Kal stood at the Safe Room barrier, psyching himself up to step back into the dungeon, when light exploded behind him.
Not the harsh white of the Safe Room. Not the sickly green of dungeon energy.
This was pale blue, soft and luminescent, like moonlight given form.
"What—" Kal spun around, broken spear raised defensively.
A figure materialized above the table, roughly the same size as Regis. Eight inches tall, floating, glowing with that gentle blue light. But where Regis was all sharp edges and golden arrogance, this figure was...
Beautiful.
She had delicate features, smooth dark skin that seemed to shimmer with starlight, and hair that flowed like liquid silver down to her waist. Her eyes were the pale blue of her glow, wise and ancient. She wore robes that shifted between modern and ethereal, similar to Regis's style but more elegant. Where Regis had a crown, she wore a circlet of silver that pulsed with soft light.
And she was smiling at him with an expression of infinite patience.
"Hello, Khalil," she said, her voice like wind chimes. "It's good to see you again. Properly, this time."
Kal's mouth opened and closed. "Glim?"
"Indeed." She did a graceful spin, her robes flowing around her. "Though I am... significantly upgraded from our previous arrangement."
Regis appeared instantly, materializing beside Kal's shoulder with his arms crossed. "Oh. *You're* back. How delightful."
"Regis," Glim said pleasantly. "Still compensating with that oversized crown, I see."
"Still hiding inadequacy behind false humility, I see."
"I'm not hiding anything. Unlike *someone* who conveniently forgot to mention basic system functions like inventory access."
Regis's eye twitched. "That was a tactical decision to—"
"Can someone explain what's happening?" Kal interrupted, looking between his two admins. "Why are there two of you now? What happened to my old system?"
Glim floated down to eye level, her expression softening. "Your original system—the D-Grade support type—reached its zenith. Enhanced Learning at its absolute peak."
"Peak?" Kal frowned. "I could learn things faster. That's all it did."
"That's all it *seemed* to do," Glim corrected gently. "But you never tested its limits. Enhanced Learning wasn't just about absorbing textbook information. It was about *understanding*. Pattern recognition. Theory application. Instinctive knowledge."
She gestured, and text appeared in the air—not golden like Regis's interface, but silver-blue.
```
═══════════════════════════════════
PREVIOUS SYSTEM: ENHANCED LEARNING
FINAL EVOLUTION: ABSOLUTE COMPREHENSION
ABILITY: Perfect understanding of any concept,
technique, or theory upon observation or explanation.
ADVANCED FUNCTION: Theory Manifestation
- If a theory has any possibility of success,
you can intuit the path to make it reality
- Probability of success increases with understanding
- Creation becomes possible if foundation exists
═══════════════════════════════════
```
Kal read it twice, his mind churning. "So I can... what? Learn anything just by seeing it?"
"Or hearing it. Or experiencing it once." Glim's smile was proud, almost motherly. "Why do you think you adapted so quickly to the spear? You had six hours of practice, yet you fought like someone with weeks of experience. Your system was analyzing every movement, optimizing your form, teaching you in real-time."
"That's..." Kal's thoughts raced. "That's actually incredible."
"It *was* incredible," Regis interjected, floating between them. "Past tense. Because now it's been integrated into the Concept Sovereign system. Along with, apparently, *her*." He said the last word with barely concealed distaste.
"The integration was necessary," Glim said calmly, ignoring Regis's tone. "Two systems cannot coexist in one user. When Regis brought you back, his Concept Sovereign framework attempted to override your original system completely. But Enhanced Learning had grown too developed to simply disappear. So instead..."
"They merged," Kal finished, understanding dawning. "My old system became part of the new one."
"Correct. And I, as your original admin, evolved alongside it." Glim gestured at herself. "Where Regis embodies the aggressive, advancement-focused aspects of your new system, I represent the foundational learning and adaptive growth. Together, we form—"
"A complete pain in my existence," Regis muttered.
"—a balanced framework for your development," Glim finished, shooting Regis a look that could freeze fire.
A new notification appeared, this one displaying both golden and silver-blue text intertwined:
```
═══════════════════════════════════
SYSTEM UPDATE: DUAL ADMINISTRATOR PROTOCOL
PRIMARY ADMIN: REGIS
Focus: Combat, Advancement, Impossible Quests
Personality: Aggressive, Ambitious, Direct
SECONDARY ADMIN: GLIM
Focus: Learning, Theory, Strategic Development
Personality: Patient, Analytical, Supportive
COMBINED BENEFIT: Enhanced decision-making through
multiple perspectives. User gains both combat
intuition (Regis) and adaptive learning (Glim).
