, lying down as Elrich approached a nearby console. A robotic arm descended, equipped with a metallic syringe.


    ¡°This is a routine blood extraction,¡± Elrich explained. ¡°We¡¯ll start here and move on to the stem cells afterward. Shouldn¡¯t take long.¡±


    The arm extended, positioning the syringe against Arthur¡¯s forearm. It pressed down, but the needle snapped on contact with his skin.


    Elrich¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Well, that¡¯s... unexpected. Your epidermis is far more durable than anticipated.¡±


    Arthur glanced at the shattered needle. ¡°You¡¯ll need stronger tools.¡±


    Elrich chuckled, impressed rather than deterred. ¡°Fortunately, we planned for this.¡± He adjusted the console, summoning a sturdier robotic arm. The new syringe gleamed with a reinforced alloy tip.


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


    The arm moved into position, pressing the syringe against Arthur¡¯s arm. This time, with some resistance, it managed to pierce his skin and draw a small vial of blood.


    Seeing his blood being drawn Arthur thought how he would allow the blood to have his regeneration power. He thought for a second and mentally willed the blood being drawn to contain the regenerative properties of his blood.


    ¡°Incredible,¡± Elrich murmured, holding a vial up to the light. ¡°Even our enhanced instruments barely succeeded. Your physiology is beyond anything we¡¯ve documented.¡±


    Arthur sat up slightly, his tone calm. ¡°Glad to know I¡¯m still full of surprises.¡±


    Elrich placed the vials into a device that immediately began analyzing its contents. ¡°Now for the stem cells,¡± he said, summoning another machine.


    A larger arm descended, this one equipped with a fine needle designed for marrow extraction. ¡°This part might be uncomfortable,¡± Elrich warned, aligning the device with precision.


    The needle penetrated Arthur¡¯s arm, delving deeper. A faint pressure built, but Arthur remained unflinching.


    Elrich monitored the process, his expression a mixture of awe and concentration. ¡°Your regenerative abilities must be extraordinary. The cellular density alone is remarkable.¡±


    Once the extraction was complete, Elrich carefully placed the sample into another analyzer. ¡°This will take time to process,¡± he said, stepping back. ¡°But I can already tell we¡¯ve gathered something extraordinary. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Sully.¡±


    Arthur stood, flexing his arm as if testing it. ¡°Just make sure you use it wisely, Doctor. It could help the lives that are on the frontline.¡±


    Elrich met his gaze, his expression solemn. ¡°You can count on it. This is about saving humanity, after all.¡±


    Arthur nodded and left the lab, his mind already turning to the UFE¡¯s next move. They had his samples, but he had their tech. The balance of power remained in flux, and he intended to keep it that way.


    ¡­


    Arthur strode down the quiet corridors of the space station, his boots echoing faintly against the metallic flooring. A sense of anticipation hummed in his chest. He had received word earlier about the lab the UFE had provided him, his personal workspace to conduct research and explore his capabilities. Now, he was about to see if their promise matched his expectations.


    As he reached the designated section, a set of reinforced doors loomed ahead. The area was more isolated than he had anticipated, tucked away in a corner of the station. He appreciated the privacy; after all, this space would become a sanctuary for his experiments and discoveries.


    The console by the door glowed faintly, awaiting authentication. Arthur placed his palm against the scanner, feeling the subtle hum of energy beneath the surface. A second later, a beam of light swept over his eyes, performing an iris scan.


    ¡°Access granted,¡± a mechanical voice announced.


    With a soft whoosh, the doors slid open, revealing the lab beyond. Arthur stepped inside, his eyes widened slightly at the sight before him.


    The lab was enormous, spanning the size of two basketball courts combined. The walls gleamed with a polished metallic finish, embedded with glowing blue conduits that pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat. The air was crisp and carried a faint sterile scent, reminiscent of ozone.


    The space was filled with advanced machinery, each piece radiating sophistication and power. A programmable matter generator stood in one corner, its surface shimmering as particles rearranged themselves in an endless cycle of possibilities.


    Nearby, a dark energy reactor hummed softly, its containment field pulsating with an almost otherworldly glow. Rows of diagnostic devices, molecular scanners, and equipment Arthur couldn¡¯t yet identify lined the walls.


    Arthur let out a low whistle, his lips curving into a rare smile. ¡°Now this... this is something.¡±


    He stepped further into the lab, the door sliding shut behind him with a quiet click. His eyes roamed over the equipment, each piece a testament to humanity¡¯s ingenuity and ambition.


    Spreading his hands slightly, Arthur activated his technopathy. Instantly, the lab came alive in his mind. Streams of data flooded his consciousness as he reached out to every machine, every system, every interface. The lab wasn¡¯t just a collection of tools anymore, it was an extension of him.


    ¡°Programmable matter generator,¡± he murmured, feeling the intricate layers of its mechanisms as if they were strands of silk in his hands. ¡°Nanoscopic fabrication, molecular assembly, and adaptive construction. Useful.¡±


    His focus shifted to the dark energy reactor. The sheer complexity of its design sent a thrill through him. ¡°Gravity manipulation and energy production at this scale... I could power a city with this, or a weapon that could level one.¡±


    As Arthur moved through the lab, he systematically recorded the blueprints, schematics, and inner workings of every device into his System database. Each machine had its own ¡°voice,¡± a unique structure and design that he absorbed with precision.


    ¡®This lab is a treasure trove,¡¯ he thought, his mind racing with possibilities. ¡®With these tools, I can push my limits, refine my abilities, and maybe learn everything the UFE has to offer.¡¯


    He approached a central console that displayed a holographic interface. Waving his hand over it, the system sprang to life, projecting a three-dimensional map of the lab and its various functions. Arthur quickly navigated the interface, customizing the layout and organizing the equipment to suit his needs.


    ¡°This will do nicely,¡± he said aloud, the faint hum of satisfaction in his tone.


    As he continued exploring, Arthur couldn¡¯t help but let his thoughts drift to the larger picture. The lab was a gift, yes, but also a calculated move by the UFE.


    They wanted results, and they were willing to give him something like this lab and the knowledge to keep him under their control. Because they believe someone with ambition is easier to control.


    Arthur smirked thinking about it. ¡®They¡¯re playing their game,¡¯ Arthur thought, his gaze sharpening. ¡®But I¡¯ll play mine too. And with this lab, I¡¯m already ahead.¡¯


    Arthur has noticed the heavy surveillance put inside the lab the moment he arrived, he used his technopathy to alter what others will see and hear, what he wanted them to.


    Arthur¡¯s attention returned to the programmable matter generator. A sudden idea sparked in his mind. Walking up to the device, he activated it and began experimenting with its interface. The machine hummed to life, particles swirling within its containment field.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what you can really do,¡± he muttered, his voice filled with quiet determination.


    For the next few hours, Arthur tested the equipment, pushing each machine to its limits while making mental notes of their performance. He tinkered with molecular models, simulated energy fields, and even constructed a prototype tool using programmable matter.


    By the time he finished, the lab felt less like an unfamiliar space and more like an extension of himself. Arthur leaned against a counter, taking a moment to appreciate the silence.


    ***

 Chapter 41: First Creation

    Arthur stood in the center of his lab, the programmable matter and nanobot generator humming softly in front of him. The device was sleek and cylindrical, with a transparent chamber in its core where raw materials were broken down into their base components.


    Streams of energy pulsed rhythmically through the chamber as the machine worked, dismantling molecular bonds and reassembling the atoms into nanobots with precision beyond human capability.


    Arthur ran a hand over the smooth surface of the generator, his technopathy instinctively connecting to its systems. He could feel the intricate processes within, the microscopic assembly lines working tirelessly to create the programmable nanobots.


    This machine has the potential to revolutionize everything. From warfare to industry, medicine to construction. And today, it¡¯s going to help Arthur create something he will use daily.


    He placed a tray of materials into the intake slot: a blend of high-strength alloys, carbon nanofibers, and polymer compounds. As the generator began its work, the materials were broken down, their molecular structures rearranging into programmable nanobots.


    Arthur observed the process through a holographic interface, watching as the nanobots were formed. Each one was a marvel of engineering, capable of adapting to a variety of tasks depending on how they were programmed.


    ¡°These little guys,¡± Arthur muttered, ¡°can be anything I want them to be. Weapons, tools, medical aids¡­ But today, we start simple. Clothes which are durable, and functional.¡±


    The machine completed its task, and a small compartment opened, revealing a shimmering pool of nanobots, their surfaces reflecting light like liquid metal.


    ¡®Let¡¯s see what it can do,¡¯ he mused, moving to the assembly equipment.


    Using the holographic interface, Arthur began programming the nanobots. His first task was to create a base material, a fabric that was soft to the touch but possessed unparalleled durability. He integrated nanofibers into the design for added cushioning and programmed the bots to weave the material at a microscopic level.


    The generator whirred as the nanobots assembled the fabric, layer by layer. Soon, a piece of cloth emerged, though it was a blank canvas, but it can be moulded into various designs by scanning different clothes. Arthur ran his hand over it, marveling at the texture.


    Its texture is soft as cotton, but it was far tougher than any armor currently used by UFE soldiers.


    He draped the cloth over his arm, feeling its weight. The material was dense, significantly heavier than standard armor. For most soldiers, this would be a major drawback, hindering movement and agility. This is the reason why these kinds of alloys were not used to make armors.


    But for Arthur, whose strength far exceeded theirs, it was a non-issue.


    ¡®Weight¡¯s not a problem for me,¡¯ he mused. ¡®And durability like this is worth the trade-off.¡¯


    Arthur began shaping the fabric into a suit, programming the nanobots to create seams, adjust fit, and incorporate additional features. The design was simple yet functional, a sleek black outfit that clung to his form like a second skin.


    But Arthur wasn¡¯t finished. He had bigger plans for this creation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see,¡± he muttered, opening the programming interface. ¡°Self-cleaning is a given. No point in having something this advanced if it¡¯s a hassle to maintain.¡±


    He added the function, programming the nanobots to break down dirt, sweat, and other contaminants at a molecular level. Next, he included adaptive temperature regulation, allowing the suit to keep him warm in freezing conditions and cool in extreme heat. Though he does not need it due to his powers, he thought he might as well keep the function than to not have it.


    For the final touch, Arthur added a camouflage feature. By manipulating the nanobots¡¯ reflective properties, the suit could blend into its surroundings, rendering him nearly invisible.


    ¡°That should do it,¡± he said, stepping back to admire his work.


    He moved to a mirror, examining his reflection. The suit was sleek, minimalist, and undeniably functional.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± he said with a wide grin. ¡°Not bad at all.¡±


    Arthur clenched his fists, testing the suit¡¯s flexibility. It moved with him effortlessly, the nanobots adjusting to every shift in his posture.


    Though UFE has provided him with this technology but it was not complete, he does not have access to nanotechnology where nanobots can replicate themselves using any material available but he will be able to copy its blueprints when the UFE will allow him to interact with the machine as per their agreement.


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    Then he thought about his friends and decided to make clothes for them, though for them he did not use the same material but used much lighter material but still durable to resist wear and tear.


    ¡­


    Arthur stood before the programmable matter generator, its sleek black casing glowing faintly with soft blue light.


    The success of his multifunctional clothing had spurred him forward, but as he gazed at the generator, his thoughts shifted to a different kind of creation, something not just practical but will help him increase his strength.


    An idea sparked, a memory from his previous world. In one of the anime series he used to watch, there was a device called a Gravity Chamber. It was a training room capable of increasing gravitational force, pushing the user¡¯s body to its limits.


    Arthur leaned back, a faint smile playing on his lips. ¡°A gravity chamber. That¡¯s exactly what I need. A place where I can push myself physically and test the limits of my adaptive abilities.¡±


    A normal human might not be able to use this to train themselves as gravity acts on every part of the body including every cell, and with enough gravity it can rupture the cells leading to death. But this is not a problem for Arthur as he will be able to adapt to it and grow stronger.


    The idea of a gravity chamber had been forming in his mind since his arrival at the lab. A device that could manipulate gravitational forces wasn¡¯t a new concept; artificial gravity was a necessity in space travel. And there were also devices that generate high gravity to store some valuable materials which can become unstable at low gravity.


    But using it as a tool to push the limits of physical endurance and adaptive growth? That was an entirely different application, and never thought of.


    ¡®This could be a game-changer,¡¯ Arthur thought. ¡®For me, at least. Normal humans wouldn¡¯t even survive it. But with my regenerative abilities and Reactive Evolution, I can push myself far beyond normal limits.¡¯


    ¡°This won¡¯t be complicated to build,¡± he mused, his technopathy analyzing the components required. ¡°The principle is simple: increase the gravitational force within an enclosed space. The only challenge will be ensuring the chamber can handle extreme stresses without collapsing.¡±


    Then Arthur started to design the chamber, a holographic blueprint of the gravity chamber appeared before him, its design a blend of existing technology and Arthur¡¯s modifications.


    The central feature was a high-output gravity generator, similar to those used in the space station¡¯s artificial gravity systems. Reinforced alloy plates would form the chamber¡¯s walls, capable of withstanding extreme internal pressure.


    Though Arthur has to ask the admiral of this space station for a place to build the chamber, he thought it was not a request they cannot fulfill. So, he sent a request to meet the admiral later today.


    With the technology already present he started putting in inputs for the nanobot generator to begin its work to create the components of the gravity generator, Arthur turned his attention to another area of growth: his energy absorption ability. He had been using it passively in the past, but if he could learn to control and enhance it, the potential applications were limitless.


    He retrieved a compact, high-output battery from a storage unit and placed it on a nearby workbench. The device thrummed with contained energy, its display panel indicating a full charge. Arthur stared at it, his thoughts racing.


    ¡®Energy is everywhere,¡¯ he thought, running his fingers along the battery¡¯s smooth casing. ¡®Electricity, heat, radiation. If I can learn to absorb and utilize it, I could turn it into a weapon, a shield, or even a power source for my body.¡¯


    Placing his hand over the battery terminals, he closed his eyes and focused, trying to sense the energy within. His technopathy allowed him to understand the device¡¯s internal structure, but this was different. This wasn¡¯t about controlling the technology, it was about connecting with the energy itself.


    A faint tingling sensation spread through his palm, like static electricity building under his skin as he moved his hands towards the battery terminals. Arthur¡¯s brow furrowed as he concentrated, his breathing steady. The sensation grew stronger, and then when he touched the two terminals, with a sharp crack, a tiny spark of electricity arced from the battery to his hand.


    Arthur flinched but didn¡¯t pull away. He adjusted the battery¡¯s settings, increasing the output slightly, and tried again. This time, the spark was brighter, and the tingling sensation spread further up his arm, making Arthur feel numb all over his body. Arthur could feel electricity coursing through his vein but can¡¯t figure out how to absorb it.


    ¡®I need to sync with it,¡¯ he thought, his focus sharpening. ¡®Energy isn¡¯t just raw power, it has a frequency, a pattern. If I can match it, I might be able to absorb it.¡¯


    The process was slow and painstaking, every attempt till now yielded only failures. Arthur¡¯s mind was a whirlwind of calculations and adjustments, his technopathy helping him fine-tune the battery¡¯s output to create the ideal conditions for absorption.


    After several hours, he leaned back, flexing his fingers. The battery¡¯s charge had decreased significantly, and Arthur could feel a faint warmth spreading through his arm, a sign that some of the energy had been absorbed.


    Arthur checked his status and saw that his Energy absorption ability was still at Lv1. It might need to reach a milestone to be counted as a level up.


    ¡°It¡¯s not much,¡± he admitted, his tone thoughtful. ¡°But it can be counted as progress.¡±


    Turning back to the programmable matter generator, Arthur checked the status of the gravity generator parts fabrication. The components were nearly complete, their sleek, metallic forms neatly arranged in the output tray.


    As he began assembling the gravity generator, his mind raced with ideas. The chamber would allow him to train his body under extreme conditions, forcing his adaptive abilities to evolve further. Combined with his energy absorption training, it was a step toward unlocking his full potential.


    By the time he finished assembling the gravity generator, Arthur felt a deep sense of satisfaction.


    He used his technopathy linking with the gravity generator¡¯s systems. The interface was intuitive, responding instantly to his commands. The device was able to generate up to 70 times the gravity of earth within 15 meters around it. Arthur would be able to improve in the future but for now it was enough.


    ¡°Now all I need is to integrate it with the chamber, I should be able to finish it by tomorrow if I can get the chamber ready,¡± he thought, a faint smile crossing his lips.


    After putting the clothes he prepared for his friends in his spatial orb he left the lab, Arthur decided to go and meet the admiral as his request had been accepted for a meeting.


    ***

 Chapter 42: Gravity Chamber

    Arthur stood before the towering bulkhead doors of the command center. The buzz of activity beyond was audible even here.


    His request to meet Admiral Viktor Thalberg had been granted with surprising speed, perhaps they thought they needed to keep him satisfied as they had something to gain from him, Arthur thought they really knew how to keep one attached to the UFE.


    The doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the admiral seated at a large oval desk. A holographic map of the station floated above the table, dotted with indicators and data streams. Admiral Thalberg looked up, his eyes fixing on Arthur with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny.


    ¡°Arthur,¡± the admiral greeted, ¡°I assume this meeting is about more than just exchanging pleasantries.¡±


    Arthur stepped forward, giving a respectful nod. ¡°You¡¯re right, Admiral. I have a project in mind, something that could greatly enhance my effectiveness in the field. But to complete it, I need a dedicated space on the station.¡±


    The admiral leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. ¡°Go on.¡±


    Arthur activated his wrist mount datapad¡¯s interface, projecting a holographic blueprint of the gravity chamber¡¯s design into the air. The sleek, half spherical structure rotated slowly, its intricate systems and reinforcements detailed in glowing blue lines.


    ¡°This is a gravity chamber,¡± Arthur began. ¡°It¡¯s a training facility that can simulate extreme gravitational forces. For most, it would be a death trap. But for someone like me who has regenerative power, it¡¯s an invaluable tool to push my body¡¯s limits and enhance my strength.¡±


    Arthur continued ¡°The chamber¡¯s reinforced alloy walls can withstand the internal pressures generated by the gravity field. It will also be located in an isolated section of the station to minimize risk. I¡¯ll run continuous diagnostics to ensure its stability.¡±


    Thalberg¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile and nodded, ¡°You¡¯ve thought this through. I¡¯ll authorize the use of a storage hangar near your lab, I will allow you to use our engineering corps to set up the chamber, that should do the job.¡±


    Relief washed over Arthur, though he maintained his composure. ¡°Thank you, Admiral.¡±


    With the help of the engineering corps the chamber could be set up in less than a day, after that Arthur left the office and went towards his quarters. Tomorrow the first thing he would do is set up the gravity chamber.


    ¡­


    When he arrived at the common quarter shared with his teammates, the atmosphere was lively. Leo was lounging on one of the couches, tinkering with a small gadget, his brow furrowed in concentration. Elena sat at the far end of the room, polishing her sniper rifle with practiced precision, while Samir was sprawled across a chair, flipping through mission logs on a datapad.


    Arthur cleared his throat, drawing their attention.


    ¡°Hey, everyone,¡± he said, stepping fully into the room. His voice carried a casual warmth, but there was a flicker of excitement in his eyes.


    Leo looked up, his gadget momentarily forgotten. ¡°Arthur! You¡¯re back earlier than I expected. What¡¯s up?¡±


    Elena set her rifle down carefully, giving him a curious glance. ¡°You¡¯ve got that look again,¡± she remarked. ¡°The one that says you¡¯ve been up to something.¡±


    Leo grinned, leaning forward in his chair. ¡°Spill it. What¡¯s the big reveal this time?¡±


    Arthur chuckled, reaching towards his arm guard, the spatial storage device that was given to every ECHOs. With a quick mental command, the holographic screen opened, its screen showing the content inside the device as he retrieved several neatly folded garments.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been working on something for all of you,¡± he said, holding up the clothing. Each piece was tailored to its recipient, with sleek designs that balanced functionality and style.


    The room went silent for a moment as his teammates processed what they were seeing.


    ¡°You made us clothes?¡± Leo asked, his tone a mix of surprise and appreciation.


    Arthur nodded. ¡°Not just normal clothes. These are custom-made suits using advanced materials and nanobots. Durable, lightweight, and optimized for utility, and it can scan different clothes and imitate their designs or you can choose among the ones present in its database.¡±


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    Elena raised an eyebrow, inspecting the suit. ¡°You¡¯ve thought of everything, haven¡¯t you? This is amazing, Arthur. I don¡¯t know what to say.¡±


    ¡°¡®Thanks¡¯ works,¡± Arthur replied with a smirk, earning a small chuckle from her.


    Samir¡¯s eyes lit up as he held up the jacket, admiring the style and gave a curt reply. ¡°Thank you,¡±


    Leo grinned, slipping on the jacket and doing a mock spin. ¡°Not gonna lie, I feel like a superhero in this. You sure you didn¡¯t sneak some powers into these?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, no strength enhancements were added,¡± Arthur said, chuckling. ¡°But they are built to resist wear and tear.¡±


    Elena stood, holding her suit against herself as she looked at Arthur. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do this, you know. But it means a lot. Thank you.¡±


    The moment was quiet for a beat, each of them absorbing the sincerity of Arthur¡¯s gesture.


    ¡°Well,¡± Elena finally said, breaking the silence, ¡°I guess we¡¯re all going to be the best-dressed team on the station now.¡±


    ¡°Damn right,¡± Leo quipped, striking a dramatic pose.


    Arthur smiled, a sense of satisfaction settling over him.


    ¡­


    The next day, with the admiral¡¯s approval secured, Arthur made his way to the designated hangar near his lab. The space was perfect, large enough to house the chamber and its systems, with ample room for future upgrades.


    The area where the chamber would be built was expansive, its cavernous interior humming with activity from the engineering corps. Machines buzzed and automated bots zipped around, carrying components and tools to their assigned locations.


    A senior engineer approached Arthur, a stout man with a graying beard and a sharp, no-nonsense demeanor. His uniform bore the name Chief Engineer Rowan Carter, and his sharp eyes took in Arthur with a mixture of curiosity and respect.


    ¡°Mr. Arthur,¡± Carter said, extending a hand. ¡°We got your specifications. Quite the ambitious project you¡¯ve got here. Gravity manipulation at these levels isn¡¯t child¡¯s play.¡±


    Arthur shook his hand, smiling. ¡°It¡¯s not, but I think we¡¯re up to the task. Thanks for lending your team to help with this.¡±


    Carter gestured toward the hangar floor, where his crew was already at work. ¡°Well, let¡¯s get to it. You¡¯ve got some cutting-edge tech here. I¡¯ll admit, I¡¯m curious to see how it all comes together.¡± Carter said after seeing the gravity generator that Arthur brought with him.


    Arthur joined Carter and his team as they began unpacking the components of the gravity generator and the chamber¡¯s reinforced walls. The sleek, metallic parts gleamed under the hangar¡¯s overhead lights, their intricate designs a testament to advanced engineering.


    The work progressed swiftly as Carter directed his team. Heavy-duty assembly bots lifted the chamber¡¯s alloy panels into place, their movements precise and fluid. Automated welders sealed the interlocking segments seamlessly, while diagnostic drones hovered nearby, scanning for flaws.


    Arthur moved between the workers, his technopathy giving him a unique perspective on the machines¡¯ operations. He monitored their processes in real time, offering adjustments where needed.


    ¡°Chief Carter,¡± Arthur called out, pointing to a section of the chamber¡¯s supports. ¡°That joint there needs additional reinforcement. The gravity field will exert extreme pressure on this point.¡±


    Carter nodded, barking orders to a nearby engineer. ¡°You heard the man! Get an extra brace in there.¡±


    As the team worked, Carter sidled up to Arthur, his tone conversational. ¡°You¡¯re a hands-on type, aren¡¯t you? Most scientists would just sit back and let us do the heavy lifting.¡±


    Arthur smiled. ¡°This project is important to me. I want to make sure every detail is perfect.¡±


    Carter nodded after hearing that and didn¡¯t say anything more.


    Hours passed as the chamber took shape. The reinforced alloy walls were completed, forming a seamless half spherical structure. The gravity generator was carefully installed at the center, its core glowing faintly while pulsating with a blue light.


    Finally, the team finished integrating the power conduits and safety overrides. Carter stood back, wiping his hands on a cloth as he surveyed their work.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re ready for a test run,¡± he said.


    Arthur stepped forward, activating the chamber¡¯s control panel. The holographic interface lit up, displaying a range of settings and diagnostics. ¡°I¡¯ll start with five times Earth¡¯s gravity,¡± he said, configuring the parameters.


    The chamber powered up with a low hum that grew in intensity. The ground beneath him seemed to vibrate subtly as the gravity field engaged.


    Arthur stepped inside, feeling the increased weight press down on him. His muscles tensed instinctively, adjusting to the load. He turned back to the team, a satisfied smile on his face.


    ¡°It works,¡± he said simply.


    Carter let out a low whistle. ¡°I¡¯ll be damned. You¡¯ve got yourself a functioning gravity chamber.¡±


    Arthur chuckled hearing that. The team cheered lightly, proud of their accomplishment.


    Arthur nodded, his gratitude evident. ¡°Thanks, Chief Carter. And thank all of you. This wouldn¡¯t have come together so smoothly without your expertise.¡±


    Carter clasped his hands on his back. ¡°Anytime, Mr. Arthur. Just give a call whenever you have similar projects to complete and we will come rushing.¡±


    As the engineers began packing up their tools, Arthur lingered in the chamber for a moment, testing the specifications and safety of the gravity chamber. This was the first step toward pushing his limits, and he wasn¡¯t going to stop here.


    ***

 Chapter 43: Training

    Arthur stepped out of the newly completed gravity chamber, the faint hum of the deactivated generator still resonating in his ears. Satisfied with the chamber¡¯s functionality, he double-checked the system¡¯s safety protocols and diagnostics one last time, using his technopathy to sweep through the intricate web of circuits and subsystems. Everything was in perfect order.


    With a small nod of approval, he turned on his heel and headed back to his lab. The corridors of the station were quieter than usual at this hour, the dim lighting reflecting the transition to the station¡¯s night cycle. As he walked, Arthur¡¯s mind raced with thoughts of his next steps.


    ¡®The chamber¡¯s operational, but that¡¯s just one part of the equation,¡¯ he mused. ¡®I need to order some equipment for training.¡¯


    When he entered his lab, the familiar sight of his workspace greeted him. Arthur moved to his central console and placed his hand on the interface. The lab''s systems immediately responded, the holographic displays lighting up around him. He focused on his spatial orb, a device that had been pivotal in many of his recent endeavors.


    Using his technopathy, Arthur delved into the orb¡¯s systems. His mind swam through streams of data, parsing the device¡¯s complex structure. Slowly, he began creating a blueprint of the orb¡¯s design. The intricate energy matrices, spatial compression algorithms, and material compositions, the dark energy reactor at the center of the compressed space to stabilize it were all meticulously recorded.


    But the orb itself was only one part of the equation. Arthur leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the monitors. The equipment needed to create the orb had been classified as one of UFE¡¯s top technological secrets, locked away in secured facilities.


    "I could fabricate some of it myself, but the time and resources¡­" He shook his head. "No, that¡¯s inefficient. If I ever get the opportunity, I¡¯ll need to access the blueprints for those systems too. Until then, I¡¯ll work with what I have."


    Arthur closed the orb¡¯s schematic and shifted his attention to another task. Using the contact Admiral Thalberg had provided, he began drafting specifications for custom gym equipment tailored to his training regimen. The gravity chamber would push his physical limits, but standard weights and machines wouldn¡¯t cut it anymore.


    "I¡¯ll need machines that can handle higher resistance, adjustable to match the chamber¡¯s settings. The materials will need to be reinforced too. Maybe¡­" He paused, fingers hovering over the console. "using high grade alloys will do the job."


    The thought excited him, and he added it to the material specifications. Once he was satisfied, he sent the order to the contact, attaching a note for expedited delivery.


    With that task complete, Arthur stood and stretched. He walked over to a small, reinforced platform in the corner of the lab, a space he had reserved for practicing his energy absorption ability.


    He extended his hand towards the terminals of the high yield battery, and a faint blue glow began to radiate from his palm. Arthur focused on the energy, drawing it inward. He felt the familiar surge, a warmth spreading through his veins as the energy became part of him.


    ¡®This ability¡­ It¡¯s still so untapped,¡¯ he thought, his brow furrowing in concentration. ¡®I can absorb energy, but it''s not efficient at the moment.¡¯


    For hours, Arthur experimented. He absorbed energy from various sources, stored plasma cells, and even small bursts from his plasma sword. He tested his limits, noting how his body responded to different types and intensities of energy.


    As the station¡¯s night cycle drew on, Arthur returned to his console. He reviewed the day¡¯s progress, the gravity chamber, the orb¡¯s blueprint, the custom equipment order, and his energy absorption practice.


    He thought, a flicker of excitement lighting his eyes. ¡®One step at a time.¡¯¡¯


    With that resolve, Arthur powered down the lab¡¯s systems, and returned to his quarter.


    ¡­


    Arthur stepped into his quarters, the door hissing shut behind him. He was about to head to his room when he saw Leo coming out of his room.


    Leo¡¯s expression was serious, "Hey, Arthur," Leo greeted, leaning casually against the wall. "Got a minute?" He crossed his arms and looked Arthur squarely in the eye. "We¡¯ve got a mission."


    Arthur¡¯s brows rose slightly. "Already? That was fast. What¡¯s the situation?"


    "It¡¯s not immediate," Leo clarified. "We¡¯ve got a week to prepare, but it¡¯s a big one. Command just sent the briefing to the team leader, you were not present so he asked me to inform you. We¡¯re heading to a resource planet near the edge of the galaxy this time."


    Arthur tilted his head, his mind already racing. "A resource planet? Let me guess, strategically valuable minerals?"


    Leo nodded. "Exactly. The planet¡¯s rich in exotic metals and energy-dense minerals, stuff both humans and Chimerians would kill to control. And, well¡­" He hesitated, his expression darkening.


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    Arthur leaned forward. "What is it?"


    "The fighting¡¯s been brutal," Leo admitted. "The Chimerians aren¡¯t just sending foot soldiers anymore. Command suspects they¡¯ve deployed advanced combat units, possibly even their elite forces. The human forces stationed there are barely holding the line."


    Arthur¡¯s gaze sharpened. "So, they¡¯re sending us in to tip the balance?"


    "Pretty much," Leo said with a grim smile. "We¡¯re supposed to assess the situation, reinforce the troops, and, if possible, secure the mining planet before the Chimerians can get full control of it."


    He sat down on the sofa, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "But there¡¯s more to it. The planet has some kind of ancient ruins that appeared out of nowhere, pre-human. Command thinks there could be something there that¡¯s worth fighting over."


    Arthur¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Ancient ruins? That complicates things. If the Chimerians are interested, it¡¯s not just about resources. There¡¯s something there they want. Maybe technology or something tied to their plans."


    Leo sighed. "You¡¯re not wrong. That¡¯s why they¡¯re sending us, Arthur. We are the nearest ECHO unit. And, well¡­" He gave Arthur a pointed look. "You¡¯re the wildcard they¡¯re counting on."


    Arthur let out a dry chuckle. "A wildcard, huh? No pressure."


    Leo''s tone turned serious. "But, this isn¡¯t going to be easy. I have heard the Chimerian camp is guarded by a Red One."


    Arthur recalled the information he had on them, among the elites of Chimerians there are those who act as the leaders, their strength were unknown as they were never seen taking action in the battlefield.


    Arthur nodded, "Thanks for the heads-up."


    As the door closed behind Leo as he entered his room, Arthur turned back to his room, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The upcoming mission was a challenge, but it was also an opportunity to test his new training, push his limits, and uncover whatever secrets the Chimerians were after.


    ¡­


    The next morning, Arthur walked briskly towards his lab, his mind already busy with calculations and plans for the day. He was reviewing a formula in his head inside his lab when a soft ping interrupted his thoughts.


    He turned to the door, eyebrows raised in mild surprise. ¡°Who could it be?¡± he muttered to himself. Approaching the door, he pressed the control panel, and it slid open with a quiet hiss.


    Before him stood a line of automated delivery robots, each one carrying massive crates stamped with the insignia of the station¡¯s logistics division. Arthur¡¯s eyes flicked over the labels, confirming the contents, custom gym equipment.


    ¡°They¡¯re fast,¡± he murmured, nodding appreciatively.


    The lead bot emitted a polite chirp and extended a mechanical arm, offering a data pad for Arthur to confirm receipt. After signing off, Arthur watched as the bots neatly deposited the crates just inside his lab before leaving as efficiently as they had arrived.


    Arthur knelt beside one of the crates, prying it open. Inside were metallic barbells, dumbbells, and other equipment, their sheer size and weight impressive even at first glance. The labels made him smirk.


    ¡°Barbells weighing up to 2000 tons, dumbbells from 200 to 500 tons,¡± he said, running a hand over the polished surface of a barbell. ¡°Guess it¡¯s time to put all this to good use.¡±


    Gathering the equipment into his spatial orb for easier transport, Arthur headed to the gravity chamber. The chamber was quiet, its control panel blinking in standby mode. He set the equipment down in designated spots.


    After a few moments of setup, he approached the control panel and began configuring the settings. "Let¡¯s start with five times Earth¡¯s gravity," he said to himself, inputting the command.


    The chamber hummed to life, its core glowing faintly as the gravity field activated. Arthur immediately felt the change. The air seemed denser, and his body felt heavier, not unmanageable, but noticeable.


    ¡°This subtle pressure,¡± he muttered, rolling his shoulders and flexing his fingers. ¡°Just enough to remind me it¡¯s there.¡±


    He started with some light exercises: push-ups, jumping jacks, and stretches. Despite the increased gravity, his movements were fluid, his body adapting quickly. After thirty minutes, a thin sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said, stepping back to the control panel. ¡°Let¡¯s dial it up.¡±


    He increased the gravity to six times Earth¡¯s. The chamber¡¯s hum deepened, and the pressure intensified. Returning to the center of the room, Arthur positioned himself under the 1000-ton barbell.


    The barbell gleamed under the chamber''s lights as he lifted it onto his shoulders. His muscles tensed, the weight sending a shockwave through his body.


    ¡°It¡¯s so heavy,¡± he muttered through gritted teeth.


    Arthur began squatting, his movements deliberate and controlled. Each repetition tested his strength and focus, the pressure of the increased gravity amplifying the challenge.


    After completing several sets, he moved to the dumbbells, starting with the 200-ton pair. These were easier to manage, and he quickly progressed to the 500-ton set. His arms strained as he performed curls, sweat dripping from his brow and pooling on the chamber floor.


