(May 15, 2026 – 4:12 PM)
Adam placed his chopsticks down, letting out a quiet breath as he finished his meal. The warmth of the green tea lingered in his chest, and the satisfying weight of a full stomach settled in.
He grabbed a napkin to wipe his hands, then pushed his chair back, standing up to head toward the counter.
Just as he turned, he bumped into someone.
A startled gasp escaped the person as a stack of small sushi plates slipped from her hands, crashing onto the tiled floor. Porcelain shattered, and sushi pieces scattered across the ground. The restaurant fell silent, all eyes turning toward the mess.
The girl who had bumped into him immediately crouched down, her hands hovering over the broken shards, panic clear in her voice.
"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to.." She hesitated before looking up at him, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I wasn't looking where I was going…"
Adam remained calm, offering her his hand instead of responding immediately. She looked at it hesitantly before taking it, and he helped her back to her feet.
The restaurant manager, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a sturdy build, walked over, frowning in concern. His gaze swept across the broken plates, then landed on Adam and the girl.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked, crouching slightly as his eyes searched for any sign of injury. If a customer got hurt, it could cause serious problems.
Adam met his gaze and shook his head lightly. "I wasn't paying attention while getting up and accidentally bumped into her." he explained in a even tone.
The manager nodded in understanding before shifting his focus to the girl. "Are you hurt?"
She opened her mouth to answer, but Adam's eyes had already noticed a small cut on her leg, likely from a stray shard of porcelain.
He gestured toward it. "Your leg."
The girl looked down, only now noticing the thin line of red against her skin. "Ah!" She instinctively took a step back, unsure of what to do.
The manager sighed but didn't seem angry. Instead, he reached out and lightly patted her head. "Don't worry about it." he said in a reassuring voice. "Accidents happen."
The girl's expression relaxed slightly, though she still looked embarrassed.
Adam turned to the manager. "I'll cover the cost of the damages."
The man immediately shook his head. "No need. This kind of thing happens all the time. As long as no one's hurt, it's not a big deal."
A few workers arrived to clean up the broken plates, swiftly sweeping away the mess. One of them handed Adam a tissue to clean the small soy sauce stain on his shirt.
As he wiped it off, Awà's voice echoed in his mind.
[As per your previous request, I have been scanning and storing the genetic makeup of every living being, including plants.]
Adam's movements slowed slightly. 'And?'
[The manager, the man before you, has noteworthy potential. If awakened successfully, he could become a B-Rank hunter.]
Adam discreetly glanced at the man, taking in his sturdy build and composed demeanor. 'A B-Rank, huh? Not bad.'
Curious, he asked, 'How long would it take for him to awaken naturally?'
[Based on my scans, I have detected a gradual increase in ambient mana density. If this trend continues, he should awaken in approximately two years.]
Adam nodded subtly. That wasn't too long. With the increase of gates, the world itself was changing, it's only a matter of time before a mass awakening will happen.
Still, something nagged at him. 'What makes him special?'
[His affinity lies in space manipulation.]
Adam raised an eyebrow slightly as he pulled out his wallet to pay for his meal. A space-related affinity wasn't just rare, it was extremely valuable.
As he handed the cash to the cashier, he asked, 'Can you analyze that affinity?'
[Already done. I completed the analysis when I first scanned his genetic makeup.]
Adam hummed in thought. Space abilities were almost unheard of. If this man awakened with a high-level ability, he could become a powerful B-Rank hunter, or even a major asset in dungeon expeditions.
He collected his change, nodded politely to the manager, and stepped out of the restaurant, letting the evening air cool his skin.
....
(4:19 PM)
Adam walked toward the nearest bus stop, his pace steady. The city was still lively, with people heading home from work or gathering at cafés. As he reached the stop, the bus pulled up with a soft hiss. He stepped inside, paid the fare, and took a seat near the window.
The steady hum of the engine and the occasional chatter of passengers filled the air, but Adam's mind was elsewhere.
