Dave sat on his couch, staring at the new purchase listed on his smartwatch system store. The name "AI Pod" hovered in front of him, accompanied by a short description.
"AI Pod: A personalized space where time moves at 10 times the speed of the real world. In this world, you have full control, allowing you to train your skills and abilities without external interference. You can create a perfect copy of yourself for sparring. Progress made in this world will carry over to the real world."
The potential of such a device was immense. With a 10:1 time ratio, Dave could spend days in his own world while only hours passed on Earth. It would allow him to train and improve without anyone knowing what he was doing. For someone like Dave, who wanted to keep his abilities secret while staying ahead of his enemies, it was the perfect solution.
Without a second thought, Dave confirmed the purchase. Instantly, the room around him shimmered, and a sleek, futuristic pod materialized in the center of his living room. The pod was metallic, large enough to fit a person comfortably, and the door slid open with a soft hiss, inviting him inside.
Dave stepped into the AI Pod, his heart pounding with excitement. As soon as he sat down and closed the door, a menu appeared in front of him, offering him options to customize his own world. With a few taps on the interface, he began shaping his training ground.
He modeled it after Earth, but with key differences. The terrain was more challenging, filled with rugged mountains, dense forests, and wide-open deserts for endless possibilities. And, most importantly, time moved at a speed 10 times faster than in the real world. What felt like one hour on Earth would be ten hours inside this pod.
As soon as Dave confirmed the settings, the world around him shifted. The pod dissolved, and suddenly, he found himself standing on a vast, open plain beneath a clear sky. He felt the grass beneath his feet, the wind on his skin—it was all real.
'Incredible,' Dave thought, looking around at the massive world he had created.
But now came the real test. He activated the system's sparring feature, creating a perfect copy of himself—a doppelganger with identical stats, abilities, and skills. However, the copy had one key advantage: it could control its power with 100% precision. Dave, on the other hand, knew he still lacked full mastery of his strength and abilities, especially in high-pressure combat situations.
The copy appeared before him, standing tall and calm. "Ready?" it asked, mirroring Dave's voice perfectly.
Dave didn't hesitate. He charged at his doppelganger, throwing a punch with all his might. But the copy moved with fluid precision, effortlessly dodging the attack and countering with a blow to Dave's stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
He gasped, stumbling back. 'Damn, it's too fast!' he thought. The copy was not only perfectly matching his power but also using his own weaknesses against him.
They fought for hours—inside the pod, it felt like days. Each time Dave attacked, the copy would block or evade with ease, landing punishing blows that left him battered and bruised. No matter how hard he tried, Dave couldn't gain the upper hand. The difference in control was glaring, and it frustrated him.
However, despite being beaten time and time again, Dave noticed something—his body was adapting. He was learning from each defeat, his reaction time improving, his movements becoming sharper. With every fight, he grew stronger, even if it was only a little.
Finally, after what felt like a week of constant battles, Dave checked his stats. They had improved, albeit slowly. His agility, strength, and endurance were all creeping upward.
---
Stats Update:
Strength: 450 → 470
Agility: 430 → 445
Endurance: 420 → 440
---
Though the gains were gradual, they were real. He was getting better with each passing fight. And more importantly, his control over his powers was improving, little by little.
'This is the key,' Dave realized. 'I might not be able to beat my copy yet, but each loss makes me stronger. It's only a matter of time before I surpass it.'
Satisfied with his progress, Dave opened the system shop once more. He had noticed a skill that intrigued him during his earlier browsing.
"Skill: Matter Control" – The ability to manipulate matter at a fundamental level, allowing the user to reshape, form, or even destroy materials by altering their atomic structure.
Dave purchased the skill, and instantly, a rush of knowledge filled his mind. The potential of controlling matter was staggering. He could reshape the environment, turn a rock into a weapon, or even disassemble objects at will. It was a skill that offered both offensive and defensive possibilities, and he knew it would be crucial in future battles.
He clenched his fist, feeling the new power coursing through him. With Matter Control, he could bend the very world around him to his will. Combined with his training inside the AI Pod, Dave knew he was on the path to becoming unstoppable.
But there was still much to learn, and many challenges to face.