ã€ŠThe Denied [ Comedy, System LitRPG ] (All Reviewers get characters!)ã€‹


 Chapter One

    Theo was ready to announce himself to the world¡ªhe just didn¡¯t know the world was about to end.

    "Unbelievable. They let a hack like you into the GFL?" sneered Max, "The Mauler" Mason. He was the opponent for the upcoming fight and a knuckle-dragging stereotype of every meathead bruiser Theo had ever encountered.

    He had a face that looked like it had lost a fight with a meat grinder and shoulders that seemed permanently hunched from carrying his ego.

    His shaved head gleamed under the stage lights, whilst his cauliflower ears told a story of years in brutal combat, though his insults suggested most of the brain cells had been left behind in the cage.

    Max¡¯s neck was so thick it looked like it had aspirations of becoming a second torso. ¡°I¡¯ve seen moms doing boxercise at my gym hit harder than you.¡±

    Theo smirked and leaned into the mic. The heavyweight prospect stood at 6''4" with a lean, muscular frame. He radiated a mix of cocky confidence and restless energy.

    His brown hair was perpetually messy, a perfect match for his lopsided grin, and his icy blue eyes gleamed with a spark of mischief that had always made him a crowd favourite.

    The sleeve tattoo of a blood moon amidst the clouds on his left arm seemed almost alive as he gestured, a symbol of a darkness within him at odds with his cheeky persona. "Oh, your gym caters to moms? That explains a lot¡ªespecially since you¡¯ve been dribbling through this conference like a toddler."

    The crowd erupted in laughter, a mix of genuine amusement and schadenfreude at Max¡¯s expense. Max¡¯s face turned a shade of red that could have guided planes in for a landing.

    Max¡¯s hands slammed onto the table. ¡°You¡¯re gonna regret that, Kane.¡± The microphones trembled, and so did the event manager standing off to the side.

    Theo widened his eyes in mock innocence. ¡°Regret? I regret a lot of things already. Like eating that gas station sushi last week. Or signing up to fight someone who sounds like a rejected action movie villain.¡±

    More laughter, though this time the event manager¡¯s face had paled significantly. Theo could practically hear her internal monologue screaming: Please don¡¯t let this devolve into a brawl again. Please.

    Max didn¡¯t get the memo. In a flash, he was on his feet, lunging across the table with a snarl that would have made a pit bull reconsider its life choices. Theo¡¯s instincts kicked in before his brain could catch up, and he sidestepped just as Max¡¯s fist came crashing down where his head had been.

    ¡°Whoa, whoa, whoa!¡± Theo said, raising his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Save it for the ring, champ. Or are you trying to get yourself out of it early?¡±

    The crowd erupted into chaos. Security scrambled to separate them, but Max was in full rampage mode, swatting at anyone who got too close as security attempted to hold him back. Theo, ever the opportunist, made a dramatic show of dusting himself off before slapping Max across the face with an open palm.

    The slap wasn¡¯t meant to hurt¡ªjust to humiliate. Judging by Max¡¯s wide eyes and agape mouth, it worked.

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    Max blinked, jaw slack. ¡°Did you just¡­ slap me?¡±

    Theo smirked, leaning in just enough to whisper, ¡°Maybe.¡±

    Max roared, lunging again, but this time the security team was ready. They hauled him back, kicking and screaming, while Theo gave a little wave to the cameras. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the Mauler! Let¡¯s hear it for his breath-taking performance in interpretive tantrum-throwing.¡±

    The audience¡¯s laughter and applause followed Theo as he was escorted offstage, ostensibly for his own safety, but mostly because the event manager looked like she was about to have a stroke.

    In the quiet of the backstage room, Theo finally let out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. He sank into the only chair in the room, a lumpy thing that felt like it had been salvaged from a dumpster. For the first time all day, there were no cameras, no crowds, no expectations. Just him and his thoughts.

    And maybe, just maybe, a tiny sliver of doubt.

    Was he pushing too hard? The GFL was his big break, his shot at going pro after years of street fights and small-time matches. But his mouth had always been both his best weapon and his greatest liability. People already dubbed him "The next Conrad McGregor".

    ¡°Meh, too late to change now,¡± he muttered, rubbing his temples. His phone buzzed on the table, probably a barrage of angry texts from his coach, Tom. Instead, there was nothing. No texts, no calls, no notifications. Not even a missed call from his gym buddy reminding him to drink more water.

    ¡°Huh.¡± Theo frowned. That was weird. Tom usually sent at least one profanity-laden tirade after Theo pulled a stunt like that. He glanced at the clock on the wall. 12:03 p.m.

    And right then, the world ended.

    It began as a low hum, faint and almost imperceptible, like the resonance of a far-off engine. Theo barely had time to sit up before the walls around him shimmered, their solid edges rippling as though submerged in water. His breath caught as cracks snaked along the ceiling¡ªnot cracks of plaster or concrete, but fissures of light, jagged and impossibly bright.

    ¡°What in the hell?¡± Theo whispered, his voice swallowed by the strange, growing vibration in the air. He stepped toward the door, but the floor beneath him undulated, throwing him off balance. The light from the cracks intensified, spreading across the walls and ceiling like veins of molten energy.

    A sound, sharp and crystalline, pierced through the hum. Theo flinched as the very fabric of the room shattered¡ªno, dissolved. Pieces of his surroundings disintegrated into fragments of white light, floating upward like embers before vanishing entirely. He reached out instinctively, his hand brushing against nothing but cold, empty space where the door had been moments before.

    ¡°Theo, relax¡± he muttered to himself, his voice trembling as panic gripped his chest. ¡°You must have let your guard down and he got you. This is obviously just a¡ª¡±

    The floor vanished beneath his feet.

    Theo stumbled, his arms flailing for something solid, something real. He fell, but not downward¡ªthere was no sensation of gravity, no pull. He was suspended, weightless in a void that stretched endlessly in every direction. Around him, the world dissolved into a lattice of glowing grids, infinite and alien, stretching into nothingness.

    His mind rebelled against the sight. It was too much, too vast, too incomprehensible. His muscles tensed, but there was nothing to brace against, nothing to fight. He was utterly, terrifyingly powerless.

    A pressure built behind his eyes, a pounding that matched the rhythm of the hum now vibrating through his entire body. He clenched his fists, willing his legs to move, his lungs to breathe, his mind to focus¡ªdo something, anything!

    But there was nothing he could do.

    The hum reached a crescendo, a deafening symphony of energy and light. Theo¡¯s vision blurred as the grid pulsed with blinding intensity. His chest heaved, panic searing through him like fire¡ªthen, darkness.

    His last thought, faint and bitterly ironic, was that the universe really knew how to ruin a good day.

 Chapter Two

    Theo¡¯s head pounded as consciousness clawed its way back. The void of nothingness he¡¯d plunged into was replaced by something far worse: sensory overload.

    The air was thick and humid, laced with the tang of ozone and a faintly floral scent. His skin prickled with a strange energy, as if static electricity were dancing over every inch of him.

    He forced his eyes open, only to immediately regret it. The sky above was a fractured kaleidoscope of colour, shifting and warping with no discernible pattern.

    It was as though the universe had decided to throw up every shade of insanity and pin it to the heavens.

    The ground beneath him was smooth and glossy, like obsidian, but etched with faint, glowing lines that pulsed in rhythm with some unseen heartbeat.

    Theo groaned, then sat up, his muscles protesting.

    The last thing he remembered was the press conference: the lights, the roar of the crowd¡­ and then, nothing. Now he was here, wherever ¡®Here¡¯ was.

    His fingers brushed the ground, tracing the glowing lines as his mind scrambled to make sense of his surroundings.

    A sudden, unbearable pressure gripped his skull. Theo cried out, clutching his head as a force he couldn¡¯t see but could definitely feel tried to worm its way into his mind.

    It wasn¡¯t just pain¡ªit was invasive, like something was digging through his thoughts with clumsy, oversized hands. His knees hit the ground hard, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

    Images he couldn¡¯t recognize and sounds that defied logic assaulted him. They didn¡¯t belong to him but were forced into his consciousness like puzzle pieces from a completely different picture.

    ¡°Get the fuck out of my head!¡± Theo shouted, his voice ragged, though he didn¡¯t know if anyone could hear him.

    Then, just as suddenly as it started, the pressure vanished.

    He collapsed forward, panting as sweat dripped down his temples. His ears rang in the absence of the intrusion, the silence almost as unsettling as the invasion itself.

    Before he could gather his thoughts, the silence broke. A strange series of sounds, sharp and uneven, resonated around him. At first, it was nothing but disjointed tones¡ªharsh clicks, metallic shrieks, and guttural growls.

    Then, the sounds morphed, struggling to form rhythm and structure. A garbled language spilled out in fragments, flickering through alien tongues, each discarded as quickly as it came.

    Theo flinched as the cacophony grew louder, like an orchestra of wrong notes testing his limits.

    ¡°What is this?¡± he gasped, staggering upright, his fists clenched against the chaos.

    The sounds refined themselves, honing in with eerie precision. Familiar shapes formed within the nonsense, syllables aligning like gears until finally, words emerged. English words.

    "Welcome, Theo Kane," a voice intoned, disembodied and cold. It cut through the air like a razor, sending shivers down his spine.

    Theo shot to his feet, his body falling into a defensive stance out of instinct. His eyes darted around, searching for the source. "Oh, great. Mystery voice. That¡¯s never a bad sign. Where are you hiding? Behind the creepy sky or the haunted floor?"

    "You have been deemed ineligible for System integration. As such, you are denied access to all standard features."

    Theo blinked. "System? Integration? Like WIFI or something? Make sense!" He tried to sound tough, but the exasperated quiver in his voice betrayed him.

    The voice didn¡¯t acknowledge his question. "As per protocol, you will now be relocated to the nearest bloodline benefactor for further assessment. Benefactor not found. Ascertaining last known location of Benefactor. Location obtained."

    "Wait¡ªhold on a goddamn minute!" Theo shouted. "Bloodline? Benefactor? Can we maybe back up a bit and start with what the actual fu¡ª"

    The world shifted beneath him. It wasn¡¯t a physical movement¡ªno ground trembling or wind gusting¡ªbut a lurch in reality itself, as though the fabric of existence had been yanked sideways.

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    Theo¡¯s stomach churned, and for a brief, horrifying moment, he thought he might hurl.

    When the vertigo subsided, he found himself standing in front of a building. If it could even be called that.

    The structure loomed, a jagged monstrosity of metal and organic material fused together in a way that defied logic. It pulsed faintly, as if alive, its surface shifting like it was breathing.

    He took a cautious step forward, inhaling deeply. "Okay, so either I¡¯m supposed to go in there, or I¡¯ve just unlocked a horrifically cursed side quest." He muttered, shaking his head. "Yeah, no thanks."

    Still, he had nowhere else to go. The alien landscape stretched endlessly around him, a patchwork of biomes that seemed ripped straight from a fever dream.

    In the distance, he could make out crystalline forests, a river of molten silver, and¡­ was that a volcano spitting purple fire? None of it looked remotely safe.

    He turned back to the building and shook his head in consternation. "Alright, big dog. I guess we see what the creepy house has to offer."

    <hr>

    The door¡ªif it could even be called that¡ªslid open with a wet hiss as Theo approached, revealing a dark corridor lined with glowing vein-like cables. They pulsed faintly, casting an eerie light that did little to reassure him.

    He hesitated at the threshold, every instinct screaming at him to turn back.

    ¡°Ah. See, this is the part where the horror movie guy dies to kick everything off. Hard pass.¡± he said aloud, taking a step back. ¡°I¡¯ll just wait out here until¡­¡±

    The door hissed shut. Theo¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°I just shouldn¡¯t talk.¡±

    Inside, the air was cooler but carried the same electric tang. The walls shimmered faintly, alive with strange patterns that seemed to shift and swirl in response to his presence.

    He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he was being watched.

    As he ventured deeper, the corridor opened into a vast chamber filled with technology that made his head spin.

    Monitors floated in mid-air, displaying symbols he couldn¡¯t comprehend. Mechanical arms whirred and clicked, their movements precise as they worked on¡­ something.

    The centrepiece of the room was a towering column of light, its surface rippling like liquid glass.

    ¡°If you continue forward you¡¯ll be a puddle in three seconds. State your name and class,¡± a voice boomed. Unlike the earlier disembodied voice, this one carried a sharp, almost accusatory edge.

    Theo froze. "Uh, Theo Kane? I guess, lower class?"

    The voice ignored his quip. "Your system class, numb nuts! Why are you even here so early, the tutorial should still be ongoing."

    Theo raised an eyebrow. "Well I don¡¯t know what that is, so calm your tits. Early, what? I didn¡¯t exactly book a ticket. Your system thingy dragged me here."

    There was a pause, the kind that felt like judgment. Then, the column of light shifted, its surface rippling as a holographic figure emerged. The figure was humanoid but distinctly alien, its features sharp and angular, with glowing blue eyes that seemed to pierce through him.

    "You¡¯re not supposed to be here," it said, its tone a mix of curiosity and irritation. "How did you bypass the initialization protocols?"

    Theo shrugged, trying to mask his unease with bravado. "Beats me. Maybe your fancy system doesn¡¯t like me."

    The figure tilted its head, studying him. "Hmm. Mildly Interesting. A deviation. EG won¡¯t like that."

    "Yeah, great," Theo said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now, care to explain why I¡¯m here? No one has told me anything."

    "I don¡¯t know. Maybe to test the limits of how resilient my work is to unheralded levels of whining? I don¡¯t control what that bitch of a system does."

    Theo opened his mouth to retort, but the figure raised a hand. "Shut up. I¡¯ll figure this out. Take one step forward but touch any of my shit and you¡¯ll die."

    Theo thought about giving some quip, but the cameras weren¡¯t on, and he wanted answers more than he wanted to soothe his pride. With a deep breath, he took a cautious step forward.

    The room responded instantly. Lights lanced over his skin, each pulse crawling into his veins and tugging at something deeper¡ªlike the machine wasn¡¯t just scanning him but dissecting him piece by piece.

    The hologram flitted between him and some unseen interface, muttering in frustration.

    ¡°Oh, you have got to be shitting me!¡± it exclaimed, its earlier cold composure unravelling.

    Theo crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. ¡°Care to let me in on the joke?¡±

    The hologram¡¯s gaze snapped back to him, glowing eyes narrowing. ¡°You ARE the joke. A colossal, cosmic one at my expense.¡±

    ¡°Dad? I thought you died,¡± Theo quipped, his voice laced with sarcasm. ¡°Now, what does that mean exactly?¡±

    The voice ignored him; its form flickered, glitching as it muttered to itself. ¡°Catalyx signatures¡­ It shouldn¡¯t have skipped this many generations.¡±

    Theo blinked, the words flying past him like a language he wasn¡¯t fluent in. ¡°Great talk Spock. Really cleared things up.¡±

    The scans abruptly stopped, and the hologram dissolved as if it had never been there. A heavy, distinctly human voice replaced it, sharp with frustration. ¡°Get in here, Theo.¡±

    Theo glanced back at the door sealing him off from the alien chaos outside. With a resigned sigh, he stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the unknown.

    Darkness enveloped him for a moment, his heart pounding in the suffocating stillness. Then, the voice spoke again, quieter this time, almost grudging.

    ¡°This should¡¯ve been impossible¡­ but here you are.¡±

 Chapter Three

    The room¡¯s silence was both heavy and deceptive. Theo Kane stood on a glowing platform, the faint hum of machinery vibrating through the soles of his shoes. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, a mixture of nerves and irritation bubbling beneath his brazen exterior.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got about ten seconds to explain what the hell is going on,¡± Theo said, crossing his arms. ¡°Or I¡¯m gonna start touching things. Dangerous things. With my hands.¡±

    Across the room, the holder of the voice sighed, the sound theatrical and dripping with disdain. His angular face was framed by a cascade of white hair pulled into a haphazard ponytail. He peered over a holographic console that floated mid-air, its symbols flickering like fireflies.

    ¡°Oh, marvellous,¡± the old man said dryly, not looking up. ¡°Threaten the one person who might¡ªjust might¡ªbe able to explain why your existence is the equivalent of a cosmic middle finger to reality. That¡¯ll end well.¡±

    ¡°Listen, Gandalf the Grumpy,¡± Theo shot back, stepping off the platform with an exaggerated swagger. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask to be dragged into your techno warehouse of horrors. Shit, I don¡¯t even believe this is actually happening at this point. So why don¡¯t we skip the snarky commentary and get to the part where you spill the beans?¡±

    The stranger¡¯s fingers froze mid-gesture, and he finally turned his piercing blue eyes to Theo. For a moment, there was only silence, broken by the faint crackle of static from the machinery around them.

    ¡°For an anomaly whose existence is a rounding error, you make an ungodly amount of noise.¡± he said, his voice edged with contempt. ¡°Do you know what you are, Theo?¡±

    Theo smirked. ¡°A devastatingly handsome, devil-may-care rogue?¡±

    ¡°Wrong,¡± he snapped, stepping closer. ¡°You are an outlier. A singularity of chaos. You don¡¯t fit. Not here, not in the System, not even in the predictable, mundane soup of mediocrity you call a species. And do you know what I do with outliers?¡±

    Theo shrugged. ¡°Tea and biscuits?¡±

    The old man¡¯s hand shot out, pointing a small cylindrical device at Theo. A burst of blue light enveloped him, and Theo¡¯s muscles locked as if he¡¯d been hit by a freeze ray. His smirk faltered.

    ¡°Okay, not tea and biscuits,¡± Theo muttered through clenched teeth as he began to struggle.

    The elder sighed again, running a hand down his face. ¡°Oh relax, Theo. It¡¯s just a calming agent. Makes you a bit more agreeable. You¡¯ll feel disoriented for a bit, but it¡¯s preferable to you breaking something important¡ªlike my patience. My name is Erasmus, by the way.¡±

    The device clicked, and Theo¡¯s limbs loosened. He stumbled back, rubbing his arms. ¡°Calming agent? Feels more like a passive-aggressive taser.¡±

    Erasmus ignored the comment, already back at his console. He muttered to himself, his words a rapid, indecipherable stream of frustration.

    ¡°Catalyx lineage... skipping integrations... latent immunity...¡±

    Theo wandered closer, his curiosity overriding his better judgment. ¡°What are you mumbling about?¡±

    ¡°You, obviously,¡± Erasmus said flatly. ¡°Your absurd immunity to the System. It should be impossible, yet here you are. A Catalyx descendant with none of the benefits and all the drawbacks. Do you even understand what that means?¡±

    He paced, his tone sharpening. ¡°The System doesn¡¯t tolerate variables like you. It¡¯s designed to correct them¡ªviolently. Every anomaly it encounters, it neutralizes, assimilates, or destroys. And now, thanks to your lineage, you¡¯ve painted a giant, glowing target on both of us. Congratulations.¡±

    Theo peered down at his body dramatically. ¡°Catalyx? So what, I¡¯ve got secret cat DNA? Is that why I land on my feet in fights? Wait¡ªoh my god¡ªdo I have nine lives? Because that would explain so much.¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Erasmus shot him a withering glare. ¡°Catalyx is a superior race, you irreverent gnat. My race. Masters of bio-synthetic evolution, custodians of balance, yada yada yada. We¡¯re not exactly on speaking terms with the Exo-Genesis, or System, as you might know it.¡±

    Theo¡¯s brow furrowed as his head felt somewhat cloudy. ¡°So, what? I¡¯m part alien? That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t get the whole tutorial package like everyone else?¡±

    ¡°Part alien?¡± Erasmus repeated, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°You make it sound like you¡¯re a discount superhero. The reality is far less glamorous. Whatever¡¯s shielding you from the System is also painting a target on your back. And mine, by association.¡±

    Theo opened his mouth to respond, but his eyes caught on a nearby device¡ªa smooth, oblong artifact embedded in a pedestal. Its surface shimmered with faint, organic patterns, each pulse of light synced to a hum that resonated in his chest.

    It seemed alive, a heartbeat echoing in the still air, beckoning his embrace.

    ¡°Ooh, wow. What¡¯s this?¡± Theo said, reaching for the device.

    Erasmus¡¯s head snapped up, his face a mask of alarm. ¡°Don¡¯t touch anything!¡± he barked, lunging forward. ¡°That stabilizer is older than your entire species, and its calibration took me decades. If you¡ª¡±

    Too late. Theo¡¯s fingers brushed the surface, and the artifact¡¯s glow intensified, drowning the room in a harsh, searing light.

    ¡°Why? Why would you do that?!¡± Erasmus barked, abandoning his console to rush to the artifact. The room¡¯s ambient hum had risen to an alarming pitch, and warning symbols flickered across every screen.

    Theo held up his hands defensively. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not my fault your alien doodads don¡¯t come with a ¡®Do Not Touch¡¯ sign.¡±

    Erasmus growled, his fingers flying over the pedestal¡¯s interface. ¡°I literally told you three times not to touch anything here! That ¡®doodad¡¯ was stabilizing the power grid! Now it¡¯s overloading¡ªwhich, for the record, is bad.¡±

    Theo raised an eyebrow in disbelief, ¡°Why would you leave such an important thing so easily accessible then?!¡±

    ¡°I had to assemble this base as quickly as possible to protect my identity on this planet, you cretin. I didn¡¯t expect the living embodiment of calamity to start a sitcom here.¡± Erasmus retorted bitterly.

    The lights flickered, and a deep rumble shook the floor. Erasmus slammed his fist against the pedestal, and the artifact¡¯s glow dimmed, but the damage wasn¡¯t fully undone.

    ¡°We¡¯re going dark, but we won¡¯t die. Well, you won¡¯t, I was safe.¡± Erasmus muttered. He sprinted to a wall panel, ripping it open to reveal a tangled mess of glowing cables. With a sharp pull, he severed one of the connections.

    The hum died instantly, plunging the room into an eerie silence.

    Theo¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°Yay. That¡¯s a win, right?¡±

    Erasmus turned slowly, his icy blue eyes narrowing. ¡°Not yet.¡±

    A sharp chime rang out, followed by a disembodied voice that made Theo¡¯s blood run cold. ¡°System Alert: Unauthorized activity detected. Compliance protocols initiated.¡±

    ¡°Well, that sounds ominous,¡± Theo said, trying to mask his unease with humour.

    Erasmus cursed under his breath, his hands tightening into fists. ¡°This is your fault. I want you to know that.¡±

    Theo gestured wildly. ¡°How is this my fault? You¡¯re the one with the booby-trapped gizmos lying around!¡±

    The voice continued, cold and mechanical. ¡°Terms for continued survival: Subject Theo Kane may remain under Catalyx protection. However, all technological resources must adhere to current world parameters. Violations will result in conflict.¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s jaw tightened, his expression dark. ¡°They¡¯ve tethered us. Limited my tech to match this world¡¯s constraints.¡±

    Theo blinked. ¡°Okay, but... what does that mean?¡±

    ¡°It means,¡± Erasmus said, his voice low and dangerous, ¡°that your presence just turned my sanctuary into a liability. I can¡¯t use advanced Catalyx-grade tools without risking System reprisal. And if that happens, we¡¯re both dead.¡±

    Erasmus grimaced defiantly before shouting, ¡°Not before I wipe out half of this galaxy, you planet-sucking weasel.¡±

    Theo¡¯s cocky demeanour faltered. ¡°So, what do we do?¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s gaze was piercing. ¡°You do what you¡¯re told. No more touching things. No more jokes. And for the love of all that¡¯s logical, no more being... you.¡±

    Theo grinned weakly. ¡°Deal. I¡¯ll try to be more impulsive and less afraid to speak up.¡±

    Theo scratched the back of his neck. ¡°Okay, so maybe I kinda-sorta trashed your lair. But, in my defence, you kidnapped me and drugged me, so really, this is a joint effort.¡±

    Erasmus groaned, dragging a hand down his face like a man who had just realized his entire existence was a televised joke. ¡°The universe truly despises me¡­ and honestly, I think I¡¯m starting to take it personally.¡±

 Chapter Four

    The silence in the room was so thick, Theo felt like he was suffocating. The dim lights flickered ominously, the faint hum of alien machinery a constant backdrop to the oppressive tension between him and Erasmus.

    Theo¡¯s hands rested casually on his hips, but beneath the bravado, his nerves prickled like a thousand tiny needles.

    Erasmus, on the other hand, radiated an aura of icy detachment. He stood at his console, his long, white hair catching the faint glow of the holograms. His fingers danced across the interface, though his attention was fixed squarely on Theo. The intensity of his piercing gaze made Theo feel like a bug under a magnifying glass.

    ¡°You are...¡± Erasmus began, pausing as if searching for the precise insult to convey his disdain, ¡°...an unmitigated disaster. What exactly did you do for a living?"

    Theo gave a mock bow, his grin widening. ¡°Flattery will get you everywhere. I was an MMA fighter. Undefeated. A prodigy, actually¡ªhumble, too.¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°You destroyed people for a living? That is completely expected.¡± He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Why, out of all the infinite probabilities, did the universe decide to vomit you into my sanctuary?¡±

    Theo crossed his arms, his grin faltering slightly. ¡°Yeah, this is exactly what I was hoping for too. Thanks. Maybe the universe sent someone strong to remove that stick from your ass?¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°I¡¯d rather have a stick up my ass than endure another minute of your presence.¡±

    Theo¡¯s grin returned, though it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°So what¡¯s your plan? Kick me out and hope I don¡¯t mess up your neat little clubhouse more?¡±

    Erasmus stared at him for a long moment, his lips pressed into a thin line. Finally, he sighed and muttered something under his breath before smirking slightly. ¡°That depends on you actually. I have two options. I can just leave the planet and find an unclaimed one where I¡¯ll begin again. It¡¯s really no effort for me.¡±

    He leaned back in his chair, hands resting on the back of his head nonchalantly, ¡°Or, you can stop fucking around and we can see if there¡¯s fun to be had here. EG thinks it can threaten me and I¡¯d quite like to see it sweat a bit. Can you take things seriously for more than two seconds?¡±

    Theo contemplated the situation before him. So my choices are: die alone in five minutes or let this mad scientist turn me into a half-man, half-bear, half-pig in ten. Tough call.

    Before Theo could answer, Erasmus turned back to his console, his fingers flying over the controls. A low rumble reverberated through the room, and a section of the far wall slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing a dark corridor lined with pulsing, vein-like cables.

    Theo raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s this? The haunted house tour?¡±

    Erasmus didn¡¯t answer immediately. He tapped one final command, and the holographic console vanished. Turning to face Theo, he clasped his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°Thought as much. But you¡¯re going to prove you¡¯re not a complete waste of molecules first.¡± He gestured toward the corridor. ¡°Through there is a mini testing facility. My drones will be waiting for you.¡±

    Theo¡¯s smirk wavered. ¡°Drones? Like, little robots that deliver pizzas, or are we talking murder Roombas?¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s lips twitched, though it wasn¡¯t quite a smile. ¡°Adaptive combat drones. They¡¯ll test you. Think of it as... a job interview. Survive, and I might consider tolerating your continued existence.¡±

    Theo rubbed the back of his neck, his bravado faltering for a moment. ¡°And if I don¡¯t survive?¡±

    Erasmus shrugged. ¡°Then I¡¯ll mourn the tragic loss of a wonderful and intelligent young man, who went before his time.¡±

    ¡°Cool, cool. No pressure then,¡± Theo muttered. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. ¡°Alright, mate, let¡¯s see what your murder locker has to offer.¡±

    Despite being a professional fighter and living for being in intense situations, Theo was surprised by his ability to face genuine life threatening circumstances with a swagger. "Mid-self-congratulation on being such an alpha Chad, it hit him¡ªErasmus'' ¡®calming spray¡¯ was still in effect. His triumph promptly yeeted itself into the void."

    The corridor¡¯s air was cool and damp, carrying a faint metallic tang. The glowing cables pulsed in a rhythm that seemed to sync with Theo¡¯s heartbeat¡ªan unnerving sensation that made his skin crawl. He stepped cautiously, his footsteps echoing against the smooth, obsidian-like floor.

    As he rounded the first corner, a low whirring sound caught his attention. Theo froze, his muscles tensing instinctively. From the shadows ahead, a sleek, spider-like drone emerged, its body a seamless blend of metal and organic material. Its many eyes glowed a menacing red, and its limbs ended in razor-sharp blades.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you a little bundle of joy?¡± Theo quipped, his fists clenching.

    The drone didn¡¯t respond¡ªit lunged. Theo barely had time to dodge, the blade slicing through the air inches from his face. He stumbled back, his heart pounding as adrenaline surged through his veins.

    ¡°Oh, great. Murder Roomba¡¯s got moves,¡± he muttered, a nervous grin tugging at his lips despite the danger.

