CH: 011 - The Quest Function Unlocked And Multiverse Travel?

{Chapter: 011 - The Quest Function Unlocked And Multiverse Travel?}

[System upgrade complete. New function unlocked: Quest System has been successfully integrated.]

In the haze of his slumber, Aiden stirred slightly as a strange, unfamiliar voice echoed inside his mind. At first, it blended with his dreams—soft, melodic, almost like Daisy whispering into his ear. But as his awareness sharpened, he realized the voice didn't come from the outside world. It resonated deep within, bypassing sound entirely.

His eyes fluttered open, catching sight of Daisy's peaceful figure lying beside him, her rhythmic breathing steady and undisturbed. He blinked, then narrowed his gaze slightly.

"System… was that you?" Aiden asked silently in his mind, not wanting to wake her. "When did you upgrade? Why wasn't I informed? And what's this 'Quest' feature about?"

He hadn't sensed anything out of the ordinary. No system notifications, no signs of transition. It all seemed to happen without warning.

[System response: Upgrade was automatically triggered after host absorbed and integrated new abilities. These abilities not only fuse into your body but also generate residual energy unique to each power. This special energy fuels system upgrades.]

Aiden nodded slowly in understanding.

"So when I absorbed the Extremis virus and later gained control over fire-based abilities, that excess energy was channeled into the system? That's what caused the upgrade?"

[Affirmative. The energy released from the fusion process does not diminish the strength or potential of the ability. It is purely excess and is used to enhance system performance.]

"Good. I was worried there for a moment," Aiden murmured internally. "Losing strength over time would've been a serious problem."

Relieved, he sat up slowly, careful not to disturb Daisy's sleep. Moonlight spilled into the room through partially drawn curtains, casting a calm glow across the bed.

"So then, tell me more about this new Quest function," Aiden asked, more curious now than cautious.

[The Quest Function is designed to accelerate host development. You now have access to Multiverse Plane Travel. With this function, you can temporarily enter parallel worlds—independent universes disconnected from this timeline. In these worlds, you can train, fight, and grow stronger. Upon completing objectives within those planes, you will earn rewards, system energy, and progress toward unlocking even more system features.]

Aiden's heart skipped.

"Wait. You're telling me I can travel to other universes… and gain power there?"

[Correct.]

"...This is insane. I already had an edge just being able to absorb powers through contact. Now you're telling me I can plane-hop and collect abilities like some kind of cosmic scavenger?" A slow grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "This is a total cheat code."

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, brain racing with questions.

"How long can I stay in one of these planes? Can I bring anything back—items, tech, maybe even people? And what about reentry—can I go back to a plane I've visited before, or is it a one-time deal?"

[Due to current system limitations, time within the selected plane is restricted to 12 Earth hours per entry. Extraction of foreign objects or lifeforms is currently disabled. Furthermore, travel to a plane is bound by a 30-day cooldown. However, you may re-enter a previously explored plane or choose to enter a new one. Only one plane can be accessed per cycle until system level increases.]

"Understood," Aiden nodded, eyes gleaming. "So it all comes down to upgrading the system. Once I raise the level, I can extend the time, bring back loot, or even recruit allies. That means the faster I grow, the more the system evolves—and the more it evolves, the faster I grow."

A feedback loop of power.

"And just to clarify, if I absorb powers from someone within a different universe, that still counts toward the energy required for system upgrades?"

[Affirmative. All compatible powers absorbed by host—regardless of origin—produce energy that contributes to system advancement.]

"Perfect," he said aloud this time, tone full of anticipation.

He swung his legs off the bed and walked to the window, looking out at the city skyline. Down there was a world of secrets, power struggles, and unknown threats. But beyond it… were entire universes filled with potential.

He clenched his fists.

"Then it's time to choose my first world wisely."

Aiden began cycling through the archives in his mind—scenes from countless movies, anime, TV series, and games that he'd consumed over the years. Many of them were worlds teeming with unique powers: places where special abilities were common, where organizations rose and fell on the strength of gifted individuals.

Then one title surfaced from memory, standing out vividly among the rest:

Push.

The world of Push was gritty, intense, and soaked in superhuman intrigue. It revolved around an underground conflict in Hong Kong, involving psychics and government experiments. The people in that world weren't born to greatness—they were hunted, manipulated, and weaponized.

But their powers?

This film, at its core, revolved around psychic abilities—superpowers that pushed the very boundaries of what the human mind could accomplish. What captivated Aiden was not just the range of these abilities, but how they were presented in a raw, chaotic, and unpredictable world. These powers weren't just flashy gimmicks; they were dangerous tools, used for war, manipulation, and survival.

Among the most striking powers was telekinesis—the ability to move objects with the mind. The main character could use this gift to hurl objects, block bullets, or manipulate his environment in subtle yet deadly ways. But that was just the beginning.

