NOVEL NEXT Chapter 77: Chapter 77
Over the next few weeks, Alex found himself sinking into a familiar rhythm, balancing his quiet training routines with hours spent online. The world outside had its pace, and he had his own, but the two seemed to be converging in unexpected ways. He wasn't rushing toward any new goal, but instead, he was indulging in a different kind of journey: one of curiosity.
It started with catching up with friends on various forums and chats, checking in with familiar faces and some new ones. Some friends had been exploring the world, others had settled into their careers, and a few were still finding their way. Their banter always lightened his mood. It was like revisiting the easy days of college, except now everyone had their own lives to balance.
Between conversations, Alex found himself diving deep into a subject that had caught his attention lately: cybersecurity. After the close call with Arjun calling him out by his real name, Alex knew he needed to protect his online presence better. The realization that people might be able to trace him through his posts on the forums had sparked a new kind of awareness.
He spent hours reading up on cyber warfare, encryption methods, and hacking techniques. He was fascinated by the hidden layers of the internet—the constant, invisible battle between hackers and security experts. He studied how some of the most well-known breaches had happened, and how companies fought back to safeguard their data. This research quickly turned into a personal mission: to secure his information and keep his identity hidden from prying eyes.
"Digital footprints can be erased," he muttered to himself as he combed through guide after guide on how to stay anonymous online. His mental strength and Cognichip helped him retain every detail, mapping out patterns and strategies he could use to keep himself one step ahead of potential threats.
At the same time, Alex's curiosity couldn't help but wander into other areas. Every now and then, he would stumble upon an article about record-breaking feats in sports or groundbreaking advancements in science. The world seemed to be undergoing a strange shift, with individuals achieving new heights of physical and mental prowess in ways that hadn't been seen before.
There was the runner in Africa who had broken long-standing sprint records, and a wrestler in Russia who had come out of nowhere, dominating the sport with strength and speed that defied logic-- something they attributed to a new kind of steroids. Alex traced each event, drawing connections where most wouldn't see them. It was as though something was quietly happening on a global scale, yet no one seemed to be piecing it all together. Little by little the influence is shifting from the mental scope to also physical enhancement
He sat back in his chair one evening, eyes closed as his mind processed the puzzle. His level 3 mental power allowed him to link the bits of information effortlessly, forming a clearer picture.
The world really is changing, he thought. It was subtle, scattered across various fields, but undeniable. The increase in strength, speed, and mental agility that certain individuals were experiencing reminded him of his own journey—his breakthroughs, the steady rise in his mental abilities. It couldn't be a coincidence.
"Something's shifting… and fast," he whispered, staring at his screen with newfound understanding. His research confirmed that these isolated records weren't being noticed by the masses, but as someone who had crossed into a higher realm of mental power, Alex could see the pattern.
But what did it mean?
For now, he kept his observations to himself, adding more layers of protection to his online activity while continuing his daily deep dive into everything from sports statistics to the latest developments in AI. The world was moving, and Alex intended to move with it—quietly, steadily, and always a few steps ahead.
Weeks passed in this manner, and each day Alex felt his understanding of the world grow deeper. Whether it was learning about firewalls and VPNs, or analyzing strange events in world records, he found himself more attuned to the undercurrents of change. He wasn't sure where it would all lead, but the thrill of discovery kept him going.