Dave stood in front of the AI Pod, his thoughts swirling with frustration and determination. The encounter with Helios, a Rank S superhuman, had left a deep impact on him. The harsh reality of his weakness gnawed at him. If he was going to survive against the Rank S superhumans of the world, he had to grow stronger—much stronger, and fast.
He turned to the system, his voice steady but urgent. "System, is there a harsher and faster way to train? I can't afford to waste time. I need to get stronger—not just my stats, but my control over my superhuman powers. I need efficiency, and I need it now."
The system responded almost immediately.
"Host, there is a more extreme method to accelerate your growth. It will push your body and mind beyond their current limits, but it comes with a price. You will be subjected to far greater strain than normal, and the risk of injury or failure will increase. Are you prepared to endure this?"
Dave's eyes narrowed. "I don't care about the risks. I can't afford to be this weak anymore. If I'm going to stand a chance against people like Helios, I need to train in a way that forces me to grow as quickly as possible."
"Very well, Host. I will modify the training settings in the AI Pod. I suggest increasing the time dilation to its maximum potential, allowing you to train more efficiently."
Dave nodded, a sense of resolve hardening in his chest. "Make the time dilation x20," he commanded. "I want to maximize every second."
"Setting confirmed. Time dilation is now x20. Every hour outside will be equivalent to 20 hours inside the Pod. Additionally, I will increase the difficulty of your training simulations. You will face far more advanced challenges, with your clones reacting at 100% capacity. Prepare yourself for extreme physical and mental exertion."
Dave stepped into the Pod, feeling a slight hum as the system prepared to shift him into the simulated world. Once inside, he immediately felt the weight of the new training environment. The familiar terrain of Earth had been replaced with a much more hostile environment—a mountainous wasteland with jagged peaks and scorching heat.
"Host, the training will focus on two primary goals: improving your physical stats and enhancing your control over your superhuman abilities. To do this, I have created several challenges that will push you to your limit."
Dave nodded, taking a deep breath. He was ready.
The first simulation started almost immediately. A perfect clone of himself appeared before him, identical in every way, but with one crucial difference—it had full mastery over all of Dave's superhuman abilities, including the Matter Control that Dave had wielded long before his encounter with Bolt.
The battle began with an explosion of speed. Dave lunged forward, attempting to land a blow on his clone, but it easily sidestepped, countering with a powerful punch that sent Dave flying backward. He crashed into the jagged rocks, gasping for air.
'Damn it… it's so fast,' Dave thought, grimacing as he pulled himself to his feet. His clone wasn't just reacting—it was anticipating his every move, exploiting every weakness in his form and strategy.
Dave unleashed a torrent of energy, sending waves of force toward the clone, but it deftly dodged each one, closing the distance in an instant. The clone struck again, this time with a powerful kick to Dave's side, knocking him off balance.
'Come on, focus!' Dave thought, wiping the blood from his mouth. He knew the system wasn't holding back—this clone was designed to be as perfect as possible, forcing him to adapt and grow stronger. But the pain was real, and the struggle was intense.
Each time Dave managed to launch an attack, the clone would counter with speed and precision far beyond what he was capable of. The gap between them was obvious, and with each defeat, Dave felt the weight of his own limitations.
Hours passed inside the Pod, though to Dave, it felt like days. He was beaten again and again, his body aching from the relentless battles. But even in the face of constant defeat, Dave refused to give up. He knew that every time he was knocked down, he was getting stronger, his reflexes sharpening, his control over his powers improving.
By the time the first day in the Pod had passed, Dave was starting to notice small improvements. His movements were becoming smoother, more controlled. He could anticipate his clone's attacks with greater accuracy, and while he was still losing, the gap between them was slowly closing.
During the intense combat, Dave focused on mastering his superhuman powers. He practiced controlling his teleportation, using it not just as an escape but as an offensive tool to catch his clone off guard. He would blink across the battlefield in rapid succession, striking from different angles, forcing his clone to react faster and faster.
Next, he turned his attention to his Matter Control ability. He had this power long before his fight with Bolt, but his understanding of it had room to grow. In the Pod, he began experimenting with how it worked, learning to manipulate the elements around him. He could now reshape the earth, create barriers, and even form weapons out of thin air. But controlling matter wasn't easy—it required intense focus, and in the heat of battle, it was difficult to maintain.
Despite the challenges, Dave pushed himself harder and harder. The grueling battles left him exhausted, but with each passing day, he could feel his strength growing. His stats were improving steadily, and the control over his abilities was becoming more refined.
By the end of the second day in the Pod, Dave was still far from perfect, but the progress he had made was undeniable. He was faster, stronger, and his control over his superhuman powers had improved significantly. The system monitored his growth, displaying the increasing stats as he continued his brutal training.
Dave wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing heavily. His body ached, but the pain was a reminder of the progress he had made.
'This is just the beginning,' he thought, a fierce determination burning in his chest. 'I'll keep pushing myself. No matter what it takes.'