[Vorn's Room - Xiaotian Compound]
The silence of his room was deafening after the arena's roar. Vorn stood by the massive window, his hand still tingling from where he'd held that modified blade. Victory should have felt better than this.
Something's different.
Then came the familiar chime that had become the soundtrack to his transformation.
A holographic interface materialized, bathed in cool blue light. Three paths branched out like the roots of an ancient tree, each pulsing with potential:
[CHOOSE YOUR PATH]
● MAGICIAN: Focus innate mana, command elements, weave intricate spells
● PALADIN: Wield divine energy, protect the weak, smite evil with righteous power
● BODY EVOLUTION: Transcend human limitations, unlock physical potential, redefine what it means to be Awakened
Vorn's gaze locked onto Body Evolution. The sheer audacity of it resonated with his core. He'd always been an observer, a student of efficiency - and what was more efficient than a perfectly optimized human machine?
This is what I've been building toward. Everything else is just playing by their rules.
He dove into the system's virtual libraries, devouring information on anatomy, biomechanics, neuroscience. Every diagram of muscle fiber recruitment, every neural pathway map fueled his fascination. He saw untapped reserves of strength, speed, processing power.
But doubt crept in. The description hinted at fundamental change - a merging of his abilities. Would Matter Manipulation disappear? That precise control he'd fought so hard to develop?
The conventional paths are safer. Established. Tested.
He steeled himself. I've never walked conventional paths. That's why I'm alive.
His finger hovered over the confirmation prompt when a stark red warning flashed:
[WARNING!] CHOOSING BODY EVOLUTION WILL RESULT IN GRADUAL EMOTIONAL CAPACITY DECLINE. EMPATHY, SYMPATHY, AFFECTION - THESE WILL DIMINISH AS YOUR PHYSICAL FORM TRANSCENDS LIMITATIONS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
His breath caught. Lose my emotions? My ability to connect with Seren? This is a bit tricky
The image of his sister's sleeping face flashed through his mind. But the pull of evolution, the siren call of transcendence, was too strong.
Emotions can be weakness and Vulnerability. I need to be strong for her.
He pressed [YES].
The world shimmered. His glasses seemed to melt into his skin, lines of light tracing patterns beneath the surface. The worn card in his pocket dissolved into golden motes that swirled around him before being absorbed into his being.
Not painful. Just... fundamental.
Silent, invisible restructuring began at the cellular level. Strange lightness filled him, as if invisible weights had been lifted. His mind felt sharper, clearer.
A book on his desk suddenly leaped into focus. He began reading at impossible speed, words imprinting effortlessly on his consciousness. Like his brain had been supercharged.
[SKILL SYNTHESIS SUCCESSFUL!]
[NEW PASSIVE SKILL ACQUIRED: ABSOLUTE ADAPTATION (LEVEL 1)]
[DESCRIPTION: YOUR BODY AND MIND CONSTANTLY EVOLVE, ADAPTING TO STIMULI AT CELLULAR LEVEL]
Disappointment flickered. Passive skill. And where's my Matter Manipulation?
He tried summoning those familiar tendrils of control over reality's fabric. Nothing. Gone. Merged into this new adaptation ability.
Did I make a mistake?
---
[Elder Jin's Study - West Wing]
The wood-paneled study reeked of old secrets and older ambitions. Elder Jin paced before Elder Lian, his usual smirk replaced by intense concentration.
"The boy's victory was too sudden," Jin rasped, voice like rustling dry leaves. "Li Wei is arrogant, but not incompetent. That Constricting Shadow should have crippled him completely."
Something doesn't add up. That final burst of speed - where did it come from?
Lian's sharp eyes narrowed. "Did you observe any unusual power display?"
"Nothing overt," Jin admitted. "Just... a shift. The artifact's field seemed to vanish instantly."
Could it be another hidden ability? Li's always been sly - he wouldn't reveal everything about his pet project.
"The next trial," Lian stated coldly. "The dungeon expedition. We cannot risk another unpredictable outcome. We assign him a 'protector' with specific instructions."
"An assassin," Jin finished, cruel smile returning. "Excellent. And the others?"
"The other young masters proceed normally. Our focus is eliminating Vorn Xiaotian... permanently."
This time, we make sure there are no witnesses. No miraculous recoveries.
---
[Vorn's Room - Later]
The subtle hum of altered biology coursed through him. His senses had sharpened dramatically - he could hear leaves rustling outside, the estate's imperceptible creaking. His mind, now operating at terrifying speed, had processed several advanced Awakener theory texts effortlessly.