    ¡®This¡­ is what I need,¡¯ Arthur thought, his breathing heavy but measured. ¡®If I¡¯m going to face the unknown red Chimerian, I can¡¯t afford to plateau. I have to keep pushing, keep growing.¡¯


    Hours passed as Arthur cycled through various exercises. He tested his limits with squats, bench presses, and deadlifts, each lift demanding precision and endurance. By the time he reached nine times Earth¡¯s gravity, his entire body screamed in protest, but he refused to stop.


    ¡°Just¡­ one more rep,¡± he told himself repeatedly, his determination unwavering.


    Finally, after four grueling hours, Arthur placed the 1000-ton barbell back onto its stand with a resounding clang. His chest heaved as he stood there, drenched in sweat, his muscles trembling from the effort. Although Arthur has regeneration which can instantly repair torn muscles but it can¡¯t remove the lactic acid accumulated in his muscles.


    ¡°This will do for now,¡± he said, wiping his face with a towel he¡¯d brought along.


    Exiting the chamber, he headed to the small bathroom inside his lab. The cool water from the shower was a stark contrast to the heat radiating from his body, washing away the fatigue and grime.


    Feeling rejuvenated, he left the lab and made his way to the mess hall. As he sat down with a plate of food, his mind was already turning to the next phase of his training.


    ***

 Chapter 44: An Eventful Week

    The days blurred into a routine of relentless training and focused research for Arthur. Every morning began the same way: a protein-rich breakfast, a quick review of his training plans, and then a long session in the gravity chamber.


    The hum of the chamber had become a constant in Arthur¡¯s life, almost a companion. Over the week, he had gradually increased the intensity of the gravity field, pushing his body to new limits with each passing day. At the start of the week, he had been lifting weights and performing exercises under 11 times Earth¡¯s gravity. By midweek, he had dialed it up to 15 times, and the strain on his body had been immense.


    "Come on," he muttered to himself one day as he positioned a 1000-ton barbell across his shoulders. His legs trembled slightly under the immense weight, and sweat poured down his face even before he completed the first squat.


    With a deep breath, he lowered himself, his muscles screaming in protest. ¡°One¡­ more rep.¡± he gritted through clenched teeth.


    Each day, he pushed harder, surpassing the limits he thought were immovable. By the end of the week, Arthur stood in the chamber, bathed in the dim glow of its core, under the crushing force of 21 times Earth¡¯s gravity. He moved slowly, deliberately, each motion a testament to his determination.


    The workout was grueling, but the results were evident. His muscles had grown denser, his reflexes sharper. Arthur felt stronger, more in control of his own body than ever before.


    Still, physical training was only half of his focus. When he wasn¡¯t in the chamber, Arthur immersed himself in his lab, studying the advanced technologies he had procured. His research table was cluttered with holographic projections, disassembled gadgets, and piles of notes.


    One device caught his attention, a high-capacity energy core used in some of UFE¡¯s experimental spacecraft. He activated the core, its faint blue glow lighting up the room.


    His technopathy allowed him to interface with the device, its intricate schematics unraveling before his eyes. Arthur worked tirelessly, cross-referencing the core¡¯s design with the knowledge he had gathered over the years.


    ¡°I can replicate this,¡± he murmured, his fingers flying across a holographic keyboard. ¡°But I¡¯ll need to source materials¡­ Maybe I can optimize the design to increase efficiency while reducing the size.¡± He thought of doing so to train his energy absorption ability.


    It wasn¡¯t just about replication. Arthur was always looking for ways to improve, to innovate. Every spare moment was spent designing, testing, and refining.


    Amidst all this, Arthur continued practicing his energy absorption ability. The progress was slow at first, but by the end of the week, he felt a breakthrough. Standing in his lab, he held a high-yield energy battery in his hands.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what happens,¡± he said, closing his eyes and focusing.


    A faint shimmer surrounded the battery as Arthur activated his ability. He felt the energy flow into him, like a warm current coursing through his veins. The sensation was different this time, it was faster and smoother.


    When the battery was completely drained, Arthur opened his eyes and checked his status, a small grin playing on his lips. ¡°I have finally reached level 2,¡± he said, feeling the surge of power within him.


    To test his limits, Arthur lined up three more batteries, each one more powerful than the last. One by one, he drained them, the energy absorption almost effortless now. The glow of the batteries faded as he drew their power into himself, his body adapting to the influx with ease.


    But it wasn¡¯t just electrical energy anymore. Arthur had discovered he could absorb heat energy as well. In a controlled test, he placed his hand near a high-temperature thermal plate. Focusing intently, he felt the warmth flow into him, the heat dissipating from the plate.


    ¡°This¡­ is new,¡± he said, staring at his hand.


    However, the ability had its limitations. While he could absorb the heat, he couldn¡¯t manipulate it yet. The energy sat dormant within him, a potential he had yet to unlock.


    ¡°I need to figure out how to use this,¡± he muttered, pacing the lab. ¡°What¡¯s the point of absorbing energy if I can¡¯t direct it where I need it? Maybe¡­ maybe it¡¯s about control. Or maybe I¡¯m missing something fundamental.¡±


    Arthur spent hours running simulations, testing theories, and experimenting with different methods of energy manipulation. Despite his progress, the solution remained elusive.


    As the week came to an end, Arthur leaned back in his chair, staring at the holographic display of his lab¡¯s systems. He was physically exhausted from the gravity training and mentally drained from his research, but there was a sense of accomplishment in his fatigue.


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    With that, Arthur shut down the lab¡¯s systems for the night and headed to his quarters, his mind already planning the next steps in his journey.


    ¡­


    At the start of the week, as Arthur sat in his lab poring over a particularly intricate energy schematic, a sharp ping echoed from the door. He looked up from his work, the holographic display casting a soft blue glow across his face.


    ¡°Another delivery?¡± he muttered, pushing his chair back and heading toward the door.


    When he opened it, his eyes immediately fell on a large metallic crate, the UFE insignia emblazoned on its surface. A small note was affixed to the side. Intrigued, Arthur tore the note off and unfolded it.


    Arthur,


    Your upgraded armor has been delivered as promised. This version uses a newly developed alloy, denser, more durable, and suited to withstand the increasing strain you place on it. The gauntlets have been reinforced to endure the force of your punches, ensuring better performance in high-impact combat. It¡¯s heavier, but I trust that won¡¯t be an issue for you. Let me know if you encounter any problems.


    ¡ª Mara


    Arthur¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°Heavier? Sounds perfect,¡± he said, stepping aside as an automated bot carefully wheeled the crate into his lab.


    He activated the crate¡¯s unlock mechanism with his technopathy. A soft hiss escaped as the seals disengaged, and the lid slid open to reveal the armor within.


    The first thing Arthur noticed was the color, a deep matte black, giving the armor a sleek, intimidating appearance. The alloy had a faint sheen to it, a clear indicator of its superior density and craftsmanship.


    He lifted the chest piece and immediately noticed the added weight. It was significantly heavier than his previous armor, but he welcomed the challenge. With the gravity training he had been doing, the extra weight would not be a problem for him..


    The armor¡¯s specifications were detailed on a small holo-display embedded inside the crate¡¯s lid. Arthur skimmed through them, he saw it was 40% heavier than the previous version.


    Wasting no time, he began suiting up. The pieces clicked into place with precision, the internal mechanisms adjusting to fit his frame perfectly. The weight was immediately noticeable, but it did not feel cumbersome.


    He flexed his arms, testing the mobility. The adaptive plating moved seamlessly, allowing him full range of motion. With a deep breath, he shifted into a combat stance and threw a series of quick punches into the air.


    For the next hour, he tested the armor under various conditions, moving in the gravity chamber. He ran, jumped, and lifted weights while wearing the suit, gradually increasing the gravity field to see how the new alloy responded.


    The armor held up beautifully, its durability and flexibility exceeding his expectations. Even under 13 times Earth¡¯s gravity, Arthur felt confident in its performance.


    After that, Arthur deactivated the chamber and returned to his lab. The week had only just begun, but with his new armor and the progress he had made, he felt more prepared than ever for the battles ahead.


    ¡­


    Midway through the week, while Arthur was fine-tuning a component in his lab, the console on his desk emitted a sharp chime. It was a priority communication from Admiral Kane.


    Arthur wiped his hands with a cloth and tapped the holographic interface to accept the call. The admiral¡¯s familiar face appeared, his sharp features and stern expression framed by the insignias of the UFE behind him.


    ¡°Arthur,¡± Kane began, his voice steady as ever, though there was an undertone of anticipation. ¡°I trust your training and research are progressing well?¡±


    Arthur nodded. ¡°Everything¡¯s on track, Admiral. Do you have something for me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear,¡± Kane said. ¡°Yes.. I have news that might interest you.¡± He leaned slightly closer to the screen, the light from his console reflecting in his piercing eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve reached out to one of the most renowned experts in dimensional studies, Professor Eamon Carstairs. He¡¯s been studying interdimensional phenomena for centuries, and when I shared a heavily redacted version of your case, he was eager to meet you.¡±


    Arthur raised an eyebrow. ¡°Eager to meet me? Why?¡±


    Kane¡¯s expression softened, though his tone remained professional. ¡°You¡¯re the first living being known to have undergone dimensional displacement and survived. Before you, we¡¯ve only been able to recover inanimate objects, fragments of alien materials, faint energy signatures, and data corrupted beyond recognition. But you? You¡¯re a walking enigma, Arthur. Your existence could help unlock answers to questions scientists have only dared to ask in theory.¡±


    ¡°When will he arrive?¡± Arthur asked, finally meeting Kane¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°He¡¯s already en route to Solace Prime,¡± Kane replied. ¡°You¡¯ll meet him when you return after your upcoming mission. I wanted to inform you in advance so you could prepare yourself. Carstairs is a brilliant mind, so you could expect results from him.¡±


    Arthur appreciated the admiral¡¯s candor. ¡°Thank you, sir. And you said I¡¯d meet him after my mission?¡±


    ¡°Correct,¡± Kane confirmed. ¡°Once your mission is complete, you¡¯ll return to Solace Prime for some time.¡±


    The two exchanged a few more words before Kane ended the call, leaving Arthur to ponder the admiral¡¯s news.


    ¡­


    Arthur leaned back in his chair, staring at the holographic display as the call ended. The thought of meeting someone like Professor Carstairs stirred his curiosity.


    He glanced at the blueprints projected above his desk, determined to make the most of the week ahead, knowing that the answers to some of his most pressing questions, his transmigration, might finally be within reach.


    Though Arthur didn¡¯t hope for much out of it as he knew that there is something different about his situation, he might not have been dimensionally displaced, as he clearly remembered he died in his previous world. He thought he would deal with it later, when it comes to meeting the professor. With that, Arthur refocused on his work.


    ***

 Chapter 45: Planet PX-173

    Arthur stood near one of the observation ports of the battleship, his gaze fixed on the endless void of space streaking past. The faint glow of hyperspace energy cast soft reflections on the polished metal interior, illuminating the tension etched on the faces of those around him. ECHOs were preparing for the mission, their movements fluid and purposeful, a stark contrast to the raw anticipation hanging in the air.


    After the mission briefing, Arthur, his team, and the other ECHOs had boarded the Vanguard, an epsilon-class battleship bristling with state-of-the-art weaponry and defenses. The ship¡¯s sheer size was staggering, with multiple decks dedicated to personnel, armory, and research labs, all designed to support extended campaigns far from the heart of UFE territory.


    Their destination was in the Hirkann star system in a planet designated as PX-173 at the very edge of the galaxy, a strategic stronghold in humanity¡¯s ongoing conflict with the Chimerians. It wasn¡¯t just the planet¡¯s natural resources that made it vital; traces of ancient ruins, possibly remnants of a higher civilization, had been detected by long-range scans. Securing the site before the Chimerians could exploit it was paramount.


    The ship shuddered slightly as it exited warp drive, the abrupt deceleration jarring the senses. Arthur instinctively steadied himself, his eyes narrowing as the viewport revealed their destination.


    The planet loomed large, a massive sphere of muted brown and red hues with streaks of white cloud cover. Its surface was rugged and unforgiving, vast stretches of barren rock and jagged mountains interspersed with sparse patches of vegetation.


    The star system had five planets orbiting the bright yellow star, each distinct in size and composition. The third planet, their target, stood out not just because of its proximity but also its potential. Despite its harsh environment, it was capable of supporting life.


    The ship¡¯s AI provided regular updates on their descent, detailing atmospheric conditions and troop deployments below. The planet¡¯s orbit was a battlefield in itself, with human and Chimerian fleets locked in a delicate balance of skirmishes and tactical maneuvers.


    As the Vanguard descended, Arthur¡¯s focus shifted to the tactical map displayed on his wrist-mounted holo-interface. The two main camps were marked clearly: one controlled by humanity, the other by the Chimerians.


    The human base, nestled within a rocky valley, was fortified with layers of defenses, automated turrets, energy shields, and hidden artillery. The Chimerian camp, by contrast, was a sprawling structure carved into the side of a mountain, its alien architecture sleek and imposing.


    Arthur¡¯s mind wandered as he studied the layout. With humanity¡¯s technological edge and the advantage of defending their home ground, it would have been relatively simple to eliminate the Chimerian forces outright from their galaxy. However, he understood the reasoning behind the high command¡¯s cautious approach.


    The Chimerians were still a largely unknown quantity, their technology and capabilities shrouded in mystery. The top brass wants to learn all about the Chimerian''s capabilities before wiping them out of their galaxy as it would be necessary to gather vital intelligence before a full scale war.


    As the battleship entered the planet¡¯s atmosphere, Arthur turned away from the viewport and walked toward the dropship hangar, his thoughts briefly drifting to the ruins they were tasked with securing. The ruins of ancient civilization and their secrets had garnered the interest of the top brass, so it was necessary to secure the ruins before the Chimerians.


    ¡®Status¡¯ As he approached the shuttle to reach the human camp, Arthur glanced at his status screen. The interface materialized in front of him, lines of data scrolling rapidly.


    //--------------------//


    [STATUS]


    Name: Arthur Sully


    Designation: ECHO


    Age: 27


    Height: 6''3"


    Strength: 21786.5 Tons


    Speed: 457.2 m/s


    Durability: 127693.7 MegaPascal


    [ABILITIES]


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    [Reactive Evolution] [Superior Regeneration] [Toxin Immunity] [Gene Lock] [Technopathy (Lv3)]


    [Energy Absorption (Lv2)]: Currently able to passively absorb ambient dark energy. And consciously absorb electric and heat energy with greater capacity to hold said energy.


    //--------------------//


    Arthur noted his improvements with a sense of satisfaction. His recent training in the gravity chamber had pushed his physical limits to new heights, and the refinement of his energy absorption ability opened doors to new possibilities, though he had yet to fully harness it.


    He closed the display and stepped into the shuttle. Around him, his team was already preparing for the deployment, their faces set in expressions of grim determination. As the ship¡¯s engines roared to life, Arthur settled into his seat, his gaze fixed ahead.


    ¡­


    Far from the resource planet where the ECHOs were en route, In the dimly lit command chamber of the Chimerian warship Zevarak, Commander Vorsk loomed over a holographic display.


    The air was thick with a tension that seemed to ripple from the hulking figure of the commander himself. His piercing eyes glowed faintly as he stared at the holographic display before him, showing grainy surveillance footage of Arthur¡¯s last known battlefield actions. A single soldier knelt before him, their sharp exoskeletal armor catching the dim light.


    The soldier¡¯s voice was steady but carried an undercurrent of urgency. ¡°Sire, our spies have confirmed that the human ECHO units are mobilizing for a mission to the third planet in the Hirkann system designated PX-173 by their kind. Among them is the one known as Arthur, the one who thwarted your plans.¡±


    At the mention of Arthur, Vorsk¡¯s expression darkened, his segmented jaw tightening as his clawed hand clenched into a fist. ¡°Arthur...¡± he hissed, the name laced with venom. The memory of his plan foiled by Arthur  burned in his mind, a stain on his otherwise unblemished record. His honor had been stripped away, leaving only the bitter taste of humiliation.


    ¡°What are the details of their mission?¡± Vorsk demanded, his voice low and menacing.


    The soldier did not hesitate. ¡°The humans aim to secure the ruins and resources on PX-173. Our scouts report that their forces will land near their current encampment and begin operations to expand their territory and fortify their positions. The high command has tasked Commander Zolar with leading our defense and counter-offensive efforts on the planet.¡±


    Vorsk¡¯s gaze narrowed, his iridescent yellow eyes glinting with malice. ¡°Zolar...¡± he muttered, pacing in a circle around the kneeling soldier. The sharp, metallic talons of his boots clicked ominously against the floor.


    The soldier remained silent, allowing Vorsk to stew in his thoughts. Finally, Vorsk stopped and turned his attention back to the soldier. ¡°You are dismissed. Leave.¡±


    The soldier rose and saluted, crossing their arms over their chest in the traditional Chimerian manner. ¡°As you command, Sire.¡± With that, they turned and exited the chamber, leaving Vorsk alone with his thoughts.


    For a long moment, silence reigned, broken only by the faint hum of the ship¡¯s systems. Vorsk approached the holographic display, bringing up a map of PX-173. His claws tapped rhythmically against the console as he studied the human encampment, the ruins, and the Chimerian stronghold.


    ¡°I will reclaim my honor... and his life,¡± he muttered, his voice a low growl. He straightened and activated the communication panel. Within moments, the hologram of Commander Zolar materialized before him. Zolar, a hulking Chimerian with broad shoulders and a deep voice.


    ¡°Commander Vorsk,¡± Zolar said in a bit of a mocking voice. ¡°To what do I owe the honor?¡± By now Vorsk¡¯s failure has spread across their circle and is known to everybody.


    ¡°I have heard of the upcoming mission on PX-173,¡± Vorsk began, his tone deceptively calm not showing his irritation at Zolar¡¯s mocking tone. ¡°And I intend to join it personally.¡±


    Zolar¡¯s eyes twitched in surprise. ¡°Join the mission? Commander Vorsk, we have the situation under control. The humans may have their ECHO units, but we have fortified our position. Reinforcements would only slow the operation.¡±


    Vorsk¡¯s claws dug into the console as he leaned forward, his yellow eyes piercing through Zolar¡¯s holographic form. ¡°This is not about reinforcing your operation, Zolar. This is about vengeance. Among the humans is one who has disgraced me. I seek only to settle a personal debt. The mission¡¯s success is yours to claim; I will not interfere with your objectives. All I ask is that you allow me to deal with him myself.¡±


    Zolar hesitated, his expression a mix of caution and calculating. After a moment of thinking about the benefit of another commander joining the mission, he nodded. ¡°Very well, Commander. I will make the necessary arrangements for your arrival. But I must insist, do not allow this personal vendetta to interfere with the greater mission.¡±


    ¡°You will have your victory, Zolar,¡± Vorsk said coldly. ¡°That is all that matters to the high command, is it not?¡±


    Zolar¡¯s hologram flickered as he saluted. ¡°I will await your arrival. May the stars guide you, Commander.¡±


    With that, the communication ended, leaving Vorsk alone once more. A predatory smile spread across his face, his jagged teeth glinting in the low light. He turned and strode toward the hangar bay.


    As he entered the bay, the crew scrambled to prepare to depart towards their destination. Vorsk watched impassively as the pilots worked, his mind already envisioning the confrontation that awaited him on PX-173.


    ¡°Arthur,¡± he muttered, stepping onto the ramp of his ship. ¡°You will regret the day you crossed me. Your death will not only restore my honor but serve as a message to all who dare defy the Chimerian empire.¡±


    With a low hum, the ship¡¯s engines roared to life. Vorsk took his seat in the command chair. As the vessel went into hyperdrive, Vorsk¡¯s eyes glinted with anticipation.


    The hunt had begun.


    ***

 Chapter 46: Ruins I

    The convoy of VTOLs cut through the thin, clouded atmosphere of the resource planet PX-173 like silent specters. Arthur sat near one of the reinforced windows, gazing out at the harsh, alien terrain below. The landscape stretched endlessly in jagged, ochre-hued ridges, dotted occasionally with black craters and patches of sparse, desiccated vegetation.


    Inside, the mood was tense. The cabin was filled with ECHOs, each one clad in sleek, battle-ready armor. Arthur¡¯s gaze flicked over to his team, Leo, Elena, and the others. Each was focused, silently preparing for what lay ahead.


    Leo broke the silence, leaning slightly toward Arthur. ¡°This is a long ride for a mission. We¡¯re practically on the other side of the planet from the camp.¡±


    Arthur nodded, his voice calm. ¡°The ruins are in an isolated area. The Chimerians haven¡¯t made a major push there yet. It¡¯s also why the command is sending us in. They want it secured before the enemy can.¡±


    Elena, seated across from them, was inspecting her sniper rifle. She glanced up briefly, her emerald eyes sharp. ¡°Trust me. The moment we set foot there, we¡¯ll be stepping into a fight.¡±


    Arthur gave her a faint smile. ¡°Good. That means we will be able to swiftly dispatch our enemies.¡±


    Elena smiled as she shook her head and went back to her rifle, muttering, ¡°Always the optimist.¡±


    The pilot¡¯s voice crackled over the comms, breaking through the low hum of the engines. {¡°ETA to the ruins, 5 minutes. All units, prepare for descent. Scanners show no immediate hostile activities, but keep your guards up.¡±}


    Arthur adjusted the straps on his armor and sword, feeling good about his new upgrades. The denser alloy and reinforced gauntlets added a heft that would¡¯ve been a challenge for anyone else. For him, it was just another tool in the arsenal.


    Arthur also created a sword with extremely durable alloy, the plasma sword was practically useless in his previous fight as it was unable to cause much damage to the crystalline armor of the Chimerians without him attacking their weak points. So, he thought he was just going to use the old fashioned sword to do the job, but the sword still uses superheated plasma around its edges to improve its cutting ability.


    Leo noticed the motion and grinned. ¡°Still getting used to that thing?.¡±


    Arthur gave him a sidelong glance. ¡°Yeah¡­¡±


    Leo patted the weapon slung over his shoulder. ¡°You just keep the big ones off me, and I¡¯ll make sure nothing gets close enough to touch you.¡±


    Elena chimed in, her tone dry. ¡°Or, you know, maybe don¡¯t attract every enemy on the battlefield this time. Just a suggestion.¡±


    The team chuckled lightly, the brief levity cutting through the tension.


    As the VTOLs approached the mission destination, Arthur¡¯s thoughts turned inward. His mind played over the briefing, the ruins were ancient, predating humanity¡¯s knowledge of this region by millions of years.


    The structure itself was partially buried, with only the uppermost spires visible above the surface. Recon drones had captured images of intricate carvings and symbols on the exposed walls, markings that no known species could identify.


    The VTOL suddenly jolted slightly, and the pilot¡¯s voice returned, more urgent now. {¡°We¡¯re entering a high-wind zone. Hold steady. We¡¯ll be landing just short of the ruins to avoid drawing too much attention.¡±}


    Leo looked over at Arthur, his expression serious now. ¡°Any thoughts on what we¡¯ll find down there?¡±


    Arthur met his gaze, his voice measured. ¡°Most likely, trouble. Either way, we¡¯re ready for it.¡±


    The VTOL began its descent, the whine of its engines shifting pitch. Through the window, Arthur caught his first glimpse of the ruins. Jagged spires of an impossibly dark material jutted out from the ground like spears. Even from this distance, the ruins exuded a sense of foreboding.


    The pilot¡¯s voice cut in one last time. {¡°Touchdown in one minute. All units, gear up and prepare for deployment.¡±}


    Arthur stood, gripping one of the overhead bars to steady himself, his team followed suit. As he secured his helmet, sealing it with a soft hiss, he felt the familiar surge of adrenaline.


    The mission had officially begun. And whatever waited for them in the shadow of the ruins, Arthur knew they had to face it head-on.


    ¡­


    The hum of the VTOL engines died down as the aircraft touched down on the barren surface. The winds carried fine, reddish dust, swirling around the landing zone.


    Arthur stepped off the VTOL, his boots sinking slightly into the gritty soil. Around him, dozens of other ECHOs were already forming up into their respective squads, their movements efficient and disciplined.


    Lt. Nakamura stood at the forefront, he gestured with a sharp motion, signaling the teams to fall in line. Arthur and his team fell into step behind him.


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    Ahead, the ruins loomed ominously in the distance. The journey to the ruins would be made on foot, a precaution against any potential enemy detection. The ground beneath their feet was hard and cracked, the occasional sharp rock jutting out as a reminder of the planet''s harsh environment.


    Arthur¡¯s eyes were fixed on the path ahead, his technopathy faintly buzzing in the back of his mind and his ¡®Map¡¯ opened as he remained alert for any signs of trouble.


    As they neared the ruins, the eerie silence of the area grew more oppressive. Even the wind seemed to die down, leaving only the sound of their boots crunching against the dry ground. Lt. Nakamura raised a fist, signaling a halt.


    ¡°We will split up from others after entering the ruins,¡± he said, his voice carrying authority. ¡° Stay sharp, and report any anomalies immediately.¡±


    Arthur gave a slight nod, his team falling into formation behind him as they approached the ruin¡¯s entrance. The entrance was a jagged opening in the side of a massive spire, its edges smooth and unnaturally precise, as though cut by some advanced tool or force.


    The moment they stepped inside, the temperature dropped sharply, a stark contrast to the dry heat outside. The darkness was absolute, swallowing every trace of light from the entrance as they moved further in. The air smelled stale, almost metallic, and the faint echoes of their footsteps only added to the sense of unease.


    ¡°Turn on your night vision,¡± Lt. Nakamura¡¯s voice came through their comms.


    Arthur tapped on the side of his helmet, activating his night vision. The darkness transformed into a surreal green-tinted world, revealing smooth walls covered in strange, flowing patterns. The markings seemed to shift slightly under his gaze, as though alive.


    ¡°This place¡­¡± Elena whispered, her voice barely audible. ¡°It feels kind of ominous.¡±


    Arthur agreed silently, his senses on high alert. He felt the ruins seemed to pulse faintly with some kind of energy. It was as if the structure itself was alive, watching their every move.


    ¡°Keep moving,¡± Nakamura ordered, his tone firm but cautious. ¡°Stay in formation and don¡¯t touch anything unless absolutely necessary.¡± And they separated from the other teams and went towards different paths of the ruins.


    As they moved deeper, the corridor began to slope downward, the walls growing narrower and the patterns more intricate. Arthur couldn¡¯t help but feel a strange pull, as if the ruins were calling to him. His technopathy buzzed louder now, a sensation he hadn¡¯t felt before.


    ¡°It feels like we are being watched by something,¡± Arthur muttered, his voice low enough for only his team to hear.


    Leo glanced at him, his rifle at the ready. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet,¡± Arthur replied, scanning the walls as they moved. ¡°But we need to be ready for any movements.¡±


    The team pressed forward, their breaths steady but their hearts pounding.


    ¡­


    In the Chimerian Camp


    Commander Vorsk stood tall in the dimly lit command chamber, his yellow glowing eyes fixed on the holographic map table in front of him. Beside him, Commander Zolar analyzed the layout of the ruins, as they exchanged thoughts.


    Unlike Vorsk, whose towering physique and fiery temper often set him apart, Zolar exuded a calm, calculating presence. Both held equal authority, but their methods and ideologies frequently clashed.


    "They¡¯ve entered the ruins," Zolar said, tapping a claw against the map.


    Vorsk snarled softly, his claws curling. "This is our opportunity. They¡¯re overconfident, thinking they can waltz into the ruins and take what they please with us here."


    The door slid open, and a Chimerian soldier stepped in, saluting crisply. "Commanders, confirmation has come through. The human ECHOs have entered the ruins. Their deployment numbers align with our intelligence, approximately 200 soldiers in total."


    Vorsk leaned closer to the map, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Perfect. Let them sink deeper into that place. It will become their tomb."


    Zolar crossed his arms, his tone measured. "Remember Vorsk, don¡¯t act recklessly after entering the ruins. The ruins may hold secrets that are far more valuable than your grudge against this Arthur."


    Vorsk growled, his eyes narrowing. "Reckless? That human humiliated me. If we don¡¯t take action now, he¡¯ll grow into a greater threat."


    Zolar growled in irritation thinking why Vorsk thought so highly of this human. Yes, he has massacred a group of elite Chimerians, but they could also do the same with much more efficiency.


    Zolar then turned sharply to the soldier. "Ready the ships. Select only our elite forces. We¡¯ll follow them into the ruins and strike from behind."


    The soldier saluted and left, leaving the two commanders alone.


    The two commanders left the chamber, their uneasy alliance bound by the shared goal of defeating their enemy and claiming the ruins spoils.


    ¡­


    In the Human Camp


    The command tent at the human camp buzzed with activity. Holographic displays projected live updates of the ECHO teams¡¯ progress, while officers coordinated logistics and surveillance.


    Commander Graves stood at the center, his hands clasped behind his back as he studied the situation. His calm demeanor masked the storm of calculations running through his mind.


    A soldier entered the tent, his footsteps hurried. "Commander Graves, we¡¯ve detected Chimerian activity near the ruins. Several ships have been deployed, likely carrying their elite units."


    Graves didn¡¯t look surprised. Instead, he gave a small nod. "Right on schedule. They never could resist taking the bait."


    The soldier hesitated. "Sir, should we send reinforcements? The ECHOs might be walking into an ambush."


    Graves turned to him, his expression firm. "No. The ECHOs were sent knowing the risks. They¡¯re trained for scenarios like this. Sending reinforcements now would compromise the element of surprise on our end."


    Another officer approached, her brow furrowed. "Sir, are you certain this gamble will pay off? If the ECHOs fail¡­"


    Graves interrupted, his voice steady. "They won¡¯t fail. They¡¯re the best we have, and they know what¡¯s at stake. Besides,..." He shook his head and didn''t continue further. He has read about Arthur and his prowess and hoped if anything outside of their prediction happened they could take care of it together.


    The officer nodded, though her concern was evident.


    Graves leaned over the map, his tone lowering. "Monitor the situation closely. If the Chimerians make any unexpected moves, I want to know immediately. Until then, we let the ECHOs do their job."


    The officers saluted and returned to their posts. Graves remained at the table, his eyes fixed on the holographic display of the ruins.


    ***

 Chapter 47: Ruins II

    The ruins stretched endlessly before Arthur and his team, a maze of dark corridors and towering, broken structures. The air inside was heavy, charged with a strange, almost oppressive energy that prickled at the edges of their senses.


    Arthur''s HUD displayed a constant stream of data, but the results were baffling, most of the structures defied human understanding, their architecture and material compositions unlike anything he''d seen before.


    As the team advanced, their steps echoed in the vast, hollow space. Massive, fragmented technological structures loomed around them. Some seemed like control consoles, others like reactor cores, but all bore the same fate: destruction. The damage was not recent; these ruins had been in this state for millennia, perhaps hundreds of thousands of years before humanity even left their home planet.


    Arthur paused near what appeared to be a large, circular platform with faintly glowing lines etched into its surface. He activated ¡®Analyse¡¯ , scanning the device. The results flickered in front of him.


    //--------------------//


    Object: Matter Manipulation Platform (Damaged)


    Purpose: Unknown (Possibly linked to molecular reconfiguration)


    //--------------------//


    [A/N: Molecular reconfiguration involves changing the arrangement of atoms within a molecule, it could potentially be used to create a wide range of applications including designing new materials with tailored properties. Eg: Food replicators in some popular sci-fi movies.]


    ¡®Damaged,¡¯ Arthur thought, his eyes narrowing behind his helmet. The intricate carvings along the edges of the platform suggested a complex design, far beyond humanity''s grasp. The machine¡¯s functionality was lost, and even with his technopathy, he couldn¡¯t make it respond.


    Moving further into the ruins, Arthur and his team came across a towering cylindrical object, its surface marred by deep scorch marks. Pieces of it had collapsed inward, and exposed wires dangled lifelessly. Arthur mentally gave a command ¡®Analyse¡¯.


    //--------------------//


    Object: Black Hole Generator Core (Damaged)


    Warning: Type III Civilization Technology Detected


    //--------------------//


    Arthur froze for a moment, taking in the implications. A black hole generator. Even in humanity¡¯s wildest scientific dreams, such a device was a mere theoretical concept. This ruin wasn¡¯t just a relic of an advanced species, it was proof of a civilization operating at a level incomprehensible to current human understanding.


    The core was beyond repair, its components fried or warped. Arthur placed his hand on its surface and attempted to use technopathy, but the machine remained utterly silent, as if rejecting his very presence. This lack of response disturbed him; it was as if the ruins themselves were locked against his abilities.


    The feeling of being watched gnawed at him again. It had been subtle at first, but now it was growing stronger. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword as his eyes scanned the shadows. The patterns etched into the walls caught his attention again, alien symbols that seemed to shift and shimmer when viewed from different angles.


    Arthur activated ¡®Analyse¡¯ on the walls, and a result appeared in front of him.


    //--------------------//


    Composition: Element-99


    Source: Formed within White Hole Phenomena


    Properties: Hyper-dense material with unknown energy signatures


    //--------------------//


    ¡®Element 99,¡¯ Arthur thought, his mind racing. It was a theoretical element humanity had only hypothesized, supposedly formed in the extreme conditions of white holes. Its presence here confirmed that this civilization had not only harnessed white hole phenomena but had also used it as a fundamental resource.


    He traced his fingers along the wall. The strange symbols gave off a faint glow at his touch, and for a split second, his head spun with a disorienting sensation, as if he were being pulled into another dimension. He recoiled, shaking off the feeling.


    ¡­


    Arthur¡¯s mind raced as he pieced together what little information he could from the ruins. This civilization, capable of creating black hole generators and using Element 99, was far beyond humanity. But their fall was evident. The destruction seemed too targeted, too deliberate, to be the result of natural decay.


    ¡®Was it war? Sabotage?¡¯ Arthur wondered.


    As they moved further, they encountered more remnants of technology, some alien in design. There were broken conduits, shattered crystalline structures, and fragments of what appeared to be energy weapons.


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    The deeper they went, the more Arthur felt the weight of the place pressing down on him. This was a graveyard of a once-great civilization. And somewhere in these depths, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something still lingered, watching their every step.


    ¡­


    As they moved deeper into the ruins, the team¡¯s sensors began picking up unusual energy spikes. At first, they were faint, like residual echoes of the advanced technologies once housed here. But as they proceeded, the readings grew stronger and more erratic.


    Arthur stopped at a junction where the walls converged into a massive archway. His HUD warned him of elevated energy levels just beyond the passage. He gestured to his team to halt and scanned the area.


    The room ahead was vast, its ceiling disappearing into the darkness above. In the center stood a three meters tall obelisk, its surface covered in more of the shifting patterns Arthur had seen earlier. It pulsed with a faint, rhythmic light, almost like a heartbeat.


