Dave jolted upright in the AI Pod, disoriented as the world around him dissolved back into the sleek, metallic interior of the pod. His heart raced. How long had he been inside? What felt like weeks of relentless training had passed in the virtual world, but he hadn't thought about his real body at all. Panic gripped him.
'How long have I been here?' he wondered. 'Have I neglected my body?'
Just as he was about to throw open the door and rush out, the calm voice of the system spoke into his mind.
"Dave, there is no need for concern. Your physical body has been maintained in a sleep state during your time in the AI Pod. Health and physical integrity are monitored and preserved, ensuring no adverse effects. You are fully rested and in peak condition."
A wave of relief washed over him. The system had thought of everything. He glanced at his hands, feeling the same strength and vitality he had always known. 'So, no matter how long I stay in the pod, my real body is fine,' he mused. 'This thing really is a game-changer.'
Out of curiosity, Dave mentally asked, "System, how long have I been in the pod?"
"Approximately one month in Earth time has passed."
A whole month. It was a sobering thought, but at least he had spent that time productively. Weeks of intense training in a world where time moved 10 times faster than the real world meant he had effectively trained for nearly a year.
It was time to see the results.
"System, show me my stats."
A familiar screen appeared before him, displaying his current status. He stared at the numbers, eagerly anticipating how much he had grown in the last month of rigorous training inside the pod.
---
Stats Update:
Strength: 470 → 630
Agility: 445 → 590
Endurance: 440 → 600
Intelligence: 410 → 500
Mana: 380 → 470
---
The numbers had skyrocketed. The sheer intensity of fighting his doppelganger over and over again had pushed his body and mind to new limits. The brutal reality of constantly being beaten down had refined his reactions, his decision-making, and his resilience.
'These gains are insane,' Dave thought. The fact that all his stats had leaped forward by such a margin left him feeling unstoppable.
"System," he asked, "how does this rank me compared to the world's superhuman rankings? Where do I stand now?"
The system took a moment before displaying another screen, this time comparing his current abilities with the known rankings of superhumans worldwide.
---
Superhuman Ranking System:
- Rank C: Average superhuman. Displays above-average physical and mental abilities but is not a world-shattering threat.
- Rank B: Notable superhuman. Typically possesses one or more exceptional abilities. Capable of feats far beyond normal human limits.
- Rank A: Elite superhuman. Among the strongest in the world. Often possess unique and powerful abilities capable of devastating effects.
- Rank S: Legendary superhuman. Rarely seen. They are the apex of power and are considered nearly unstoppable forces.
---
Dave's stats compared to the ranking system, and the result appeared on the screen:
Rank: B
---
He let the information sink in. Rank B. It wasn't bad, considering he had only recently begun his journey of unlocking his powers, but the knowledge that he was still far below the strongest in the world was a reality check.
Dave remembered his fight against Swift Blade, a low-ranked superhuman with speed manipulation abilities. He had barely managed to win that battle, and Swift Blade was ranked one of the weakest. If Dave was at Rank B, then there was a long way to go if he wanted to face off against the top-tier superhumans—the Rank A and especially the Rank S individuals.
"I have a lot more work to do," he muttered to himself.
The system chimed in again. "Though you are currently ranked as a **Rank B** superhuman, further improvements are achievable. Continuous training inside the AI Pod will allow for rapid progression."
Dave nodded, knowing that despite his progress, he needed to keep pushing. But for now, it was time to step back into the real world. He had spent a whole month inside the pod, and although his body had been maintained, there were things to do outside, decisions to make, and challenges to face.
The pod door slid open, revealing his living room exactly as he had left it.
'One month,' he thought again, stepping out. He stretched, feeling every bit as strong as his stats suggested. 'Now what should I do?'
There was so much potential at his fingertips now. He could continue to train in the AI Pod, pushing himself even further, or he could begin making waves in the real world again, using his newfound power to shape things according to his will.
Dave stood still for a moment, thinking about the possibilities.
'Maybe I'll make a few more enemies tremble...'