    The drone skittered toward him, its movements unnervingly fast and precise. Theo ducked and weaved, his years of fighting kicking in as he studied its patterns. Punching a robot was probably not the most intelligent move, so he knew he had to use his environment. It struck again, but this time he was ready. He grabbed a loose cable from the wall and swung it like a whip, the improvised weapon sparking as it connected with the drone¡¯s side.

    Theo quickly realized he wasn¡¯t in a movie when the cable harmlessly deflected. The drone, however, did let out a high-pitched screech, its movements faltering for a moment. Theo seized the opportunity, lunging forward and slamming his elbow into its central core. The impact sent a jolt up his arm, but the drone collapsed in a heap of twitching limbs.

    ¡°Fucking ow!¡± Theo shrieked as he panted heavily, his heart racing as he stared at the lifeless machine. ¡°One down, none to go, hopefully.¡±

    Back in the control room, Erasmus observed the proceedings with a mixture of annoyance and intrigue. The holographic display before him showed Theo¡¯s progress, each movement and decision analysed in real-time.

    ¡°Good God, you¡¯re reckless,¡± Erasmus muttered, though the corner of his mouth betrayed a smirk. ¡°Maybe don¡¯t cuddle the death drones?¡±

    Theo¡¯s voice crackled through the intercom. ¡°Oh, Raz, you like to watch?¡±

    Erasmus sighed and pressed a button on the console. ¡°I¡¯m just surprised you haven¡¯t impaled yourself yet.¡±

    ¡°Aw, you care,¡± Theo replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°So what¡¯s next? Bigger drones? Laser turrets? A surprise boss fight?¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s smirk grew. ¡°Keep going and find out.¡±

    As Theo ventured deeper into the room, the challenges grew more intense. The drones became more coordinated, forcing him to think on his feet. His body ached from near misses, small scratches and the strain of constant movement, but his determination burned brighter with each encounter.

    Finally, he reached the end of the chamber. At its centre stood a towering drone, twice the size of the others. Its metallic body gleamed under the flickering lights, and its many limbs bristled with weapons.

    Theo¡¯s grin returned, though it was tinged with exhaustion. ¡°Boss battle. Called it.¡±

    A wave of seriousness crashed into Theo as an ominous, crimson energy began to build up at the front of the drone. All of his training was in close combat but he had played enough video games to understand that the drone was charging some kind of beam or blast.

    He immediately darted sideways and began to circle the drone, weaving behind boxes and shelves. The drone let out a high-pitched squeak as the energy peaked and unleashed a powerful beam at the shelving unit where Theo was sheltering, pinning him against the wall as it heated.

    The drone¡¯s beam intensified, scorching the edges of the shelving unit pinning Theo against the wall. The heat prickled his skin, and the acrid smell of burning metal filled the air. Theo gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he searched for an escape.

    Pushing against the shelving with all his strength, Theo managed to wedge his knees against the structure, creating a narrow gap. He sucked in a sharp breath and wriggled through, the heat singing his hoodie as he tumbled free.

    He landed on his hands and knees, rolling to avoid the drone¡¯s sensor sweep. A metallic squeal signalled the machine¡¯s recalibration, its limbs unfurling like a predatory insect as it tracked him. A secondary hum began to build, the warning of another charge.

    Theo ducked behind a toppled crate and scanned the room for an advantage. His eyes flicked to a series of exposed pipes running along the ceiling, their frost-covered surfaces marked with red safety warnings. Coolant.

    The plan formed in an instant. Theo grabbed a jagged piece of metal debris from the floor. ¡°Alright, big boy,¡± he muttered, his grin returning despite the tension. ¡°Let¡¯s see how you like the cold shoulder.¡±

    Bursting from cover, Theo sprinted toward the drone, zigzagging to avoid its tracking sensors. The high-pitched whine warned of the beam¡¯s imminent release. At the last second, Theo dove to the side, the beam slicing through the space where he had been a heartbeat before and melting a deep gouge into the wall.

    Using the moment of distraction, Theo vaulted onto a stack of crates and leaped toward the overhead pipes. The drone¡¯s limbs flailed to adjust its aim, but Theo was faster. He swung the metal shard upward with both hands, shattering the nearest pipe. A spray of frigid coolant erupted, engulfing the drone¡¯s upper body.

    The drone screeched, its movements jerking as the freezing mist coated its sensors and servos. Theo dropped to the ground, landing in a crouch as the machine convulsed, sparks and ice flying in all directions.

    But the drone wasn¡¯t done. With a guttural whir, it countered the freezing with a bursting heating cycle, before sending two of its limbs spinning toward Theo like scythes.

    Theo¡¯s gaze darted to the exposed core glowing faintly beneath the frost-covered plating. He charged forward, ducking beneath the swinging limbs. Every instinct screamed at him to retreat, but he pressed on, each step a calculated risk.

    The drone reared back, trying to crush him with a downward strike. Theo lunged, sliding beneath the machine as its elongated arm slammed into the ground behind him. In one fluid motion, he jammed the jagged shard into the glowing core and twisted with all his strength.

    The drone spasmed violently, its limbs flailing in wild arcs. Theo kicked the robot away as he scrambled clear, a deafening pop filled the air, followed by a series of cascading explosions. Sparks rained down as the massive machine collapsed in a heap of ruined metal.

    Theo stumbled out of the empty room, his clothes torn and his body battered. He collapsed onto the floor of the control room, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

    Erasmus stood over him, his expression unreadable. After a long moment, he extended a hand. Theo hesitated, then took it, allowing Erasmus to pull him to his feet and saying, ¡°Sorry¡­ I broke your sex bot.¡±

 Chapter Five

    Theo adjusted the scavenged pack slung across his shoulder. Its strap dug into his chest as the mismatched contents clinked with every step. Erasmus had been generous enough to provide rudimentary tools¡ªif a rusted pickaxe and a leather pouch full of chalky capsules could be called generosity.

    The smooth, clinical voice of Erasmus echoed in Theo¡¯s mind as he recalled their final exchange before leaving the safety of the fortress.

    <hr>

    ¡°Remind me again,¡± Erasmus drawled, pacing back and forth in front of his floating consoles. His sharp, icy blue eyes were fixed on Theo, brimming with scepticism. ¡°What exactly do you intend to contribute here?¡±

    Theo leaned against the lab¡¯s wall, arms crossed and a cocky grin plastered across his face. ¡°I¡¯m the muscle, obviously. You¡¯re the brains, I¡¯m the brawn, looks, charisma. I can even crochet. Really I should be asking you the same.¡±

    Erasmus pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something in a language Theo didn¡¯t recognize. He turned on his heel, glaring at the younger man. ¡°You are an unintegrated anomaly, Theo. That¡¯s not a strength¡ªit¡¯s a liability. Without the System¡¯s enhancements, you¡¯re little more than a resource sink.¡±

    Theo¡¯s grin faltered. He shoved his hands into his pockets and straightened, posture stiffening. ¡°Well, if you didn¡¯t think I was worth keeping around, why drag me into your creepy techno lair in the first place?¡±

    Erasmus stopped pacing and fixed Theo with an unreadable expression. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring you here. The system did for some unbelievably generous reason. If I wasn¡¯t on this planet, chances are you would have been terminated or left for dead.¡± For a moment, the silence hung heavy between them. Then Erasmus sighed and turned back to his console, gesturing at the translucent tablet hovering in mid-air.

    ¡°I¡¯m not in the habit of carrying dead weight,¡± he said, his voice colder than usual. ¡°If you want to prove your usefulness, you¡¯ll need to start pulling your weight. I have tools and schematics that could help you survive, but none of the materials I have are of low enough grade to meet the System¡¯s requirements.¡±

    Theo frowned. ¡°So what, you¡¯re saying all this fancy tech is too good to use?¡±

    Erasmus gave him a withering look. ¡°The System enforces strict parameters. Higher-grade materials are prohibited at this world¡¯s current level. Anything I create from my existing inventory would trigger a compliance protocol, and we¡¯d both be dead before you could make another poorly timed quip.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± Theo said, his tone unusually subdued. ¡°So what do you need from me?¡±

    Erasmus tapped the tablet, and a detailed list of items appeared in the air. ¡°Biolum moss, crystal fangroot, and Erythrite Veinstone. They¡¯re abundant enough in this region, but you¡¯ll need to harvest them without dying. These will allow me to craft tools that won¡¯t set off the System¡¯s protocols.¡±

    Theo raised an eyebrow. ¡°No offense, Raz, but this sounds like a suicide mission. Couldn¡¯t you just send a sex bot or something?¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s lips twitched into the faintest shadow of a smirk. ¡°Consider this a test. If you can¡¯t handle a simple foraging task, perhaps this isn¡¯t the world for you. And don¡¯t expect me to hold your hand.¡±

    Theo¡¯s jaw tightened, and his grip on the strap of his pack firmed. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll bring back your magic weed or whatever. But when I do, you¡¯d better start giving me some actual credit. Remember that I didn¡¯t ask for this either and I suspect there¡¯s plenty you aren¡¯t telling me.¡±

    Erasmus turned away, already engrossed in his work. ¡°If you return in one piece, I may even pretend to be impressed. Don¡¯t let it go to your head. Now get going. The world isn¡¯t going to wait for you to grow a nutsack.¡±

    <hr>

    The biome stretched out like the fever dream of a mad god¡ªcolours pulsing, shadows shifting as if the land itself breathed. Trees with gnarled, bone-white trunks spiralled upward, their canopies shifting like slow waves in an ocean of bioluminescence. Tiny motes of light flitted in the air, dancing between patches of neon moss. Beneath Theo¡¯s boots, the ground alternated between patches of soft, glowing moss and jagged crystalline outcroppings that seemed ready to slice through anything unprotected. Each breath carried an electric tang, a faint mix of ozone and something vaguely sweet.

    The voice of Erasmus repeated through Theo¡¯s mind again. ¡°This is an ecosystem designed to kill. Try not to make it easy for it.¡±

    As if the towering techno-recluse hadn¡¯t already made it clear he expected Theo to fail.

    ¡°Just don¡¯t die, Theo,¡± Theo muttered under his breath, mimicking Erasmus¡¯s dry tone. He kicked a rock, which tumbled forward, only to dissolve into a puddle of green slime. ¡°And definitely don¡¯t touch anything not on the list. Sure thing, boss.¡±

    The silence of the area was deceptive. Every now and then, a faint rustling reached Theo¡¯s ears, coming from directions impossible to pinpoint. It was the kind of sound that made his instincts hum with tension. The distant chirps of something bird-like were joined by an occasional low growl that seemed to vibrate the ground.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    He pressed forward, trying to focus on his goal: gather the materials Erasmus had rattled off with the same enthusiasm as someone listing groceries. Biolum moss, crystal fangroot, and a mineral Erasmus had called ¡°Erythrite Veinstone¡±¡ª¡°bright red, likely sharp enough to pierce your skull if mishandled,¡± Erasmus had added with what Theo swore was the faintest, hopeful smirk.

    The first hour was uneventful¡ªif you ignored the oppressive feeling of being watched. Theo¡¯s eyes darted from shadow to shadow, but nothing revealed itself. The eerie quiet, broken only by the crunch of his boots on alien soil, gnawed at his nerves.

    He paused to crouch beside a tree, its trunk pulsating faintly with veins of glowing blue sap. The moss Erasmus needed was growing along the bark. Theo pulled out a small, dull blade from his pack and scraped the bioluminescent moss into a jar, careful not to touch the sap itself.

    ¡°Alright,¡± he muttered, capping the jar and stashing it away. ¡°One down. Two to go.¡±

    The distant growl came again, louder this time. Theo froze. The air around him seemed to tighten. Slowly, he turned his head toward the sound. Nothing. The forest¡¯s vibrant glow and shifting shadows made it impossible to see far, every corner alive with false movement.

    ¡°Chill, Theo,¡± he whispered to himself, gripping the handle of the pickaxe. The rusty tool was more psychological comfort than practical defence.

    <hr>

    Two hours later, Theo¡¯s patience was wearing thin. His nerves buzzed from the constant vigilance, and his legs ached from weaving through the uneven terrain. Finding the fangroot had proven harder than expected. The plant¡¯s signature crystal-like structure blended seamlessly with the jagged mineral growths sprouting from the ground. Twice now, Theo had knelt to examine what he thought was fangroot, only to discover it was nothing but inert rock.

    Finally, he stumbled upon a small patch of the plant growing along the edge of a narrow ravine. Its translucent, crystalline stems shimmered faintly under the forest¡¯s bioluminescent glow. Theo knelt and used his blade to carefully dig out the roots.

    The air shifted. A low rumble vibrated through the ground, subtle but unmistakable.

    Theo froze, the fine hairs on his arms standing on end. Slowly, he raised his eyes, scanning the surrounding forest. Nothing moved. The rumble came again, closer this time. It wasn¡¯t the distant growl he¡¯d heard earlier; it was heavier, a deep vibration that seemed to resonate in his chest.

    And then he saw them.

    Eyes. Six pairs, glowing faintly yellow and perfectly camouflaged against the glowing moss and crystalline backdrop. They blinked in unison, low to the ground, like predators assessing their prey.

    Theo¡¯s breath caught in his throat. The creatures stepped forward, revealing themselves as they emerged from the undergrowth. They moved like a pack of wolves, their sleek bodies covered in shimmering scales that reflected the biome¡¯s eerie light. Long, talon-like claws clicked against the ground as they circled him, and their elongated snouts¡ªmore raptor than canine¡ªtwitched as they sniffed the air.

    ¡°God damn Raptor-wolves. Of course,¡± Theo muttered, his heart hammering in his chest.

    The largest of the pack¡ªlikely the alpha¡ªlet out a guttural growl, its eyes locking onto Theo. His grip on the pickaxe tightened as he shifted his weight, instincts honed from years of street fights kicking in.

    ¡°Alright,¡± he said under his breath, trying to keep his voice steady. ¡°Easy now, big dog. I¡¯m not here to cause trouble. Just a friendly guy passing through...¡±

    The alpha growled again, a sound that rumbled through Theo¡¯s bones. The rest of the pack moved closer, their predatory gazes unblinking.

    Then they lunged.

    <hr>

    Theo barely had time to react. He swung the pickaxe in a wide arc, forcing the first raptor-wolf to veer away mid-leap. The second came at him from the side, claws slashing through the air. Theo ducked, rolling awkwardly across the uneven ground. He came up in a crouch, his heart pounding as adrenaline surged through his veins.

    ¡°"Brilliant plan, Raz. Send the only guy without enhancements into Jurassic Park with a rusty pickaxe. Absolute shithouse,¡± Theo thought, scrambling backward as the pack regrouped. ¡°Send the guy with no System skills or buffs into a death forest with nothing but a rusty pickaxe. Might as well have just done me yourself.¡±

    The alpha snarled, its scaled hide rippling as it crouched low. The others fanned out, cutting off Theo¡¯s escape routes. They were toying with him, testing his defenses.

    Theo¡¯s mind raced. Fighting them head-on was suicide. He needed an opening¡ªa distraction, anything¡ªto buy time.

    His eyes darted to the ravine. It was narrow but deep, its edges lined with jagged crystal formations. An idea sparked. It was reckless, borderline suicidal, but better than being shredded by claws and teeth.

    ¡°Alright, you scaly bitches,¡± Theo growled, gripping the pickaxe tightly. ¡°Let¡¯s see how good you are at cliff diving.¡±

    He bolted toward the edge of the ravine, the pack snarling as they gave chase. The ground blurred beneath his feet, each step precarious on the uneven terrain. The alpha closed the distance faster than Theo expected, its claws raking across his back. Pain flared, but he didn¡¯t stop.

    Theo reached the ravine and jumped, twisting mid-air to grab a protruding crystal ledge. His momentum slammed him into the jagged wall, knocking the wind from his lungs. He gritted his teeth and hung on breathlessly, his fingers digging into the sharp edges of the crystal.

    The alpha skidded to a halt at the edge, snarling in frustration. One of the smaller raptors wasn¡¯t so lucky; it barrelled over the edge, letting out a high-pitched screech as it tumbled into the abyss. Theo wasn¡¯t able to gauge exactly how far the drop was before jumping. It turned out the answer was: Very fucking far.

    Theo faked a grin through the pain. ¡°One down. If I survive this, I¡¯m never letting Raz send me grocery shopping again.¡±¡± he muttered, shortly before his crippling fear of heights twisted his stomach into knots.

    The pack paced along the ravine¡¯s edge, their eyes never leaving Theo. The alpha let out a chuff, stepping closer as if weighing the risk. Then, with a final, deliberate snarl, it snapped its jaws before turning away, leading the pack back into the undergrowth. The glowing eyes vanished one by one.

    Theo let out a shaky breath, his arms trembling from the strain of holding onto the ledge. Carefully, he climbed back up to solid ground, wincing as the movement pulled at the fresh claw marks on his back.

    He sat down heavily, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The adrenaline began to fade, leaving behind the dull ache of exhaustion and the sharp sting of his wounds.

    ¡°Next time,¡± Theo panted, staring up at the glowing canopy, ¡°you¡¯re going shopping, Raz.¡±

 Chapter Six

    Theo stood at the edge of the jagged cliff, panting as he surveyed the alien terrain stretching endlessly before him. His hands rested on his knees, his muscles burning from the gruelling trek that had brought him here. The sun¡ªif it could be called that¡ªcast a pale, bluish light over the landscape, illuminating towering crystalline formations and dense, bioluminescent forests.

    The cliff had given him a temporary vantage point, but it wasn¡¯t enough. He needed a better view to find his way back to Erasmus¡¯s hideout. His gaze swept over the terrain until it landed on a massive tree-like structure, its spiralling branches stretching toward the sky like coiled tendrils. It was the tallest thing in sight, promising the best vantage point he could hope for.

    ¡°Perfect,¡± he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. ¡°Or a suicidal disaster, actually. Jury¡¯s still deliberating.¡±

    Shaking off the exhaustion, he made his way down from the cliff, skirting loose rocks and uneven ledges. His boots slid against the gravel as he descended, the sharp sting of overworked muscles protesting every movement. By the time he reached the base of the colossal plant, his breath was ragged.

    The bark was smooth yet pulsing beneath his fingertips, an unsettling reminder that nothing here was truly familiar. With a deep breath, he began to climb, using the spiralling branches as footholds. Every handhold was a test of balance, each movement calculated. Sweat beaded on his forehead, dripping down into his eyes, but he ignored the sting and kept climbing. His forearms screamed in protest, but he forced himself higher. ¡°Look, if you¡¯re gonna be a carnivorous tree, at least wait until I get to the top. I¡¯d like a dramatic last view.¡±

    As he ascended, the landscape unfolded beneath him. Rivers of molten silver wove through jagged rock formations, and strange, lumbering creatures roamed below, oblivious to his presence. His breath hitched as he caught sight of distant movement¡ªcolossal beasts as tall as the tree he was on. This was normally the point Theo would attempt to alleviate stress with a joke, but none came. Genuine fear strangled him, a rare feeling for him before the system changed everything. He feared no man alive, yet in the face of such towering bulk, he knew he could do nothing.

    When he reached the highest branch sturdy enough to hold his weight, he perched on it carefully, scanning the horizon. His eyes narrowed as he spotted the distant glow of the mineral deposits Erasmus had tasked him to retrieve. They shimmered like frozen lightning embedded in the cliffs beyond the ravine¡ªthe final piece of his scavenging errand.

    But the view also revealed something worse.

    Movement.

    Shadowy figures prowled the perimeter of the ravine, low to the ground, moving with an unsettling, predatory grace. More of the raptor-wolves, their luminous eyes scanning the terrain, sniffing for something¡ªhim. Theo¡¯s stomach twisted. They knew someone had been nearby, and if he wasn¡¯t careful, they were going to figure out exactly where he was.

    His fingers tightened around the branch. He had two choices: head back empty-handed and deal with Erasmus¡¯s inevitable disdain, or push forward despite the risk. His pride screamed at him. He¡¯d barely earned any respect from the cranky old bastard, and he sure as hell wasn¡¯t going to start looking weak now.

    ¡°Alright, Theo,¡± he muttered, shifting his grip on the branch. ¡°Time to be stupid.¡±

    He descended with careful precision, eyes locked on the pack below. The moment his boots hit solid ground, he moved swiftly, keeping low and silent as he made his way toward the mineral deposits. Every step sent a fresh wave of pain through his back, but he pushed through, driven by sheer stubbornness. The foliage around him rustled with unseen creatures, their eerie clicking sounds setting his nerves on edge.

    What the hell am I doing? I¡¯m not a survivalist or a hunter. Screw that old bitch¡ªI don¡¯t care if he thinks I¡¯m soft. Just as he finished the thought, he reached the edge of the ravine where the largest deposits were embedded, the air shifted.

    A growl.

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    Theo froze. One of the creatures had peeled away from the pack, sniffing at the air mere meters from him. Its nostrils flared, its claws flexing against the ground as its head tilted in his direction. The others followed suit, their movements slow, deliberate. A deep, instinctual fear knotted in Theo¡¯s gut. He had seconds before they realized he was there.

    For fuck¡¯s sake. I¡¯m dead then. I¡¯ve been killed. Raz, I swear, if ghosts are real, I¡¯m haunting your workshop and breaking all your shit, he thought to himself, fear boring into his mind as he began to grasp exactly how futile his situation was.

    Then¡ª

    A crack split the silence. A sharp, unnatural bang echoed through the air, followed by a rustling in the distance. The raptors snapped their heads toward the noise, their predatory focus diverted as they bounded off to track the mysterious sound.

    After a few moments, when he felt the area was clear, he lunged forward, swinging the pickaxe against the crystalline surface of the rock. The impact jarred his already aching limbs, but he gritted his teeth and struck again.

    His nerves were electric as the sound of metal clanging against the minerals reverberated through the distance, almost begging the creatures to come back and claim their meal. ¡°Should¡¯ve legged it, Theo. What are you doing?¡± he thought to himself.

    Chunks of minerals cracked free, their glow intensifying as he worked. He stuffed as much as he could into his pack, fingers fumbling in his rush. His breath was quick and uneven, adrenaline spiking.

    After securing his pack, he turned and sprinted in the opposite direction of the distracted beasties.

    The run back was a mess of burning lungs, screaming legs, and the deep, unshakable fear of being something¡¯s next meal. Every step sent bolts of agony through Theo¡¯s legs, his breath coming in ragged gasps as sweat blurred his vision. He crashed through the dense foliage, branches slapping against his arms and face, leaving thin, stinging welts. The jungle felt more alive than before, like it had taken offense at his intrusion. Every rustling leaf, every shifting shadow in the undergrowth sent his heart pounding against his ribs, primal fear gnawing at the edges of his sanity.

    The cliff gap loomed ahead, the same one he had precariously crossed earlier. Only this time, he didn¡¯t hesitate. His boots barely touched the ground before he launched himself forward, the height advantage of his current side making the leap easier¡ªbut not easy. For a split second, he was weightless, his stomach flipping as the void stretched beneath him. Then his feet slammed into the rocky ledge, his knees buckling on impact. He stumbled, but he didn¡¯t stop.

    He didn¡¯t stop until he reached the threshold of the old man¡¯s fortress.

    Panting, hands braced on his knees, he risked a glance behind him. No movement. No snarling, clawed nightmares tearing through the trees¡ªjust eerie silence, broken only by the hammering of his pulse in his ears. It should have been comforting. Instead, it set him even more on edge.

    The jungle didn¡¯t feel empty. It felt like it was watching.

    He shuddered, forcing himself to straighten. He was safe. For now.

    And yet even the sight of harmless, fluffy miniature bunny creatures hopping about the entrance sent a full-body shiver through him. One of them twitched its nose in his direction, its beady black eyes locking onto his. Theo took an involuntary step back.

    ¡°Yeah, no,¡± he muttered, running a hand down his face. ¡°Not today, Satan.¡±

    With a final, wary glance at the bunnies¡ªbecause screw this place¡ªhe turned and stepped into the relative safety of Erasmus¡¯s domain, resisting the urge to collapse right then and there.

    His knees nearly buckled as he collapsed against the entrance, gasping for breath as Erasmus was waiting, arms crossed, expression unreadable. He looked Theo up and down, noting the scratches, the torn clothing, the blood.

    ¡°Did some sight-seeing then?¡± Erasmus said dryly.

    Theo, still panting, managed a grin. ¡°Sure did, lovely area. The neighbours seem like dicks though.¡±

    Erasmus snorted, stepping forward to pluck a chunk of the glowing mineral from Theo¡¯s pack. He studied it for a moment before nodding in approval. ¡°Huh. You didn¡¯t die. Unfortunate. Now I owe myself a bet.¡±

    Theo¡¯s grin widened sarcastically, despite the exhaustion pulling at his limbs. ¡°Damn right I didn''t. Thanks for all your help in that regard.¡±

    Erasmus turned back to his workbench, an odd expression briefly crossing his face, already analysing the mineral samples. ¡°Clean yourself up,¡± he said over his shoulder. ¡°Next time, try not to look half-dead when you return.¡±

    Theo let out a short, breathless laugh and dropped onto a nearby bench. His whole body ached, but the victory was his. He had proven himself. And despite Erasmus¡¯s gruff demeanour, Theo could tell¡ªthe old man was impressed.

    But one thought lingered at the back of his mind as he caught his breath.

    Who¡ªor what¡ªhad caused the distraction that saved him?

 Chapter Seven

    Theo had felt it the entire time¡ªeyes on him, a presence lurking just beyond his perception. At first, he chalked it up to paranoia, the natural result of being in a world that constantly wanted him dead.

    Now, looking back, he realized it had been too precise. Every step he took in that damned forest, every time he found shelter, every moment of hesitation¡ªit had all felt like something was watching, measuring.

    Then, just when he was at his breaking point, the perfect distraction arrived: a surge of creatures that forced him into a desperate, high-stakes encounter. It was too convenient.

    His fists clenched as the realization set in. This wasn¡¯t just a quest to find helpful resources. It was a setup. And he knew exactly who was responsible.

    Theo stormed into Erasmus¡¯s workshop, pulse hammering in his ears. The room smelled of metal and smoke, a familiar scent that, under normal circumstances, might have been comforting. Now, it only fuelled his anger.

    The room itself was a chaotic blend of high-tech brilliance and borderline hoarding. Holographic blueprints flickered over floating consoles, while mechanical arms whirred in the background, constructing something only Erasmus could fathom.

    Copper wires snaked across the floor, half-buried under an array of disassembled devices. The scent of burnt circuitry mixed with the sharper tang of synthetic oil.

    "Oi, you pallid, scheming bastard!" Theo barked, his voice bouncing off the walls. "Tell me, should I be thanking you or punching you?"

    Erasmus, hunched over a floating console, barely glanced up. He flicked his fingers across a holographic interface, dismissing Theo¡¯s outburst with infuriating nonchalance. "You¡¯ll have to be more specific, Theo. I do many things worthy of scorn."

    Theo stalked forward, slamming his hands on the table hard enough to send a few stray tools clattering to the ground. "Oh, I don¡¯t know, maybe the part where you set me up? That wasn¡¯t just a request for supplies, was it? You were watching me the whole time. You knew what was coming, didn¡¯t you?"

    Erasmus sighed, finally lifting his head. His icy blue eyes¡ªso much like Theo¡¯s own, but devoid of warmth¡ªregarded him with mild irritation. "Yes. And?"

    Theo¡¯s jaw clenched. "And that¡¯s it?! No ¡®Oops, Theo, I forgot to mention the homicidal wildlife¡¯? No ¡®Apologies Theo, I feel just terrible about misleading you in the name of science¡¯?¡±

    Erasmus leaned back against his workbench, crossing his arms. "I sent you in there for two reasons. The first: I had to see how you reacted to genuine life or death pressure and locate any weaknesses or strengths you carry. The second is because you needed to understand something fundamental: this world doesn¡¯t care about your feelings or playing fair. If I¡¯d warned you, you¡¯d have strutted in half-prepared, convinced you¡¯d manage. Instead, you learned the truth: danger isn¡¯t optional. Survival isn¡¯t guaranteed. The System rewards strength and punishes stagnation. You, however, are an anomaly¡ªit won¡¯t guide you, won¡¯t protect you. That means you have two options: adapt or die."

    Theo¡¯s fingers dug into the table. His breaths came fast and sharp, nostrils flaring. "Yeah? Well, you could¡¯ve told me that before throwing me into the meat grinder."

    Erasmus tilted his head, his tone almost patronizing. "And would you truly have understood? Or would you have convinced yourself that your fists and bravado were enough?" You¡¯re incapable of taking things seriously, especially in front of other people. You¡¯ve become your public persona, and I needed to remind you that you¡¯re just a man. A weak one now, in fact."

    Theo opened his mouth¡ªthen hesitated. Damn him. Damn him and his infuriating logic. The realization crawled up his spine like an unwelcome spectre. If Erasmus had just told him, Theo would¡¯ve rolled his eyes, cracked a joke, and walked in just as unprepared. There was no denying that he had to act cocky and imperious to best sell his fights. Showing vulnerability wasn¡¯t really something that would help him in the fight game.

