LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 4: Evolution
Chapter 4: Evolution
The classroom buzzed with the faint hum of chatter as everyone was either playing with their holographic screens or discussing and the occasional soft sigh could be heard from students that are bored. Caden, however wasn't able to focus on anything at all. His heightened perception kept disturbing him relentlessly to get his attention,every whisper, every shuffle of feet, and every sound was heightened for him.
"Mr. Arden?"
The sharp voice of his teacher jolted him upright. The entire class turned to look at him, a mix of amusement and curiosity flashed across their faces.
"Care to share your thoughts on the economic impact of the New Earth Colonization Act?" she asked, one eyebrow raised.
Caden blinked, his mind scrambling for an answer. He hadn't even realized that the teacher entered the class and now she is telling him to answer a question he never heard of. "Uh… It was... significant?" he ventured, his voice laced with uncertainty.
A few of his classmates snickered and the rest laughed at him, but the teacher simply sighed shooked her head and moved on. He sank into his seat, heat rising to his cheeks. Normally, he'd at least pay enough attention to avoid looking like a complete fool.
But that faint pulse from the system was still there, and his maxed out perception wasn't helping matters either. Whatever it was the system was doing it wasn't wasn't going away.
Lunch Break
Caden slipped out of the crowded cafeteria, mumbling something about needing fresh air. No one questioned him. They rarely did since they didn't see him as someone important.
Finding a secluded spot behind the gym, he leaned against the rough brick wall and exhaled deeply. "Alright, what's going on?" he muttered, summoning the system interface with a thought.
The translucent screen blinked into view, its faint glow almost soothing in the midday light. But this time, something was different. In the corner of his vision, a small, faintly glowing map had appeared. A tiny dot pulsed rhythmically near the edge of the map, just a little bit beyond the school grounds.
**[System Notification: Abnormal energy signature detected. Investigation recommended. Host is advise to act with discretion.]**
"Energy signature?" Caden repeated under his breath, frowning. He studied the map, noting how the dot seemed to shift slightly, almost like it was alive.
The system offered no further explanation, leaving him to puzzle it out on his own. For a moment, he considered ignoring it. Whatever this was, it probably wasn't worth risking his opportunity of going to school especially in his last year of school.
But the itch in his mind wouldn't go away. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "Fine. I'll check it out. After school."
The rest of the day dragged on painfully slow for Caden. Every time he tried to focus on a lecture or an assignment, the pulse from the system pulled his attention away. By the time the final bell rang, Caden fwas sweating like a person who just ran a marathon.
As his classmates packed up their bags and left the classroom quickly, while he lingered behind, pretending to check something in his notebook. Once the coast was clear, he slipped out of the school unnoticed.
The glowing dot on the map was brighter now, urging him to go forward. **[Host should move faster]** the system said and Caden sighed *This system will be the cause of my death* he thought
Caden moved swiftly and in a nimble manner . The system's map remained in his vision, the glowing dot guiding him toward the outskirts of his town. *I thought this thing was right behind the school this afternoon, how could it have moved that far* Caden thought seeing he was outside his twin already.
As he walked, he noticed subtle changes in his surroundings. An unnatural silence hung in the air. Even the flies didn't buzz in his surroundings.
The system's voice chimed softly:
**[Energy signature proximity: Less Than 400 meters. Caution advised.]**
"Yeah, thanks for that," Caden muttered, rolling his eyes. He couldn't tell if the system was genuinely looking out for him or just trying to drag him into something he wasn't ready for.
The path led him to an abandoned construction site on the edge of town. Rusted scaffolding creaked faintly in the wind, and weeds had started to reclaim the cracked concrete ground.
The system's notification blinked again:
**[Proximity: 100 meters. Unknown entity detected. Prepare for potential hostility.]**
Caden felt a chill run down his spine. "Unknown entity?" he whispered, glancing around the site. His heightened perception kicked in, sharpening his senses to the point where he could hear the faint rustle of the wind from his own movements.
Cautiously, he stepped inside the site, his eyes scanning for any sign of the energy signature. The glowing dot on the map was now a as huge as the sun, indicating he was nearly on top of it.
