NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: The Path to Strength
Chapter 2: The Path to Strength
The morning light filtered through the metallic window panels as Aryan woke up, his body feeling lighter and stronger. He sat up on the bed, his heart racing with anticipation. The Evolution System had opened up endless possibilities for him in this strange new world, and he was ready to explore it.
"System, show me my interface," Aryan commanded mentally, eager to see the changes.
The translucent interface appeared before him, the sleek design glowing faintly in the dim room.
---
[Name]: Aryan Osmont
[Cultivation]: Ordinary Human (Foundation)
[Cultivation Technique]: Vital Wave Breathing (Diamond) | Proficiency: 1%
[Strength]: 150 kg
[Evolution Points]: 900
---
Aryan's eyes widened in surprise as he noticed the leap in his strength. "150 kg… That's a 70 kg increase from just one strengthening potion," he muttered, clenching his fists. His grip felt firm, his muscles taut with newfound power.
He scanned the interface again and noticed a new detail about the cultivation technique's proficiency.
---
[Vital Wave Breathing Technique]:
Current Proficiency: 1%
Energy Cycle Efficiency: 3 cycles/minute
Energy Points Gained per Cycle: +10
Cost to Upgrade Proficiency: 100 Evolution Points per 1%
---
Aryan quickly understood the significance of this. With each cycle, his body refined the ambient energy from the world, enhancing his strength and laying a robust foundation.
"At 1% proficiency, I can only perform three cycles a minute," he murmured. "That's 30 points of energy per minute. But if I increase my proficiency, the number of cycles will increase too."
The realization brought a grin to his face. He was already calculating his potential. If every 10% improvement allowed an additional cycle per minute, his efficiency would scale exponentially.
"System, increase the proficiency of the Vital Wave Breathing Technique by 1%," Aryan commanded, confident in his decision.
---
[Deducting 100 Evolution Points… Proficiency Upgraded to 2%.]
---
The change was subtle but noticeable. Aryan closed his eyes and began practicing the breathing technique again.
Inhale. Exhale.
This time, the energy cycle felt smoother, as if his body had become more attuned to the rhythm. The warmth coursing through his veins was stronger, and the energy refined within his body felt denser.
---
[Energy Cycles Completed: 3 | Energy Points Gained: +30.]
---
He could already see the path forward. "At this rate, I can build up Evolution Points faster and upgrade my proficiency incrementally. But I need to plan carefully. These points are precious."
Satisfied with his progress, Aryan opened the shop tab again, eager to explore what else the system had to offer.
---
[System Shop]:
Basic Body Strengthening (10 Points) [Purchased]
Intermediate Strengthening (50 Points) [Locked]
Vital Wave Breathing Proficiency Upgrade (100 Points per 1%)
Basic Combat Skills (200 Points)
Gene Fragments (Variable Costs)
---
Most items were still out of his reach, but Aryan's eyes lingered on the "Gene Fragments" section. Though locked for now, it hinted at a critical aspect of the world—the ability to integrate beast genes and ascend as a genetic martial artist.
"I need to get stronger first," Aryan muttered. "Before even thinking about integrating genes, my foundation must be unshakable."
Understanding the World
After his morning cultivation, Aryan decided to dive deeper into his inherited memories. The previous Aryan, though young, had a good grasp of the basics of this futuristic world.
The year was 3028, and humanity had undergone a seismic shift. The apocalypse a thousand years ago had changed everything. From the memories, Aryan pieced together the hierarchy of strength and survival.
1. The Cities: Humanity lived in massive, fortified cities shielded by energy barriers. These cities were the last bastions of human civilization, surrounded by vast wildernesses teeming with evolved beasts.
2. The Federation: A unified world government overseeing the survival and advancement of humanity. They controlled technology, resources, and the distribution of genetic martial artist techniques.
3. The Beasts: These creatures were the true rulers of the Earth. Each one possessed incredible power, with their strength classified into grades 1 through 9.
4. Genetic Martial Artists: The pinnacle of human evolution. By integrating beast genes, humans could achieve superhuman strength, speed, and resilience.
Aryan's parents, Mira and Kael, were ordinary genetic martial artists working for the local government. They had integrated grade-2 beast genes, giving them slightly enhanced strength and stamina. However, in the grand hierarchy, they were insignificant.
"The stronger the gene, the greater the potential," Aryan mused. "But only geniuses and those with wealth or connections can access higher-grade genes."
He also recalled the Federation's publicized rankings for martial artists.
Grade 1–3: Low-level martial artists.
Grade 4–6: Mid-level martial artists, considered elites.
Grade 7–9: High-level martial artists, rare and powerful.
"The gene I integrate will determine my future potential," Aryan thought. "If I settle for a low-grade gene, my growth will be capped. But integrating a high-grade gene without a solid foundation would kill me."
The path was clear: build his foundation, grow stronger, and accumulate resources.
Laying Low
Aryan spent the rest of the day cultivating and practicing the Vital Wave Breathing Technique. His proficiency steadily grew, though he chose not to spend additional points yet.
By evening, his proficiency was still 2%, but it allowed him to perform three cycles with greater efficiency. His strength increased slightly.
Mira and Kael noticed his newfound focus on cultivation but chalked it up to the scare of his previous "accident."
"You've been so diligent lately," Mira remarked with a smile during dinner. "It's good to see you taking your training seriously."
Aryan simply nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. The less attention he drew, the better. He couldn't risk exposing the system, not even to his parents.
Late that night, as Aryan lay on his bed, he stared at the ceiling, his mind racing with plans.
"This system… it's my golden ticket. But I need to be careful," he thought. "The world is harsh, and power attracts enemies."
He glanced at the interface one last time before closing his eyes.
---
[Strength]: 150.4 kg
[Evolution Points]:15200
[Proficiency]: 2%
---
Today he cultuvated total 8 hours.His evulotion points increased crazily. And he also noticed the subtle change in the strength section. 0.4 kg increasement.
So he did a rough calculation and found out that he could gain 50 gram strength per hour with his 2% proficiency. And if he didnot have the system, maybe he would reach this 2% proficiency with his own.
He had 80 kg strength at the age of 10, increase 50 gram perhour hour of training, maybe the increasement would reduced with due time as more the power in the body,harder to upgrade the power.
Even if he could have this continuous increase ment, his strength would have increased to 372 kg after 2 years when he needed to fuse with a gene.It's not bad, but it's not good either. He saw on the tv,those geniuses had all 500 kg of strength or above. Only they could fuse with grade 5 genes. So according to him, Aryan could fuse with only a grade 3 gene.
He even heard of a genius last year,who had 660 kg strength. It created a huge sensation that year in another city and the genius also got a grade 5 gene though he could have a grade 6 if he had connenctions and authorities. But even if it was a grade 5 gene,he got the best one out there.
After this rough calculation Aryan realised that how fortunate he was with his system,not only could he have more robust Foundation, he could even buy high grade genes from the system store.Though that part is gray right now.
But he knew,those higher graded than grade 5 would need millions or even billions of evulotion points.So he needed to upgrade his proficiency, accumulate the points over the time and make his foundation more robust. Maybe he could have above 900 kg strength, though he didn't know if there was anything above grade 9. But as a transmigrator, he had read a lot of novels and he knew that grade 9 was just the beginning, there were more powerful people and beasts out there who ruled this world.
The road ahead would be long, but Aryan was determined. He had been given a second chance, and he wouldn't squander it.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, Aryan drifted into a dreamless sleep, his heart burning with resolve. The foundation was set, and his journey to the peak of this world had begun.