    Still. He didn¡¯t have to like it.

    He exhaled sharply, turned away, and paced. "Fine. Whatever. But let¡¯s talk about the bigger bombshell you dropped. What do you mean, I¡¯m an anomaly? I thought being Systemless was just a screw-up. Now you¡¯re telling me the System itself is gonna come after me?"

    Erasmus folded his hands in front of him, his expression unreadable. "You¡¯re not just outside the System, Theo. You¡¯re a deviation. The Exo-Genesis is designed to assimilate everything into its structured existence. Everyone is categorized, assigned a role, given a progression path. But you? You don¡¯t fit. The System recognizes you as an aberration, an unknown variable. And the System abhors anomalies."

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    Theo¡¯s stomach twisted. His mind reeled, grasping for something solid in the face of the new information. "So what? I¡¯m like a bug in its code?"

    Erasmus nodded. "Precisely. And bugs get patched¡ªone way or another. The longer you survive, the more you interfere with its efficiency. It will escalate its responses."

    Theo swallowed, the weight of those words pressing down on him like lead. This wasn¡¯t just about fighting monsters, surviving the wilderness, or even dealing with Erasmus¡¯s relentless mind games. This was the entire System deciding he was a problem that needed fixing.

    Or erasing.

    His bravado cracked, just a little. He collapsed onto a nearby stool, rubbing his face. "So what do I do? Just hide in your lab forever?"

    Erasmus snorted. "You? Sit still? Unlikely. No, you have a choice. You can try to stay beneath its notice, avoid confrontation, keep a low profile. Or¡­ Defy it. Prove that you are more than an error. This will likely make you a target. The system will attempt to sharpen its blades on you, but you will be useful for it in that regard. These are just theories, however."

    Theo looked up, searching Erasmus¡¯s face for any sign of encouragement. There was none. Just cold, clinical truth. The workshop hummed with quiet machinery, but even that felt distant, insignificant compared to the decision pressing on his chest.

    But Theo already knew his answer.

    Theo rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles as he straightened. ¡°Nah. That¡¯s not me. I don¡¯t hide. Fighting¡¯s in my blood. Even when the odds are crap, I find a way.¡±

    For the first time, Erasmus¡¯s lips twitched¡ªnot quite a smile, but the ghost of one. ¡°Predictable. Almost disappointingly so."

    Theo scoffed. ¡°You almost sounded impressed.¡±

    Erasmus tapped a command on his console. A section of the wall slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing a small, hovering drone. It whirred to life, circling Theo like a mechanical hornet, its eerie blue light sweeping over him.

    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Erasmus mused. ¡°If you insist on reckless defiance, you¡¯ll need tools to even the odds.¡±

    The drone hovered closer, and Theo batted it away with a glare. ¡°Oh, so now you care about my well-being? Or would you just be disappointed you wasted your time?¡±

    Erasmus arched his brow. ¡°I care about efficiency. You dying would be a waste. And frankly, watching the System squirm is my kind of entertainment.¡±

    The drone finished its scan and zipped toward the workbench, retrieving a small, black device pulsing faintly with the glow of the minerals Theo had been sent to retrieve earlier. It darted behind him before he could react.

    A monotone voice instructed, ¡°Look forward.¡±

    Theo turned his head anyway, suspicious, but before he could get a word out, a wave of pressure slammed into his spine. Every muscle locked. His breath hitched as a sharp, searing pain lanced through his back.

    Erasmus, unsurprised, merely watched. Which was almost reassuring. Almost.

    Then, just as suddenly, a cool sensation spread across his back, numbing the pain. Something thin and fibrous¡ªlike liquid spider silk¡ªstitched itself over his body, bonding seamlessly with his skin. Theo gasped as the sensation settled, leaving him feeling¡­ strangely weightless.

    Erasmus finally pushed off his seat and approached. ¡°That¡¯s a nano-fibre defence mesh. Think of it as armour. It won¡¯t make you invincible, but it¡¯ll keep you alive long enough to make mistakes. You¡¯ll need to learn how to use it properly. Your heritage allows you to use this. It would kill a normal human. I¡¯d explain why, but I¡¯d sooner attempt to teach particle physics to a satsuma.¡±

    Theo staggered as the paralysis released him with a tremor echoing through his body. He shot Erasmus a glare. ¡°You could¡¯ve given me a heads-up, you sadistic berk.¡±

    Erasmus smirked, unrepentant. ¡°I need some kind of payment for this masterwork. Your anguish sustains me. By the way, don¡¯t do anything tonight, just go to your room¡ªit¡¯s at the end of the hall, to the left. That thing will need to stabilize overnight.¡±

    Theo groaned, rubbing his arms. He could barely feel the mesh, yet somehow, he knew it was there, integrated into him. He looked up at Erasmus with a rare look of sincerity. ¡°Thank you Raz. I genuinely appreciate this.¡±

    Erasmus stared blankly at Theo, discomfort flickering across his face before he offered a short nod and slipped out of the room without another word.

    As the workshop doors slid shut behind him, Theo exhaled, a slow breath that did little to ease the weight settling on his shoulders. The path he¡¯d chosen stretched before him, vast and incomprehensible, yet beneath the enormity of it all, a strange excitement coiled in his chest.

    He slunk out of the workshop and found the door leading to his quarters. The small bedroom was nothing remarkable¡ªjust a bed that looked deceptively comfortable and a storage cupboard tucked into the corner. Practical. Bare. A reminder that luxury was a relic of the past.

    Theo eased onto the mattress, carefully lying on his front to avoid disturbing the device fused into his back. It didn¡¯t hurt¡ªat least, not in the way he expected¡ªbut he was hyper-aware of it, a foreign presence beneath his skin. Better to be cautious.

    Exhaustion gnawed at him, the lingering aches from his earlier ordeal pressing into every fibre of his body. Sleep should have come easily. It didn¡¯t. His mind refused to still, buzzing with anticipation as he thought about the future¡ªthe power his new armour might bring, the battles ahead, the unknown.

    He closed his eyes, waiting for rest to take him. But even in the quiet, his pulse thrummed with something new. Not fear. Not regret.

    Excitement.

 Chapter Eight

    The next day, Theo stood before the training lab¡¯s reflective wall, rolling his shoulders, flexing his fingers, and twisting his torso to get a feel for his new armour mesh. It clung to him like a second skin, a nearly invisible lattice of interwoven metallic strands that shifted with his every movement. He looked damn good in it¡ªat least, he thought so.

    "So, how badass do I look?" he asked, turning toward Raz with an exaggerated pose.

    Raz barely glanced up from his console. "Like someone about to overestimate his own competence and break something expensive."

    Theo smirked. "That sounds about right, actually."

    The older man sighed, adjusting a few settings on the control panel before responding. "The mesh is a prototype exoskeletal enhancement. It reinforces your movements, locks your joints for stability, and redistributes impact forces to prevent trauma. Within reason."

    Theo arched a dubious eyebrow. "And what¡¯s ¡®within reason¡¯? Punch-a-hole-through-a-wall reasonable or survive-a-falling-boulder reasonable?"

    "Depends on the type of wall and weight of the boulder, obviously," Raz said flatly, typing without looking at him. "The mesh absorbs impact, but you¡¯ll still feel the force. It won¡¯t make you invincible¡ªjust less breakable. There is a slightly enhanced strength function that will give you momentary bursts of power, but extended use will burn out the battery faster than your attention span wanes."

    Theo clenched his fist and watched the mesh subtly tighten along his knuckles. "Fine. I won¡¯t suplex a mountain on the first day. But you better not be holding out on me. I plan to put this thing through its paces."

    Raz turned toward him, expression unreadable. "You¡¯ll get plenty of chances."

    The lab dimmed, and a holographic countdown appeared on the wall. Theo heard the whir of moving machinery as the training floor restructured, shifting walls and raising barriers to form an enclosed combat zone. It was impressive how fast this place could rearrange itself, like a giant Rubik¡¯s cube of simulated violence.

    "Before we begin," Raz said, "you need to understand the nature of the enemies you¡¯ll be facing beyond this facility. The System has reshaped humanity. Strength and even skill alone will no longer dictate survival."

    Theo crossed his arms. "Then what will?"

    Raz swiped across the console, and a series of figures flickered to life in the air. Theo watched various combatants appear¡ªsome glowing with raw power, others moving like distorted shadows, some barely human at all.

    "Those who survived the System''s initiation and tutorials will be altered at a fundamental level," Raz explained. "Some embraced direct physical augmentation, others adapted to elemental magic, while a rare few evolved psionic abilities. Each type presents a distinct challenge."

    Theo eyed the projections, watching a man punch through solid steel, another hurl a blast of blue fire, and a third who simply stood motionless while drones attacked, their bullets stopping mid-air as if hitting an invisible wall.

    "Strengths, weaknesses?" Theo asked, watching the figures move.

    Raz nodded. "Melee combatants will overpower anyone with lesser physical stats but rely on direct engagement. Ranged fighters can be lethal from a distance but struggle in close quarters. Magic users are unpredictable, their abilities ranging from destructive force to battlefield control. Psionics¡ª" He hesitated slightly. "¡ªare the most dangerous. They manipulate the fight itself. They turn reality against you."

    Theo exhaled with dejection. "That sounds great. Luckily I can punch good."

    Raz tapped the console. "We''ll train against each type separately over the next few days. Learn their tactics. Exploit their weaknesses. If you can¡¯t adapt, you won¡¯t survive outside these walls. In that case we can begin your training as a beverage maid."

    Theo grinned. "Can we just skip to the second part, I think that¡¯s my true calling anyway."

    "You cause me great concern." Raz pressed a button, and the first wave of melee drones activated.

    <hr>

    The first session was brutal but familiar. The melee drones came at him in rapid succession¡ªpurely physical combatants, designed to replicate human warriors. They moved well, fast and efficient, with attack patterns resembling trained fighters rather than predictable machines.

    Theo grinned as the first one lunged. He sidestepped, caught its arm mid-swing, and twisted. The mesh locked in place, amplifying his hold, and he used the leverage to slam the drone into the ground.

    There was a distinct advantage in speed, which Theo was informed was on the higher end for most early initiated beings in the system historically. The armour proved exceptionally resilient, particularly when it came to locking in holds, with a couple of drones having their necks crushed in the process.

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    Theo did find his punches and kicks a little lacking, causing him to change his tactics and attempt to grapple more than strike with his metallic dance partners.

    By the end of the session, Theo was panting but exhilarated. The mesh worked, responding instinctively, making his movements sharper. But Raz wasn¡¯t impressed.

    "Against baseline fighters, you perform adequately," he said, making notes on his tablet. "But brawlers alone aren¡¯t really the threat. I will add a kinetic feedback loop to your device, which should help you deal more damage and maintain energy. This will essentially allow the mesh to absorb kinetic energy from incoming damage using piezoelectric nanofibers woven into the structure, storing the charge in micro capacitors throughout the¡ªI don¡¯t know why I¡¯m telling you this part. Basically your suit will be able to use hits taken for power and discharge said energy when a limb is moving at a sufficient trajectory."

    ¡°Uhm¡­ okay,¡± Theo said intelligently.

    ¡°Let¡¯s wrap up training for today, and I will set about your upgrades. I should have a lot more resources to dip into from my gathering drones.¡± Erasmus stated, his eyes alight as he planned his latest technological advancement.

    ¡°So, you didn¡¯t actually need me to go out and get those bits yesterday? Is that what you¡¯re saying?¡± Theo asked with a deadpan expression.

    Erasmus nearly didn¡¯t reply as he was lost in thought. ¡°Hmm? Oh, no. No, that was just to see how you would react in different situations so that I could plan training accordingly. You genuinely believed I created an entire defence mesh from some ore and plants? My god, you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Whatever, I don¡¯t even care at this point.¡± Theo grumpily muttered, trudging into the workshop as he shook his head.

    Moments passed and Theo turned his head back through the doorway sharply, ¡°In fact, screw you. I¡¯ve been in this new world of yours for two days, why would I know anything about the laws of science or whatever? All the intellect you claim to possess and you can¡¯t take a minute to understand what I might be going through? Fuck yourself.¡±

    Theo saw Erasmus¡¯s face twist in shock before quickly darting back behind the door, leaving him unable to reply. This was mainly to keep himself from completely unravelling and going into a fit of rage.

    <hr>

    Theo stomped his way over to one of the chairs present in the workshop and perched on it, still seething but also surprised at his overreaction. He was used to trading verbal tirades as a tool to sell fights, he almost never lost his cool.

    ¡°Why did he get to me so badly?¡± Theo thought to himself as he attempted to ascertain the fuel for this fire.

    It began to dawn on him that he never really sat down and thought about his new reality. For the most part, he didn¡¯t believe it was real. The most likely explanation was CTE or he had been knocked into a dream without realizing. Having actually slept, felt pain and events move in a linear pathway he felt the sense of reality setting in.

    Life hadn¡¯t been easy. He¡¯d been fighting¡ªliterally¡ªsince he was a boy. He wasn¡¯t exactly going to miss his family or anything. His coach Tom was something of a father figure, but he hoped the wily, old timer could find his way through this new world. This still didn¡¯t address the core sensation of loss he was feeling.

    Strength. Not even necessarily just physical. The ability to stand on one''s own feet and merits. That meant a lot to Theo as it was his key to survival. He trained hard, earned his own money through street fighting before transitioning to the professional scene. People respected him, some feared him even.

    Now? He was nothing. He had no strength anymore. Erasmus made it clear he would only fall further behind everyone else on the planet and his only hope for survival was handouts from a grumpy prick who only saw him as a burden, which he was. Would he ever even be able to thrive in this world? What if Erasmus had enough and decided to just kick him out. He was completely vulnerable. This was what was eating him up.

    As Theo continued his introspection with a sunken feeling, he heard a slow shuffling of footsteps coming through the doorway to the training lab. Erasmus hesitantly crept behind Theo as he made his way to the centre of the room before turning to him.

    Erasmus cleared his throat, clearly buying time as he was searching for the most efficient way of handling the situation. As his eyes wandered, Theo interjected before things got any weirder, ¡°Sorry for the flip out. I guess I hadn¡¯t really been taking this seriously and thought about what it means for me and it kind of¡­ Boiled over.¡±

    Erasmus shook his head graciously and replied in a softer tone than usually present, ¡°No need for that. I probably had it coming. I¡¯ve not really been around people for¡­ Let¡¯s just say a long time. I even adopted this face so that people would leave an old man alone. I guess we both have learning to do.¡±

    Theo pondered the words, his eyebrow raising on the mention of Erasmus adopting a face, ¡°I¡¯m not sure I can even process what the face part means. I have to ask though, why are you doing this? Opening your life up to a total stranger?¡±

    Erasmus gazed at the floor as he formulated his reply. ¡°Well, you¡¯re already aware that we share similar biological traits, one¡¯s that no other human on the planet possesses. That is, of course, because you¡¯re a descendant of mine. To be exact, I¡¯m your great, times eighteen, grandfather. I didn¡¯t actually think I had any surviving descendants but that¡¯s a long story I don¡¯t really care to share currently. The story made short is that with my race, I should never have attempted to play human and generations suffered for it.¡±

    Theo stared at Erasmus with a sombre look, ¡°Shit. That¡¯s¡­ a lot. I mean I assumed something similar but I¡¯m sorry to hear about all the stuff after.¡±

    He thought about asking for clarity on the issues that Erasmus alluded to, but sensed this wasn¡¯t the time.

    "Well, just know that I love you, Grandad,¡± he said with a cheeky tone, attempting to restore some levity to the situation.

    ¡°Take your goddamn shirt off.¡± Erasmus replied, shaking his head.

    ¡°Wow, we just had a moment and you¡¯re already trying to seduce me?¡± Theo said as he clambered out of the chair with his hands raised.

    ¡°For the mesh device, you idiot.¡± Erasmus shrieked.

    ¡°Uh-huh. That¡¯s what they all say.¡± Theo smirked before removing his shirt, hopping back on the chair and swivelling to reveal his device. ¡°Please, be gentle.¡± he said, with a dramatic fake whimper. He could almost feel Eramus¡¯ eyes roll out of his head.

 Chapter Nine

    Theo woke up on the table on the edge of the workshop feeling remarkably better. His aches and pains from the ordeals of yesterday were but a distant memory.

    He yawned, ¡°Damn, I feel so good. What happened while I was out?¡±

    With that question, memories of how he had fallen asleep began to surface, but no clear answer emerged. ¡°Actually¡­ Why was I sleeping? Raz?! Explain.¡±

    Erasmus slid over on a chair as he departed his console. ¡°Yes, well. The procedure was a bit¡­ invasive. I thought it best to render you unconscious. It was purely so you could avoid discomfort. Most certainly not just so I could work in peace without you badgering me every three seconds.¡±

    Theo stared blankly at Erasmus.

    ¡°Oh come now, I also treated all of your wounds, which I wasn¡¯t going to do. But it seemed like you had a breakthrough in taking this place seriously, and I am nothing if not benevolent.¡± Erasmus nodded sagely, basking in the glory of his own generosity.

    Theo rolled his shoulders before patting his thighs. ¡°That does feel better, to be fair. Thanks? I guess. You didn¡¯t need to drug me though. Hearing you talk for more than ten minutes is enough to put me to sleep.¡±

    Erasmus smirked. ¡°That¡¯s understandable. With the brain capacity of an infant, it¡¯s no surprise that short stories can put you to sleep.¡±

    ¡°Mhm¡­ What¡¯s changed anyway? With the mesh armour thing?¡± Theo queried.

    ¡°Do you want the simpleton¡¯s explanation or the actual one?¡± Erasmus asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

    ¡°Perhaps somewhere in the middle?¡± Theo retorted, smiling brightly.

    Erasmus shrugged with mild appreciation, ¡°Very well,¡± Erasmus began, adjusting a few settings on his console. ¡°The mesh now features a kinetic feedback loop, meaning it absorbs incoming force and repurposes it¡ªefficiently, I might add¡ªinto stored energy.¡±

    Theo tilted his head. ¡°Right, so¡­ If I get hit, do I get stronger? Sounds like a cheat code.¡±

    Erasmus rolled his eyes. ¡°Kind of. The energy isn¡¯t magically making you stronger; it¡¯s being redistributed. Blunt impacts will be mitigated, sure, but if someone hammers you hard enough, you¡¯ll still feel it. The system buffers the force, not nullifies it. A big enough hit will smash straight through the mesh and turn you into a fine paste.¡±

    Theo nodded slowly. ¡°Okay, so it¡¯s like¡­ I take a hit, the suit banks the energy, and then I can use that charge for¡ªwhat? Hitting harder?¡±

    Erasmus smirked. ¡°For once, you¡¯re grasping a concept without extensive hand-holding. Yes. The stored energy can be discharged when you move a limb at a sufficient velocity, effectively amplifying your strikes. You hit harder because the suit releases what it previously absorbed.¡±

    Theo grinned. ¡°Oh, so I can just stand there, tank hits, and then¡ª¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Erasmus shut him down immediately, rubbing his temples as if in actual pain. ¡°Overcharging will vent excess energy as heat, meaning if you just let yourself get pummelled, you¡¯ll cook in that suit like an overstuffed turkey. Or it will just shatter and you¡¯ll be crushed, I literally just said this. It is a combat tool, not a meat shield.¡±

    Theo huffed. ¡°Fine. So, what¡¯s the downside? Other than spontaneous combustion.¡±

    "The system prioritizes offense over defence. The sooner you return a hit, the stronger it will be. That means in a prolonged fight, if you take more damage than you can safely discharge, you best get out of there. And if you¡¯re pushed too hard¡ª" He snapped his fingers. "Fail-safe kicks in. No more fancy tricks until you recharge. Stored energy won¡¯t wait forever; if you don¡¯t use it fast enough, it will auto-dissipate to prevent overload."

    Theo whistled. ¡°Alright, so it¡¯s badass, but not idiot-proof.¡±

    Erasmus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°If only such safeguards could be applied¡ª¡±

    ¡°To me. Haha, Theo¡¯s not clever. Get some new material, you shithouse.¡± Theo retorted, rolling his eyes and looking down at his body to make sense of the new information.

    Erasmus raised an eyebrow nonchalantly as Theo assessed his upgraded tech. ¡°We need to begin your education if you¡¯re to actually make use of this. You need to learn the various styles of threat you will come up against in this system. There¡¯s melee combat, which we briefly covered. Then, of course, there is ranged combat, stealth combat and psionic combat.¡±

    Theo looked up hastily as he heard the last method, ¡°Like, mind control? Oh shit, how do you even fight that?¡±

    Erasmus shook his head. ¡°I mean, I was literally just informing you that we will learn to fight it all, but thanks for the interruption. It¡¯s very rare, to be honest, and it could be by far the toughest thing for you to counter, I would imagine.¡± Time will tell. We need to first run tests, which we will begin tomorrow. Tonight, you will begin reading.¡±

    Theo was beginning to feel very much like he was in school, which wasn¡¯t something he actively did much of in his past. He also knew this was key to finding his way in the world. It was akin to learning a new style of martial art, something he always enjoyed greatly. If he could understand the theory behind it all before the training, all the better.

    <hr>

    The first day of study was a battle in itself.

    Theo sat hunched over a stack of Erasmus¡¯ infopads, his fingers massaging his temples as the robotic voice droned on about engagement control, firing arcs, and effective range calculations. He had barely gotten through the first section before he let his head fall back against the chair, groaning.

    "Good god, I wish I was the main character in a novel or something. Just montage my way through all this crap and skip to the good stuff."

    He waited a beat, half-expecting the universe to comply...

    <h4>Day Two ¨C Learning to Fight Other Melee Fighters</h4>

    Theo had assumed fighting another melee combatant would be straightforward. After all, he was a melee fighter¡ªhe knew how to punch, kick, and throw someone harder than they threw him. But Erasmus¡¯ material quickly crushed that illusion.

    "Melee combat isn¡¯t just about strength, most of them will have weapons you¡¯ve not trained against," Erasmus lectured, skimming through the screen as Theo tried to recall what he had just read. "It¡¯s about knowing your opponent¡¯s weapon and their fighting style. Are they a speed fighter? A brute force brawler? A counter-fighter? Each one has different weaknesses, and the fool who fights them all the same way will die very quickly."

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    Theo read the notes aloud, half to himself. "Grapplers need to control space¡ªkeep them at a distance or strike before they clinch. Brawlers rely on raw durability and power, so avoid trading hits. Technical fighters¡ªugh¡ªare a pain because they study you as much as you study them. They punish predictable movements¡­"

    By the end of the day, he was mentally sparring with imaginary opponents, acting out footwork drills alone in his room. He felt good about this one¡ªuntil Erasmus hit him with a rapid-fire question session.

    "What¡¯s the best way to counter a dual-wielding opponent?"

    Theo frowned. "Uh, control their lead hand, force them into tight spaces so they can¡¯t maximize swing angles¡ª"

    "And against a polearm user?"

    "Uh¡­ close the gap quickly. Don¡¯t let them dictate the fight. Get inside their range and¡ª"

    "Three seconds too slow," Erasmus interrupted. "You¡¯re dead."

    Theo resisted the urge to hurl the infopad at his smug face.

    <hr>

    <h4>Day Three ¨C Fighting Against Ranged Fighters</h4>

    If melee-on-melee combat had been a challenge, fighting ranged specialists was downright frustrating.

    The infopads detailed every variation¡ªtraditional archers, gun-wielders, energy-based marksmen, and even magic projectile users. Every single one of them relied on different tactics, which meant Theo needed multiple counters.

    "Ranged fighters control the battlefield," Erasmus reminded him as he tested Theo¡¯s knowledge. "So what do you do?"

    Theo sighed. "Don¡¯t fight them on their terms. Use terrain, force them to reposition, close the gap fast, but don¡¯t move predictably. If they¡¯re using magic, I need to watch for charged attacks and find ways to break their focus."

    Erasmus raised an eyebrow. "Acceptable. What¡¯s your counter if they¡¯re using explosive or AoE projectiles?"

    Theo ran a hand through his hair. "Avoid direct charges, use broken sight lines to force them to readjust, bait their attacks and move in on the cooldown."

    Erasmus nodded slightly, which was as close to praise as Theo was ever going to get.

    Still, by the end of the day, he had one pressing complaint.

    "Fighting against ranged fighters sounds exhausting. Why do I have to do all the work?"

    Erasmus smirked. "Because if you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll be dead before you reach them."

    Theo groaned and dropped his head onto the table.

    <hr>

    <h4>Day Four ¨C Fighting Against Stealth Fighters</h4>

    Theo had learned one very simple truth about stealth combatants: They were annoying as hell.

    Half of the material Erasmus had compiled wasn¡¯t just about fighting them¡ªit was about finding them.

    "You can¡¯t kill what you can¡¯t hit," Erasmus reminded him. "So the real fight starts before the first attack. What do you do if you suspect you¡¯re being hunted?"

    Theo listed off the notes he had memorized. "Don¡¯t stay still. Control the battlefield, force them into open areas where stealth is harder to maintain. Pay attention to sound, airflow, disruptions in movement patterns. If I can¡¯t find them, I force them to come to me."

    Erasmus tilted his head slightly. "How?"

    Theo smirked. "Set a trap. Fake a weakness, bait them in. The moment they strike, counter before they can vanish again."

    That answer earned him a rare nod of approval.

    By the end of the day, Theo was hyper-aware of every shift in light, every sound, every faint breeze against his skin.

    At some point, he muttered under his breath, "If this keeps up, I¡¯m gonna start seeing things that aren¡¯t there."

    Erasmus chuckled. "Good. That means you¡¯re learning."

    <hr>

    <h4>Day Five ¨C Fighting Against Psionics</h4>

    "Okay, but how do you fight someone who can throw you across the room with their mind?" Theo asked, exasperated.

    "Psionic fighters are dangerous, but not invincible," Erasmus said, loading up another infopad. "They rely on mental concentration, which can be broken. Physical pain, overloading their senses, disrupting their focus¡ªyou can make them lose control of their power."

    Theo read through the section, intrigued despite himself. "So, they¡¯re kinda like snipers in a way? If I get close, they¡¯re screwed?"

    "Exactly," Erasmus said. "But getting close is the problem. They often rely on perception manipulation, telekinetic barriers, and battlefield control."

    Theo groaned. "So I have to be unpredictable, again?"

    Erasmus smirked. "If you ever stop moving, you¡¯ll be dead. But yes, unpredictability is key. A psionic user wants to control the battlefield. Don¡¯t let them."

    Theo tapped a finger on the desk, thinking. "So if I hit them before they think I will, they¡¯ll struggle?"

    Erasmus inclined his head slightly. "Precisely. But do not underestimate them."

    By the time the day was over, Theo felt more confident. At least psionic fighters had a counter.

    His biggest takeaway? If he ever met one, he was going to punch them really, really fast.

    <hr>

    <h4>Day Seven ¨C Reflection and Madness</h4>

    A full week of studying had passed, and Theo sat slumped at his desk, surrounded by infopads and a deep sense of existential fatigue. He had absorbed more information in these days than he had in his entire life, and while he could feel himself improving, he wasn¡¯t sure if the cost was worth it.

    He exhaled, rubbing his eyes. "I feel smarter, but also like my soul has aged fifty years."

    Erasmus, barely glancing up from his work, smirked. "Good. Now you know what it¡¯s like to be me."

    Theo groaned, throwing an infopad over his face. "Next time, just let me fight a bear or something, like the Russians."

    Erasmus smirked. "Oh, don¡¯t worry. Training starts tomorrow."

    Theo froze mid-groan, slowly lowering the infopad. "¡­Oooh. You mean I finally get to slap something about?"

    Erasmus grinned. "Indeed. Now we see if you actually learned anything."

    Theo practically leapt to his feet, already bouncing on his toes. "Let¡¯s gooo! No more reading, no more lectures¡ªjust me, my fists, and something to hit!" He threw a few quick shadow-boxing combos, his grin stretching ear to ear. "You have no idea how ready I am for this."

    Erasmus watched him for a moment, shaking his head with amusement. "Don¡¯t get too excited. If you mess up, whatever you¡¯re fighting is going to hit back."

    Theo grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Oh. How terrifying, I¡¯ve never been hit before. I¡¯ve changed my mind, I¡¯ll become your gardener."

    Erasmus chuckled. "Please. You¡¯d inflict more damage on my garden than you could ever manage against an enemy."

    For the first time in a week, Theo wasn¡¯t dreading what was coming next. He couldn¡¯t wait.

 Chapter Ten

    Theo stood in the dimly lit training chamber, rolling his shoulders as he mentally prepared for the onslaught ahead. The room had transformed overnight¡ªwhat was once a sleek, barely populated lab had been rearranged into a battlefield of shifting walls, elevated sniper nests, and cover points. Erasmus had been very thorough.