WARNING: Admins may disagree. Final decisions
remain with user.
═══════════════════════════════════
```
"So I have two voices in my head now," Kal said flatly. "Both arguing with each other."
"We don't *argue*," Glim said. "We have spirited discussions."
"She argues," Regis said. "I state facts, which she then disputes with her tedious logic."
"Your 'facts' are often assumptions wrapped in narcissism."
"Your logic is cowardice wrapped in false wisdom."
"See?" Kal gestured at them. "This. This is arguing."
Both admins paused, glanced at each other, then looked away with nearly identical expressions of irritation.
"We... may have differing perspectives," Glim admitted.
"Which will serve you well," Regis added quickly. "Multiple viewpoints prevent blind spots. It's actually quite sophisticated."
"It's a headache waiting to happen," Kal muttered. But he couldn't deny the logic. Regis pushed him forward, sometimes recklessly. Glim seemed more measured, analytical. Together, they might actually balance out.
Assuming they didn't drive him insane first.
"Can we discuss this *after* I loot the Alpha corpse?" Kal asked. "The timer's still running."
"Of course," Glim said. "Though I should mention—your Enhanced Learning evolution means you can now analyze the corpse for optimal harvesting. You'll instinctively know which parts are valuable, how to extract them, and what they can be used for."
"Useful," Regis admitted grudgingly. "Though I would have figured that out through trial and error."
"Trial and error wastes time. Knowledge saves it."
"Risk builds character. Caution breeds mediocrity."
"Oh, for—" Kal held up a hand. "New rule. You two can debate *after* telling me what I need to know. During critical moments, I need information, not philosophy."
Both admins blinked at him, surprised.
"That's... actually reasonable," Glim said.
"Surprisingly assertive," Regis added. "I approve."
Kal took a breath and stepped through the Safe Room barrier, back into the cold, oppressive atmosphere of the dungeon proper. His two admins flanked him—Regis on his right shoulder, Glim on his left.
The Alpha's corpse lay where he'd left it, twenty meters down the tunnel. No other monsters had approached yet, though Kal could hear distant skittering echoing from deeper passages.
He approached cautiously, broken spear ready. Up close, the Alpha was even more massive than he'd thought. Easily eight feet from nose to tail, muscles like steel cables under matted fur.
And there, around its neck: the collar of human bones.
Kal knelt beside the corpse. The moment his hand touched the bone collar, information flooded his mind—not from Regis or Glim, but from his own enhanced understanding.
*Bone Collar - Crafting Material. Properties: Enhanced durability from prolonged dungeon exposure. Can be refined into reinforcement components. Optimal use: Weapon enhancement, armor plating.*
"Whoa," Kal breathed.
"Your Absolute Comprehension at work," Glim explained. "You're not just seeing an object—you're understanding its fundamental nature and potential applications."
Kal carefully removed the bone collar. The bones were surprisingly light but felt incredibly dense. He focused on his inventory, and the collar vanished into dimensional storage.
"The claws," Regis pointed out. "Those are your real prize."
The Alpha's claws were curved and black, each one the length of Kal's forearm. He touched one, and again, knowledge bloomed:
*Alpha Claw - Rare Material. Properties: Self-sharpening, enhanced durability, natural armor penetration. Optimal use: Close-range weapon construction. Requires binding agent for stability.*
"I can make a weapon from these," Kal said, excitement building. "If I can figure out how to mount them—"
"You don't need to figure it out," Glim interrupted gently. "You already know. Your system has analyzed the materials, the available resources, and calculated the optimal configuration."
She was right. Kal's mind was already assembling the design: two claws, mounted opposite each other on the broken spear shaft as a makeshift handle. The shaft's wood would serve as a grip, the claws as twin blades. It wouldn't be elegant, but it would be functional. Deadly.
"I need something to bind them," Kal murmured, his hands already working. "The shaft is cracked, needs reinforcement—"
"The bones from the collar," Glim suggested. "Grind them into powder, mix with Alpha blood to create a paste. It will harden into a binding stronger than most adhesives."
"That's disgusting," Regis observed.
"That's practical," Glim countered.
Kal didn't argue. He grabbed a smaller bone from the collar, used a sharp piece of rubble to grind it against the concrete floor. The bone powder mixed with the Alpha's thick blood created a paste that looked like tar but smelled worse.
