Chapter 3: The Countdown Begins
The first rays of sunlight streamed through the small window in Caden's room, painting faint patterns on the walls. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he lay still, processing the whirlwind of events from the previous night. The bracelet, the system, the stats, it all felt like a dream to him.
But then, the now familiar blue interface blinked to life in front of him, erasing any doubt and telling him it wasn't a dream.
**[System Notification: Good morning, Host. Daily Mission available.]**
**[Mission: Run 2 miles. Reward: +2 Status Points.]**
Caden sat up abruptly, heart pounding as he stared at the message. *A "daily mission"? Was this some kind of joke? I thought it was always going to be the same*
He rubbed his temples, trying to wrap his head around it. The stats he'd seen yesterday the *Strength*, *Speed*, and *Dexterity* still felt unreal to him. Yet here was the system, pushing him forward as if it knew exactly what he needed.
A quick swipe of his hand pulled up the rest of the interface. His current stats flashed before him:
[Caden Arden | Age: 18]
[Strength: 5 | Speed: 6 | Dexterity: 6 | Perception: MAX Combat experience: 9]
[Unallocated Status Points: 4]
"Four points…" he muttered. His fingers hovered over the interface, tempted to assign them. But where? *Strength* to help him with the military test? *Speed* for agility drills?
Before he could decide, another notification popped up.
[System Reminder: Completing Daily Missions is critical for Host's growth.]
Caden sighed, swinging his legs off the bed. It was clear the system wasn't going to let him slack off. "Two miles, huh?" he murmured, stretching his arms. A smile appeared at his lips. Maybe this could be the what he needed to be number one.
As Caden prepared to step out of the room, a peculiar sensation coursed through his body. His movements felt lighter, more precise, as though his muscles were subtly working in unison. He paused, flexing his fingers and twisting his wrist. Every motion carried an effortless grace he hadn't noticed before.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Caden crouched, then leapt upward. To his shock, his head nearly grazed the ceiling. He landed with a muffled thud, heart racing. *What the hell?* he thought, staring at the floor as if it would offer answers.
The system's interface flickered to life in response, almost as if it were laughing at his confusion.
**[System Notification: Host's reflexes and physical control have been enhanced by recent stat increases. Please assign unallocated points to further amplify abilities.]**
Caden raised an eyebrow. "Enhanced? That explains the jump," he muttered, shaking his head.
His gaze shifted back to the floating display. Four unallocated status points. It was tempting to store them, but the system's gentle nudging made him reconsider. After all, his daily mission wasn't going to complete itself, and any edge he could gain would be invaluable.
He tapped the interface, mulling over the options. "Alright, let's see…" he said under his breath.
**Strength +2** He imagined the raw power it could bring to his physical performance.
-**Speed +1** A single point wouldn't make him a sprinter, but it could improve his pace.
**Dexterity +1** Precision and agility were as critical as strength in combat scenarios.
The moment he confirmed the allocation, a tingling warmth spread across his body. His muscles tightened, and he felt a subtle shift, as if his body was recalibrating itself for efficiency.
To test the change, Caden grabbed a cup from his desk and tossed it lightly into the air. As it fell, he reacted instinctively, snatching it before it reached halfway down. He blinked, stunned by how fluid and swift he carried out the action .
"Whoa… That's crazy," he muttered, glancing at his hands as though they belonged to someone else.
The system's interface blinked again.
**[System Notification: Unallocated points fully distributed. Strength: 7 | Speed: 7 | Dexterity: 7.]**
The numbers were satisfying to see, but Caden knew they were just the beginning. If this was what two extra points could do, what would ten or twenty feel like?
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Caden, you awake?" his adoptive mother's voice called from outside.
"Yeah, Aunt Lana. I'll be down in a minute," he replied, quickly dismissing the interface.
His lips curled into a determined grin as he headed out of the room. Today was going to be the start of something different. He could feel it in every fiber of his being.
The crisp morning air greeted Caden as he stepped outside, dressed in an old hoodie and sweatpants. The quiet streets stretched ahead of him, bathed in the golden glow of dawn. He tightened the laces on his sneakers, glancing briefly at the system interface hovering in the corner of his vision.
