The store integrated into the 'Soul Gate' system functioned as a general marketplace for citizens—like a state-run social network for business owners.
With a simple search, Damon had access to everything: food, clothing, real estate, properties, and vehicles.
After ordering a set of comfortable clothes and several outfits for training, he also decided to get a mushroom and meat pizza. Asharaa, however, insisted he browse the entire store to find the most delicious snacks, ultimately leading to an even bigger order. Once everything was delivered to the building's 'Delivery Port', he picked up his items.
Spending over 60 'Silver Credits' left Damon with a pang of guilt when he thought about his family in the Fringe. In the end, it was Asharaa who reminded him that once he purchased honorary citizenship for them, they, too, would be able to enjoy the same privileges he now had.
After finishing his meal, Damon could no longer contain his excitement and decided to focus on the 15 GP he had accumulated since morning. After a brief discussion with Asharaa, they figured that since the entrance exam was designed for beginners—young recruits who had only recently been deemed compatible and lacked the skills or techniques to effectively wield 'Ka'—it would be best to focus on improving his physical attributes first.
After some thought, Damon allocated his points as follows:
- 4 points to Strength
- 4 points to Dexterity
- 3 points to Endurance
- 3 points to Speed
- 2 points to Perception
The result? An unbearable itch and intense body aches that sent him crashing from the couch onto the floor, where he spent the next 30 minutes groaning and struggling.
When the pain and itching finally subsided, he sat up, drenched in sweat, his voice hoarse from gritting his teeth through the ordeal.
+ "Am I going to be tortured like this every time? This isn't fair! In the novels, the protagonist always feels great and full of energy after leveling up…"
++ "Aww, my little princess… Stop whining." Asharaa teased.
++ "The pain is from the sudden changes to our body, combined with our current low endurance. As our endurance improves, it'll hurt less. Don't worry, partner."
+ "Partner?!!"
++ "Mhm. Now, shall we begin with the 'Heaven and Earth Absorption' technique?"
Damon took a deep breath, waiting a few moments for his heartbeat to return to normal.
+ "Alright, I'm ready when you are."
Asharaa downloaded the 'Heaven and Earth Absorption' technique from the 'Soul Gate' and implanted it directly into Damon's mind—though not before storing a copy for herself.
Once the technique was fully embedded in his memory, a system message appeared before his eyes, catching both him and Asharaa off guard.
> [Ka Energy Absorption Technique: Epic Tier, Heaven and Earth Absorption, detected.]
> [Technique level surpasses default system technique, Devouring Cell.]
> [Would you like to replace Devouring Cell with Heaven and Earth Absorption?]
> [Yes] [No]
+ "Wait… does this mean we already had a 'Ka' absorption technique without knowing it?!"
++ "I always found it strange how we accumulated 60 units of 'Ka' without doing anything. This explains it… The system must have been using its default technique to passively absorb 'Ka' for us. And from its name, 'Devouring Cell', it sounds like some kind of cellular absorption. That's probably why we never noticed it."
+ "So, you're saying that if we replace the system's default technique with this new one, I won't have to do anything—it'll just happen automatically?"
++ "Not necessarily. Every technique has its own method. We'll have to test it."
Since Heaven and Earth Absorption was a higher-tier technique than the system's default, Damon hesitated no longer and confirmed the replacement.
> [Processing…]
> [Replacing active technique with default passive technique…]
> [Replacement successful.]
> [Heaven and Earth Absorption Epic Tier, has been added to the list of active genetic Talents.]
++ "Well, I don't feel any different. What about you? Do you sense anything new?"
As soon as the system confirmed the change, Damon felt information flood into his mind—but not in the usual way. It wasn't like reading a book or remembering something he had learned before. Instead, it was as if the knowledge had always been there, like an instinct. He suddenly knew how to use Heaven and Earth Absorption, but if someone asked him to explain how he knew, he wouldn't be able to put it into words.
+ "It's more like… a sensation. Like how you just know how to blink or how to swallow a drink. You don't think about it, and you can't really explain how you do it."
++ "Okay… well, that saves us a ton of training. Do you think we can do this with other techniques and skills too?"
+ "Highly likely. But before we experiment, let's check my status window."
[------------------------
Name: Damon Grey
Race: Inferior Human
Age: 18 / 138
Realm: Common
Status: common citizen
Titles: None
Level: 1
------------------
HP: 87 / 87
KP: 60 / 84
Ka: 7.9
Blood: Inferior
Charm: 8.5
EXP: 60 / 100
MC: None(locked)
GP: 0
SP: 0
------------------
Physical quality: 9.3
> Strength: 10.9
> Speed: 10.3
> Dexterity: 10.5
> Vitality: 8.2
> Stamina: 10
> Endurance: 8
> Senses: 7.7
>> Attraction: 9.9
------
Mental quality: 6.4
> mental strength: 7.8
> Neural endurance:5.3
> IQ: 9
> EQ: 4
> Wisdom: 7
> Will: 8
> Instinct: 4.3
>> Charisma: 7.1
------------------------]
The changes in his status window confirmed everything Asharaa had explained the night before. The 15 GP he had invested into his physical stats not only boosted each attribute individually but also increased his overall physical quality.
More than that, his enhancements affected other factors—his Ka Points, his health, and even his attraction and Overall charm.
Though the process had been agonizing, Damon could now feel the difference in his body. His muscles were not just stronger but also more flexible. His movements felt lighter, more fluid.
His heightened senses were even more surprising. He could now see the tiny fibers of his clothing in sharp detail, distinguishing each thread with ease. He could hear the faint trickle of water running through the pipes hidden within the walls.
It was as if he hadn't just changed—the entire world around him had changed along with him.
In just one day, Damon had almost become a completely different person. But in reality, all these changes—according to Asharaa's findings on the Galactic Net—only placed him at an acceptable level.
The reason was simple: 90% of the participants in the entrance exam were born into military families. Their parents were high-ranking Ka users with exceptional genetics and flawless physiques.
This meant that from birth, they already had strong genetic traits and above-average Ka compatibility.
From a young age, they were placed on strictly optimized diets, received specialized martial arts training, and were educated under the best tutors to prepare them for Ka integration. By the time they turned eighteen and officially entered military service, they were already fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
Damon, on the other hand, was born and raised in The Fringe.
Not only did he receive no formal training, but he also grew up malnourished, just like most people in Fringe. His physical weakness compared to the other participants was significant.
Asharaa estimated that in order for them to compete with the top talents of their generation at the academy, Damon's physical and mental quality stats needed to reach at least 15—a goal they were still far from achieving.
However, this didn't mean Damon was in bad shape. Compared to the majority of participants, his physical condition had improved to an acceptable level. And if they factored in the system's abilities and Asharaa's guidance, he had a realistic shot at passing the entrance test.
But instead of feeling discouraged by how much further he had to go, Damon only felt more motivated.
The fact that he had changed this much in just a single day, gained new techniques and skills, and had a system this powerful at his disposal—it didn't fill him with doubt.
It fueled his excitement, determination, and hope.
He had lost his best friend.
His compatibility test had come back negative.
But in return—he had gained Asharaa. He had gained the System.