Near the center of the site, he spotted something strange—an object embedded in the ground. It was sleek and metallic, its surface pulsating with a faint blue glow. Caden crouched down, reaching out to touch ut, but the system interrupted him:
**[Warning: Unknown technology. Host is advised to proceed with caution until the system identifies what it is.]**
"No kidding," he muttered, pulling his hand back. The object radiated an energy that made the hairs on his arms stand on end.
Before he could examine it further, a faint sound reached his ears, it was almost imperceptible, but enough to set off alarm bells in his mind. He spun around, his heart pounding.
A shadow moved near the edge of the site. Slowly, it emerged from the cover of a steel beam. It was humanoid in shape, but its movements were unnaturally fluid. Its eyes glowed faintly, a pale, unsettling light that sent a wave of fear through Caden.
The system chimed again:
**[Hostile entity detected. Engage or retreat. Host discretion advised.]**
Caden's breath caught in his throat. He wasn't ready for this, not even close. But as the creature took a step closer, its intent clear, he knew there was no running.
His eyes darted around the site, landing on a sturdy piece of iron bar lying amidst the debris. Grabbing it, he tightened his grip, his palms slick with sweat. The system flashed another notification:
**[Weapon recommendation: Improvised melee. Host combat proficiency: Low.]**
"Great. Thanks for the vote of confidence," he muttered, his voice laced with sarcasm.
The creature lunged. Caden barely had time to react, his enhanced reflexes kicking in just in time to dodge its swipe.
The fight had begun.
Caden's grip tightened around the iron bar as the creature lunged at him with inhuman speed. He barely managed to sidestep, he felt the air around him slicing at his face as its claw-like hand swiped inches from his face.
Adrenaline surged through his veins. He swung the bar with all his strength, the metallic clang reverberating through the air as it struck the creature's torso. The impact staggered it for only a moment before it straightened, unfazed and the iron bar was bent.
The system chimed coldly:
**[Host combat proficiency: Low. Evasion recommended.]**
"No kidding!" Caden muttered, ducking under another swipe. His heightened reflexes and perception allowed him to dodge the blows, but his arms ached from the effort. Each step backward brought him closer to the edge of the site.
The creature was relentless. It moved like a predator, calculating each step as if toying with its prey. One of its claws finally caught him, slashing across his ribs. A searing pain shot through him as blood soaked his shirt.
Caden stumbled, his breath hitching. His vision blurred slightly, but the system's voice rang clear:
**[Health critical. Host is advised to use healing items.]**
"I'm a little busy!" he snapped, narrowly avoiding another strike.
Every move was like a gamble now. His swings were slower, his footing were also uneven. Another strike landed, this time grazing his arm. He fell to one knee, gasping.
The creature loomed over him, its glowing eyes piercing through the dim light. This was it.
But then, his system chimed once more:
**[Inventory accessed. Administering healing potion.]**
A vial of shimmering liquid materialized in his hand. Without hesitation, he gulped it down. A warm sensation flooded his body as his wounds began to close and his strength returned.
The creature lunged again, but this time, Caden was ready. He sidestepped, his reflexes sharper than before and with a last ditch effort he gripped the bar tightly, he swung upward with all his might. The creature's neck got stabbed by the iron bar as black blood oozed out of the hole in it's neck, and it crumpled to the ground.
Caden stood over its motionless body, panting heavily. His hands shook as he dropped the iron bar, the clang echoing in the silence.
The system chimed softly:
**[Host survival confirmed. Energy signature remains active. Proceed with caution.]**
Caden glanced at the pulsing object still embedded in the ground.
**[Energy identification completed] the system said as countless information appeared on the system's interface about the object
**[Extraterrestrial signal emitter. It emits signals to space in form of radiation to send information to extraterrestrial beings outside a planet. Note: Energy emitted can be absorbed by host to aid his evolution]** the system said
Caden stared at the object, the system's words replaying in his mind. "Energy emitted can be absorbed to aid evolution."
"Absorb it?" he muttered aloud. His eyes darted toward the lifeless creature lying nearby, its black blood pooling beneath it. Whatever that thing was, it had dripithis device here for a reason . Absorbing energy from something that was extraterrestrial in nature didn't exactly feel like something safe to him.
But his body still ached despite the healing potion, and the promise of evolving into something stronger was tempting.
[Host decision required. Begin absorption process? Y/N.]