    ¡°Alright, Theo,¡± Erasmus¡¯ voice crackled over the intercom, smooth but laced with dry amusement. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you last longer than a fart in a hurricane. Your task? Close the gap and neutralize your target before they ventilate you.¡±

    Theo smirked, cracking his knuckles. ¡°That¡¯s a lot of words for ¡®don¡¯t get shot.¡¯¡±

    A sharp beep echoed through the room, and the training simulation activated. Theo¡¯s muscles coiled as mechanical turrets emerged from the walls, glowing with the tell-tale blue of Erasmus¡¯s tech. He noticed three active snipers, moving along the rafters. The click of their servos set his pulse racing.

    And then¡ªbang.

    The first shot rang out, and Theo barely rolled in time. A burst of heat singed the air near his face, leaving the acrid scent of scorched metal. He hit the ground in a crouch, eyes darting toward the source. Perched on a high platform, the sniper drone adjusted, its rifle humming¡ªa heartbeat away from taking him out.

    "Shit," Theo muttered, diving behind a stack of crates.

    ¡°You¡¯re dead,¡± Erasmus¡¯s voice chimed in. ¡°If that had been a real fight, your brains would¡¯ve been redecorating my walls.¡±

    Theo peeked around the crate, noting the way the drones moved. Snipers were methodical. Precision-oriented. They didn¡¯t spray and pray like some fighters¡ªevery shot had to count. If he kept moving erratically, they¡¯d struggle to pin him down.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Theo called back. ¡°Maybe stop monologuing and let me work?¡±

    Erasmus chuckled. ¡°Fine. Impress me.¡±

    The next shot ripped through the air, but Theo was already moving. Instead of staying behind cover, he juked left¡ªthen right¡ªthen sprinted. A straight charge was suicide, but unpredictability was his best weapon.

    Another shot. This one nicked his shoulder, and the mesh flared, dispersing the kinetic energy before it could leave a mark. It still hurt, but nowhere near as much as it should have.

    Theo grinned. ¡°Damn, Raz, this thing¡¯s actually useful.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky,¡± Erasmus warned. ¡°That was just a glancing shot. You take a full-force round and you¡¯re done. Also, don¡¯t just go left and right every two seconds¡ªthat¡¯s still predictable. Mix up your timings and try to read the cooldowns.¡±

    Theo attempted to heed the advice, closing in on the sniper¡¯s perch. One well-placed jump sent him grabbing the edge of the platform. He heaved himself up, his muscles straining as the drone swivelled to adjust. Its barrel came up¡ª

    Theo punched.

    The kinetic charge in his suit discharged at the perfect moment. His fist slammed into the drone¡¯s chassis with enough force to send it spinning off the ledge, crashing into the floor below.

    ¡°One down. No time to celebrate.¡± Theo shook out his tingling knuckles, already scanning for the next target.

    The second sniper fired.

    This time, the round hit him square in the chest.

    Theo was launched backward, his breath ripped from his lungs. He crashed against a wall, wheezing as pain flared through his ribs. The mesh had absorbed most of it, but the impact still hurt like hell.

    ¡°Good news,¡± Erasmus quipped. ¡°You lived. Bad news? That was the weakest rifle I could make. Maybe don¡¯t stop and celebrate when you¡¯re still in a fight.¡±

    Theo coughed, dragging himself upright. ¡°You¡¯re a real ray of sunshine, Raz.¡±

    He took stock of his situation. Two snipers remained. They were repositioning, trying to find another angle. Theo couldn¡¯t keep getting lucky. He needed a plan.

    He spotted a set of cables snaking along the wall. An idea formed.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s try this¡­¡±

    Using almost all of the stored energy in his suit, Theo sprinted full speed, each footfall generating tremendous force and propelling him faster than he could have expected¡ªthen jumped at the last second. He grabbed the exposed cable mid-air and swung, using the momentum to launch himself upward, straight toward the initial sniper.

    The drones detected him, adjusted their aim¡ªbut Theo twisted, using the kinetic boost to pivot just in time as the second sniper unleashed a round that blitzed through the area he just vacated.

    CRACK.

    His boot connected with the drone¡¯s optics, sending it into a downward spiral. Theo landed hard, rolling as the mechanical body clattered against the floor.

    Theo immediately leapt behind cover, away from the final sniper. The high-pitched noises indicated that it was formulating a new position to attack from. There was about 20 feet between the pair. Theo attempted to map the area in his mind from his previous sights.

    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    The layout wasn¡¯t in his favour. The sniper had the high ground, and with the shifting terrain, it could reposition faster than he could close the gap. If he rushed forward blindly, he¡¯d be cut down before taking a second step.

    Theo exhaled, forcing himself to think. Closing the distance unpredictably. Using cover. Forcing a misfire. He ran through Erasmus¡¯ earlier lectures, sifting through strategies while keeping his body low.

    Then, he heard it¡ªthe faint whir of the sniper adjusting. It was locked in.

    Theo moved.

    Instead of sprinting straight, he rolled out from cover but immediately cut left, kicking off a wall to change direction mid-motion. The sniper fired. A burst of heat seared past his ribs, the kinetic force grazing the mesh but dispersing before it could fully connect.

    Too close.

    He pushed forward, charging toward a stack of supply crates. The sniper adjusted¡ªbut Theo was faster now, his suit feeding off the stored energy from his near-miss.

    As the sniper lined up another shot, Theo grabbed a loose crate and hurled it upward. The heavy object disrupted the drone¡¯s tracking for half a second.

    Half a second was all he needed.

    Theo launched himself forward, twisting mid-air to slam both feet into the sniper¡¯s core. The impact sent it crashing down in a heap of sparking parts, its optics flickering before going dark.

    He landed hard, barely keeping his footing.

    Silence.

    Then, a slow clap over the intercom.

    ¡°Well, that was entertaining,¡± Erasmus admitted. ¡°Sloppy, but moderately effective.¡±

    Theo collapsed onto his back, panting. ¡°I aim to please.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow, we up the difficulty.¡± Came Erasmus¡¯ voice over the speakers.

    Theo groaned. ¡°Remind me why I keep thinking you have a soul?¡±

    ¡°You can chalk that down to terrible life choices.¡± Erasmus retorted.

    Theo didn¡¯t argue.

    <hr>

    Day Two ¨C Precision Training

    Theo stood in front of a moving target range, holding a pair of throwing knives Erasmus had tossed him with a smirk.

    ¡°You won¡¯t always be able to close the gap before you get riddled with holes,¡± Erasmus had explained. ¡°So, you learn this.¡±

    Theo had never been much of a knife guy. Punching people? Sure. Kicking them? Absolutely. But throwing sharp objects? Not exactly in his wheelhouse.

    Still, if he wanted to survive, he needed every edge he could get.

    He spun the knife between his fingers, eyeing the first moving target. It was a floating drone, weaving in an unpredictable pattern.

    Theo narrowed his eyes.

    Exhale. Relax. Release.

    He snapped his wrist, sending the blade whistling through the air.

    It missed. Badly.

    Erasmus snorted. ¡°Astounding. A blindfolded toddler would outscore you.¡±

    Theo smiled sarcastically. ¡°Is that who did your hair?

    He adjusted his grip. Lighter, not so stiff.

    The second knife left his hand.

    It missed by an even greater distance, flying up into the air.

    This level of success was standard for the first 20 throws. There was very, very slight improvement as time went on, but it was slow.

    Eventually, Theo lined up properly, actually applying Erasmus¡¯ (rare) useful advice. He flicked his wrist¡ªthunk¡ªthe knife clipped the drone¡¯s edge. Barely.

    Theo huffed, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Okay, progress.¡±

    ¡°You have six more days to not embarrass yourself,¡± Erasmus quipped. ¡°Try harder.¡±

    Theo flipped him off and kept throwing.

    <hr>

    Day Five ¨C Live Fire

    Theo crouched behind cover, sweat dripping down his temple. The training had escalated fast. Today, the drones weren¡¯t firing stun rounds.

    Erasmus had thrown him into real live fire, and it sucked.

    He could hear the rapid-fire whizz of bullets striking the walls around him. His mind raced. The only way to win was to outthink the shooters.

    He took a breath. Then moved.

    He sprinted in a zig-zag, diving into a roll just as a shot grazed past him. He used his momentum to leap up, scaling a pillar and flipping onto the catwalk above.

    A drone tracked him.

    Theo anticipated, kicked off the railing¡ªand threw a knife mid-air.

    It hit the drone¡¯s core, sending it sparking and tumbling.

    Theo landed on his feet, chest heaving.

    Over the intercom, Erasmus let out an impressed whistle. ¡°You might actually live through this.¡±

    Theo grinned, flipping the last knife in his hand before dropping it as he tried to catch it and look cool.

    He awkwardly peered at Erasmus. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s best I don¡¯t, actually.¡±

    <hr>

    Conclusion ¨C Day Seven

    By the end of the week, Theo wasn¡¯t just a brawler anymore. He could read a battlefield. He knew when to move and when to wait. When to throw and when to charge.

    He was still raw. Still learning. But he was better.

    Erasmus met him outside the training chamber, arms crossed. ¡°Not bad, Theo. Not great, but not bad.¡±

    Theo smirked. ¡°Coming from you? That¡¯s practically flirting.¡±

    Erasmus rolled his eyes. ¡°Get some rest. Tomorrow, we begin stealth training.¡±

    Theo groaned, already regretting every life choice.

    And yet¡­

    For the first time in a while, there was some semblance of genuine confidence creeping into his mind.

 Chapter Eleven

    The training chamber was shrouded in darkness, save for the intermittent flashes of dim red lighting that pulsed across the walls. The shadows stretched unnaturally, warping the sense of space in a way that made Theo¡¯s skin crawl. He rolled his shoulders, exhaling slowly, forcing himself to relax. This was going to be unlike any other training he¡¯d done before.

    Erasmus¡¯s voice crackled through the overhead speakers. ¡°Tonight¡¯s lesson: Stealth combat. You already know how to take a hit and dish one out, but if you can¡¯t see the enemy before they see you, you¡¯re already dead.¡±

    Theo cracked his knuckles, rolling his neck. ¡°Alright, just tell me where I¡¯m swinging.¡±

    A scoff. ¡°That¡¯s the point, Theo. You won¡¯t know.¡±

    Theo blinked. ¡°Wow. That was, uh¡­ embarrassingly dumb. Can I take that one back?¡±

    A soft hum filled the chamber, and in an instant, the red lighting cut out entirely. Theo was left standing in complete darkness.

    He tensed, his breathing steady but measured. His heart pounded against his ribs, not from fear, but from anticipation. He¡¯d fought boxers, wrestlers, kickboxers¡ªhell, he¡¯d taken down three snipers the other day¡ªbut fighting what he couldn¡¯t see? That was new.

    A whisper of movement behind him.

    Theo spun, throwing a punch on instinct. Nothing. Just empty space.

    The whisper again, this time from his left. He turned sharply, but before he could react, something slammed into the back of his knee. His leg buckled, and he barely caught himself from falling. A soft chuckle echoed through the room.

    ¡°Don¡¯t just react, Theo. Predict. Use sounds, vibrations, patterns, anything to ascertain a method of attack.¡±

    Theo clenched his jaw. ¡°You¡¯re loving this, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Immensely,¡± Erasmus replied dryly. ¡°You rely on your eyes too much. A fatal flaw against someone who refuses to be seen.¡±

    Theo rolled his neck, loosening his muscles. He needed to change his approach. If he couldn¡¯t see them, he had to use what he had. Sound. Air displacement. Instinct.

    He slowed his breathing, forcing his body into a relaxed stance. The room was silent except for the faint mechanical hum of the facility.

    Then¡ªthere. A shift in the air, the faintest trace of motion coming from the right.

    Theo didn¡¯t turn this time. Instead, he threw out his elbow as the presence neared. His strike met nothing but air. Then a sharp impact landed against his ribs. He gasped, staggering, and another hit struck his shoulder, sending him reeling.

    This wasn¡¯t a fight¡ªit was a goddamn YouTube tutorial on how to get wrecked. Every hit landed like a lesson in humility, every move he made countered before he even finished thinking about it. His instincts were failing him, his defenses crumbling. His breath came in ragged bursts as he fought to stay on his feet, but every movement was countered, every attempt at resistance met with punishment. His mesh was heating at an incredible rate and was unable to disperse the energy through offensive output. He couldn¡¯t even channel it into movement as he couldn¡¯t see his surroundings.

    The mesh began to vent as he felt the structural integrity increase. His movements became restrained but his mesh felt almost twice as thick. Countless blows hammered into his joints and vital spots. The damage was lessened, but it wasn¡¯t enough. He was a sitting duck.

    The assault didn¡¯t stop until he hit the ground and the mesh recoiled back into the device on his back, leaving him defenceless. His body ached, his vision blurred. He lay there, sucking in breath after breath, his frustration boiling beneath the pain. He hadn¡¯t landed a single hit.

    Silence filled the room.

    Erasmus exhaled through the speakers, his usual smugness curiously absent. ¡°Well¡­ that was conclusive.¡±

    Theo groaned, rolling onto his side. ¡°Oh yeah? What gave it away? The sound of my dignity shattering?¡±

    Erasmus paused. That was rare. ¡°Hmm. It¡¯s become clear to me that a basic human can¡¯t keep up with stealth combatants. If you can¡¯t track them, you can¡¯t fight them. You have no extended perception, you can¡¯t tap into system triggers designed for equality. Hmm.¡±

    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Theo forced a laugh, though there was little humour in it. ¡°Glad I could be your test dummy. Thank god you came to that conclusion now and not before I became one giant bruise.¡±

    Erasmus wasn¡¯t listening. His muttering came through the speaker, his mind clearly spinning with possibilities. ¡°An implant¡­¡± he muttered. ¡°Something to enhance perception. Track motion, predict trajectories¡­¡±

    Theo frowned, wiping sweat from his brow as he waited an uncomfortable amount of time. ¡°Uh, what now?¡±

    Erasmus didn¡¯t answer right away. Then, his voice came through, sharp and decisive. ¡°Get some rest, Theo. We¡¯ll be making some upgrades.¡±

    <hr>

    ¡°Table. Flat on your back. Shirt and trousers¡ªoff. And shut up before you even think about a joke. I can see it forming in your simple little head.¡± Erasmus groused impatiently as he rushed into his lab, a look of determination on his face while he turned to his main console.

    Theo groaned but did as he was told, peeling off his shirt and trousers before settling onto the cold metal table. The surface was smooth, but it offered no comfort, making his already aching body protest. He let out a long breath, staring up at the sterile white ceiling of Erasmus¡¯s lab.

    A mechanical arm descended from the ceiling, a soft blue light emanating from its tip as it scanned his battered form. Theo shuddered slightly at the sensation¡ªtingling warmth spreading across his skin as the machine got to work repairing his bruises and minor internal damage. It felt uncomfortable but not too invasive considering the work it was doing. Various electrical zaps and vibrating pads seemed to be doing the Lord''s work as Theo actively felt his pain dimming systematically.

    Erasmus, meanwhile, was already engrossed in his console. Holographic schematics flickered in the air in front of him, the beginnings of a complex design forming piece by piece. His fingers moved with mechanical precision, adjusting parameters, running simulations, and muttering under his breath.

    Theo tilted his head slightly, his voice laced with exhaustion. ¡°So, what¡¯s the grand plan, Doc?¡±

    ¡°Neural integration¡­ enhanced motion tracking¡­ trajectory prediction overlay¡­¡± Erasmus murmured, half answering Theo¡¯s comment as he continued adjusting the model blueprint.

    Theo let his head fall back with a sigh. ¡°I meant in a coherent sentence, preferably.¡±

    Erasmus shot him a brief glance, then went back to his work. ¡°An implant, Theo. One that will allow you to track movement at a speed your body can actually respond to. Your eyes and mind aren¡¯t enough. This will be.¡±

    Theo frowned at that. ¡°You make it sound like I¡¯m getting a new pair.¡±

    ¡°In a sense,¡± Erasmus replied, his voice clinical. ¡°Your human perception is limited¡ªyour brain processes movement slower than what some opponents can achieve. Stealth combatants are particularly problematic because they don¡¯t just move quickly, they manipulate space and perception to their advantage. With this, you¡¯ll be able to see the patterns almost before they form. To counter before they strike. Maybe a few other bits, it depends how far I can stretch the resources I have to hand.¡±

    Theo exhaled sharply, letting the idea settle in his mind. ¡°Sounds¡­ invasive.¡±

    Erasmus smirked, eyes still locked on his designs. ¡°It is. But so was that utter violation you just received.¡±

    Theo nodded begrudgingly in agreement.

    The healing process continued in silence for a while, the lab humming with soft mechanical noises. Theo could already feel the soreness having dulled significantly, the deep aches retreating as the nanotech did its job.

    Then, without warning, a sharp beep echoed from the monitors. Erasmus¡¯s head snapped toward the main screen, his hands pausing over the console. His gaze narrowed.

    Theo propped himself up on his elbows. ¡°What now?¡±

    Erasmus didn¡¯t answer immediately. His fingers moved swiftly, pulling up external surveillance feeds. The screen flickered, revealing grainy footage of the landscape outside the lab.

    Silhouettes.

    Moving figures.

    Theo¡¯s breath hitched slightly as he processed what he was seeing. They weren¡¯t drones, they weren¡¯t creatures¡ªthese were people.

    ¡°The tutorials are over,¡± Erasmus muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°The survivors are back.¡±

    Theo sat up, the last of the healing forgotten. His heart pounded¡ªnot fear. Not excitement. Something in between. ¡°You mean¡­ the ones who made it?¡±

    Erasmus didn¡¯t look away from the screen. ¡°The ones who survived.¡±

    Theo swallowed, watching the screen. For the first time since arriving in this place, he had a choice. He could leave. He could walk outside and throw himself into whatever civilization was beginning to take shape. He could meet people, live as a normal human, find a place among them.

    But then he thought back to the fight. To how easily he¡¯d been torn apart.

    If he left now, he¡¯d just be another fighter scrambling for survival at absolute best, a stepping stone for someone stronger. He wasn¡¯t ready.

    He turned his gaze to Erasmus, who was still analysing the feed, his mind likely already working on contingencies. ¡°I¡¯m staying, if you were wondering,¡± Theo said firmly.

    Erasmus finally looked at him, one eyebrow raised. ¡°Oh? I thought you were eager to prove yourself to the world.¡±

    ¡°I will,¡± Theo replied, swinging his legs off the table. ¡°But not yet.¡± He met Erasmus¡¯s gaze, determination settling deep in his gut. ¡°I got wrecked tonight. I¡¯m not going out there until I¡¯m the one doing the wrecking.¡±

    A smirk played at the corner of Erasmus¡¯s lips. ¡°Smart choice.¡±

    He turned back to the console, his hands moving once more, adjusting the implant schematics. ¡°Then let¡¯s make sure you leave here more than human.¡±

 Chapter Twelve

    Theo sat on the edge of Erasmus¡¯s work table, one leg lazily swinging off the side as he watched the old man work. He had learned by now that Erasmus wasn¡¯t just smart¡ªhe was obsessively meticulous, each flick of his fingers across the holographic interface calculated down to the microsecond.

    The glowing blueprints of the ocular implant hovered in mid-air, shifting as the Catalyx scientist refined the implant within some kind of automated building module with inhuman precision.

    Unlike crude human engineering, where trial and error dictated craftsmanship, this device was built with absolute efficiency¡ªevery action preordained, every micro-adjustment dictated by perfect calculations.

    As Theo watched, the module flared to life, a symphony of mechanical arms and high-frequency energy pulses working in perfect concert.

    Metal strips, suspended in mid-air by unseen forces, were superheated in an instant, the temperature shifting so precisely that not a single molecule strayed from its intended state.

    Liquid alloy poured into pre-measured grooves before flash-cooling in fractions of a second, solidifying into flawless, microscopic components.

    Lasers carved intricate circuit pathways, their precision far beyond the capabilities of any human hand. The air shimmered as electromagnetic stabilizers held components in place at a subatomic level, preventing the slightest deviation from Erasmus¡¯s schematics.

    Theo exhaled sharply, shaking his head. This wasn¡¯t engineering. It was art.

    The device was assembling itself faster than his brain could fully process. The entire process, from raw material to near-complete construct, took mere minutes. No wasted motion. No inefficiencies. The sheer speed and perfection of it all sent an unsettling shiver down his spine.

    Theo ran a hand through his messy hair, shaking his head with a half-laugh. ¡°Dear god, this is insane. You¡¯re telling me this little gadget¡¯s actually gonna let me see those slippery bitches before they jackhammer me?¡±

    Erasmus didn¡¯t look up from his work. ¡°It¡¯s a tool, not a miracle. You¡¯ll still need to keep up. The implant will highlight movement trajectories, anticipate shifts in airflow, and enhance night vision. With enough time, it could even track predictive movement patterns.¡±

    Theo narrowed his eyes at the glowing display. ¡°That sounds like a certified cheat code and I¡¯m all here for it. Unless it¡¯s paid DLC, actually.¡±

    Erasmus nodded accordingly. ¡°Aye. It¡¯s nothing compared to what I operate with, but it¡¯s the most I could do with the materials on hand. You¡¯re very lucky, actually. My recovery drones only just brought back the Nyxite, which I needed for the cryotherm weave. Otherwise I could only use half the processes without it melting a hole in your head.¡±

    Theo smirked. ¡°Ah¡­ Right. Well that¡¯s good. Because I suck at fighting those god damn shadow ninjas.¡±

    Erasmus didn¡¯t respond immediately, instead flicking his wrist to expand the projection of a delicate lens structure. ¡°Well, you never really stood a chance. I thought this might be the outcome, but I needed to see exactly where your deficiencies lay before I could design an appropriate countermeasure.¡±

    Theo opened his mouth to retort, but the scientist cut him off.

    ¡°But,¡± Erasmus continued, ¡°you do have potential. You have undeniable martial prowess. With the right enhancements, you might live long enough to be more than an amusing footnote in history.¡±

    Theo rolled his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re a real morale booster, you know that?¡±

    ¡°Your morale would be even lower if you were dead.¡±

    Theo leaned back against the table, watching the implant take shape. It wasn¡¯t much bigger than a coin, a small, intricate device that pulsed with faint energy. His fingers hovered over the implant, reluctant. He wasn¡¯t some machine, some system-dependent pawn. But that beating had been a wake-up call¡ªpride didn¡¯t mean much if you were dead. He exhaled through his teeth. Survive now, overthink later.

    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    His thoughts were interrupted by the distant thump of heavy boots against dirt.

    Theo turned his head toward the main entrance of the lab, where Erasmus had set up exterior surveillance feeds. The screens displayed a view of the surrounding landscape¡ªexcept now, the barren wasteland wasn¡¯t so barren anymore.

    Survivors from the tutorials were spilling back into the world, scattered in groups. Some wandered cautiously, weapons drawn. Others were already organizing into clusters, their body language carrying the weight of their experiences. They had been forged in something Theo couldn¡¯t begin to comprehend, and now they were back¡ªstronger, harder, and determined.

    Theo let out a low whistle. ¡°I wonder what they went through. I¡¯m glad so many made it but they look like they suffered.¡±

    Erasmus spared a glance at the screens. ¡°Of course they did. The system only rewards those who adapt.¡± His gaze lingered for a moment longer before he refocused on his work. ¡°Now we see what kind of society they intend to build.¡±

    Theo leaned forward, watching as the scattered humans began to stake claims to different patches of land. Some gravitated toward the riverbanks, likely recognizing the need for water sources. Others eyed the rocky terrain, possibly considering its defensibility. But what truly caught Theo¡¯s attention were the builders.

    At first, he didn¡¯t recognize what he was looking at. A few individuals had begun working with whatever crude materials they could gather¡ªstones, wood, ores¡ªbut something was off. Their hands moved faster than normal, their motions almost blurred with efficiency. A man dragged an entire wooden beam alone, lifting it as if it were weightless. Another rapidly assembled a frame, his movements impossibly precise.

    Theo blinked. ¡°The hell¡¯s going on with them?¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s eyes flicked toward the screen. ¡°Builder classes.¡±

    ¡°Builder what?¡±

    ¡°The system isn¡¯t just combat-oriented,¡± Erasmus explained, his fingers pausing over his console. ¡°It rewards those who contribute to stability. Certain individuals will have developed construction-oriented enhancements, allowing them to build at speeds far beyond normal human limits. It ensures civilization can form quickly.¡±

    Theo frowned as he watched the settlers construct the first crude structures. A few homes¡ªif they could be called that¡ªwere already taking shape. Wooden and stone foundations were being laid in minutes, not days. The landscape, once barren, was changing before his eyes.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ kinda terrifying,¡± Theo admitted. ¡°You¡¯re telling me some of these guys woke up one day and just knew how to build houses like they were made of LEGO?¡±

    Erasmus smirked. ¡°More or less. The system provides them with blueprints, skill-assisted craftsmanship, and muscle efficiency. With the right people, entire cities can rise in weeks.¡±

    Theo watched as one of the builders¡ªsome stocky guy with arms like tree trunks¡ªlifted an entire support beam onto his shoulder without breaking a sweat. He slammed it into the ground, and the structure around him took shape almost instantly.

    It was surreal.

    A few meters away, another group had gathered, seemingly debating over leadership. The conversation turned heated, gesturing and pointing escalating into outright shouting.

    Theo snorted. ¡°Oh snap, shit¡¯s about to get real with this lot.¡±

    Erasmus didn¡¯t even need to look. ¡°Power struggles. Inevitable.¡±

    Theo leaned closer, grinning as the argument intensified. ¡°I¡¯d say it¡¯s about five minutes from someone getting punched in the face.¡±

    As if on cue, one of the men threw a punch. The fight broke out instantly, people either jumping in or stepping back to watch. Weapons were drawn, but no one swung¡ªyet. Tensions simmered.

    Theo laughed. ¡°Called it.¡±

    Erasmus sighed. ¡°Humans are predictably inefficient.¡±

    Theo watched a moment longer before turning back to the implant hovering above Erasmus¡¯s work table. His amusement faded.

    For all the excitement outside and his yearning to be a part of it, he wasn¡¯t ready to join them.

    Not yet.

    His grip tightened around the table¡¯s edge. ¡°How long until that thing¡¯s ready?¡±

    Erasmus didn¡¯t look up. ¡°Soon. Stop being so impatient.¡±

    Theo exhaled through his nose. ¡°I just¡­ I don¡¯t like being defenceless, Raz.¡±

    Erasmus met his gaze, unblinking. ¡°Then fix it.

    Theo nodded. The world outside was moving forward. Settlements were forming, hierarchies were taking shape, and people were beginning their new lives. He would not be left behind.

 Chapter Thirteen

    Theo sat on the cold metal slab of Erasmus¡¯s lab, legs dangling off the side as he watched the older man tweak and modify the glowing ocular implant hovering in mid-air. The faint blue light of the device reflected in Erasmus¡¯s icy eyes, making him look even more like some kind of futuristic warlock than an engineer. The room hummed with quiet energy, the overhead lighting casting sterile white beams against the metallic surfaces.

    "You¡¯re sure this thing won¡¯t turn me into a cyborg freak?" Theo asked, crossing his arms.

    Erasmus sighed through his nose. "Yes, Theo. That would require much more extensive augmentation, which, believe me, I¡¯d love to do if only to cut down on your questions."

    Theo smirked. "You love my questions."

    Erasmus didn''t look up from his work. "Every question you ask shaves a decade off my lifespan."

    The implant was almost ready. A sleek, small device¡ªmore like an extension of the body than a foreign object. ¡°Unlike your species¡¯ clunky cybernetics, Catalyx enhancements are seamless. No bolts, no wires, no unnecessary suffering¡ªunless I decide otherwise. This isn¡¯t some clunky metal eye replacement. No, this is an adaptive ocular enhancement, refined to work with your own biological functions, processing speed, and reflexes. ¡°It was very different from working on standard Catalyx biology, but you have enough in there to support the technology.¡± Erasmus glanced over at him, reading the slight tension in his posture. "Nervous?" he asked, voice neutral.

    Theo rolled his shoulders. "I¡¯d be lying if I said no. Having you poke around in my head isn¡¯t exactly a spa treatment."

    Erasmus made a noncommittal noise and gestured toward the reclined chair in the centre of the lab. "Lay down. This will be uncomfortable."

    Theo climbed onto the chair, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "I bet you say that to all the ladies."

    ¡°Only the ones strapped to my lab chair,¡± Erasmus quipped as he tapped a control panel, and mechanical arms whirred to life, descending toward Theo with precision. The moment the cool metal of the scanner touched his temples, he felt a sharp pressure spike behind his left eye.

    "Shit¡ªwhat the hell?!" Theo''s grip tightened on the chair as a spike of pressure stabbed behind his eye. It took everything he had to not let out the scream trying to escape.

    Erasmus barely glanced at him. "Your optic nerve is fusing. Slowing it down would only mean more suffering. Your choice."