    Arthur scanned the obelisk, but the ¡®Analyse¡¯ function of his System returned incomplete data, as the object was not fully functional, from his system he learned it was some kind of dimensional portal or something.


    Leo cautiously approached it, but as he neared, a surge of energy radiated from the obelisk, causing his HUD to glitch momentarily.


    ¡°Energy feedback,¡± Leo relayed to his team, and they approached the obelisk to analyze it.


    Arthur retracted his helmet and approached the obelisk, whatever this was, it was still partially active. It felt as though the obelisk was probing his presence.


    Arthur and his team had barely begun to analyze the mysterious artifact and before they could discuss what to do with it, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed behind them. Weapons drawn, they turned sharply to face the source of the noise.


    Emerging from the darkness was a group of Chimerians, their imposing figures illuminated by the faint light of the ruins. Leading them was a towering Chimerian clad in biomechanical armor, crystalline red plates fused seamlessly with sinewy, and musculature. His yellow eyes burned like twin suns, radiating malice and authority.


    Arthur immediately recognized the figure. "A commander," he muttered, as if on instinct. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword.


    The Chimerian commander stopped a few meters away, his troops fanning out behind him in a practiced formation. His deep, guttural voice carried a mocking tone as he spoke, though the universal translator embedded in their suits rendered it perfectly clear.


    ¡°Well, well. Look who we have here,¡± the commander sneered, his glowing eyes scanning each member of Arthur¡¯s team.


    Leo, standing a step behind Arthur, audibly gasped. ¡°I¡­ It¡¯s a Red One,¡± he stuttered, his voice trembling slightly.


    Arthur glanced at the commander, and quickly activated ¡®Analyse¡¯, the Chimerian commander¡¯s stats appeared in front of him in real time.


    //--------------------//


    Name: Vorsk Grozks Zelzki


    Designation: Elite Chimerian Commander


    Age: 538


    Height: 8¡¯7"


    Strength: 23157.1 Tons


    Speed: 479.2 m/s


    //--------------------//


    Arthur¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡®He is stronger than me¡­I need to act cautiously.¡¯ He braced himself, positioning his sword defensively.


    The Chimerian commander smirked, seemingly unfazed by the weapons pointed at him.


    ¡°Ah, I recognize you now,¡± Vorsk said, his voice dripping with condescension. ¡°You¡¯re the ones who ruined my plans at the relay station. I have been searching for you.¡± He pointed a clawed finger at Arthur. ¡°You won¡¯t escape me again.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°So, it was you. The ambush, the coordinated attack... all of it was your doing.¡±


    Vorsk chuckled darkly. ¡°Of course. And you humans fell into my trap beautifully. It was a shame my soldiers failed to finish the job, but¡­ here we are. A second chance, handed to me on a silver platter.¡±


    Elena muttered to herself but her voice cut through the tension like a blade. ¡°How did he know about that mission?¡±


    Vorsk¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Ah, yes. Your people, so easily swayed by promises of power and wealth. You¡¯d be surprised how many of your kind are willing to betray you. It¡¯s almost¡­ amusing.¡±


    Arthur felt a surge of anger. ¡®Traitors,¡¯ he thought bitterly. People selling out their own race for personal gain disgusted him. But this wasn¡¯t the time to dwell on it. And there were not only humans in the UFE, there were also aliens from other planets in the milky way galaxy who could be spies among them.


    Vorsk spread his arms theatrically, his crystalline armor catching the dim light. ¡°But enough talk. I came here for one reason and one reason only, to settle the score. Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re as formidable as they say, Arthur.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s name on Vorsk¡¯s lips sent a ripple of unease through the team. ¡®He knows me by name,¡¯ Arthur realized, his grip on his sword tightening further and his helmet reappeared as he prepared for a fight.


    But before either side could make their move, a sudden pulse of energy rippled through the room. It emanated from the towering obelisk, its glowing patterns now blazing with intense white light.


    Arthur¡¯s HUD flickered as the pulse disrupted his systems.


    <¡°Energy spike detected, originating from the obelisk.¡±> his AI assistant warned.


    The room vibrated, the ancient walls groaning under the force of the energy surge. The obelisk¡¯s rhythmic pulse quickened, its glow intensifying to a blinding brightness.


    Vorsk snarled, his stance shifting as he looked toward the artifact. ¡°What is this?¡± he growled.


    And then, with a final, deafening boom, the obelisk released a shockwave of light that engulfed everyone in the room.


    Arthur¡¯s vision blurred, the world dissolving into a cascade of white. He felt weightless, his senses disoriented as if he were being pulled through a wormhole.


    When the light finally subsided, Arthur found himself lying on the ground, the air around him was different. His HUD was rebooting, struggling to process what had just happened. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet, scanning his surroundings.


    ¡®Where¡­ am I?¡¯ he thought. The ruins were gone. Instead, he stood alone in an empty hall.


    ***

 Chapter 48: The Call Beyond

    Leo¡¯s vision swam as he stumbled to his feet. His HUD rebooted, the system taking some time to recalibrate. Static crackled in his earpiece as he tried to contact his team.


    ¡°Elena? Arthur? Anyone?¡± he called out, his voice echoing in the vast, unfamiliar space.


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± came Elena¡¯s calm voice, from behind him. She crouched nearby, her sniper rifle already drawn and scanning the area. Her helmet''s visor glinted faintly under the dim, ambient light. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s just the two of us, Leo.¡±


    They exchanged a brief nod before taking in their surroundings. The corridors stretched endlessly, their walls inscribed with shifting symbols similar to those in the ruins.


    Leo took point, his assault plasma rifle raised as they moved cautiously down the corridor. Elena trailed a few meters behind, her sniper rifle trained on their flanks, eyes scanning for any threats.


    ¡°This place¡­ it¡¯s massive,¡± Leo murmured, his voice filled with awe. They passed towering archways and structures that seemed to defy gravity, with parts of the architecture floating in midair, connected by thin streams of light. ¡°How do you think it works?¡±


    Elena¡¯s voice crackled over the comm. ¡°If I had to guess, some kind of advanced gravitational manipulation. It¡¯s beautiful but keep your focus.¡±


    As they ventured deeper, the silence was interrupted by faint footsteps that were growing louder by the second.


    ¡°Contact,¡± Elena whispered, her voice sharp. She took a position behind a nearby pillar with her rifle aimed down the corridor. Leo shifted into a defensive stance, his weapon raised.


    From the shadows emerged two towering figures clad in the familiar crystalline biomechanical armor of the Chimerians. Their glowing eyes locked onto Leo and Elena, and one of them let out a guttural growl.


    ¡°Elites,¡± Leo muttered as his grip tightened on his rifle. ¡°Great.¡±


    The first Chimerian spoke, his voice a distorted mix of guttural clicks and snarls, translated through their suits. ¡°Humans. This will be over quickly.¡±


    Leo smirked, masking the tension tightening in his chest. ¡°You¡¯re welcome to try.¡±


    The first Chimerian charged, claws raised high. Leo and Elena started firing, as the Chimerians got closer, Leo darted forward, activating his plasma sword as he met the attack head-on. The blade clashed against the Chimerian¡¯s crystalline arm, sending out a shower of sparks.


    The strength behind the blow sent Leo sliding back a few feet, but he recovered quickly, pivoting to slash at the Chimerian¡¯s exposed side. The strike left a glowing scar across the armor but failed to penetrate fully.


    ¡°Elena, any time now!¡± Leo shouted, narrowly dodging a swipe aimed at his neck.


    ¡°Hold still,¡± Elena shot back, her voice cool and steady. She exhaled, aligning her sights on the Chimerian. A sharp crack echoed as her sniper round slammed into the creature¡¯s shoulder, the armor cracked making the Chimerian stagger.


    Leo seized the opportunity, activating the thrusters in his boots to close the distance in an instant. He drove the sword upward, aiming for the weak point at the Chimerian¡¯s neck. The creature twisted at the last second, the blade skimming across its armor instead of delivering a killing blow. The Chimerian retaliated with a backhanded strike that sent Leo tumbling into a wall.


    ¡°Leo!¡± Elena called out while repositioning to higher ground. She fired another shot, this one striking the second Chimerian¡¯s knee and slowing its charge toward her.


    Leo rose, shaking off the impact. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he grunted while he picked up the plasma sword. The first Chimerian lunged again, and this time Leo met it with a precise downward slash, cleaving through its left arm joint. Sparks flew as the limb fell to the floor, but the Chimerian didn¡¯t falter. It roared and swung its remaining arm in a wild arc.


    Elena took advantage of the opening, firing a Electromagnetic sniper round that pierced the Chimerian¡¯s exposed neck. The creature collapsed, its body convulsing as it crumbled to the ground.


    The second Chimerian roared seeing its companion dead, leaped toward Leo with claws bared. Leo rolled under the attack, slashing upward with his plasma sword as he passed. The blade clashed with its armor creating sparks and causing it to crack a bit. The creature turned, preparing another charge, but Elena¡¯s sniper round prevented it from doing so.


    As Elena and Leo were fighting their battle, somewhere else.


    ¡­


    Lt. Nakamura and Samir emerged in a vast chamber filled with floating platforms and glowing runes. The floor beneath them seemed to shift and pulse as they moved, each step creating faint ripples of light.


    ¡°Stay close,¡± Nakamura ordered, his tone sharp. His dual plasma swords hummed to life, the twin blades casting an eerie green glow in the dim chamber.


    Samir followed, his gun held at the ready. ¡°This place feels... Where are we?¡±


    Nakamura didn¡¯t reply, his sharp eyes scanning for threats. His instincts paid off as a faint growl echoed from the shadows. Three Chimerians emerged, their crystalline armor glinting as they approached with predatory grace.


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    ¡°They¡¯ve found us,¡± Samir muttered, raising his weapon.


    ¡°Stay calm. Follow my lead,¡± Nakamura instructed. He stepped forward, his plasma swords raised in a defensive stance.


    The first Chimerian charged, claws extended. Nakamura sidestepped the attack with fluid precision, his left blade slicing across the creature¡¯s arm while his right slashed at its torso. The twin strikes left glowing scars, but the Chimerian retaliated with a spinning kick that Nakamura avoided expertly.


    Samir fired his gun at the second Chimerian, the blast staggering it but failing to penetrate its armor. ¡°These guys are really tough!¡±


    ¡°Focus on their joints!¡± Nakamura barked, parrying another strike from the first Chimerian. His blades moved like extensions of his body, weaving an intricate pattern of light as he danced around his opponent.


    The third Chimerian lunged at Samir, but he ducked under its claws and fired a shot at its exposed knee. The creature stumbled, and Samir quickly followed up with a close-range blast to its faceplate, cracking the armor.


    Nakamura finished his duel with the first Chimerian by feinting left and then driving both plasma swords into the cracks of its chest armor. The creature roared before collapsing, its body sparking and convulsing.


    ¡°Two left!¡± Nakamura called out, turning to face the others.


    Samir fired another round, this time shattering the second Chimerian¡¯s knee joint. Nakamura rushed in, his blades flashing as he severed the creature¡¯s head in a single, clean strike.


    The final Chimerian lunged at Samir, but Nakamura activated his thrusters, launching himself into the air. He descended with both blades pointed downward, driving them through the creature¡¯s back. The Chimerian let out one last guttural cry before falling silent.


    Samir exhaled, lowering his weapon. ¡°Remind me never to get on your bad side, Lieutenant.¡±


    Nakamura, his expression always serious, didn¡¯t say anything at first as he retracted his blades. ¡°Just follow orders, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    He activated his comms, but only static greeted him. ¡°This is Lt. Nakamura. If anyone can hear me, respond.¡±


    No answer. He exchanged a look with Samir, his expression unreadable. ¡°We keep moving. The others are out there somewhere. And we¡¯re going to find them.¡±


    ¡­


    Commander Vorsk moved with the deliberate grace of a predator, his towering frame casting a long shadow in the dimly lit corridors of the alien structure. Flanking him were two Chimerian elites.


    Vorsk paused to study a cluster of glowing runes etched into the wall, tracing a clawed finger over the symbols, and they pulsed faintly at his touch. ¡°This structure holds some ancient secrets. The humans will not leave here alive.¡±


    His musing was interrupted by the faint, distant echoes of a fight. Vorsk¡¯s ears twitched, his posture straightening as he turned toward the sound. His elites stiffened, their claws flexing instinctively.


    ¡°Humans,¡± one of them hissed, their voice dripping with disdain.


    Vorsk raised a hand, silencing them. His glowing yellow eyes narrowed, the faint light within them intensifying. He began to move toward the source of the commotion, his stride confident and unhurried. The elites exchanged glances but said nothing, falling into step behind their commander.


    As they advanced, the sounds of battle grew louder. Plasma blades hummed and clashed, and the distinctive sound of human firearms echoed through the corridors. Vorsk tilted his head slightly, as if savoring the distant cacophony.


    They reached a high vantage point overlooking a chamber where the fight was taking place. From the shadows, Vorsk and his elites watched as the humans battled a pair of Chimerian elites.


    One human, a male wielding a plasma sword, moved with surprising agility, matching his opponent blow for blow. Another, positioned at a distance, provided cover fire with a sniper rifle, her precision strikes forcing the Chimerians to divide their attention.


    He turned away, his expression unreadable. ¡°Come. There are more of them scattered throughout this place. Let us see how long they can survive.¡±


    The elites hesitated, glancing back at the chamber where the two humans now regrouped. One of them growled softly. ¡°Commander¡­You do not wish to engage?¡±


    Vorsk¡¯s lips curled into that faint snarl once more. ¡°Patience. Let them tire themselves. When the time is right, we will strike.¡±


    The thing is he wants to see their reaction when he will present Arthur¡¯s head to them, and he wants them to bring his head back to the humans. That is why he left them for now.


    Without another word, he strode off into the shadows, the other two following close behind. The echoes of the humans¡¯ victory faded as the Chimerian commander vanished into the depths of the alien structure, biding his time for the perfect moment to unleash his wrath.


    ¡­


    Arthur stepped out of the hall he had been transported to. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as his eyes scanned the vast, alien corridor before him.


    It wasn¡¯t the emptiness of the space that unnerved him, it was the feeling of something alive within the walls.


    Then he felt it. A subtle pull, like a thread tugging at the edge of his consciousness. It wasn¡¯t physical, nor was it entirely mental, but it was there, undeniable and insistent. It came from deep within the structure, its direction clear in his mind. Arthur instinctively placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.


    He activated his technopathy, sending out a ripple of his awareness into the surrounding environment. His ability brushed against the machinery embedded within the walls, ancient and far beyond human understanding. But the response he got from them was silence.


    It wasn¡¯t that the technology was damaged or broken; it was as though it was deliberately shielding itself from his influence, locking him out. His technopathy met an impenetrable barrier, and for the first time in months, Arthur felt a flicker of unease. Whatever intelligence had designed this place, it was leagues ahead of humanity, and it¡¯s like it had anticipated intruders like him.


    He exhaled sharply and tried again, this time extending his senses outward in a wider range. Almost immediately, his mind latched onto familiar presences. Elena and Leo. They were nearby, the unique energy patterns of their armor unmistakable against the backdrop of Chimerian signatures.


    ¡°Good,¡± Arthur murmured under his breath. He concentrated, his ¡®Map¡¯ highlighting their locations on an overlay of the structure¡¯s map. The two were moving, but their path was clear of Chimerians for now. He could sense the faint energy spikes of a recent skirmish, a fight they had evidently survived. Relief washed over him briefly. They were safe. But he couldn¡¯t find Samir and Lt. Nakamura within five kilometers around him.


    He frowned as he also registered several Chimerian signatures clustered in the opposite direction. ¡°They¡¯re moving too,¡± he noted, his voice low. But the Chimerians were moving opposite to his team.


    Arthur turned his attention back to the subtle pull in his mind, the quiet call that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment. He didn¡¯t know what it was or why it was reaching out to him, but he knew instinctively that it wasn¡¯t something he could ignore.


    Glancing at the map overlay of Elena and Leo¡¯s positions one last time. Satisfied they were out of immediate danger and seeing their vital signs intact from their armors, he began moving toward the source of the call.


    ***

 Chapter 49: The Inheritance

    The corridors stretched endlessly, and the faint glow of the walls illuminated his path, casting soft shadows that seemed to twist and shift in his peripheral vision.


    The symbols on the walls began to change as he moved forward. They were no longer static patterns but seemed to shift and writhe, forming intricate designs that pulsed with a faint, rhythmic light.


    He reached out, tracing a hand over one of the symbols, only to recoil as a jolt of energy shot up his arm. His vision blurred momentarily, images flashing before his eyes, fractured glimpses of a civilization long gone, of towering spires and collapsing stars.


    Arthur staggered back, shaking his head to clear it. ¡°What is this place?¡± he whispered, gripping his sword tighter.


    The call was growing louder now, not in sound but in presence. It was as though it resonated directly with his very being, pulling him forward. He rounded a corner and found himself standing before a massive doorway, its surface inscribed with more of the shifting symbols. The energy emanating from the door was overwhelming, and his HUD struggled to process the readings, lines of data scrolling across his visor in frantic streams.


    Arthur took a step closer, his instincts screaming both caution and curiosity. The doorway pulsed once, a faint ripple of energy brushing against him. He raised his free hand, his fingers hovering over the intricate carvings. The call was deafening now, drowning out every other thought.


    For a moment, Arthur hesitated. Whatever lay beyond this door was unknown to him. It wasn¡¯t just alien but was also a relic of a civilization that had reached technological prowess far beyond humanity.


    But Arthur wasn¡¯t one to back down due to the fear of the unknown. Steeling himself, he placed his hand against the door. The symbols flared to life beneath his touch, and with a low rumble, the doorway began to slide open.


    Blinding white light flooded the corridor, and Arthur shielded his eyes with his arm. As the light dimmed, he lowered his arm and peered into the chamber beyond, and gasped in shock at what lay before him.


    ¡­


    Arthur stood at the threshold, the red glow at the edge sword dimming as its glow was consumed by the blinding expanse before him. He blinked several times, his vision struggling to adjust to the stark white light.


    The chamber seemed boundless, stretching infinitely in every direction without walls, ceiling, to anchor his perception. It was disorienting, a void of pure light yet something about it felt deliberate, designed.


    His hesitation lasted only a moment. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, his boots making no sound against the invisible surface beneath him. As soon as he crossed the threshold, the door behind him slid shut with an ominous hiss.


    ¡°What¡­!¡± Arthur spun around, only to watch in disbelief as the door dissolved into the white void, leaving no trace of its existence.


    ¡°Great,¡± he muttered, clenching his jaw. He glanced at his ¡®Map¡¯. A familiar grid flickered to life in his vision, but there was nothing on the map. Even his suit¡¯s advanced sensors couldn¡¯t make sense of this place. No walls, no terrain, no discernible landmarks. Nothing. Just endless white.


    ¡°Well, this is new,¡± Arthur murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. He sighed and took another cautious step forward. The floor, or whatever passed for it, felt solid enough beneath his boots, but the complete lack of air pressure, sound, or resistance was unnerving.


    Arthur reached out with his technopathy again, hoping to establish a connection with something, anything. But the response was the same as before, he only received silence. He cursed under his breath, glancing back at his sword. The plasma coating at the edge of his blade was still active, humming softly, but it offered little reassurance.


    With no other options, Arthur picked a direction at random. ¡°Here goes nothing,¡± he said, breaking into a jog. His enhanced speed quickly carried him forward, the white space blurring around him.


    He pushed harder, accelerating until he was running at a speed that would have created shockwaves due to sonic booms in the outside world. But here, there was no air to offer any resistance. The sensation was surreal, like moving through a dream where the usual rules of physics didn¡¯t apply.


    Despite the lack of wind or friction, the space still had gravity. Each step felt real, grounding him even as the void seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. Minutes turned into what felt like an eternity, the monotony of the white expanse playing tricks on his mind. His internal clock told him he had been running for nearly thirty minutes, yet there was still no sign of an end.


    And then he saw it.


    Arthur slowed to a stop, his enhanced vision catching a faint glimmer in the distance. He narrowed his eyes, focusing on the anomaly. It was small, barely perceptible at first, but as he approached, its shape began to solidify, a fist-sized orb, floating approximately a meter above the ground.


    ¡°What the¡­?¡± Arthur muttered, his voice sounding strange in the stillness of the void. He approached cautiously, his sword raised. The orb seemed to pulse faintly, a soft light radiating from its smooth surface. It hovered in place, completely motionless, yet exuding an almost magnetic presence.


    Arthur stopped a few meters away, his instincts screaming at him to be careful. The orb¡¯s surface shimmering with an iridescent glow that shifted and swirled like liquid metal. Symbols, similar to the ones he had seen on the walls earlier, appeared and disappeared across its surface, too fleeting to decipher.


    He reached out with his technopathy, testing the waters. This time, he felt something, a faint connection, tenuous and elusive, but it was there. The orb didn¡¯t reject him outright, but it didn¡¯t open itself to him either. It was as if it was¡­waiting.


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    Arthur circled the object, his sword still drawn. ¡°What are you?¡± he whispered, his voice low and cautious.


    The orb pulsed again, the light emanating from it growing slightly brighter. For a moment, Arthur thought he heard something. He stepped closer, lowering his sword slightly.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said, his tone measured. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you are.¡± He then used ¡®Analyse¡¯ on the Orb and what he saw surprised him.


    //--------------------//


    Object: A Control Key, Dimensional Pocket


    Purpose: Unknown


    //--------------------//


    ¡®A Control Key¡­but for what?¡¯ He thought and reached out a hand, his gloved fingers hesitating just centimeters away from the orb¡¯s surface. The air around it, or whatever passed for air in this place, felt charged, tingling against his skin. Every instinct told him to pull back, to leave the orb alone and retreat. But he couldn¡¯t ignore the call that had led him here.


    Arthur closed his eyes and pressed his palm against the orb.


    ¡­


    Arthur¡¯s gloved hand rested against the orb, the surface cool and oddly smooth, almost like liquid frozen in time. For a moment, nothing happened. The stillness of the void wrapped around him like a cocoon, and he thought maybe he had imagined the subtle call earlier.


    Then, the orb began to vibrate.


    Arthur flinched, retracting his hand instinctively. He took a step back, raising his sword in defense. The orb, however, didn¡¯t stop. Its vibration grew more intense, a low thrumming sound filling the void.


    He watched in disbelief as the object began to shrink, its glowing surface collapsing inward as if being compressed by some unseen force. From the size of a fist, it contracted rapidly, becoming no larger than a mustard seed.


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡± Arthur whispered, his voice trailing off as the tiny, shimmering dot of light shot toward him like a bullet.


    He barely had time to react. The orb pierced through his left gauntlet effortlessly, like a hot knife slicing through butter. He winced as a sharp, needle-like sensation pricked the back of his wrist. ¡°Damn it!¡± he hissed, instinctively retracting his glove. His eyes widened as he inspected the exposed skin.


    There, on the back of his left wrist, was a black mark. It was no larger than a dot, but its shape was distinct, a perfect circle with intricate, swirling patterns radiating outward like circuitry which dimmed and vanished after a moment.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± Arthur muttered, staring at the mark in confusion. He pressed a finger against it, half expecting it to burn or move, but it felt like a tattoo etched into his skin. Before he could process what was happening, a deep, resonant voice echoed in his mind.


    [Welcome, Inheritor.]


    Arthur froze, his head whipping around. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± he demanded, his sword lighting up in his hand. The void remained silent, empty, but the voice continued.


    [Do not be alarmed, Inheritor. I am the Guardian AI of the Spear of Heaven. You have been chosen.]


    Arthur¡¯s mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. ¡°Guardian AI? Spear of Heaven? Chosen for what?¡± he asked, his tone wary.


    [The Spear of Heaven is a top-class battleship, the pinnacle of technology created by the Krozonites, my creators. I have selected you as its new inheritor.]


    Arthur blinked, the words sinking in like heavy stones. ¡°Why me?¡± he asked, his voice edged with suspicion. ¡°I¡¯m just a soldier. What makes me so special?¡±


    The AI¡¯s voice resonated in his mind. [For eons, I have observed the development of humanity. By chance, I became aware of your existence and witnessed you wielding the powers of my creator, technopathy. The ability to communicate with and control technology was a rare gift among the Krozonites. You carry that same gift, a connection to the technological fabric of the universe.]


    Arthur took a step back, his thoughts a whirlwind. ¡°Your creator¡­ Who were they? And why would they leave something like this behind?¡±


    [The Krozonites were an advanced species, unparalleled in their mastery of technology. My creator was among the most exceptional of their kind, he was able to communicate and control any technological device just after his birth. However, they found a way to traverse into other universes and achieve biological immortality. They left this universe millions of years ago, according to your perception of time.]


    Arthur exhaled slowly, struggling to wrap his mind around the information he received. ¡°So¡­ they just left? All of them?¡±


    [Yes. But before departing, they left behind remnants of their knowledge and creations, the Spear of Heaven. It was designed not just as a weapon but as a legacy of their existence.]


    Arthur¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. ¡°Why give it to me, though? Why now?¡±


    [Because the time is right. Humanity stands on the cusp of change, and your actions have proven your worth. You possess not only the ability but the will to wield this responsibility.]


    Arthur frowned, his mind brimming with questions. But before he could ask more, the void around him began to shift. A low rumble resonated through the space, and the brilliant white light began to pulse and vibrate.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Arthur asked, his voice rising.


    [The space you are in is a construct of the Spear of Heaven. It is being reabsorbed into the Control Key of Spear of Heaven in your possession.]


    Arthur felt a strange pull, a tingling sensation that began at the mark on his wrist and spread through his entire body. The white void rippled and contracted, the infinite space folding in on itself as if being drawn into the black mark on his skin. He stumbled, his balance wavering as the light disappeared, leaving him in complete darkness for a moment.


    When his vision returned, Arthur found himself standing in a massive chamber. His breath caught as he took in his surroundings. He was inside what could only be described as a cockpit, but it was like nothing he had ever seen.


    The room was vast, with a panoramic view of the void stretching out before him. Holographic interfaces floated in the air, displaying streams of data in an alien script. The walls pulsed faintly with energy, their surfaces a seamless blend of metal and light.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± Arthur asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    [You are aboard the Spear of Heaven. This is its command center.]


    Arthur¡¯s eyes widened as he stepped closer to the holographic displays. The scale of the battleship was mind-boggling. ¡°This thing is huge¡­ How big is it?¡±


    [By human measurements, the Spear of Heaven is 3,000 kilometers long and 1,500 kilometers wide. It is equipped with the most advanced technology the Krozonites ever developed. It is not just a battleship, it is a fortress, a legacy left behind by my creator.]


    [A/N: 3000 km- 1864 miles, 1500 km- 932 miles]


    Arthur felt a mixture of awe and disbelief. ¡°And now¡­ it¡¯s mine?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.


    [Yes, Inheritor. You are now its commander. Together, we will shape the future.]


    Arthur took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling on his shoulders. This wasn¡¯t just a weapon or a tool, it was a link to a civilization long gone. And it had chosen him.


    ***

 Chapter 50: Element-M

    Arthur leaned back in the commander¡¯s throne, its sleek design conforming perfectly to his form as though the chair itself was alive and adjusting to his presence. The walls of the command center glowed faintly with those runic language. These runes were like codes in a computer program, holding secrets that would take time for Arthur to figure out.


    Holographic projections surrounded him, displaying streams of data about the Spear of Heaven. The Guardian AI spoke with a calm, resonant voice, providing updates on the ship''s technologies, resources, and capabilities.


    [The Spear of Heaven has a total energy output equivalent to that of a hypernova. It is equipped with weapons capable of disrupting quantum fields, defensive systems that can easily withstand supernova-level blasts, and a fully autonomous repair system powered by molecular reconstruction.]


    [A/N: Quantum destabilizer can be used as a powerful weapon that disrupts the molecular structure of matter by manipulating quantum phenomena, thus disintegrating any matter.]


    Arthur rubbed his temples. A hypernova worth of energy? Quantum disruption weapons? It was difficult to comprehend. Yet, here he was, sitting in command of what could only be described as a cosmic juggernaut. As the AI continued its report, Arthur''s thoughts drifted to his team.


    ¡°Guardian,¡± Arthur interrupted, his tone laced with concern. ¡°Show me the current status of every human and Chimerian on this ship.¡±


    The holograms flickered for a moment before displaying various feeds. Arthur¡¯s eyes scanned them quickly. He spotted Elena and Leo navigating another corridor, their weapons drawn but their path clear. A separate feed showed Lt. Nakamura and Samir tending to minor injuries after their skirmish. His teammates appeared tired but safe. As for the Chimerians, the footage revealed them spread out, cautiously exploring their surroundings.


    Arthur sighed in relief, his shoulders relaxing. ¡°At least they¡¯re safe for now,¡± he muttered under his breath.


    [Would you like me to engage defensive protocols to secure your team further?] the AI asked.


    Arthur shook his head. ¡°No, not yet. If the Chimerians attack them, we¡¯ll step in. But I don¡¯t want to alert anyone to this battleship¡¯s presence just yet. Let them move naturally for now.¡±


    He paused, looking at the metallic sheen of the walls around him. Something had been nagging at the back of his mind since he first stepped foot here. ¡°Guardian,¡± he began thoughtfully, ¡°this ship, what exactly is it made of?¡±


    Arthur had used ''Analyze'' on some part and all he got was its composition was some unknown alloy, he figured it was extremely durable, 10^9 times more than Magmatter, which is crazy as there are no metals or alloys with that durability present with humanity.


    The AI paused, as if considering how to explain. Finally, it responded. [Commander. The Spear of Heaven is constructed from a material vastly superior to any alloy known to humanity. It is composed of what my creators termed Alloy-X. It is 10^9 times more durable than magmatter.]


    [A/N: Magmatter is 10^32 times more durable than normal matter. They are used in building mega structures by advanced civilizations.]


    Arthur raised an eyebrow. ¡°Alloy-X? How was it created?¡±


    [To explain, we must first discuss its origin. Millions of years ago, my creators, the Krozonites, discovered a rare crystalline-like metal they named Element-M. It possessed the unique ability to mimic the properties of other elements or materials it came into contact with.]


    Arthur sat up straighter in his chair, intrigued. ¡°Mimic? You mean it could copy properties like conductivity or density?¡±


    [Precisely. However, its abilities extended far beyond basic mimicry. Through extensive research, the Krozonites discovered that Element-M could simultaneously replicate the properties of up to five different elements, all under the control of one¡¯s mind. Its versatility made it the most valuable discovery in our history. And, if that was its limit was unknown.]


    Arthur leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Wait¡­ if it¡¯s so powerful, why isn¡¯t the Spear of Heaven made out of it?¡±


    [Because regrettably my creators were only able to find a handful of these crystalline metals and because of their limitations,] the AI replied. [Despite their advancements, my creators could not fully uncover all of Element-M¡¯s secrets. Its origin remained a mystery, and its quantity was scarce, as it was impossible to detect Element-M using any technology. However, they did manage to replicate one of its remarkable properties; its extraordinary durability. By synthesizing this property, they created Alloy-X. The Spear of Heaven is entirely constructed from this material.]


    Arthur exhaled, leaning back on the throne. ¡°And you¡¯re saying it¡¯s more durable than magmatter?¡±


    [Indeed. Unlike magmatter, which increases in weight proportionally to its durability, Alloy-X retains a remarkably low mass. This allows the Spear of Heaven to possess unparalleled resilience without sacrificing mobility or energy efficiency.]


    Arthur¡¯s mind raced with possibilities. A material that durable, yet lightweight, could revolutionize human technology. But one question lingered in Arthur¡¯s mind. ¡°Guardian, can you show me what this Element-M looks like?¡±


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    The AI paused briefly before generating a holographic image. Arthur¡¯s eyes widened as he saw the representation. The metal resembled a translucent, crystalline structure with a soft, ethereal purple glow.


    Arthur froze, his breath catching in his throat. He recognized it.


    ¡°No way,¡± he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. ¡°I¡¯ve seen this before.¡±


    [Please elaborate, Commander,] the AI asked Arthur in confusion.


    Arthur stood up from the throne, pacing. His memories flashed back to the planet where he had first arrived after his transmigration. In the depths of a cave, he had stumbled upon a strange crystalline deposit. It had caught his attention immediately because of how it seemed to pulse faintly with purple glow, almost as if it contained vast amounts of energy. At the time, he had dismissed it as some unique mineral, just surprised at its durability.


    After typing in some coordinates, ¡°I have seen something similar on this planet,¡± Arthur said aloud. ¡°I didn¡¯t think much of it then, but now¡­ you¡¯re telling me that was Element-M?¡± The Guardian AI said its creator only got some handful of Element-M, but the deposit he encountered had at least tens of millions of tons of it.


    [It is highly probable, Commander. The Krozonites discovered Element-M on remote celestial bodies scattered across the galaxy. Its presence on that planet aligns with what we know.]


    Arthur ran a hand through his hair, his mind spinning. If that deposit was truly Element-M, and if he could somehow acquire it¡­ The implications were staggering.


    [Caution, Commander,] the AI interrupted. [The power of Element-M is not without its dangers. Many civilizations have sought to exploit its properties, only to destroy themselves in the process. Prolonged use of Element-M erodes the mind of the user.]


    Arthur nodded, understanding the warning. ¡°Still¡­ we can¡¯t ignore its potential. We just have to use it carefully.¡± Though Arthur thought with his ability it won¡¯t be a problem to use the metal.


    The holograms around him flickered, displaying a detailed map of the battleship and its systems. The AI¡¯s voice softened slightly. [The Spear of Heaven is yours to command, Commander. Its legacy, its power, and its secrets are now in your hands.]


    Arthur stared at the map. Now, he held the key to a power beyond anything humanity had ever known.


    ¡­


    Arthur remained seated at the commander¡¯s throne, immersed in the detailed explanations provided by the Guardian AI.


    [The battleship¡¯s central energy core,] the AI explained, [It has operated for millions of Earth years without maintenance, as the Krozonites designed it to be entirely self-sufficient.]


    Arthur let out a low whistle. ¡°I¡¯d hate to be on the receiving end of this thing.¡±


    [Indeed,] the AI replied. [The Spear of Heaven was designed not merely as a warship. Its primary purpose was to safeguard their knowledge, culture, and technologies during their transition to other universes. So, it can be said its defensive capabilities are even greater than its offensive capabilities.]


    Arthur nodded, appreciating the gravity of the battleship¡¯s role. As the projections shifted to display resource stockpiles, Arthur noticed the vast reserves of unknown metals, rare elements, and advanced nanomaterials stored onboard. The Krozonites had left nothing to chance.


