Godseed Ascension System

7

Kael crouched behind a jagged rock, his breath hitching as his sharp senses, amplified by the system, picked up faint footsteps and low whispers ahead. He cautiously peered through the darkness, straining to make out the figures.

They looked human, but something about them was disturbingly off. Their bodies emitted unnatural steam, and their eyes gleamed with a crazed intensity, as if they had been abusing some narcotic. One of them flexed hands that ended in jagged claws. Kael’s stomach churned—these weren’t ordinary prisoners.

“What are those?” he whispered internally, his heart pounding.

[Humanoid prisoners affected by the mutations of this place and prolonged exposure to Vitalis crystals. Host is advised to avoid engagement in the current state,] the system responded.

“Great,” Kael muttered under his breath, the sarcasm doing little to soothe his fraying nerves.

His eyes darted around, searching for any route that might keep him out of sight. The drop zone was tantalizingly close, but every available path seemed blocked by the mutants. Frustration bubbled within him, and he clenched his fists, feeling the faint tingle of godseed energy coursing through his veins.

“How useful is my current power level?” he murmured.

[Host’s current godseed is unstable and requires training. Suggestion: Conserve energy attacks for critical moments.]

Kael gritted his teeth, his frustration boiling over. “So, I’m stuck relying on my human strength?”

[And your brains,] the system retorted.

Kael scowled, his irritation mounting at the system’s almost flippant tone. “Brains. Sure. In a place I know nothing about,” he muttered sarcastically. Unsurprisingly, the system didn’t bother replying.

Rubbing his temples, Kael inhaled deeply to center himself. “Fine. Do these mutants have a natural enemy?”

[All monsters are natural enemies to prisoners,] the system stated matter-of-factly.

Kael stroked his chin as a thought began to form. “Any specific monster that likes mutants?”

[Host’s idea is brilliant,] the system replied, its tone almost impressed. [Mangolits particularly hunt mutants, as they are drawn to their radiation. Nearest Mangolit cave: due east of the drop zone. Approximate time of arrival: 2 minutes with advanced speed.]

“Good enough for me,” Kael said, crawling away from the rock where he had been hiding. His plan was simple: lure a Mangolit to the drop zone, let it cause enough chaos to distract the mutants, and seize the opportunity to grab the supplies.

He moved swiftly and quietly, his body low to the ground as he slipped away into the shadows, leaving the mutants behind.

Kael ran once again, his speed almost godly as he followed Eidolon’s directions, reaching the cave. Carefully, he entered, straining his ears to hear the creatures’ breathing. The darkness swallowed everything, only the calculated breaths of the creatures echoing in the silence.

“Eidolon, how many creatures are in here?” Kael asked, nearly yelling in his mind.

[Scanning cave… Ten Mangolit detected. Host is advised to proceed with caution. Mangolit are especially dangerous, particularly when disturbed.]

“Geez, you sure inform a guy before time,” Kael muttered, annoyance seeping into his voice.

In response, the system provided a visual representation of the Mangolit. They were medium-sized, rock-shaped furballs.

“They don’t look dangerous,” Kael commented.

[That is merely due to their appearance. They are highly venomous and can swallow creatures three times their size.]

“Impressive. But how fast are they?”

[Not as fast as level one godspeed, but fast enough to catch up if you stumble.]

“Great,” Kael sighed. “How do I wake them?”

[Loud noises and the smell of blood.]

“Definitely the former. I don’t want these creatures haunting me.”

[Host is advised to use blood for a future purpose.]

“What purpose? To get constantly chased?”

[Host will understand in due time.]

Kael gritted his teeth. As much as he hated the idea of being chased, he had quickly accepted that his chances of survival were higher with the system’s guidance. He had no choice but to follow its advice.

The cave’s sharp rocks bulged from the walls, and Kael struck his arm against one, drawing blood. Almost immediately, neon eyes began to glow from within the cave.

[Host is advised to run now.]

That was a suggestion Kael didn’t hesitate to follow. He sprinted forward, the sound of fast, gliding footsteps closing in behind him, urging him to quicken his pace. He abruptly stopped behind a rock near the drop zone.

It was a bold decision, as the Mangolit were tracking his scent. Heart pounding, he tried to stay calm, clenching his trembling hands into fists. One Mangolit rolled toward him, its mouth widening, revealing double-edged, steaming teeth—wide enough to swallow him whole.

Kael shut his eyes, expecting the worst. But instead, the Mangolit rolled past him by just a few inches, roaring at the mutant who was cautiously approaching the rock.

“Mangolit attack!” the mutant roared, alerting the others.

Kael let out a shuddering breath as the other Mangolit rolled past him. “Can’t believe that worked,” he murmured to himself.

Behind him, a fierce battle had erupted between the defensive mutants and the Mangolit. The path ahead was now clear. At the same moment, a drone appeared out of nowhere and projected a huge backpack, which Kael saw with wide eyes.

[Host is advised to move now—and fast.]

Jumping into action, Kael bolted at godly speed toward the middle of the open arena, making a beeline for the bag. He grabbed it in an instant, but what he didn’t expect was another hand grabbing the opposite end.

Kael looked up, and to his surprise, his eyes met none other than Herold, the leader of the Devil Angels.

"Long time no see, Gifted. Missed me?" Herold grinned toothily, but before Kael could even respond, a powerful punch landed squarely on his nose, strong enough to draw blood.

Kael chuckled bitterly, feeling the sting. "Should've known it wouldn't be that easy." He met Herold's gaze, forcing a smile despite the pain. "You want the bag, right? You can have it."

Herold scowled, his expression darkening. "Fool me once, bastard. Don’t you dare fool me twice." He stepped closer, his eyes blazing with anger. "And no, I don't just want the bag—I want your head as well."