LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 5: One Step at a time
Chapter 5: One Step at a time
Caden crouched low, his body muscles tensed. His newly evolved muscles hummed with barely contained energy, as his heightened perception focusing on the uneven terrain ahead. He took a deep breath, feeling the crisp night air fill his lungs, and then sprang forward.
The moment his foot pushed off the ground, the world blurred around him. His speed was far beyond anything he had ever experienced. The force of his acceleration left cracks in the concrete floor behind him,. As he bolted through the incomplete building, the half-finished walls zipped past like fleeting shadows.
Caden's movements weren't without difficulty. The sheer power of his strides forced him to concentrate on balance. His perception helped him adjust his footing, avoiding loose debris and holes in the structure.
Reaching the edge of the first floor, he didn't hesitate. With a powerful leap, he soared through the air. For a moment, it felt as though time itself had slowed. The night sky enveloped him, the distant city lights twinkling below. He twisted mid-air, orienting himself toward the open lot outside the building, and braced for impact.
When his feet hit the ground, a resounding thud echoed through the empty street. His landing created a shallow crater on the concrete ground . Yet, he felt no pain, only a mild vibration running through his legs.
Standing up, he dusted his hands off and turned his gaze to the street ahead. "Not bad," he muttered, a grin forming on his face. His speed wasn't just for show it was a weapon, and a very important escape tool.
Caden decided to push himself further. He stepped onto the cracked asphalt road leading back to the main streets and broke into another sprint. This time, he focused on getting used to the speed. The world around him stretched like elastic, his perception capturing every movement, a rustling leaf, a distant car headlight.
He darted through narrow alleys, testing his ability to maneuver at high speeds as his body adapting instinctively to the changing paths. When he glanced behind, the faint trail of disturbed dust in his wake was the only evidence he had been there.
By the time he stopped, his breathing was steady, and his heart pumped with exhilaration rather than exhaustion. He stood still for a moment, letting the adrenaline subside. "Now that was exciting" Caden said as he smiled at himself foolishly
Caden's foolish grin faded as he straightened up, his mind shifting to the next test. His strength had also undergone a drastic change, and he wanted to see just how much it had improved. His gaze fell on a large metal dumpster at the edge of the alleyway, half-covered in shadows. It looked heavy, rusted, and perfect for his experiment.
He walked up to the dumpster as he looked around sneakingly his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet night. He crouched beside it, running his fingers along the cold, jagged surface. "This should do," he muttered, gripping the edges of the container.
With a deep breath, he tightened his hold and pulled. The sound of twisting metal echoed in the alley as the dumpster lifted off the ground effortlessly. Caden's eyes widened slightly at how light it felt in his grip. The veins in his arms bulged, but there was no real strain. He adjusted his stance and raised it higher, holding it over his head as though it were no heavier than a gym bag.
He chuckled to himself. "Guess I won't need to worry about carrying groceries anymore."
Caden took a step forward, still holding the dumpster aloft. He tested his balance, shifting the weight from side to side. Then, with a sudden burst of force, he tossed the dumpster into the air and he leapt up and did a spinning kick and the metallic dumpster soared several feet, spinning wildly before crashing down onto the pavement with a deafening clang. The impact left a dent in the ground, and Caden winced at the mess he'd created.
"Maybe I overdid it," he said under his breath, scratching the back of his head. He took a quick glance around to ensure no one had witnessed his display. The last thing he needed was attention, especially from the military.
He turned his focus to a pile of bricks stacked neatly against a construction barrier nearby. Caden approached them and picked one up, weighing it in his hands. Without hesitation, he clenched his fist and squeezed. The brick crumbled into fine powder, slipping through his fingers like sand. His lips curved into a satisfied smirk. "I can get used to this feeling."
Caden footsteps were light, almost soundless as he made his way home. He allowed himself a moment to bask in the adrenaline coursing through his veins, he smiled from ear to ear remembering the results of his experiments.
The system's cold, robotic voice chimed in suddenly, breaking his reverie.
*"Strength and speed tests completed. Overall efficiency: 87%. Recommendation: Continue controlled testing to avoid unnecessary exposure."*
Caden rolled his eyes at the system's monotone assessment. "Yeah, thanks for the tip," he muttered sarcastically.
His thoughts shifted to his father. The bracelet, the system and the mysterious legacy he'd inherited it all felt overwhelming considering that he didn't even know the man for a long time. Yet, for the first time, he felt a sliver of understanding. The words his father told him when he was a kid echoed in his mind: *"The power you'll gain isn't just for yourself, Caden. It's for something greater."*
Caden clenched his fists as he walked, the memory stirring a mix of emotions. "Something greater," he whispered. He glanced down at his hands, still dusted with the remnants of the crushed brick. Power surged through him, yet it felt incomplete like a puzzle missing its final piece.
Suddenly he laughed "I am not Spiderman dad, I don't care about stupid responsibility. If you are in my way I'll crush the hell out of you either slowly or instantly" he said as a dangerous and violent glint apparent in his eyes
As he turned onto his street, the familiar sight of his neighborhood brought a sense of calm. The distant hum of a passing hover car made him feel at peace.
The system interrupted his musings again.
*"Daily quest reward: 5 points. Stats updated. Current strength: 25. Next evolution requirement: All stats at 50."*
Caden's pace slowed as the idea of evolution made him feel excited.
