The City of Ionia

"Ok." Davy clasped his hands. "Here's the why. These serums weren't made for just anyone. They were engineered to reforge the human body into a weapon. SCAR's long-term strategy is simple: fewer units, greater power. One enhanced human can do the work of fifteen B–tier SCAR units, and fewer operatives mean easier tracking, faster repairs, and tighter control. The serums weren't just an upgrade. They were the blueprint for replacing entire sections of SCAR's workforce with something stronger, faster, and far more reliable."

Avery spun his head around, pondering, and tried to envision how this would affect the Ionian people. Manufacturing SCAR units was a big part of SCAR's workforce. Creating enhanced humans to replace SCAR units would free many people from their jobs, but it would also risk a slight increase in unemployment or job hopping.

On the other hand, decreasing the cost on SCAR's end could adjust their budget, requiring less from SCAR and more from Ionia.

Regardless, this was all speculation.

"Hence, the 19–series serums were created, each in its own respective year. And before you ask, there is no correlation with the 19. It's a random number; I am not sure why. Before I delve into the unique capabilities of each individual serum, I will outline the core fundamentals. There are two main classes: Attack class and Defensive class."

"Avery, this part's cool as shit," Peter said, leaning back on his chair with his arms crossed.

Avery ignored Peter and continued to listen.

"Attack class is… let me pull up the hologram." Davy pressed a few buttons on the remote and brought a green hologram of a raging, wild beast. "This image isn't 100% accurate, but it'll paint the picture. Attack classes' core principle is to overwhelm the enemy. Primary traits include high impact strikes, quicker acceleration, faster reflexes, and aggression, though that depends on person–to–person."

Peter jolted his body straight. "Aggression? This is new."

"I may not have included it due to its complexity. Aggression occurs mainly in the RT-19 serum. That serum relies on certain factors for aggression to occur."

"Like what?"

Davy pointed at Peter. "I will circle back to that. Where was I? Oh, yes, traits. Eh, aggression—and yes. Ok, strengths. The Attack class is exceptional in close-quarters combat. They are explosive and can maneuver brilliantly in close quarters. However, they do burn energy quickly. They fight at such an extreme pace that they tire themselves out faster than Defense types. Think of a sprinter running at full speed. They can't keep it up forever. In battle, if they can't finish the fight quickly, their performance starts to drop rapidly. Additionally, they cannot withstand as much sustained punishment. They cannot absorb hits like a defense type, meaning one strong punch from an experienced fighter is enough to knock the wind out of them."

"So they're squishy but powerful at the same time?"

"Shit, pretty much. Explosive as hell, but they can be overwhelmed with manpower." Peter added.

"Correct. The best way to deal with an Attack class is out in the open, and with numbers. Now, let's shift our focus to the Defense class. Davy tapped a few more buttons on the remote. This time, a hologram of a massive, armored beast. "Again, not perfect, but you get the idea. The core principle of the Defense class is endurance, outlasting and outmaneuvering an opponent until they break. Primary traits include enhanced durability, accelerated healing, higher pain thresholds, and sheer physical resilience."

Avery raised a brow. "So basically they're walking tanks?"

Davy nodded slightly. "In a way. A good Defense class can take punishment that most fighters wouldn't survive, and still keep moving. They can block, absorb, and return blows that would shatter a normal human. Their healing factor means even serious injuries won't stop them for long. They're built for sustained combat, especially in chaotic or drawn-out engagements. But, they're not without drawbacks. The Defense class often lacks the burst speed and sharp acceleration of the Attack class. They can feel slower in quick exchanges, especially against a skilled speed fighter. And while they can take hits, they don't deal explosive damage. If an opponent keeps their distance and avoids being worn down, a Defense class may find themselves struggling to close the gap."

"Also to mention," Carmelo said, "The eyes play a major role in distinguishing the classes. Attack types have red eyes, while Defense types have blue eyes."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Davy nodded his head in approval. "Excellent point. Now, since you've gained knowledge on the classes, let us pivot to the power levels. The base power is the subject we just finished. Normal Attack and Defense powers with the eyes telling the story. However, there's a power above called Ascension."

