Chapter 18: Unbelievable Results

Vaughn tapped the sleek, futuristic full-body diagnostic machine in the corner of the room.

"Alright, nerd. Strip down and put on the patient's gown."

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Buy me dinner first, Doc."

Vaughn rolled his eyes. "Get in the damn machine before I force you in myself."

Joshua smirked but did as he was told, changing into the loose-fitting medical gown before stepping onto the high-tech scanner. It looked far more advanced than the basic body composition analyzer he'd used at the gym.

The machine hummed to life, a mechanical voice stating:

"Full body scan initializing. Estimated time: 15 to 20 minutes."

Vaughn strapped a blood pressure cuff onto Joshua's arm and tapped a few buttons on the touchscreen.

"This thing will measure everything—muscle density, bone structure, organ function, blood composition, and even do an X-ray and CT scan."

Joshua nodded. "Sounds fancy."

"It is." Vaughn grinned. "Also, heads up—you'll feel a slight pinch when it draws some blood. Don't be a baby."

"I hate you."

"Love you too."

As the machine whirred and beeped, Vaughn leaned against his desk, casually scrolling through his phone.

But then—

A notification popped up.

The first batch of results was in.

Vaughn glanced at the screen—then froze.

"...What the fuck?"

His eyes widened as he clicked through the data. His face twisted into a mixture of disbelief, confusion, and mild panic.

One by one, the results came in, each one more insane than the last.

Height: 6'3" (Last recorded: 6'0")

Weight: 210 lbs (All muscle, 5% body fat)

Muscle Density: 3x the normal human standard

Bone Density: 4.8x denser than the average person (Equivalent to reinforced titanium)

Heart Rate: 45 BPM (Elite athlete level)

Lung Capacity: 2x Olympic swimmer levels

Reaction Time: 0.07 seconds (Faster than world-class sprinters)

Grip Strength: 450 lbs (Crushes steel like an aluminum can)

Leg Strength: Able to generate force equal to a professional strongman

Healing Factor: 10x faster than normal human recovery rates

Pain Tolerance: Off the charts

Blood Composition: High levels of unknown elements detected

Nervous System Activity: Borderline inhuman

Then came the X-ray and CT scan results—

Vaughn nearly dropped his tablet.

Right next to Joshua's heart was a solid, pulsating mass the size of his fist.

It was crystalline, emitting a faint glow, and appeared to be fused with his cardiovascular system.

Vaughn's jaw dropped.

After 22 minutes, the machine beeped, and the mechanical voice announced:

"Full-body scan complete. Please step out."

Joshua stretched as he hopped down, feeling refreshed like he'd just taken a power nap.

"Sooooo, what's the damage, Doc?"

Vaughn's eye twitched.

"Joshua…"

"Yeah?"

Vaughn turned the tablet around so Joshua could see the insane results for himself.

"What the fuck did you do?"

Joshua blinked at the screen.

"...That's a lot of numbers."

"NO SHIT." Vaughn pointed aggressively at the scan of his chest. "Also, WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!"

Joshua squinted.

"...Did I swallow a rock?"

"THAT'S NOT FUNNY, YOU IDIOT." Vaughn groaned, rubbing his temples. "You have a goddamn crystalline mass the size of your fist ATTACHED TO YOUR HEART. It's literally PUMPING something through your body like a second heart!"

Joshua stared.

"...Cool."

Vaughn threw his tablet onto the desk.

"COOL?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN COOL?!"

Joshua shrugged. "I dunno, man. You're the doctor. You tell me."

Vaughn's eye twitched again.

"...Can I open you up and touch it?"

Joshua took a step back.

"FUCK NO."

Joshua sighed. "Alright, alright. Lemme explain."

And so, he told Vaughn everything—

The game

The mysterious full-dive system

The painful transformation

The strange energy coursing through his body

The feeling of having two hearts

His physical changes after logging out

Vaughn sat there, mouth agape, stunned into silence.

"...What the actual fuck?"

Joshua nodded. "Yup. That's what I said too."

"You're telling me… you played a game… and somehow your real body turned into a goddamn super soldier?"

"Pretty much."

"And there's a giant glowing stone in your chest, just chilling there, pumping magic juice into your bloodstream?"

"Yup."

Vaughn leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

"...I need a drink."

Joshua smirked. "I mean, technically, I should be the one freaking out, right?"

Vaughn rubbed his face. "Dude, you're way too calm for someone who basically evolved into a goddamn superhuman overnight."

"Meh. I've had worse days."

Vaughn snorted. "Bullshit."

Joshua grinned. "Wanna bet?"

Vaughn sighed, dragging a hand down his face.

"...Alright, nerd. We need more tests."

Joshua rolled his eyes.

"Oh boy. Here we go again."