    As he pondered the possibilities, another thought struck him. ¡°Guardian, what about the ruins and the Obelisk that brought us here? What¡¯s their significance?¡±


    The AI paused briefly before responding, as if accessing ancient files. [The ruins are what remains of a once-thriving Krozonite central hub. This region served as a nexus of their activities within this galaxy. The structure you refer to as the Obelisk was, in fact, a gateway, a device capable of opening stable pathways to other universes.]


    Arthur¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°A gateway to other universes? You¡¯re telling me that thing can create portals to entirely different dimensions?¡±


    [Correct. The Obelisk was part of the Krozonites¡¯ ¡®Interdimensional Bridge¡¯ initiative, a project that enabled them to traverse to parallel realities and expand their understanding of existence. However, after their departure, the gateway was decommissioned and left dormant. Over time, its systems likely deteriorated due to neglect.]


    Arthur frowned. ¡°So, it¡¯s not functional anymore?¡±


    [Its functionality has likely been compromised, but it can be repaired. The Krozonites designed their structures to be resilient and adaptable. With the technology aboard the Spear of Heaven, restoring the gateway to its full capacity would be a relatively simple task.]


    Arthur leaned forward, his mind racing. If the Obelisk could be repaired, the implications were enormous. It could provide him with the ability to explore other universes.


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t humans and the Chimerians just repair it themselves?¡± Arthur asked.


    [The Krozonites ensured that only those attuned to their technology could interact with their advanced systems. Your technopathy makes you uniquely qualified to serve as the Inheritor. Without such abilities, the Chimerians or the humans would be unable to fully interface with the Obelisk.]


    Arthur leaned back, exhaling slowly. ¡°So, the Chimerians came here looking for something they can¡¯t even use.¡±


    [Not entirely,] the AI corrected. [While they may not be able to activate the Obelisk, they could still attempt to salvage something other than it. There are lot of damaged technology in the ruins, which they can reverse engineer and get something valuable out of them.]


    Arthur clenched his fists. ¡°I can¡¯t let that happen. We¡¯ve already seen what they¡¯re capable of with just a fraction of their resources. If they gain access to Krozonite technology¡­¡± He trailed off.


    The AI¡¯s voice softened. [You hold the power to protect this legacy, Commander. The Krozonites entrusted their creations to one who could wield them wisely. That responsibility now falls to you.]


    Arthur stood, the throne adjusting as he moved. ¡°Then I need to secure this place and find a way to repair the Obelisk. If it¡¯s a gateway to other universes, it¡¯s too valuable to fall into the wrong hands.¡±


    The AI projected a glowing map of the ruins. [Understood, Commander. I will assist you in securing the Obelisk and initiating repairs.]


    As he prepared to leave the command center, Arthur¡¯s mind was filled with questions about the Krozonites and their mysterious departure. Yet, for now, one thing was certain, the Obelisk, and the Spear of Heaven can become his trump cards.


    ***

 Chapter 51: Arthur Vs Vorsk I

    Commander Vorsk snarled, his sharp teeth bared as he stalked through the endless corridors. Vorsk¡¯s patience had run thin. Every step through the seemingly endless corridors of this place only deepened his frustration. His powerful frame moved with an agitated energy, his armor gleaming under the dim, alien lighting of the facility.


    "Dammit¡­!! How big is this place?" Vorsk growled, his voice echoing in the vast halls. His clawed fist clenched in frustration before slamming into the nearby wall.


    Boom!


    A deep, reverberating sound rang out, but the wall remained entirely unscathed. Vorsk scowled, his piercing yellow eyes narrowing as he pulled his fist back. "Tch¡­ What kind of material is this?"


    The two Elite Chimerians flanking him exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable behind their battle-worn helmets. Vorsk turned toward them, his frustration boiling over.


    "Split up. Find that human and report to me the moment you see him."


    The two Elites saluted with a fist over their chests. "Yes, Commander!" They immediately sprinted in opposite directions, their heavy footfalls fading into the distance.


    Unbeknownst to Vorsk, he was being watched.


    From the command deck of the Spear of Heaven, Arthur leaned back in the throne, watching the Chimerian commander stomp through the corridors like an angry beast. A smirk crept across his lips as he saw Vorsk punch the wall in frustration.


    Arthur chuckled. "Losing your patience already? That''s good."


    His fingers hovered over the holographic interface in front of him. The ship¡¯s map unfolded in front of him, allowing him to pinpoint every life form inside. He zoomed in on Vorsk¡¯s location and calculated his next move.


    Arthur knew Vorsk was stronger. He had seen the Chimerian commander¡¯s stats using ¡®Analysis¡¯ before. Vorsk wasn¡¯t someone he could take head-on in a contest of raw power and experience. But he wasn''t much worried about it.


    "Guardian, lock onto his coordinates and prepare to teleport me nearby."


    [Acknowledged, Commander. Tactical teleportation engaged. Initiating now.]


    A bright blue light engulfed Arthur, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished from the command center.


    ¡­


    Vorsk took a sharp turn around the corner, his heightened senses scanning the surroundings. And there, standing in the middle of the hallway, was Arthur.


    The Chimerian commander froze for a second before a deep, guttural laugh erupted from his throat.


    "Hah! Finally." He cracked his knuckles, his claws glinting under the dim light. "I was starting to think you were too much of a coward to show yourself."


    Arthur¡¯s eyes remained calm as he took a step forward, the plasma edges of his sword in his hand humming softly as he activated it. The red energy crackled against the air, casting eerie shadows across the walls.


    "You talk too much," Arthur said flatly. "Let¡¯s get this over with."


    Vorsk grinned, his muscles tensing. "Oh, I will enjoy this."


    Without warning, Vorsk charged, his movements a blur of raw power creating shockwaves with his movements. Arthur barely had a second to react before the Chimerian was on him. He sidestepped at the last second, narrowly avoiding a clawed swipe aimed at his throat.


    Clang!


    Arthur countered with a swift upward slash, his blade cutting through the air. Vorsk leaned back just in time, the tip of the sword grazing his chest armor and sending a shower of sparks flying.


    "Tch." Vorsk clicked his tongue and lashed out with his leg.


    Arthur crossed his arms just in time to block the impact, but the sheer force of the kick sent him skidding backward several meters. His boots scraped against the floor, without leaving any marks.


    Vorsk straightened, rolling his shoulders. "You¡¯re quick. I¡¯ll give you that. But you won¡¯t survive past today.¡±


    Arthur smirked. "Let¡¯s test that theory."


    Without another word, he vanished.


    Vorsk¡¯s eyes widened. "Teleportation?!"


    Arthur reappeared behind him in a flash of blue light, his sword already mid-swing. Vorsk barely managed to twist his body, raising his armored forearm just in time to deflect the blade. The plasma energy scorched his armor, but it didn¡¯t penetrate fully.


    "Nice trick." Vorsk grabbed Arthur¡¯s wrist and hurled him across the hallway. ¡°You must have got something quite useful from this place, but it won''t help you much.¡±


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    Arthur twisted in midair, using his thrusters to correct his position before landing in a crouch. He looked up just in time to see Vorsk charging again.


    Vorsk lunged at Arthur with terrifying speed, his claws slashing through the air like blades. Arthur barely managed to dodge, feeling the sharp wind of the near-miss against his cheek.


    Clang!


    Arthur blocked the next strike with his sword, the energy at the edge of the blade hissing against Vorsk¡¯s gauntlet. The impact sent vibrations up Arthur¡¯s arm, but he held firm. Vorsk grinned, pressing down with brute strength, attempting to overpower him.


    "Your tricks won¡¯t save you forever, human," Vorsk sneered.


    Arthur smirked. "Good thing I¡¯ve got more than one trick."


    He suddenly put the blade inside his dimensional pocket. With no resistance left, Vorsk stumbled forward slightly, his force no longer met with equal opposition. Seizing the opportunity, Arthur instantly with a mental command took the sword out and drove the blade upward, slicing a deep gash into Vorsk¡¯s left shoulder.


    Sizzle!


    The Chimerian let out a snarl of pain, his shoulder armor melting and exposing raw, burned flesh underneath. But instead of recoiling, he retaliated instantly.


    BAM!


    A powerful knee strike slammed into Arthur¡¯s abdomen, lifting him off the ground and sending him flying backward. He crashed against the metallic floor, rolling several meters before flipping back onto his feet. His ribs ached, but even as he felt them crack, his regeneration went into action. Within seconds, the pain faded, and the fractures mended themselves.


    Vorsk¡¯s eyes narrowed. He had seen Arthur take direct hits, yet each time, the human seemed¡­ fine.


    "You should be struggling by now," Vorsk growled, flexing his claws. "I know I hit you hard enough to break your bones."


    Arthur rolled his shoulders. "Yeah, that was a good hit. You want me to pretend it hurt?"


    Vorsk¡¯s expression darkened.


    The battle resumed.


    Arthur teleported again, blinking behind Vorsk and going for a decapitating strike. But Vorsk had anticipated it this time, he twisted his body at the last second, grabbed Arthur¡¯s wrist, and slammed him face-first into the ground.


    CRASH!


    His helmet dented from the impact, and Vorsk didn¡¯t stop. He lifted Arthur up and hurled him across the corridor, sending him skidding across the metallic floor.


    Arthur groaned, feeling the bruises forming¡­ but before the pain could even settle, his regeneration kicked in, patching up the damage almost instantly.


    Vorsk¡¯s frown deepened as Arthur stood up like nothing had happened.


    "That¡¯s not normal," Vorsk muttered.


    Arthur picked up his sword and replied. "I get that a lot."


    Vorsk charged again, this time more aggressively, his movements growing faster and more unpredictable. Arthur met him head-on, their clash sending shockwaves down the corridor.


    Slash!


    Arthur¡¯s sword cut across Vorsk¡¯s thigh.


    BAM!


    Vorsk¡¯s fist connected with Arthur¡¯s jaw.


    Whoosh!


    Arthur dodged a sweeping kick, teleporting behind Vorsk and stabbing his sword forward, only for Vorsk to spin mid-air, catching Arthur¡¯s arm and twisting it violently.


    Crack!


    Arthur¡¯s forearm snapped at an unnatural angle, but before Vorsk could take advantage, Arthur headbutted him, causing the Chimerian to stumble back. By the time Vorsk looked up, Arthur¡¯s broken arm had already healed.


    Vorsk¡¯s breathing grew heavier, his armor scorched in multiple places, cuts lining his arms and legs. Though Arthur had taken more hits, he still stood tall, unscathed.


    The realization hit him hard.


    "You¡¯re healing¡­ too fast."


    Arthur remained silent, gripping his sword.


    Vorsk¡¯s eyes gleamed with a sudden hunger. "So that¡¯s it¡­! That¡¯s your secret!"


    Arthur tilted his head. "What secret?"


    Vorsk pointed a clawed finger at him, grinning madly. "Your ability! It¡¯s not natural. You gained it from this place, didn¡¯t you?"


    Arthur remained silent, thinking it¡¯s better for him to misunderstand.


    Vorsk continued, his voice filled with greed. "If you got this power from this place, then that means it¡¯s something I can take too. I will rip the secret out of you!"


    With a furious roar, Vorsk charged, his attacks growing even wilder. Arthur gritted his teeth as he dodged, parried, and countered, but Vorsk no longer cared about his own injuries.


    And Arthur knew that made him even more dangerous.


    ¡­


    The once pristine corridor was now a battlefield. The air was heavy with the scent of blood, mostly Vorsk¡¯s.


    Arthur stood a few meters away, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his sword crackling in his grip. His armor was battered, small tears revealing the rapidly healing flesh underneath. He had suffered more hits than he could count, but each time, his regeneration erased the damage within seconds. They have been fighting for more than half an hour without anyone getting an upper hand.


    Vorsk, however, was not so lucky.


    The Chimerian panted heavily, his once-imposing frame now riddled with wounds. Deep slashes covered his torso and limbs, one of his arms lay severed on the ground, still twitching slightly, and his bat-like wings had been ruthlessly hacked off, leaving jagged stumps on his back. He had bled too much, his dark violet blood pooling beneath him, staining the floor.


    And yet, his eyes burned with pure rage.


    "You¡­ damn¡­ human!" Vorsk spat, his voice hoarse, his body swaying slightly. He still stood tall, refusing to kneel, but Arthur could see it, he was at his limit.


    Arthur exhaled slowly, gripping his sword tightly. "Give up, Vorsk. This fight is over."


    "Over?!" Vorsk barked out a laugh, though it quickly turned into a cough, a thick glob of dark blood splattering against the floor. He wiped his mouth, his sharp teeth bared in a snarl. "I¡­ am a Commander! I don¡¯t know the meaning of surrender!"


    Arthur remained silent, observing his enemy. Every movement Vorsk made was slower than before. His body was betraying him, his injuries too severe, and his endurance running dry.


    And Arthur wasn¡¯t even very tired.


    That was the difference between them. Vorsk was wearing down, but Arthur could still keep going. The outcome of this fight now depended on who could endure more and as the fight dragged on the final outcome became clear.


    ***

 Chapter 52: Arthur Vs Vorsk II

    Vorsk gritted his teeth, trying to flex the fingers of his arm. His mind still screamed at him to keep fighting, but he was beginning to understand a harsh truth, he couldn¡¯t win if this goes on.


    Arthur had no weaknesses he could exploit, except for his lack of experience. No matter how many times he cut him down, Arthur stood up again as if nothing had happened.


    Vorsk¡¯s breath came out in ragged huffs. His pride told him to keep fighting, but his instincts screamed for him to retreat.


    He let out a guttural growl, his one remaining hand trembling as he clenched it into a fist. His vision blurred for a moment, and he blinked rapidly, trying to stay focused.


    Arthur, still standing firm, gave him a final warning. "You don¡¯t have to die here, Vorsk. Surrender and you can live."


    Vorsk let out a growl, but it lacked the strength from before. He knew it. Arthur was offering him a way out¡­ But he would never surrender to a human, his pride won¡¯t allow him. And his fate would be for the humans to decide if he surrenders, which he cannot accept.


    Vorsk staggered back, his body trembling with exhaustion, but his hatred burned hotter than ever. This damn human, this freak, had pushed him to the brink.


    Arthur, watching him carefully, kept his stance firm. He could see it in Vorsk¡¯s eyes, the Chimerian wasn¡¯t done.


    A feral snarl erupted from Vorsk¡¯s throat as he lunged forward, his claws coated in plasma energy, aiming directly for Arthur¡¯s heart. "DIE, HUMAN!!"


    Arthur reacted in an instant. His world slowed.


    His sword flared, the red glow at its edges intensifying, and he sidestepped at the last second. Vorsk''s claws whistled past his ribs, just missing his vital organs.


    And then, Arthur struck.


    With all the force he could muster, Arthur drove his sword forward, straight into Vorsk¡¯s chest.


    The blade sank deep, piercing through armor, muscle, and bone, until its crackling edge emerged from Vorsk¡¯s back.


    Vorsk¡¯s body jerked violently. His eyes widened in shock, his breath hitching as the burning heat of the sword ate away at his insides.


    Arthur twisted the blade.


    "Grk¡­!" Vorsk let out a strangled gasp, his remaining hand grasping feebly at Arthur¡¯s wrist, his claws scratching against the armor, but there was no strength left.


    Arthur leaned in slightly, locking eyes with him. "This is the end, Vorsk."


    Vorsk¡¯s lips curled into a bloody, weak sneer. His voice was barely above a whisper. "Hah¡­ Don''t think¡­ this is a victory¡­ human¡­"


    Arthur¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. He ripped the sword free, pulling it upward as he did, slicing through Vorsk¡¯s heart.


    For a moment, Vorsk stood there, frozen. His body trembled, his legs buckling¡­


    Then, with a final, choking gasp, he collapsed.


    His body hit the ground with a heavy thud, the light fading from his furious eyes. His violet blood pooled around him, his reign as a commander finally over.


    Arthur exhaled, shaking off the tension in his muscles. He looked down at the fallen commander for a brief moment, then deactivated his sword with a sharp hiss. Arthur came to respect Vorsk¡¯s tenacity as even after knowing he could not win he still did not surrender.


    He turned and began to retreat into the shadows, his hand clenched tightly into a fist. He had finally won.


    ¡­


    Arthur exhaled sharply as he made his way back to the command deck. His armor was in shambles, his once-pristine black suit was now riddled with gashes, plasma burns, and dried streaks of violet Chimerian blood. With a grunt, he began peeling off the damaged plates, letting them clatter to the metallic floor beneath him.


    ¡°Guardian,¡± Arthur called out, rolling his shoulders, feeling the tension in his muscles. ¡°Can you repair my armor?¡±


    A familiar deep voice responded within his mind.


    [Of course, Commander. Please place the damaged components in the designated repair unit. The nanoforge will restore them to optimal condition within minutes. Do you want me to upgrade your armor?]


    ¡°There is no need for now.¡± Arthur replied.


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    Arthur then stepped toward a circular platform that appeared near the edge of the room. He carefully placed the armor pieces into its center, watching as thin mechanical arms extended and began analyzing the damage. Within seconds, shimmering nanites swarmed over the armor, breaking down damaged parts and reconstructing them at an almost molecular level.


    Arthur crossed his arms, he thought for a second and said to the Guardian, ¡±Hey Guardian could you make the armor appear damaged from outside without making it lose its integrity.¡±


    He had asked the guardian to do so because he thought after going out of this place his teammates would find it weird if his armor remained intact even after fighting a Chimerian commander, after getting a positive response from the guardian Arthur started watching the process for a moment before turning his thoughts elsewhere.


    ¡°Guardian,¡± he said, his voice steady, ¡°Is it possible to retrieve Vorsk¡¯s memories?¡±


    There was a brief pause before the AI responded.


    [Yes. His death was recent, meaning his brain tissue is still intact. I can extract and digitize his neural data if you authorize it.]


    Arthur¡¯s expression brightened. If he could access Vorsk¡¯s memories, he might uncover vital Chimerian intelligence, battle strategies, hidden plans, or even their deeper motivations for this war. It was an opportunity too great to ignore.


    ¡°Do it.¡±


    The Guardian AI immediately began the process. Somewhere within the vast interior of Spear of Heaven, a hidden chamber hummed to life. At the site of the battle, Vorsk¡¯s lifeless body suddenly vanished, teleported away in an instant. His corpse reappeared in a sterile, dimly lit room, where mechanical appendages extended from the walls, hovering over his head.


    [Initiating neural extraction.]


    A series of thin, precise instruments descended, gently piercing into Vorsk¡¯s skull. Pulses of energy coursed through his brain, scanning the remaining neural pathways, reconstructing the final traces of his thoughts and experiences. Arthur didn¡¯t flinch as he observed the process through a holographic screen on the command deck.


    The Guardian¡¯s voice soon returned.


    [Memory retrieval is in progress. Estimated time: five minutes.]


    Arthur gave a nod of approval before shifting his focus to another pressing matter.


    ¡°There are still other Chimerians in the ship,¡± he muttered, his gaze hardening. He had no reason to let them live. If they escaped, they would regroup, report back to their forces, and bring more trouble later. It was best to eliminate them now.


    ¡°Guardian, wipe them all out.¡±


    [Understood, Commander. Executing termination protocols.]


    Across the ship, unseen defenses came to life. Silent humanoid robots emerged from hidden compartments, gliding through the corridors like ghosts using their thrusters. Advanced turrets unfolded from the walls, locking onto their targets with cold precision.


    The remaining Chimerians, scattered throughout the ruins, had no warning.


    Blades of plasma extended from the robot¡¯s arms, slicing through armor like paper. Turrets unleashed beams of energy, reducing warriors to ash before they could even raise their weapons.


    Within moments, it was over.


    Arthur didn¡¯t need to watch. He simply turned his back to the command deck¡¯s holographic display and asked the Guardian, ¡°Hey Guardian, If we are inside the Spear of Heaven, then where is it located exactly?¡±


    [Commander, the Spear Of Heaven is located in a separate dimension inside the Obelisk.]


    ¡°Oh¡­alright.¡± After that he waited for the memory to be retrieved from Vorsk.


    ¡­


    Lieutenant Nakamura let out a sharp exhale as he wiped a streak of violet Chimerian blood off his arm. The past hour had been nothing but endless corridors, strange architecture, and the occasional hostile encounter. Beside him, Samir adjusted his gauntlet, flexing his fingers as the last traces of his wounds vanished, courtesy of the nanobots in his system.


    ¡°This place is a damn maze,¡± Samir muttered, glancing around the massive corridor they had entered. ¡°I swear we¡¯ve passed something similar like this before.¡±


    ¡°Negative,¡± Nakamura responded, his tone clipped as he surveyed the surroundings. ¡°The architecture may look similar, but we¡¯re making progress. Our previous route had no intersection like this.¡±


    Samir sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Still feels like we¡¯re walking in circles.¡±


    Just as he said that, the sound of movement made both of them snap their heads to the right. Nakamura instantly raised his plasma sword, while Samir¡¯s rifle was up in a flash. Their fingers hovered over their triggers.


    Then, from the opposite end of the corridor, two familiar figures emerged.


    Leo and Elena.


    The moment they spotted each other, relief flashed across their faces.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me,¡± Samir grinned, lowering his weapon. ¡°Finally, some damn familiar faces.¡±


    Leo gave a tired chuckle. ¡°You guys have no idea how glad I am to see you.¡±


    Elena, ever watchful, let her sniper lower slightly, her sharp eyes scanning them. Her gaze landed on the scratches and scuffs on their armor. ¡°You two had company?¡±


    ¡°We encountered them two times in the last hour,¡± Nakamura confirmed, flicking off his plasma sword as the blade retracted.


    Samir nodded. ¡°Mostly thanks to the Lieutenant here. He made sure I didn¡¯t get gutted.¡±


    Leo chuckled, then gestured to himself and Elena. ¡°Same for us. Two elites gave us some trouble. They weren¡¯t easy to bring down.¡± Elena nodded hearing that.


    For a brief moment, silence settled over the group as they processed the situation. Then, Nakamura¡¯s expression hardened.


    ¡°Have any of you been able to contact Arthur?¡±


    The moment he asked, the air grew heavier. Leo and Elena exchanged glances before shaking their heads.


    ¡°No response,¡± Elena said quietly. ¡°Not even static. It¡¯s like he¡¯s completely cut off.¡±


    Nakamura frowned, considering the implications. ¡°That¡¯s not normal. Even if comms were being jammed, we¡¯d at least pick up interference.¡±


    Samir sighed, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Well, there¡¯s nothing we can do from here. We¡¯ll just have to hope he¡¯s alright.¡±


    Leo crossed his arms, a determined look in his eyes. ¡°Arthur¡¯s tough. He¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Nakamura glanced at each of them before giving a firm nod. ¡°Then we keep moving. We regroup, assess our situation, and find a way out.¡±


    No one objected.


    As one, the four of them continued their exploration, their boots echoing through the vast halls of wherever they were in.


    ***

 Chapter 53: An Unknown Entity

    Arthur stood on the command deck of the Spear of Heaven, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the holographic display before him. The nanoforge has completed its work, and his armor has been repaired. But his mind was far from the repairs. He was waiting  for the Guardian AI to finish extracting Vorsk¡¯s memories. The Chimerian commander¡¯s final moments had left Arthur with more questions than answers. What drove the Chimerians to wage such a relentless war against humanity? What were they truly after?


    The Guardian¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, breaking the silence.


    [Memory retrieval complete, Commander. The data has been processed and organized. Would you like to review it now?]


    Arthur¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Yes. Show me everything.¡±


    The holographic display flickered, and a stream of data began to flow across the screen. At first, it was fragmented, images of battles, flashes of strategy meetings, and glimpses of Vorsk¡¯s personal life. But soon, the Guardian began to piece together a coherent narrative, one that stretched back far beyond Vorsk¡¯s lifetime. It was the history of the Chimerians, a history Arthur had never expected.


    The Guardian AI recreated the scenes of the past from the memories of Vorsk. Although Vorsk had not been present when these events occurred, the Guardian was able to create a simulation on the basis of Vorsk''s knowledge of their past.


    The screen shifted, showing a lush, vibrant world, a planet teeming with life. Towering cities of glass and metal rose into the sky, their spires glinting under the light of a binary star system. This was the Chimerian homeworld, Kryos, as it had been nearly a hundred thousand years ago. The Chimerians were a humanoid species, their smooth, hairless skin glistening under the sun. They were advanced, intelligent, and peaceful species, until the day everything changed.


    The hologram zoomed in on a bustling city, its streets filled with Chimerians going about their daily lives. Suddenly, the sky above the city rippled. Space itself seemed to crack, as if a giant hand had torn through the fabric of reality. A deafening roar echoed across the planet, and the ground shook violently. The Chimerians looked up in terror as a massive figure emerged from the rift.


    It was a creature from nightmares. Its body was humanoid but colossal, nearly a kilometer tall (0.62 miles). Its skin was covered with dark, iridescent black scales, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. Four powerful arms extended from its torso, each ending in clawed hands that could crush mountains. Bat-like wings, tattered and scarred, stretched out behind its back, casting an ominous shadow over the city. Its head was draconic, with glowing red eyes that burned like twin suns.


    The creature was grievously injured, its body riddled with deep gashes and scorch marks. It hovered in the air, barely able to move, its presence alone enough to send the Chimerians into a panic.


    At that time the Chimerian leaders gathered in a secure bunker beneath the city. They were debating what to do. Some argued for an immediate attack, while others urged caution. In the end, curiosity and ambition won out. They decided to establish contact with the entity.


    Then a group of Chimerian scientists and diplomats approached the creature. They used advanced technology to project their voices into the void, attempting to communicate. To their surprise, the entity responded. Its voice was deep and resonant, echoing in their minds rather than their ears.


    ¡°I am¡­ wounded,¡± it said, its words slow and labored. ¡°I have been fighting an enemy far beyond your comprehension. I require a place to rest¡­ to heal. In return, I will grant you power beyond your wildest dreams.¡±


    The Chimerian leaders were intrigued. Power. The word alone was enough to ignite their greed. They agreed to the entity¡¯s terms, offering it sanctuary on their planet. In return, the entity provided them with a gift, its blood.


    The Chimerian scientists worked tirelessly, analyzing the entity¡¯s blood and using it to create serums. The first trials were a success. The serums enhanced the Chimerians¡¯ physical abilities, granting them strength, speed, and endurance far beyond their natural limits. But there were¡­ side effects.


    Arthur¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched the next sequence. The Chimerians who had been injected with the serum began to exhibit violent tendencies. They became more aggressive, more ruthless. At first, the leaders dismissed these changes as minor side effects, a small price to pay for such power. They kept the truth hidden from the masses, fearing it would cause panic.


    The entity, meanwhile, began to select a few chosen individuals, Chimerians who showed exceptional potential. It infused them directly with its blood, transforming them into beings of immense power. These chosen ones became the first of the Chimerian powerhouses with immense strength to level mountains with their powers, they slowly replaced the higher ups and began to take over their government.


    Over the next hundred thousand years, the Chimerians expanded their reach, conquering planet after planet. Their empire grew, fueled by the entity¡¯s blood and their insatiable hunger for power. But they were no longer the peaceful, intelligent species they had once been. They had become something else, something darker, their physiology started to change, resembling something closer to the entity.


    Arthur¡¯s fists clenched as he watched the hologram. The Chimerians¡¯ conquests were brutal, their methods merciless. Entire civilizations were wiped out, their populations enslaved or exterminated. The entity watched from the shadows, its influence growing with each passing year.


    But there was something the Chimerians didn¡¯t know, something even the Guardian AI hadn¡¯t uncovered from Vorsk¡¯s memories. The entity was not just a wounded warrior seeking refuge. It was something far more sinister. It had come from outside the universe, a being of pure malice and destruction. It needed life force to heal, and it had manipulated the Chimerians into becoming its instruments of destruction.


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    The hologram shifted one last time, showing the entity from what Vorsk thought it looked like, a shadowy figure lurking in the depths of the Chimerian homeworld. It was unknown if its wound had healed or not, but its hunger had only grown. It fed on the life force of the conquered planets, consuming billions of lives to sustain itself. And all the while, it whispered to the Chimerians, manipulating them, controlling them.


    Arthur¡¯s breath caught in his throat. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. The Chimerians weren''t their real enemies, they were pawns. And this entity¡­ it was the true threat.


    The Guardian¡¯s voice broke the silence. [Commander, this information is¡­ concerning. The entity¡¯s influence over the Chimerians is absolute. If it is not stopped, it will consume everything, the galaxy humanity resides in, and then the next.]


    Arthur¡¯s mind raced. He had to act, but how? The entity was beyond anything he had ever faced, he was as weak as an ant before it. He turned to the Guardian. ¡°Is there any way to find its weakness we can exploit?¡±


    [Unknown, Commander. The entity¡¯s nature is beyond our current understanding. However, Vorsk¡¯s memories may contain more information. I will continue to analyze the data.]


    Arthur nodded, his expression grim. ¡°Do it. And prepare to repair the Obelisk.¡±


    As the Guardian began its work, Arthur turned to the holographic display, his eyes fixed on the image of the entity. A cold determination settled over him. He had faced impossible odds before, but this¡­ this was different. This was a fight for the survival of everything.


    And he would not lose.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, deep within the Spear of Heaven, Nakamura, Samir, Leo, and Elena continued their exploration. The corridors seemed endless, their footsteps echoing in the silence. They had encountered no more Chimerians, but the tension was palpable.


    ¡°Do you think Arthur¡¯s okay?¡± Samir asked, breaking the silence.


    Nakamura glanced at him, his expression unreadable. ¡°Arthur is strong. He¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Elena nodded, though her grip on her sniper rifle tightened. ¡°We need to focus on finding a way out. We can¡¯t help him if we¡¯re stuck here.¡±


    Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Yeah, but this place is a maze. We¡¯ve been walking for hours.¡±


    In the next moment before anyone one of them could react they were engulfed in a bluish light and they disappeared from the place.


    ¡­


    A few minutes ago


    Arthur stood on the command deck of the Spear of Heaven, absorbing the horrifying truth about the Chimerians and the entity that controlled them, Arthur sighed and said, ¡°Alright let''s go back for now¡­Guardian teleport all of us back to the room we were in.¡±


    [Affirmative, Commander] the Guardian replied.


    In an instant, the command deck vanished, and he found himself standing in a dimly lit chamber, the walls etched with ancient runes. He recognized it immediately, it was the room where they had first encountered the Obelisk.


    In the next moment he heard a collective gasp. Turning, he saw Nakamura, Samir, Leo, and Elena materialize in the room, their weapons drawn and their expressions a mix of confusion and relief.


    ¡°Arthur!¡± Leo exclaimed, lowering his rifle. ¡°What the hell just happened? One second we¡¯re wandering through those endless corridors, and the next we¡¯re back here.¡±


    Arthur¡¯s eyes swept over his team, noting their disheveled appearances and the faint streaks of violet blood on their armor. They had clearly been through their own battles. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he admitted, his voice calm but firm. ¡°I was fighting the Chimerian commander. I killed him, and then¡­ I was teleported here.¡±


    Nakamura stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning Arthur¡¯s damaged armor. ¡°You killed their commander? That explains why we didn¡¯t run into any more of them. We thought they were regrouping, but now it makes sense, they were leaderless.¡±


    Elena nodded, her sniper rifle slung over her shoulder. ¡°We didn¡¯t see any Chimerians after a certain point. It was like they just¡­ disappeared.¡±


    Leo crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°Guess you took care of the rest, huh?¡±


    Arthur didn¡¯t respond immediately. His mind was still reeling from the revelations about the entity, but he couldn¡¯t share that yet, not until he had a clearer plan. Instead, he nodded. ¡°I dealt with the remaining Chimerians on the ship. They won¡¯t be a problem anymore.¡±


    The team exchanged glances, their relief palpable. They trusted Arthur implicitly, and if he said the Chimerians were gone, they believed him.


    Arthur¡¯s gaze slightly shifted to the center of the room, where the Obelisk still stood, its surface pulsing faintly with an otherworldly glow, he reached into his dimensional pocket the black dot on his left wrist, it was the control key of Spear of Heaven and also allowed him to store and retrieve objects in a pocket dimension.


    With a mental command, the Obelisk vanished, stored safely within the Spear of Heaven. Arthur had asked the Guardian how much space it had, and he was amazed with the answer. The pocket dimension has a space inside the size of Jupiter, which is immense and the Spear of Heaven was stored inside it.


    Samir blinked in surprise. ¡°Wait, where did it go?¡±


    The team exchanged uneasy glances, but no one had an answer to that. Lt. Nakamura said, ¡°We need to report this whole incident to the higher ups, it is above our pay grade.¡± Everyone nodded hearing that.


    With the Obelisk secured, Arthur turned to his team. ¡°We¡¯re not done yet. There are still Chimerian elites in these ruins, and we need to clear them out. Stay sharp, they won¡¯t go down easily.¡±


    The team nodded, their expressions hardening.


    For the next ten minutes, Arthur and his team moved through the ruins with deadly precision. The corridors were eerily silent, the only sounds the faint hum of their equipment and the occasional echo of their footsteps. But they knew better than to let their guard down. The Chimerian elites were still out there.


    ***

 Chapter 54: Securing the Ruins

    As Arthur and his team advanced deeper into the ruins, the eerie silence was intermittently shattered by bursts of gunfire, the crackle of energy weapons, and the guttural roars of Chimerian warriors. The fights were brutal, each Chimerian elite they encountered was a towering beast of muscle and armor, their weapons crackling with deadly energy.


    Arthur had just finished slicing through the last of a Chimerian warrior¡¯s thick exoskeleton when a voice crackled through their comms.


    {¡°This is ECHO Team Beta, requesting support! We¡¯re pinned down in Section 3-G! Chimerian forces have barricaded the entrance, repeat, we need backup!¡±}


    Arthur and Nakamura exchanged glances.


    ¡°Sounds like we¡¯re not the only ones still fighting,¡± Nakamura said.


    He then switched on his comms. ¡°Beta Team, this is Lt. Nakamura. We¡¯re en route. Hold your position.¡±


    With that, Arthur and his squad picked up their pace, sprinting through the maze-like corridors of the ruins. They turned a corner and found themselves staring at a heavy blast door, half-open, with scorched marks along the edges, signs of a desperate firefight.


    Gunfire erupted from the other side.


    ¡°Looks like Beta Team¡¯s still holding,¡± Leo muttered, gripping his rifle.


    Arthur activated his visor¡¯s scanner, pinpointing movement behind the barricades. ¡°Three Chimerian elites. They¡¯ve blocked the entrance and are pinning Beta Team down.¡±


    Nakamura nodded. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll have to clear the way.¡±


    Arthur didn¡¯t hesitate. He launched forward, activating his thrusters in short bursts to cover the distance. He ignited his sword, the red glow at its edges illuminating the dim hallway.


