The darkness around him slowly dissolved, like smoke being pulled by an invisible vortex. Adam awoke at the center of a vast structure, resembling a ruined arena floating in the void. Above him, a starry, silent expanse rotated endlessly. The sensation of being in a lucid dream was strong, but the chill down his spine felt far too real.
He rose slowly. A hologram flickered before him with a bluish light. Letters formed:
[System updating – 48 hours remaining]
During that time, Adam returned to Earth through temporary means. He spent the two days recovering physically, visiting the house where he grew up, watching normal people live in peace.
Now, alone again, a new notification appeared:
[System Updated]
Mental Panel – Adam
Species: Human (Unmodified genetics)
Reward Points (RP): 6,200
Current Rewards:
Skill: Mask of the Void (Michael Myers) – Removes fear and emotional empathy, grants extremely high mental resistance.
Enhanced Physical Resistance (Initial level)
Basic Knowledge of Survival in Horror Environments
System Info:
Dimensional Store: Active
Weapons & Abilities: All horror films, series, and mythologies available
Character Resurrection: Available for 20,000 RP
Hidden Missions: Locked (Only unlocked under certain conditions)
Adam stood silent. His eyes locked on the Dimensional Store. A sea of options unfolded before him: the Terminator's regeneration, the Predator's suit, John Wick's deadly precision, Umbrella Corporation weapons, Candyman's curses, even demonic abilities from the darkest eastern horror films. It was like an infinite library of power and damnation.
He took a deep breath. "If I want to bring Larissa back… I need to survive more. Be more than human."
He opened the Skills tab. After long minutes of analysis and cost-benefit comparisons, he chose to spend his 6,200 points on three items:
Hunter's Sense (Predator) – 3,000 RP
Greatly enhances spatial awareness and detects hidden or camouflaged threats. Includes temporary thermal vision.
Cursed Revolver (Constantine) – 2,000 RP
A mystical weapon that fires projectiles affecting supernatural entities. Reloads with the user's life force in emergencies.
Emergency Adrenaline Shot (Resident Evil) – 1,200 RP
Injectable. Boosts strength, speed, and stamina by 300% for 30 seconds. Risk of collapse if used more than once per mission.
The items materialized on the dark stone floor before him. Adam picked them up cautiously. The revolver glowed with golden tones, almost whispering his name.
A new alert echoed in his mind:
[Transfer to Next World in 10 minutes]
[Destination: Universe – Hereditary]
[Survival Mission Active]
Adam frowned. He remembered that movie. Hereditary wasn't about physical monsters—it was about psychological terror, invisible pressure, inherited pain, possession.
"So that's it. A new hell," he muttered, holstering the gun and sitting on the edge of the floating altar, staring into the nothingness ahead.
Time was running. 10 minutes until the next nightmare.