Chapter 2: The Cost of Power
The soft glow of the holographic system screen lit Aiden's face as he stood in the dim alleyway, his heart pounding in his chest. His breathing was still ragged from the fight, but his mind buzzed with the revelation of his newly awakened talent: Limitless Mimicry.
He could copy any fighting style, any ability, and make it a thousand times better. But just as hope began to bloom in his heart, another notification appeared, and it wasn't the celebration he had hoped for.
System Notification:
Warning: Your Main Talent is temporarily locked.
Reason: Your body cannot withstand the strain of Limitless Mimicry in its current state. Attempting to use your talent without preparation will result in death.
Aiden froze, the joy he had felt moments ago draining from him like water through a sieve.
"Locked? Strain? Death?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the rush of his own heartbeat.
Before he could fully process the information, another screen popped up, this one flashing urgent red text.
System Directive:
To safely unlock your Main Talent, you must complete the following 15 mandatory training missions within two months. Failure to meet these requirements will result in system shutdown... and death.
The text vanished, replaced by a detailed list of tasks.
Mandatory Training Missions
Daily Endurance Training:
Run 10 kilometers every morning.Complete 1,000 jumping jacks.
Strength Building:
Perform 500 push-ups, 500 sit-ups, and 500 squats daily.Carry 50 kilograms of weight for 5 kilometers.
Agility and Reflex Training:
Dodge 500 simulated attacks (unarmed).Climb a 50-meter vertical wall without assistance.
Combat Preparedness:
Engage in sparring matches against AI opponents.Defeat 15 wild monsters using improvised weapons.
Survival Skills:
Build a functional shelter in the wilderness within 6 hours.Hunt and prepare your own food for at least 5 days.
Mental Fortitude:
Meditate for 3 hours daily to improve focus.Solve 50 strategic combat scenarios in simulated environments.
Special Trials:
Endure a 24-hour survival trial in a monster-infested area.Pass the "Extreme Endurance" trial: a three-day no-rest mission.
The list seemed endless, each task more impossible than the last. Aiden's eyes flicked to the bottom of the screen, where a timer began to count down.
Time Remaining: 59 days, 23 hours, 50 minutes.
Character Stats:
A new screen appeared, displaying Aiden's current physical and mental stats.
Name: Aiden Cross
Age: 20
Talent: Limitless Mimicry (Locked)
Physical Stats:
Strength: 2/100
Endurance: 3/100
Agility: 4/100
Reflex: 5/100
Mental Stats:
Focus: 6/100S
trategic Thinking: 5/100
Willpower: 8/100
Overall Rating: Below Average
Aiden stared at the numbers, feeling a knot of frustration and fear tighten in his stomach. "I'm so weak," he muttered. "How am I supposed to complete all of this in two months?"
But the system wasn't done. Another message appeared, as if mocking his doubts.
System Explanation:
Limitless Mimicry amplifies abilities beyond human limits. To prevent catastrophic failure of internal organs and brain functions, physical and mental conditioning is required. Begin training immediately.
The words were blunt, but their meaning was clear: if he didn't improve himself, his talent would kill him.
The Start of Training
The next morning, Aiden stood in an open field on the outskirts of Marisol. The training grounds were abandoned at this hour, the faint glow of dawn painting the horizon. His muscles ached from the previous day's fight, but he pushed the thought aside.
"Let's start with the first task," he muttered, looking at the list.
Run 10 kilometers.
He took a deep breath and started jogging.
At first, it wasn't so bad. He kept a steady pace, his legs moving rhythmically over the uneven ground. But by the second kilometer, his lungs burned, and his legs felt like lead.
"Only… eight more," he gasped, pushing himself forward.
By the time he reached the fifth kilometer, Aiden collapsed, his chest heaving as he lay on the dirt.
System Notification:
Progress: 5/10 kilometers. Current stamina level insufficient. Rest recommended before continuing.
"Rest? I don't have time to rest!" Aiden growled, dragging himself back to his feet. He forced his body forward, one agonizing step at a time, until he completed the distance.
As he crossed the imaginary finish line, another notification appeared.
Endurance +1
It wasn't much, but it was a start.
The Next Challenge
After a short break, Aiden moved to the next task: 500 push-ups, sit-ups, and squats.
He managed 50 push-ups before his arms gave out. By the time he reached 200, his entire body was trembling, and sweat poured off him in rivers.
"This is insane," he muttered, collapsing onto his back.
The system chimed again.
System Encouragement:
Progress is being tracked. Incremental improvements will lead to long-term success. Keep going.
The words gave him a strange sense of determination. Slowly, painfully, he pushed through the exercises, one set at a time. By the time he finished, the sun had risen high in the sky, and his body felt like it was on fire.
Strength +2
Endurance +1
Despite the pain, Aiden felt a flicker of pride. For the first time in years, he wasn't just watching others grow stronger—he was doing it himself.
As the day ended, Aiden sat under the shade of a tree, his body aching but his resolve unshaken.
"This is just the beginning," he said to himself. "I'll complete every task on that list, no matter how hard it gets. I'm not dying here. I'm going to prove that I'm more than just 'talentless.'"
The system's timer ticked down, but Aiden no longer felt like a victim of fate. He was ready to fight for his survival, one grueling mission at a time.