Aki sprinted across the vast landscape, his cloak billowing behind him as he moved at speeds that shattered the sound barrier. The sheer force of his movement sent shockwaves rippling through the air, flattening the grasslands beneath him. The towering mountain range in the distance loomed ever closer, its jagged peaks piercing the sky like the fangs of some slumbering beast.
With a single, effortless leap, Aki soared through the air. The world blurred beneath him, the wind screaming in his ears. He twisted mid-air, adjusting his trajectory, and landed atop a craggy outcrop with an impact that sent cracks spiderwebbing through the rock.
His cross-shaped pupils spun lazily, shifting colors in a mesmerizing rotation of deep crimson and amethyst, a subtle display of the unfathomable power coursing through his veins.
Aelthrys hummed in his mind. "You're getting more dramatic by the day."
Aki smirked, stretching his arms above his head. "It's called style, Ael. Something you wouldn't understand."
The wind howled around him as he surveyed the landscape below. He needed a base. Somewhere secluded, somewhere hidden. He wasn't planning to stay forever—just long enough to focus on mastering his Adam template.
His gaze flickered across the rocky cliffs until he spotted a deep, cavernous opening nestled within the mountainside, its depths swallowed by shadows. Perfect.
Landing at the entrance, Aki raised a hand, his pale purple energy crackling to life. With a mere flick of his fingers, an immense barrier materialized over the entrance, shimmering like a translucent wall of violet light. The energy wove itself into the very fabric of the cave, sealing it completely from the outside world.
No one was getting in.
With that settled, he strode deeper inside, his footfalls echoing in the hollow silence. As if sensing his presence, the darkness recoiled. Ethereal blue flames flickered to life along the walls, casting eerie shadows that danced in time with his movements.
Aelthrys whistled. "A bit excessive, don't you think?"
Aki shrugged, brushing a hand through his blood-red hair. "I like the aesthetic."
The cavern widened into a vast chamber, its ceiling lost to the darkness above. Finding a smooth rock to sit on, he exhaled deeply, stretching his legs. For months, he had been training relentlessly, pushing his body beyond its limits, refining his techniques, and perfecting his Shadow Monarch abilities.
Now, it was time to start mastering Adam.
But first…
"Oi, System."
A familiar chime echoed in his mind, and the translucent blue interface lit up before him.
[ Yes, dear? ]
Aki twitched. "We are not starting this again."
[ Fine. What do you need, my beloved host? ]
Aelthrys snorted. "She's getting bolder."
Aki ignored them both and cut straight to the point. "How do I unlock new templates?"
[ Ah, so you're finally curious? Well, my precious Aki, templates are unlocked through two methods: ]
Random Selection – Completing certain quests or significant milestones grants a random template from anime, manga, or other fictional worlds.
Full Mastery Bonus – Fully mastering an existing template increases the chances of unlocking a related or complementary one.
Aki leaned back against the cool stone, rubbing his chin. "So, I don't get to choose?"
[ Nope! Completely random. You could get something as broken as Rimuru Tempest... or as useless as a C-rank adventurer. ]
Aki deadpanned. "That's evil."
Aelthrys cackled. "I love it."
[ Oh, but here's the fun part! ]
[ Fully mastering multiple templates allows you to fuse their abilities into a unique hybrid power. ]
Aki's brows lifted slightly. "So I could combine Adam's strength with something like Gojo's Limitless if I get it?"
[ Exactly! But you'll need at least two fully mastered templates before you unlock that function. ]
Aki smirked. "Interesting."
Now, he had a new goal—master Adam as fast as possible.
With his questions answered, Aki closed his eyes and willed himself into his virtual battleground.
The transition was instant. The dark cave melted away, replaced by an endless golden arena bathed in divine radiance. The very air thrummed with power, carrying the scent of ancient stone and burning ozone.
Aelthrys whistled. "You really went all out with the design."
Aki cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders. "If I'm going to become a god, I might as well train like one."
In the distance, a massive figure materialized. Towering at nearly ten feet tall, the muscular man radiated absolute power, his golden hair flowing like liquid sunlight. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Aki, an unreadable expression on his chiseled features.
The First Man. The Ultimate Being. The Father of Humanity.
Adam.
Aki grinned, his blood boiling in anticipation. He had faced countless opponents before, battled monsters, shinobi, and warriors from all walks of life.
But this… this was different.
Adam took a step forward, the ground beneath him fracturing under the sheer weight of his presence. He raised a single hand, curling his fingers in a silent challenge.
Aki exhaled slowly, his cross-shaped pupils gleaming.
Time to see if humanity's greatest warrior could keep up.