The Next Morning…
Arin stretched as sunlight filtered through his window, the golden rays warming his face. He groaned softly, his muscles relaxing as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"How long did I sleep this time?" he asked aloud, already knowing who would answer him.
-[You've been asleep for precisely 3 hours and 27 minutes, Host.]-
The cold, monotone voice of the system chimed in his mind like clockwork.
"Three hours again? That's barely anything," Arin muttered, standing up and stretching his arms above his head. His muscles felt alive, buzzing faintly as if charged with energy. "Still, I feel… incredible. Like I could run a marathon."
-[Your enhanced physique, coupled with the residual effects of the Peach Blossom Breathing Technique, continues to accelerate your recovery and energy restoration. This is a mere fraction of what you'll experience once the system fully integrates with you.]-
"Wait, fully integrates?" Arin paused mid-stretch, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you were already part of me? Isn't that how these systems work? You latch on and boom—instant life upgrade?"
-[Incorrect. The system is not yet fully merged with you, Host. Unlike typical integrations, I am from a dimension entirely foreign to your own. Full synchronization will require approximately two weeks.]-
"Two weeks?" Arin's jaw dropped. "You can't just show up, drop a ton of cryptic information, give me all this potential, and then take it away like that. What if something happens in the meantime? That's absurd!"
-[Calm yourself, Host. You misunderstand. The system's current functionality remains operational. However, certain features and advanced capabilities will remain locked until full integration is achieved. For instance, your current dependency on your phone interface is a significant disadvantage.]-
Arin blinked, confused. "My phone? What does my phone have to do with this?"
-[Don't you find it odd that I appeared as an application on your device? Until the merge is complete, you are vulnerable. If your phone is damaged, lost, or stolen, you will lose access to the system. This would leave you in a dangerous position should you encounter danger or competition.]-
"That's… that's insane," Arin muttered, pacing the room. "So you're telling me that for two weeks, my entire life hinges on keeping my phone safe?"
-[Precisely. Hence the importance of the merge. Once complete, the system will exist within your very being, independent of any external device. At that stage, you will unlock the system's full potential, enabling seamless use of your abilities.]-
"Great," Arin said sarcastically, running a hand through his hair. "No pressure or anything. Just keep the most fragile piece of tech I own safe while navigating a world that suddenly feels like it's out to get me."
-[Your sarcasm has been noted, Host.]-
Arin sighed, shaking his head. "Let's just… take this one step at a time. I need to clear my head."
He threw on a pair of running shoes and stepped outside. The cool morning air greeted him, invigorating and crisp. He started jogging at a light pace, his feet rhythmically hitting the pavement.
At first, he expected to feel the usual burn in his legs or the strain in his lungs, but none of that came. Instead, every stride felt effortless, as if his body had been fine-tuned for endurance.
"This is insane," Arin muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the sound of the wind rushing past his ears.
-[Your enhanced physique allows for prolonged physical exertion without fatigue. This is the result of your current progression within the 3rd Stage of the Novis Grade.]-
"Wait," Arin said between breaths, though he wasn't even winded. "You mean I can do this all day?"
-[All day would be an overstatement in your current state. However, an hour-long jog should feel easy.]-
Arin couldn't help but grin. The system wasn't kidding. By the time he looped back toward his house, an hour had passed, yet he felt as fresh as when he'd started. His shirt clung to his back, damp with sweat, but there was no exhaustion, no aching muscles. Just a rush of energy and clarity.
Back at the house, he grabbed a bottle of water and took a long swig before collapsing onto the porch steps. "So, this is what it feels like to be superhuman, huh?"
-[Superhuman is an understatement. Once fully merged, you will be capable of feats beyond the comprehension of your current understanding.]-
"Yeah, about that," Arin said, setting the bottle down. "You're really from another dimension? What's so different about you compared to other systems?"
-[The answer to that would be too complex for your current level. In layman's terms, this system originates from a dimension where laws of physics and energy manipulation differ significantly from your own. This is why the merge requires additional time—it involves rewriting aspects of your very existence to align with higher-dimensional frameworks.]-
"Higher-dimensional frameworks? Are you saying you're rewriting… me?"
-[In essence, yes. You will not only grow stronger but also evolve into something far beyond the limitations of your current species.]-
"That's… huge!!," Arin admitted, leaning back against the porch railing. "So, what happens if something goes wrong during this merge?"
-[The probability of failure is almost impossible. However, failure would result in the system being irreparably severed from you, leaving you without its benefits. This is why the process requires precision and time.]-
Arin closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "You're really laying a lot on me here, System."
-[Your resilience and adaptability will be tested, Host. Use this time wisely. Strengthen your body, mind, and spirit. When the merge is complete, you will face challenges unlike anything you've encountered before.]-
"Great," Arin muttered, a mix of excitement and apprehension coursing through him. "No pressure."
-[Your sarcasm has been noted again, Host.]-
Arin chuckled despite himself, standing up and stretching. "Alright. If I've got two weeks, I'd better make the most of it"