Dave stood in the center of the training pod, his body still aching from the relentless mental battles of mastering Mind Control. The intensity of controlling so many clones simultaneously had pushed him to his limits, but now it was time to focus on something different—his physical stats.
He needed raw power, speed, endurance, and everything else that could make him stronger in battle. If he was going to stand a chance against the S-ranked superhumans like Helios, his stats needed to go beyond just ordinary improvement.
"System," Dave called out, his voice firm, "initiate the physical training program. Push everything to the max. I want to become as strong as I possibly can in the shortest time."
"Understood, Host. The next phase will focus on increasing your physical stats: strength, speed, stamina, and durability. I will push your body to its absolute limits, but the strain will be immense. Are you ready?"
Dave clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "Let's do it. I'm ready."
With that, the simulation shifted again. The harsh, rocky landscape of his previous training faded into an intense and unforgiving environment—a gravity chamber. The air around him grew dense, making every breath feel like a workout on its own. The system had activated intense gravitational pressure, making each movement exponentially more difficult.
"Gravity level: 10 times Earth's normal gravity," the system announced.
Dave immediately felt the weight pressing down on him. Even standing felt like a struggle, his muscles straining to hold his body upright. But he welcomed the challenge. If he was going to become stronger, this was the price he had to pay.
"Host, in this training phase, you will be required to perform a series of physical challenges. Each will target a different aspect of your stats, and the difficulty will increase over time. You must push yourself beyond what your current body can handle if you wish to see rapid improvement."
The first challenge began with simple tasks—push-ups, squats, and sprints, but under the crushing weight of the increased gravity, even the simplest exercises became monumental efforts. Dave gritted his teeth as he powered through the movements, sweat pouring down his face as his muscles screamed in protest.
Every rep felt like an eternity, but with each one, he could feel his body adapting. His muscles were growing denser, his endurance increasing. The system wasn't just pushing him—it was guiding him toward a more optimized version of himself.
After hours of relentless exercise, the system spoke again.
"Next phase: combat training."
A series of holographic enemies appeared around him, each moving with blinding speed and force. These weren't just ordinary foes—they were designed to push him to his physical limits. They attacked relentlessly, forcing Dave to react with precision, speed, and strength.
Dave ducked under a punch, countering with a powerful uppercut that sent one of the holograms flying. He immediately spun, dodging a kick from another opponent before delivering a bone-crushing punch to its midsection. The more he fought, the faster his movements became. His muscles responded to the increased strain, growing stronger with every hit.
His speed improved as well. Where before, he had been struggling to keep up with the quick movements of his opponents, now he was outpacing them. His reflexes were sharper, and he could react to attacks that had previously caught him off guard.
Each time a hologram attacked, Dave could feel his body adjusting—becoming faster, stronger, and more durable. He took punches that would have floored him before and shrugged them off like they were nothing. His stamina was increasing, allowing him to keep up with the relentless assault without slowing down.
The gravity intensified further, but Dave powered through it, his body adapting to the increased weight. He jumped higher, struck harder, and moved faster than ever before. His physical stats were skyrocketing, pushing him beyond what he thought was possible.
Hours turned into what felt like days inside the simulation. The intensity of the training was brutal, but Dave's determination never wavered. He was growing stronger with each passing moment, his body evolving into something far more powerful than it had been when he first entered the pod.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the system spoke once more.
"Training complete. Host, your physical stats have increased significantly."
Dave stood, drenched in sweat, his muscles aching from the relentless training. He could feel the change coursing through him. His body was now faster, stronger, and more resilient than ever before. Though the system didn't display the exact numbers, Dave knew he had reached a new level of strength—one that far surpassed anything he had achieved before.
Breathing heavily, Dave allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. He wasn't just stronger—he was prepared for whatever came next.
"Time to move on," Dave muttered to himself. "System, initiate the next phase. I need to master my Teleportation skill."
The world around him shifted once again as Dave prepared for the next challenge. He had become stronger, but this was just the beginning.