(Tring~ Tring~) (Tring~ Tring~)
An alarm could be heard ringing from outside a certain dorm room. The phone vibrated aggressively, lit up, and showed the time as 8 am.
(Smack!)
A palm came slamming down on the phone screen, instantly silencing the irritating ringtone.
"I really need to change this stupid alarm," Xander complained to himself in a groggy, low-pitched voice.
The alarm certainly was unpleasant, just the default Ephone alarm, but for Xander, it almost had a PTSD effect. It had been his alarm since high school, and those days were quite interesting for him, to say the least.
He moved around quite a bit and had to change schools multiple times, barely making any friends. Eventually, it led to him losing interest in studying. Waking up every day, knowing he would have to spend half his day in a new place where he knew no one, became unbearable. And this very alarm would be the reminder of it, for as long as he could remember.
Xander kept the alarm, though, as he knew it would always wake him up on time due to how vexing it was.
After lying around in bed for a bit, he got out of the sheets and walked into the bathroom. A few seconds later, a flushing noise was heard in the room, followed by the sound of running water. He stood in front of the mirror and splashed the cool water on his face.
In the reflection was a young man, with water dripping off his smooth, light-brown skin, almost resembling the color of desert sand. A head full of disheveled hair, reaching down to his neck. They were dark brown, with streaks of blonde highlights between them. With a pair of light brown eyes to match, surrounded by dark circles and curved, bushy eyebrows.
Xander brushed his teeth, fixed his hair, got dressed in a casual outfit, then left his dorm.
He stepped outside the building and felt the pleasant breeze along with the soft sunlight that kissed his skin.
He took a deep breath.
It was mid-October and almost time for fall, which happened to be Xander's favorite season. The leaves had started to dry up and fall, and the days had been getting shorter while nights got longer.
"I wonder what fun things I'll get to do at the internship today?"
In his second year at college, Xander had managed to get an internship at a major genetic research facility.
That's where he was currently heading, as he did every Saturday, and today was no exception. He got on the metro once again, this time spending the entire ride listening to music through his headphones.
After arriving at the stop, he walked out of the subway, and in his view was a gigantic skyscraper.
The signs on the building read [Nano Genics].
Xander walked into the building and went up the elevator to floor number 11. Going through the hallway, he nodded to a couple of people before knocking on one of the office doors.
"You may come in."
Entering the office, Xander saw an elderly man who looked to be in his mid-60s or older. He was sitting at a desk, currently looking through a microscope into a small circular glass container.
There was a heat lamp focused directly onto the container as the elderly man peered through the microscope with full concentration.
Looking around the room, one could observe many different machines and equipment, all seeming to be quite delicate and expensive. However, the room itself wasn't that big, which was very cramped to say the least.
"Good morning, Mr. Blonsky. I'm not interrupting you, am I?"
"Ohh if it isn't Xander? No, you're quite alright, son. In fact, I'm just about finished with this specimen." The old man spoke with a deep yet soft voice.
As Xander observed the elderly man's work with interest, he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Mr. Blonsky. The man's dedication to his research and the depth of his knowledge were truly awe-inspiring.
"Mr. Blonsky, this specimen looks fascinating. May I take a look at it under the microscope?" Xander asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Mr. Blonsky smiled warmly, pleased to see the young intern's enthusiasm. "Of course, go ahead, take a look. I'll explain what we know about it so far. And perhaps you can run your own tests on it and even take some of it personally for research, since you are such a promising intern.
Excited at that thought, Xander carefully took the circular glass container from Mr. Blonsky and placed it under the microscope. As he peered through the lens, he saw a cluster of pulsating cells. The specimen had an otherworldly appearance, with a faint glow emanating from the cells.
"These cells are from a creature we've identified as a Nexus Crawler," Mr. Blonsky began to explain. "It's a unique creature that emerged from one of the B ranked Dungeons. They are believed to be adapted to the mana-rich environment within the dungeons. These cells exhibit an unusually high level of vitality and resilience, making them an intriguing subject for study."
Xander was engrossed in his examination, noting the intricate patterns within the cells and the remarkable way they seemed to communicate with each other. He asked Mr. Blonsky various questions, and the old researcher patiently answered each one.
Just as they were engrossed in their discussion, the office door swung open, and one of Mr. Blonsky's associates hurriedly entered.
"Mr. Blonsky! Xander!" the associate called out, clearly in a state of excitement and urgency.