Caden hesitated. "If this thing sends signals into space, won't something else come looking for it?"
[Absorption will render the signal emitter inactive. Probability of external entities detecting this location: 0.12%. Process is highly recommended.]
"Alright," he sighed, dragging a hand through hair. "Let's do it."
[Commencing absorption process.]
The system's interface blinked, and a surge of heat coursed through Caden's body. His muscles tensed involuntarily as a faint glow spread from the object into him.
At first, it was warm, almost comforting. But within seconds, it became searing, like molten fire was coursing through his veins. Caden cried out, falling to his knees as his body convulsed.
Flashes of light filled his mind—images of stars, endless voids, and towering figures he couldn't recognize. His senses expanded wildly, and for a moment, it felt as though he could hear the heartbeat of the universe itself.
Then, as suddenly as it started, the pain stopped.
Caden steadied himself against a rusted beam, his breath still ragged from the ordeal. The faint hum of energy coursing through his body felt like a second heartbeat.
The system's interface blinked into existence in front of him, sharper and more detailed than before. Unlike the simple translucent screen he had grown accustomed to, the interface now shimmered with intricate patterns, almost like circuitry etched into light.
**[SYSTEM INTERFACE UPDATE]**
**[Welcome, Tier 1 Interstellar Soldier.]**
The words floated in bold, glowing letters, followed by a soft chime. Then, his new status page unfolded before him:
**[Host: Caden Arden]**
- Age: 18
- Tier: 1 (Interstellar Soldier)
- Energy Level: 100/100
- Health: 100/100
- Status Points Available: 5
- Evolution Progress: 0% (Next Evolution at Tier 2)
**[Attributes:]**
- Strength: 25
- Speed: 25
- Dexterity: 25
- Endurance: 25
- Perception: (Maxed)
- Energy Absorption: Tier 1
Caden's eyes scanned the list, his gaze lingering on the glowing "Tier 1" designation beside his name. His stats were finally balanced, each sitting comfortably at 25, except for his maxed-out Perception which still surprises him.
Beneath the main stats, another section caught his attention:
**[Abilities Unlocked:]**
1. Enhanced Energy Absorption (Tier 1): Host can absorb ambient energy from radiation, light, and other sources to restore reserves or temporarily boost physical abilities. Efficiency increases with evolution.
2. Energy Pulse Detection: Host can sense nearby energy signatures within a 2-kilometer radius.
3. Enhanced Reflexes: Reaction times are now 50% faster than normal at critical times.
Caden let out a low whistle. "Not bad," he muttered, his fingers hovering over the interface.
But there was more. A new tab blinked in the corner of his vision. Curious, he opened it.
**[Inventory:]**
- Healing Potion: x2
- Energy Reserve Pack: +5 units
- Weapon Blueprint (Tier 1): Pulsar Gauntlets
"Pulsar Gauntlets?" he murmured, tapping the blueprint. A 3D image of a sleek, metallic gloves appeared, adorned with glowing lines of energy. The interface detailed their functionality:
- **[Pulsar Gauntlets:]**
- Channel energy for short-range blasts.
- Increase melee attack power by 200%.
- Requires crafting materials: Ferrosteel Alloy, Photon Core, and Nano-Thread.
Caden groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Of course, I need rare materials to make this thing."
The system responded instantly:
**[Crafting assistance available. Materials can be sourced through missions, exploration, or trade. Host is advised to explore further.]**
"Great," he muttered sarcastically, closing the blueprint.
Finally, he noticed a new bar beneath his stats labeled **Evolution Progress.** It was empty, but a small note explained its significance:
**[Evolution Progress increases through combat, energy absorption, and system quests. All attributes must reach the next threshold to trigger Tier 2 evolution.]**
Caden exhaled deeply, trying to absorb it all. The system had leveled up, and so had he.
As he dismissed the interface, he caught his reflection in a broken mirror leaning against a pile of debris. His eyes seemed brighter, almost glowing faintly in the dim light. The faint lines of energy that had traced his skin during the evolution were gone, but he felt them beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed.
Standing taller, he turned toward the path leading back to town. For the first time, he felt like he had the power to do whatever he wanted.
"Time to figure out what this evolution really means," he said, his voice steady as he got into a running stance.