**[Mission Progress: 0/2 miles completed.]**
He took a deep breath, feeling the strange yet exhilarating lightness in his body. "Alright," he murmured, taking his first step. "Let's see what you've got, system."
Caden started at a steady jog, his feet moving in a rhythm . The system's interface kept pace beside him, displaying his speed, distance, and even calories burned.
**[Speed: 7 | Current Pace: 7.5 mph | Distance Covered: 0.5 miles.]**
As he settled into the rhythm, he began to notice the changes. His breathing was controlled, his strides smooth and powerful. He wasn't tiring as quickly as he used to. In fact, he felt… unstoppable.
Halfway through the first mile, he decided to push himself, increasing his pace. The system updated immediately.
**[Current Pace: 9.0 mph | Distance Covered: 1.0 miles.]**
Caden grinned, exhilarated by how his body responded. "This is insane," he muttered, the wind whipping past him as he surged forward.
By the time he reached the 1.5-mile mark, he was no longer just testing his abilities—he was reveling in them. The world around him seemed to blur as his heightened perception kicked in, allowing him to anticipate each step, each shift in the terrain.
Finally, as he crossed the 2-mile threshold, the system chimed in triumphantly.
**[Mission Completed. Reward: +2 Status Points.]**
Caden slowed to a stop, hands on his hips as he caught his breath. Despite the intense run, he didn't feel completely drained. If anything, he felt energized, like his body was already adapting to the new demands.
The interface updated again, displaying his current stats:
**[Strength: 7 | Speed: 7 | Dexterity: 7 | Perception: MAX | Unallocated Status Points: 2.]**
He wiped the sweat from his brow, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Not bad for a warm-up," he said, already imagining how much stronger he'd get as the days went by.
As he turned to head back home, the system delivered another message.
**[Reminder: Consistency is key. Completing daily missions will significantly accelerate your progress.]**
Caden chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I get it."
The sun climbed higher into the sky as he jogged the rest of the way back, his thoughts racing with possibilities. For the first time in years, he felt like he had a real shot—not just at proving himself, but at becoming something greater than anyone ever expected.
The warmth of the morning sun was welcoming as Caden jogged back home, his mind buzzing with the possibilities the system had unlocked for him as he kept smiling on his way home. By the time he reached the front porch, a thin layer of sweat clung to his skin, but he felt strangely invigorated rather than tired.
Pushing open the front door, Caden was greeted by the comforting aroma of breakfast wafting through the house. Aunt Lana's voice called out from the kitchen before he even had the chance to take off his sneakers.
"You're back just in time! Go freshen up quickly; breakfast is almost ready!"
Caden chuckled softly and kicked off his shoes. "Got it, Aunt Lana." He headed upstairs to his room, the adrenaline from his morning run still coursing through his veins.
In the bathroom, as he splashed cold water on his face, Caden stared at his reflection in the mirror. There was something different about the way he looked today. His eyes seemed sharper, his posture more confident. He flexed his arms, marveling at the subtle definition his muscles were beginning to show.
*This system might actually be the real deal.*
After a quick shower and a change into his school uniform, a standard gray shirt with matching pants, he hurried downstairs to the kitchen. Aunt Lana was already setting plates on the table, her movements quick and efficient as always.
"Caden, sit and eat," she said, motioning toward the scrambled eggs and toast waiting for him. "You're going to be late again if you don't hurry."
"I won't be late," he replied, grabbing a piece of toast and biting into it. "I've got time."
"You always say that," she chided, pouring him a glass of juice. Her stern tone softened as she sat down across from him. "But seriously, how are you doing at school going? And that training you are doing for the military academy program, are you sure you can handle both?"
Caden hesitated for a moment, glancing at her. Aunt Lana had always worried about him, especially after everything that had happened with his father. But he didn't want her to see him as fragile or overwhelmed.
"I'm fine, Aunt Lana," he said with a reassuring smile. "School's good, and the academy stuff… well, it's tough, but there is nothing I can't handle."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Just don't overdo it, okay? You've got a lot on your plate."
