*Ding*
[Host has received an Awakening Trigger.]
Yojiro's eyes snapped open. The cold hallway floor against his aching spine.
As he pushed himself up, he suddenly realized, the unbearable pain from before...
It had completely disappeared.
He was flabbergasted. It felt so real.
Yojiro began tracing his stomach with his hands, but to his suprise, there was nothing.
When he pulled up his tattered shirt, he saw it; the only thing that had remained, a nasty scar.
His index finger glided smoothly over the scar.
"What the hell???" Yojiro muttered.
He began remembering what had happened -- Jody and the people recording him, no one stepped in.
Yojiro didn't care about all that though, shifting his attention to the impending text in front of him...
[GLOBAL ALERT: GATE OUTBREAK IMMINENT]
Estimated Time Until Manifestation: 5 minutes.
Evacuate immediately. This is not a drill.
"Fuck, how long was I out for?" He said, stunned.
His face darkened as he was weighing his options. Everyone had already left.
*Ding*
_________________________
[Natural Ability Acquired: Adaptive Growth (EX)]
Description:
Your body possesses limitless potential. Magically reinforces itself in response to stress, exertion, hardship and near-death experiences. All physical and mental effort accumulates into Growth XP, which can be converted to stat points.
Unique Trait:
You can grow beyond the fixed limits of naturally awakened humans.
_________________________
Yojiro blinked.
"Huh.."
Another window promptly unfolded before his eyes.
_________________________
[Special Passive Ability Unlocked: Eminence Resonance (?)]
Description:
Power attracts. For every 10 total stat points accumulated across any stat, Charm increases by +1 permanently.
Charm cannot normally be altered by any human ability or system -- except yours.
_________________________
"Well this would be.. quite interesting.." Yojiro muttered.
His stats appeared next.
_________________________
[STATUS]
Strength: 3
Agility: 4
Vitality: 2
Defense: 1
Intelligence: 3
Charm: 1
Unassigned Stat Points: 0
Growth XP: 0
_________________________
"..."
"My stats are dogshit. I'm fucked."
He was not even being dramatic. Compared to the average naturally awakened, he was basically a noodle with a heartbeat.
Then it hit him.
Nobody would have EX-ranked anything. Nobody would have a passive ability like him..
His lips turned into a slow grin.
"...I'm the only one."
Closing the status window, he was once again reminded of the impending threat...
Estimated Time Until Manifestation:3 minutes.
Evacuate immediately. This is not a drill.
"...If my ability grows through strain and danger..."
He exhaled.
"...Guess this Chapter will be rough."
As he took a step toward safety, he suddenly stopped...
The system chimed again.
*Ding*
_________________________
[First Quest Generated.]
Quest Name: Instince of Survival
Objective:
Reach a designated safe zone before the Gate Outbreak manifests.
Details:
Monster Gates will materialize across the city in 2 minutes. As a newly awakened individual with unstable attributes, immediate exposure may result in instant death.
Primary Goal:
- Arrive at Safe Zone C-17 before the timer reaches zero.
Reward:
- +2 stat points
- +20 Growth XP
- System Function [Quest Log]
Failure Condition:
- Death
- Severe injury resulting in forced dormancy
- Being within 150 meters of an ememerging Gate
Time Limit:
00:02:00
_________________________
Yojiro exhaled, "Okay... Easy. Just run. Or jog. Or crawl... aggressively though."
The timer began ticking...
00:01:09..
00:01:58..
But then the text flickered.
A second window appeared. A darker one.
_________________________
[Hidden Condition Detected]
A hidden bonus objective is now available.
Trigger: Emotional surge exceeding threshold.
Condition: Defy flight instinct.
_________________________
Another line slowly appeared...
[Hidden Quest -- "Predator's Echo" (Locked)]
Bonus Objective (Locked):
Instead of reaching the safe zone, approach an emerging Gate within 50 meters before the outbreak stabilizes.
Bonus rewards:
- +1 All Stats
- Title: "First to Face the Unkown"
- High-Growth Potential Unlocked (multiplier: +100% Growth XP for the first monster battle you survive)
Warning:
This objective is lethal for any normal awakened human.
Unlock Requirement:
The Host must experience:
- A conscious decision to face the imminent danger
- A surge of willpower or defiance
The last line glowed ominously...
[This bonus objective is designed for your ability. No other human would survive it.]
The window vanished.
The timer continued counting down.
00:01:21...
Yojiro stared at the spot where the ominous message had been.
He had his doubts about this hidden quest.
"...Fuck only a minute left too.. should I run or... Fuck." He muttered.
He glanced at the safe zone.
Then toward the direction where the Gate would soon form.
"Fuck me."