    Theo clenched his jaw. "Just get it over with please."

    The pressure built into something sharp, something deep. It wasn''t pain in the traditional sense¡ªit was as if something was growing behind his eye, like a new limb forcing its way into his perception. His vision blurred, black static creeping into the edges of his sight. He bit down on the inside of his cheek, refusing to make a noise.

    And then, suddenly, everything snapped into place.

    The black static faded, replaced by an overwhelming flood of information. The room was¡­ clearer. Not just brighter, but more defined. Tiny movements of the machinery flickered in his peripheral vision, as if his brain was catching up to things he had never noticed before. A faint grid-like overlay flickered across his vision as it mapped the room automatically. He turned his head slightly, and a predictive line traced where Erasmus was likely to move next based on his body language.

    Theo exhaled sharply. "Oh my gentle Jesus. I¡¯m officially a sci-fi protagonist now."

    Erasmus tapped a few more commands on the console, watching Theo¡¯s reaction carefully. "You¡¯re processing at an acceptable rate. Any nausea? Vertigo?"

    Theo shook his head, then paused as his vision lagged slightly before catching up. "Whoa, okay, yeah, that was weird."

    "Your brain is adjusting to the input," Erasmus explained. "Give it a few hours, and it will feel natural. The implant is designed to predict movement based on visual cues. It won¡¯t read minds, but it will anticipate patterns, allowing you to react faster."

    Theo blinked, staring at his own hands, watching the tiny micro-twitches in his fingers be mapped out before he even consciously moved them. "This is insane. So this is what it feels like to be you?"

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    Erasmus smirked. "Hardly. But it¡¯s a step up from your previous reaction speed which was akin to a particularly excitable potato."

    Theo sat up, rubbing his temples. "Alright. I think I¡¯m good. So when¡¯s the test run?"

    Erasmus¡¯s smirk widened. "Now."

    <hr>

    Theo stood in the middle of the darkened training chamber, his heart pounding in anticipation. The room was massive, filled with shifting walls, raised platforms, and dim lighting that flickered intermittently. It was a perfect hunting ground¡ªfor his opponents.

    Erasmus¡¯s voice crackled through the speakers. "This time, the stealth units are adaptive. You¡¯re no longer fighting pre-programmed drones. These are real combat AI, trained to hunt, predict, and eliminate targets."

    Theo cracked his neck. "Oh, so we¡¯re skipping the baby steps, huh?"

    "I don¡¯t coddle lost causes," Erasmus replied dryly. "Survive for ten minutes. Bonus points if you actually take one down."

    A chime echoed through the room.

    Then, silence.

    Theo took a slow breath, his new vision flickering to life. Shapes sharpened, movements traced in ghostly lines before they even happened. Tiny fluctuations in the air were being registered, marking subtle disturbances. His brain screamed at the overwhelming data, but his instincts¡ªthose, he trusted.

    There.

    A flicker in the shadows.

    Theo spun just as the first attacker lunged. His arm came up instinctively, attempting to deflect a knife strike that had been aimed at his ribs. The moment of impact triggered a kinetic surge in his mesh, and he twisted, slamming an elbow into the enemy¡¯s torso.

    The figure staggered back, nearly silent. No heavy breathing, no unnecessary movements. It was eerie.

    Theo grinned. "Alright. This might actually be fun."

    The next attack came from above. Theo didn¡¯t even have time to react before he stumbled forward, landing on his front. He used the momentum to roll, swivel, and locate his attacker.

    The voice of judgement came through the speakers. "You¡¯ve clearly been watching too much anime if you think you can stop to quip after every strike you land. Focus, Theo!"

    Theo felt small as he absorbed Erasmus¡¯s words. He had been a dedicated fighter before the Exo-Genesis changed everything; now, he needed to reclaim the same hunger he had as a penniless, rising competitor.

    As his thoughts churned, a new warning flashed. Movement to his right¡ªhis attacker was making a move.

    Theo saw it a fraction of a second before it happened¡ªan overlay predicting the assassin¡¯s descent from the ceiling rafters. He ducked and rolled forward, just narrowly avoiding a blade slicing through where his neck had been.

    "Better," Erasmus noted. "But they¡¯re not even using their full speed yet."

    An hour passed. At first, all he could do was survive. But then, the gap closed. He dodged faster. His hands caught strikes almost before his brain even processed them. He was keeping up. Theo didn''t have time to respond before another attacker struck. This time, his body reacted entirely on instinct, his new vision tracking everything in ways his human eyes never could. He weaved under the strike, twisted, and grabbed the attacker¡¯s wrist mid-motion.

    For the first time, he was keeping up.

    He used the stored kinetic energy from the previous blows and snapped his opponent¡¯s arm backward. There was no scream¡ªjust a sharp, controlled breath from the figure before they disengaged and melted back into the shadows.

    Theo panted, his eyes darting as he scanned the room.

    He could beat them.

    For the first time, he knew he could beat them.

    <hr>

    The lights flickered back to full brightness, revealing three disabled stealth units sprawled across the training floor. Theo was on one knee, sweat dripping down his forehead, but he was grinning.

    Erasmus strolled into the room, hands in his coat pockets. He glanced at the broken drones, then at Theo, expression unreadable.

    "Not terrible," he admitted.

    Theo laughed breathlessly. "You truly are an inspirational wordsmith."

    Erasmus smirked. "Don¡¯t get used to it."

    Theo pushed himself to his feet, rolling his neck. He could still feel the implant adjusting, his mind catching up to what his body had just done¡ªbut he had done it. He had faced an opponent that, just a week ago, had annihilated him¡ªand now, he had fought back.

    He turned to Erasmus, his grin widening. "So, what¡¯s next?"

    Erasmus¡¯s smirk deepened. "Oh, now we really start."

 Chapter Fourteen

    The training chamber was dimly lit, filled with the rhythmic hum of machinery and the faint flicker of artificial lights lining the walls. Theo cracked his knuckles, rolling his shoulders as he prepared himself for whatever Erasmus had in store. After a week of gruelling training, he was eager to see how far he had come.

    Erasmus stood beside a pop up console, fingers gliding over the interface with absentminded precision. He barely glanced at Theo before speaking. "Today, we test your ability to combat psionic combatants."

    Theo raised his arms and exclaimed, "With mind bullets!? That¡¯s telekinesis Kyle." He was secure in the belief that Erasmus didn¡¯t listen to Tenacious D, but he couldn¡¯t help himself.

    Erasmus snorted. "No..." He tapped a final command, and a section of the floor slid open. A small, round creature, no larger than a basketball, hovered into view. It was covered in fluffy, cloud-like fur, its tiny eyes blinking with an innocence that felt entirely out of place in Erasmus¡¯s lab.

    Theo frowned. "Uh. What? What am I looking at?"

    Erasmus crossed his arms, watching the creature with a hint of amusement. "This is a Vennothian Puffling. It is incredibly rare, deceptively adorable, and capable of psionic influence beyond most things you¡¯ll encounter in this world. They¡¯re also pretty friendly, so this is the perfect test setting."

    Theo stared at the creature, then back at Erasmus. "So¡­ what? I fight it? Punch the furball in the face? I don¡¯t know if I can do that. It will automatically turn into a head pat."

    Erasmus sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "No, you imbecile. It¡¯s going to try and manipulate you. If you can resist its influence, we¡¯ll have our answer as to how psionics affect you."

    Theo squinted at the creature. It made a soft, cooing noise, its round body gently bobbing up and down. He tilted his head. "Alright, fine. When do we start?"

    Erasmus smirked. "We already have."

    Theo blinked. A slight but strange fog crept into his mind, like the sensation of walking into a room and forgetting why he was there for a split second. He frowned, shaking his head. The feeling was subtle, barely noticeable¡ªlike the edges of his thoughts were blurring, but not enough to cause concern.

    He turned to Erasmus. "Wait, that¡¯s it? That¡¯s all it¡¯s got? I thought I was gonna start seeing ghosts or suddenly believe I was a teapot or something."

    Erasmus tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Interesting. The Puffling¡¯s ability should have fully ensnared your mind by now. But instead, you¡¯re simply¡­ a bit annoyed?"

    Theo shrugged. "Mildly confused, but yeah. Mostly just disappointed."

    Erasmus began pacing, his analytical mind whirring. "This confirms a theory I had. Your unique biology means you lack the system''s energy pathways¡ªpathways that psionics manipulate. That makes you resistant, if not outright immune, to psionic attacks."

    Theo grinned. "So, what you¡¯re saying is¡­ I¡¯m a natural counter to mind readers and creepy mentalist guys?"

    Erasmus stopped, giving him an exasperated look. "Yes, congratulations. You are functionally a brick wall to psionic influence."

    Theo pumped a fist. "Hell yeah. Finally, something in this world works in my favour."

    The Puffling let out a chirp, almost as if it were frustrated that its ability had failed. Theo reached out and patted its tiny head, ruffling the soft fluff between his fingers. The creature made a pleased trilling noise, rubbing against his hand.

    Erasmus¡¯s eyebrow twitched. "Theo, stop befriending the test subject."

    Theo smirked. "I don¡¯t know, Raz. I think I like this little guy. He¡¯s kind of growing on me."

    Erasmus let out a long-suffering sigh. "Fine. But it¡¯s going back to the wild. We don¡¯t have time for pets."

    Theo scooped up the Puffling, cradling it in his arms as it nuzzled into his chest. "Impossible. Professor Meep and I are bonded for life. He can help you with your science as he is now an accredited professor since I named him such."

    Erasmus stared at Theo, his expression a cocktail of exhaustion and disbelief. "Professor¡­ Meep," he repeated flatly.

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    Theo nodded sagely, holding the tiny creature up like a prized artifact. "Yes, Professor Meep. Esteemed scholar in the field of being fluffy and excellent. Look at him, Raz. This is the form of a true intellectual."

    Professor Meep let out a soft, questioning meep and wiggled its tiny paws.

    Erasmus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Theo, that is a glorified sentient stress ball with barely enough cognitive function to avoid walking into walls."

    "Which means he fits right in with me," Theo quipped, plopping the Puffling onto his shoulder. Meep immediately flopped against his neck, trilling contentedly. "See? He''s already part of the team."

    Erasmus turned back to his console, muttering something about wasting perfectly good resources on nonsense. Theo, however, was undeterred. If Professor Meep had only a short time in the lab, they were going to make the most of it.

    First, Theo decided that Meep needed to explore his new kingdom. He placed the tiny creature on one of Erasmus¡¯s many worktables, where it immediately discovered a small, spherical drone about its own size. Meep sniffed it once, then proceeded to aggressively boop it with his nose. The drone whirred in confusion and tried to roll away, only for Meep to chase after it, his stubby limbs working overtime.

    Theo gasped dramatically. "Raz! My esteemed colleague has discovered the ancient art of drone herding!"

    "Get it off my equipment!" Erasmus snapped, typing furiously as if sheer willpower alone would remove the Puffling from his workspace.

    But Theo was already invested. He nudged another drone into play, watching as Meep pounced onto it like a victorious hunter, only to immediately roll off and land in a heap of fluff. Unfazed, the little creature wiggled upright and resumed its relentless pursuit.

    "Unbelievable," Erasmus muttered as he watched his once-serene laboratory devolve into chaos.

    At some point, Theo found an old lab coat hanging on a chair. With a bit of effort, he fashioned a makeshift professor¡¯s robe for Meep, using a strip of discarded wiring as a belt. "Now this is a proper scientist," Theo announced, presenting Meep in his grand new attire.

    Erasmus finally looked up, and for a split second, Theo swore he saw something dangerously close to amusement flicker across the old man¡¯s face.

    Then the moment was ruined.

    Meep, emboldened by his new title, decided he needed a proper perch and launched himself onto Erasmus¡¯s head. The scientist froze, his icy blue eyes narrowing as the Puffling made itself comfortable in his hair.

    "Theo," Erasmus said in a tone so calm it was terrifying.

    "Yes, Raz?"

    "Get it. Off. My head."

    Theo grinned. "I think he likes you."

    "If you do not remove it in the next five seconds, I will replace all of your meals with nutrient paste made from its essence."

    "Don¡¯t say things like that! You¡¯ll hurt his delicate sensibilities. The mind of a genius is a fragile thing. "

    Erasmus¡¯s patience snapped. With a flick of his wrist, a small drone zapped to life, gently scooping Meep from his head and depositing the Puffling back onto Theo¡¯s shoulder. Meep let out an indignant meep, as if personally offended by his relocation.

    Theo rubbed the tiny creature¡¯s head soothingly. "There, there, Professor. Some people just don¡¯t respect greatness."

    Erasmus turned back to his console, muttering about burning the entire lab down and starting over. Theo, satisfied that Professor Meep had left his mark on the place, leaned back against a nearby counter.

    "Well, Raz," he said, stroking his fluff-covered companion, "I think today was a success."

    Erasmus didn¡¯t look up. "Get out before I reclassify you both as failed test subjects."

    <hr>

    A few hours later, Theo stood at the edge of the jungle biome outside Erasmus¡¯s lab, the Puffling nestled in his arms. He knelt, setting it down gently. "Alright, little dude. Time to go."

    The creature looked up at him, letting out a soft, questioning chirp. Theo ruffled its head one last time. "Go on, get out of here before Raz starts running more tests on you."

    With one final trill, the Puffling bounced off into the underbrush, disappearing into the foliage. Theo watched it go, a small smile on his lips.

    Erasmus stood behind him, arms crossed. "Are we done with the sentimental nonsense?"

    Theo grinned. "For now. But let¡¯s be real, that thing¡¯s totally coming back."

    Erasmus muttered something under his breath about buffoonery before pivoting back toward the lab. Theo lingered for a moment, watching the tiny fluff ball disappear into the underbrush. A genuine pang of loss settled in his chest¡ªProfessor Meep had, in his short tenure, become more than just a test subject. But as he turned to follow Erasmus, the old man spoke without looking back.

    There was the faintest pause before his voice came, carefully neutral. "That thing belongs out here, Theo. Keeping an undomesticated creature in a high-risk lab filled with volatile experiments and equipment is a fast track to disaster. Sentimentality doesn¡¯t change facts."

    Theo sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. "Yeah, yeah. I get it. But c¡¯mon, Raz¡ªhe was a prodigy in the field of adorable anarchy."

    Erasmus let out a long-suffering sigh. "Exactly why he had to go. It was you or him. You only just won out¡­"

 Chapter Fifteen

    It had been weeks since Theo had last seen another human being.

    At first, the isolation was manageable. Training against Erasmus¡¯s drones kept him occupied, honing his reactions, his precision, his endurance. The melee units had been tuned to become a challenge, forcing him to perfect his footwork and deal with abilities such as speed and shields. The ranged simulations had drilled into him the necessity of using cover, making him unpredictable in open space. Stealth opponents had nearly broken him originally, but after his implant was installed, he had adapted, reading motion patterns before they even struck. The psionic resistance tests were abandoned as he was all but immune. A natural counter to mind-based influence. A living blind spot in a world where perception was a weapon.

    It should have been satisfying. It should have been enough.

    But it wasn¡¯t. At some point, the victories stopped feeling like victories.

    Theo sat in the centre of the training chamber, breathing hard, sweat dripping from his brow. Another set of drones lay scattered around him in smoking heaps. He had just completed another randomized combat simulation, this time facing off against an adaptive squad of enemies meant to mimic a real-world threat. The problem was, they weren¡¯t real. They were predictable, programmatic. No matter how much Erasmus adjusted their tactics, they lacked the spark of genuine danger, the uncertainty that came with an actual fight.

    He was improving, but what was he improving for? A fight against more drones? A life spent sparring with machines? He¡¯d spent his life throwing punches at guys with something to lose. Real people. Fighters with stories, grudges, desperation. These drones? They didn¡¯t flinch. They didn¡¯t fight back with anything real. He might as well be shadowboxing.

    Here, in this underground fortress, he was beginning to feel like a rat running through an endless maze, chasing a reward he wasn¡¯t even sure existed anymore.

    He also came to realize he appreciated having people around more than he thought. He always portrayed himself as this lone wolf, street urchin. Over the years however, he had developed friends and even fans. He missed the crowd cheering for him, the attention he would get from women, the adoration in the eyes of younger fans.

    Theo exhaled sharply, standing. His patience was thinning. His instincts screamed at him that he was stagnating. He had to get out.

    <hr>

    ¡°Let me take a mission.¡±

    Erasmus barely glanced at him from where he stood, adjusting the floating interface of his console. The glow from the holographic readouts cast sharp blue light over his angular features. ¡°No.¡±

    Theo blinked. ¡°No? That¡¯s it? Just no?¡±

    Erasmus continued working, disinterested. ¡°You¡¯re not ready.¡±

    Theo scoffed, stepping forward. ¡°Bullshit. I¡¯ve trained every damn day. I¡¯ve fought every single thing you¡¯ve thrown at me. I¡¯ve mastered every counter, every engagement.¡± His voice rose slightly, a frustration he had been suppressing bubbling up. ¡°And yet I¡¯m still stuck here, playing whack-a-mole with your glorified Roombas. It¡¯s not real, Raz. I need to get out there. I need to see how I handle myself in the world. Give me a recon task. Something simple. Let me prove it.¡±

    Erasmus exhaled, finally turning toward him, his expression unreadable. ¡°Why?¡±

    Theo frowned. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Why do you need to leave?¡± Erasmus¡¯s gaze was piercing. ¡°What¡¯s out there that you think you need so badly?¡±

    Theo¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°A life. A real challenge. A chance to actually test myself, not just repeat the same simulations over and over. Maybe I can even make some friends? I appreciate all you¡¯ve done for me, I really do, but this isn¡¯t a game, Raz. It¡¯s my life. You can¡¯t keep me in a box forever.¡±

    Erasmus tilted his head slightly, as if contemplating his next words carefully. Then, he sighed. ¡°My drones are faster, more efficient, and infinitely less prone to emotional outbursts.¡±

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    Theo let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. ¡°Unbelievable. You don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± he stepped forward, his posture tense, muscles coiled with barely contained frustration. ¡°You think just because you¡¯ve been alive for thousands of years, because you¡¯re the smartest guy in the room, you always know best. But that¡¯s not living, Raz. That¡¯s just¡­ existing.¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s face remained impassive, his icy blue eyes fixed on Theo with an expression that could have been mistaken for boredom if Theo didn¡¯t know him better. ¡°I ensure survival. I do not cater to childish impulses.¡±

    Theo clenched his fists, his breath coming heavier. ¡°And what if I don¡¯t just want to survive? What if I want to be more than just another one of your projects? God forbid I actually want a life outside of your bullshit.¡±

    Erasmus tilted his head slightly, studying him with the same clinical detachment he used when analysing his experiments. ¡°A life? Is that what you think awaits you out there? You are deluding yourself, Theo.¡± He turned back toward his console, fingers tapping at the interface as if the conversation was already beneath his attention. ¡°This world is not the one you came from. It is not waiting to hand you purpose. It will chew you up and spit you out, and I will not waste my time grieving when it does.¡±

    Theo¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°So that¡¯s it, huh? You¡¯ve already written me off.¡±

    ¡°I simply acknowledge probability,¡± Erasmus replied smoothly. ¡°You may think you are prepared, but you are not. You have trained, yes, but you have only faced what I have allowed you to face. Out there, you will not have the luxury of calculated risk. No controlled variables. No second chances.¡±

    Theo let out a slow breath, steadying himself. His pulse pounded in his ears, but beneath the anger, something colder settled in his gut. ¡°You talk like you don¡¯t even give a shit. Like none of this matters to you.¡±

    Erasmus¡¯s fingers hovered over the console for just a second¡ªan almost imperceptible hesitation. Then, he continued working. ¡°What matters is that when you leave, I don¡¯t have to waste resources scraping your remains off some ruin.¡±

    Theo took a step forward, his voice sharp. ¡°Then let me prove it. Send me on a mission. Let me scout, gather supplies¡ªhell, even one of your little scavenging runs. Give me something, anything, to show that I can handle it.¡±

    Erasmus exhaled through his nose. ¡°No.¡±

    Theo scoffed. ¡°No? Just like that?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Just like that.¡± Erasmus turned his head slightly. ¡°You are still thinking like a human from a dying world¡ªwhere exploration was a luxury, where failure did not mean eradication. That is not the world we are in, Theo. The strong do not simply find their way; they take it when they are ready. And you are not.¡±

    Theo felt his nails bite into his palms. ¡°And who the hell decides when I¡¯m ready? You? I spent my entire life making my own way, and I sure as hell won¡¯t stop now just because you¡¯ve got some god complex telling you otherwise.¡±

    Erasmus sighed, finally turning fully to face him. ¡°You can walk out that door, but you¡¯re on your own. No drones, no support, no safety net. If you think you¡¯re ready, prove it.¡± His voice dropped slightly, an almost imperceptible edge to his tone. ¡°I no longer care and I won¡¯t entertain your tantrums.¡±

    Theo took a step back, his breath steady but his body taut like a coiled spring. His voice, when it came, was quieter, but far heavier. ¡°You care, Raz. But not enough to risk being wrong. And that¡¯s why you¡¯ll always be alone.¡±

    Erasmus had already turned away and didn¡¯t say a word. But his fingers hesitated over the console for just a fraction of a second¡ªso quick that Theo might have imagined it.

    Theo stared at him for another few seconds, waiting¡ªdaring him to say something. To show even another flicker of hesitation. To stop him.

    But the old man simply continued his work, as if Theo¡¯s departure was just another inevitable conclusion he had already calculated.

    Theo exhaled sharply, jaw tight. His body knew what it wanted before his mind could catch up. Leaving meant stepping into the unknown¡ªno drones, no resets, no guarantees. But staying? That was death of a different kind. His fists clenched, and he turned on his heel toward the exit.

    He didn¡¯t look back and Erasmus never called after him.

    <hr>

    The outside air hit him like a shock¡ªcrisp and untouched. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with something that wasn¡¯t recycled. The world stretched out before him, vast and alien, a mix of biomes colliding in unnatural harmony. The sky was a swirling mix of deep blues and shattered purples, remnants of whatever cosmic force had reshaped this world.

    He was really doing this.

    For the first few hours, exhilaration carried him. He moved fast, covering ground, mapping terrain. But soon, the reality of his choice set in.

    This wasn¡¯t a training simulation. There were no reset buttons. If he miscalculated, if he made the wrong move, he would die. And as the first night fell, the true weight of his decision settled over him like a smothering blanket.

    But Theo wasn¡¯t one to back down. He had already started from scratch before. He squared his shoulders, gripping the straps of his pack tighter.

    This was his world now.

 Chapter Sixteen

    The old bastard had always been insufferable, but this time, it had really hit a nerve. Theo wasn¡¯t going to sit around waiting for someone else to hand him the keys to survival¡ªhe¡¯d make his own way. This was, of course, slightly ironic considering he was happy enough to keep the armor mesh and ocular implant that would ensure he could actually survive¡ªif only slightly¡ªin the world, but that was neither here nor there.

    The problem was that he had no idea where the hell he was going¡ªlet alone how to survive.

    The air was thick with humidity, carrying a scent that was both floral and metallic, like nature itself had been rewritten. The trees¡ªif they could be called that¡ªtwisted unnaturally, their bark rippling as if alive. The biome he had stepped into was unfamiliar, dense with foliage and eerie, glowing plant life.

    Theo had watched enough TV and reality shows to know the most integral part of survival: finding food and water.

    The first thing Theo learned about the wilderness was that it hated him.

    The trees dripped with something sticky¡ªat first, Theo thought it was sap, but when he accidentally brushed against it, the substance twitched and reached out like it had a mind of its own.

    He recoiled in disgust, shaking off the substance before it could do¡­ whatever alien goo did in this godforsaken hellhole.

    After collecting a few sizable rocks and placing them in his backpack, he searched for anything remotely edible, but most plants looked either toxic, aggressive, or both.

    Theo vaguely recalled something about rubbing a berry against his gums, but he wasn¡¯t sure if he¡¯d made it up or seen it in a fantasy movie. Either way, he wasn¡¯t about to trust it.

    At one point, he spotted a cluster of berries, glowing a soft amber. They looked edible. But the moment he reached for them, the bush shuddered and hissed at him.

    "Yeah, that¡¯s a big ol¡¯ ¡®nope¡¯ from me." He backed away slowly.

    Water wasn¡¯t any easier. Streams of shimmering liquid flowed through the land, but the water had an oily consistency, shifting colours under the light.

    When he crouched to inspect it, tiny, eel-like creatures surfaced, their translucent bodies pulsating with faint, bioluminescent veins. Theo decided dehydration sounded preferable to whatever in tarnation that was.

    Worse still, he sensed he wasn¡¯t alone.

    From the moment he¡¯d left Erasmus¡¯s hideout, he¡¯d had the distinct sensation of being watched. At first, he thought it was paranoia, the aftershock of suddenly being without Erasmus¡¯s endless precautions and security of the sanctuary. But as night approached, the feeling didn¡¯t fade.

    There was something out there.

    The first attack came when he tried to set up camp.

    Theo didn¡¯t quite grasp the enormity of the wilds, under the illusion he would walk a few miles and find a nearby settlement. Night had already fully set in and his delusions hadn¡¯t shown any signs of materializing.

    With visibility low, even with his ocular implant, and energy levels even lower, he decided to formulate a plan for making it through the night.

    As the evening progressed, an ever-increasing sense of fear crept into Theo. Not taking things seriously was his usual method of dealing with things, but it was increasingly harder to do as the realization that he truly was on his own again. On top of that, he hadn¡¯t trained for survival with Erasmus. Combat, sure, he felt he was comfortable enough if an angry cat decided to start some shit, but the elements? Not so much.

    He was surrounded by dense trees and foliage now. These trees lacked the personal-space-invading goop he had found earlier, however, and seemed to be ordinary¡ªish.

    Theo decided he wanted to be high up, so nothing could just walk up and snack on his limbs without at least making an effort to climb for it.

    As he settled down on a relatively high and particularly thick branch, exhaustion weighing him down, he heard it¡ªa low, chittering sound.

    He barely had time to move before something lunged at him from the darkness.

    A shadowy figure, too fast to fully register, lashed out with a blur of motion. Theo twisted on instinct, rolling backwards as something sliced through the air where he had just been lying. He scrambled to his feet, fists clenched, eyes darting through the darkness.

    That¡¯s when he saw them.

    Six pairs of glowing, insectile eyes blinked at him from the treetops. They moved erratically, their bodies flickering in and out of visibility like they were slipping between dimensions.

    Theo had no weapons. No backup. No plan.

    "Oh, for fu¡ª"

    The creatures attacked again.

    Fear shot through Theo¡¯s whole body, but he forced himself to focus.

    Panicking wouldn¡¯t help but he was tempted anyway. Running? Probably worse. He needed to think.

    His enhanced vision ensured he wasn¡¯t completely blind, tracking the creatures¡¯ movements. They flickered in and out of the visible spectrum¡ªalmost like the stealth drones Erasmus had trained him against.

    They weren¡¯t truly invisible¡ªjust operating on some kind of frequency his eyes couldn¡¯t fully process and working with the darkness.

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    He clenched his teeth as adrenaline shot through him far more than any fight he¡¯d had before. "Come on then, you creepy slags."

    Theo came to the conclusion he needed to get on the floor and find more stable footing. He opened himself up to more opponents joining in, but just wasn¡¯t sure he could fend off three opponents whilst balancing like a gymnast.

    He slowly reached into his bag and grabbed one of the stones he collected earlier, his timing had to be precise.

    He gripped the stone tight, his fingers twitching as he gauged the erratic movements of the creatures above him. His brain screamed, RUN! But where? The jungle was a nightmare buffet of things that wanted him dead. At least here, he could see the enemy. Running blind meant running into something worse.

    No, running wasn¡¯t an option.

    But fighting them here, in the trees? That was suicide. The flickering creatures had the advantage in the branches, moving with an unnatural agility. If he stayed, it was only a matter of time before they overwhelmed him due to his limited footwork. He had to get to the ground¡ªbut not as prey. He had to control the descent, set the terms of the fight.

    He took a slow breath. You¡¯ve got one shot at this, Theo. Make it count.

    The lead creature lunged again. Theo didn¡¯t wait for impact. He threw the rock¡ªhard.

    It wasn¡¯t meant to kill. It was meant to disrupt.

    The stone collided with the creature mid-flicker, striking its top with a crack. The impact sent it spiralling off-course, crashing through a tangle of vines below. The other two recoiled, their own flickering stuttering as their companion fell.

    That was his window.

    Theo kicked off the branch, using his momentum to grab another vine and swing downward. The ground was coming up fast¡ªtoo fast¡ªbut his enhanced vision mapped out the perfect landing trajectory, tracing a predictive line in his vision.

    He let go.

    Theo landed in a crouch, his mesh absorbing the impact and storing the energy. He immediately sprang to his feet, scanning for his attackers.

