The fog was thick and alive.
It clung to the broken ruins that stretched in every direction, glowing faintly with veins of blue light—like the world itself was trying to remember how to breathe.
Lucas took a careful breath, his heart pounding.
The twin Uzis—Genesis and Requiem—hummed in his grip, runes flickering like dying embers.
[Tutorial Objective: Survive until system synchronization reaches 100%.]
[Estimated Duration: 10 minutes.]
Ten minutes didn't sound long.
But the screams echoing in the distance made it feel like forever.
Shapes moved in the mist—low, crawling, twisted.
The first one stepped into view. It was human-shaped but wrong—too thin, skin translucent, features melting and reforming like static on a broken screen.
[Enemy Identified: Wraith-Class Aberrant Lv.2]
[Vitality: 36]
[Weak Point: Neck / Core Node]
The Insight Lenses fed data into his mind, words flashing across his vision faster than he could process.
"Alright," Lucas muttered. "Let's see what you've got."
He raised his weapons. Mana built inside the barrels—liquid gold condensing to light.
He fired.
Twin bursts split the fog, energy bolts tearing through the creature's chest. It screamed, half its body evaporating into white ash.
[Enemy vitality reduced 52%.]
Lucas exhaled sharply—then the Uzis sputtered.
[Warning: Aether Overload detected.]
[Cooling required: 4.8 seconds.]
"Not now!"
The monster charged. Lucas instinctively kicked off the ground—and then the air.
The Skystep Soles flared, forming a glowing mana ring under his feet mid-jump. He launched upward, flipping as the creature's claws tore through the space he'd just been.
He landed hard. His lenses flashed red.
[Enemy proximity: critical.]
The Wraith lunged again. He swung up his guns, but they clicked uselessly—still cooling.
"Come on—!"
The creature's claws slashed toward his face—then stopped midair as a line of gold tore through its chest.
Lucas blinked. He hadn't fired.
[Emergency Protocol Activated: User Survival Override.]
The guns fired on their own. The monster collapsed, dissolving into ash.
Lucas stared down at the Uzis, smoke curling from their barrels.
Then came the shrieks. Dozens this time. Shapes moving in the fog.
"Figures," he muttered, raising his weapons again.
He moved fast, the Soles flaring beneath him with each jump. Shots of golden light cut through the mist.
For every one he killed, another appeared.
A claw raked across his side, pain burning deep.
[Vitality –7]
[Bleeding detected.]
He stumbled, gasping, as his HUD flickered red.
[System synchronization: 98%...]
Another scream—another charge. Lucas braced himself.
[System synchronization: 99%...]
[100%.]
Time stopped.
A flash of gold erupted from his chest, threads of light weaving into the Uzis, his lenses, even his boots. The fog around him froze mid-motion.
[Skill Unlocked — Adaptive Protocol]
[Systemless Class Passive Skill Registered]
The world snapped back.
The creature lunged, but Lucas was already moving.
He saw the attack before it happened—lines of light tracing its motion through the air.
He fired three clean bursts, each shot guided by instinct—or something deeper.
Every round hit dead center. The monster shattered into dust.
[Enemy defeated.]
[Exp gained: 24]
[Level Up → 2]
Lucas stood still, breathing hard, as golden light spiraled around him.
[Skill Acquired — Adaptive Protocol]
Type: Passive / Reactive
Rarity: Divine (Growth-Linked)
Status: Active — Bound to Genesis & Requiem
Description:
A self-learning combat subroutine created from corrupted System fragments.
Synchronizes the user's reflexes, perception, and weapon aim in real time. Evolves through battle data and survival encounters.
Base Effects (Lv.1)
Predictive Focus: Briefly highlights enemy attack paths (1.2s foresight).
Aim Stabilization: +15% accuracy while moving or midair.
Dynamic Reflex Sync: Perception slows for 0.5s during lethal attacks.
Aether Resonance: +5% weapon stability.
Limitations:
High mental strain under extended use.
Ineffective against chaotic or Divine-level entities.
Growth Potential:
[Skill recognized as Growth-Type.]
[Potential evolution paths detected...]
• Tactical Instinct — Advanced targeting & weak point compensation.
• Resonant Sync — Shared predictive awareness with allies (15m).
• Predictive Overclock — Slows perception during critical moments.
Only one path may be chosen upon evolution.
[System message: Adaptation is survival. Survival is progress.]
Lucas closed the menu and exhaled, wincing as the pain in his ribs began to fade. The Uzis pulsed softly, steadier now—like they'd learned something, too.
He looked at the fog ahead, dozens of glowing eyes watching from the shadows.
"Alright," he muttered, reloading. "Let's keep learning."
And with that, Lucas stepped forward into the mist.