Not alone

A Week of Transformation

A week had passed.

During those seven days, Ted did nothing but rest, following Chris's strict advice to avoid exerting himself after undergoing the Grade 5 procedure. The process had been utterly exhausting, not just physically but mentally as well. Unlike conventional surgeries or enhancements, no anesthesia had been administered. Instead, the serum itself contained a specialized neurochemical that acted as a pain modulator, releasing a calming hormone that stabilized the human brain after enduring unfathomable levels of trauma.

Ted had relayed to his father that Chris had recommended he take the Grade 4 serum, as his company already had one readily available. His father's initial reaction was one of reluctance—he understood the power and potential risks associated with such enhancements—but in the end, he gave his reluctant approval.

This week of rest proved invaluable. It allowed Ted to fully acclimate to the radical modifications in his body, ensuring that he neither unintentionally harmed himself nor posed a danger to those around him. He spent much of his time analyzing his own capabilities, testing his newfound strength in subtle ways, and adjusting to his heightened senses.

Meanwhile, outside of his personal transformation, the world was undergoing its own paradigm shift. The mass campaign for serum distribution had officially begun. Within just seven days, an astonishing 70% of the global population had willingly accepted the Grade 1 serum. The adoption rate was unprecedented. However, with great power came the inevitable consequences.

Reports of incidents surfaced—instances of individuals abusing their newfound abilities, seeking dominance over others. Fortunately, security forces acted with efficiency and precision, subduing rogue elements before they could wreak havoc. Their response was so swift that the damage was negligible, and any aftereffects remained manageable.

Recognizing the significance of this societal shift, the Universal Government declared a global three-day holiday. Certain urban areas were placed under temporary quarantine to ensure smooth crowd control, preventing unnecessary chaos. It was a turning point in human history, and the world stood at the precipice of something far greater than it had ever imagined.

---

Ted's New Status

After his week-long recovery, Ted accessed his status window—an invisible interface only he could perceive.

Name: Ted

Synchronization: 100%

Status: Healthy

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 170 kg

Arm Reach: 80 inches

Eye Color: Yellow Iris, Red Pupil

Body Fat: 10%

Spirit Force: 1000

Abilities:

Telekinesis - Lv2

Telepathy - Lv3

Aerokinesis - Lv1

Hyper-Vigilance - Lv2

Super Speed - Lv3

Skin Hardening - Lv4

Hyper-Vision - Lv4

Cognition - Lv3

Invulnerability - Lv1

Fortitude - Lv5

Ted carefully analyzed the changes in his body. He had grown an inch taller, and his weight had increased significantly, yet he felt lighter than ever—almost as if gravity held no sway over him. His eyes, once a deep crimson shade, had now transformed into an intense combination of a golden-yellow iris with a sharp red pupil.

After a week of rest, he finally decided it was time to test his abilities. He visited a secluded training ground to push his limits, experimenting with his newfound strength and speed. To his surprise, he also felt an unexplainable enhancement while playing the game. Though his in-game statistics remained unchanged, his real-world enhancements subtly influenced his performance.

Previously, he had struggled to lift 500 kg in the game, but now, using the same character stats, he could effortlessly hoist 1,000 kg. The synchronization between his real-world enhancements and his in-game experience was undeniable.

Then, another unexpected development occurred.

---

System Notification

(The game is being upgraded…)

(Time remaining: 12 hours)

After waiting half a day, the upgrade was completed. And with it came a monumental change:

(From now on, players can use their meta-abilities inside the game as well.)

(Realism settings are now permanently set to 95%.)

This update marked a game-changing shift—literally. Only a handful of people had yet to take the serum, mostly middle-aged or elderly individuals. Meanwhile, nearly all younger generations had already integrated their real-life enhancements into the digital realm.

Recognizing the gravity of this update, Edge made a conscious decision. Rather than rushing into battles or adventures, he chose to refine his control over his powers within the game. Mastery, after all, was more valuable than brute strength.

But first, he needed to connect with Chris.

(Friend request sent…)

(Chris accepted your request.)

(Chris: Why is your information hidden? Never mind. Just make sure you get plenty of practice with your abilities in the game. You'll develop a deeper attunement here than in real life.)

Edge read the message and acknowledged its wisdom. He followed Chris's advice, dedicating his time to meditation and Spirit Force channeling. Surprisingly, his body instinctively understood how to wield his abilities; he simply needed to refine their efficiency.

For the next seven days, while other players rushed to level up using their newfound powers, Edge focused on sharpening his control. Strength meant little without precision, and he was determined to lay an unshakable foundation that would serve him well in the long run.

---

Isle of the Giants

Meanwhile, on a distant battlefield, another force was awakening.

The enigmatic tiger demon who had teleported alongside Seth was none other than Ragnarok.

Seth had tried asking for his name, but Ragnarok remained silent. After the second attempt yielded no response, Seth stopped bothering. Ragnarok, on the other hand, would only speak when he deemed it necessary.

Upon activating his sensory abilities, Ragnarok quickly realized that he was in an entirely unfamiliar location. Yet, his acute instincts detected the presence of formidable beings lurking nearby. His decision was immediate—he would stay here and conquer this land alongside the small human who had unwittingly become his companion.

---

The Rise of Solark

Elsewhere, Chris had already set his plans in motion. He had established a guild, Solark, laying the foundation for what would become a future superpower within the game. He had even chosen the ideal location for their guild base and wasted no time in setting up operations.

At level 150, Chris knew the race for dominance was intensifying. The moment the first player crossed level 200, the game would erupt into chaos.

Level 200 was more than just a milestone—it was a gateway. Once a player reached that threshold, they would become eligible to register their guild with the Kingdom's official records, granting them access to greater resources. But with opportunity came inevitable conflict, as countless guilds would vie for supremacy.

Beyond the game, Chris's father had already hinted at a far greater revelation. The game was not merely entertainment—it was an experiment designed to prepare humanity for what lay ahead.

This initiative was known as Project Lazarus.

The widespread belief that Illumanti was a Martian crystal was, in truth, a misdirection. The reality was far more complex.

Mars had once housed a colony of extraterrestrials. When humanity teetered on the brink of collapse, desperate to escape a dying Earth, they had taken drastic measures—exterminating the aliens and imprisoning a select few for research.

Ironically, these aliens had been plotting their own colonization of Earth, waiting for the planet's decline to reach a critical point. Their ships had been discovered by the Universal Government's forces, and their secrets had been laid bare.

Most strikingly, the aliens spoke not just their native tongue but also a universal language—a chilling confirmation that humanity was not alone.

And soon, the truth would come to light.