    The injured one was still tangled in vines, thrashing wildly. The other two had dropped from the trees, their bodies still flickering between visibility. But now, they were in his domain.

    The jungle floor was spacious, open enough that they couldn¡¯t rely as much on ambush tactics. The moment they tried to charge, he¡¯d see them coming. He clenched his fists, adjusting his stance.

    "Alright, ya twitchy bastards," he muttered. "Let¡¯s go."

    The first one lunged.

    Theo¡¯s vision locked onto its trajectory. His implant calculated the angle of approach, tracing a  faint, red predictive arc in his vision. He would use this to form a counter offensive, one of the key tactics he found during his training.

    He sidestepped, barely an inch from its sweeping claw.

    The creature¡¯s momentum carried it forward¡ªright into Theo¡¯s counterstrike.

    His foot slammed into its middle, discharging stored kinetic energy from his earlier landing. The force launched it backward, sending it crashing into a tree with a sickening crunch.

    One down.

    The second creature didn¡¯t hesitate. It flickered, vanishing for a fraction of a second before reappearing at his left flank.

    Theo had been waiting for that. The implant managed to gauge the body position and initial force to quickly ascertain the movement vector, rendering the stealth flicker useless.

    He twisted mid-step, grabbing a broken branch from the ground and swinging it like a bat.

    The branch capitulated instantly, dealing almost no damage at all.

    That was pretty goddamn stupid, wasn¡¯t it, Theo? he thought, grimacing.

    The impact did manage to startle the insectoid creature to the floor, however, with Theo capitalizing quickly enough to deliver a powerful axe kick, crushing its core. It let out a garbled shriek, limbs spasming as black ichor seeped from the wound.

    Two down.

    Theo exhaled, chest heaving. His fingers were buzzing with adrenaline, his body wired for movement, but the fight wasn¡¯t over yet.

    The last creature¡ªthe one that had been tangled in vines¡ªwas free now. And it was pissed.

    It didn¡¯t attack immediately. Instead, it stalked in a slow, predatory circle, its flickering more erratic now. It was watching him as it darted around. Learning.

    Theo tightened his fists. His vision locked onto the subtle twitches of the creature¡¯s body. It was going to attack¡ªbut from where?

    There was no help from his implant, not having a starting point to predict from. He felt the air shift behind him.

    Too late.

    The moment the creature lunged, it slammed a sharp pincer straight into his back. The mesh took a heavy impact, causing genuine pain but no lasting wounds.

    Theo stumbled forward, losing his balance.

    As the bug landed, Theo pivoted on his knee and threw a wild punch.

    The impact connected right with the base of what Theo assumed was the head, sending a shockwave of kinetic energy through his arm. The force snapped the creature¡¯s head forward, its body collapsing in a twitching heap.

    Theo stood over it, panting, his muscles trembling. He stared at the unmoving forms of the creatures around him.

    They were dead.

    And he was still standing.

    <hr>

    Theo wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking around. The jungle was eerily silent now, like the fight had startled the night itself into stillness.

    His heart was still pounding, but a slow realization began to creep in.

    I won.

    For the first time, he wasn¡¯t just another guy trying to scrape by. He had fought. He had won. And, most shocking of all¡ªhe wanted more.

    He wasn¡¯t just prey anymore.

    Theo took a slow breath, then glanced back at the makeshift nest he had abandoned in the trees.

    Stay or move?

    His first instinct was to leave¡ªfind a better spot, put as much distance between himself and whatever else was out here.

    But then he thought about what he¡¯d just accomplished.

    He had killed these things. This was his spot now.

    If he ran, he¡¯d just be chased by something worse. By staying, he felt more secure. He knew the area slightly and any large predators would likely have pounced whilst he was fighting off the bugs.

    Theo cracked his neck, stepping over the insectoid bodies as he climbed back up to his original perch.

    The jungle might be trying to kill him, but he wasn¡¯t going down easy.

    Tomorrow, he¡¯d find food. Water.

    Theo settled into a resting position. His heart was still racing, his eyes alert as he scanned for threats. For hours, he remained on edge¡ªuntil exhaustion finally pulled him into sleep.

    He was still here. And that was enough.

 Chapter Seventeen

    Theo woke up to the taste of dirt and regret.

    His body ached in ways that were becoming disturbingly familiar¡ªlike he had been drop-kicked by the world itself and then politely rolled in gravel for extra effect.

    His vision flickered as his implant adjusted to the light, highlighting every jagged rock, twisted root, and, of course, the bug corpses he had left behind from last night¡¯s lovely assemblage.

    He swallowed against the dryness in his throat, his stomach cramping from emptiness. The hunger wasn¡¯t just a dull ache anymore¡ªit was a sharp, twisting thing, making his body feel hollow, weak.

    His muscles protested, screaming for energy that wasn¡¯t coming. Even his thoughts felt sluggish, like his brain was trying to process everything through a thick layer of fog.

    That was when his eyes landed on the nearest bug carcass.

    He hadn¡¯t really looked at them before¡ªnot with the intent of consumption. Last night, they were just enemies, monsters that had tried to rip him apart. Now, they were¡­ something else.

    Food?

    Theo grimaced at the thought but didn¡¯t immediately dismiss it. His instincts told him he needed something, and there wasn¡¯t exactly a convenience store around the corner. If he didn¡¯t eat soon, he¡¯d start making real mistakes, and mistakes got you killed here.

    ¡°Okay,¡± he muttered, forcing himself to crouch near one of the bodies. ¡° let¡¯s pretend this is a totally sane idea for a moment.¡±

    He studied the insectoid corpse, analysing it like Erasmus would¡ªcold, clinical. Break it down into pieces. Figure out the process.

    The outer shell was thick, almost like hardened chitin, its glossy surface still reflecting bits of the morning light. The thing had multiple limbs, each jointed and ridged, ending in sharp, jagged pincers. The abdomen was swollen, segmented, and uncomfortably fleshy beneath the light armour plating.

    The legs were useless¡ªall hard exoskeleton, no meat. The chest? Maybe something inside there. But did he really want to find out?

    Theo hesitated, his stomach twisting. There were too many unknowns.

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Was there anything inside that was edible? Or was it all just bug goo?</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Was it safe? What if it was toxic? Poisoned? Parasites? He had zero knowledge of this species beyond the fact that it had tried to kill him.</li>

    </ul>

    And even if the meat inside was technically edible, how the hell was he supposed to cook it?

    Theo glanced around the barren landscape. No fire. No fuel. No way to sanitize whatever nightmare fuel was lurking inside this thing.

    The thought of biting into raw alien bug meat made his stomach churn harder than the hunger did.

    He exhaled, scrubbing a hand down his face.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I actually just considered this.¡±

    With a final look at the corpse, Theo forced himself to stand. Nope. Not happening. Not today. He wasn¡¯t starving yet. He still had options.

    Water first. Then real food. Something that wouldn¡¯t cause nightmares for the rest of his days.

    Brushing the dirt off his arms, Theo started moving.

    <hr>

    For hours, Theo pushed through the fantastical terrain, following his gut¡ªor rather, his rapidly dehydrating brain¡ªtoward what he hoped was civilization. Or at least something not actively trying to eat him.

    Then he heard it.

    A low, steady rush in the distance. That had to be water.

    His pace quickened, muscles burning, but adrenaline carried him the last few steps to the riverbank.

    It was¡­ stunning. Not just water, but a wide, flowing river, its surface rippling with streaks of shimmering bioluminescent algae that pulsed in rhythm with the current. Huge, jagged black rocks jutted out in places, creating areas of churning rapids. Further down, calmer pools stretched lazily along the bank, reflecting the eerie, unnatural glow of the alien vegetation overhead.

    Theo dropped to his knees at the edge, peering into the crystal clear liquid before cupping handfuls of cold water. He drank greedily before splashing some over his face and neck. Instant relief. His body felt like it had been running on fumes, and now¡ªfinally¡ªhe had something to refuel with.

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    It was only after his pulse settled that he noticed he wasn¡¯t alone.

    Across the river, on the opposite bank, a group of creatures were drinking¡ªdeer-like in shape, but their bodies were armoured with sleek chitin plating, their legs bent at strange angles. Their mandibles clicked softly, tearing up strange glowing plants that sprouted from the water¡¯s edge.

    They were¡­ peaceful. Non-threatening. Perfect prey.

    Theo¡¯s stomach twisted at the thought.

    <hr>

    He needed food. That wasn¡¯t up for debate. But could he kill something that wasn¡¯t attacking him first?

    Fighting for his life? That was easy. He had done that since the second he was born. But this was different. This wasn¡¯t self-defence. This was taking a life for his own survival.

    He also maintained a profound kinship with animals. Forging bonds with people was tough during his formative years, before he found popularity in the fighting world really. Animals couldn¡¯t care less that he didn¡¯t have any money or friends though.

    Theo swallowed hard. His implants flickered, mapping the weak points on the creatures, highlighting potential attack vectors¡ªall the things Erasmus had drilled into his head. A perfect hunter¡¯s overlay for a fight he wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to start.

    He exhaled, clenching and unclenching his fists.

    If he waited any longer, they¡¯d leave. And if they left, his next meal might be something much, much worse.

    ¡°Come on, man¡­ just do it,¡± he whispered to himself.

    But he didn¡¯t move.

    Too slow.

    <hr>

    The deer-like creatures flicked their ears, sensing something Theo hadn¡¯t. They tensed, eyes shifting beyond him.

    A low, guttural growl rumbled behind him.

    Theo froze. Upon turning his head, the implant flickered red, alerting him to three shapes moving in from the jungle edge behind him. His jaw clenched as he turned his body¡ªslowly.

    A pack of scavengers, roughly the size of wolves, but with elongated jaws and multiple rows of serrated teeth, stalked toward him, their segmented cat-like eyes locking onto him. Their spined tails flicked with anticipation.

    Excellent. Looks like Theo¡¯s back on the menu boys, Theo thought sarcastically as a sense of futility crashed into him.

    They weren¡¯t hesitating.

    Theo had lingered too long, letting his own indecision make him the prey.

    The lead scavenger lunged.

    <hr>

    Theo dove sideways, the suit¡¯s energy reserves flaring to life as he triggered a burst of movement acceleration. It wasn¡¯t natural reflexes¡ªhis body wasn¡¯t moving faster on its own¡ªbut the stored kinetic charge in the mesh lining his muscles amplified his momentum, driving his body harder and faster than it should have been able to go.

    Claws raked the air where he had been standing a second ago.

    He landed awkwardly, stumbling as his body struggled to keep up with the sudden burst of speed, but it bought him space. He always managed to maintain a certain level of calmness in his training, safe in the knowledge that the encounters wouldn¡¯t be lethal. However, life-and-death combat is not something that can truly be simulated.

    Sure, he had been in many fights where the stakes were high. It was harder to gauge the right amount of force to use when every fibre of your being was screaming for escape.

    The pack circled, testing him. The leader prowled forward, exuding the predatory confidence of something that knew it had the upper hand.

    Theo scanned the area, brain working overtime. No Erasmus. No weapons. Just him, the river, and a pack of super murder-mutts ready to rip him apart.

    His options were garbage.

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Run? The scavengers were faster¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t make it far, even with the suit¡¯s kinetic boost.</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Swim? No idea what was in that water.</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Fight? Maybe, but it didn¡¯t look good.</li>

    </ul>

    His breath steadied. He had to analyse the situation and make it favourable. He had to control the fight using the stored energy, not just react¡ªhis suit could make him hit harder, move explosively, but only if he used it efficiently. Once his reserves depleted, he would have to rely entirely on getting hit. Judging from the gnashers on these beasties, relying on endurance was not going to be his favourite strategy.

    As the leader prepared to strike, Theo made his move.

    <hr>

    Dodging wouldn¡¯t cut it. He lunged instead¡ªcatching the beast¡¯s jaw mid-strike and wrenching sideways, using its own momentum against it. He caught the beast¡¯s jaw mid-lunge, twisting hard. His mesh armour absorbed the impact, dispersing energy through his body instead of shattering his bones.

    The scavenger snarled in surprise, thrashing¡ªbut Theo held firm.

    He pivoted his stance, using the creature¡¯s own momentum to slam its head against the jagged river rocks, channelling a huge chunk of his mesh energy reserves to reinforce the blow and ensure devastation.

    CRACK.

    The sound was sickening. Final.

    The pack hesitated. The balance of power had shifted.

    Theo stumbled back, panting, staring down at the motionless body beneath him. His chest heaved, and something deep, raw, and unsettling curled in his gut.

    It had been him or the scavenger, and he had won.

    But that didn¡¯t mean he liked it.

    The energy reserves within the mesh were below half. There wasn¡¯t exactly a meter he could read¡ªmore of a sensation reverberating through his spine.

    The pack stood before him. The pack stood before him. If they attacked, he would be done for.

 Chapter Eighteen

    The corpse at Theo¡¯s feet twitched its last, lifeblood steaming against the cold air. The scavenger pack¡ªferal, predatory, wolf-like beasts¡ªstood in a semi-circle, their hunched figures silhouetted against the fire¡¯s glow. Their yellow eyes gleamed, their nostrils flaring as they scented their fallen packmate.

    Theo¡¯s heart pounded in his ears, but he didn¡¯t let it show. They were waiting¡ªgauging him, weighing their options.

    He rolled his shoulders, deliberately slow, making a show of wiping blood off his hands onto his torn shirt.

    Then, an absolutely insane plan began to form. He wasn¡¯t especially well read when it came to pack animals, but made the assumption he had just killed their alpha. Perhaps if he acted like the bigger threat, he could convince them to clear off.

    This was really his only chance, as an actual fight with limited energy in his mesh would only spell disaster.

    He crouched over the dead scavenger, grabbed it by the scruff of the neck, standing directly over it as he gazed into the eyes of each subsequent beast without blinking.

    Then, he bared his teeth.

    ¡°Mine!¡± His voice boomed, mocking, taunting before putting his mouth against the neck of the corpse and pretending to eat, as if claiming his prize.

    It was one of the most grotesque things he had ever done, but he ensured that the blood pouring from the head wound and down the neck of the creature covered his mouth. Standing up as tall and wide as he could¡ªadopting the ¡®gym bro guy pretending he was carrying carpets everywhere¡¯ pose¡ªhe began to growl fiercely at the cautious beasts.

    He stomped a foot, his kinetic mesh suit crackling with the absorbed force. ¡°More!¡±

    The scavengers tensed, some snarling, their claws twitching¡ªbut they didn¡¯t attack.

    One of the smaller ones whined, lowering itself instinctively.

    Oh my God, it¡¯s working. Keep pushing.

    Theo pulled his right leg back, ensuring he would generate sufficient force into his strike before unleashing a powerful, kinetically charged kick into the corpse of the former Alpha, sending it flying towards the pack.

    He consciously aimed just in front of the scavengers in a bid to show dominance and not provide an outright attack that may provoke them to fight back.

    ¡°I¡¯ve killed one of you already.¡± His voice dropped to a low, guttural growl. ¡°And I¡¯ll tear through the rest of you if I have to.¡±

    The next most dominant scavenger¡ªlarger than the rest, its ragged fur lined with scars¡ªlocked eyes with him. The challenge was clear.

    Theo held the stare, growling like a beast with no equal. No hesitation. No weakness.

    The moment stretched, silent but thick with tension.

    Then¡ª

    The leader let out a sharp, guttural huff and turned away.

    One by one, the rest followed, their yellow eyes lingering on Theo before disappearing into the trees.

    Theo refused to let his power pose go until the pack was long out of sight before exhaling slowly, letting the false bravado drain from his muscles.

    How, in the name of Jesus H Christ, did that work? He thought to himself, looking around the clearing to ascertain his next steps.

    For now, he had a new problem, because of course he did.

    <hr>

    Theo crouched down begrudgingly, staring at the dead scavenger.

    Meat is meat.

    His stomach growled, but his mind rebelled.

    He dragged a hand down his face, wiping away some of the dried blood from his earlier fight. Survival wasn¡¯t pretty. He¡¯d seen enough post-apocalyptic movies and survival shows to know that desperate people do desperate things. But knowing it and doing it himself?

    That was a different thing entirely. It became quickly apparent that Theo was a delicate little flower when it came to the wilds.

    Now. How the hell do you make a fire?

    Theo had never made a fire before in his life.

    Okay, basic knowledge would indicate that one needed dry sticks and kindling, preferably in an enclosed space. That¡¯s simple enough.

    With a starting point in mind, he set about the clearing, looking for an assemblage of dried foliage and rocks.

    <hr>

    A longer time than he would have liked went by. He stared at the pile of dried grass and twigs he¡¯d gathered and exhaled sharply. Alright, think. What do the people in those survival shows do?

    He scanned the area and started picking up small stones, feeling their rough, uneven edges. He tried banging two together, but nothing happened except for a dull clack.

    "Yup. Great start, Theo. Move aside, Bear Grylls. Next up: accidentally setting myself on fire."

    Still, he¡¯d seen this work before. The people on TV always build a ring of rocks first, right? He might have made that up.

    He arranged the stones in a small circle, a crude attempt at a fire pit. It was lopsided and looked ridiculously pathetic, but it was something. He filled the middle with the dried sticks, bark, and crumpled leaves he had managed to gather.

    "Alright. Next part. Fire¡­ This is where I¡¯m fucked."

    He grabbed two rocks that looked kind of similar to the ones he¡¯d seen in survival shows¡ªone was dark and smooth, the other more jagged.

    With a deep breath, he smashed them together, hoping to generate a spark like they do in the movies.

    A loud crack rang out, and his vision flickered as the rocks shattered.

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    Theo flinched so hard he nearly backflipped. His suit crackled in response. ¡°Oh, for fu¡ªstop trying to kill me, you overengineered traitor.¡±

    Jesus fuck!

    He looked around wildly, instinctively dropping lower, scanning the treeline.

    Did anyone hear that? Was something watching?

    The forest was silent. Too silent.

    His breath came out in slow, measured puffs, forcing himself to calm down.

    Alright, clown. You just moved too fast, and the mesh thought it was an attack.

    But that got him thinking.

    If the rapid movement of his limbs triggered a kinetic charge, then maybe...

    He gripped some new rocks again, this time slower, steadier.

    Strike carefully, without the suit kicking in quite so violently.

    He tapped them together again¡ªnothing.

    Again¡ªthis time, a faint spark flickered, but it was gone too quickly.

    He tried a few more times, frustration mounting. Then, on the seventh strike, the spark caught on the dried leaves as he found the perfect small boost of force.

    Theo¡¯s eyes widened.

    The ember smouldered, its fragile light barely clinging to life. Theo held his breath. One wrong move and it was gone.

    ¡°Holy shit.¡±

    He leaned in, cupping his hands near the fragile glow, and gently blew.

    Please, don¡¯t go out, he thought, eyes wide with anticipation.

    The ember flared brighter, curling into the thin, crumpled fibres of the bark.

    A second later, a tiny flame bloomed.

    Theo sat back, stunned, a grin slowly breaking across his face.

    ¡°Theo Kane, you are now the master of survival and lord of flame.¡±

    The tiny flame was pathetic, barely bigger than his thumb, but it was a start.

    He carefully fed it more dry twigs, making sure not to smother it. Slowly, it grew, crackling softly in the darkness.

    The fire¡¯s warm glow flickered against his hands.

    It was the first real warmth he¡¯d felt since arriving in this nightmare.

    Theo sat there for a second, just watching it, the soft pop and crackle of burning wood filling the wide clearing as the sun beamed down.

    Then his gaze drifted back to the dead scavenger.

    His stomach twisted. His fire was ready.

    Now he had to decide if he was actually going to do this.

    His stomach groaned its own argument, but his mind recoiled.

    Theo had grown up homeless, brawled in back alleys and fought in cages. But this?

    He poked at the corpse¡¯s fur-covered arm, his lips curling.

    Yeah. No. That¡¯s¡ªnope. That¡¯s fucked. Absolutely not. No way. ¡­But also, maybe. Mostly nope.

    Despite the oversized mongrel¡¯s grotesque and savage appearance, he still couldn¡¯t help but feel bad for the creature. It was only looking for food, exactly like Theo was. Worse, he actually had a pack to feed.

    He ran a hand through his hair, still slick with drying blood, and forced himself to breathe.

    Think, idiot. You need food. You need energy. You don¡¯t have options. It¡¯s already dead. It can feed the worms, or you.

    But how the hell was he supposed to prepare this?

    He had no proper knife. No cooking gear. Just his wits, a fire, and a sinking feeling that Erasmus would be cackling his tits off if he could see this.

    Theo muttered, "That old bastard probably eats in luxury while I¡¯m sitting here deciding if I want to turn into a goddamn savage."

    His fingers tightened. Survival was simple. You eat, or you die.

    He knew this was going to be so much worse than traditional hunting without tools. He would have to use his bare hands to claw and rip his way through the corpse.

    He hesitated.

    Then pushed down.

    The skin resisted, tougher than expected. He had to tear through it, grimacing as blood oozed from the wound, pooling dark against the dirt.

    His stomach turned.

    After a gruelling ordeal¡ªone that frankly, no one should ever have to hear about¡ªfilled with retching, quiet sobbing, and a horror show of flying body parts, Theo eventually ended up with several rough, charred piles of meat, having butchered the bulk of the corpse into useless waste.

    He eyed the blackened edges, the burnt crisp giving way to the tough, fibrous texture beneath. He had intentionally overcooked it, making sure it was seared beyond question¡ªif he was going to do this, food poisoning wasn¡¯t about to be what killed him.

    He wiped his sweat-slicked brow with the back of his hand, his stomach twisting with a mix of nausea and stubborn resolve.

    "My God, I hate this world."

    The words left his mouth without force, a tired, broken mantra as he sat back, watching the fire dance around his questionable meal.

    He took a deep breath.

    Then, he ate.

    The first bite was¡ª

    Bad. Really, really bad.

    It was chewy. The taste was a cross between burnt leather and something slightly metallic.

    But it stayed down.

    He swallowed, wiping his mouth, feeling both triumphant and disgusted.

    Then he felt it. A deep vibration under his hands.in the distant forest.

    Theo¡¯s vision overlay kicked in, scanning for motion.

    Nothing.

    Then¡ª

    A thunderous step. The ground trembled.

    Theo¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He turned his head slowly, ears straining.

    Another step. Closer this time.

    The scavengers had been a threat. But this? This was different.

    The trees swayed unnaturally, their massive trunks creaking as something colossal moved behind them.

    The size¡­ the weight of it¡­

    Theo hastily shovelled the remaining charred meat and a few stones into his bag, preparing to run so hard that he would leave his skeleton behind.

    The shadows shifted, a shape just barely visible between the distant trees.

    Then¡ª

    Silence.

    Theo waited. Muscles tense.

    The next step never came. Whatever it was¡ªit had stopped, could it be watching?

    Then, just as quietly as it had arrived¡ª

    It was gone.

    Theo let out a slow, measured breath.

    That was certainly NOT a scavenger.

    His fingers twitched, but he knew better. If that thing had wanted him dead, it would have done it already.

    He exhaled, rubbing his hands over his face.

    ¡°How did I end up in this hellmouth?¡± He muttered. ¡°I hate it so, so much.¡±

    The fire crackled softly.

    Theo stared at the tree line. He had two choices:

    <ol>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Investigate the thing that just made every scavenger in the area seem like a wild, miniature jelly baby.</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Pack up and leave.</li>

    </ol>

    His gut told him one thing.

    Whatever that was¡ªit wasn¡¯t hunting him. Not yet.

    But if he stayed in this area too long?

    It might.

    Theo stood, shaking the tension from his arms.

    Let¡¯s get the fuck out of dodge.

 Chapter Nineteen

    The Broken Barrel tavern buzzed with the usual sounds of clanking mugs, low conversations, and the occasional bellowing laugh from a table of warriors or craftsmen boasting about their latest exploits.

    In the far corner, three members of Team Hazard¡ªBen, Jake, and Ash¡ªwere engaged in their usual evening ritual of discussing how they were to become legends, despite an overwhelming lack of evidence to support that fact.

    One could even argue there was too much evidence of the opposite.

    That was until Dan burst through the door, nearly taking it off its hinges.

    Dan was very tall with an extremely athletic build that still carried traces of his past as a professional athlete. Dan radiated leadership, even when he wasn¡¯t trying to. His brown hair was neatly kept, though a little dishevelled from his rush over, and his sharp blue eyes gleamed with determination. There was something about him that made people want to root for him¡ªthe sheer belief he carried in every word he said, coupled with a sunny disposition.

    ¡°We got it!¡± he shouted, his voice cutting through the tavern like a blade.

    Jake, mid-drink, choked on his ale, coughing violently as the colossal hand of Ben pounded on his back with enough force to knock the drink and soul out of him. The impact sent the much smaller man crashing face-first into the wooden table.

    ¡°Oh. Uh. Whoops! Sorry about that, buddy,¡± Ben muttered, his deep, gravelly voice full of genuine but deeply misplaced concern.

    It was hard to blame Jake for his misfortune. Ben was a giant¡ªeasily the tallest man in the settlement, with an enormous, broad-shouldered frame that made him look less like a person and more like a truck someone forgot to move. His sleeve tattoos, inked across thick, corded muscle, were a testament to battles fought. Mostly unnecessary ones, as he was something of a magnet for hotheads.

    Unfortunately, the only thing more brutal than his strength was his face. Ben wasn¡¯t just ugly¡ªhe was the kind of ugly that made babies and their adults cry. The kind of ugly that made people feel angry for having the gift of sight. Even when he smiled, trying to appear warm, he somehow looked even more threatening.

    Meanwhile, Ash barely reacted, reclining against the wall with his long legs propped up on the table, exuding the effortless confidence of a man who had never taken anything seriously in his life.

    Near Dan¡¯s height but far slimmer and more graceful, Ash was annoyingly good-looking, the type that could smirk his way into or out of anything. His right arm bore an intricate tattoo, a carefully curated collection of symbols, runes, and phrases from languages he didn¡¯t understand but pretended to. He ran a hand through his brown, wavy hair, deliberately tousled to look stylishly unkempt¡ªthough it was obvious he''d spent more time styling it than preparing for any mission.

    ¡°If this is another ¡®once-in-a-lifetime opportunity¡¯ that turns out to be collecting chicken eggs again,¡± Ash drawled, voice smooth with amusement, ¡°I swear I¡¯ll wash my hands with¡ª¡±

    Dan slammed a mission parchment onto the table, silencing them. The words gleamed in official ink.

    ¡°Hunt the Nature Elemental¡ªvaluable core, potential high-tier loot and rank advancement.¡±

    A pause. Then, Jake let out a victorious laugh. ¡°The heavens have smiled upon us! This is it! Our ticket to legend status!¡±

    Jake wasn¡¯t as tall as the others, but he stood above average height. That wasn¡¯t enough to stop him from being labelled as the halfling of the group. He carried an average yet well-balanced frame that suggested he was still capable, even if his behaviour said otherwise. His light brown hair always looked slightly messy, like he¡¯d just woken up from a nap¡ªwhich, to be fair, he usually had. His face, while fairly handsome, often gave away his childlike excitement, making him appear more like an overgrown boy playing hero than an actual warrior.

    Ben grinned, his enormous hands crumpling the parchment as he pulled it closer.

    ¡°I dunno what an elemental core is worth,¡± he admitted, his brow furrowed in deep concentration, ¡°but this paper says valuable, and valuable means money.¡±

    Dan clapped his hands together, grinning with fiery conviction. ¡°Exactly! But it¡¯s so much more than that, Benjamin! We clear out local hazards¡ªthat¡¯s surely why they named us Team Hazard! The higher-ups saw something in us, and now, we must repay that faith!

    Ash raised a brow. ¡°Pretty sure we got that name as a joke.¡±

    ¡°Impossible,¡± Dan pushed on, undeterred. ¡°They definitely believe in us!¡±

    Jake gasped. ¡°Wait, do they? Because I¡¯ve met them, and I¡¯m not sure.¡±

    Across the room, a nearby group of adventurers exchanged knowing looks, snickering behind their mugs. One of them muttered something, and while it was too low to hear, the sarcasm in their tone was unmistakable.

    Dan straightened but let it slide. Tonight wasn¡¯t about them. Tonight was about Team Hazard stepping up for the residents of Dawnmere.

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    Jake punched the air, already caught in his fantasy of heroic combat. ¡°A Nature Elemental! Ha! Its legend ends here! Assuming it¡¯s not too big. Or on fire. Or flying. That would be inconvenient.¡±

    Ben nodded sagely, rubbing his chin like a philosopher deep in thought. ¡°Yeah, and I¡¯ll punch it around a bit too.¡±

    Ash, however, remained unmoved, swirling his drink, his sharp gaze already wandering toward a far more interesting conquest at the bar.

