NOVEL NEXT Chapter 82: Chapter 82
Alex sat at his desk, the faint hum of his computer filling the quiet room. He had been mulling over his next big move for a few days now, and tonight was the night he would finally begin. The Stargazer forum, once a casual platform for meditation and self-improvement, had grown into something more. There was real potential here, a chance to turn it into something greater—an online empire that connected like-minded individuals across the globe. And Alex intended to be at the center of it, though no one would ever truly know it was him.
The first step was cleaning his tracks. He couldn't have anyone, not even Arjun, tracing the Stargazer account back to his real identity. Arjun had come a little too close by addressing him as "Alex" in their last conversation. It was time to scrub every trace, every digital breadcrumb that might lead back to him. With a few swift commands, Alex activated Cognichip in smart mode, scanning through the forum's backend and his personal online presence with meticulous precision. Every login, every IP address—wiped or rerouted through multiple proxies. His digital footprint was effectively erased.
Satisfied with his newfound anonymity, Alex began the next phase: restructuring the forum. He envisioned a hierarchy system, where users could rank up based on their progress, contributions, and breakthroughs. He would sit at the peak, as Stargazer, the invisible guide, and curator of information. Below him would be the levels, each with increasing access to knowledge, insights, and techniques.
He crafted a message that would go out to all users, announcing the change:
"Greetings, Stargazers. As many of you have made incredible progress in your meditation and mental training, I have decided to restructure this forum into a more organized system. Each level will unlock access to more advanced techniques and insights based on your contributions and breakthroughs."
He paused, thinking of how to explain the world-changing phenomenon without revealing his deep knowledge. After a moment, he typed:
"Many of you have asked about the strange improvements and heightened abilities happening across the globe. While I do not fully understand the cause myself, I believe it's connected to a shift in the world around us—a change that is subtle but undeniable. We must prepare ourselves for what comes next."
After sending the message, Alex crafted a special invitation for Arjun, or as he was now known in the forum, Oceantreader, having changed from Cosmic Traveller . He had earned a spot at the second level, being the first to break through in mental strength after Alex. He sent Arjun a personal message, carefully laying out more details but still keeping the true depth of his knowledge hidden.
"Oceantreader, congratulations on your breakthrough. As you might have noticed, the world seems to be undergoing a subtle shift. Keep this to yourself for now, but know that there's more to come. I've assigned you to Level 2 in the forum. You will have more responsibilities moving forward, including guiding those who are close to making breakthroughs like yours. Let me know if you need more insight on anything."
Now, all that was left was to sit back and watch the reactions.
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Arjun sat in his modest apartment in Kuala Lumpur, still buzzing with the excitement of his recent breakthrough. His memory had sharpened in a way that was nothing short of miraculous, and he felt more mentally capable than ever. He had spent the last few days reflecting on the strange sensations he'd experienced during his meditative sessions. The blockage, the sudden release, and the clarity that followed—it was as if his mind had been unlocked in ways he never thought possible.
Tonight, as he was browsing through the Stargazer forum, he noticed a new post from Stargazer himself. The forum had been transformed, reorganized into a hierarchical system. Arjun blinked in surprise when he saw his name listed as Oceantreader, now assigned to Level 2. A rank above others. His heart raced, knowing that he had indeed experienced something profound.
He couldn't help but speculate. Could it be that the "change" Stargazer was hinting at had to do with the shift he had felt? And what did it mean for others? He noticed another user, Liam, one of his peers, who seemed curious about his new rank. Arjun smirked slightly—Liam probably hadn't broken through yet, but it was only a matter of time before more people experienced what he had.
Still, there was a nagging thought in the back of his mind. Stargazer's phrase about the world changing struck a chord with him. Could there be something larger at play? Some grand event that was altering the fabric of reality? He couldn't be sure, but he trusted Stargazer. After all, Stargazer had guided him to this breakthrough.
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Liam leaned back in his chair, staring at the new structure of the forum. He'd been a part of the community for a while, but seeing Oceantreader—rank above him now was a bit of a shock. Liam had heard rumors in the chat groups about people experiencing changes, breakthroughs in their meditation that enhanced their mental abilities. He had yet to experience it himself, but if Arjun had, then maybe there was more truth to it than he realized.
The phrase "world is changing" stuck in his mind. It was a curious statement, one that seemed to imply something much larger than just personal development. Could it be that Arjun had experienced some fabled increase in mental strength? That would explain his sudden rise in the ranks, and why Stargazer had chosen him to lead the next level.
Liam resolved to push himself harder in his meditation. If Arjun could break through, then so could he. He just had to keep practicing, keep focusing, and sooner or later, the change would come for him too.
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Back on the forum, reactions to the new system were mixed. Some were excited, eager to prove themselves and rise through the ranks. Others were more skeptical, wondering what Stargazer truly knew about the changes happening in the world. But all of them, in their own way, were drawn to the idea that something bigger was on the horizon. That through meditation, discipline, and focus, they could unlock a new potential within themselves.
Alex, meanwhile, watched from behind his screen, satisfied with how everything was falling into place. He knew this was only the beginning.