Chapter 24: Combo Execution — The Evolution Triggered
POV: Zai
The Training Simulation Room appeared in a flash—flat grey walls, platform terrain loaded in like game textures rendered at the moment.
No crowd. No threat. Only tension and silence.
Marcus stood next to me, casual attire replaced with his battle gear—black tank, gloves glowing softly with system light. His eyes were sharp. Focused. Like he already knew the outcome.
I cracked my knuckles.
Five moves. One continuous combo.
I took a breath.
"System," I breathed quietly, "load skill execution mode. Manual input. Skill evolution trigger active."
[COMBO CHALLENGE INITIATED]
Skill Link Challenge – Version 1
Objective: Execute a fluid 5-skill chain uninterrupted.
Bonus Evolution Trigger if flow is over threshold timing.
Begin when ready.
I started with movement.
Step One – Ink Bomb.
I flicked my wrist and hurled the paint grenade. It detonated on impact with the ground, spreading thick black ink in a large splash zone.
Step Two – Short Dodge Roll.
I counted down to sprint clear through the puddle, as the simulation target initialized before me—a humanoid wireframe dummy.
Step Three – Basic Punch.
I threw a jab-jab-hook to its chest. My fists were harder, heavier—impact snapped against the system air.
Step Four – Flip Jump.
I flew airborne, legs twisting around one another. My foot swept just over its shoulder, using the altitude to regain my momentum.
Step Five – Charge Shot.
In mid-air, I charged a blast—fast but full strength—and fired it downward in a flowing arc.
BOOM.
The explosion blasted against the wireframe dummy's chest, sending data-fragments flying everywhere on the platform.
Followed by the brilliance.
[COMBO SUCCESS – FLOW RATING: 92%]
[EVOLUTION TRIGGER MET]
I took a deep breath as a golden aura surrounded me.
System notifications flashed into my HUD like banners of victory.
[SKILL EVOLUTION TREE UNLOCKED – LEVEL 1 ACCESS GRANTED]
[BASIC PUNCH → Evolved Into → Smash Chain Combo Lv.1]
Three-step attack now has heavy finisher if chained from movement opener. Knockback made stronger. Scales with Strength + Technique Control.
[CHARGE SHOT → Evolved Into → Recoil Burst Lv.1]
When shot is fired from aerial or from dodging, user gets a burst back to reset spacing after shot lands. Added cooldown reduces by 10%.
My fists tingled. Like the skills had. changed. Like they were starting to belong to me now—not just copies from some digital library.
[LEVEL UP – 7 → 8]
+3 Stat Points
+1 Passive Bonus: Combo Sway (Lv.1)
Small auto-adjustment added to chained skills. Makes chaining smoother.
Combo Chain Recorded: Zai Custom Chain #1
Saved in System Library.
I landed on the platform again, winded—but grinning.
"That's what I'm talking about!"
Marcus walked up to me, nodding slightly with a little smile.
"Your actions speak… original," he said. "No longer copying. You're building."
"Yeah." I mopped sweat. "I did feel it too."
[SYSTEM PROMPT]
You are currently 94% progress towards Level 10.
When reaching Level 9, system will pre-load your Mii Class projection style.
I opened the stat window and let out a deep breath.
It was time to spend those 21 accumulated stat points.
Because when Level 10 arrives?
I'll be needing all I can get.