John and Linda's POV
The endless expanse of the simulated world inside the POD shifted and morphed, throwing new challenges at John and Linda every day. What began as a disorienting experience had turned into an intense, life-changing journey. Each day in the POD felt like a grueling marathon, and though only three months had passed inside this virtual environment, they had made tremendous progress.
John stood at the edge of a towering cliff, his gaze sweeping over a massive battlefield. Countless enemies—both human and beast—charged toward him, weapons raised. With a deep breath, he clenched his fists, feeling the raw power surging through his veins. His newfound strength was exhilarating, a testament to how much he had grown since he first entered the POD. His rank had skyrocketed, and he now stood as a solid Rank B superhuman.
"Bring it on," he growled, planting his feet firmly on the ground.
As the enemies closed in, John unleashed a devastating shockwave that sent them flying. His superhuman power, which allowed him to channel immense physical force into his blows, had become a force of nature. He was no longer just the worried father struggling to protect his family—he was a warrior, capable of taking down legions of enemies with a single punch.
The monsters roared in defiance, but John showed no fear. He leaped into the fray, his fists glowing with energy as he tore through the horde. Each strike was precise and powerful, shattering bones and splintering weapons. The once-intimidating enemies now fell before him like blades of grass cut by a scythe.
On the other side of the battlefield, Linda stood calm and composed. Her power was not one of brute force, but of shielding and protection. Barriers of shimmering energy surrounded her, blocking any attack that came her way. She had mastered the ability to create powerful force fields, capable of deflecting even the strongest blows. The air around her crackled with energy as she expanded her barriers, pushing back the enemies that dared approach.
"John!" she called out, her voice steady and controlled. "We need to clear the path to the hill. I'll create a barrier wall—be ready to charge."
John nodded, understanding her intent immediately. Linda raised her arms, and a massive wall of energy shot up from the ground, separating the enemies and creating a narrow path. John wasted no time, charging forward with a roar. His fists hammered against the barriers, each blow sending shockwaves that reverberated through the air, shaking the very ground beneath them.
The enemies scrambled to regroup, but Linda's barriers held firm. With each step, John plowed through them, his sheer force unmatched. Together, they were an unstoppable team—a perfect balance of offense and defense.
When the battle finally ended, John and Linda stood side by side, breathing heavily but triumphant. The battlefield around them was littered with the remnants of their enemies.
"Three months in this place…" John murmured, looking at his calloused hands. "I can't believe how far we've come."
Linda nodded, a small smile on her lips. "We've only just begun, John. We need to get stronger for Dave's sake. For our family."
Their determination was unshaken. They would continue pushing forward, becoming stronger with each passing day.
Emily and Sarah's POV
In another part of the simulation, Emily and Sarah trained relentlessly, each facing their own challenges. The once-terrifying experience of battling monsters and honing their powers had become routine. Yet, despite their progress, they knew they were still far behind their parents.
Emily's healing abilities had evolved beyond just mending wounds. She could now regenerate entire limbs and purge toxins from the body. She had learned to manipulate her healing energy to create barriers of vitality—shields that could absorb damage and redirect it to fuel her own power.
But the constant revival after death took a toll on her. The pain, the fear, and the endless cycle of fighting and healing made her question her own resolve. Each time she fell, she got back up, but the weight on her heart grew heavier.
"Why… why do I have to keep dying…?" Emily whispered to herself after being struck down yet again.
The AI's neutral voice echoed around her. "Each death teaches you to overcome fear and pain. It makes you stronger."
Gritting her teeth, Emily stood up, her resolve hardening. "I will get stronger. No matter how many times I have to die."
Meanwhile, Sarah had been mastering her light manipulation. She no longer just created simple light weapons—she could shape her energy into complex constructs, dazzling her enemies and blinding them with bursts of pure light. Her attacks became faster, more precise, and deadlier. But despite her progress, she still felt as though she was stuck in a loop—always improving, but never enough.
"Why can't I break through?" she yelled in frustration after yet another round of training.
"You're too focused on strength," the AI replied calmly. "Your power is light—it should be flexible, adaptable. Stop thinking like a fighter and start thinking like the light itself."
The words resonated with Sarah, and she took a deep breath, allowing herself to feel the flow of energy within her. She released the tension in her body, letting her power flow freely. The light around her shimmered and then exploded outward in a dazzling array of colors.
A smile spread across her face. She was starting to understand.
By the end of the third month, both Emily and Sarah had reached Rank C. It was an achievement, but they knew they still had a long way to go. They had to catch up to their parents and Dave. They would continue pushing themselves until they were strong enough to stand by his side.
Dave's POV
While his family trained, Dave had not been idle. The moment his sisters entered their PODs, he set out on his mission: to hunt down every corrupt superhuman across the world and eradicate them.
With Bella's help, he scoured the globe, tracking down the worst of the worst. Each encounter was brutal and swift—no mercy, no hesitation. He tore through them with ruthless efficiency, his matter control ability and teleportation making him an unstoppable force. The world had become his battlefield, and the superhumans who once ruled with fear and cruelty now trembled before him.
Dave's anger fueled his every move. Each strike, each kill was a reminder of what these monsters had done to his sisters—to countless innocent lives. He would cleanse the world of their filth, one superhuman at a time.
"Bella," he said coldly as he landed in a deserted area in a new country. "How many superhumans are in this region?"
Bella's voice echoed in his mind. "This country has 45 superhumans. Seven are Rank A, and the rest are lower. Their abilities range from elemental manipulation to physical enhancement."
Dave's eyes narrowed. "I'll start with the strongest."
Without another word, he teleported to the location of the nearest Rank A superhuman. The hunt was far from over, and he wouldn't stop until every last one of them was gone.