    ¡°Why do we have to save the world, for God¡¯s sake?¡± he sighed dramatically. ¡°Look around. There¡¯s plenty of beauties. Let the rougher folk sacrifice themselves for glory.¡±

    Dan grabbed Ash¡¯s shoulder, shaking him. ¡°The core is valuable. That means money. Money and glory bring¡­ desirable attention. Keep up.¡±

    Ash smirked, slipping out of Dan¡¯s grasp with practiced ease. ¡°Fine, fine. I¡¯ll come. But if things go south, I¡¯ll be leading the retreat... heroically, of course.

    Dan ignored him, already turning back to the group as he thought about their next steps. He wanted to learn more¡ªwhat other adventurers knew about this creature, what tactics worked best.

    Before he could take a step, however, Ash was already slipping away toward the bar, eyeing a woman seated by herself.

    ¡°Oh, great, he is as focused as ever,¡± Dan muttered.

    ¡°Let him go,¡± Jake said, throwing an arm around Dan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°He will step up when it counts! Tomorrow we will write ourselves into Dawnmere folklore!¡±

    Ben nodded along, clearly preparing an astonishing display of sagacity ¡°Hopefully no one dies. Or if they do, it¡¯s not me. Or if it is me, it¡¯s quick. Or if it¡¯s not quick, I at least don¡¯t notice.¡±

    Dan hesitated as those words caused him physical pain to process. Either way, he was the leader. The one who had to make sure this went right. But¡­ Jake¡¯s excitement was infectious. Even Ben, for all his simplicity, carried an unshakable optimism, even if he had the eloquence of a drunk donkey.

    And he believed it too. The fire of their spirits would be more than enough to carry them through any tribulation.

    So instead of gathering information like he planned, he found himself caught up in the excitement. Drinks were ordered. Toasts were made. And before long, Team Hazard was deep into their own celebration, their future legendary victory already guaranteed in their minds.

    The tavern grew louder, filled with the sounds of boasts, laughter, and increasingly exaggerated plans.

    Dan grinned as he raised his mug. ¡°Tomorrow, gentlemen, we change everything. No more being overlooked. No more being laughed at. We will prove we can keep everyone safe and bring back what is needed.¡±

    ¡°To Team Hazard!¡± Jake bellowed, slamming his drink against Ben¡¯s so hard that foam spilled over the table.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Ash called from his definitely-not-a-mission-related conversation at the bar. ¡°To the idiots I¡¯ll be burying when this all goes sideways!¡±

    Dan laughed confidently and shook his head. Tonight, nothing could shake his confidence.

    <hr>

    As the celebration wound down, reality began creeping in for Dan.

    They weren¡¯t the best team. They weren¡¯t the strongest. But for the first time, Dan felt like they had something. Something real. He had seen that spark before¡ªin the eyes of a team before a big game, when doubt clashed with determination. And just like then, it was his job to make sure that fire didn¡¯t die out.

    Leadership wasn¡¯t just about tactics; it was about belief. And Dan believed in them.

    He leaned back, staring at the rough wooden beams of the tavern ceiling, lost in thought and partially inebriated.

    Once, his world had been roaring crowds and perfect plays. English football, the real kind¡ªnot the one where grown men carried a hand egg like barbarians. He¡¯d been their leader. Their captain. And then his back gave out, and just like that, the world moved on without him. Years of injuries, the slow, grinding wear of the sport, had finally broken him. His purpose vanished entirely.

    He had spent the years after adrift, watching from the side-lines as the game moved on without him. It had been a slow death, losing the only identity he had ever known.

    But then, the system changed everything.

    One moment, he was a former athlete on the wrong side of his prime. The next? He was whole again. His body, once a catalogue of injuries and regrets, felt reborn. The aches, the stiffness, the limitations? Gone.

    He wasn¡¯t just healed. He was restored.

    And for the first time in years, he had purpose again. Not just as a survivor, but as a leader. Team Hazard was his new team, and even if they weren¡¯t champions yet, he¡¯d get them there. He had spent a lifetime making ordinary players extraordinary¡ªwhy should this be any different?

    But was belief enough?

    He glanced at Jake, still talking big about their future glory, his voice full of youthful certainty. Ben, cracking his knuckles, unshaken by the reality of the task ahead. Ash, likely regretting his life choices already, slumped against the bar but still here.

    Dan¡¯s grip tightened around his drink. He would not let them down.

    He had been given a second chance.

    And he wasn¡¯t going to waste it.

    Tomorrow, they would set out¡ªnot just to complete a mission, but to prove they belonged.

    Team Hazard was more than just a name.

    <hr>

    The next morning, the squad stood at the outskirts of the settlement, geared up and ready.

    Dan adjusted his pack, trying not to let his slight headache from last night¡¯s celebration show.

    Jake stood dramatically at the front. ¡°We embark on a quest of destiny, my brothers!¡±

    Ben stretched. ¡°I really hope this thing isn¡¯t a bird. I hate punching birds.¡±

    Ash yawned, rubbing his eyes. ¡°The missive said Nature Elemental, numbskull. It¡¯s probably an Ent or something.¡±

    Dan took a deep breath. This was it.

    Don¡¯t screw this up.

    "Let¡¯s move out, boys!" His voice boomed with enough force to set the grass on fire.

    The others cheered.

    And with that, Team Hazard set off¡ªcompletely unaware that they were marching straight toward disaster.

 Chapter Twenty

    The sun hung low in the sky as Team Hazard trudged through the overgrown biome, swatting at thick vines and buzzing insects. They had been walking for hours¡ªwell, wandering for hours¡ªbecause despite their grand declarations of expertise, none of them had the faintest clue how to track anything.

    ¡°Alright, chaps,¡± Dan, self-proclaimed captain, clapped his hands, the reinforced plates on his coat rattling slightly. ¡°Tracking is all about patience, instinct, and¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªFinding big footprints and just walking in that direction,¡± Ben cut in, his voice deep and slow. The heavily dented armour he wore creaked under his sheer bulk, every step leaving an imprint in the soft ground.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ uh¡­ technically correct,¡± Dan nodded, trying to regain authority. ¡°But it¡¯s also about reading the environment.¡± He knelt, touching a nearby broken branch with an exaggerated squint.

    Jake, wrapped in his flowing black cloak embroidered with silver runes¡ªor at least, what he insisted were runes¡ªknelt beside him. ¡°Ah, yes. This is a classic break pattern. Clearly, a mighty beast has passed through here.¡±

    ¡°Or it¡¯s just a broken stick,¡± Ash muttered, adjusting the pristine white vest beneath his travel cloak. Unlike the others, his clothes weren¡¯t reinforced for battle, but tailored for looking good¡ªif not for the scratches and stains earned from this particular journey. ¡°For the record, I still think this whole ¡®hunting¡¯ thing is beneath me.¡±

    ¡°Everything is beneath you,¡± Jake huffed.

    Dan ignored them, stroking his chin. ¡°This branch was snapped cleanly¡­ something came through here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ash said, pointing, ¡°like us. Ten minutes ago.¡±

    Dan blinked. ¡°Oh. Right. That makes sense.¡±

    Jake scoffed. ¡°You guys don¡¯t have the gift. You see, true trackers¡ªlike myself¡ªpossess a sixth sense. An awareness beyond normal men.¡±

    Ben scratched his head. ¡°You nearly walked into a tree fifteen minutes ago.¡±

    ¡°That was a distraction technique,¡± Jake snapped. ¡°Confusing our prey.¡±

    Ash folded his arms. ¡°So if I push you down a hill, that¡¯s a stealth roll?¡±

    Jake narrowed his eyes. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare.¡±

    Dan cleared his throat, once again trying to regain leadership. ¡°Alright! If we don¡¯t have tracks, we use logic. Where would a beast of nature go?¡±

    Ben frowned, clearly in deep thought. ¡°¡­A pond?¡±

    ¡°Wrong. The trees.¡± Jake gestured dramatically. ¡°Where the wind whispers secrets, where shadows dance, where the hunted¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªNo, it¡¯s definitely the pond,¡± Ben interrupted, pointing ahead.

    They all turned to see, just a few metres away, a massive, muddy pond bubbling ominously.

    Jake cleared his throat. ¡°Ah, yes. Of course. I meant the pond, obviously.¡±

    Ash rolled his eyes. ¡°Truly, you are masters of the forest.¡±

    Despite their utter lack of skill, the group moved toward the water, trying to ¡®examine¡¯ the scene with the seriousness of seasoned veterans.

    Dan pointed at the muddy bank. ¡°See these impressions? They tell us everything.¡±

    Ash squinted. ¡°Yeah, they tell us something was here.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Dan nodded. ¡°But what?¡±

    Ben leaned over. ¡°A hippo?¡±

    Jake scoffed. ¡°Fool! We are in a magical land! We must think beyond earthly creatures. Perhaps¡­ a drake?¡±

    Ash glanced at the prints. ¡°¡­Ben was right. These are probably just big, round hippo tracks.¡±

    ¡°¡­Oh.¡±

    Dan quickly redirected. ¡°Right, okay! But look at the depth! The weight of the creature that made them!¡±

    Ben crouched beside him. ¡°Hmm.¡±

    Jake crouched lower. ¡°Ah, yes.¡±

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    Ash crouched slightly and then darted back up. ¡°I¡¯m not getting closer. I¡¯ve got my good shirt on under this.¡±

    Jake ignored him, running his fingers through the dirt. ¡°Yes, yes¡­ I see it now¡­¡± He stood abruptly, turning to the others with a grave expression.

    ¡°This beast¡­ was heavy.¡±

    Dan gasped. ¡°Incredible.¡±

    Ben nodded sagely. ¡°It¡¯s all coming together.¡±

    Ash buried his face in his hands. ¡°Kill me.¡±

    ¡°So what¡¯s next, Cap?¡± Ash sighed.

    Dan puffed out his chest. ¡°Now¡­ we follow the tracks into the water?¡±

    Silence.

    Ben scratched his head. ¡°Wait. What?¡±

    Dan pointed at the pond. ¡°Clearly, our quarry is an aquatic predator.¡±

    Jake¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You mean¡­ we must enter its domain?¡±

    Ben¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Ohhh. We go swimming! I love swimming.¡±

    Ash held up a hand. ¡°I¡¯d just like to voice the very sane and reasonable opinion that this is stupid. Why would a nature elemental live in water?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, that is a good point,¡± Dan said, casting his gaze over the still pond.

    Jake took a deep breath, unsheathing his tiny dagger. ¡°If I die here, let my legacy be told!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, mate. We¡¯ll carve it into your tombstone,¡± Ash muttered.

    Ben stepped forward cautiously, peering into the murky water. ¡°Looks safe enough,¡± he announced, squinting to see if anything was lurking beneath the surface.

    Then his foot slid.

    With all the grace of a collapsing statue, he flailed, arms windmilling uselessly before gravity won the argument. With a mighty splosh, Ben disappeared into the water, sending a wave crashing over everyone.

    ¡°BEN!¡± they all roared in unison.

    Ben surfaced, beaming. ¡°Wow, it¡¯s deep! I can¡¯t even touch the bottom!¡±

    Dan frowned. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ actually concerning.¡±

    Ben flailed, his heavy armour dragging him down like an anchor. He tried to doggy paddle to the bank, flailing his frantic limbs. ¡°I¡¯ve never swam in armour before! Crap!¡±

    Jake suddenly tensed. ¡°Wait. Do you guys feel that?¡±

    Silence.

    A deep, rumbling sound echoed from beneath the water.

    Ben slowly turned. ¡°Oh.¡±

    Dan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh no.¡±

    Jake¡¯s voice went up an octave. ¡°It¡¯s still here!¡±

    Ash threw his hands up. ¡°OF COURSE IT¡¯S STILL IN HERE!¡±

    A shadow shifted beneath the water.

    Ben, still a few metres from Dan and safety, frowned. ¡°Oh.¡±

    Jake grabbed him. ¡°GET OUT OF THE WATER!¡±

    Ben blinked. ¡°I¡¯M TRYING!¡±

    The water exploded as something monstrous emerged.

    Dan stared at the colossal, scale-covered, glowing-eyed monstrosity that rose from the depths.

    ¡°¡­Captain?¡± Jake whimpered.

    Dan stared blankly at the emergent creature, ¡°Is¡­ is that a goldfish?¡±

    The gigantic fish rocketed across the pond, its glowing eyes full of mischievous glee as it weaved and leapt like an aquatic comet. And there, clutching desperately onto its slippery, iridescent scales, was Ben¡ªTeam Hazard¡¯s living wrecking ball¡ªbouncing wildly with every surge of movement.

    The rest of the team stood frozen at the water¡¯s edge, expressions shifting between horror and awe.

    ¡°S-should we do something?¡± Jake asked, eyes darting between Ben and the pond-sized disaster unfolding before them.

    "Ben? You okay there, bud?" Dan cupped his hands around his mouth, trying to project over the sound of sloshing waves and fishy acrobatics.

    Ben didn¡¯t answer. Probably because he couldn¡¯t. The ride was far too intense, his face locked in an expression that could have either been determination or complete mental shutdown. He did, however, manage to remove one massive hand from the fish¡¯s back and wobble a shaky thumbs-up.

    Ash winced. "That doesn¡¯t seem sma¡ª"

    And that¡¯s when the scale he was holding onto peeled loose.

    Ben was instantly ejected like a poorly secured crash-test dummy, his hulking form hurling through the air at a velocity that defied logic, physics, and basic human decency.

    For a brief, beautiful moment, he was graceful¡ªlike a magnificent, armoured swan gliding through the heavens.

    Then he hit the first tree.

    And then another.

    And another.

    Like a meteor encased in a tin can, Ben¡¯s body tore through the dense jungle, splintering tree trunks and displacing entire flocks of terrified birds. The final impact came with a sound best described as ¡°nature surrendering¡± as he cratered into the earth with enough force to make the planet weep.

    The resulting cloud of dust billowed into the sky like the aftermath of a catastrophic explosion. The trees groaned in protest, their trunks toppling like dominoes, and the ground trembled beneath Team Hazard¡¯s feet.

    Then, silence.

    Dan, Ash, and Jake stared at the distant Ben-shaped impact zone.

    ¡°¡­Do you think he¡¯s dead?¡± Jake asked.

    A deep, ancient growl rolled through the forest from the opposite direction of Ben¡ªthe kind of sound that made every primitive survival instinct scream to flee.

    The trees shifted. Something massive was moving.

    Then, it emerged.

    A colossal tree creature, its bark-covered body shifting with the weight of centuries, glowing veins of energy pulsing through its form, stepped into view. Its eyes burned with a quiet, terrifying fury as it surveyed the destruction before it¡ªuprooted trees, craters in the earth, and a giant man-shaped dent sprawled across the jungle floor.

    It raised one massive, branch-like arm and pointed towards Team Hazard.

    Behind them, Ben staggered to his feet, swaying like a man who had just been hit by a freight train made of regret. Fortunately, there wasn¡¯t much sense to dislodge in the first place.

    ¡°W¡­ What the hell is that?!¡± he bellowed, eyes widening as he took in the towering, ancient behemoth looming over them.

    Dan swallowed hard. ¡°Ah¡­ A nature elemental?¡±

    Ash took a slow step back. ¡°Run?¡±

    The nature elemental let out a low, rumbling growl.

    Jake screamed. ¡°RUN!¡±

 Chapter Twenty One

    Team Hazard wasn¡¯t known for their wise decision-making, and angering a hulking nature elemental that could probably reshape the terrain with a flick of its leafy wrist? Yeah, that was up there in the "bad ideas" hall of fame.

    The forest itself seemed to shudder in anticipation. This wasn¡¯t some quaint woodland with babbling brooks and chirping birds¡ªit was a living, breathing death trap. Towering obsidian-barked trees loomed overhead, their branches curling like skeletal fingers. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and something... ancient. Pulsing veins of bioluminescent moss slithered up the trunks, casting an eerie green glow over the tangled roots. Shadows moved in the underbrush, though whether they were creatures or the forest itself shifting was up for debate.

    And somewhere amidst all this terrifying beauty, a very angry nature elemental had just been provoked.

    "RUN!" Dan bellowed, peering back at his team to ensure everyone was okay, leading the charge like a true captain¡ªright into a low-hanging tree branch that took him clean off his feet.

    The branch, coiling with luminescent vines, seemed to chuckle as it snapped back into place.

    Ash, sprinting for his life, took a single glance back at the rampaging mass of animated vines, roots, and sheer botanical fury. "Every man for himself!" he yelled, immediately abandoning all pretences of teamwork and bolting in a completely different direction¡ªright into a cluster of fanged lilies that snapped at his ankles.

    Jake, ever the visionary, skidded to a dramatic stop, whipping out his bow with the practiced flair of a seasoned warrior. His movements were crisp, precise¡ªlike a hero stepping into the pages of legend.

    ¡°Stand back! This will take but a single shot!¡±

    Ben, who had just bent down to haul Dan off the ground, froze mid-motion. He eyed Jake warily. "¡­You mean, like, an actual attack this time?"

    Jake flashed a confident grin, the kind that belonged on posters rather than real life. "Elemental beast! I grant you a single opportunity to flee before my unmatched power!"

    The forest groaned as if physically pained by his arrogance.

    The rampaging creature did not flee.

    In fact, it did not even hesitate. It simply barrelled forward with the relentless, earth-shaking force of an unstoppable landslide, sending ancient leaves spiraling through the air. The entire forest responded, trees twisting in agitation, vines hissing like agitated snakes.

    Jake exhaled, nodding solemnly. ¡°Heh. Very well.¡± He drew back the bowstring, his eyes gleaming with righteous determination. The air around him crackled¡ªwell, in his mind it crackled¡ªas he locked onto his target.

    ¡°Hyper Velocity Piercing Shot!¡± he bellowed, loosing the arrow with all the grandeur of a divine smite from the gods themselves.

    The projectile soared through the air¡­

    ¡­and thunked harmlessly into the elemental¡¯s bark-covered shin with all the impact of a particularly enthusiastic pebble.

    Silence.

    The monster did not slow.

    Jake¡¯s confident smirk wavered. ¡°¡­Uh.¡±

    Silence.

    "...That was just a regular shot, wasn¡¯t it?" Ben deadpanned.

    Jake swallowed hard. "I¡¯m in over my head!!"

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    The ground trembled as the elemental surged forward, roots tearing through the earth, closing the distance at an alarming speed.

    Dan staggered back to his feet, rubbing his head. "New plan: we have to fight!"

    "WE?!" Ash shrieked, his retreat screeching to a halt as thick vines erupted from the ground, coiling around his legs. He flailed, his confident smirk evaporating. "Help, team! We are in this together!"

    The vines yanked him upward like a disgruntled gardener finally weeding out a nuisance.

    "HELP!"

    Dan, ever the hero, stepped forward with resolve. "Alright! I''ll hold it back! Everyone, get behind me!"

    Before he could even finish the sentence, a root the size of a battering ram smacked him sideways, sending him rolling like a discarded log.

    Jake nocked another arrow, voice shaking. "Okay, okay, one more try!"

    "You better actually do something useful," Ben muttered, stepping between him and the monster.

    Jake inhaled deeply. "Alright. Focusing. I am the chosen one! I am the shadow that even darkness fears!"

    He loosed the arrow.

    The elemental blinked as the projectile bounced off its shoulder like a mildly annoying bug.

    Jake paled. "Oh, come on!"

    Ben sighed, then charged forward with the reckless enthusiasm of a man who had already accepted his impending funeral. To everyone¡¯s shock¡ªperhaps even his own¡ªhe actually held his own. He ducked beneath a sweeping vine, sidestepped a crushing root, and drove his fists into the elemental¡¯s core with surprising force. The monster reeled, its bark-covered limbs shuddering from the impact.

    For a moment, it almost looked like Ben had this.

    The elemental loomed over him, a few feet taller, but not enough to make victory impossible. If anything, Ben¡¯s sheer bulk made him the better contender in a slugfest. But that small glimmer of hope¡ªthat foolish, fleeting belief that this fight was winnable¡ªwould be short-lived.

    The forest groaned in agreement as the elemental, seemingly fed up with this nonsense, slammed a massive root into the ground. The resulting shockwave sent Ben soaring backward in a graceful, unintended arc. He landed on top of Jake, crushing him with a wheeze.

    "Hurmph," Jake muttered weakly.

    Meanwhile, Ash, still dangling upside down in the vines, stared at them in pure horror. "This is the team I¡¯m depending on? I¡¯m a dead man."

    Dan forced himself upright, wincing as he clutched his ribs. "Alright, okay¡ªwe¡¯re still in this¡ª!"

    A boulder-sized chunk of dirt shot past his head, missing by mere inches. He blinked at it. "...We can do this?" His voice cracked slightly, and even he didn¡¯t believe it.

    Still crushed under Ben¡¯s weight, Jake gasped out, "My legend doesn¡¯t end here!"

    Ash, deadpan, flicked dirt off his shoulder. "This is the worst pep talk I¡¯ve ever heard."

    The elemental let out a deep, guttural roar, its entire form swelling with renewed aggression. Its eyes¡ªif you could call the glowing green slits that¡ªflashed ominously.

    There was no winning this. Running had failed. Fighting had failed. Being extraordinarily pitiful had also failed.

    "Alright, think!" Dan barked, gripping his head. "What do we do?!"

    Ben groaned from the ground. "I think I broke my¡­ everything."

    Dan wheezed. "New plan: We¡ª"

    The elemental roared again, raising its colossal root-like arm for a final, crushing blow.

    Ash, twisting in the vines, stared at the descending attack with absolute resignation. "...If I somehow survive this, I am quitting this team."

    The team braced themselves for impact.

    Then¡ª

    A thunderous boom shook the air, followed by the crackling roar of flames.

    The forest¡ªthe forest itself¡ªseemed to recoil.

    Dan¡¯s eyes widened. "Wait¡­ what is that?!"

    Jake gulped. "That... doesn¡¯t sound good."

    The elemental turned, its hollow, bark-like chest tightening with rage.

    A second roar rang out, this one distinctly pissed off.

    And then, through the smoke, a figure burst into view¡ªsprinting for dear life, a flaming beast the size of a carriage hot on his heels.

    "Oh get fucked!" the stranger bellowed mid-sprint.

    Dan stared, horrified. "Who the hell is that?!"

    The stranger didn¡¯t stop running, but his wild, unhinged grin was impossible to miss as his gaze fell on the members of Team Hazard.

    Dan swallowed hard. "...Guys? I think we just got upgraded from dead to extra dead."

 Chapter Twenty Two

    Theo had made a lot of questionable decisions in his life, but running low on power while trekking through a magical death jungle ranked pretty high on the list. His mesh suit''s energy reserves were nearly drained.

    As he traipsed through the foliage in the opposite direction of the intimidating presence near his fireplace, he clasped his backpack tightly, desperate to avoid the attention of more predators. He had been on edge for the last two days and was extremely beleaguered.

    Less than five minutes into his tactical retreat, he heard rustling a few meters to his left and immediately froze, holding his breath.

    An adorable feline creature sauntered out. It seemed incredibly aloof and hadn¡¯t noticed him yet.

    Theo exhaled as a smile tugged at his lips. ¡°Well, hey there, lil guy.¡±

    He knelt and rubbed his fingers and thumb together, beckoning the precious little baby over so he could give it some love squeezes.

    The tiny creature, barely the size of a football, noticed him and let out a pitiful growl, clearly not in the mood for cuddles.

    Theo straightened and raised his hands. ¡°It¡¯s okay. If you don¡¯t want t¡ª¡±

    More growls followed by a hiss interrupted Theo.

    Theo crossed his arms, wounded. ¡°Alright, no need to be a dick about it. I could punt you across this jungle if I wanted¡ª¡±

    Unfortunate timing indeed.

    The creature flared a violent shade of crimson, its body elongating and expanding in an unnatural, grotesque transformation. A moment later, Theo found himself staring at a towering, flaming lion-like monstrosity. Molten veins pulsed across its frame as it let out a guttural, echoing bellow.

    Theo stepped back, deadpan. ¡°Oh. Fantastic.¡± He sighed. ¡°Because obviously, you¡¯re a Pok¨¦mon boss evolution.¡±

    The monster stomped forward, sending tremors through the ground. Theo did what any self-respecting survivor would do: he turned and ran like hell¡ªif he had a tail, it¡¯d be tucked.

    Normally, his enhanced mesh would have kicked in, allowing him to bound at an alarming pace. But with his suit¡¯s power nearly gone, he was running at human speed¡ªand the massive fire beast was gaining.

    Each stomp set the underbrush ablaze, thick smoke choking the air. Heat radiated off the beast in suffocating waves, so intense that Theo¡¯s mesh began to glow. Sweat pooled down his back.

    As he ran, a faint trickle of energy began to seep into his mesh device. It seemed the heat was being used to provide energy.

    With the beast right on his heels, Theo kept attempting to channel the energy into his legs for a boost. Eventually, the charge was enough for one step. Theo crashed his right foot into the ground and blasted forwards.

    This caused a much healthier gap to open between the predator and prey, even causing the flaming monster to lose its footing as the earth cratered beneath the explosive step.

    Ahead, the dense foliage made sprinting even harder. The path was uneven, roots and vines snaking through the ground like nature¡¯s tripwires. He had to think fast.

    Then¡ªvoices. Metal clashing. A battle.

    His implant flared, tracking a path through the dense jungle.

    No idea who¡¯s fighting over there, but they¡¯re probably much better equipped to handle this flaming bitch than I am.

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    He ran toward the sounds of battle.

    The terrain became rockier, the trees thinning as he neared what looked like the remnants of a collapsed ruin. Vines clung to fractured stone pillars, and deep fissures cut through the ground.

    Theo skidded around a corner and barely avoided slamming into a large, jagged wall of roots and stone. He risked a glance back¡ªhis pursuer¡¯s flames were eating through the vegetation, turning everything behind him into an inferno.

    He wasn¡¯t built to handle this. Not anymore.

    Back in the real world, Theo had trained like a madman. Strength, agility, reflexes¡ªhe¡¯d honed himself into a human weapon. But here? Here, he was nothing without his enhancements. Hell, even before the system he wouldn¡¯t have been able to fight even a normal lion.

    Another bellow from behind shook him from his thoughts. He had to move.

    He surged forward, dodging a falling branch that ignited the moment it hit the ground. The fire was no longer spreading naturally. It moved with intent, carving a path straight toward him. His mind scrambled for options, for anything that could turn the tide, but every route led to the same conclusion¡ªhe was outmatched.

    Then, he spotted them.

    Up ahead, barely visible through the dense foliage, a group of fighters was in serious trouble. Three of them were huddled together as a massive tree monster loomed over them. This thing was huge and looked pissed, one arm raised high, ready to bring down a devastating blow.

    Theo assumed he was walking into a group of people having a disagreement, not another fucking agent of death.

    ¡°Oh, get fucked!¡± he yelled furiously as he threw his hands up.

    His ocular implant flared, collecting information about the creature and the unfortunate adventurers.

    The largest of the group, a towering brute of a man, braced himself, arms raised as if he intended to take the hit head-on. Beside him, another fighter¡ªleaner, jittery¡ªheld some kind of ranged weapon but wasn¡¯t firing, his aim shifting wildly as if he couldn''t decide what to do. The third, who had been shouting orders just moments ago, had fallen silent, his stance rigid, like even he knew they were seconds from getting crushed.

    And then there was the fourth guy. Off to the side. Tangled in thick vines. Completely trapped. His arms were pinned to his sides, his legs wrapped so tight they may as well have been in a plant-based straightjacket. He wriggled desperately, his struggle only making the vines constrict further, like a really affectionate boa constrictor. He wasn¡¯t fighting. He wasn¡¯t escaping. He was just... crying?

    Theo panted, his breathing fast and shallow.

    They were losing. Spectacularly.

    Should he try to save them? Or¡­ use them?

    The thought hit him like a gut punch. If he ran straight through their little formation, the creature would follow. It didn¡¯t care about strategy. It was hunting him. He could lead it right into their midst, let it rip them apart in the chaos, and in the confusion, he could escape.

    It was a brilliant plan. It was also, by most moral standards, a horrific one.

    Theo may have been determined to survive, but he wasn¡¯t that dark. Not yet.

    His eyes met the supposed leader of this ragtag group. Theo flashed a grin, because even with his life on the line, he had been desperate to meet some survivors, really anyone but Erasmus. And then¡ª

    The walking tree monstrosity¡ªthe one currently laying waste to everything¡ªstopped mid-attack. It turned to look at Theo. And it looked pissed.

    Wait.

    Theo¡¯s grin faltered.

    There''s no way it just ignored the easy prey to focus on him. The system simply couldn¡¯t hate him that much. He was useless.

    Right?

    The tree beast, as if personally offended by his continued existence, pulled energy from the ground. The soil rumbled, tendrils of magic twisting as it compacted the earth into a massive boulder.

    Ah. Welp.

    Theo had just enough time to reconsider every mistake he¡¯d ever made before the boulder rocketed toward his face.