    The first Chimerian barely had time to react before Arthur¡¯s blade sliced through its wrist, severing the hand holding its rifle. It roared in pain, staggering backward, but Arthur followed up with a precise thrust through its chest.


    Leo and Elena opened fire, their shots hammering against the armor of the second Chimerian. It roared in defiance and charged, but Nakamura met it head-on, his plasma sword clashing with the Chimerian¡¯s energy blade in a shower of sparks.


    Samir tossed a grenade past them, landing near the barricade. It detonated with a concussive blast, sending the third Chimerian sprawling. Beta Team seized the moment, surging forward from their position and mowing down the remaining enemy with a barrage of plasma fire.


    Arthur turned to see a squad of five heavily armored ECHOs emerging from cover, their armor scratched and battle-worn. Their leader, a grizzled lieutenant with a scar running down his cheek, nodded in thanks.


    ¡°We thought we were dead meat,¡± the lieutenant said. ¡°These bastards hit us hard.¡±


    Arthur sheathed his sword. ¡°We¡¯re not done yet. More Chimerians are still in the ruins. We push forward together.¡±


    The lieutenant grinned. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.¡±


    With Beta Team joining them, the combined squad moved out, sweeping through the ruins with renewed force. They encountered another Chimerian unit a few corridors down.


    ¡°Elites ahead,¡± Elena called out from her elevated position, sniper rifle trained. ¡°They¡¯ve got heavy weapons.¡±


    ¡°Take out their gunners first,¡± Lt. Nakamura ordered.


    A sharp crack echoed as Elena fired her sniper rifle, her shot piercing through the helmet of a Chimerian carrying a heavy plasma cannon. The beast staggered before collapsing, its weapon clattering to the ground.


    With the enemy momentarily stunned, Arthur, Nakamura, and Leo charged in. Beta Team provided suppressing fire while Samir flanked around, tossing an incendiary grenade that erupted in blue flames, forcing the Chimerians into disarray.


    Arthur drove his blade through one elite¡¯s throat, dodging an incoming strike from another. Nakamura finished off another with a precise slash through its abdomen, its violet blood spraying onto the metallic walls.


    It wasn¡¯t just their team, through the comms, reports came in of other ECHO squads engaging Chimerian forces. Arthur could hear the intensity of the battle unfolding across multiple fronts.


    {¡°This is Gamma Team, we¡¯ve cleared the eastern passage.¡±}


    {¡°Delta Team reporting we are under heavy fire near the central chamber. Requesting immediate backup.¡±}


    Arthur and his squad continued to press forward. They cleared room after room, corridor after corridor, their path marked by fallen Chimerians and the smoldering remains of their weapons. Every strike of Arthur¡¯s sword, every burst of gunfire from his team, brought them one step closer to securing the ruins.


    ¡­


    Deep within the ruins, Commander Zolar stood in a dimly lit chamber, his clawed hands clenched into fists. The reports coming in from his remaining forces were dire. He had lost contact with Commander Vorsk, and the human forces were advancing faster than he had anticipated. Though they had killed some teams of ECHOs, the casualties on their side were increasing rapidly.


    ¡°Report!¡± Zolar snarled, turning to a nearby soldier.


    The Chimerian warrior hesitated, his voice trembling. ¡°Commander, we¡¯ve lost contact with multiple squads. The humans¡­ they¡¯re pushing through our defenses. We¡¯ve suffered heavy casualties.¡±


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    Zolar¡¯s eyes narrowed, his yellow irises glowing with fury. ¡°And Vorsk? Where is he?¡±


    The soldier shook his head. ¡°We don¡¯t know, Commander. He was last heard engaging a team of ECHOs. We fear¡­ he may have fallen.¡±


    Zolar¡¯s jaw tightened. Vorsk was one of the stronger commanders, a warrior who had never known defeat. If he had fallen to that human, then the situation was far worse than Zolar had anticipated.


    He turned to the handful of soldiers still with him. ¡°This is unacceptable. We cannot allow these humans to gain the upper hand.¡±


    One of the soldiers, an elite with fresh scars on his armor, stepped forward. ¡°Commander, what are your orders? We cannot hold them off for much longer.¡±


    Zolar¡¯s mind raced. He had come to these ruins with Vorsk, confident in their ability to crush the human resistance. But now, with Vorsk likely dead and their forces dwindling, he had to make a decision.


    ¡°We retreat,¡± Zolar said finally, his voice low and filled with frustration. ¡°Regroup with the remaining forces and fall back to the extraction point. We will return with reinforcements and crush these humans once and for all.¡±


    The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances but nodded in agreement. They had no other choice.


    Zolar turned to the young elite. ¡°Gather the remaining squads. Tell them to fall back immediately. We will not waste any more lives here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Commander,¡± the elite replied, saluting before rushing off to relay the orders.


    Zolar clenched his fists, his claws digging into his palms. This was not how it was supposed to go. The humans were supposed to be weak. But the result was entirely different from what he had expected.


    ¡­


    By the time the battle came to an end, the once-ominous halls were silent. The last few Chimerians fell without a sound, their bodies slumped against the ancient walls they had sought to control.


    Leo let out a breath, lowering his rifle. ¡°That¡­ was one hell of a fight.¡±


    Arthur glanced around, taking in the aftermath. The ruins, once a battleground, were now eerily quiet. The last remnants of the Chimerians lay motionless, their presence finally purged from the site.


    Beta Team¡¯s lieutenant clapped Arthur on the shoulder. ¡°Damn fine work. If you hadn¡¯t shown up when you did, we¡¯d be Chimerian chow.¡±


    Arthur nodded. ¡°We all did our part. Now let¡¯s regroup and report back.¡±


    With the battle over, ECHO teams gathered, checking on injuries and making preparations to leave. The ruins, once crawling with enemies, now stood empty. With some of the Chimerians retreating to their base.


    Arthur took a deep breath. The fight was won, but the real war was far from over. The entity that had twisted the Chimerians into conquerors was still out there. And he knew, this was only the beginning.


    ¡­


    The ruins stood silent as the last echoes of battle faded into the distance. What had once been an unknown ruin was now under human control, its halls littered with the bodies of fallen warriors. The ECHO teams, though victorious, were exhausted, their armor scorched, their weapons nearly depleted. But they had no time to celebrate. The mission was not yet over.


    Arthur stood at the center of the ruins, scanning the battlefield through his System map. Reports from other squads confirmed what they already knew, the Chimerians had retreated to their primary base. The camp was their final stronghold, their last line of defense. If the humans wanted to reclaim the planet, they had to crush the Chimerians there.


    ¡°We¡¯re done here,¡± Lt. Nakamura finally said, his voice carrying over the squad comms. ¡°All units, fall back to base. We will regroup, heal, and prepare for the final assault.¡±


    One by one, the squads acknowledged. As the adrenaline faded, fatigue set in, but the knowledge of what lay ahead kept them moving.


    The ECHO teams gathered their wounded, scavenged any remaining supplies, and made their way back to the human camp. The VTOLs roared overhead, their engines kicking up dust and ash as they descended onto the extraction zone. Arthur and his squad boarded one of the transports, the interior cramped with soldiers, medics, and the injured.


    ¡­


    The camp was alive with movement. The moment the VTOLs touched down, teams of medics rushed forward, pulling the wounded from the crafts and escorting them to the medical stations. Engineers scrambled to repair armor, reload weapons, and refuel vehicles. Officers huddled over holographic displays, planning the final assault.


    Arthur stepped off the ramp and inhaled deeply. The air was thick with smoke and the scent of ozone from energy weapons. Despite the exhaustion in every soldier¡¯s eyes, none hesitated in preparing for what was to come.


    He made his way to the debriefing tent, where Admiral Thalberg¡¯s holographic figure loomed over a large war table. The other ECHO commanders were already gathered, their faces grim but resolute. A live tactical feed projected above the table, displaying the Chimerian base: a heavily fortified complex nestled in the valley, shielded by energy barriers and anti-air defenses.


    ¡°This is it,¡± Thalberg said, his voice carrying the weight of command. ¡°We have them cornered. If we take this base, we cripple their foothold on this planet. There is no fallback for them, no reinforcements. We have made sure of that.¡±


    Leo crossed his arms and muttered. ¡°Then we hit them hard. And end this.¡±


    Thalberg continued. ¡°You¡¯ll have full support, artillery, airstrikes, and armor divisions. But be warned, the Chimerians know we¡¯re coming. Expect heavy resistance.¡±


    Arthur studied the map, memorizing every route, every chokepoint. ¡°How long until we move out?¡±


    ¡°Once all teams have resupplied and rested. Two hours max.¡±


    Not much time, but enough.


    Lt. Nakamura turned to his squad. ¡°Get patched up, grab what you need, and be ready to move.¡±


    The next two hours passed in a blur. Across the camp, Elena was checking her sniper rifle, adjusting the scope with practiced precision. Leo, ever the perfectionist, was running a final calibration on his railgun, ensuring it would fire with pinpoint accuracy. Samir was busy rigging explosives, silent, and focused.


    As the final minutes ticked down, the tension in the air grew thick. Then, at last, the call came.


    {¡°All units, mount up. We¡¯re moving out.¡±}


    ¡­


    The sky was dark as the VTOLs powered up, their engines roaring to life. One by one, squads climbed aboard, securing themselves in the dimly lit interiors. The transport held not just ECHOs but also standard infantry, hundreds of soldiers preparing to throw themselves into the inferno of war.


    Arthur stepped onto his transport, gripping the overhead rail as the rear hatch sealed shut. Across from him, other ECHOs checked their weapons. Their faces were unreadable behind their helmets, but the tension in their posture spoke volumes.


    As the VTOL lifted off, the cockpit¡¯s comms flared to life.


    {¡°Convoy is airborne. ETA to target: twenty minutes.¡±}


    Through the small viewport, Arthur could see the sky filled with dark shapes, dozens of VTOLs, gunships, and fighter escorts moving in tight formation. Below, the landscape rushed by in a blur of rocky terrain and jagged cliffs. In the distance, the Chimerian base came into view, its walls glowing faintly with energy barriers.


    The countdown has begun.


    Leo checked his rifle one last time and grinned. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re getting a proper warzone.¡±


    Samir rolled his shoulders. ¡°Just another day in UFE.¡±


    Arthur stared ahead, his fingers tightening around his weapon. The moment of reckoning was upon them. The final battle was about to begin.


    ***

 Chapter 55: The Final Push I

    The VTOLs hovered low over the rocky terrain, their engines sending gusts of dust and ash swirling into the night air. As the doors slid open, both ECHOs and standard infantry jumped out, their boots thudding against the barren ground. The air was thick with tension, the weight of the impending battle pressing down on everyone.


    Arthur landed in a crouch, quickly scanning the battlefield. Around him, dozens of ECHOs and UFE soldiers spread out, moving into position under the cover of darkness. The air was tense, filled with the murmurs of soldiers checking their weapons and whispered commands passing between squad leaders.


    Arthur scanned the horizon, his visor¡¯s HUD displaying the Chimerian base in the distance, a sprawling complex of dark metal and glowing energy barriers. The base was a fortress, bristling with cannons, turrets, and long-range artillery.


    Lt. Nakamura¡¯s voice crackled over the comms. ¡°We¡¯re in position. Awaiting orders.¡±


    From the command line, an officer responded. ¡°Move out!¡± his voice crackled over the comms. ¡°Stay in formation and keep your heads down. We don¡¯t know what they¡¯ve got waiting for us.¡±


    The soldiers fanned out, taking cover behind rocks, ridges, and whatever natural formations they could find. Arthur and his team, Lt. Nakamura, Leo, Elena, and Samir, took position behind a massive boulder, its surface scarred by centuries of wind and erosion.


    Arthur exhaled slowly, his grip tightening around his sword¡¯s hilt and his gaze fixed on the base. He could feel the hum of the Chimerian technology in the distance, a low, constant vibration that only he could sense. His technopathy, a power he had kept hidden from everyone, was already reaching out, probing the defenses.


    ¡­


    Commander Zolar paced back and forth in the dimly lit control room, his clawed fingers drumming anxiously against the metal console. Holographic displays flickered in front of him, each showing a different feed of the battlefield, static-laden reports, failing connections, and worst of all, the dark swarm of human VTOLs descending like carrion birds.


    His attempts to contact high command had gone unanswered. He bared his fangs in frustration.


    ¡°Damn it¡­why isn¡¯t the high command responding?!¡± Zolar snarled, slamming his fist against the console. ¡°We need reinforcements. Have they abandoned us?!¡±


    A Chimerian officer hesitated before stepping forward. ¡°Commander, our communications are being jammed. We can¡¯t reach anyone, the human forces are advancing. What are your orders?¡±


    Zolar inhaled sharply, forcing his rage down. ¡°Mount a full defense. Activate all cannons, bring the long-range plasma turrets online, and power up the energy shields.¡±


    The officer saluted and turned to relay the orders. Red warning lights flashed throughout the Chimerian base as alarms blared. The massive turrets stationed along the perimeter hummed to life, their barrels glowing ominously with charged plasma. Energy barriers flickered as they reinforced the base¡¯s defenses.


    Zolar¡¯s lips curled into a sneer as he got ready for battle. If the humans thought they could take this base easily, they were in for a hellish fight.


    ¡­


    Back on the battlefield, the human soldiers braced themselves as the Chimerian cannons began to power up. The air was filled with the low hum of charging energy, and the ground seemed to tremble under the weight of the impending barrage.


    Arthur and his squad crouched behind a massive boulder as the Chimerian defenses powered up.


    Leo cursed under his breath. ¡°They¡¯ve got everything ready. We¡¯ll be cut down before we even reach the walls.¡±


    Nakamura gritted his teeth. ¡°Stay in cover! We already have a plan to take care of those cannons!¡±


    The sky above them crackled with energy. The Chimerian cannons began to glow, preparing to unleash devastation on the approaching army.


    But then¡­ nothing happened.


    The expected barrage never came. The cannons, which had been moments away from firing, suddenly powered down. The energy barriers flickered and disappeared, leaving the base vulnerable.


    Confusion spread like wildfire among the human soldiers.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Leo exclaimed, peering out from behind the boulder. ¡°Did they run out of power or something?¡±


    Elena frowned, her sniper rifle still trained on the base. ¡°No¡­ something¡¯s not right. They wouldn¡¯t just shut down like that.¡±


    The glow of the cannons flickered, dimmed, and then vanished. The long-range turrets powered down. The energy shields that had once stood as an impenetrable barrier began to flicker and collapse.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t they firing?¡± a lieutenant muttered.


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    Arthur, his eyes closed in deep concentration, extended his technopathy to its fullest range. The five-kilometer radius stretched over the battlefield, allowing him to reach deep into the Chimerian systems. He could feel the pulse of energy within their machinery, the intricate circuits and power grids that made up their defenses, and started to shut them down one by one.


    To the others, it seemed as though the Chimerians had suffered a massive power failure at the worst possible moment.


    Arthur exhaled, his body tensing as he felt the last turret deactivate. He opened his eyes, pretending to be just as bewildered as everyone else.


    Across the battlefield, the Chimerians were in complete disarray. Their officers barked orders, scrambling to reactivate their weapons, but Arthur had disabled them at the core. They wouldn¡¯t be coming back online anytime soon.


    Although Lt. Nakamura did not know what happened, they didn¡¯t even need to use their countermeasure as the defenses shut down themselves. But he collected himself and ordered.


    ¡°Now¡¯s our chance!¡± Nakamura barked, snapping the soldiers out of their confusion. ¡°Move in! Take the base!¡±


    ¡­


    The human forces surged forward, storming toward the now-exposed Chimerian base. The Chimerians, caught off guard by the sudden loss of their defenses, scrambled to mount a counterattack. Plasma fire erupted from the walls, but without the heavy cannons, their firepower was significantly reduced.


    Arthur blurred forward, his figure becoming a streak of motion. He shattered the sound barrier with each step, the edges of his sword igniting in his hands.


    The first Chimerian elite barely had time to react before Arthur was upon him. A flash of red light, and the warrior collapsed, its armor sliced clean through.


    A Chimerian officer roared, raising his energy halberd. ¡°Kill them! Do not let them breach the defense line!¡±


    The battlefield exploded into chaos. Plasma bolts streaked through the air. Snipers picked off enemy officers from afar. Explosions rocked the ground as grenades detonated, sending bodies flying.


    ¡°Arthur¡¯s gone full beast mode again,¡± Leo said, grinning as he saw Arthur rampaging. ¡°I almost feel sorry for those Chimerians. Well then¡­ now it¡¯s my turn.¡±


    He then planted his feet and fired his railgun. The Chimerian he aimed at was ripped apart, its heavy armor proving useless against the sheer kinetic energy of the blast.


    Elena moved like a ghost, her sniper rifle singing death from the shadows. ¡°Arthur, left side! Watch for their elites!¡±


    Arthur twisted just as a towering Chimerian warrior lunged at him with a crackling energy axe.


    His sword met the axe mid-swing, sending out a shockwave that knocked dust and debris into the air. Sparks flew as the two weapons clashed.


    Arthur moved with impossible speed. In the blink of an eye, he was behind the Chimerian, his sword slicing through its spine. The elite fell without a sound.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s moving faster than before,¡± Samir muttered, watching in awe.


    Arthur didn¡¯t stop. He was a blur of crimson and shadow, tearing through the Chimerian ranks like a storm of destruction.


    The other ECHOs followed suit, activating their plasma swords and engaging the enemy in brutal melee combat. The battlefield became a storm of energy blades, blood, and shattered armor.


    A Chimerian warrior lunged at Leo, but Nakamura intercepted it, driving his plasma sword through its chest.


    ¡°Stay in formation!¡± Nakamura barked.


    ¡­


    Inside the Base


    Commander Zolar watched in disbelief as the humans breached the outer defenses. ¡°What is happening?!¡± he roared, slamming his clawed fist into a console. ¡°Why aren¡¯t the cannons firing?!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know, Commander!¡± a soldier replied, his voice panicked. ¡°The systems are unresponsive! We can¡¯t get them back online in a short time.!¡±


    Zolar¡¯s mind raced. This wasn¡¯t possible. The humans shouldn¡¯t have been able to disable their defenses so easily. The humans were already inside the base, their plasma swords and rifles cutting through the Chimerian forces. Zolar grabbed his energy blade and turned to his remaining soldiers.


    ¡°To the gates!¡± he ordered. ¡°We hold them here, or we die trying!¡±


    ¡­


    Back at the battlefield


    Arthur saw another group of Chimerians attempting to reinforce the inner camp. He clenched his fists and shot forward, breaking the sound barrier once again. A sonic boom echoed across the battlefield as he slammed into the group, sending them sprawling.


    Zolar, watching from atop a command tower, growled in frustration.


    ¡°It is that human!¡± he muttered, his eyes locked onto Arthur¡¯s rampage, he had heard about Arthur before, as he is the reason Commander Vorsk had joined the mission in the ruins. But at the end of the day he died by his hand.


    The battle raged on, but with the humans inside the base and the Chimerians in disarray, the tides had turned.


    The final clash for control of the planet had begun.


    ¡­


    Arthur stood in the heart of the chaos, his sword dripping with violet blood. His breaths were steady, his muscles coiled like a predator preparing for the next kill.


    Arthur and his team fought their way through the base, their movements precise and deadly. The Chimerians, though outnumbered and outmatched, fought with desperate ferocity. But it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Arthur¡¯s sword clashed with an elite¡¯s energy blade, the impact sending sparks flying. With a swift motion, he disarmed the elite and drove his blade through its chest. The creature let out a guttural roar before collapsing.


    ¡°Arthur!¡± Nakamura¡¯s voice called out. ¡°We¡¯ve secured the eastern sector. The command center is just ahead!¡±


    Arthur nodded, his expression grim. ¡°Let¡¯s end this.¡±


    The team pushed forward, their weapons blazing. The command center was in sight, its doors heavily reinforced. But Arthur didn¡¯t slow down. With a burst of speed, he slammed into the doors, his enhanced strength tearing them from their hinges.


    Inside, Commander Zolar stood waiting, his energy blade glowing with a fierce light. ¡°You,¡± he snarled, his eyes locking onto Arthur. ¡°You¡¯re the one causing all this chaos.¡±


    Arthur didn¡¯t respond. He simply raised his sword, the red glow at its edges intensifying. Seeing it Zolar didn¡¯t try to say anything and also lifted his blade.


    The two lunged at each other and started their clash, their blades meeting in a shower of sparks. Indicating the start of the final fight to reclaim the planet.


    ***

 Chapter 56: The Final Push II

    The command center of the Chimerian base was a graveyard of shattered consoles and sparking wires, the air thick with the acrid smell of ozone and burnt metal. Commander Zolar¡¯s energy blade crackled in his clawed grip, its violet light casting jagged shadows across his face. Across from him, Arthur stood poised, his sword humming with lethal energy. Both warriors radiated power, their muscles coiled and their eyes locked in a primal stare.


    Zolar said while snarling, ¡°You think this ends here, human? Even if I die, our god will consume your world. You cannot stop what is coming.¡±


    Arthur calmly replied, ¡°Well¡­ we will see.¡±


    Without waiting anymore Zolar struck first, his blade a violet comet streaking toward Arthur¡¯s throat. Arthur pivoted, his own sword meeting Zolar¡¯s in a shower of sparks. The impact sent a shockwave ripping through the room, crumpling steel panels and shattering holographic displays.


    Zolar taunted ¡°Too slow!¡±


    Arthur¡¯s reply was a flurry of strikes, each one faster than the last. Zolar staggered backward, his armor smoking from near-misses.


    The Chimerian commander feinted left, then spun into a backhand slash aimed at Arthur¡¯s ribs. Arthur leaned back, the plasma edge grazing his armor and leaving a molten scar. Before Zolar could recover, Arthur retaliated, a blinding thrust that Zolar barely deflected, the force knocking him into a console.


    Zolar roared, channeling his rage into a devastating overhead strike. Arthur crossed his arms, bracing his sword horizontally. The collision rattled the entire structure, their boots cratering the floor beneath them.


    Arthur¡¯s muscles strained as Zolar pressed down, their blades locked in a screaming stalemate. With a grunt, Arthur twisted sideways, redirecting Zolar¡¯s momentum into a wild spin. The Chimerian commander stumbled, and Arthur slashed upward, carving a deep gash across Zolar¡¯s chest. Violet blood sprayed, but Zolar retaliated instantly, a clawed fist hammering Arthur¡¯s jaw with enough force to crumple steel.


    ¡­


    As the fight dragged on for more than twenty minutes Zolar¡¯s breathing grew ragged. His wounds bled violet, while Arthur¡¯s split lip sealed itself in seconds. The Chimerian lunged again, his blade a frenzy of strikes, each one parried with cold precision.


    Zolar desperately roared, ¡°What are you?!¡±


    Arthur didn¡¯t answer. He let Zolar exhaust himself, dodging and deflecting until the commander overextended. In that split second, Arthur¡¯s sword flashed. Zolar¡¯s left arm fell to the floor, severed at the elbow.


    Zolar howled, ¡°RRRGH¡­! You dare ¡­!¡±


    Arthur pressed the advantage, his blade a crimson blur. A diagonal slash opened Zolar¡¯s thigh. A reverse strike gashed his flank. Each wound healed on Arthur within breaths; Zolar¡¯s body, though durable, began to fail.


    With a final surge, Zolar charged, channeling every ounce of strength into a killing thrust. Arthur sidestepped, his sword plunging into Zolar¡¯s side, then twisting. The Chimerian commander froze, his blade clattering to the floor.


    Zolar struggled to say while choking, ¡°You¡­ cannot¡­ win¡­¡±


    Arthur leaned close, his voice a whisper. ¡°But you would not be there to see it happen.¡±


    He ripped the sword free. Zolar collapsed, his body slumping against the ruins of his command console. The bright yellow glow in his eyes dimmed, replaced by the hollow stare of defeat.


    Arthur stood over Zolar¡¯s corpse, his own wounds already vanished. The command center fell silent, save for the sputtering of dying machinery. Outside, the distant cheers of ECHO soldiers echoed, a stark contrast to the grim truth weighing on Arthur¡¯s shoulders.


    Nakamura burst in, while panting, ¡°Arthur! The base is¡­¡± He froze, staring at Zolar¡¯s body. ¡°¡­Clean kill.¡±


    Arthur sheathed his sword, ¡°It¡¯s done. For now.¡±


    After the battle was over the team regrouped, and boarded the VTOLs to return to the human camp. The standard infantry will remain here to secure the Chimerian base for now.


    ¡­


    The aftermath of battle painted the human base in stark contrasts: the acrid tang of antiseptic mingled with the metallic scent of blood, while the low hum of medical drones buzzed alongside the groans of wounded soldiers.


    Arthur¡¯s team filed into the bustling medical wing, their armor scorched and splattered with violet Chimerian blood. Medics in crisp white uniforms rushed forward, their faces masks of practiced calm.


    Leo slumping onto a gurney, wincing as a drone scanned his fractured ribs, ¡°Ah, sweet relief. Hey doc, got anything stronger than nano-patches? Maybe a whole new body?¡±


    The medic deadpanned at his words, injecting a regeneration serum into Leo¡¯s arm, which will boost their regeneration in collaboration with the nanobots already injected into every ECHOs ¡°Complaints go to logistics. Next.¡±


    Elena sat stiffly on a nearby bed, her sniper rifle disassembled on her lap as she cleaned its barrel with methodical precision. A fresh bandage peeked beneath her collar, hiding a plasma burn.


    Samir, glancing at her, asked ¡°You¡¯re cleaning your rifle now?¡±


    Elena replied without looking up, ¡°It¡¯s either this or think about how many close calls we had. You pick.¡±


    Nakamura stood near the entrance, a medic tended to a gash in his chest. His eyes tracked Arthur, who leaned against a far wall, his arms crossed. Despite the battle¡¯s toll and the damage his armor sustained, Arthur had no wounds on his body, a fact that didn¡¯t go unnoticed by the medics.


    A medic asked Arthur a bit hesitant, ¡°Sir¡­ your bioscan shows zero tissue damage. How is that¡­?¡±


    Arthur smiled at the medic and gave a curt reply, ¡°Trade secret.¡±


    The medic blinked but didn¡¯t pry further.


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    ¡­


    Two hours later, the team stood in the cavernous hangar of the human base, their armor almost fixed due to the nanobots present in them and weapons reloaded. Above them in the stratosphere loomed the Vanguard, a sleek, nearly two kilometers long obsidian warship bristling with plasma turrets and heat-scorched thrusters.


    Leo whistled, ¡°Still beautiful as sin, but damn if she ain¡¯t reliable.¡±


    Elena said adjusting her sniper on her back ¡°Says the man who named his rifle ¡®Sweetheart.¡¯¡±


    Leo replied while grinning ¡°Hey, Sweetheart and I have a bond. You wouldn¡¯t get it.¡±


    After that they boarded a shuttle towards the warship. Arthur looked outside the shuttle window, his gaze a bit distant, thinking about what he would do next. They entered the Vanguard in the next few seconds.


    The Vanguard¡¯s interior was a maze of steel corridors and flickering holographic displays. Soldiers strapped into acceleration seats, their faces lit by the soft blue glow of overhead panels. Arthur¡¯s team claimed a private bay near the cockpit, its windows offering a panoramic view of the planet below, a scarred, brown orb now dotted with the faint lights of human outposts.


    The warship¡¯s engines roared to life, their vibrations thrumming through the hull. The Vanguard lifted smoothly, punching through the planet¡¯s atmosphere. In minutes, the sky darkened to the void of space, the stars sharp and unblinking.


    ¡­


    The Vanguard slid into the shadow of the Dreadnought Mk XI, a colossal space station shaped like a titanic sphere, its surface studded with docking ports and defense platforms. Hundreds of ships flitted around it, tiny fireflies against its armored bulk.


    Leo grinned at the sight ¡°Home sweet dystopian nightmare.¡±


    Samir, ignoring him, tapped his gauntlet¡¯s interface checking on some UFE news


    As the Vanguard docked, a mechanized voice echoed through the bay.


    Automated Voice: ¡°Welcome to Dreadnought Mk XI. All personnel report to Sector 5-A for debriefing.¡±


    Lt. Nakamura stood, adjusting his uniform. ¡°You heard it. Let¡¯s get this over with.¡±


    Arthur rose last, his eyes lingering on the stars beyond the viewport. Somewhere out there, the Chimerian Entity waited to devour their world, but he would do everything in his power to stop it.


    ¡­


    The cold artificial lighting of Dreadnought Mk XI¡¯s hallways cast long shadows as Arthur and his squad exited the debriefing room, exhaustion pressing against their bones. He and his squad trudged toward their quarters after the debriefing.


    The mission had been a success, but the weight of war never truly lifted. As they walked through the dimly lit corridors toward their living quarter, silence stretched between them, comfortable yet unspoken.


    Arthur reached his door first. The sleek metal panel slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the spartan interior beyond. Like all ECHO quarters, it was efficient, with a single bed, a storage locker, a holo-terminal mounted on the wall, and a personal weapons rack.


    He turned slightly to see his teammates dispersing into their own rooms.


    Leo stretched, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Damn, I¡¯m gonna sleep like a rock tonight. Wake me up only if the station explodes.¡±


    Samir deadpanned. ¡°If the station explodes, you won¡¯t be waking up at all.¡±


    Leo shot him finger guns. ¡°Exactly.¡±


    Elena gave Arthur a nod before disappearing into her own quarters, the door sealing behind her.


    Arthur exhaled, stepping inside his room as the door slid shut with a soft metallic click. The solitude was welcome.


    He removed his armor and placed it onto the rack. His fingers traced the hilt of his sword, now secured in its designated slot. His mind replayed his fight with Commander Vorsk and Zolar.


    Arthur sighed, pushing the thoughts aside.


    He made his way to the washroom, the warm water washing away the grime and tension from the past few days. When he emerged, fatigue finally caught up with him.


    Collapsing onto his bed, he let out a deep breath. Tomorrow, he would leave for Solace Prime.


    ¡­


    Arthur woke to the soft chime of his holo-terminal. The automated voice of the ship¡¯s AI announced:


    ¡°Mr. Arthur, your transport to Solace Prime is scheduled for departure in 30 minutes.¡±


    He sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Strapping on his jacket he created previously, and putting everything necessary in his dimensional pocket he exited his quarters and made his way to the docking bay, after seeing that his teammate¡¯s rooms were empty, he figured he would say his goodbyes through video chat.


    The station was already bustling with activity, mechanics checking ship diagnostics, pilots running pre-flight checks, security officers patrolling the hangar. The towering walls of the docking bay were lined with transport shuttles, each primed for departure.


    Arthur¡¯s eyes scanned the area and landed on his squad standing near the edge of the platform.


    Leo grinned. ¡°Damn, you actually woke up on time. Thought we¡¯d have to drag you out of bed.¡±


    Arthur was surprised they arrived earlier than him to say goodbyes to him.


    Elena crossed her arms. ¡°Have a safe journey.¡±


    And Samir just nodded without saying anything. Before any more banter could be exchanged, a voice called from across the hangar.


    ¡°You¡¯re late rookie.¡±


    Arthur turned toward the sound and felt a flicker of surprise.


    Standing near the transport shuttle was Kael.


    Kael stood with his usual composed expression, his sharp eyes assessing Arthur with something between mild amusement and expectation. He wasn¡¯t in his usual combat gear but instead wore a high-ranking officer¡¯s uniform, sleek, refined, yet no less imposing.


    Arthur approached, and after a firm handshake asked. ¡°Kael? Didn¡¯t expect you to be the one picking me up.¡±


    Kael gave a small shrug. ¡°Well apparently I had free time, and Admiral Kane sent me to pick you up.¡± He tilted his head.


    Arthur raised an eyebrow and didn¡¯t ask anything further.


    Seeing Arthur¡¯s weird expression Kael smirked. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I was¡­ curious. Everyone by now has heard of your merits on the battlefield.¡±


    Leo leaned over to Samir and whispered, ¡°That¡¯s Kael for ¡®I have nothing better to do.¡¯¡±


    Arthur shook his head, then turned back to his squad. Arthur thanked them and said his goodbyes.


    With that, he turned and walked toward the shuttle, Kael falling into step beside him. The boarding ramp hissed open, and as they stepped inside, the door sealed shut behind them.


    The ship¡¯s engines roared to life and entered an Epsilon-Class battleship Vanguard, and within moments, they lifted off, exiting the docking bay and gliding into the vast, star-speckled expanse of space.


    ***

 Chapter 57: Return

    The journey to Solace Prime took about a few hours, the Vanguard¡¯s jump drive carving a path through the vastness of space. As the ship emerged from the shimmering folds of hyperspace, Solace Prime came into view, a massive space station suspended against the endless void, its colossal ring structure rotating methodically.


    Fleets of UFE warships patrolled the perimeter, their dark hulls glinting under the distant glow of nearby stars. The Vanguard descended and entered the docking bay of Solace Prime.


    As the shuttle veered toward the landing pad, Arthur leaned back in his seat, his gaze momentarily flicking to Kael, who sat beside him with his usual composed expression.


    Kael, noticing the glance, curled an eyebrow. "You look like you''re ready for a fight."


    Arthur exhaled, shifting his gaze back to the viewport. "Let¡¯s just say I don¡¯t like standing still for too long."


    Kael smirked slightly. "Well don¡¯t worry, it''s not even a day ago you were fighting the Chimerians, it''s just a stress reaction."


    [A/N: When soldiers return home from war they experience frustration, it''s often referred to as "combat stress reaction" (CSR), essentially a psychological response to the trauma of war that can manifest in various ways, including irritability and frustration.]


    Arthur muttered, "Yeah, well¡­"


    The Vanguard¡¯s landing struts hissing as they extended. The ship settled with a low thud, and the airlock depressurized, a gust of crisp, artificially controlled air rushed in, carrying the scent of metal and ozone.


    Standing at the edge of the platform, waiting for them, was Lira.


    She stood tall in her dark blue UFE uniform, her silver hair neatly tied back in a tight ponytail. She stood with her arms crossed, her striking amber eyes studying the two as they stepped onto the station¡¯s platform. She gave a subtle nod in greeting.


    "Arthur. Welcome back."


    Kael grinned. "Hey, no welcome for me."


    Arthur gave a small nod. "Good to see you again."


    Lira crossed her arms and jabbed at Kael. "No, if you have so much free time, do some charity work."


    Arthur chuckled at that.


    Kael, scratching the back of his head and said with a pout. "Ain''t I already doing charity work?...so they put you on reception duty now?""


    Lira scoffed. "I too can volunteer to do things. And the admiral wanted me to escort you two directly. Apparently, he¡¯s eager to get this meeting over with."


    Arthur adjusted his collar. "Then let¡¯s not waste any more time."


    Lira gestured for them to follow. "Come on, he¡¯s waiting."