There were also abilities like sonic manipulation, where individuals could emit high-frequency sound waves capable of disorienting or even killing their targets. Others had the power of precognition—the gift of seeing future possibilities and making decisions accordingly. There were Watchers, Pushers, Bleeders, and Sniffers—each with distinct talents ranging from mind control and memory deletion to the tracking of others through objects they'd touched. Some could bend thoughts, rewrite memories, or even kill with a whisper.

And then there was the experimental serum—a glowing liquid that could awaken or amplify latent psychic powers in ordinary people. Though intriguing, it was unfortunate that Aiden wouldn't be able to bring this miracle formula back with him.

Part of what made this film so memorable for Aiden was the cast. Chris Evans, best known to the world as Captain America, played the lead role—a rebel caught between opposing forces in a psychic underworld. The story unfolded in the bustling, neon-lit streets of Hong Kong, adding a thrilling exotic energy. Among the antagonists was a woman known only as "Pop Girl" – beautiful, dangerous, and seductive, with a face and figure that lingered in the mind.

The time limit in this dimensional world was a serious constraint. He had only 12 hours to act before being forcibly ejected. He had no idea what kind of quests he'd be given or what threats he might face. But he had a plan: track down as many psychic individuals as possible, make physical contact, and absorb their abilities through his own power. By feeding the system new energy, he could trigger another upgrade—unlocking even more functions and possibilities.

But one lingering question remained in his mind.

"System, I still have a few more questions. If I delete this plane and choose another one later, can I return here after an upgrade? And if I do, will the story start over or continue from where I left off? Also, does my real body enter the plane, or is it just my consciousness?"

[You may revisit any previously explored plane, and it will resume from the point you last left it. Your physical body is transported to the plane. Therefore, any death inside the plane results in death permeability. Proceed with caution.]

"Understood."

Aiden's body tingled with anticipation as a warm, electric sensation crawled through his limbs. The air shimmered faintly around him. He glanced one last time at Daisy, still asleep, unaware that he was about to leave reality itself.

"I'll be back before morning," he muttered with a smirk. "And I'll be stronger than ever."

"System. Select the movie plane 'Push.' Execute the transfer now."

[Confirmed: Plane 'Push' selected. Initial quest generation in progress. Time limit: 12 hours. Entry begins in 60 seconds.]

[Plane: "Push" (2009) – Psychic Warfare Sub-World Identified.]

[Commencing Multi-Layered Spatial Analysis...]

[Parsing Dimensional Threads...]

[Locking onto Stable Coordinate Fragments...]

[World Frequency Signature... syncing...]

[Dimensional Veil... thinning...]

[Phase Shift Sequence Initialized.]

[Temporal Anchors Locked – Host body will be stabilized during transit.]

[Mental Firewall Engaged – Conscious transfer secure.]

[Cross-Dimensional Tunnel Forming...]

[Quantum Bridge Activation in 3... 2... 1...]

A surge of unseen energy twisted the air around him. The world dimmed as if reality itself blinked. Aiden felt an intense pull, as if his soul was being threaded through a cosmic eye of a needle. A roaring silence filled his ears. It wasn't painful, but it was alien—like brushing against the fabric of fate itself.

[Connection to Target World: "Push" – ESTABLISHED.]

[Initiating Host Transfer... Syncing memories... Mapping physical parameters... Adjusting sensory calibration...]

[Transfer Complete. Welcome to the "Push" Universe.]

In the blink of an eye, Aiden found himself standing in the middle of a sun-soaked street. The scent of street food filled the air. Buses rumbled past. Pedestrians brushed by him in a sea of unfamiliar faces. Towering signs written in Mandarin characters blinked with neon colors.

"Sure enough, this is Hong Kong," he muttered, spinning slowly to take it all in. The copy plane felt almost too real.

[Welcome to the "Push" Plane.

New Quest Released:

Main Quest: Absorb more than three psychic abilities.

Choose Your Path: Good or Evil.]

"What does faction selection mean exactly?" Aiden asked, narrowing his eyes.

[As the name implies, you must choose between the light and the shadows. Choosing the 'Good' path aligns you with justice and law, while choosing the 'Evil' path grants you access to more aggressive strategies and darker rewards. Tip: if you want to be a king you can't avoid being in the dark, working in the dark, understanding the darkness, so choosing the evil path will give you an additional Reward bonus.]

"There is still something like this?"

"So I can be a villain for extra benefits? How thoughtful."

Aiden was surprised. He doubted whether this world was specifically made for him to vent his negative emotions but since there was an additional reward bonus then he naturally chose the evil without the slightest hesitation.

With zero hesitation, Aiden smirked.

"I choose Evil."

[Faction Selected: Evil. Time remaining in the Plane: 11 Hours :59: Minutes 59 Seconds]

The moment the system acknowledged his decision, something inside him shifted. A ripple of energy coursed through his chest. His expression darkened slightly, and the faint, gentle smile he once wore curled into something sharper—more dangerous. The old Aiden remained, but with an edge honed by ambition, and a willingness to embrace little darkness and became a little evil… to reach his goals.

It was time to hunt.