Dave stood outside the pod, feeling the weight of reality return to him after two long months in the simulated training environment. His body, now a vessel of immense power, felt different—stronger, more refined. He could sense it deep within his bones, but he needed to know just how far he had come.
"System," Dave said, his voice calm but expectant. "What's my rank now?"
The system responded almost immediately, as it always did, with a clear and precise answer.
"Host, your current rank is SS."
Dave blinked, confusion crossing his face. Rank SS? That didn't make any sense. From what he understood, the highest level of power among superhumans was Rank S. He had never heard of anything beyond that.
"Wait, SS? I thought Rank S was the pinnacle. The strongest superhumans in the world are Rank S. What does Rank SS even mean?" Dave asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Host, you are correct that Rank S is widely regarded as the highest rank among known superhumans. However, the system ranks extend beyond the public classifications. Rank SS represents a level of strength that surpasses Rank S in every capacity. This tier is extremely rare, and the existence of such individuals is not publicly known. Your current abilities, after two months of intense training and significant stat increases, have placed you beyond the limits of Rank S."
Dave processed this new information, a mixture of surprise and disbelief swirling in his mind. Rank SS? It sounded absurd, almost mythical. Yet, if the system said it, it had to be true. He had surpassed the very limits of what he thought was possible for any human.
"So, basically," Dave mused aloud, "I'm stronger than any superhuman the world knows about. But why hasn't anyone ever mentioned Rank SS before?"
"Rank SS individuals are exceedingly rare, Host. Most superhumans never achieve the level of power necessary to break through the S rank. Additionally, the world is not aware of the existence of Rank SS due to the secrecy surrounding the very few who have reached this level. There are hidden forces in the world that monitor individuals of extraordinary power, but their actions remain veiled to the general public."
Dave nodded slowly, still trying to wrap his head around the concept. He had gone from a struggling man trying to survive in a world of superhumans to becoming one of the most powerful beings in existence—someone who had exceeded the known limits.
"Alright, I'll deal with that later," he muttered. There were more pressing matters to attend to. After all, two months had passed while he was inside the pod. The world hadn't stopped just because he had. "System, give me a rundown of any major events that happened while I was in training. I want the important stuff."
"Understood, Host. Here is a summary of significant global events over the last two months:
1. Several international conflicts have escalated, involving superhuman interventions. The UN has held emergency meetings to discuss the rising tension between major superhuman factions.
2. A few new Rank A and Rank B superhumans have emerged, gaining significant media attention.
3. Helios, the Rank S superhuman you previously encountered, has been involved in an increasing number of high-profile missions. His influence is spreading rapidly, and there are rumors of him forming alliances with several powerful organizations.
4. Mysterious kidnappings of high-profile individuals with superhuman family members have been reported worldwide. Authorities are investigating, but no clear motive or perpetrator has been identified."
Dave's ears perked up at the last point. Mysterious kidnappings of people connected to superhumans? That sounded dangerously close to something he should be worried about. He had been so focused on his training that he hadn't even thought about what might be happening outside. But now, his gut was telling him something was wrong.
Just as he was about to dig deeper into that news, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw that it was from his parents. He immediately answered.
"Dave?" His mother's voice came through, sounding strained and panicked.
"Mom? What's wrong?" Dave's heart rate spiked. His mother was usually calm, even under pressure, but the urgency in her tone sent alarms through his mind.
"It's... It's your sisters, Dave. They've been... kidnapped."
Dave froze, the air leaving his lungs as if the world had just collapsed around him. Kidnapped? His sisters?
"What?!" Dave's voice was sharper than he intended, his mind racing. "When? How did this happen? Who did it?"
"We don't know everything," his mother said, her voice cracking. "We got a call... They said they wanted something in exchange. They wouldn't say what, just that they have Emily and Sarah."
Dave's blood ran cold. Emily and Sarah. His sisters. The people who mattered more to him than anything. The system's mention of kidnappings suddenly clicked into place, and a flood of emotions hit him all at once—fear, anger, desperation.
"Mom, I'm going to find them," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'll get them back. I promise."
Without another word, Dave hung up the phone, his mind already racing through the possibilities. Whoever had taken his sisters had made a deadly mistake. His power had grown far beyond anything it was before. And whoever was behind this was about to feel the full extent of it.