The Three Things He Needed
1. Money – Without it, his options were limited. If he wanted high-quality essence stones, top-tier equipment, and a safe environment to work in, he needed a consistent and substantial income.
2. Space – His small apartment wasn't enough. If he wanted to conduct experiments, train, and build technology, he required a private workspace.
3. A Vehicle – Moving efficiently was critical. Whether it was for business, training, or future missions, relying on public transportation wouldn't cut it.
His gaze flicked to his phone screen as he unlocked it.
'First things first, knowledge.'
He opened a browser tab and typed:
Comprehensive guide to programming and software development.
The search results flooded in, and he began scrolling.
'Awà.'
[Acknowledged, Host.]
A familiar cool sensation settled in his mind as Awà filtered through the fundamentals, advanced concepts, and real-world applications. Unlike regular studying, which involved trial and error, the information immediately clicked into place, as though he had spent years mastering the subject.
---
Programming Knowledge Gained
1. Core Concepts
Algorithms & Data Structures – How information is stored, processed, and optimized.
Computer Architecture – Understanding how CPUs, memory, and storage interact at a fundamental level.
Networking & Security – Encryption methods, network protocols, and cyber defense.
2. High-Level Programming Languages
C, C++, Python, Java, Assembly – Mastering syntax, logic, and optimization.
Understanding Compiler & Interpreter Differences – How code is translated into machine instructions.
3. Software Engineering & AI
Machine Learning & Neural Networks – Concepts of artificial intelligence and how AI models are trained.
Operating System Development – How OS kernels function, memory management, and low-level system design.
Blockchain & Cryptography – Secure data handling and distributed computing.
---
As Adam absorbed the knowledge, a new idea took root in his mind.
'Why limit myself to existing programming languages?'
The more he learned, the more flaws he noticed. Every language had limitations, whether it was execution speed, security vulnerabilities, or inefficient syntax.
'What if I created my own? Something truly optimized, with no unnecessary overhead.'
The thought lingered, but he pushed it aside for now. It was too big of a project to tackle immediately.
First, he needed to establish himself.
The bus slowed as it approached his stop. Adam turned off his phone, the wealth of new knowledge settling in his mind like second nature.
Stepping off the bus, he took a deep breath, mentally organizing his next steps.
----
End of the chapter, but since it's a bit shorter than the usual, I decided to add a small filler episode for you!
....
How to Make Onigiri – Explained by Adam & Awà
Adam stood in his kitchen, rolling up his sleeves as he prepared the ingredients. As he worked, he spoke calmly, going through the process step by step.
"Making onigiri is pretty simple, but there are a few things you need to get right. First, you need the right rice. Short-grain Japanese rice works best because it's naturally sticky and holds its shape."
[Correct, Host.] Awà's voice chimed in. [Long-grain rice lacks sufficient amylopectin, which is necessary for proper binding.]
Adam nodded, rinsing the rice under cool water. "Next, you wash the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the grains from getting too gummy."
[Washing also improves texture and allows for better moisture absorption during cooking.]
After cooking the rice in a rice cooker, Adam let it cool slightly. "Now comes shaping. Wet your hands with water to keep the rice from sticking, then rub a little salt on your palms. This helps with flavor and preservation."
He scooped a handful of warm rice and pressed it gently into a triangular shape.
[Excessive pressure will crush the grains and ruin the texture. The correct technique is to press firmly but gently, rotating the onigiri in your hands.]
Adam smirked slightly. "Right. And if you want to add a filling, like tuna mayo, grilled salmon, or umeboshi, you press a small dent in the rice, add the filling, and then seal it by covering it with more rice."
[For best results, fillings should have minimal moisture to prevent the rice from falling apart.]
Finally, he wrapped a strip of nori (seaweed) around the base. "And that's it. A classic onigiri."
[This method has been used in Japan for centuries, originally as a portable meal for samurai.]
Adam set the completed onigiri on a plate, admiring his work. "Simple, but effective."
----
Patreon: Mr_Graythorn