Standing at the base of his home's steps, he let out a slow breath. "One step at a time," he said firmly, resolving to face whatever came next. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Lana and Marcus were both waiting for him to come back *I'm fucked* Caden thought to him self as he looked at his smiling mum "Welcome home Caden," Marcus said and Caden nodded before replying "It's so nice to be back home," and Lana smiled dangerous at Caden
"I hope you don't mind telling us what keep you busy outside that you had no time to call us that you were going to be home late" and Caden also smiled back nervously "I was training" and Lana smiled widened as she nodded. "Indeed you where training, you even tore your own clothes while training" she said as she rolled the sleeves of her clothes up
Countless wooden sticks floated upwards showing Lana's ability as a psychic. Moving quickly Caden hugged Marcus legs as he begged him to save him and Marcus sighed before removing Caden's grip from his legs "Even I can't save you now" Marcus quickly went into the room and the next thing that could be heard in the whole house was the sound of wood hitting Caden's skin as he screamed loudly in pain.
Caden's body ached as he shifted on the bed, the soreness from the beating and his recent evolution. Every muscle protested even the slightest movement and his mind remained restless.
Before he could fall back into slumber, the system's robotic voice pierced through his hazy state.
*"Wake up. Daily quest initiated. Objective: Morning stamina training. Reward: 3 points."*
Caden groaned, his eyes fluttering open to the faint rays of morning sunlight streaming through the window. "Can't you let me rest for one day?" he muttered, his voice muffled by the pillow.
*"Your current progress requires consistency. Rest is secondary to improvement,"* the system replied in its usual cold tone.
Caden sighed, dragging himself up despite the soreness that clung to him. His body felt like it had been through a warzone, but beneath the pain was a strange sense of vitality. It was as though his cells were alive with newfound energy, constantly regenerating and adapting.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, wincing as he stretched his arms. "Fine, you win. What's on the agenda?"
*"Morning stamina training: a 5-kilometer run at optimal speed. Time limit: 15 minutes. Reminder: Failure to complete the task will result in a penalty."*
Caden raised a brow. "A penalty? Since when do you give penalties?"
*"New feature activated. Failure to meet daily objectives will result in a reduction of 2 points from your weakest stat."*
"You're kidding," he grumbled, standing up and rolling his shoulders. "Alright, no penalties. Got it."
He quickly changed into his workout clothes, the fabric feeling snug over his slightly more muscular frame. As he stepped out of the house, the cool morning air hit him, refreshing yet biting against his sore skin.
The neighborhood was quiet, the streets bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun. Caden started at a light jog, his legs gradually warming up despite the lingering ache. The first few steps were tough, each one a reminder of his limits. But as he picked up the pace, his body adjusted, his evolved muscles responding with precision.
He darted past empty streets and quiet alleys, his speed gradually increasing. The system chimed in occasionally, providing updates on his progress.
*"Distance covered: 1 kilometer. Time elapsed: 2 minutes, 37 seconds."*
"Not bad," he muttered, pushing himself harder.
The world around him blurred once again, the wind whipping against his face as his feet barely seemed to touch the ground. His heightened perception allowed him to navigate the streets effortlessly, avoiding obstacles and corners with precision.
By the time he completed the run, his breathing was labored but controlled. He came to a halt near the house, his hands on his knees as he caught his breath.
*"Task completed. Time: 14 minutes, 32 seconds. Reward: 3 points added. Current strength: 25, speed: 24, endurance: 21."*
Caden straightened up, a satisfied grin spreading across his face despite the exhaustion. "Guess I'm getting the hang of this."
As he headed back inside, his mind wandered to the next steps. His evolution was just the beginning, and the system's challenges, while demanding, were the key to unlocking his potential.
But he couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. The military, the mysteries surrounding his father's legacy, and the looming threat of the unknown—everything seemed to be converging.
"One step at a time," he reminded himself, echoing his words from the night before. For now, survival and progress were all that mattered.
Caden stepped inside the house, his body still buzzing with the excitement of his run. He kicked off his shoes and stretched his arms over his head, his muscles flexing beneath his shirt.
The quietly hummed a song that came to his mind. Lana and Marcus were thankfully still asleep. He had no energy left for another interrogation.
He made his way to the kitchen, his stomach growling in protest. Pulling open the fridge, he grabbed a carton of orange juice and took a huge gulp. The cold liquid refreshed him.
The system chimed again, its monotonous voice echoing in his head.
*"Daily quest progress: Strength and stamina tests complete. Overall efficiency: 90%. Today's bonus mission: Enhance dexterity through precision training. Reward: Enhanced reflex points."*
Caden sighed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Can't you let me eat in peace?"
*"Rest and nourishment are recommended for optimal performance. However, prolonged inactivity decreases efficiency. A soldier must always be active"*
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Caden muttered, setting the carton down. His eyes drifted to the clock on the wall. It was still early, the sun just starting to rise. He had time before the world demanded anything from him.
He leaned against the counter, the quiet of the house wrapping around him like a cocoon.
He pushed off the counter and headed toward his room, as his steps heavy with determination. His fingers brushed against his wrist as he tried to feel the bracelet that fused wiyhis wrist.
As he sat on his bed, the system's voice broke through his thoughts again.
*"Daily stats summary: Strength: 27. Speed: 28. Endurance: 21. Dexterity: 25. Perception: Maxed. Overall progress: 38%. Next evolution requirement: All stats at 50."*
Caden stared at the glowing interface projected from the bracelet, his eyes narrowing. "Fifty, huh? Looks like I have my work cut out for me."
He closed the interface with a wave of his hand and leaned back against the headboard.
"One step at a time," he murmured, letting his eyes drift shut. The system fell silent, and for now, the world seemed to pause, giving him the briefest moment of peace.
But deep down, he knew that moment wouldn't last.
{A/N: So guys, I'm sure you are getting bored from the MC lack of communication with people, his laxk of friends and me only focusing on his personal development and internal monologue, this should be the last chapter for that, the next chapter is where his journey truly begins}