Mr. Blonsky looked up, his calm demeanor slightly ruffled by the interruption. "What is it? Can't you see we're busy here?"
The associate caught his breath and explained, "We received a sample of DNA from an explorer who recently survived a Rank Alpha dungeon. He was the only survivor from a dungeon that swallowed a whole prison, and he had managed to secure a sample from one of the creatures before he succumbed to his injuries."
Both Xander and Mr. Blonsky were taken aback by the news. Rank Alpha Dungeons were known to be the most dangerous, and surviving one was a rare feat.
"I saw that on the news! and you're saying you have the creature's DNA?" Xander asked, his eyes wide with curiosity and excitement.
"Yes, we managed to extract it before he passed away. We believe this creature is unlike anything we've encountered before, and its DNA may hold the key to understanding the nexuses and their anomalies even better," the associate replied.
Mr. Blonsky nodded thoughtfully, his mind racing with the potential implications of this discovery. "This is significant indeed. We need to analyze this sample immediately. Xander, you should be a part of this research team. It's an opportunity of a lifetime."
Xander felt a mix of nervousness and excitement at the prospect of being involved in such groundbreaking research. "Thank you, Mr. Blonsky. I won't let you down."
The associate brought in the sample, carefully stored in a secure container. As they prepared to analyze the creature's DNA, the room filled with an air of anticipation and possibility.
A few more researchers were invited into the testing area before they began running various tests on the specimen.
All the researchers had various fields of expertise which they applied to the tests.
As they continued such tests Mr.Blonsky concluded that the creature must've had a type of extreme hyper adaptability never before seen in any specimen.
As the tests continued, they discovered that the specimen's hyper-adaptation allowed it to withstand extreme temperatures, pressure, and even exposure to chemicals. It grew larger and more resilient with each trial. Its cells seemed to communicate with each other, forming a unified entity that exhibited a level of intelligence unheard of in typical specimens.
Xander was captivated by the creature's abilities and couldn't help but marvel at its potential implications for scientific advancements. "Mr. Blonsky, this is incredible! It could revolutionize our understanding of genetic adaptation and survival mechanisms!"
"Indeed, it's truly remarkable. But we must proceed with caution. We don't fully comprehend the consequences of these adaptations," Mr. Blonsky warned.
As the tests progressed, Xander couldn't contain his curiosity and requested a chance to run a test personally. Mr. Blonsky hesitated slightly, but recognizing Xander's enthusiasm, he agreed to let him carry out one test under strict supervision.
Xander carefully held the specimen in his hands, placing it under a heat lamp once more. His excitement got the better of him, and he gradually increased the temperature, wanting to witness the creature's astonishing resilience once again. But in his eagerness, he accidentally exposed his sleeve to the lamp, causing it to catch fire.
"Oh shit! My sleeve!" Xander exclaimed, trying to brush off the flames.
The specimen, sensing the fire, reacted differently this time. It seemed drawn to the flames, and as Xander panicked, it rushed towards the fire, almost as if it wanted to absorb it.
"Contain it! Quickly!" Mr. Blonsky shouted, moving to help Xander.
The room was filled with a sense of urgency as they tried to get the specimen back under control. With great effort, they managed to place it back into a secure container, but not before it had absorbed the fire from Xander's sleeve and arm hair.
The fire was extinguished without any harm to Xander, but the burnt part of his sleeve was inexplicably gone, leaving no trace behind. The specimen had grown a few more millimeters, and its resilience seemed more pronounced than ever.
"This is unlike anything we've encountered before," Mr. Blonsky remarked, a mixture of awe and concern in his voice. "We need to keep a close eye on this creature."…..
---------------
It was a stormy day, and the thundering clouds masked the voices of the shocked researchers, who had witnessed something incredible, yet terrifying.
After the chaotic incident with the specimen, Xander's heart was pounding, and his mind was racing with a mix of excitement and concern. Mr. Blonsky quickly checked to ensure Xander was unharmed, and the burnt sleeve seemed to have left no harm aside from some damaged arm hair. But the real focus was on the specimen, which seemed more intriguing and mysterious than ever.
"Xander, are you okay? That was quite an unexpected turn," Mr. Blonsky said with genuine concern in his voice.
"I'm fine, just a little shaken up. But look at it! It absorbed the fire like it was nothing!" Xander exclaimed, pointing at the now slightly larger specimen.
