A rueful smile crept across Cain's face as Apex's cold declaration echoed in his mind. The Absolute Life Form System—something that promised the keys to unimaginable power—also carried the authority to erase him at a whim. If he failed to prove himself worthy, he would be devoured, body and soul, and there was nothing he could do to prevent it.
He imagined for a moment trying to explain this to someone else, perhaps a teacher or one of the Empire's military examiners. At best, they would laugh in his face and call him mad. At worst, they would dissect him like a lab rat in hopes of extracting whatever treasure hid in his body. And even if someone dared to listen, Apex could read his thoughts—every secret, every doubt, every betrayal of his will. There was no lying to the System Spirit, no room for schemes.
Cain exhaled, shaking his head as tension drained from his body. When he looked up again, his expression was calm, though his eyes held a steely glimmer.
'If I am bound to this thing, then I will master it, not the other way around.'
He gave his first question. "Who created the Absolute Life Form System, and what purpose did they have in mind?"
According to Apex's earlier words, the system's goal was to elevate him, while Apex's role was to judge his worth. But Cain was not naïve enough to assume those were the real intentions of the creator. Chickens were fed every day—but not because the farmer loved them.
Apex's answer was immediate, spoken in that confident tone that seemed carved from bedrock. "The universe created me, and my goal is to raise a perfect warrior who will one day stand for what is right and just."
Cain's eyes narrowed. The words rang hollow, too polished, too convenient. He didn't even need to voice his doubts. If the universe had truly created the system, why would it require exploiting a "flaw" in the Eternal River of the Afterlife, as Apex himself had mentioned earlier? The contradiction gnawed at him.
But there was no use pressing. Apex could already see the suspicions in his mind, and ignoring them was its own kind of answer.
Cain leaned forward slightly, his second question sharp as a blade. "Final question: how can I know you're telling me the truth, and not just feeding me lies?"
This time, silence lingered. For five long seconds, the forest seemed to hush, even the wind pausing in the branches overhead. Then laughter burst into Cain's skull, rich and mocking.
"Hahahaha! Brat, you are indeed sharper than most. Only a fool would swallow the words of a stranger without question. Good. Distrust will keep you alive." There was no anger in Apex's laughter—if anything, there was approval.
Finally, the spirit's voice steadied. "You cannot know, not truly. But you will see. You will see the Absolute Life Form System make you stronger. You will see the heights it can carry you to. And if I decide you are unworthy, you will also see how quickly it can erase you. That much is certain."
Cain's jaw tightened. It wasn't an answer that gave comfort, but it was honest in its own cruel way.
"As for my earlier words about the universe being my creator?" Apex's voice shifted, almost casual. "That was a lie."
Cain's lips pressed into a thin line. He hated being manipulated, hated that his life was tethered to something with both power and deceit. But he filed the information away carefully. Even liars revealed truths in what they chose to conceal.
"Now," Apex continued, "enough philosophy. You should become familiar with the system itself. Treat it as you once did your A.I. Chip—give it commands, and it will answer. Begin with a scan."
Cain nodded slightly. He gathered his focus and issued the mental command. 'System, scan.'
An electric current surged through his body, sharp but not painful, racing from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. A virtual screen bloomed before his eyes, clear and instantaneous.
[Scanning Vessel…
---
Name: Cain Laurifer
Race: Godslayer Humankind
Path of Power: None
Lineage: Human
Wave Talent: Low Tier 1
Stats:
* Strength: 0.02
* Agility: 0.04
* Vitality: 0.01
* Wave: 0.0
Arts and Skills:
* Soldier Cultivation Technique
* ???
System Modules:
* A.I. Chip Module
* Pseudo Cellular Analysis
* Basic Data Gathering and Analysis
* Basic Virtual Simulation
* Basic Scan Force Field
* Basic Hacking
* ???
* ???
* ???
* ???
Destiny Force: 10.2 points]
Cain blinked in astonishment. The A.I. Chip had needed minutes to gather similar data; the Absolute Life Form System had done it in less than a second. And it revealed more than the Chip ever had.
He studied the numbers carefully. "Apex, why do my stats show so low? Yesterday, when I ran an analysis with the A.I. Chip, the values were completely different."
The response came with a teasing lilt. "Brat, your A.I. Chip used mortal parameters. I've integrated the Empire's cultivation metrics into the system, thanks to the [Basic Hacking] module. What you see now is how you measure against true Wave cultivators."
Cain frowned. "So… those decimal values—"
"Would translate to three-digit strength by mortal standards," Apex interrupted smoothly. "You are not weak among humans. But against true cultivators, you are at the bottom. A single point of Strength in this system's scale marks the beginning of monstrous might. Imagine someone with ten points, let alone more."
Cain's mind reeled at the implication. He tried to picture what a warrior with ten Strength could do—punch through tanks? Lift mountains? The thought both thrilled and unsettled him.
He steadied himself and pointed to another part of the display. "And the question marks?"
"The one under [Arts and Skills] is an ability tied to the system itself. It will awaken when conditions are met—or not at all." Apex's tone suggested he would say no more. "As for the modules, those question marks represent dormant powers locked within the Absolute Life Form System. They will reveal themselves as you grow."
Cain's pulse quickened. New modules. If the [A.I. Chip Module] alone was already leagues beyond the old implant, what could the others be?
He asked the next obvious question. "How do I unlock them?"
"You may activate one new module at each primary cultivation stage. You already possess the [A.I. Chip Module] for this stage. However…" Apex's voice deepened, almost sly. "Because of the unusual circumstances of your fusion, you may still claim one more."
Cain's lips curved into an involuntary smile. The possibility of an additional module was like a spark of light in the suffocating dark. He leaned forward slightly. "How do I choose?"
"The Creator ordered the modules by utility. You may follow the design or gamble on another. But with no perception of what lies sealed, your choice would be blind chance."
Cain shook his head. "Then I'll trust the order." He raised his voice inside his mind. 'System, activate the next module!'
A sudden heaviness pressed down on his body, as though gravity itself had multiplied. His chest tightened, his muscles locked—but only for an instant. Then the pressure vanished, replaced by clarity.
The system's mechanical voice rang out.
[Genetic Coder Module activated.]