"Shit, this one's cool. Avery, make sure you pay attention."

"I've been."

Davy continued after clearing his throat. "Ascension is a form beyond the base power. In the Ascension state, everything I listed for an Attack and Defense class is heavily amplified. Picture someone with heightened reflexes, dodging everything in their way. Now, picture someone with ten times that already heightened reflexes. To a normal eye, they seemed to vanish and reappear in an instant, while all the other abilities heightened ten times as well. That's essentially an Attack class Ascension. A Defense class is the opposite. Instead of moving like coiled springs, every fiber of muscle, every bone, every nerve hardened into an unbreakable wall. Wounds that would cripple others are sealed in seconds, and pain turns into a dull noise. In short, everything I mentioned about the Defense class becomes ten times stronger and better."

"Wait, this is a lot to take in at once," Avery said.

Carmelo jumped in to help. "Think of it this way. Attack and Defense types fighting style is in their name. Ascension is whatever class you are, amplified by ten times that of a normal user of that class."

That summary made more sense. Davy's explanations were in depth and a little hard to follow, though Avery had one more question in mind.

"Does the type of serum affect the ascension or base power?"

Davy summarized the material for us.

The base power is relatively the same throughout the serums. No serum stood out in terms of having a stronger or weaker base power. They rested on an equal playing field. The dependent variable was the person whose serum was affected. An already stronger person would benefit more from the serum than someone weaker. The same thing can be said for Ascension.

Ascension is only available in the QT and RT serums, since those are the more volatile serums. The VT-19 focused on stability and removed the Ascension state, as it was sometimes too overpowering to control.

The QT and RT worked similarly. Both allowed the user to Ascend. However, they are different.

Both RT and VT serums were built on the QT's foundation. However, the RT prevailed with a radical change, infusing the serum with its own consciousness. The goal was to achieve the perfect symbiosis between the serum and the host. The host typically develops a single-colored eye, marking that the serum's consciousness is alive. In theory, the serum would adapt to the user, granting them near the capabilities of the QT with added adaptability. In practice, the serum's mind slowly overwhelmed the host, erasing their personality and replacing it with its own. To counter this, the antidote PAIR-12 was created to kill the serum's consciousness, though it was usually too late.

"Wait, shit, what about the transcendence thing?" Peter asked with a smile.

"We do not speak of transcendence. Or at least go into the details. It's heavily classified."

"Since when? I was here not too long ago?"

Davy sighed. "Policies change often. Even I struggle to keep track." He glanced at Avery, then back to Peter. "The Chancellor's son is present, so spilling a little bit of information should be okay."

Again with the status, Avery thought.

Davy didn't say too much on transcendence other than it's a power only available in the QT, and possibly in the RT serums. It's a destructive power that breaks the rules of reality itself.

"Nah, there's more to that," Peter said.

"Cannot say."

"Alright, what if you encounter someone who activates transcendence? You mentioned how it breaks the rules of reality. Whatever that means. But what should I do?"

Davy looked dead into Peter's eyes and expressed his words in a cold tone. "Pray that God is on your side."

"I'm not religious. Melo is, though. If that matters."

It didn't.

"Well, that's all I have. I appreciate sharing my knowledge. If there's anything else, I'm positive Carmelo has my number. Take care." And just like that, Davy left the room, leaving the three behind.

"They are really keeping transcendence a secret," Peter groaned in annoyance.

"Are we surprised?" Caremlo asked. "It's said there's only been three incidents of transcendence. One nearly wiped the center of the city out of existence decades ago. Transcendence isn't something they are going to speak about openly."

Avery remembered hearing a story about someone who nearly destroyed half the city. That person is currently under the SCAR's "Most Wanted" list.

A name no one dared to say since it was considered death itself.

"Anyways, let's hit the road. I forgot my mom wants to grab ice cream. Y'all wanna come?"

"Oh, I don't want to disturb your time with your mom. I'll hang at my place," Avery said.

"You sure? She won't mind."

"I'm good."

"Alright. What about you, Carmelo?"

"Sure, why not?"

And just like that, they hit the road to return to the city.