Chapter 9: Into the Veins

The wreckage of the drones lies scattered across the field, but I'm not done. The hum of the system continues to pulse in my mind like an ancient rhythm, nudging me forward.

Every step brings new strength—bones feel denser, muscles lighter, my senses sharper. But it's not just physical. The Mana Veins stir beneath the surface of reality, calling to me like a siren song.

If the serum gave me a new body, these veins will give me the means to bend the world itself.

System Notification: New Mission – Mana Convergence Point

Objective: Locate the first significant Mana Node to unlock the full potential of Reactive Evolution.Secondary Objective: Test the limits of Mana Flow during confrontation.Warning: Energy anomalies detected near the target site. Proceed with caution.The Journey Begins

I sling my bag over my shoulder and leave the perimeter of the safehouse behind. No one tries to stop me. They've already seen what I can do—and the look in their eyes says they don't want to be anywhere near me when I figure out what's next.

The system feeds me coordinates. The nearest Mana Node lies in a place few would dare venture—a ruin buried deep beneath the mountains, untouched for centuries.

First Signs of Convergence

It takes me hours to hike into the forest, the terrain growing harsher with every step. The air here feels different—thicker somehow, buzzing with latent energy. Birds and animals stay clear, as if the land knows something I don't.

When I reach the mouth of the ruins, the system pings again.

System Notification: Anomalous Energy Signature Detected. Prepare for Combat.

I unsheathe my combat knife, the metal humming slightly in my grip as I channel a trace of Mana Flow through it. This will be my first real test.

An Unexpected Welcome

The ruins are dark, the air cool and stale. Ancient symbols line the walls—patterns I vaguely recognize, though I'm not sure how. Maybe these are memories from another life, seeping through.

System Notification: Hostiles Detected – Mana Wraiths Incoming.

Great. Of course, there would be guards.

The air ripples as shadowy figures emerge from the walls, their forms flickering in and out of sight—wraiths formed entirely of raw Mana energy. Their eyes glow a faint blue, and their movements are liquid, almost dreamlike.

Reactive Evolution in Action

I crouch, sensing them circle me. The system surges again, offering two paths:

Overload the Mana Flow – Push my body beyond safe limits, using raw energy to boost my attacks.Reactive Shift – Adapt to the Wraiths' Energy Signature.

I choose the second. This is a battle of evolution, not brute force.

System Notification: Reactive Shift Initiated.

Adapting to Mana Energy Signature… Success.New Skill Unlocked: Ether Strike – Infuse physical attacks with Mana energy, disrupting enemies made of pure energy.

The next wraith lunges. I dodge easily, sidestepping as if time itself slows. In one swift motion, I channel the Ether Strike through my blade. The knife glows faintly, and as I slash through the creature, it lets out a shriek—disintegrating into blue mist.

System Notification: Wraith Destroyed. +500 XP.

The other wraiths hesitate, sensing the change in me. Too late.

I flow through them like a storm—dodging, slicing, and striking with precision. Ether Strike makes every blow lethal, and within moments, the ruins are silent once more.

The First Node

At the heart of the ruins lies a small, glowing stone embedded into an altar. The Mana Node pulses with life, and as I step closer, it hums in response—like it's waiting for me.

System Notification: First Mana Node Located. Initiate Convergence? Y/N

I grin. Yes.

Convergence

The moment I touch the Node, energy floods into me. It's like tapping into a river of stars—power surging through every fiber of my being, reshaping me from the inside out.

System Notification: Convergence in Progress. Unlocking Universal Branches.

Suddenly, I see the Mana Veins—not just in this world, but stretching through every realm and dimension, connecting life, death, and everything in between. Universal branches flowing with energy, waiting to be harnessed.

System Update: New Branch Unlocked – Arcana FlowArcana Flow allows manipulation of universal energies—bend gravity, influence minds, and alter space itself.Warning: Overuse risks destabilizing physical form.

I laugh, exhilarated. This is the power I was born for.

Hostile Presence Detected

Before I can savor the moment, the air grows cold again. A figure steps from the shadows—a tall man, pale as the moon, with crimson eyes and a wicked grin.

"You're not the only one seeking evolution," he says smoothly. "I was hoping I'd be the first to reach the Node, but it seems you beat me to it."

He spreads his hands. "No matter. I'll just take it from you."

Boss Fight Initiated: Lucian the Blood Reaver

System Notification: Boss Encounter. Adaptive Combat Mode Active.

Lucian moves faster than anything I've fought before, his form blurring as he lunges. A vampire, evolved through centuries of dark magic.

The system hums with options:

Use Arcana Flow – Bend gravity to slow Lucian down.Trigger Second Reactive Shift – Evolve again mid-battle, forcing my body to adapt to his speed.

I grin, blood pumping with excitement. This is going to be fun.