The gritty streets of New Eden City buzzed with the usual chaos—holographic advertisements flashed on towering billboards, offering the latest in gene-modification treatments, while the undercurrents of crime and desperation flowed just beneath the surface. Ethan moved through the crowds with a new sense of purpose, the Bio-Crafting System device tucked safely into his jacket pocket.
As he walked, his mind replayed the events in the storage unit. The system, the light, the sudden influx of information—it was all too surreal. But the device in his pocket was tangible, a constant reminder that his life had irrevocably changed. Now, all he needed was to figure out how to use it.
Ethan reached his apartment and quickly locked the door behind him. He sat at his small, cluttered desk, pulling out the device and placing it in front of him. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the city outside.
"System, activate," Ethan commanded, feeling slightly foolish for talking to what looked like an inanimate object.
To his surprise, the device responded immediately. The same soft hum filled the air, and the holographic interface reappeared, displaying a series of options in front of him. Ethan's eyes widened as he read the headings: Status, Quests, Bio-Crafting, Inventory, System Shop.
It was just like the RPGs he used to play when he was younger—except this was real.
Ethan hesitated for a moment before selecting Quests. The hologram shifted, displaying a single active quest:
Quest: First Steps
Objective: Craft your first genetic enhancement using the Bio-Crafting System.
Reward: Basic Genetic Blueprint, 10 System Credits.
The details were straightforward, but the implications were enormous. Craft a genetic enhancement? He barely understood what that even meant, let alone how to do it.
With a deep breath, Ethan selected Bio-Crafting. The interface changed once more, this time displaying a 3D model of a human body—his body. Various options appeared alongside it, including Gene Modification, Ability Fusion, Enhancement Synthesis.
"Gene Modification," Ethan muttered, selecting the option.
A new menu popped up, listing various genetic traits and enhancements. Most of them were grayed out, inaccessible to him at his current level. But one option stood out—Enhanced Physical Strength—a basic enhancement that didn't require any special materials or advanced knowledge.
"This... this could actually work," Ethan whispered, excitement creeping into his voice.
Following the system's guidance, he initiated the crafting process. The device emitted a soft, resonant tone, and Ethan felt a tingling sensation spread through his body. It was as if every cell in his body was vibrating with energy, resonating with the system's power.
The sensation grew stronger, centering in his muscles. For a moment, he felt like his body was being stretched and compressed simultaneously, a disorienting but not entirely unpleasant experience. Then, just as quickly as it started, the sensation faded.
Ethan blinked, flexing his hands experimentally. He felt... different. Stronger. His muscles felt denser, more powerful. He stood up, noticing how light and fluid his movements had become. The difference was subtle, but undeniable.
A notification appeared in the hologram.
Quest Complete: First Steps
Reward: Basic Genetic Blueprint, 10 System Credits.
Ethan grinned. It worked. It actually worked.
He opened the Inventory menu to find the newly acquired Basic Genetic Blueprint—a template that could be used to craft simple enhancements. Alongside it were the 10 System Credits, currency that could be spent in the System Shop.
Curiosity piqued, Ethan selected the System Shop. A vast array of items, blueprints, and materials appeared before him. Most were locked behind high credit costs or required rare materials, but there were a few affordable options.
One item caught his eye: Basic Regeneration. It was a low-level enhancement that accelerated natural healing. The cost was 10 System Credits—the exact amount he had earned.
Ethan didn't hesitate. He purchased the blueprint and immediately set to work crafting it. The process was similar to the strength enhancement, but this time, the tingling sensation concentrated around his injuries and old scars. As the energy flowed through him, he felt a soothing warmth, as if his body was knitting itself back together from the inside out.
When the process finished, Ethan examined himself in the mirror. His skin looked healthier, his old scars less visible. He could feel the difference—his body was healing faster, adapting quicker.
The power was intoxicating.
But with this power came a flood of questions. Who exactly were his parents, and what had they been involved in to create something like the Bio-Crafting System? And why had they left it to him?
Ethan knew one thing for sure—he was only scratching the surface of what the system could do. If he wanted answers, if he wanted to unlock the full potential of the system, he'd need to push himself further, delve deeper into the mysteries that surrounded him.
But for now, one thought dominated his mind: How far could he take this power?
With his new enhancements, Ethan felt a surge of confidence, something he hadn't felt in years. The world that had seemed so oppressive, so insurmountable, was now a challenge—a challenge he was ready to face head-on.
Ethan activated the Quests menu again, eager to see what the system had in store for him next.