Chapter 4: Testing Testing
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The dome faded away as suddenly as it appeared, leaving him standing in the open once more—his arm fully healed, the gash completely gone, as if it had never been.
He exhaled slowly, looking at his hands. The enhancements had left a mark—a trace of something greater beneath his skin.
"Holy sh*t…"
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, is there a way for me to track my progress?" John asked aloud, his voice trembling slightly with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
"Yes, host. Please stand by."
Before he could respond, a subtle itchiness spread through his eyes, accompanied by a strange, crawling sensation in his brain. It was gone as quickly as it came, leaving him momentarily disoriented.
"Please think or say the word 'Panel' to access your current data," the mechanical voice chimed. "More accurate data will be required to estimate your new strength fully."
'Hmmm… Panel?' he thought, and as if answering his internal command, a translucent display appeared before him.
Name: #2473827 (unnamed)
Title:
Stats:
• Body: 8,100 kg
• Flexibility: 7.8
• Speed: 8.5 (Approximately 40 MPH/64 KPH)
• Strength: 9,200 kg (Tier 8-C, Large Building Level)
Strength:
• Description: This stat represents the physical power of the character, including how much weight they can lift, objects they can break, and the force behind their strikes.
• Example: The host can lift and throw objects weighing up to 9,200 kg, perform powerful strikes that can shatter large walls, and break through reinforced metal doors with ease.
Flexibility:
• Description: Represents the host's ability to move their body in various complex and dynamic ways, enhancing agility, evasion, and overall body control.
• Example: The host can twist and bend their body into positions that would be impossible for normal humans, making them difficult to hit in combat and giving them an edge in both defense and agility-based attacks.
Speed:
• Description: This stat shows the character's overall quickness in movement, reflexes, and ability to close gaps rapidly or escape from danger.
• Example: The host can dash at high speeds, moving from one end of a battlefield to another in just seconds, evading attacks and reaching distant locations with ease.
Body:
• Description: Represents the overall durability and stamina of the character, showing how much physical punishment they can endure before succumbing.
• Example: The host can sustain heavy physical attacks and continue to fight without tiring, making them well-suited for prolonged battles without collapsing from exhaustion.
Traits:
1. Enhanced Senses (!): The host has heightened senses, capable of detecting subtle movements, sounds, and even faint smells beyond what a normal human can perceive.
2. Lift Like an Ant (!): The host can lift objects weighing roughly 20 times their own body mass, proportional to their weight.
3. Jumper Ability: The host can teleport short distances, avoiding obstacles and covering ground quickly. Costs 1 energy unit per use.
4. Physical Adaptation (!): The host can absorb traits from organic materials to enhance their body.
5. Energy Reserve: 100 units. Overuse of powers will drain reserves.
6. Toggleable Physical Traits (!): The host can activate or deactivate acquired traits based on the situation.
John's eyes skimmed over the stats, but it was the number 9,200 kg of strength that stood out to him.
"9.2k… holy hell," he murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. He clenched his fists, feeling the raw, unrestrained power coursing through him. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, each movement carrying a new kind of weight—a weight that spoke of destruction and dominance.
Addicting.
The thought flashed through his mind before he could stop it. This wasn't just strength. This was something primal, something that made his heart race in excitement.
John's excitement was short-lived. As he ran a hand through his hair, his fingers hit something hard and stick-like. He froze, slowly lowering his hand to examine it.
"What the f***?"
Reaching up again, he felt the same sensation—something protruding from his head. Panic and confusion swirled as he stumbled to a nearby reflective surface. There, staring back at him, were two antennae sprouting from his skull.
"Nanomachines!" he barked, his voice filled with alarm. "What the hell is this?!"
"Host," the voice responded calmly, "these are adaptations gained from the consumed insect traits. The antennae enhance sensory perception, increasing your ability to detect threats and locate hidden objects."
He stared at his reflection, caught between fascination and disbelief. The antennae twitched slightly, responding to his thoughts.
"This… this is insane," he muttered, stepping back from his reflection.
John took a deep breath, He glanced back at the panel—I need to plan my next moves carefully.
He scanned his stats and traits, mentally cataloging each one. Enhanced senses, raw strength, speed… but I'm just scratching the surface here. The Physical Adaptation trait… that's the key. I need to absorb more.