Caden nodded, wolfing down the rest of his breakfast. "Now the plate is empty" Caden said joking and Lana glared at him "I'll be fine. Promise." He stood up, grabbing his bag from the corner of the room. "Thanks for breakfast! I've got to go."
"Wait!" she called after him. "Take an apple or something. You'll need the energy!"
Caden caught the apple she tossed his way and flashed her a grin. "Thanks, Aunt Lana. See you later!"
As he stepped outside, the system's interface popped up again, unprompted.
**[Reminder: Host's schedule has limited free time. Prioritize completing missions efficiently.]**
"I'm already did that," Caden muttered under his breath, tucking the apple into his bag. His next stop was the military academy school for highschool students that was on earth, where he knew the day's real challenges awaited.
The morning air was crisp as he made his way toward the academy. It wasn't far from his school, but it had a completely different atmosphere—a stark contrast to the bustling, carefree vibe of high school life.
When he arrived, the gates loomed tall and imposing, guarded by two uniformed soldiers. They nodded as he entered, but their watchful eyes made it clear they missed nothing. Caden straightened his posture, determined to project confidence.
The facility was as intimidating as ever, with its towering buildings and the ever-present hum of military vehicles in the background. Caden walked briskly to the main hall, where a group of students had already gathered for the day's session.
Before he could look at them, a voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Caden Arden."
He turned to see a pair of military personnel standing a few feet away, their expressions unreadable. One of them—a tall man with sharp features—gestured for him to follow.
"We need to have a word with you," the man said.
Caden's stomach tightened, but he masked his unease with a neutral expression. He followed them into a small office, his mind racing.
The moment the door shut, the questions began.
"Your father," the tall man started, leaning against the desk. "You're aware of his… history, aren't you?"
Caden clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He'd expected this. Ever since the soldiers stepped foot in his home
"I know enough," he replied evenly.
The other officer, a woman with piercing gray eyes, folded her arms. "Then you understand why we're keeping an eye on you. We need to be sure you're not… following in his footsteps."
"I'm not my father," Caden said firmly, meeting her gaze. "I'm here to prove myself. That's all."
The tall man studied him for a moment before nodding. "Good. Then don't give us a reason to doubt you."
With that, they dismissed him, and Caden stepped out of the office, his heart pounding. The encounter had left a bitter taste in his mouth, but it also fueled his determination.
*I'll prove them all wrong,* he thought as he left the academy for his school
As Caden walked down the path leading back to his school, his thoughts were on the military officer words. His fists clenched at his sides as he quickened his pace, unwilling to let doubt creep in.
But as he neared the intersection that marked the halfway point to his school, he felt something shift. It wasn't the physical world there were no sudden noises, no suspicious movements around him but an eerie sense of awareness washed over him. His heightened perception buzzed faintly at the edge of his consciousness, like a subtle whisper in the back of his mind.
He glanced around instinctively, his eyes scanning the quiet streets and the sparse morning crowd. A couple of students walked ahead of him, chatting casually. A man in a business suit crossed the road with his head buried in his phone. Everything appeared normal.
And yet, the feeling still persisted.
He adjusted the strap of his bag and forced himself to keep walking, dismissing the unease as nerves from the earlier encounter at the academy. But deep down, he couldn't shake the sensation. It wasn't just paranoia it was the system, faintly pulsing in the corner of his vision, though no notifications appeared trying to lead him somewhere.
As he stepped onto the school grounds, his gaze lingered on the familiar buildings and the clusters of students milling about. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to relax.
That's when it happened.
The system interface blinked, and a new notification appeared in bold letters, startling him.
**[System Alert: Unusual energy signature that can be absorbed has been detected. Anomaly within 100 meters.]**
Caden froze, his heart skipping a beat as his eyes darted to the message.
"What the hell does that mean?" he muttered under his breath, scanning the area with renewed urgency.
But the system didn't respond. Instead, the alert remained. Something was different about today. Something he hadn't planned for.
He took a deep breath and stepped toward the school building, his mind racing. Whatever this anomaly was, it seemed to have found him.
{Author here, I hope you all love the chapter}