 Chapter Twenty Three

    Giving up wasn¡¯t in Theo¡¯s vocabulary¡ªwell, it was, but only for other people. With a swift, desperate lurch to his left, he plunged into a roll as the speeding boulder grazed his shoulder¡ªits impact a minor inconvenience, yet its kinetic energy was greedily devoured by the hungry battery cells of his mesh device. As the boulder thundered past, the ground trembled in response; a chorus of creaking branches and rustling leaves rose in alarm.

    Theo rolled onward, his senses sharp and alert, ever-prepared for another assault from the towering, gnarled monstrosity.

    It loomed ahead like the very avatar of the forest¡ªa primal embodiment forged from the raw, chaotic beginnings of a world newly thrust into existence, as wild and untamed as the land itself.

    Behind him, a thunderous crash echoed as the boulder collided with the flaming behemoth that had been stalking his every move.

    In one fluid motion, blending athletic grace with desperate ingenuity, Theo sprang upright and landed squarely on his feet.

    Though dizziness tugged at him, he caught sight of the fire lion¡¯s enraged visage¡ªa brutal mask of shattered, muddy stone and flickering flame convulsing with indignation.

    Cursing his momentary lapse, he braced himself, fully expecting his battered body to soon become nothing more than a fine paste.

    And just like that, Theo went from the main course to background scenery. The tree¡¯s burning hatred (literally) had a new target: the smug, flaming menace that had torched its home. Its eyes, reflecting the raw, primal fury of a nascent world, gleamed with a newfound, ominous purpose.

    In that chaotic moment¡ªamid crashing boulders and roaring flames¡ªTheo felt as though he¡¯d been handed a lifeline. The tree creature was clearly incensed at the flaming cat for setting its home ablaze, and he knew he had to seize the opportunity to extricate himself from the lethal crossfire of these two titanic beasts.

    Theo navigated the chaos with a determined grace and the very helpful predictive tracking of his ocular implant. He dodged errant projectiles as the two colossal monsters clashed in a savage duel. Amid the din, the unknown adventurers struggled to regain their senses¡ªstumbling, dazed, and disoriented by the relentless barrage of attacks that sent splinters of burning debris and shards of rock skittering across the vicinity.

    Between the fire lion¡¯s tantrum and the tree¡¯s righteous fury, the battlefield had officially become a death trap. Theo¡¯s only strategy? Not dying.

    The air was thick with acrid smoke and the tang of burning wood, a constant reminder of the raw power unleashed in every moment of this new, forced world.

    Weaving through the mayhem, Theo kept his eyes fixed on his suggested path. He sidestepped a careening rock and ducked under a sweeping arc of flame, his every movement calculated to avoid the deadly collateral damage. Finally, he reached the cluster of adventurers huddled behind a makeshift barricade of splintered wood and charred earth¡ªtheir expressions a mixture of confusion and despair.

    ¡°Oi, you lot!¡± Theo called out, his voice firm and cutting through the clamour. ¡°Shall we perhaps leg it?¡±

    Huddled behind a battered barricade, the team exchanged exasperated, wry glances as they surveyed the carnage.

    Their leader quickly lost his look of dejection and formed a confident grin as he clapped Theo on the back. ¡°Good to see a friendly face! I¡¯m Dan. It¡¯s time we high-tail it out of this inferno. This place is about as safe as a porcupine in a balloon factory!¡±

    An absolute giant of a man in heavy armour rumbled in with a crooked grin. ¡°I¡¯d rather be anywhere but here! This is like¡ªlike a chicken in a fox convention. Or¡­ wait. A fox in a chicken¡ªugh, whatever. BAD.¡±

    Theo peered dumbfounded at the towering man. ¡°Right¡­¡±

    One of the smaller members of the team interjected with theatrical flair, ¡°By the gods, my destiny is slipping away amidst this bedlam! We must retreat before I become a cautionary tale!¡±

    The leader, Dan, turned away from the direction of battle and began gesturing as he planned their retreat when a frantic voice rang out. Another member of the squad was hopelessly entangled in a writhing mass of animated vines a few feet away. Dangling like an overambitious ornament, he struggled to free himself while weeping uncontrollably, ¡°Help me already! Don¡¯t you dare run off!¡±

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    Dan ran his hand over the back of his neck in embarrassment. ¡°Oops. Sorry! Come on guys. We can¡¯t leave Ash hanging...¡±

    He stepped forward, his tone pragmatic yet edged with a desperation that belied his demeanour. ¡°Alright, team¡ªnew plan: First we pull our vine-bound friend out of his leafy predicament. Then we will bolt through that clearing the second he is free!¡± He pointed a finger to a nearby opening in the bushes.

    Theo turned to the hopeless prisoner as the motley crew readied themselves to extract him and make their escape from the hazardous fray.

    The battlefield was still a swirling frenzy of destruction¡ªthe ground shaking with every blow exchanged between the flaming lion and the colossal tree creature.

    Theo moved swiftly, dodging a stray boulder as it hurtled past and hit the earth with a deafening crash.

    Behind him, the adventurers scrambled at the barricade¡ªpanic in their eyes now mingled with the fiery determination to get out alive.

    Ash was still hopelessly entangled in a writhing mass of animated vines, and if they didn¡¯t act fast, their escape plan would be nothing more than a smoldering wish.

    Dan cracked a confident grin, his voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°Alright, give it a hundred and ten percent chaps! Ben and I will provide cover as ¡®new guy¡¯ and Jake free Ash.¡±

    Theo blinked in surprise as the giant man, Ben apparently, yanked something from a hidden compartment in his storage belt¡ªtwo oversized shields that gleamed with purpose.

    The two men stood shoulder to shoulder, turning into an immovable wall, and began to form a barricade against the chaos around them.

    Shields were raised as the ground shook beneath them, providing just enough margin for error.

    ¡°Well, that''s¡­ incredible,¡± Theo remarked, impressed despite himself.

    Theo then darted toward Ash, the bow-wielding Jake beside him with a knife in hand.

    Jake slashed through the vines and yelled, ¡°On my honour, you shall live!¡±

    Reaching the struggling Ash, Theo dropped to his knees. With a furious snarl, he began ripping the vines from the floor, his fingers working like a man possessed. Each rip and tear was punctuated by the sound of snapping wood and the squelch of breaking vines. Meanwhile, Jake continued his precise, swift slices, severing the last of the bonds with a final, decisive stab of his dagger.

    Ash¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief and relief as the shackles of greenery fell away. ¡°Took you long enough! I was already composing my farewell speech!¡± he gasped, voice trembling.

    ¡°You¡¯re very welcome,¡± Theo remarked sarcastically, offering him a steady hand as he scrambled to his feet.

    Dan bellowed from behind the barrier, ¡°Alright, team¡ªtime to move! Go, go, go!¡±

    Without missing a beat, the newly freed group gathered near the makeshift exit. Theo, still panting from the exertion, followed the charge.

    As the group burst from cover into the open, their feet pounded the ground in a frantic, chaotic sprint.

    Every member surged ahead with their enhanced strides¡ªexcept Theo. His human legs burned with each desperate step, and his augmentation struggled to keep pace.

    Theo¡¯s legs were burning, his breath a ragged mess, and even with his battery siphoning scraps of energy, he was running on fumes. If his augmentation quit on him, he''d be the world¡¯s slowest-moving target.

    He calibrated each footfall with painstaking precision, trying to match even Ben¡¯s measured pace. It wasn¡¯t a colossal drain on his power, but he knew it wouldn¡¯t last through the night.

    Half an hour later, their frantic sprint eased into a weary jog beneath a bruised twilight sky. Theo, panting and grimacing at his exhaustion, called out with a mix of determination and anxiety, ¡°Uh, what¡¯s the plan, lads?¡±

    Ash, cheeks still damp from his earlier tears, barked back with a rough chuckle, ¡°Just keep legging it until we¡¯re at least six countries away from those big bastards!¡±

    But Dan, ever the cautious one, scanned the horizon and replied sharply, ¡°Night¡¯s falling. We need to find somewhere secure before the dark really sets in. Keep your eyes peeled for a safe spot.¡±

    Theo shuddered upon hearing that phrase as he couldn¡¯t help but imagine his eyes actually being peeled. Every damn time.

    As they slowed to a halt on a narrow ridge framed by shadowed pines, a heavy silence settled over the group. Theo¡¯s heart pounded¡ªnot just from the exertion but from the gnawing doubt that his own limitations might soon betray them.

    The wind whispered ominous promises through the trees, and as the last vestiges of daylight waned, a cold shiver slid down his spine.

    Dan squared his shoulders, the fatigue and fear coalescing into an infectious resolve. ¡°We hang tight here until we can see clearly¡ªthen we move together,¡± he declared, voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

    In that brief, suspended moment¡ªwhere every second bristled with danger and every shadow hinted at a lurking threat¡ªTheo realised that survival wasn¡¯t just about outrunning the enemy; it was about making the hard choices in the face of uncertainty.

    As the group formed a tight circle around the makeshift camp, a stark, foreboding question echoed in Theo¡¯s mind: In this brutal new world, would holding their ground be enough, or would their next step lead them straight into the jaws of the System¡¯s wrath?

 Chapter Twenty Four

    Under the gentle glow of the campfire, Theo felt a rare stirring of something other than adrenaline¡ªa quiet yearning to truly connect.

    In the cool, starlit clearing, far from the ceaseless threats of the fantastical wilds, he longed to set aside his familiar fighter fa?ade.

    For so long, his sarcasm and brash retorts had been his armour and weapon. People either wanted to cheer for him or watch him get destroyed; either way, they would tune in.

    He had plenty of time to think about what went wrong with Erasmus¡ªhell, most relationships he had in his adult life, actually.

    It wasn¡¯t as much of a problem before the system came, but he was well aware he¡¯d be nothing more than a chew toy for a toasty cat if he hadn¡¯t run into this group.

    Tonight, Theo resolved to ask questions that went beyond surface-level chatter¡ªto learn about their pasts, their hopes, and the burdens they carried.

    Dan was the first to catch his eye. The team¡¯s de facto leader worked on securing the makeshift tent, his every movement radiating the kind of effervescent confidence that kept their ragged band together.

    Setting aside his habitual quips, Theo approached him. ¡°Dan,¡± he began softly, ¡°how did you learn to lead in times like these?¡±

    Dan paused, his hands stilling on the rope as he regarded Theo with a mixture of surprise and genuine warmth. ¡°Well, Theo,¡± he said, his tone uncharacteristically reflective, ¡°I don¡¯t think I ever truly learned. Every day is a lesson¡ªI get it wrong more than I get it right. But somehow, when we¡¯re out here, still living, it feels like I¡¯m doing okay.¡± He glanced around at the others, then added with a wry smile, ¡°I mean, it¡¯s easy to lead when the team is this elite, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Theo opened his mouth, a sarcastic remark on the tip of his tongue¡ªhis default mode. Instead, he swallowed it, rubbing at the stubble on his cheek.

    Ash snorted dryly from across the fire. ¡°I think elite is a bit of an embellishment, Dan. Lucky beyond reasoning is perhaps a more appropriate designation,¡± he teased.

    Theo¡¯s gaze shifted to Ben, who had been quietly helping to arrange the sleeping mats. Though he spoke little, his presence was reassuring¡ªa silent testament to his strength. ¡°Ben,¡± Theo ventured, ¡°you don¡¯t say much, do you fella?¡±

    Ben offered a small, thoughtful smile before answering in a deep, measured tone. ¡°Ah, I mess things up when I talk too much. Don¡¯t really have much of a filter.¡±

    The colossal man scratched his head as if debating whether to continue.

    Ash laughed before offering a helpful correction, ¡°Much of a brain, you mean?¡±

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    Everyone laughed as Ben threw a stick at Ash, who yelped as it crashed into his face, causing the group to laugh even more uproariously.

    Across the circle, Jake¡¯s wild eyes danced with mischief as Theo leaned in, his voice a low conspiratorial whisper. ¡°And you, mate? You¡¯re the man of many stories. What¡¯s the craziest thing you¡¯ve seen out here?¡±

    Jake¡¯s grin widened into a theatrical smirk as he launched into an over-the-top tale. ¡°Oh, Theo, you should¡¯ve seen it! The moons were full, the shadows deep. It was the perfect night for my legendary escape. I was forced to outrun a pack of mutant hyenas, twice the size of your fire lion. With a single bound¡ª¡±

    He leapt to his feat dramatically and mimicked a powerful leap, almost stumbling into the fire.

    ¡°Ahem, I activated my ultimate ability¡ªShadow Sprint Technique! The hyenas stood no chance.¡± His laughter was infectious, yet beneath the exaggeration lay a sincere yearning for camaraderie that mirrored Theo¡¯s own.

    Finally, Theo turned to Ash, who seemed to be the odd one out of the group. ¡°Ash,¡± Theo said curiously, ¡°how did you end up adventuring? You don¡¯t seem too enthusiastic about it.¡±

    Ash¡¯s eyes flashed with a momentary vulnerability before he masked it with a half-smile. ¡°I¡¯m not the biggest fan, obviously. I just want an easy life but apparently that¡¯s too much to ask. We all went through our tutorial together and it just seemed to make sense that I¡¯d stay¡­ For now.¡±

    Dan laughed and rolled his eyes as Theo thought more about that answer.

    ¡°What exactly happened during your tutorial ordeal? I never got one,¡± he asked, noting the shocked expressions rippling across the group.

    Dan was the first to recover, frowning as he replied, ¡°You never had one? I was under the impression everyone had to undergo a tutorial.¡±

    Theo snorted bitterly. ¡°No, mate. When the System kicked in, I got royally shafted. They skipped the magic, the enhancements¡ªno tutorial at all. Instead, I was flung straight into the chaos at the doorstep of my surly great-grandad. Everything went to pot.¡±

    The members of Team Hazard exchanged uneasy glances, clearly wrestling with more questions than answers¡ªbut they knew when to bite their tongues.

    Ben then chimed in, his tone heavy with regret. ¡°Truth be told, the tutorial was far from a walk in the park. We started as a team of six.¡±

    Dan¡¯s face fell as he murmured, ¡°Our briefing had us split into groups of six, sent off on random quests. There was even this group of alien fuckers that had the gall to vote halfway through¡ªand at the end¡ªon who was the least entertaining. They were¡­¡±

    Dan paused, running his hand over his mouth, before Ash, avoiding eye contact, muttered, ¡°They were disposed of.

    Theo¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Fuck me¡­ That¡¯s fresh out of a horror movie. Sorry to hear that.¡±

    Jake nodded solemnly. ¡°It was. You never knew whether to feel relieved for being alive or furious for losing Jez and Mark to some twisted peep show.¡±

    Theo contemplated their story, a wave of emotions swirling within him. He truly felt he had the worst of it when he was thrown at Erasmus. Sure, his future was going to be an uphill battle. But that tutorial sounded like a goddamn horror show.

    As the night deepened, the conversation meandered from leadership and loss to dreams and the burdens they carried.

    Each exchange chipped away at the hardened edges of Theo¡¯s fighter persona, revealing a man eager for genuine connection. It felt good to finally share and listen.

    And beneath the tapestry of laughter, teasing, and heartfelt admissions, a new understanding began to take shape¡ªone that promised that even in a world shattered by chaos, they could find solace in each other''s truths.

 Chapter Twenty Five

    Team Hazard and Theo stirred in the early morning light, their makeshift camp hidden deep within a dense, elevated forest clearing.

    They weren¡¯t the most professional unit Theo had ever heard of, but they made a good call there, as their camp remained unmolested through the night.

    Last night¡¯s chaotic escape from certain death, combined with their disorganized camping, had left them groggy and disoriented, their already dubious sense of direction all but abandoned.

    Dan was the first to push himself up, his brow furrowed in concentration as he surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings. ¡°Right, chaps, we need to find our way back home,¡± he said, his voice chirpy despite the lingering fatigue.

    Ben grunted in agreement, rubbing a hand over a fresh bruise. ¡°I¡¯m sure we can¡¯t be that far,¡± he muttered, half-amused by the absurdity of their situation.

    Ash, ever the helpful presence, scanned the terrain for any sign of a familiar landmark. ¡°Yeah. We only tracked for hours and then sprinted in a random direction for an unknown amount of time,¡± he reminded them, his tone facetious.

    Jake peered into the misty distance with a cocky grin. ¡°Every tree looks the same out here,¡± he joked, though the uncertainty in his eyes betrayed his true concern.

    Theo was also examining the surroundings before realizing the futility of his insights. ¡°Wait, I have no idea what I¡¯m looking for, actually.¡±

    Dan pursed his lips as he contemplated their situation. ¡°New plan: Let¡¯s find somewhere high up so we can spot Dawnmere,¡± he said as he snapped his fingers energetically.

    Theo smirked. Dawnmere? Oh, that¡¯s subtle. Did you guys have to choose between that, Elden Hollow?

    Ash chuckled in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s almost exactly what I said. But I called it a Skyrim name.¡±

    Dan sighed dejectedly, ¡°Yes, well. I didn¡¯t name it and I certainly can¡¯t change it. But it¡¯s home, so what can we do?¡±

    Theo held his hands up in placation, ¡°Fair, fair. At least it isn¡¯t ¡®New Haven¡¯ or something.¡±

    Dan smiled warmly, ¡°Hah, they nearly called the inn exactly but the builders kicked off. Anyways, the sun is shining and our home beckons. Let¡¯s be off!¡±

    Jake turned to Ben cautiously before looking back at Dan, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we pack up everything first?¡±

    ¡°Oh, right, heh. Ben, can you chuck everything in your storage?¡± Dan asked, with a hint of embarrassment.

    ¡°Eh, why do I always have to be the mule?¡± Ben said, already trudging over to the supplies that were sprawled across the small clearing.

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    ¡°You¡¯ve got the most storage weight, you tit,¡± Ash chided with a breathless laugh.

    Theo watched on as the lumbering giant placed his hand against one of the sleeping bags before a quick flash made the item disappear. ¡°Hold on. I was going to ignore that whole ¡®magic bag of holding¡¯ thing, but now I have questions. Mainly, WHAT?¡±

    Ben looked at Theo as if he was an idiot, ¡°It¡¯s just the storage function.¡±

    Jake realized what the issue was and stepped in. ¡°Oh yeah, you mentioned last night that you didn¡¯t have a tutorial or any of the system things, right?¡±

    Theo nodded, his eyes still fixated on the spot where the sleeping bag used to be.

    ¡°Oh, wow. There¡¯s a lot you won¡¯t know then. Everyone has the ability to store items, the amount you can store is directly affected by the strength stat of a person,¡± Dan stated, holding one hand up to help articulate his words.

    ¡°Jesus Christ. You¡¯re telling me I¡¯m in an actual stat-based nightmare, and Raz just¡ªwhat¡ªforgot to mention that little detail? That man is the worst tutorial NPC ever.¡± Theo shook his head in astonishment.

    Dan paused and smiled empathetically before continuing, ¡°That¡¯s right. Stats, stamina and health pools. Even mana if you have a magic class. Oh, right, classes too. Pretty much anything you can find in a fantasy RPG.¡±

    Theo felt his mind attempt to leave his body and go on a vacation to unwind. ¡°I thought I¡¯d already had my moment of ¡®This can¡¯t be real¡¯, but here comes another one¡­¡±

    Ben approached Theo and placed a gentle, comforting hand on the rapidly crumbling man¡¯s shoulder.

    Gentle and comforting¡ªthat was the intention, at least. Instead, his hand connected with unexpected force, sending Theo sprawling to the ground. In response, the nanotech mesh on Theo¡¯s shoulder flared vibrantly before it coolly dissipated into stored energy.

    ¡°Oops, sorry,¡± Ben said hurriedly before taking a step back in surprise, ¡°Wait, what was that?¡±

    Theo struggled to his feet, his voice a mix of embarrassment and wry humour. ¡°Oh, uh, no problem. It¡¯s a mesh, armour thing. It has a much cooler name and explanation but I¡¯m not really a science guy.¡±

    He ran a hand through his hair, trying to salvage his dignity, but the disparity in strength really shook something loose in him.

    He feared no man before the system. He was bigger, stronger and trained more than most. Now? He had been levelled by a friendly gesture.

    ¡°Where did you get it? Is it like a skill or something?¡± Ash asked with an excitement in his tone that Theo hadn¡¯t seen before.

    Theo chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Something like that. A friend of mine¡ªa real genius¡ªbasically gave me a couple of things to keep me¡­ you know¡­ not dead.¡±

    Jake sauntered up to Theo and half forcefully slapped him on the arm, causing the familiar flash of the mesh to occur before dissipating once more. ¡°Dude, that¡¯s insane. I wondered how you survived out there.¡±

    Theo understood their intrigue but was beginning to feel a bit like a lab rat again, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s pretty cool. I wish I could explain more but shouldn¡¯t we get to safety first?¡±

    Dan nodded accordingly and beckoned the group to give him some space. ¡°Right you are, Theo. Let¡¯s head back and then we can get everyone all caught up.¡±

    With that, and with supplies safely stashed in Ben¡¯s storage, the group forged ahead through the undergrowth.

    As they moved, Theo¡¯s mind began to whir as he contemplated how he could use some of the mesh¡¯s functionality to his advantage.

    Did Ben just give me a shitload of energy charge with that ¡®attack¡¯?

 Chapter Twenty Six (This is such a fun chapter, please check it out!)

    ¡°...Anyway, I pulled my pants up, paid the guy and left. Not been to an office Christmas party since.¡± Ash shrugged like it was just another Tuesday.

    Laughter echoed through the trees, a brief contrast to the eerie silence of the unfamiliar forest.

    The plan was simple: get to higher ground and look for anything familiar.

    The ground was slowly elevating in one direction, so that was the one they chose. There was no concept of north or south currently. The whole world was completely different now.

    They had been walking for upwards of an hour, with Theo sharing insights into his own life before the system.

    Theo smirked. ¡°Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Combat Sambo¡ªthe whole buffet, really. In this day and age, one style¡¯s just not enough,¡± he said, answering Jake¡¯s question about what styles he knew.

    Jake nodded in understanding, ¡°I know exactly what you mean. It took a whole three months to get my first black belt, but when I did, I never looked back. It¡¯s good to meet a fellow martial artist.¡±

    Theo snorted as he caught Dan chuckling and shaking his head. ¡°Three whole months? Wow. They must¡¯ve fast-tracked you straight to the legendary black belt with platinum trim.¡±

    Without even stopping to contemplate a trap, Jake replied, ¡°They did, actually. My Jiu-Jitsu instructor said my kicks ¡®defied physics.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Are these renowned Jiu Jitsu kicks in the room with us now, Jake?¡± Ash asked, his tone dripping with derision.

    ¡°Can you show me one of them?¡± Theo asked.

    ¡°Alas, no. Since the change, I dare not unleash them. Even at ten percent power, the devastation would be too much.¡±

    They all shared a laugh, except for Ben, who wore a genuine mask of disappointment, ¡°Aw, that¡¯s a shame.¡±

    Theo, Dan, and Ash exchanged looks. Even Jake hesitated.

    Ben nodded earnestly. ¡°I bet they¡¯re amazing.¡±

    Silence.

    Ash sighed. ¡°We need to get you tested, mate.¡±

    <hr>

    More time passed as the group climbed the increasingly steep forest, their trek becoming less of a simple hike and more like an absurd Japanese TV obstacle course.

    "Is it just me," Jake grumbled, "or is this forest actively trying to kill us?"

    A vine lazily swayed in the breeze, then slapped Dan across the face like it had personal beef with him.

    "Well, that was just uncalled for." Jake said, shaking his head in pity.

    A second vine wrapped around his ankle, sending him face-first into the dirt.

    ¡°THE FOREST CLAIMS ANOTHER,¡± Ash declared, hands raised like a dramatic stage actor. ¡°Truly, a tragic loss. Shall we forge ahead?¡±

    The group erupted into laughter as Jake flailed like a marionette caught in invisible strings. Theo found himself chuckling more than he had in a very long time. Every so often, an errant branch would take a cheap shot at them, swinging unexpectedly into a shoulder or an unsuspecting face, earning a mix of yelps, groans, and muttered curses.

    Theo, however, had begun to adjust. After a few early miscalculations, he kept his mesh device passively charged at all times. The last time a branch had tried to smack him, it simply snapped against him, the force barely registering. Finding the right balance between energy expenditure and recharge was a work in progress, but he was getting the hang of it.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    Still, he wasn¡¯t even sure how the stored energy replenished itself when he wasn¡¯t taking hits. Solar energy made sense, but even at night, the levels slowly crept back up. Something to figure out later.

    Above them, an off-key bird warbled its way through the canopy, absolutely butchering whatever song it was attempting. The sound was so uniquely terrible that even the surrounding wildlife themselves seemed momentarily offended.

    Ash groaned. ¡°I swear I can actually feel my health pool diminishing from that god-awful racket.¡±

    "Aw, come on, guys." Dan smiled up at the bird. ¡°I think it has a certain charm. It¡¯s like it¡¯s cheering us on!¡±

    Ben winced. ¡°If that¡¯s cheering us on, I¡¯d hate to hear it rooting against us.¡±

    ¡°Bold of you to assume it isn¡¯t.¡± Jake dusted himself off, eyes darting around suspiciously. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a warning. What if it¡¯s trying to tell us something¡ªlike, ¡®Turn back now, fools¡¯?¡±

    "Or," Theo cut in dryly, "maybe it''s just a really bad singer."

    The playful banter carried them forward, softening the ache of their climb. Theo found himself settling into the rhythm of the group, something he had longed for since even before the system changed everything.

    At some point, he caught himself thinking about Erasmus. He knew he''d come off as ungrateful when he left, but standing here¡ªlaughing, moving, being part of something¡ªhe was sure. This had been the right decision.

    He''d missed this.

    <hr>

    The group stumbled into a part of the forest where the trees turned into a tangled assemblage of vines and glowing fungi, like nature had gone full celebration mode. The undergrowth pulsed with eerie, bioluminescent colours, casting the whole scene in a ghostly rave of greens and blues.

    Dan held one hand in the air, a signal to stop as he surveyed the surroundings. ¡°I¡¯m wondering if perhaps it might be best to turn back and find an alternate route.¡±

    Ben moved to his right as he attempted to avoid walking straight into the Captain, causing him to stumble.

    It wasn¡¯t just a stumble, though¡ªit was a full-body betrayal. His foot got tangled in a root the size of his forearm, sending him hurtling straight into a giant, luminescent mushroom.

    The mushroom shuddered like it and its family had just been personally offended, then promptly exploded into a dazzling cloud of glowing spores, showering everything in psychedelic fairy dust.

    Within seconds, the entire clearing turned into a chaotic fever dream.

    Dan, suddenly inspired, decided this was the perfect time to lead an aggressively off-key victory chant. "WE¡ªARE¡ªTHE CHAMPIONS!" he bellowed, punching the air like he¡¯d just won a world title.

    Meanwhile, Jake had dropped to his knees, staring at his hands. "Guys," he whispered reverently, eyes wide. "I can see... the universe. The answer to everything. 42 is a lie."

    "Really?" Ash asked, swaying slightly. "W¡­ what is it?"

    Jake¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Uh¡­ I don¡¯t¡­ know. I forgot.¡±

    Ash, already detached from the conversation, turned his attention to a tree and started slow dancing with it. "You understand me," he muttered, forehead pressed against the bark intimately.

    Theo, still the only sane one, watched the madness unfold with a growing sense of dread.

    His ocular implant confirmed what he already suspected: these spores were magical as hell.

    He ran through his training for psionic warfare, trying to determine if they were under attack or it was a defence mechanism purely from the impact.

    Dan was now doing frantic pushups with absolutely no form, yelling random numbers that had no connection to reality. "SEVENTY-TWELVE! TWENTINGTON!"

    Theo turned, already psychologically exhausted, only to find Ben¡ªgigantic, battle-hardened Ben¡ªhiding behind a tree. More specifically, peeking out from behind it in the least subtle way possible, staring at him like a deer caught in very judgmental headlights.

    Theo took a cautious step to the left. Ben shifted.

    Theo stepped right. Ben matched him, still staring.

    It was like a poorly executed game of peekaboo, except one of the participants was a 300-pound warrior who could probably knock a building out cold.

    ¡°Ben? What¡¯s going on, big guy?¡± Theo asked cautiously.

    Ben¡¯s eyes widened. He ducked lower, as if that would somehow help, and whispered, ¡°Hiding.¡±

    Theo nodded with false empathy, ¡°Behind a tree? That you¡¯re bigger than?¡±

    Ben nodded solemnly, still staring. Theo exhaled slowly. ¡°Right. Of course.¡±

    Finally, Theo sighed, rubbing his temples.

    He had two options: One, leave them here to become permanent forest weirdos or two, figure out how to get them out of this mess before they started worshipping the trees.

    He really, really wished he had a third option.