The loss of active skills hurts, but this potential...
Knock knock.
A servant appeared at his door. "Master Vorn, the elders request your presence in the main hall."
Walking through familiar corridors, apprehension knotted his stomach. Something had shifted in the atmosphere - a subtle undercurrent of danger.
---
[Main Hall - Xiaotian Compound]
The grand hall felt more like a courtroom than a meeting space. Master Li was conspicuously absent. Elder Jin stood at the head of assembled elders, his gaze piercing.
"Young Vorn," Jin began, voice deceptively genial. "In the competition's next stage, you'll enter the Trial Dungeon. As customary, you'll be assigned a protector to ensure safety."
Protector? Vorn's enhanced mind clicked through possibilities instantly. The sudden agreement to let me fight alone earlier - they were gauging my strength. This 'protector' isn't meant to safeguard me.
They want me dead, but they want it to look accidental. Let me give them a hand
He met Elder Jin's gaze, betraying none of his realization. "Honorable Elders, I appreciate your concern. However, facing the Trial Dungeon alone would be the truest test of my worth. If I perish within, it would testament to my weakness, and the family would bear no blame."
He paused for dramatic effect. "I will enter the monsters' den fearlessly, for even in death, I would serve the Xiaotian name."
Ripples of unease went through the assembled elders. Lian's lips tightened. Jin, however, seemed pleased.
"A noble sentiment, young Vorn," Jin said, hint of smile playing on his lips. "Very well. You shall depart for the Trial Dungeon immediately."
As Vorn turned to leave, Elder Jin subtly nodded to a younger attendant.
Prepare the hard-level restriction for his trial.
But Vorn's enhanced senses caught the imperceptible gesture.
They'll try to ensure my death one way or another.
---
[Li Wei's Training Room - South Wing]
Li Wei sulked among practice dummies, still nursing his bruised ego. Vorn approached with carefully constructed concern.
"Young Master Li," he began deferentially. "The Honorable Elders gave me... peculiar instructions regarding the Trial Dungeon. They've reassigned your protector to me and instructed me to take your initial entry slot."
Li Wei's head snapped up, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What are you talking about?"
"They mentioned strategic realignment," Vorn continued smoothly, injecting urgency. "Something about optimizing teams based on our recent performance. They want me entering with your assigned bodyguard while you proceed in a later group."
Come on, take the bait. Your pride and resentment will do the work for me.
Li Wei's mind raced. The elders intervening directly? It's plausible. Maybe they're finally acting against this upstart properly.
A foolish flicker of hope ignited. "So they finally realized you're a liability," he sneered, old arrogance returning.
"Perhaps," Vorn replied neutrally. "But orders were clear. We exchange entry times and protectors."
Li Wei, blinded by resentment and hope for Vorn's downfall, readily agreed. "Fine. Go ahead. See if your newfound 'skill' protects you from real monsters."
Perfect.
---
[Control Room - Trial Dungeon Facility]
Dim lighting cast ominous shadows across monitoring equipment. Elder Jin's voice crackled over communications, laced with anticipation.
"Target designation: Vorn Xiaotian's assigned trial. Increase difficulty parameters to Hard level. Ensure swift and... conclusive outcome."
The technician's fingers flew across controls, locking in commands.
[TARGET TRIAL DIFFICULTY UPDATED: HARD]
A moment later, another alert flashed:
[ERROR: TARGET PARTICIPANT MISMATCH]
[ORIGINAL: VORN XIAOTIAN]
[CURRENT PARTICIPANT: LI WEI]
Collective gasps filled the control room. The elders' carefully laid plans had just collided with Vorn's unforeseen and terrifyingly effective manipulation.
"What the hell—" the lead technician started.
On the main screen, Li Wei's biometrics appeared as he entered the dungeon portal, completely unaware he was walking into a death trap meant for someone else.
"The puppet master just became the puppet", someone muttered.
In the shadows of the facility, Vorn watched the chaos unfold through enhanced hearing, a cold smile playing at his lips.
Round two to me.
[CURRENT STATUS]
[LEVEL: 5]
[NEW PATH: BODY EVOLUTION - ACTIVE]
[PASSIVE SKILL: ABSOLUTE ADAPTATION LV.1]
[POLITICAL MANEUVERING: SUCCESSFUL]
[EMOTIONAL CAPACITY: 96% (DECLINING)]
The game had evolved. And so had he.