He considered his surroundings. What else could he consume? More insects? Animals? Something larger?
And then there was the Jumper ability—versatile, but limited by his energy reserve. He needed to test it further, push its boundaries, and learn its limitations.
"Nanomachines," he said aloud, "give me a breakdown of the energy usage for Jumper."
"Host, each teleportation uses one energy unit. Excessive use in rapid succession may lead to physical and mental fatigue despite available energy. Use caution."
"Got it," he replied, nodding to himself. Efficient but not infinite. I'll need to be smart about how I use it.
"Okay," he muttered, pacing slightly. "Step one is understanding what I can do now. Step two is figuring out how to make this… whatever this is… work for me."
His gaze darted back to the panel, specifically the Physical Adaptation trait.
"Nanomachines," he said, his tone steady now, "how do I control what traits I gain? What if I don't want certain changes?"
The AI responded instantly. "Host, adaptations can be toggled on or off via the panel. However, once integrated, traits remain part of your biological framework and cannot be removed entirely."
John sighed in relief. At least he wouldn't be stuck looking like a human-insect hybrid forever. "Good to know," he murmured.
"Nanomachines,"He asked, "can you analyze the environment? Tell me if there's any immediate danger?"
"Host," the AI replied, "current sensory enhancements detect no threats within a 500-meter radius.
"Alright," he muttered. "No immediate threats, but no guarantees either."
"Nanomachines," he whispered, "if I encounter a hostile, will you assist me in analyzing its abilities?"
"Yes, host. Adaptive combat analysis will activate upon engagement, providing real-time assessments and recommendations based on collected data."
Good. At least he wouldn't be flying blind if something—or someone—showed up.
As he moved cautiously through the forest, John's mind continued to churn. The fact that he possessed such overwhelming strength and abilities raised a chilling possibility: If I'm this strong, then the creatures or people here might be even worse.
And if they are? He paused, his gaze hardening. Then I'll have to be smarter, faster, and stronger than all of them.
"Host, detecting movement approximately 300 meters east. Unknown entity approaching."
His body tensed as his mind began to churn. "Nanomachines, can you tell if the entity is human or not?"
"Affirmative, host. The entity possesses human characteristics but emits unknown energy signatures. Proceed with caution."
John narrowed his eyes, nodding as he moved silently in the direction of the entity. His footsteps were light, his body now accustomed to moving with precision and control.
Through the dense foliage, he spotted the figure walking along a dirt path.
They were smaller than expected, wearing medieval-like clothes—white and black with light armor. What stood out most was their short, snow-white hair, almost like a rabbit's fur.
Who the hell is this? he wondered.
"Nanomachines, give me a deeper scan of the guy," John whispered under his breath.
"Host, further analysis confirms human physiology, but the foreign energy signature indicates anomalous capabilities. Caution is advised."
"I need more information," he murmured.
John narrowed his eyes. They didn't look dangerous. If anything, the figure radiated inexperience, like someone on their first adventure.
"Nanomachines," he murmured, "adaptive analysis ready?"
"Yes, host. Analysis will activate upon engagement."
John closed the distance further, keeping to the shadows. He was close enough now to hear faint muttering.
"Okay, Bell. Just stay calm. You've got this," the figure said, their voice trembling slightly. "Monsters aren't that scary… right? You've got your knife, you've been training… so what if you're alone in the middle of nowhere?"
John frowned. The voice was young, unsure. He crouched lower, his muscles tense.
"I can do this, I can't back down now!" the figure said, their tone suddenly shifting to a shaky determination.
'Nanomachines,' he muttered, 'toggle off my antennae for now. I don't want to give anything away.'
"Understood, host. Disabling external sensory appendages."
The subtle feedback in John's head dulled as his antennae deactivated. He shifted his focus. 'Can this person be a potential threat?'
"Host, the entity's physical capabilities are negligible. Current strength estimate: 0.05% of your own. The foreign energy signature remains the only anomaly. Recommend observing further before engaging."
John nodded to himself. The kid ahead didn't seem like much, but foreign energy could mean trouble. Testing the waters, he deliberately stepped on a twig. The snap echoed sharply through the quiet forest.
The figure ahead flinched, spinning around with wide eyes. A knife appeared in their trembling hand as they assumed a clumsy defensive stance.