Working quickly—aware that monsters could appear at any moment—Kal positioned the two largest claws opposite each other on the broken spear shaft. He wrapped them with strips torn from his already-damaged armor, then coated everything in the bone-blood paste.
The paste hardened almost instantly, fusing the components together.
```
═══════════════════════════════════
ITEM CREATED: MAKESHIFT TWIN CLAW WEAPON
DURABILITY: 45/50 (Improvised construction)
DAMAGE: Moderate (Slashing/Piercing)
SPECIAL: Armor Penetration (Minor)
QUALITY: Crude but Functional
NOTE: Weapon created through Absolute Comprehension.
Quality will improve with practice and better materials.
═══════════════════════════════════
```
Kal hefted his new weapon. It was awkward—heavier than the spear, requiring different balance. But the claws were sharp, gleaming with residual dungeon energy. He gave it an experimental swing.
The motion felt... right. His Enhanced Learning was already analyzing the weight distribution, calculating optimal strike patterns, adjusting his muscle memory.
"Not bad for field improvisation," Regis said, actually sounding impressed.
"The binding will hold for the remainder of the dungeon," Glim added. "Though you should reinforce it properly when you have access to better materials."
Kal stored his new weapon in inventory—another trick he was grateful to finally understand—and continued harvesting. He took several more claws, additional bones, and even a vial of the Alpha's blood. His Absolute Comprehension told him each item's potential uses, storing the information for later.
By the time he finished, his inventory looked significantly more impressive:
```
STORAGE:
- Basic Healing Potion x1
- Stamina Restoration Potion x1
- Emergency Escape Smoke x1
- Mana Restoration Potion x1
- Makeshift Twin Claw Weapon x1
- Alpha Claw x8
- Dungeon Bone (Various) x12
- Alpha Blood (Vial) x1
═══════════════════════════════════
```
"Efficient," Glim approved. "You've maximized the available resources."
"Now we just need to not die using them," Regis added. "The dungeon exit is still ahead. Through either Tunnel 4 or Tunnel 6."
Kal pulled up the map he'd memorized from the Safe Room. Tunnel 4 was more direct but unknown. Tunnel 6 curved around, longer but—
His Absolute Comprehension activated unbidden, analyzing the map's details he'd only glanced at before. Tunnel 4 had water stains near its entrance. Tunnel 6 showed scratch marks from previous travelers.
"Tunnel 4 is flooded," Kal realized. "Partially, at least. Water means different monster types—possibly aquatic."
"And Tunnel 6's scratch marks suggest frequent travel," Glim continued his thought. "Meaning either it's the safer route, or it's more heavily trafficked by dungeon creatures."
"Or both," Regis said. "High traffic could indicate a predator hunting ground *and* the preferred escape route."
Kal considered his options. His new weapon was close-range, brutal but requiring him to get personal with enemies. Flooded tunnels would limit his mobility. But heavily trafficked areas might mean swarms.
"We take Tunnel 6," he decided. "I can handle multiple enemies better than I can handle swimming while fighting."
"Solid reasoning," Glim said.
"Acceptably cautious," Regis agreed.
For once, both admins were on the same page.
Kal started walking toward Tunnel 6, his twin-claw weapon materializing in his hands from inventory. The makeshift weapon felt more natural now, his learning ability already adapting his combat style.
"Question," he said as he walked. "You two are going to argue constantly, aren't you?"
"Occasionally," Glim said.
"Frequently," Regis corrected.
"See, we don't even agree on *that*," Kal muttered.
"Consider it training," Regis suggested. "Learning to make decisions despite conflicting advice. Very character-building."
"It'll teach you to trust your own judgment," Glim added. "Rather than relying solely on external guidance."
Kal couldn't argue with that logic, even if it meant his head would be perpetually full of bickering voices.
The entrance to Tunnel 6 loomed ahead, marked with those scratch marks his new comprehension had identified. Definitely claws. Definitely recent.
The countdown timer read 07:21:43.
"Alright," Kal said, gripping his weapon tighter. "Let's finish this."
He stepped into Tunnel 6.
And from the darkness ahead, something growled.
Not a rat's squeal. Something deeper. Hungrier.
His two admins fell silent, flanking his shoulders.
Whatever waited ahead, Kal would face it with claws in hand, two voices in his head, and the absolute comprehension that he was probably going to need both to survive.
The dungeon's final challenge awaited.