    ¡­


    The corridors of Solace Prime were pristine, illuminated by a soft blue glow emanating from the walls. The station hummed with activity, scientists, officers, and engineers moving with precise purpose. Arthur took it all in, his boots echoing against the reinforced flooring as they made their way deeper into the command sector.


    After passing through multiple security checkpoints, they arrived at a large reinforced door, which slid open with a deep hum. Inside, the office was vast yet minimalistic, a massive holographic display in the center projected real-time updates of the space station, while sleek metallic desks lined the walls, stacked with classified documents and reports.


    At the far end, Admiral Tiber Kane stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out of the transparent wall that overlooked Solace Prime bustling with activity. Even though he looked to be in his late forties, he must be centuries old, but he still remained an imposing figure, broad-shouldered, sharp-eyed, with a scar running down his left cheek, a relic from an old war.


    As Arthur stepped inside, Kane turned, his piercing gaze settling on him.


    "Arthur." His voice carried the weight of authority, and direct. "Good work on the frontline. We¡¯ve received the full debrief of what happened there. With the ruins you guys secured it could be an immense help for humanity to win this war"


    Arthur gave a curt nod and saluted. "Admiral."


    Kane gestured for them to sit, Arthur sat opposite to him and asked. "I assume this is about Professor Carstairs."


    Kane stepped forward, activating the holo-display at his desk. A new data profile appeared, a holographic projection of an older man with graying hair and deep-set eyes, dressed in a high-collared UFE research uniform.


    Kane gestured to the image. "Professor Eamon Carstairs. One of the most renowned experts in dimensional studies, quantum anomalies, and exotic matter research."


    Kane continued. "He''s spent decades researching rifts, parallel dimensions, and interdimensional energy signatures. His work was instrumental in detecting the early signs of the Chimerian incursions."


    Arthur studied the holographic image for a moment. "And he¡¯s already on Solace Prime?"


    Kane confirmed, "Yes. He arrived two days ago under high security. Given your¡­ unique situation, I figured you¡¯d want to speak with him directly."


    Arthur straightened. "Then I¡¯ll meet him today."


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    Kane raised an eyebrow. "You sure? You¡¯ve barely had time to rest. I can schedule the meeting for tomorrow if you need¡­"


    Arthur cut in and shook his head, "No. I don¡¯t want to waste time."


    Kael glanced at Arthur, his expression unreadable. Lira simply folded her arms, watching the exchange.


    Kane studied Arthur for a long moment before giving a curt nod. "Very well. I¡¯ll have the meeting arranged immediately."


    Arthur added, "Also, If it is possible I would like to request a visit to the planet where I first arrived."


    Kane¡¯s expression shifted slightly. "Hmm¡­that planet is in its development phase. If you want I can assign you a mission on the planet for a few days." The admiral didn¡¯t question him as to why he wanted to go to the planet, he thought it might hold some sentimental value to him. But the truth is Arthur wanted to retrieve the deposit of Element-M he encountered on the planet.


    ¡­


    Arthur walked down the dimly lit corridor, his footsteps echoing against the sleek metallic flooring of Solace Prime. A soldier led the way, clad in standard UFE uniform.


    They stopped outside a reinforced door labeled "Research Lab - Level 3". The soldier turned, saluted crisply, and gestured toward the door.


    "This is the place, sir. The professor is expecting you," he said, before turning on his heel and walking away.


    Arthur watched him leave and stepped forward. The door slid open with a smooth hiss, revealing the laboratory within.


    The lab was a chaotic expanse of technology and research materials. Holographic projections flickered mid-air, displaying rotating models of dimensional rift signatures. Data streams cascaded down various screens, filled with indecipherable equations and graphs. The scent of ozone and sterilized metal hung thick in the air.


    At the far end, hunched over a sleek workstation, was Professor Eamon Carstairs.


    He was an older man, he looked to be in his sixties but Arthur knew he might be centuries old, with a head full of unruly gray hair and deep wrinkles etched into his face from years of intense study.


    His lab coat was slightly unkempt, sleeves rolled up, revealing calloused hands stained with traces of conductive gel and other materials. He was utterly engrossed in a complex-looking device, muttering to himself as he made fine adjustments with a specialized tool.


    Arthur stepped forward, waiting for acknowledgement. When none came, he cleared his throat.


    "Ahem."


    The professor paused but didn¡¯t look up immediately. He let out an annoyed sigh before turning his head slightly. His gray eyes, sharp despite his age, narrowed as he examined Arthur.


    "You¡¯re not a lab technician," he remarked dryly. "So who the hell are you?"


    Arthur crossed his arms. "Arthur. I had a meeting scheduled with you today."


    Carstairs blinked, then straightened up suddenly. "Oh! Right, right, Arthur!" His tone shifted instantly from dismissive to intrigued. "Yes, yes, of course! Admiral Kane told me you¡¯d be stopping by. Forgive me, I get lost in my work sometimes."


    He wiped his hands on his coat and extended one toward Arthur, who shook it firmly.


    "A pleasure," Arthur said.


    Carstairs grinned. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine. You, my boy, are quite possibly the most fascinating subject I¡¯ve ever encountered."


    Arthur raised an eyebrow. "That¡¯s¡­ one way to put it."


    The professor gestured toward a nearby chair. "Sit, sit! I have so many questions. First and foremost, tell me exactly how you ended up here. Every detail."


    Arthur took a seat, resting his forearms on the desk. He briefly recounted his first memories in this universe, how he woke up in an unfamiliar world, the confusion, the struggle for survival, and his eventual contact with UFE forces. He left out certain key details, particularly anything about Element-M, but gave Carstairs enough information to work with.


    The professor listened intently, occasionally jotting down notes on a holo-tablet. When Arthur finished, Carstairs leaned back, rubbing his chin.


    "Fascinating," he murmured. "Truly fascinating."


    Carstairs tapped on his holo-tablet, and new data projections appeared in the air. "We''ve detected dimensional anomalies before, but they were always associated with objects, never people. Artifacts, materials, things that seemed to appear from nowhere, carrying energy signatures that don¡¯t belong to our dimension. But a living breathing being? Never."


    Arthur frowned. "So what does that mean?"


    The professor¡¯s grin widened. "It means, my boy, that you are an anomaly unlike anything we¡¯ve encountered. Your existence is impossible by all prior research. And that, Arthur, makes you a revolutionary discovery!"


    Carstairs continued. "Ah, well we¡¯re going to test a few things."


    Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Test?"


    The professor was already moving, collecting various devices, scanners, and data pads, setting them on a circular analysis platform in the center of the lab. "Yes, yes, of course! If you are truly dimensionally displaced, then your very body should carry a unique energy signature, a frequency that differentiates you from native entities of this dimension. Which could be valuable research data."


    Arthur remained seated but activated his technopathy, letting his mind reach out to the devices as the professor prepped them. He felt their purpose, their inner workings.


    They were designed to scan for interdimensional energy signatures.


    Carstairs turned toward him, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Shall we begin?"


    Arthur gave a slow nod. "Go ahead."


    ¡­


    The test lasted over half an hour.


    Carstairs ran multiple scans, taking various readings from Arthur¡¯s body, bioelectric frequencies, thermal signatures, exotic energy traces. Arthur sat still, letting the professor work.


    Finally, Carstairs frowned deeply.


    The old man rubbed his temples, muttering to himself as he examined the data. Then, with a sigh, he turned to Arthur.


    "Alright," he said slowly. "Either I¡¯ve just made a mistake, or you are the single greatest mystery I have ever encountered."


    Arthur leaned forward slightly. "What do you mean?"


    Carstairs tapped the holographic display, showing energy frequency charts. "By all accounts, if you were truly dimensionally displaced, you should be emitting a unique energy signature, an exotic frequency that doesn¡¯t match with anything in our universe."


    Arthur kept his face neutral. "And?"


    Carstairs exhaled, shaking his head. "And you¡¯re not emitting any such energy."


    The professor scratched the back of his head in frustration. "You¡¯re not emitting the expected frequency! Objects we¡¯ve detected from other dimensions always carry residual traces of their dimension, subtle but measurable. But you? Nothing. You¡¯re reading as if you¡¯re a normal entity of this universe."


    Arthur let the words settle in. His mind raced with thoughts. ¡®Is it because I transmigrated and not actually dimensionally displaced?¡¯


    Carstairs crossed his arms. "Either I¡¯m missing something, or we¡¯re dealing with a completely new phenomenon." He gave Arthur a sharp look. "Are you absolutely certain you are from another universe?"


    Arthur met his gaze hesitatingly. "Yes¡­I should be."


    Carstairs exhaled, rubbing his chin. "Then we have a lot more work to do."


    Arthur remained silent, not knowing what to think of his situation. And after discussing some more important details he left the lab and went towards the quarter designated to him.


    ***

 Chapter 58: Tarkuun-5

    The next morning, Arthur stood in his quarters, preparing to leave for planet Trakuun-5.


    The mission had been approved overnight. Admiral Kane had briefed him on the situation, the planet where he first arrived, now officially named Trakuun-5, was facing escalating attacks on its mining operations. The beasts that roamed its surface had grown more aggressive, targeting the UFE¡¯s extraction sites with alarming frequency.


    Arthur thought it might have been the planet¡¯s natural ecosystem reacting to the intrusion. Either way, he would be there for the next week, reinforcing security while taking the opportunity to recover the Element-M deposit he had discovered previously.


    He finished strapping his weapons to his belt, his sword rested in its sleek scabbard on his back, and his sidearm holstered on his left. His rifle and other necessities are already in his dimensional pocket, though nowadays he does not use the standard spatial orb given to all ECHOs.


    Taking a final look at his room, Arthur exhaled and stepped out, heading toward the docking bay.


    ¡­


    The docking bay was a sprawling, metallic cavern, illuminated by blue-white overhead lights. Enormous hangar doors loomed in the distance. Engineers and flight crew bustled about, checking ship diagnostics, refueling supply freighters, and preparing for various missions across UFE space.


    Arthur walked with purpose toward Theta-09, a sleek, armored transport designed for planetary deployments. Unlike the Vanguard, which was built for deep-space travel and war, this craft was optimized for rapid descent, maneuverability, and short-distance jumps.


    Arthur took his seat inside the cabin as the ship powered up. He leaned back as the ship lifted off the hangar floor with a smooth ascent. Solace Prime began to shrink as the ship maneuvered into position.


    Moments later, a wormhole gate flickered to life ahead of them, a swirling vortex of radiant blue and white energy, pulsing like the heartbeat of the cosmos.


    ¡­


    Arthur gazed out the viewport as the planet loomed beneath them.


    Trakuun-5 was a world of jagged mountains, sprawling dense forests, and vast plains, all bathed in the glow of its three suns. Thick storm clouds loomed in the distance, swirling like a restless beast. The mining outpost, marked by its industrial structures and landing pads, sat nestled in a rocky valley, its metallic walls standing in stark contrast to the untamed wilderness surrounding it.


    Arthur steadied himself as the ship cut through the atmosphere, shaking slightly as heat friction built up around the hull.


    The ship descended rapidly, angling toward the mining outpost. Below, defensive turrets and plasma cannons were positioned around the perimeter, their barrels scanning the surroundings for threats. The ship hovered over the landing pad before touching down with a controlled thud.


    "Touchdown successful," the pilot reported. "Good luck out there, sir."


    Arthur rose from his seat, as the boarding ramp lowered. He stepped onto the platform, the hot, dry air of Trakuun-5 washing over him.


    The last time he was here, he had no idea where he was. He had been alone, lost, fighting to survive. Now, he was returning, not as a stranded wanderer, but as a soldier.


    ¡­


    Arthur stepped off the platform, the dry heat of Tarkuun-5 brushing against his skin. The air smelled of dust and minerals, mingling with the faint scent of fuel and machinery from the mining station. His eyes scanned the area, taking in the familiar structures.


    His gaze shifted as he saw a figure approaching, a man clad in UFE officers uniform. Arthur instantly recognized the man¡¯s face, a small smile played at the corner of his lips.


    James.


    He hadn¡¯t seen him since his chaotic first arrival on this world. Back then, James had been the one to help him understand the situation, introducing him to the UFE personnel at the mining station. He appeared to be in his late twenties, with sharp blue eyes and short blonde hair, but Arthur knew better. Like many UFE officers, James was enhanced, his real age should be well over that.


    James gave a knowing smile as he approached, offering Arthur a firm handshake.


    "It¡¯s good to see you back again, Arthur." James said, his tone happy. ¡°Who would have thought you would be back here again.¡±


    Arthur shook his hand firmly. "Neither did I, but here I am."


    James chuckled. "You sure? Or are you here to relive old memories?"


    Arthur smiled slightly. "Something like that."


    James gestured toward the main building. "Come on. You just landed, and I¡¯ve been briefed on your arrival."


    Arthur followed James inside, the cool, filtered air of the base a relief from the harsh outside heat. As they walked, James gave him a quick rundown.


    "So far, the situation is under control. The attacks have been frequent but manageable. These creatures are getting more and more aggressive day by day." He glanced at Arthur. "If anything major happens, I¡¯ll notify you immediately."


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    Arthur gave a short nod. "Understood."


    James studied him for a moment before asking, "You want to rest first? You¡¯ve had a long trip."


    Arthur shook his head. "Not right now. I want to take a look around first."


    James raised an eyebrow. "Explore the planet, huh?"


    James gestured toward one of the hangars. "We just got a batch of new shuttles in. Take one. You¡¯ll need it if you plan on covering ground quickly."


    Arthur followed James to a small side hangar, where several scout shuttles were parked. These were sleek, single-pilot crafts built for maneuverability, equipped with stealth systems and enhanced thrusters.


    James tapped on the control panel, activating one of the shuttles. The cockpit lights flickered to life, and the system hummed softly as it powered up. "She''s all yours. I¡¯d say take a moment to familiarize yourself with the controls, but it¡¯s very easy to ride."


    Arthur stepped inside the cockpit, letting his technopathy do the work. Instantly, he could feel the shuttle¡¯s systems, navigation, thrusters, cloaking functions, and even the AI-assisted controls. He could have piloted it purely through his connection, but for appearances, he manually ran a quick systems check before activating liftoff.


    James watched from outside, arms crossed and said with an amused tone. "Try not to get lost out there, Arthur."


    Arthur just chuckled hearing that. The shuttle lifted off, hovering momentarily before surging forward.


    ¡­


    The barren landscape of Tarkuun-5 stretched out before Arthur as he accelerated. Towering cliffs, endless plains, and dense patches of alien forests spread beneath him, illuminated by the glow of the planet¡¯s three suns. The wind whipped against the shuttle¡¯s hull, though inside, the ride was smooth.


    As he flew, he extended his technopathy outward, subtly checking if anyone was tracking his movement. The mining station¡¯s sensors registered his departure, but no one seemed to be monitoring him in real-time. That was good. He wanted to keep this search private.


    He pushed the shuttle faster, weaving between rocky outcroppings and skimming low over vast plateaus. As the scenery blurred past him, he focused on his memory. He retraced the path he had taken when he first arrived at the mining station.


    After searching for more than half an hour he finally saw it.


    Nestled between two massive rock formations and towering trees was a familiar opening in the ground. The entrance to the cave.


    Arthur slowed the shuttle, bringing it to a hover before landing in a concealed area nearby. Activating the shuttle¡¯s stealth mode, the hull shimmered briefly before blending seamlessly into the surroundings. It wouldn¡¯t be completely invisible, but unless someone knew exactly where to look, they wouldn¡¯t find it.


    Stepping out, Arthur took a deep breath.


    The cave loomed before him, its dark maw stretching into the unknown. He remembered this place well. It was where he first encountered the Element-M deposit.


    He remembered there was also a guardian protecting the cave inside it. He didn¡¯t want to attract attention, not yet.


    Activating the stealth mode of his ECHO suit, his form shimmered out of sight. His footfalls became lighter, nearly silent. He adjusted his visor, enhancing his vision to navigate the cave¡¯s darkness.


    Then, without hesitation, he stepped inside and went deeper according to the path he remembered.


    The cave was just as he remembered, dark and humid. He reached the place where the tunnel opened into a vertical drop and jumped. When he reached near the ground he activated his thrusters and halted his freefall, and landed softly.


    Continuing deeper he reached an opening in the wall of the cave and beyond which he saw again the walls and ceiling studded with purple crystals, their light creating an ethereal glow. And piles of the purple glowing metal formed small hills scattered across the cavern floor.


    Arthur stood amidst the glowing cavern, the soft glow of energy radiating from the Element-M deposits. The faint shimmer of the purple crystals overhead bathed the cavern in an otherworldly glow, casting long shadows across the rough stone floor.


    He reached out, grasping a fist-sized chunk of the glowing metal, feeling its weight in his palm. It was smooth yet dense, its surface radiating a subtle warmth. Without wasting time, he connected to the Spear of Heaven¡¯s Guardian AI, his technopathy seamlessly linking to the advanced intelligence embedded within his ship inside his dimensional pocket.


    "Guardian, analyze this sample." Arthur ordered, placing the chunk of Element-M inside his dimensional pocket, transferring it to the ship¡¯s onboard laboratory.


    A moment later, the AI¡¯s voice responded, its tone calm and precise. [Analysis complete. The sample is confirmed to be Element-M.]


    Arthur exhaled slowly, his excitement controlled but undeniable.The implications of this much Element-M were staggering.


    But he wasn¡¯t done yet.


    Raising his right hand, Arthur concentrated. A pitch-black substance began to materialize in midair, shifting and expanding like a living entity. The substance coalesced, forming countless tendrils of fluid-like metal, his self-replicating nanobots.


    These weren¡¯t ordinary nanobots. They were constructs from the Spear of Heaven, designed with advanced self-replication protocols and made using Alloy-X. Unlike conventional excavation equipment, these machines worked with absolute precision, capable of reshaping their environment.


    Arthur sent a command through his technopathy, and instantly, the nanobots surged forward like a dark tide. The swarm split into two primary tasks, one group spread across the cavern floor, walls and ceiling, systematically collecting the Element-M deposits, while the other group moved to reinforce the cavern¡¯s structure.


    Massive pillars began forming as the nanobots extracted rock from the cave walls, reshaping and compressing it into solid support structures. Arthur ensured the load-bearing points were properly reinforced to prevent any potential collapse. His calculations were precise, every segment of rock removed was balanced by a corresponding structural reinforcement.


    As the nanobots worked, Arthur observed their efficiency. Within minutes, they had gathered enormous chunks of Element-M, he started transporting them into his dimensional pocket. The cavern¡¯s original chaotic layout transformed into an organized operation, the glowing ore being methodically stripped away and stored.


    The process continued for nearly two hours.


    By the end, Arthur stood amidst the now-reinforced cavern, the last remnants of Element-M disappearing into his dimensional pocket. He did a final scan, every last gram of the precious metal had been extracted.


    His mind quickly ran through the calculations.


    "Approximately 117 million tons." He murmured to himself.


    That was an absurd amount. His work was done here.


    Taking one last glance around the cavern, Arthur deactivated the nanobots, the dark tide receding back into his dimensional pocket inside the Spear of Heaven. The cave was now an empty shell of what it once was, its secrets taken by the one who had first discovered them.


    ***

 Chapter 59: The Obelisk

    For the next few hours, Arthur continued his search. He moved deeper into the interconnected caverns, scanning every shadowed crevice and narrow tunnel with relentless precision. He also deployed drones, fist-sized, spherical probes equipped with high-resolution cameras, throughout the cavern, as they slipped through cracks and gaps too small for even Arthur to fit through.


    The cavern walls bore the telltale shimmer of residual Element-M energy, but the deposits were sporadic. He found smaller veins embedded in tight spaces, clusters of crystalline formations hidden beneath thick layers of rock. Every time his probe detected the faintest glimmer of the elusive metal, Arthur sent his nanobots to work, carefully extracting and securing the material into his dimensional storage.


    By the time he had scoured every corner of the cave system, his total haul had increased significantly.


    153 million tons.


    Arthur exhaled slowly, he had no way of knowing whether the planet contained more Element-M deposits elsewhere or if this was the only significant cache. The metal remained undetectable by conventional scanners, an anomaly that both fascinated and frustrated him.


    Even with the advanced knowledge of the Krozonites, they couldn''t decipher why Element-M resisted standard scanning technology. It was a problem for another day. What mattered now was that he had secured every last trace of the material from this site.


    After triple-checking his readings and ensuring the nanobots had left no stone unturned, Arthur prepared to leave. But as he made his way toward the cave''s exit, something stirred in the shadows ahead.


    A deep, resonant vibration echoed through the cavern.


    Arthur stopped.


    His visor flickered, scanning the dimly lit tunnel before him. Then, from the depths of the cave, a hulking figure emerged. He had detected it using his probes but he had thought he would be able to avoid it, but it seems it had detected him.


    It was as he remembered, a massive crystalline golem, its body a fusion of jagged minerals. The creature pulsed with an inner glow, veins of luminous violet light coursing through its enormous frame. Its towering form scraped the cavern ceiling, and with each step, the ground beneath Arthur trembled.


    The guardian¡¯s faceless head with only two round holes in place of its eyes turned toward him, its luminous core pulsing with something that might have been recognition¡­ or challenge.


    Arthur didn¡¯t reach for his weapons.


    The last time he had been here, he would have stood no chance against this thing. Back then, he had barely understood where he was, let alone how to fight something of this scale. Now?


    Now, it was no longer a battle for survival.


    The golem let out a low, vibrating hum, its massive arms shifting into a defensive stance. It wasn¡¯t attacking yet, but it was ready to.


    Arthur, keeping his movements slow and deliberate, took a step back. He had no reason to kill this creature. This was its home, he was the intruder. He had already stripped the cave of its treasure. There was no need for unnecessary violence.


    For a moment, they simply regarded each other.


    Arthur extended his technopathy, attempting to sense any form of data or signal within the creature. Nothing. It wasn¡¯t mechanical. It wasn¡¯t something he could hack or control. This was something else, a living entity.


    He hadn''t encountered another being like this in the forest or anywhere else on Tarkuun-5. It didn¡¯t fit with the ecosystem. The wildlife here was savage, primal, and creature of flesh¡­ but this was different.


    Perhaps the Element-M had altered the environment over time, birthing this guardian from the raw minerals of the planet.


    Arthur took one last look at the creature before turning away.


    The golem started to follow him. The golem somehow understood it does not stand a chance against Arthur, but it does not want the Element-M to be taken away. From its birth it has always stayed in the cave, and after who knows how many years it had developed a spark of intelligence.


    Arthur looked back confused at the guardian of the cave, then he sighed and with a mental command the guardian disappeared. He thought since he had destroyed its home, he might as well take the creature with him. He sent the golem inside the Spear of Heaven. He separated some Element-M and stored it inside a huge chamber and put the golem inside it.


    The golem at first froze with the sudden change of the environment, but after seeing the pile of Element-M in front of it, it created a sound like a cat purring and laid down on top of the pile. Arthur seeing it using a hologram had a weird expression on his face.


    ¡®Cute¡¯. He chuckled at his thought and went outside the cave.


    ¡­


    Arthur emerged into the harsh daylight, stepping out onto the rocky terrain outside the cave. The heat of Tarkuun-5 was a stark contrast to the cool, damp air of the caverns. Three suns still burned overhead, their golden light stretching long shadows across the jagged cliffs.


    His shuttle remained exactly where he had left it, hidden by its active stealth mode. As he approached, the hull shimmered, revealing itself.


    Arthur boarded swiftly, sealing the cockpit as the systems powered up around him. The gentle hum of the engines filled the small space, and within moments, the shuttle lifted off the ground, ascending into the skies of Tarkuun-5.


    From the air, he glanced back at the cave¡¯s entrance, now just a dark speck amid the landscape. He pushed the throttle forward. The shuttle surged ahead, cutting through the atmosphere with ease.


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    The flight back to the mining station was uneventful. He kept his sensors active, watching for any signs of aerial interference, but the skies remained clear. Within minutes, the mining facility came into view, its metallic structures stark against the barren land.


    As the shuttle approached, the landing beacon blinked, guiding him toward the designated pad. He brought the craft down smoothly, the landing gear absorbing the light impact. As the engines powered down, a UFE soldier approached, waiting at the base of the ramp.


    Arthur stepped out, his boots hitting the steel platform.


    "Sir," the soldier greeted with a sharp salute. "I will guide you to your assigned quarters for your stay. Please follow me."


    Arthur nodded, falling into step behind the soldier as they made their way into the facility.


    The corridors were quiet, the usual hum of mining operations humming faintly in the background. The heat from outside faded as they moved deeper into the structure, the controlled climate inside offering a welcome respite.


    The soldier stopped at a door, pressing a panel to unlock it. The door slid open with a soft hiss.


    "Your room, sir. If you require anything, we are on standby."


    Arthur stepped inside, scanning the quarters. It was simple, utilitarian. A bed, a desk, a small storage unit. Functional, nothing more.


    He turned back to the soldier. "Understood. Dismissed."


    The soldier saluted once more before leaving.


    Arthur exhaled, running a hand through his hair as the door slid shut behind him.


    He had what he came for. But something about that guardian, about the nature of Element-M itself, still lingered in his mind.


    He then took out a fist sized Element-M and used ¡®Analyze¡¯ on it.


    //--------------------//


    Object: Unknown


    Source: Unknown


    Properties: Ability to mimic the properties of other elements or materials. Host can control the element using his mind.


    //--------------------//


    It still showed the same thing, this is the reason why he asked the Guardian of the Spear of Heaven to check if it was Element-M or not as he was not hundred percent sure and could not find what it was.


    He then went towards the bathroom to freshen up and after eating something he went to sleep.


    ¡­


    The next morning, Arthur woke early, stretching out the stiffness from his muscles as he sat up in the small but functional quarters. The artificial lighting hummed softly overhead, simulating the glow of morning, though outside, Tarkuun-5¡¯s three suns had already begun their ascent.


    Seeing as James hadn¡¯t called him to assist with the mining station¡¯s defenses, Arthur decided to spend the quiet morning productively. He accessed his datapad, pulling up research articles and production methods for enhancement serums.


    His knowledge in the field had expanded significantly since his initial introduction to biochemical augmentation. By now, he had mastered the development of enhancement serums from grade one up to grade five.


    Each successive grade required more precise formulation techniques, complex catalysts, and stronger stabilizing agents. His understanding of biochemistry and nanite infusion allowed him to quickly learn about the process.


    Still, one serum remained elusive, the ECHO serum.


    Arthur had read enough classified reports to understand its value. Unlike conventional enhancement serums, which relied on carefully synthesized compounds and tailored genetic activators, the ECHO serum was rumored to integrate exotic materials into its formula, pushing the human body far beyond normal augmentation thresholds. It was what made ECHO soldiers the elite among the elite.


    But its production method remained a closely guarded secret.


    Arthur frowned, scrolling through different reports, cross-referencing known biochemical enhancements with anything that might hint at the serum¡¯s ingredients. He knew that eventually, he¡¯d have to get his hands on it. But that was a problem for later.


    For now, he focused on refining his current understanding, running simulations on his datapad, calculating optimal dosages, and theorizing potential advancements.


    Then, amidst his deep concentration, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.


    [Commander,] the Guardian AI of the Spear of Heaven spoke through his neural link, its voice smooth and precise. [The repair of the obelisk is complete. You may now use it at full capacity.]


    Arthur blinked, straightening in his chair. He had almost forgotten about the obelisk in the midst of everything else. His expression shifted as curiosity and anticipation flickered through his mind.


    "Finally." With a thought, he summoned the obelisk from his dimensional storage.


    The air in front of him shimmered as a small, fist-sized object materialized in his palm.


    The obelisk, even in its compact form, radiated an almost imperceptible energy. It was smooth, crafted from a dark metallic alloy with faint, intricate patterns running across its surface, symbols that shifted subtly, as if alive. Arthur could feel the weight of something ancient in his grasp, something beyond mere technology.


    He immediately activated ¡®Analyze¡¯, channeling his focus into the artifact.


    //--------------------//


    Object: Interdimensional Bridge


    Source: Krozonite Technology


    Properties: Capable of absorbing, storing, and redistributing vast amounts of energy. Possesses a fluctuating structure that enables size manipulation. Able to breach the universal barrier and create a bridge between two.


    //--------------------//


    Arthur¡¯s breath hitched slightly as he processed the information.


    "An interdimensional bridge¡­" His grip on the obelisk tightened.


    The ability to breach the universal barrier, it wasn¡¯t teleportation. It wasn¡¯t a mere wormhole generator. This was something far greater. A bridge between two realities.


    He ran his fingers along the obelisk¡¯s surface. Unlike the last time he analyzed it, the structural integrity now seemed flawless, as if the damage it had sustained before had never existed. He felt an odd pull from the artifact, an almost instinctive urge to activate it.


    Testing his control, Arthur willed the obelisk to shift.


    Instantly, the fist-sized object expanded, growing in his hands. In a smooth, fluid motion, the obelisk stretched until it was nearly three meters tall, its inscriptions glowing faintly with an eerie, silver-blue hue.


    Arthur¡¯s expression remained calm, though inwardly, he was intrigued. He asked the guardian, "If it can breach the barrier between universes¡­ then where does it lead to?"


    [Commander, the destination is entirely random, but the obelisk has the capability to save the universal coordinates to facilitate safe return and journey between two universes.] the guardian replied hearing Arthur¡¯s question.


    Arthur nodded hearing that, if it was so then he will be able to go to a different dimension and won¡¯t have to worry about returning to this universe.


    For now, he retracted the obelisk, watching as it smoothly condensed back into its smaller form, once again resting in his palm like a mere trinket. The implications of its capabilities were vast.


    "I¡¯ll need to test it under controlled conditions¡­ somewhere secure."


    He exhaled and placed the obelisk back into his dimensional storage.


    ***


    ------------------------------: END OF BOOK I :------------------------------

 Chapter 60: A New World

    Arthur took a deep breath, stretching his muscles as he prepared to go out and test the obelisk. But he had one more thing to do before doing that.


    He contacted the Guardian AI of the Spear of Heaven through his neural link.


    ¡°Guardian,¡± Arthur said, his tone firm but measured. ¡°I would like you to take care of the golem. Try to determine what it eats, if it even needs sustenance, and create a section for the study of Element-M and about the creature. But I want all experiments to be non-invasive. No dissection, no forced interactions. Just observation.¡±


    [Understood, Commander,] the AI responded. [I will conduct a passive study and ensure its well-being.]


    ¡°Good.¡± Arthur leaned back in his chair. ¡°Keep me updated if you discover anything useful.¡±


    [Affirmative.]


    Satisfied, Arthur closed the link. He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. The golem was an anomaly, and he wants to see if it''s connected to Element-M somehow. If it had some kind of link to Element-M, understanding it could give him further insight into the mysterious material.


    For now, though, he had other tasks to handle.


    ¡­


    Inside the Spear of Heaven


    The Guardian AI immediately began its observations. A small spherical probe, about the size of a human fist, floated out of the wall of the chamber, its silent thrusters humming as it navigated towards the golem.


    The golem, still curled atop its pile of Element-M, emitted a faint, rhythmic hum, a sound reminiscent of purring. Its crystalline body shimmered in the dim lighting of the chamber, its violet veins pulsing faintly.


    The probe approached the golem, hovering a few feet away.


    At first, the golem remained still, its luminescent core dim. Then, as if sensing the probe¡¯s presence, its head twitched. A deep, reverberating coo escaped from it, something almost¡­ curious.


    Then, it reached its massive crystalline fingers at the tiny floating object. The probe darted backward, narrowly avoiding the grasp.


    The golem chirped, seemingly amused, and tried again.


    The Guardian AI, processing the reaction, deployed a second probe. While the first served as a distraction, zipping around in playful loops, the second hovered quietly behind the golem, scanning its structure.


    [Data acquisition in progress,] the AI noted.


    The scene was oddly reminiscent of a child chasing a butterfly. The golem was clearly reacting with some level of intelligence, perhaps curiosity.


    As the first probe zipped higher, the golem tilted its head, its glowing core brightening in what almost seemed like excitement. Then, in a surprising display of agility, it leaped, its massive frame moving with unexpected grace.


    The probe barely escaped.


    [Behavioral analysis: playful tendencies detected. Possible cognitive development beyond baseline instinct.]


    The second probe finished the first of its many scans, as the first continued distracting the golem.


    The Guardian AI silently processed the data. [Further study required.] And started to test different things with the golem.


    ¡­


    Back on Trakuun-5


    Arthur piloted the shuttle away from the mining station, the rocky terrain of Tarkuun-5 stretching endlessly beneath him. It didn¡¯t take long for him to spot the remnants of his old cabin near the cave where he found the Element-M deposit.


    He brought the shuttle down carefully, setting it near the ruined structure and then he put it inside his dimensional pocket. The moment he stepped out, the scent of nature filled his lungs.


    The destroyed cabin was in even worse shape than he remembered. The walls were missing or splintered, the roof was nowhere to be seen, and debris was scattered across the area. Nature, on this planet, had already begun reclaiming the site.


    Arthur moved through the wreckage, searching for what he had left behind. After a few minutes of sifting through broken planks, he found them, several fist-sized pieces of Element-M, hidden beneath the debris.


    He picked up one of the shimmering metallic crystals, rolling it between his fingers. He pocketed the fragments. He hadn''t collected the pieces yesterday due to haste, so he picked them up now.


    Then, without wasting more time, he turned toward the cave entrance.


    ¡­


    Inside the cavern


    The air within the cave was noticeably cooler, the temperature drop almost instant as he stepped inside. Arthur moved deeper, retracing his previous path.


    He reached an open chamber, the very spot where he had encountered the crystalline guardian yesterday.


    Taking a deep breath, he retrieved the obelisk from his dimensional storage.


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    The artifact materialized in his hands, its dark metallic surface shimmering faintly. Arthur turned it over, feeling the slight hum of energy pulsing beneath its structure.


    ¡°Time to see what you can really do.¡±


    He willed it to expand.


    Instantly, the obelisk reacted. The smooth, fist-sized object began to stretch and shift while floating in front of him. Within moments, it had fully extended into its three-meter form, standing like a silent monolith in the center of the cavern.


    Arthur took a step back, watching as the energy within the obelisk began to fluctuate.


    ¡°Alright¡­ let¡¯s test this.¡±


    He reached out with his technopathy, connecting with the artifact.


    A surge of raw information flooded his mind. Unlike machines or AI systems, the obelisk¡¯s responses weren¡¯t structured or logical, they were fragmented, pulsing waves of data that felt¡­ weird to describe in words.


    Arthur narrowed his eyes, pushing through the chaotic stream of information.


    Then, something clicked. The obelisk pulsed once, then the very air around it shifted. The obelisk has the capacity to form different sizes of dimensional rift and he willed it to form the smallest form possible.