"We need to be cautious. This creature appears to have an extraordinary capacity for adaptation. The heat lamp's intense temperature must have triggered a rapid response," Mr. Blonsky replied, carefully observing the specimen.
"Perhaps it really likes fire? Rather than reacting to the heat itself, It didn't react until my sleeve caught on to the fire," commented Xander.
"That is an astute observation. For now let's put this to the side and do more tests after we make sure everything is safe. We should also make sure there wasn't some kind of effect on you so stay here until we're finished, then you're welcome to leave. I'm sure you're quite exhausted from all that."
Xander nodded, trying to keep his nerves at bay. "I hope everything's fine."
After the tests, the researchers confirmed that everything seemed normal with Xander, which was a huge relief for both him and Mr. Blonsky.
With that ordeal behind him, Xander headed back to his dorm room. He decided to call Mika and let him know about the weird incident with the specimen and the upcoming research field trip.
"Mika, you won't believe what happened at the lab today!" Xander exclaimed over the phone.
"What now, Z? Did you accidentally create a new breed of air-bending cell monsters?" Mika teased.
"Not quite, but it was something wild. I'll tell you all about it. Oh, and by the way, I got selected for a research field trip to Knoxville!" Xander shared enthusiastically.
"Seriously? That's awesome, man! Congrats!" Mika replied genuinely excited for his friend.
"Thanks, bro. It's going to be a few days of intense research. But first, I need to get my head back in the game and get ready for the trip," Xander said, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
As they continued chatting, Xander absentmindedly took off the burnt coat that had the specimen jump onto it to absorb the fire. He noticed a faint, unusual glow from the coat but dismissed it as his tired eyes playing tricks. He tossed it into the laundry basket without a second thought.
Later that day, Xander went about his daily routine. He went to his part-time job at a bustling restaurant called "Fusion Bites," where he worked as a waiter. From handling enigmatic specimens to handling dirty dishes – his life sure was a cocktail of contrasts. During his shift, he was accompanied by two other waiters – Tristan and Carla.
Tristan was a tall Hispanic guy with short black hair. He often boasted about his Camaro, which he earned the money for from a lucrative research study he participated in as a child. He and Xander had a friendly banter going on, complaining about the job and managers together while still fulfilling their duties diligently.
As for Carla, she was mixed and had brown hair, and despite her short height, she had a fiery temperament. Tristan once joked that Carla had a "hot temper to match her hot salsa." They all laughed at the playful jest, and Carla even threw a mock glare at Tristan.
During their shift, Xander's mind occasionally wandered to the upcoming research trip and his sister's condition. He diligently cleaned tables, polished silverware, and occasionally served customers, all the while mentally juggling his thoughts.
Once their closing shift was over, the trio sat outside the restaurant, enjoying the cool evening breeze. "Hey, Xander, how's Kristella doing?" Carla asked with genuine concern.
"She's holding on, thanks for asking," Xander replied with a warm smile. "The doctors are hopeful about her upcoming treatment."
"That's good to hear," Tristan added. "And what about your studies? How's that going?"
Xander leaned back, feeling the comfort of his friends' company. "It's tough, but I'm learning a lot. The research facility is doing groundbreaking work," Xander shared, feeling a sense of pride about his internship.
The conversation then shifted to the recent increase in nexus portal openings. Carla said, "Have you guys noticed the frequency of those nexus portals? My grandma says they're an omen. Something about an old city legend." Tristan scoffed, "City legends? I bet it's just some tech malfunction or a natural phenomenon we're yet to understand."
After finishing their talk, Xander thanked Tristan and Carla for their company and help during the shift. Tristan then offered to drop Xander home in his sleek Camaro, and Xander gladly accepted the offer. The friends hopped into the car, blasting their favorite tunes, and cruised through the city streets.
"Man, this car is something else," Xander said, appreciating the smooth ride.
"You know it! It's all thanks to that research study money," Tristan replied, winking playfully.
Once they reached Xander's dorm, he thanked Tristan for the ride. "See you tomorrow, buddy. I gotta get some rest before the field trip."
"Good luck, man. Bring us back some cool stuff," Tristan said with a grin.
Xander chuckled, "I'll try my best."
As Xander entered his dorm, he felt both excitement and nervousness building up about the upcoming research trip. After a quick shower, he called it a night and drifted off to sleep, thoughts of the mysterious specimen and the field trip dancing in his dreams.