Ascendant Genesis: Boundless Evolution

Chapter 3: A System Unlike Any Other

Nathan stirred awake in the cold shadows of the ruined building. His entire body ached, as if he'd run for miles and fought a hundred battles. He stared at his hands, the faint glow of energy now gone, leaving him with nothing but the memory of its power.

"What the hell is happening to me?" he muttered.

The silence of the city surrounded him. The ruins felt alive, the air thick with tension, as though the world itself was watching.

Nathan rummaged through his bag and pulled out the can of beans he'd salvaged. His hands were still shaky from the encounter with the mutant beast. It wasn't just the fight that unsettled him—it was the artifact. That sphere of light had done something to him, something impossible.

As he opened the can and took a bite, a sharp, electronic chime echoed in his head. He froze, dropping the can.

"Welcome, User."

The voice was calm and mechanical, devoid of emotion, yet strangely soothing.

"Who's there?" Nathan demanded, looking around.

No one answered. Instead, his vision blurred, and translucent text appeared in front of him, glowing faintly in the dim light.

---

System Activation Complete.

User: Nathan Cain.

Synchronization Level: 15%.

Abilities: Dormant.

Next Evolution: Pending.

---

Nathan blinked, his mouth slightly open. "What the…?"

The text flickered, replaced by another line of words.

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Initiating Tutorial.

Do you wish to proceed?

[Yes] [No]

---

"This has to be a joke," he muttered. But the words didn't disappear. They hovered persistently, waiting for his response. Hesitantly, he reached out, his hand moving instinctively toward the [Yes] option.

The moment his fingers brushed the glowing text, the world around him shifted.

Nathan was no longer in the ruined building. He stood in an endless void of swirling light and darkness, his feet on a solid yet invisible surface. The voice returned, calm and neutral.

"You have been chosen by the Artifact of Genesis. Your evolution is no longer bound by the limits of this world. With each challenge, you will grow stronger. Your enemies will become your resources, and your choices will shape your destiny."

"Okay," Nathan said, trying to keep his voice steady. "What does that even mean?"

The voice ignored his question.

"Do you wish to access your status?"

Before Nathan could answer, a new screen appeared in front of him.

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Name: Nathan Cain

Status: Awakened

Level: 1

Abilities: None

Traits: Enhanced Reflexes (Basic)

Synchronization Level: 15%

---

Nathan stared at the screen, his mind racing. "Level? Traits? Synchronization? Is this some kind of game?"

The voice responded, as if hearing his thoughts. "The Artifact of Genesis has integrated with your being. Your evolution is now guided by the System. By defeating enemies, overcoming challenges, and exploring the world, you will unlock new abilities and grow stronger."

Nathan frowned. "And what happens if I don't play along?"

"Failure to evolve will result in stagnation. In a world of predators, stagnation leads to death."

The weight of those words hit him hard. The mutant beasts, the ruined world, the strange power coursing through him—everything was connected to this "Artifact" and the System it had awakened.

"Fine," Nathan said. "How do I get stronger?"

The void around him shifted, and the scene of his earlier battle with the mutant beast appeared. The creature lunged at him again, its claws tearing through the air. But this time, the voice guided him.

"Analyze the enemy."

Nathan focused, and a new window appeared.

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Species: Mutant Beast

Level: 3

Traits: Enhanced Strength, Scaled Armor

Weakness: Vital Points (Neck, Underbelly)

---

The information flooded his mind. He remembered the fight, the way his blade had pierced the creature's side. Now he understood why—it wasn't just luck. The System had enhanced his instincts, guiding him to exploit the beast's weaknesses.

The memory faded, replaced by the voice. "Enemies defeated in battle yield Evolution Points. Utilize them to unlock new abilities."

A new notification appeared:

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Evolution Points Gained: 50

Do you wish to allocate points?

[Yes] [No]

---

Nathan hesitated. "What happens if I say yes?"

"You will unlock your first ability. Choose wisely, as it will shape your evolution path."

He took a deep breath. "Alright. Yes."

The screen flickered, revealing three options:

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1. Predator's Instinct: Enhance your senses to detect danger and track prey.

2. Adaptive Defense: Gain resistance to physical and elemental damage.

3. Kinetic Surge: Amplify speed and strength temporarily during combat.

---

Nathan's mind raced. Each ability had its merits, but the idea of sensing danger resonated with him. In this world, knowing when trouble was coming could mean the difference between life and death.

"I choose Predator's Instinct."

The moment he made his choice, a surge of energy coursed through him. His vision sharpened, his hearing became more acute, and he could feel the faint vibrations of movement in the air.

The void began to fade, and Nathan found himself back in the ruined building. The System's interface remained, its glow faint but persistent.

"Synchronization increased to 20%," the voice announced. "Continue to evolve."

Nathan clenched his fists, a faint smile forming on his lips. For the first time since the world ended, he felt like he had a fighting chance.

"This is just the beginning," he said, standing up.

He stepped out into the desolate streets, the faint glow of the System guiding him forward.