    A low hum filled the cavern, growing in intensity. The symbols along its surface brightened, their glow now casting dancing shadows across the walls. The very fabric of space seemed to bend, as if something unseen was pressing against reality itself.


    Arthur tensed. He could feel it, the boundary between dimensions beginning to distort. Then, a faint shimmer appeared in front of the obelisk. A ripple in space.


    Arthur watched, breath steady, as the shimmering distortion expanded. It wasn¡¯t a portal. Not yet. But it was something close, an attempt to reach beyond the veil of the universe.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± he muttered.


    The obelisk continued its activation sequence, the energies swirling faster. Arthur glanced at the shimmering distortion, then at the obelisk.


    Then a few moments later, with a resonant pulse, a two meters wide rift opened in front of him.


    Before him stood a gateway, a dark expanse rippling like the surface of disturbed water. His heart pounded with anticipation.


    ¡­


    Arthur hesitated for a second, weighing his options. Should he go through now, or would it be wiser to prepare first? He shook his head, he didn¡¯t need to overthink this. His plan was simple: step through, take note of his surroundings, and return. This was just reconnaissance.


    He reached into his dimensional storage, summoning his armor. The sleek, dark plating unfolded in front of him, the segmented layers opening from the chest outward. Arthur stepped inside, feeling the familiar embrace of the exosuit as it sealed around him with a quiet hiss.


    <Systems Online.> His HUD flickered to life, scrolling through diagnostics.


    He collected the obelisk from its position, gripping it tightly. The moment he did, the rift wavered, its edges trembling. Without the obelisk¡¯s stabilizing force, the portal wouldn¡¯t last long.


    Arthur took a steadying breath, kept the obelisk in his dimensional pocket. Then, without further hesitation, he stepped forward and disappeared into the darkness.


    ¡­


    Somewhere Unknown


    The transition was instant. One moment, he was inside the cavern on Tarkuun-5. The next, he was somewhere else entirely.


    Arthur¡¯s boots landed on soft, damp ground. He instinctively raised his weapon, scanning the area.


    It was day time, towering trees surrounded him, stretching impossibly high, their dark green foliage forming a dense canopy overhead. The air was thick with humidity, carrying the scent of wet earth. In front of him was some kind of strange flora along the trunks and vines, casting eerie shadows across the ground.


    He was in a forest.


    Arthur frowned beneath his helmet. "Did it fail?"


    His first thought was that the obelisk had somehow transported him to another part of Tarkuun-5. The terrain seemed similar, lush, untouched wilderness. But something felt¡­ off.


    His instincts told him this wasn¡¯t the same world. To confirm, he needed data.


    Arthur reached into his dimensional storage and released several fist-sized reconnaissance probes. They hovered around him for a moment before he activated their stealth functions. The probes shimmered out of visibility, bending light around themselves as they ascended through the thick canopy.


    He controlled them manually, sending them higher, pushing them toward the stratosphere.


    A minute passed. Then another.


    Arthur¡¯s frown deepened. "Why is it taking so long?"


    On Tarkuun-5, his probes would have breached the upper atmosphere in less than sixty seconds. But even at full speed, they were still climbing after more than four minutes. That meant one thing, this planet was significantly larger and had a thicker atmosphere.


    "So, I''m not on Tarkuun-5."


    His HUD confirmed the data: gravity was slightly stronger than standard, and the atmosphere was denser than Earth''s.


    Arthur released thousands of additional probes, deploying them in all directions toward the planet¡¯s upper layers. Through his visor, he watched as his real-time map expanded, new terrain being scanned and logged.


    <Atmospheric Analysis Complete.>


    Arthur glanced at the report on his HUD.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Oxygen Levels: 36%</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Nitrogen: 54%</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Other Gases: 10% (Traces of unknown compounds)</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Gravity: 1.2x Standard</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Temperature: 29¡ãC (Humid)</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Radiation: Negligible</li>


    </ul>


    <---------------------->


    "Breathable air," he noted. The high oxygen percentage was unusual, most habitable planets didn''t have levels this high. It meant two things:


    If fire started here, it would be far more intense. And any creatures here would likely be larger and more energetic than standard terrestrial life.


    He narrowed his eyes, scanning the forest. The place was quiet, with few sounds of birds or insects, and the occasional rustling of leaves from the wind.


    ¡­


    Arthur didn¡¯t waste time. He reached into his dimensional pocket and summoned his shuttle.


    The sleek shuttle materialized beside him, its metallic surface reflecting the dim ambient light. The landing struts adjusted to the uneven ground as the engines hummed to life.


    Arthur climbed inside, taking his seat as the cockpit sealed around him. His HUD instantly synchronized with the ship¡¯s sensors, linking to his neural interface.


    <Flight Systems Engaged.>


    He activated the vertical thrusters, and the shuttle lifted smoothly into the air while simultaneously going into stealth mode.


    As he ascended, he opened his System Map, monitoring for lifeforms or possible threats within a five kilometer radius around him.


    He pushed the throttle, guiding the shuttle upward through the thick atmosphere.


    Then, as he reached the upper cloud layers, his probes picked up something massive moving in the distance.


    Arthur¡¯s fingers tightened around the controls at what he saw in the dashboard of his HUD.


    ***

 Chapter 61: A World of Myths

    Arthur stared in awe at the massive creature soaring before him. A dragon. A real, enormous, more than hundred-meter-long dragon with emerald scales that shimmered like polished gemstones. Its massive wings beat powerfully against the sky, sending gusts of wind rippling through the clouds.


    As the dragon descended toward the mountain peak below, the very earth seemed to tremble beneath its weight. Rocks loosened from the mountainside, tumbling down in an avalanche as the beast settled, folding its colossal wings against its back. Even from his altitude, Arthur could feel the sheer presence of the creature, it exuded dominance, as if it were a sovereign ruler of the skies.


    ¡®Where the heck am I?¡¯ Arthur thought, gripping the controls of his shuttle. ¡®There are dragons here!¡¯


    Tarkuun-5 had its share of unusual creatures, and he had encountered large, wyvern-like beasts before. But this¡­ this was different, it was the real deal. The wyverns he had seen were animalistic, instinct-driven. The dragon before him carried itself with a different air, he didn''t know why but his instincts told him that this creature was intelligent.


    Arthur quickly decided it was best not to disturb it. He wasn''t about to test whether it was hostile or not. Adjusting his course, he directed the shuttle upward, ascending through the thick atmosphere while keeping his stealth systems engaged.


    ¡­


    High above the planet


    Minutes later, Arthur reached the planet''s stratosphere, where the air was thin, and the sky darkened toward the vast emptiness of space. From here, he could oversee the entire world stretching out below him, an immense planet, far larger than Earth or even Tarkuun-5.


    He activated the command for his thousands of reconnaissance probes, ensuring they maintained even spacing as they expanded across the globe. The sheer scale of the planet made the process lengthy, and even with the probes¡¯ high-speed capabilities, it took more than two and a half hours to fully cover its surroundings.


    Arthur leaned back in his pilot''s seat, observing the real-time feed on his HUD. What he saw amazed him.


    The planet had a diameter of more than fifty thousand kilometers which is roughly four times that of Earth. The surface of the planet was covered by approximately fifty four percent land and forty six percent ocean. The planet has three immense continents with few small scattered landmasses. He also noticed some places on the planet have unknown energy storms raging.


    Arthur zoomed in on different areas of the world, focusing on details.


    ¡­


    The largest and most densely populated continent was dominated by humans or at least, beings that looked exactly like humans, Arthur didn''t want to come to a conclusion this early. Sprawling medieval-style cities stretched across the landscape, filled with towering castles, fortified stone walls, and rows of timber-framed buildings. The settlements were connected by winding roads, stretching between vast plains, forests, and mountain ranges.


    Arthur spotted massive walled cities, some built along rivers and coasts, while others were nestled deep within valleys or atop hills. Merchant districts, bustling marketplaces, and structured town layouts indicated an organized society, likely governed by some form of kingdom or empire.


    However, what truly caught his eye was the presence of non-human hybrids among them, creatures that looked mostly human but bore animalistic features.


    Some were Fox-like humanoids with large, pointed ears and fluffy tails. Cat-eared beings who moved with agile grace. Others with wolf-like features, rabbit ears, even bird-like wings.


    Arthur''s mind raced. Was this some form of genetic divergence? A different evolutionary path? Or something else entirely? He had read novels about demi-humans; these creatures might be something similar.


    ¡­


    On the second continent, Arthur found a different dominant species, humanoids with pointed ears and horns. Their features were strikingly similar to humans, except for these distinct differences. Some had curved ram-like horns, others had sleek, swept-back spires.


    The architecture in this region was gothic and grand, featuring black stone castles, spire-like towers, and massive citadels that looked like they belonged in some fantasy realm. Cities were arranged in a way that suggested hierarchical governance, possibly ruled by noble houses or powerful clans.


    Arthur noticed large military fortresses near key locations, and in some areas, he even spotted massive battlefields, remnants of wars past or ongoing conflicts. These creatures resembled demons from stories he read.


    ¡­


    The third continent was vastly different from the first two.


    It was heavily forested, almost untouched by civilization, with only a few scattered cities nestled within the dense jungles and mountainous terrain. The forests stretched for miles, concealing towering beasts, some of which dwarfed the dragon Arthur had seen before.


    Here, dragons were not a rarity.


    Arthur spotted numerous dragons, ranging from small, wingless drakes to titanic behemoths soaring across the skies. Some lazed atop volcanic ridges, basking in the sun, while others engaged in aerial displays, possibly territorial disputes or mating rituals.


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    Beyond dragons, this land was home to numerous other massive creatures. Titan-like beasts roamed the forests, and winged predators circled the skies, making it one of the most dangerous landscapes on the planet.


    Despite the dangers, there were still settlements here, likely populated by strong-willed or battle-hardened people. Arthur spotted massive tree-built cities, suspended high above the jungle floor, their wooden walkways glowing with bioluminescent lights. The beings that populated them looked like elves from fantasy books.


    ¡­


    Despite the planetary size and few advanced-looking architecture, Arthur noted something peculiar, the technological level of this world was stuck in the medieval age.


    Everywhere he looked, he saw stone castles, wooden houses, and blacksmith forges, but no advanced technology. There were no modern infrastructures present on any of the three continents.


    However¡­ something else caught his eye.


    Near several settlements, he saw strange floating landmasses, with floating glowing orbs on top of them. But he was unable to see what was going on in those lands, something that seemed to prevent any prying eyes from outside.


    Arthur zoomed in, analyzing the orbs more closely.


    "Energy signatures¡­ but they¡¯re not technological¡­ Could this be magic, otherwise how would those lands float without any propulsion system or antigravity technology?"


    The thought sent a thrill through his mind. Was this planet truly a fusion of medieval civilization and mystical forces?


    He had seen many strange things in the galaxy, but this? A planet where dragons roamed freely, humans coexisted with human-animal hybrids, and horned beings that looked like demons ruled kingdoms?


    "This place is straight out of a fantasy novel." Arthur leaned back in his seat, absorbing all the information he had gathered.


    There were so many questions running through his mind. But one thing was certain, this was a world which might give him the opportunity to learn about magic.


    Arthur exhaled slowly, gripping the controls of his shuttle.


    "Time to find out more about this place."


    ¡­


    Arthur controlled the shuttle and went towards a city on the continent which he termed as the human continent. After half an hour he arrived near the city, when he arrived on this planet he was on the continents where dragons were present.


    He got out of the shuttle and put it inside his dimensional pocket. He removed his armor and controlled the nanobots on his clothes to shift and his clothes started to resemble the clothes that people of this world wear to not attract attention. He took out some nanobots from his dimensional pocket and made it resemble a bag for him to carry, as he thought a person alone without any luggage entering a city might look suspicious.


    He then walked towards the city and after five minutes of walking along the road he reached the city gates. There were some city guards checking people entering the city. Arthur went forward and joined the line. When his turn came one of the city guards asked him in a language Arthur had not heard before but due to the universal translator he was able to understand and convey his points.


    "Identity please." One of the city guards asked him. Arthur had already thought of an excuse to give, he said "Sir, I am from a far away village and this is my first time to enter a city. So, I don''t have an identity card."


    The city guard was not surprised by hearing it, there are many such people who frequently enter the city, so he asked Arthur, "Oh, then you have to pay to create a temporary identity to enter the city, it''s five bronze coins for a week."


    Arthur nodded hearing that and put his hands inside his bag, though it was just a ruse, what he actually was doing was something else entirely. He scanned the few bronze coins sprawled on the table in front of the city guard and ordered the Guardian AI of the Spear of Heaven to replicate some coins.


    "Do it fast, there are other people waiting behind you." the city guard asked him, seeing Arthur taking more time than necessary. "Yes." Arthur then took out five bronze coins and submitted them to the city guard and received a wooden token with some symbols on it. Arthur was then allowed to enter the city.


    ¡­


    Arthur stepped through the city gates, his eyes scanning his surroundings. The city before him was like a city straight out of medieval earth. The wide cobblestone streets stretched into the distance, flanked by buildings constructed from stone, timber, and bricks. Some bore grand, sloped roofs with ornate carvings, while others had simpler, functional designs.


    The scent of freshly baked bread, sizzling meat, and a hint of something herbal filled the air, mixing with the chatter of merchants calling out their wares.


    As Arthur moved forward, his gaze flicked over the people bustling around him. Humans made up the majority, but scattered among them were demi-humans of various kinds. A woman with fox-like ears and a bushy tail bartered with a fruit vendor, her sharp golden eyes narrowing as she negotiated. A young man with feline features, pointed ears and slitted pupils, leapt gracefully onto a moving cart, balancing effortlessly as he adjusted a sack of goods.


    The variety of races confirmed what he had seen from above. Some wore simple, coarse tunics and cloaks, while others were adorned in elaborate robes, decorated with fine embroidery. Metal armor clanked as guards and warriors moved past, their weapons secured at their waists or strapped to their backs.


    A large, heavily bearded man, no taller than Arthur¡¯s chest, sat behind a weapons stall. The moment Arthur saw him, he knew this was a dwarf.


    The dwarf¡¯s thick fingers polished the steel of a broad-bladed axe, his eyes sharp and focused despite his short stature. Behind him, an impressive collection of medieval-style weapons and armor gleamed under the morning sun, steel swords of various designs, curved daggers, round shields reinforced with iron rims, and even intricately crafted plate mail.


    Arthur stopped for a moment, observing how the dwarf moved with an artisan¡¯s care, handling the weapons as if they were extensions of himself.


    He had seen advanced plasma-based weapons, hyper-alloyed combat suits, and automated defense systems. But the craftsmanship here had a different kind of beauty, a raw, personal touch, honed through years of experience rather than assembly-line precision.


    Arthur continued walking, blending seamlessly into the crowd. He noticed several inns along the street, their wooden signs swaying gently with the breeze. Some bore the symbol of a mug of ale, others a resting bed. It was easy to guess their function.


    The farther he walked, the more varied the establishments became. Blacksmith forges roared with heat, hammer strikes ringing in rhythmic precision. Tailors displayed fine silks and sturdy leather coats. Potion vendors advertised colorful vials of unknown liquids, each promising miraculous effects.


    One particular stall caught Arthur¡¯s attention. A robed figure, their face partially concealed by a hood, stood behind a wooden stand filled with small glowing crystals. And Arthur stepped towards the stall to see what it was.


    ***

 Chapter 62: Silver Crescent Inn

    As Arthur stepped towards the stall to see what the merchant was selling, he heard the merchant call out.


    ¡°Mana stones, fresh from the mines of Durnholde!¡± the merchant proclaimed, waving a polished blue gem in the air. ¡°Enhance your spells! Prolong your magic! Don¡¯t be caught defenseless in battle!¡±


    Magic.


    Arthur¡¯s thoughts quickened. He was still trying to determine whether magic in this world was an advanced form of energy manipulation or something entirely different. These mana stones might provide some insight.


    He approached the merchant and asked, ¡°How much are those mana stones?¡± Hearing Arthur, the merchant eagerly informed him, ¡°Hello customer, my prices are the lowest you will find in this city. It is only ten silver coins for one low grade mana stone.¡±


    Arthur nodded and didn¡¯t haggle and took out two replicated gold coins and gave it to the merchant and said, ¡°Then give me as many low grade ones these two can get me.¡±. The merchant was excited seeing the gold coins in Arthur¡¯s palms.


    It had to be known that a single gold coin can satisfy the needs of a family of four for a month. From this it can be said they are very precious even in big cities like this.


    The merchant eagerly took the coins from Arthur¡¯s hands and handed twenty one low grade mana stones after counting them to Arthur. He thought of Arthur as a rich customer and wanted to make him a loyal customer to him, that is why he gave Arthur one extra mana stone.


    ¡°Please visit again, and as I said my prices are the lowest you will find here. Others will only give you twenty mana stones at the same price.¡±


    ¡°Pleasure doing business with you.¡± Arthur nodded and said to the merchant seeing the twenty one mana stones and started to look for other places, as he needed to secure a place to stay and gather information.


    With his bag slung over his shoulder, Arthur turned his attention to a nearby inn. A wooden sign, carved with the image of a crescent moon over a tankard, hung above the entrance.


    "The Silver Crescent Inn," he read, though it was written in a different language but he used ¡®Analysis¡¯ to understand what was written there. He thought he needed to learn the language first before doing anything else, as the universal translator would not be able to help him in every situation, just like now without his HUD.


    It seemed as good a place as any to begin his exploration of this strange, medieval world of myths.


    ¡­


    Arthur stepped through the door of the Silver Crescent Inn, his senses immediately assaulted by the lively atmosphere inside. The scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and something spiced filled the air. The interior was warm and rustic, illuminated by glowing lanterns that hung from wooden beams.


    The inn was bustling with patrons, humans, demi-humans, and other beings gathered around sturdy wooden tables, eating, drinking, and chatting loudly. A group of fox-eared individuals huddled together, laughing as they shared a jug of ale. A feline-featured man leaned against the bar, sipping from a mug while flicking his tail idly.


    At another table, a burly man, likely a mercenary by his rugged appearance and battered armor, was arm-wrestling a wolf-eared opponent, their grunts of exertion drawing cheers from the surrounding crowd.


    Arthur kept his expression neutral, though internally, he was analyzing everything, studying behaviors, speech patterns, and the general mood of the establishment. It seemed like a typical medieval tavern, yet there was a distinct cultural nuance to how the patrons interacted.


    He made his way to the reception desk, where a woman stood behind the counter, scribbling something on a parchment. She looked up as he approached, offering a practiced but polite smile. She had auburn hair tied in a simple bun and hazel eyes that appraised him briefly before she spoke.


    "Welcome to the Silver Crescent Inn," she said. "Are you looking for a room?"


    "Yes. A room for one," Arthur replied evenly.


    "That¡¯ll be one silver per night," she informed him.


    Arthur nodded and reached into his bag, withdrawing ten silver coins. He placed them on the counter. "I¡¯d like to book a room for ten days."


    The woman¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly, impressed by the advance payment. It wasn¡¯t uncommon for travelers to rent rooms for extended stays, but usually, they paid in smaller increments.


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    "Alright, sir," she said as she collected the coins and tucked them into a small wooden box behind the counter. Then, turning her head slightly, she called out, "Nyssa! Take the customer to his room."


    A small girl, no older than ten, came bounding forward from a side hallway. She had short brown hair and wide, curious eyes. "Alright, Mom!" she chirped, taking the key her mother handed her.


    Arthur followed the girl up a wooden staircase to the first floor, his footsteps muffled by a well-worn rug that lined the corridor. Nyssa reached a door near the end of the hall, inserted the key, and turned it with a soft click. She pushed the door open and stepped aside.


    "Here¡¯s your room, sir!" she said brightly. "If you need anything, you can ask my mom."


    Arthur smiled slightly at the child¡¯s enthusiasm. "Thanks, kid."


    Nyssa bobbed her head and scampered off, leaving Arthur alone. He stepped inside, locking the door behind him.


    The room was simple but functional. A sturdy wooden bed with a thick mattress occupied one side of the room, covered in a plain but clean blanket. A small writing desk and chair sat against the opposite wall, next to a wooden chest, likely for storing belongings. A single window overlooked the bustling streets below, its shutters slightly ajar to let in the cool evening breeze.


    Arthur sat on the bed, his mind already shifting to the next phase of his plan. Information gathering.


    But before that, he should return to Trakkun-5 as it had already been a few hours since he was here. He will come back here tomorrow.


    He closed the window and then reached into his dimensional pocket, he pulled out the obelisk and activated it. The air in front of him shimmered, and a dark portal formed. Without hesitation, Arthur stepped through.


    ¡­


    The moment he emerged, he was back in the cavern on Tarkuun-5. The familiar dim lighting of the underground chamber greeted him. He deactivated the obelisk and stepped outside.


    As he exited the cave, something immediately felt¡­ off.


    The position of the sun hadn¡¯t changed much.


    Arthur frowned. He had spent several hours in the other world, but here, time seemed to have barely moved.


    He contacted the guardian AI of the Spear of Heaven. "Guardian, status report. Can you determine how much time has passed since my departure?"


    The AI responded promptly. [Affirmative, Commander. Analysis of temporal discrepancies suggests a time dilation ratio of approximately 1:24. Every earth day spent in the alternate world corresponds to only one earth hour in this universe.]


    Arthur exhaled, processing the implications. This meant that while he could theoretically spend an entire month in that world, only a little over a single day would pass here. Although he doesn¡¯t yet know how many hours a day have in that world, he will figure it out later.


    "Interesting," he muttered. "What about the reverse? If I spend a day here, does that mean a month passes there?"


    [Based on the current temporal distortion parameters, the reverse may also hold true,] the AI replied. That means one day here could also possibly mean one hour in that world, it was all confusing but it worked in his favour.


    Arthur leaned against the rocky wall, contemplating. It meant he had time to explore, learn, and understand the world before making any major moves.


    He didn¡¯t waste any more time thinking about it. Pulling out the obelisk once again, he reactivated the portal and stepped back through.


    ¡­


    Arthur reappeared in his room at the inn, the transition seamless.


    He glanced at the window. The sky outside had darkened slightly, indicating that evening was setting in. The sounds of the city were still vibrant. Laughter, footsteps, distant music, and the chatter of merchants finishing their sales for the day.


    Since he now knew he had plenty of time to operate here, he decided the first order of business would be to gather information. Learning the language was a priority, but he also needed to understand the culture, economy, and power structures of this world.


    With that in mind, he left his room and descended the stairs, returning to the reception desk.


    The innkeeper looked up from where she was tallying some numbers on parchment. "Something you need, sir?" she asked.


    Arthur leaned slightly against the counter in a relaxed posture. "Yeah, I was hoping to get some information. I just arrived in the city today and was wondering where a traveler like me might learn more about the world."


    The woman gave him an amused look. "Sounds like you¡¯re not from around here."


    "You could say that," Arthur said with a small chuckle.


    She considered for a moment before responding. "Well, it depends on what kind of information you¡¯re looking for. If you want news, the taverns are your best bet, people talk when they drink. If you¡¯re after historical knowledge, the city has a library, though they usually only let scholars in or people with a lot of money. And if you want rumors, well¡­" she smirked, "you just have to listen."


    Arthur absorbed that information. "A library, huh? Where can I find it?"


    She waved a hand toward the exit. "Head down the main road until you reach the plaza with the big fountain. Take the left street from there, and you¡¯ll find it at the end of the district. It¡¯s run by the Scholars¡¯ Guild, so you might need to convince them to let you in."


    Arthur nodded. "Thanks. Also, do you have any food available?"


    "Of course! We serve three meals here. For guests, it¡¯s included in the stay," she said, gesturing toward the dining area.


    "Good to know," Arthur replied. "I¡¯ll take a meal first, then head out."


    With his next course of action set, he took a seat at an empty table, ready to observe, learn, and begin his deeper dive into this strange new world.


    ***

 Chapter 63: Thyrandel

    Arthur followed the directions given by the innkeeper, navigating through the winding streets of the city. The farther he walked, the more apparent it became that this district was wealthier than the rest. The roads were cleaner, the buildings more refined, and the people carried themselves with an air of importance. Lanterns lined the streets, casting a warm glow over the cobbled roads, and neatly trimmed hedges decorated the sidewalks.


    After about fifteen minutes, he arrived before a grand building.


    The Scholar¡¯s Guild stood as a monument of knowledge and prestige, its towering structure built from smooth, white marble that gleamed under the fading sunlight. Tall columns lined the entrance, each carved with intricate depictions of historical events and legendary scholars.


    The massive double doors were made of polished dark oak, adorned with golden filigree that shimmered in the evening light. Large stained-glass windows stretched across the upper levels, depicting celestial constellations and arcane symbols. The entire structure radiated an aura of authority and exclusivity.


    Arthur stepped toward the grand gate, but before he could get far, two guards in pristine armor blocked his path with crossed spears.


    "Halt!" one of them barked. "Only members are allowed entry."


    Arthur stopped, unfazed, and asked, "How can I become a member?"


    The guards exchanged looks before one of them, a tall man with a thin mustache, sneered. His gaze flickered over Arthur¡¯s attire, simple, unadorned clothing, completely devoid of any noble insignia.


    "Hah! You think a commoner like you can enter the Scholar¡¯s Guild?" His voice was filled with mockery, and his fellow guards chuckled at his words.


    Arthur blinked, genuinely surprised at their attitude. He thought, ¡®They have really terrible customer service.¡¯


    The other guard smirked. "Why don¡¯t you go back to whatever hole you crawled out of? The Guild is no place for the likes of you."


    Before Arthur could respond, a firm voice cut through the laughter.


    "What is going on here?"


    The mocking stopped instantly. The guards straightened, snapping to attention as a well-dressed man stepped out of the Scholar¡¯s Guild. He was in his late thirties, with neatly combed blond hair and intelligent blue eyes. His tailored dark-blue coat, embroidered with silver patterns, signified his high status within the Guild.


    "Manager Elliot!" The mustached guard saluted hastily. "A poor fellow was causing trouble here¡­"


    Elliot raised a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence, his sharp eyes landing on Arthur. Unlike the guards, there was no arrogance in his gaze, only curiosity. "Sir, are you here to become a member of the Scholar¡¯s Guild?" he asked, his tone polite and respectful.


    Arthur nodded. "Yes. I¡¯d like to know the criteria for membership."


    The guards stiffened in confusion. Why was their manager speaking so courteously to a commoner?


    "Manager, this man is clearly¡­" one of the guards tried again.


    Elliot¡¯s gaze turned cold, and his voice dropped to an icy tone. "Did I ask for your opinion?"


    The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees. The guards felt a chill run down their spines.


    Elliot continued, "I will deal with your conduct later." His eyes promised punishment, and the guards instinctively shut their mouths, realizing their pay for the month might very well disappear after this.


    Turning back to Arthur, Elliot gestured toward the entrance. "Please, follow me inside. I sincerely apologize for their behavior."


    Arthur, unaffected by the whole exchange, replied casually, "No problem." He stepped past the guards, following Elliot through the grand doors.


    The guards, now drenched in cold sweat, glanced at each other, cursing internally. ¡®Just who the hell did we insult?!¡¯


    ¡­


    Inside the Scholar¡¯s Guild


    Arthur was led through a grand reception hall with high ceilings adorned with a painted mural of scholars gathered around a glowing tome. The floor was made of polished granite, reflecting the golden light of ornate chandeliers. Several scribes and scholars dressed in elegant robes moved about, engaged in quiet discussions or carrying stacks of parchment.


    Elliot guided Arthur toward a reception desk, where an elderly woman with silver hair and round glasses sat, her quill scratching against parchment. She looked up as they approached.


    "Sir Arthur is here to apply for membership," Elliot informed her.


    The woman adjusted her glasses, peering at Arthur. "Are you a noble, sir?"


    Arthur shook his head. "No."


    "Then, as per Guild regulations, non-nobles must pay twenty-five gold coins per month to become a member," she stated matter-of-factly.


    Arthur didn¡¯t hesitate. He reached into his bag and withdrew the required amount, placing it on the counter. The woman counted the coins with experienced fingers before nodding in approval. "Your membership is valid for one month. You may now access the Guild¡¯s resources, including the library and select research archives."


    Arthur took the membership token she handed him and placed it in his pocket.


    Elliot, meanwhile, wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead. He had sensed it earlier, Arthur¡¯s aura. Even though Arthur wasn¡¯t trying to exert any pressure, Elliot could feel it. It was subtle, but unmistakable. ¡®A Peak-level martial artist¡­ or something even greater.¡¯


    He internally cursed the guards again. Had they truly angered such a person? If Arthur had been the type to hold grudges, their fates would have been sealed. He made a mental note to discipline them severely.


    ¡­


    Inside the Library


    Arthur stepped into the Scholar¡¯s Guild library, and his first thought was that it was massive.


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    The grand chamber stretched far into the distance, its towering bookshelves forming endless rows of knowledge. Each shelf was stacked with countless tomes, scrolls, and manuscripts, their spines marked with runes and elaborate titles. Crystal chandeliers hung from the domed ceiling, casting soft golden light across the room. A few people sat at reading tables, their noses buried in books, while others meticulously copied texts onto parchment.


    Arthur moved deeper into the library, his eyes scanning the titles. The books covered a wide range of topics, history, politics, magic theory, alchemy, and even myths and legends.


    Without drawing attention, Arthur discreetly released a swarm of nanobots from his sleeve. They were microscopic, invisible to the naked eye. The tiny machines dispersed into the air, moving between the shelves and copying the contents of the books and scrolls.


    Arthur closed his eyes momentarily, connecting to the swarm. In mere minutes, the nanobots scanned every book within their range, converting them into digital twins stored in Arthur¡¯s internal database.


    Within a short time, he had access to an entire wealth of knowledge, far more efficiently than any scholar could ever hope to achieve.


    ¡®Now,¡¯ Arthur thought, ¡®let¡¯s see what kind of world this really is.¡¯


    He picked a random book from a nearby shelf, flipped it open, and began reading the contents on his system panel, blending in like any other scholar. The real work had just begun.


    ¡­


    Arthur started with the most fundamental aspect, the language.


    He took a seat at one of the large reading tables in the Scholar¡¯s Guild library, surrounded by stacks of books and dimly glowing crystal lamps. The wooden chair creaked slightly as he settled in, but he ignored it, his mind already focused on the holographic panel before his eyes. The book, titled "The Foundations of Thyrandelan Script", was a linguistic guide designed for young scholars.


    With his eidetic memory and enhanced brain, Arthur absorbed information at a speed no normal human could match. He scanned each page rapidly, breaking down the language''s structure, syntax, and phonetics. The written script consisted of elegantly curved letters, with certain symbols denoting entire words while others functioned as phonetic markers.


    As he flipped through the panels, his mind worked in overdrive, forming connections and building an intuitive grasp of the language. Within minutes, he had memorized the entire alphabet. Within an hour, he was reading fluently.


    "Done."


    Closing the panel, Arthur exhaled slowly. If he hadn''t possessed an enhanced mind, this process would have taken weeks, maybe even months. Now that he had a solid grasp of the language, he could properly interpret the historical records of this world.


    ¡­


    Arthur then shifted his focus on a volume titled "The Chronicles of Thyrandel: From Creation to the age of Prosperity." He scanned the introduction.


    The world he was in was called Thyrandel, and it had been divided into three major continents for thousands of years.


    Arkanis the human continent, home to various kingdoms, empires, and theocratic institutions.


    Velmora the demi-human continent, formerly ruled by beastkin, dwarves, and other races.


    Drakmire a land of towering mountains and dense, ancient forests, ruled by dragons and elves.


    Thousands of years ago, each continent was sovereign, with humans, demi-humans, and dragons coexisting in an uneasy balance. But that balance shattered when the Demon Invasion began.


    Through massive rifts that tore through reality, the demons arrived, an unknown race with incredible strength, dark magic, and a thirst for conquest. The war lasted for over a hundred years, and despite the fierce resistance of the demi-humans, Velmora fell.


    With their lands overrun, the surviving demi-human races had no choice but to flee to Arkanis, seeking refuge among the human kingdoms.


    But instead of finding allies, they were met with cold rejection.


    While few individual rulers may have sympathized with the demi-humans, the human empires as a whole refused to act. Their reasoning was simple, helping Velmora would mean dragging their own nations into war, and they saw no benefit in doing so.


    Eventually, when it became clear that the demi-humans would be wiped out, the human empires allowed them to migrate, but under severe conditions.


    Demi-humans were forbidden from holding noble titles. Their rights were limited, and they were seen as second-class citizens. And in times of war, demi-humans were the first to be conscripted into battle.


    Arthur¡¯s eyes narrowed as he read this. "So they were only spared to be used as disposable soldiers later on."


    ¡­


    In recent years, the demons had once again begun invading human territories.


    This forced the human kingdoms to finally act. The Order of the Church, one of the most powerful institutions on the continent, declared the demons to be the ultimate evil, branding them as an affront to the gods. Alongside the human empires, the Church waged war against the demon hordes.


    However, due to the previous agreements, the demi-humans were conscripted first, sent to the frontlines in the highest numbers.


    Arthur leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.


    The victors write history. That much is clear.


    The Order of the Church depicted the demons as bloodthirsty monsters, but Arthur had long since learned not to take history at face value. Many conflicts were fought over resources, power, or politics, and history could easily be manipulated.


    "I¡¯ll have to see it for myself before coming to any conclusions."


    Drakmire, the third continent, had never participated in these wars.


    The book stated that the dragons and elves remained isolated, avoiding entanglements with either humans or demons. Their reasons were unknown, but they seemingly had no interest in the affairs of Arkanis and Velmora.


    This made Arthur curious. If demons were truly as destructive as the Church claimed, why wouldn¡¯t Drakmire act? Did they consider the demons not a threat, or was there another reason?


    ¡­


    Arthur then shifted his focus to another book, "The Principles of Mana and Chi."


    There were two primary energy systems in this world:


    Martial Artists used Chi. Chi was described as the vital energy that flowed through all living beings and the universe itself.


    And martial artists refined this energy to enhance their bodies, strengthen attacks, and extend their lifespans.


    The ranks of martial artists were as follows:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Novice</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Low-Grade Martial Artist</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mid-Grade Martial Artist</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">High-Grade Martial Artist</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Peak Martial Artist</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Master Martial Artist</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Grandmaster Martial Artist</li>


    </ul>


    And mages used Mana. Mana was considered a mystical energy that allowed mages to cast spells. Unlike Chi, which existed inside living beings, mana also existed in the environment.


    The ranks of mages were:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Apprentice Mage</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">1st Circle Mage ¡ú 9th Circle Mage</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Archmage</li>


    </ul>


    The book mentioned the presence of something beyond Archmages and Grandmasters, but the information was restricted.