John watched, unimpressed but curious. The kid's reaction wasn't fast or trained, but it was genuine. No signs of deception or hidden strength.
"I'm serious!" the boy called out, his voice cracking slightly. "If you're a monster, I'm not afraid of you! And if you're a person, uh… don't try anything funny!"
'Nanomachines,' John murmured, 'confirm threat status.'
"Entity poses no threat, host. Proceed with caution only due to the foreign energy signature."
Satisfied, John stepped out from the shadows.
The boy jumped, turning to face him. His eyes went wide as he took in John's imposing figure—towering, broad-shouldered, and completely naked?
The boy's eyes darted up and down, confusion flickering across his face as he took in John's appearance. His grip on the knife tightened slightly, though his trembling hand betrayed his nerves. "W-what are you?"
"What… what are you?" Bell asked again, his voice tense. "You look like you could tear someone apart with your bare hands."
John smirked slightly, letting his arms drop loosely by his sides, giving Bell a better view of his build—tall, lean, but undeniably muscular. His figure exuded a quiet, restrained strength, a raw power that seemed to pulse beneath his skin. He wasn't bulky like most fighters.
Instead, his body was honed for efficiency, each muscle defined and sharp, as though built for speed, precision, and raw violence.
"I'm something you've never seen before," John said, his voice low and gravelly. "Someone… built different."
John's smirk softened slightly as he looked at Bell's attire—clearly a sign of someone from civilization. He furrowed his brows slightly, considering. "Are you heading towards a town?"
Bell shifted uncomfortably, the knife still gripped in his hand, though he didn't raise it again. "Yeah… I'm going to Orario. That's where I'm headed."
John tilted his head, absorbing the name. "Orario? What kind of place is that?"
Bell's face lit up, his voice enthusiastic. His grip on the knife loosened slightly as he spoke, his excitement palpable.
He spoke, his excitement clear in his voice.
"My grandpa used to tell me stories about Orario—about how people gather there to get stronger and join a familia! That's why I'm heading there… to become an adventurer and make my dream come true."
John observed Bell carefully as bell continued to ramble on, his expression neutral, but his mind racing with everything the boy had just revealed. Orario—a place where adventurers gathered to join Familias, filled with gods and powerful people known as adventures.
He nodded slightly, keeping his thoughts in check as Bell spoke with excitement about his dreams. His mind flickered to the stories he'd heard—about gods living among mortals, about adventurers gaining strength through divine blessings. Gods… and their Familias, he thought, his brows tightening slightly beneath his calm exterior.
But it wasn't the kind of place someone could simply walk into without careful consideration. There had to be dangers lurking—more than just the surface-level excitement Bell seemed to carry.
John cleared his throat, giving a small smile. "Thanks for the info," he said smoothly, his voice even, as if it didn't matter too much. "Orario… sounds interesting. I'll see you there."
Bell's face lit up, unaware of the caution hidden behind John's words. "Yeah! We'll have to team up when we get there! There are so many adventurers—familia everywhere! You'll love it! You can get stronger too! We can both—" Bell's voice trailed off slightly as he noticed the slight tension in John's expression, realizing he might have said too much.
John gave a half-smirk, turning away. "Good luck with your journey. I'll see you in Orario."
With that, John continued down the path, Bell watching him go with a mix of curiosity and confusion.
Once he was out of Bell's sight, John vanished back into the shadows of the forest, What a weird guy… he muttered to himself, shaking his head slightly.
"Nanomachines, tell me what I've gathered so far from what Bell told me."
The nanomachines hummed softly before responding.
"Processing data… Analysis complete."
"You've learned about Orario—a city built around a massive dungeon, where adventurers enter to gain power through exploration, battling monsters, and completing quests. The dungeon has multiple levels, with danger and rewards increasing as one delves deeper. The key to success lies in gaining strength through Falna, a blessing granted by gods, which enhances physical and magical abilities. Adventurers level up by earning EXP and improving core stats such as Strength, Dexterity, Endurance, and Magic. Bell also mentioned familias—organized groups led by gods or goddesses, which provide support, access to resources, and protection inside the city. It's clear that surviving the dungeon and rising in power requires a combination of strategic planning, combat prowess, and the ability to collaborate within a familia."
John exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair, frustration building. "Fuck, this is gonna give me a headache…"