    According to comparisons made in the book, a Grandmaster Martial Artist was equivalent to an Archmage in terms of power.


    Arthur closed the panel, his mind now filled with information.


    ¡­


    The final piece of information he focused on was the city itself.


    Durnholde was a major coastal city, situated near the Azure Sea, making it a key trade hub. It was also the closest city to Drakmire, meaning it had the most diverse population, with demi-humans, merchants, and adventurers from different backgrounds passing through.


    "That explains why I saw so many different races when I entered."


    The city was ruled by a Viscount, but the Order of the Church also had a strong presence here, with many temples and inquisitors patrolling the streets.


    Arthur leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a brief moment.


    He had learned enough for now. This world was filled with complex politics, war, and deeply rooted prejudice. There was more to uncover, but for now, his primary goal was clear:


    Gather more information. Understand the power structures. And most importantly, find out what he needed to understand the intricacies of magic and chi.


    With that thought in mind, he closed the book, stood up, and left the library to begin his next move.


    ***

 Chapter 64: Path of Magic

    Arthur returned to his room at the inn after spending several hours in the Scholar¡¯s Guild library. The soft glow of the lantern on the wooden nightstand cast flickering shadows across the modest room, highlighting the simple furnishings.


    He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled a small, translucent crystal from his pocket. The low-grade mana stone glowed faintly blue in the dim light. According to the books he had read, mana stones were formed naturally in areas where pure mana accumulated over centuries, condensing into solid crystalline structures.


    Holding the stone between his fingers, Arthur activated Energy Absorption.


    A subtle shift occurred in the air as an unseen force flowed from the mana stone into his body. A warm sensation spread through his veins, like the gentle heat of sunlight on his skin. The energy coursed through him, drawn not only from the crystal but also from the surrounding environment. However, the difference in density was stark, the ambient mana in the air was thin, almost negligible, while the mana within the crystal was concentrated and potent.


    He focused, allowing the energy to sink deeper into his body. The stone¡¯s glow dimmed gradually, its light flickering as if struggling against an inevitable fate. Within minutes, the last traces of mana within the crystal were drained, and the once-solid stone disintegrated into fine dust, vanishing into nothingness.


    Arthur exhaled, opening his eyes. His body felt... unchanged.


    He frowned. Despite successfully absorbing the mana, he couldn¡¯t feel any tangible difference, no increase in strength, no sensation of power surging through his limbs. He clenched his fist, trying to channel the absorbed mana, but nothing happened. It was as if the energy had dispersed into a void within him.


    He had expected some kind of result, even if minor. Yet, the mana he had taken in remained dormant, unresponsive to his will.


    ¡°¡­Tch.¡± Arthur clicked his tongue in mild irritation.


    According to what he had learned in the library, the ability to manipulate mana wasn¡¯t something everyone could do naturally. Unlike martial artists who refined their own life force (Chi) through training, mages required special conditions to wield magic, their innate affinity and meditation techniques.


    In this world, people were born with natural affinities to various elements. These affinities determined how efficiently one could interact with mana and what kind of spells they could cast. The most common elements included fire, water, earth, and wind, while rarer hybrid elements such as ice, lightning, metal, and plant were highly sought after.


    [A/N: There are other elements, but they will be mentioned in the story later.]


    A person¡¯s affinity wasn¡¯t something that could be changed. It was innate, part of their very being. Without an affinity, mana absorption was meaningless, well at least most people thought so. But there were people with no affinity present in the mages circle, they were called affinity blank mages. They could only utilize the basic mana to form spells and are generally weaker than mages who have an affinity.


    Arthur leaned back against the headboard, deep in thought.


    ¡®So that¡¯s the problem¡­¡¯


    If the people of Thyrandel were naturally predisposed to magic through their affinities, then his lack of immediate control over mana could mean one of two things.


    He had no affinity at all and his talent is not high enough to naturally manipulate mana, or he was completely incapable of using magic due to differences in physiology from the humans of this world.


    The books also mentioned that mana affinity tests were commonly conducted at a young age, usually with specialized tools or rituals at Magic Academies. If someone had an affinity, they would begin training immediately. However, if their affinity remained dormant, it required external stimulation to be activated.


    Arthur thought the logical next step was to attend a Magic Academy.


    ¡­


    Arthur sat up, recalling the details he had read about Magic Academies. These prestigious institutions were established thousands of years ago by powerful mages who sought to strengthen humanity¡¯s control over magic. They were scattered across the continent of Arkanis, with some renowned for specializing in certain fields, combat magic, alchemy, enchantment, and even forbidden arcane studies.


    While theoretically open to all, the cost of attending was exorbitantly high. Tuition fees, accommodation, spellbooks, and magical reagents required immense wealth to afford. Because of this, nobles and the wealthy elite dominated enrollment.


    However, that didn¡¯t stop commoners from trying.


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    Magic was a status symbol in Thyrandel. A mage was respected, feared, and valued across all walks of life. They earned far more than an average worker, held positions of influence, and even lived longer due to their enhanced lifespans. For many, becoming a mage was a dream, a path to power and prosperity.


    But talent played a decisive role.


    Magic was not something that could be mastered through effort alone. While hard work was crucial, one¡¯s potential was ultimately determined by their affinity and ability to manipulate mana. Those with high affinities soared through the ranks, while those with weak or incompatible affinities often found themselves stuck at lower levels.


    Additionally, there was an age limit.


    Most students enrolled at fifteen, as that was considered the ideal age to begin mana training. The body at that stage was developed enough to endure the strain of magic but still young enough to rapidly adapt. While people could technically join as late as thirty, the later one started, the harder it became to advance.


    Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡®This world¡¯s physiology must be different from mine¡­¡¯


    Back in his previous world, supernatural elements didn¡¯t exist, no mana, no affinities, no magic. Here, however, magic was woven into the very fabric of life itself. If he lacked the same inherent mana pathways as the people of Thyrandel, it could explain why he was struggling to use the mana he had absorbed.


    ¡®If I want to use magic, I need to understand how mana works for them first. And get hold of a meditation technique.¡¯


    A Magic Academy was the best place for that.


    Arthur stood up, pacing the room. His boots barely made a sound against the wooden floor as he contemplated his next move.


    There were multiple academies across Arkanis, but the closest one to Durnholde was Velcrest Academy, a mid-tier institution known for its combat magic curriculum. While not as prestigious as the Royal Academy in the capital of the kingdom he was currently in, it was still well-respected and offered training for battle mages, spellcasters, and enchanters.


    The problem? Entry into a Magic Academy required either money, noble status, or talent.


    Arthur lacked noble status, but he had enough money for an entrance fee. But if his affinity wasn¡¯t awakened, he might not even qualify.


    There was only one way to find it, a talent assessment.


    Many academies conducted entrance exams where applicants could showcase their abilities. If he could demonstrate something impressive, he might be accepted.


    First, he needed to visit Velcrest Academy. Tomorrow, he would make preparations. Arthur closed his eyes, resting his head against the pillow.


    ¡­


    The next morning, Arthur awoke early, the soft glow of dawn filtering through the wooden shutters of his room. The faint chirping of birds outside signaled the start of a new day. After a quick wash and breakfast, a simple meal of bread, cheese, and a warm herbal tea. He made his way to the innkeeper, a woman in her mid thirties and a kind demeanor.


    "Excuse me," Arthur said, setting down his empty cup. "Do you know the fastest way to Brightwater City?"


    The innkeeper, who had been cleaning a nearby table, looked up with a thoughtful expression. "Brightwater, eh? That¡¯s a fair bit away, but you¡¯re in luck. Every morning, carriages leave for the city from near the gates. If you hurry, you might just catch one."


    Arthur nodded. "Thanks. That saves me some trouble."


    The woman hesitated for a moment before reaching into her apron and pulling out a small pouch of coins. "By the way, lad, you paid for a few nights in advance, but you¡¯re leaving early. Here, take back what¡¯s left."


    Arthur glanced at the pouch and shook his head. "No need. You gave me useful information, and your hospitality was worth it."


    The innkeeper chuckled, slipping the pouch back into her pocket. "A rare sort, you are. Well, safe travels, then, and may fortune smile upon you."


    Arthur offered a small nod of gratitude before heading out.


    ¡­


    As he made his way toward the city gates, Arthur noticed a familiar face amidst the bustling morning market. The merchant who had sold him the mana stones yesterday stood by his stall, arranging a new batch of wares. The man, a hooded trader with a round belly, looked up as Arthur approached.


    "Ah, you again! Did the mana stones work out for you?" the merchant asked, rubbing his hands together.


    Arthur didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his pouch and pulled out several gold coins, letting them clink against each other. "How many mana stones can you provide? I¡¯ll take them all."


    The merchant blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then his face split into a wide grin. "All of them, you say?" He quickly glanced at the gold in Arthur¡¯s hand, his business instincts kicking in. "Well, well, my friend, you¡¯ve got expensive tastes. I like that."


    Arthur remained silent, waiting for the man to get to the point.


    The merchant chuckled and started counting. "Let¡¯s see¡­ I¡¯ve got about 257 low-grade stones and¡­ hmm¡­ nine mid-grade ones." He rubbed his chin. "One mid-grade is worth a hundred low-grade, so that¡¯d be ninety gold coins for the mid-grade batch and¡­ let¡¯s say another twenty five for the rest. Hundred and fifteen gold total."


    Arthur didn¡¯t haggle. He simply handed over the required amount.


    The merchant whistled as he pocketed the gold. "Pleasure doing business with you. But tell me, what¡¯s a fine young man like yourself doing with so many mana stones? You planning to resell them, or¡­?"


    "Not your concern," Arthur replied evenly, taking the pouch full of stones.


    The merchant laughed. "Fair enough! As long as the gold¡¯s good, I won¡¯t pry."


    With the transaction complete, Arthur adjusted the weight of his bag and turned toward the city gates. The merchant called after him, "If you ever need more, you know where to find me!"


    Arthur didn¡¯t reply but nodded. His mind was already on his next destination, Brightwater City. If he wanted to understand magic, he needed to reach Velcrest Academy, and for that, he needed to be on the next carriage out of town.


    He quickened his pace, weaving through the morning crowds as the city gates came into view.


    ***

 Chapter 65: Ambush

    Arthur approached the city gates, before his eyes appeared a bustling area with activity. Travelers, merchants, and mercenaries moved about, their voices blending into the usual morning chaos of Durnholde. Wooden carts carrying goods trundled past, while guards checked paperwork and levied tolls on those entering and leaving.


    After asking a few people, Arthur found a row of carriages lined up just outside the gates, their owners calling out destinations and prices. After asking around a bit he walked toward an older man sitting on a wooden stool beside a sturdy, covered carriage with reinforced wheels. The man had graying hair, a scruffy beard, and wore a thick leather vest over a linen tunic. His sharp eyes studied Arthur as he approached.


    "Brightwater City?" Arthur asked.


    The man nodded. "Aye, that¡¯s where this one¡¯s headed. Leaves soon. Ten silver coins for a seat."


    Arthur raised an eyebrow. That seemed high for a simple carriage ride. "Ten? That¡¯s expensive."


    The driver scoffed, spitting to the side. "Expensive, huh? You new around here, lad?" He gestured toward the distant road leading out of the city. "You think these roads are safe? Monsters and bandits¡¯ve been a real pain lately. That¡¯s why I gotta hire mercenaries to keep us in one piece. Unless you fancy getting robbed and gutted, ten silver¡¯s a fair deal."


    Arthur folded his arms. "Mercenaries?"


    "Aye. Got three of ¡®em comin¡¯ along for protection. Not the best lot, but they¡¯ll do. E-class. Means they ain''t complete amateurs, but don''t expect ¡®em to fight off a whole army."


    Arthur mentally noted the ranking system. He knew E-class mercenaries were on par with low-grade martial artists or first-circle mages, meaning higher-ranked ones were significantly stronger. There are also divisions in powers of mercenaries ranging from F-Class to SSS-Class. He filed that information away for later.


    After a brief moment of thought, he handed over the coins. "Fine. I¡¯ll take a seat."


    The driver pocketed the silver with a satisfied grunt and jerked his thumb toward the carriage. "Hop in. We leave soon as the rest show up."


    Arthur stepped around the carriage, noting its reinforced wooden structure. It was built to withstand rough roads and potential attacks, though it wasn''t exactly a fortress on wheels. He climbed into the covered section, ducking slightly as he entered. Inside, wooden benches lined either side, providing seating for passengers.


    Three people were already seated.


    The first was a boy around fifteen or sixteen, with short brown hair and a thin frame. His clothes were simple but looked like it was made out of high quality material, suggesting he came from a wealthy background. His wide eyes flickered with a mix of excitement and nervousness, and he clutched a small leather bag on his lap.


    Next to him sat a middle-aged man with a broad build and a neatly trimmed mustache. He wore a traveler''s cloak over sturdy clothes and had the air of someone accustomed to long journeys. His sharp gaze met Arthur¡¯s briefly before he returned to quietly adjusting the straps of his satchel.


    The last passenger was a woman in her late twenties, with shoulder-length black hair and sharp features. She wore a practical yet elegant outfit, long boots, a fitted tunic, and a short cape draped over one shoulder. Her posture was relaxed, but her eyes held an analytical sharpness, as if she was constantly evaluating her surroundings.


    Arthur took a seat opposite the boy and leaned back against the wooden frame, letting his gaze drift to the entrance as the final members of the group arrived.


    Three mercenaries entered.


    The first was a broad-shouldered man with thick arms and a shaved head. He wore reinforced leather armor and carried a long sword at his hip. His stance was solid, disciplined, Arthur pegged him as a martial artist.


    The other two were mages. One was a lanky young man with light blue robes and a wooden staff strapped to his back. He had an air of nervous energy, his fingers constantly fidgeting. The other mage was a woman with short, curly hair, wearing darker robes with a small emblem stitched onto the sleeve. She had a short staff strapped to her belt and a dagger tucked into her boots, a sign she wasn¡¯t just relying on magic for survival, maybe a combat mage.


    The martial artist stepped forward and rapped his knuckles against the wooden frame. "We¡¯re your escorts. Name¡¯s Gareth. These two are Lyle and Mari." He gestured to the mages, who nodded in turn. "We''ll be keeping an eye out for trouble."


    The driver, who had climbed onto the front seat, grunted. "Yeah, yeah. Just do your damn job and keep the bandits off us." He grabbed the reins, giving them a flick. "Alright, we¡¯re movin¡¯ out!"


    Arthur used ¡®Analysis¡¯ on the new additions as they entered the carriage.


    //--------------------//


    Name: Gareth ??


    Designation: E-Class Mercenary


    Rank: Low-grade Martial Artist


    Age: 38


    Height: 6¡¯4"


    Chi: 385.5 Units


    Strength: 77.1 Tons


    Speed: 49.2 m/s


    //--------------------//


    [A/N: Taking into consideration a normal human has 1 Units of Chi, and able to pick up 200 Kg (440 Pounds). The martial artist will have: 77.1*5 = 385.5 Units. And the strength and speed a martial artist could reach while utilizing their Chi is 2X base strength (Generally). That means Gareth could pick up more than 150 tons if he utilized Chi. The base strength of a Martial Artist is 4X higher than a mage.]


    //--------------------//


    Name: Lyle ??


    Designation: E-Class Mercenary


    Rank: 1st Circle Mage


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    Age: 21


    Height: 5¡¯7"


    Mana: 327.8 Units


    Strength: 16.4 Tons


    Speed: 17.2 m/s


    //--------------------//


    //--------------------//


    Name: Mari ??


    Designation: E-Class Mercenary


    Rank: 1st Circle Mage


    Age: 23


    Height: 5¡¯5"


    Mana: 352.2 Units


    Strength: 17.6 Tons


    Speed: 18.3 m/s


    //--------------------//


    [A/N: 1 Unit of Mana is equivalent to 1 Unit of Chi. And the base strength and speed of a mage is generally lower compared to martial artists without any augmentation from strength and speed spells. Though it does not determine the power of a mage as they mostly rely on their spells rather than their bodily strength.]


    The horses neighed, and with a jolt, the carriage lurched forward, rolling onto the dirt road leading toward Brightwater City.


    Arthur glanced at the young boy across from him. The kid kept stealing glances at him before quickly looking away, clearly wanting to say something but hesitating.


    Arthur exhaled. "What?"


    The boy flinched, then smiled sheepishly. "Ah, sorry! I was just¡­ um, are you a mercenary too?"


    Arthur shook his head. "No."


    The boy¡¯s eyes widened slightly. "Oh. You look like one."


    "Do I?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. He supposed his attire for today, practical travel gear with bits of armored segments, did resemble that of a mercenary, but he hadn¡¯t expected the comment.


    The middle-aged man chuckled. "No offense, lad, but the boy¡¯s got a point. You don¡¯t look like a merchant or a scholar. So, what are you then?"


    Arthur debated his answer for a moment before settling on something vague. "A traveler."


    The man nodded knowingly. "Fair enough. Name¡¯s Orlan, by the way. Trader by profession."


    The boy perked up. "I¡¯m Finn! I¡¯m going to Brightwater to enroll at Velcrest Academy!"


    Arthur glanced at him with mild interest. "You¡¯re a mage?"


    Finn rubbed the back of his neck. "Well¡­ kinda. I have an affinity for wind magic, but I¡¯ve only practiced basic spells and not a fully fledged mage yet. My family saved up to send me to the academy." He straightened slightly. "Once I get trained, I¡¯ll become a proper mage!"


    Only people who advance to first circle mage are considered real mages. Arthur thought about where the kid got the spells to practice, but he decided not to ask as he was already going to the mage academy. He will get his answers there.


    The woman, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Ambitious. But training won¡¯t mean much if you don¡¯t have the talent to back it up."


    Finn flinched, his enthusiasm dimming slightly. "Y-Yeah¡­ I know. But I still have to try."


    Arthur watched the exchange quietly. He wasn¡¯t the only one heading to Velcrest, though Finn had the advantage of already having an affinity.


    The woman crossed her arms. "I¡¯m Reyna, by the way. Just a traveler, like you."


    Arthur wasn¡¯t sure if he believed that, but he simply nodded. And stealthily used ¡®Analyse¡¯ on her.


    //--------------------//


    Name: Reyna ??


    Designation: Assassin


    Rank: 2nd Circle Mage


    Age: 27


    Height: 5¡¯7"


    Mana: 1885.2 Units


    Strength: 94.26 Tons


    Speed: 39.3 m/s


    //--------------------//


    As he thought the woman was not normal, she was the most powerful among the bunch Arthur was travelling with, but he didn¡¯t say anything and kept his mouth shut.


    The journey continued, the carriage rolling steadily along the dirt road. The mercenaries sat near the entrance, keeping watch, while the driver hummed an off-tune melody.


    Arthur stared out of the carriage, observing the landscape. The world outside was vast, the distant hills rolling endlessly toward the horizon.


    After spending a day in this world Arthur learned there is not much difference in the night and day cycle from Earth which may sound weird with the size of the planet, but he thought it might be because of the faster rotation of the planet. A full day¡¯s journey awaited them. And with the looming threat of bandits, it was unlikely to be a peaceful one.


    ¡­


    The sky had darkened, the last hues of twilight fading as the group set up camp for the night. A small fire crackled at the center, casting flickering shadows across the rough patch of land they had chosen. The driver sat near it, cooking something in a dented pot, while the passengers settled into their spots. Finn looked around excitedly but kept his distance from the mercenaries, who were discussing shifts for the night watch.


    Arthur, however, wasn¡¯t focused on any of that.


    He sat slightly apart from the group, pretending to relax while using his ¡®System Map.¡¯ Instantly, a detailed projection of the area appeared in his mind. Most of the life signatures nearby belonged to small animals or wandering beasts, nothing unusual. However, what caught his attention was a cluster of ten life signatures moving toward them silently.


    ¡®Suspicious.¡¯ Arthur exhaled through his nose. They hadn¡¯t even been stopped for half an hour, and already trouble was brewing.


    Standing up, he stretched slightly and stepped out of the carriage.


    Gareth, the broad-shouldered martial artist, immediately noticed him. He frowned. "What are you doing? It¡¯s not safe to wander around at night."


    Arthur ignored him. His gaze remained fixed on the darkness beyond the campfire¡¯s light. "Get ready," he said plainly.


    Mari, the female mage, narrowed her eyes. "What?"


    Arthur glanced at her briefly before looking back at Gareth. "There are about ten of them. I don¡¯t know if they¡¯re bandits or monsters, but they¡¯re coming this way."


    That got their attention.


    Gareth¡¯s expression tightened, and he reached for his sword. "You sure about that?"


    Arthur nodded. "I¡¯m sure."


    For a moment, the mercenaries exchanged looks. Lyle, the lanky mage, looked like he wanted to argue, but Gareth didn¡¯t hesitate. He drew his blade in one smooth motion and turned toward the other two. "Get ready for battle."


    Mari clicked her tongue but complied, unstrapping her short staff. "If this turns out to be nothing, I¡¯m making you pay for the stress," she muttered, mostly to herself.


    Lyle swallowed and adjusted his grip on his staff. He was clearly the least experienced of the three, but he wasn¡¯t backing down.


    The driver, who had been stirring his pot, looked up, startled. "Oi, what¡¯s this about? We got trouble?"


    Arthur glanced at him. "Probably."


    The driver cursed under his breath and hurriedly stood, looking around into the darkness. "Shit. If it¡¯s bandits, we might be able to bribe ¡®em off. If it¡¯s monsters¡­ well, that¡¯s worse."


    Finn, who had been watching nervously while sitting near the campfire, clutched his bag. "A-Are we gonna be okay?"


    Orlan, the middle-aged trader peeked from the carriage quarter lights, remained calm but reached for a small knife at his belt.


    Reyna, the sharp-eyed woman, was the only one who looked entirely unbothered. She remained seated, arms crossed, but Arthur noticed her subtly shifting her posture, ready to move if needed.


    Gareth motioned to his fellow mercenaries. "Form up. Lyle, Mari, stick close and be ready to cast. We hold positions until we know what we¡¯re dealing with."


    Arthur stepped forward slightly, scanning the treeline. The figures were closer now, just outside the range of their firelight. He could hear faint movements, rustling leaves, the crunch of dry grass under careful footsteps.


    Then, a low growl echoed through the night.


    Mari tensed. "That¡­ didn¡¯t sound human."


    Arthur¡¯s eyes narrowed. "No. It didn¡¯t."


    A moment later, the first pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared between the trees. Then another. And another.


    A pack of wolves. And they weren¡¯t ordinary wolves.


    ***

 Chapter 66: The Crimson Dire Wolves

    The wolves emerged from the darkness, their glowing yellow eyes locked onto the camp. Their bodies were larger than any normal wolf, their shoulders reaching up to a grown man¡¯s chest. Their fur was a deep, almost metallic red, and their elongated claws gleamed under the moonlight.


    A low, guttural growl rumbled through the air as they prowled forward, their movements unnervingly synchronized. These weren¡¯t just animals; they were considered monsters in this world.


    Arthur quickly used ¡®Analysis¡¯ on the leading wolf.


    //--------------------//


    [STATUS]


    Name: Crimson Alpha Wolf


    Rank: D-Rank Beast


    Mana: 2385.3 Units


    Strength: 477.2 Tons


    Speed: 82.5 m/s


    [SKILLS]


    [Fireball]


    //--------------------//


    [A/N: Monsters and beasts have advantage of higher physical strength comparable to martial artists while having mana similar to a mage.]


    Beasts are also categorized into ranks from F to SSS in this world and D-rank beasts are equivalent to mid-grade martial artists or a 2nd to 3rd circle mage depending on their strength. And the alpha seems to be around mid D-rank.


    The mercenaries immediately reacted, stepping into a defensive stance.


    Gareth tightened his grip on his sword, shifting his weight slightly forward. "Damn it. These are crimson wolves. Not just ordinary beasts."


    Lyle¡¯s hands trembled as he held his staff. "C..Crimson Wolves? They¡¯re not supposed to be this far south!"


    Mari scowled, raising her short staff. "Well, they¡¯re here now. Stop panicking and get ready to fight."


    Arthur kept his eyes on the pack. He counted ten, but the Alpha was the only D-rank. The rest were E-rank, still dangerous but manageable.


    Reyna tensed, her trained eyes darting across the treeline. Her grip on her daggers tightened. She had fought all sorts of monsters before, but that does not mean there is no chance of dying in a situation like this.


    She glanced at Arthur. He hadn¡¯t moved yet. He wasn¡¯t even in a battle stance. Instead, his eyes were locked onto the largest wolf, the Alpha.


    Reyna frowned. ¡®He¡¯s not worried. Why?¡¯


    The driver cursed. "Shit, we ain¡¯t got enough people for this! If they decide to rush us¡­"


    Before he could complete his sentence, the Alpha let out a low growl.


    The pack attacked.


    ¡­


    Lyle the wind mage reacted quickly, thrusting his staff forward. ¡°Gale Shot!¡± he shouted. A concentrated burst of compressed air blasted from the tip of his staff, hitting a wolf mid-leap. The beast yelped as it was sent tumbling sideways, but it recovered fast, snarling as it dug its claws into the ground.


    Another wolf went for Mari. She was ready. With a flick of her wrist, her short staff glowed bright red. ¡°Ignis Bolt!¡± A flaming projectile shot forward, striking the wolf square in the chest. The fire didn¡¯t kill it outright, but it howled in pain as scorched fur and sizzling flesh filled the air with the stench of burnt meat.


    Gareth, meanwhile, met a charging wolf head-on, his sword flashing in the dim firelight. The beast leaped, aiming for his throat, but he sidestepped and brought his blade down in a heavy arc. Blood sprayed as the wolf collapsed, its momentum carrying it forward even as life faded from its eyes.


    The battle broke into chaos.


    Wolves darted through the darkness, snapping at their prey with razor-sharp fangs. The mercenaries held their ground, magic flaring as Lyle and Mari cast spell after spell. Wind howled as sharp gusts knocked wolves off balance, while bursts of fire illuminated the night with flashes of orange and red.


    Arthur stood still, watching.


    He wasn¡¯t worried about the mercenaries. They could handle themselves. What concerned him were the other three.


    Finn had been frozen in place, clutching his leather bag, eyes wide with fear. His breathing was ragged, panic setting in. And that was exactly why one of the wolves had locked onto him.


    Arthur¡¯s eyes flickered as he saw it move.


    ¡­


    Finn¡¯s breath caught in his throat as the wolves lunged.


    He didn¡¯t want to die here, and that too just after his family gathered the money for him to join the magic academy in Brightwater. He wasn¡¯t a fighter. He wasn¡¯t like Gareth, Lyle, or Mari. He didn¡¯t learn attack magic spells, he didn¡¯t even have training to defend himself. He wished he never stepped outside of the carriage like the trader.


    He was just standing there frozen while everyone else fought.


    The wolf circled around the campfire, yellow eyes gleaming with predatory focus. Finn knew that look. He had seen it in the eyes of street thugs, bandits, people who tries to find the weakest link and target them first.


    His legs refused to move. His mind screamed at him to run, but his body wouldn¡¯t listen.


    The wolf charged.


    Finn barely managed to raise his arms in defense, knowing it was useless.


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    Then something blurred past him.


    A sickening crack filled the air, and suddenly, the wolf wasn¡¯t there anymore.


    Finn¡¯s eyes widened as he saw Arthur standing in front of him, one hand clenched around the wolf¡¯s throat. The beast dangled lifelessly from his grip before Arthur casually tossed it aside like it weighed nothing.


    Finn swallowed hard. ¡°Y-You¡­¡±


    Arthur didn¡¯t even glance at him. His focus was elsewhere.


    Reyna, meanwhile, moved like a shadow. She disappeared into the darkness, her presence vanishing completely. A moment later, one of the wolves let out a strangled yelp, then silence.


    No one noticed her movement but Arthur caught a glimpse of her due to the light of the campfire, her dagger buried deep in the wolf¡¯s skull.


    ¡®Assassin indeed.¡¯


    The Crimson Alpha growled, sensing its pack was losing. It finally made its move.


    ¡­


    As the fight dragged on Mari and Lyle continued casting, hurling fireballs and compressed air respectively to keep the wolves from overwhelming them, but it wasn¡¯t enough to take them all down at once.


    Reyna had seen all kinds of powerful fighters in her life. She had witnessed assassins who could move like shadows, martial artists who could shatter boulders with their blades and fists, and even heard about mages who could level cities with a flick of their wrists.


    It wasn¡¯t Arthur¡¯s speed or strength that surprised her. What amazed her was how effortless he made those movements look like.


    ¡®What kind of monster is he?¡¯


    His foot came down like a meteor, slamming into the Alpha¡¯s back with a force that made the ground tremble. The beast hit the dirt with a pained snarl, and before it could recover, Arthur grabbed it by the scruff and threw it across the clearing. The alpha was nearly reaching his height, way bigger than the other wolves.


    Reyna barely saw the movement, it was too fast. The Alpha crashed into a tree with bone-rattling force, bark splintering on impact.


    Arthur didn¡¯t continue to attack, ¡¯Let¡¯s see what else it can do.¡¯


    ¡®Why isn¡¯t he finishing it?¡¯ Reyna thought. She narrowed her eyes. ¡®He¡¯s testing it.¡¯


    A strange sensation settled in her gut. This wasn¡¯t normal. She had seen men hold back in battle before, either due to arrogance or mercy, but Arthur wasn¡¯t doing either. He was like a curious child getting a new toy.


    The Alpha, refusing to submit, started to use its main attack, red mana gathered inside its mouth, forming a huge fireball and threw it towards Arthur. Arthur dodged it effortlessly, and with a flicker of afterimage he arrived crouching below the wolf¡¯s mouth, catching its muzzle. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it over his shoulder. The wolf tumbled across the ground and scrambled to its feet, panting.


    For a moment, it stood its ground. It understood that it could never win against Arthur. Then, its ears flattened. Its tail twitched.


    And it ran away. The rest of the pack, seeing their leader flee, followed without hesitation.


    And just like that, the fight was over.


    ¡­


    Reyna exhaled, forcing herself to loosen her grip on her daggers. Her hands had tightened instinctively during the battle, not from fear, but from the sheer absurdity of what she had just witnessed.


    Gareth slowly lowered his sword, his grip slack. ¡°What the hell was that?¡±


    Mari let out a breath. ¡°You tell me.¡±


    Lyle swallowed hard. His hands were still shaking from the fight, but his eyes were locked onto Arthur with something between awe and fear.


    Reyna stared at him for a long moment, her mind racing. Then, she spoke, voice quiet but firm.


    ¡°You were holding back.¡±


    Arthur glanced at her but said nothing.


    Finn, still wide-eyed, looked between Arthur and the now-empty battlefield. ¡°You¡­ you didn¡¯t even use a weapon.¡±


    Arthur finally turned to him, his expression unreadable.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t need one.¡±


    And with that, he walked past them, back toward the fire, as if nothing had happened.


    ¡­


    The night passed without further incident, though the tension from the battle lingered in the air. The smell of burnt fur and blood still clung to their surroundings, but no one spoke of it. The mercenaries took turns keeping watch, ensuring the wolves wouldn¡¯t return, though everyone knew they wouldn¡¯t. The Alpha¡¯s retreat had marked the end of the encounter.


    Arthur remained seated near the fire, eyes closed in thought. The fight had been insignificant for him, but he couldn¡¯t ignore the way the others looked at him now, especially Reyna. The assassin was sharp, too sharp, and he knew she had been observing him closely. He made a mental note to be more careful.


    Finn, on the other hand, barely got any sleep. He tossed and turned in his bedroll, his mind replaying the moment Arthur had saved him. A part of him was terrified, but another part¡­ was in awe, wanting to achieve the same feat.


    As dawn broke, the caravan continued its journey.


    The dirt path slowly widened as they neared civilization. The dense forest gave way to vast farmlands, golden fields stretching under the morning sun. Farmers and traders traveled alongside them, heading towards Brightwater to sell their goods. The closer they got to the city, the more crowded the roads became.


    Gareth rode in front of the carriage with the driver. ¡°We should reach the gates within the hour,¡± he called back.


    Mari yawned, rubbing her eyes. ¡°Finally. I swear, if I had to sleep on the ground one more night, I¡¯d lose it.¡±


    Lyle chuckled. ¡°I think the wolves nearly did that for you.¡±


    Mari shot him a glare but said nothing.


    Arthur sat alongside Finn, hands in his pockets, observing everything in silence. The city was coming into view.


    Brightwater.


    Unlike the small villages they had passed, Brightwater was a true city, its towering stone walls standing tall against the skyline. Guards patrolled the massive iron gates, and long lines of merchants and travelers waited to enter.


    The city¡¯s name wasn¡¯t just for show, beyond the walls, there was a massive river winding through, its waters shimmering under the sunlight. Dozens of stone bridges arched over it, connecting different districts.


    It was one of the major trade hubs in the kingdom, bustling with activity.


    As they reached the gates, Gareth turned to the group. ¡°Alright, this is where we part ways.¡±


    The mercenaries nodded in agreement. Their job was done.


    The guards at the gate, clad in chainmail and bearing spears, checked everyone¡¯s identification before allowing entry. When it was Arthur and Finn¡¯s turn, the guard, a middle-aged man with a scar on his cheek, eyed them carefully.


    ¡°Entry fee¡¯s two silver per person.¡± Arthur thought why is the entry fees so high compared to Durnholde, then he figured it must be the admission season for the magic academy so they increased the entry fees. Well they are already showing a capitalist attitude it seems.


    After they paid their entry fees the guard gave them an unimpressed look before stepping aside. ¡°Welcome to Brightwater. No trouble inside the city.¡±


    They stepped through the gates, and the sounds of the city immediately enveloped them. The streets were filled with people, merchants shouting their wares, children running between stalls, and armored knights patrolling the roads. The smell of fresh bread, roasted meat, and spices filled the air. Buildings of stone and wood lined the streets, their banners swaying in the breeze.


    Finn took a deep breath, smiling. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m actually here¡­¡±


    Arthur turned to him. ¡°Do you know the way to Velcrest Academy?¡±


    Finn¡¯s head snapped toward him. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ going to Velcrest too?¡±


    Arthur nodded.


    Finn¡¯s eyes widened in surprise before breaking into an excited grin. ¡°That¡¯s amazing! I mean¡­I didn¡¯t expect it, but that¡¯s great! I know the way, yeah. Follow me!¡±


    He led the way through the bustling streets, his steps noticeably more energetic than before. The academy was located in the upper district, separated from the main market and common housing areas. The streets here were cleaner, lined with finer architecture. Ornate lamp posts and well-maintained stone pathways led toward a massive, walled structure in the distance.


    After more than twenty minutes of walking, they arrived at the gates of Velcrest Academy.


    ***