Chapter 6 – Training Elixir

Chapter 6 – Training Elixir

The soft hum of the computer finally faded into silence as Zane closed the last article he had been reading. Leaning back in the chair, he stared blankly at the ceiling, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Even now, after reading all those things—about global catastrophes, mutants, awakeners, supernatural powers, and Earth's expansion—there was still a surreal quality to it all, as if he were trapped in some feverish dream he couldn't wake from.

"Monsters… a different Earth… superpowers," he mumbled under his breath, the words leaving a bitter aftertaste. "It sounds like the script of a bad sci-fi flick." He chuckled to himself softly, but there was no amusement behind the sound.

And yet, no matter how absurd it all seemed, the facts were undeniable. The articles, the system, the very body he now inhabited—it all painted a very different reality than the one he had known. One hundred years had passed since his original timeline. He hadn't just woken up from a coma; he'd landed on a different version of Earth.

Zane exhaled a long breath, trying to slow the chaotic thoughts racing through his mind. He needed time. Time to adapt, to understand, to figure out where exactly he stood in this twisted new world.

'One step at a time. That's all I can do right now,' he reminded himself, his fingers drumming softly against the wooden desk.

A sudden sniff of the air made him grimace. "Ugh, this body reeks." He stood and stretched, his joints cracking in protest. "Before I do anything else, I need to shower. I smell like a corpse that's been microwaved."

Wasting no time, Zane shuffled to the bathroom. The small shower stall wasn't anything luxurious, but it did the job. He scrubbed vigorously, almost like he was trying to erase everything—dirt, odor, confusion—off of himself. The hot water cascaded over his pale skin as he watched it swirl down the drain, carrying with it days, perhaps even years, of grime and mental fatigue.

Fifteen minutes later, he stepped out with a fresh towel wrapped around his waist. He dried his snow-white hair thoroughly, the soft strands clinging to his forehead. It felt strange to look at himself in the mirror—this unfamiliar yet familiar reflection. His new body had pale skin, a slightly gaunt frame, and a set of startlingly clear blue eyes that almost seemed to glow under the bathroom light.

He dressed in a loose shirt and some old, worn pants before tossing his filthy clothes into the washing machine. Sitting back down on the bed, he checked the time. The screen blinked back at him—10:25 AM.

"Still early," he murmured. "Might be a good time to head out and explore this city."

He'd already investigated every inch of the apartment. The furniture was basic but clean, and aside from the dusty shelves and unwashed dishes he'd cleaned earlier, there wasn't much more to do indoors. Besides, the outside world called to him. He was curious—maybe even excited—to see firsthand what had become of Earth a century later.

'I wonder if the system will give me any new tasks once I leave the apartment,' he thought.

As if on cue, a sharp chime rang in his ears.

[Ding!]

[Your tasks have been updated.]

"Hah, speak of the devil," he muttered with a smirk and flicked his hand to open the system menu.

A new set of objectives appeared before his eyes:

[Tasks]1 – Objective: Complete a 5-mile jog.

Difficulty: F-

Reward: +1 Stamina, +1 Strength, +2 Agility, 1x Training Elixir.

Zane's brows lifted in surprise. "Now that's a nice package. Not one, but three rewards," he muttered. "A bit of everything. Though… five miles in this body?" He rubbed his temple. "Yeah, that won't be a walk in the park."

Cleaning the apartment had drained him more than he'd care to admit. His muscles had ached, his breathing had turned ragged, and his legs had felt like jelly. This body wasn't just weak—it was pitifully out of shape. Years of sedentary living, bad diet, and a complete lack of activity had left it fragile and bloated. He was impressed it even survived for so long in such a state.

But he wasn't about to turn down those rewards. If anything, they were the very motivation he needed to begin turning things around. He opened the closet, found a pair of faded joggers and an old t-shirt, and changed. He filled a plastic bottle with water, stretched his legs a little, and finally made his way to the apartment door.

He paused briefly, taking a long, deep breath before gripping the handle and opening it. Sunlight burst through the entrance like a wave, instantly forcing him to squint.

"Damn, it's bright." He blinked several times before his eyes adjusted.

Stepping outside, he was greeted with a warm breeze. The air was surprisingly clean, crisp even, and the scent of grass and flowers hit him immediately. Birds chirped overhead, and the distant sounds of cars and voices drifted from beyond the complex's gates.

"This isn't too bad," he admitted, feeling a rare moment of peace.

He made his way toward the staircase, noting that his apartment was situated on the third floor. As he descended, his footsteps echoed softly through the stairwell. By the time he reached the bottom and approached the gate, a soft voice called out to him.

"Oh my? Zane, is that you, darling?"

He turned, catching sight of a woman sitting in a wooden chair near the complex's entrance. She was in her late fifties, maybe early sixties, with grey-streaked brown hair tied into a neat bun. Her kind eyes studied him with a familiarity he didn't recognize.

Zane offered a polite nod. "Good morning."

"Heading out so early? You usually stay cooped up inside." Her tone was warm, motherly, the kind that carried concern without sounding intrusive.

"I just needed some fresh air. Thought I'd go for a jog," he replied smoothly.

Her eyes widened slightly. "A jog? My, that's… unexpected. Not that I'm complaining! I was beginning to worry. I didn't hear a peep from you for days. I know it's hard, sweetheart, but you've got to take care of yourself."

Zane blinked. Her words carried emotion, sympathy. The older Zane must have known this woman well. Perhaps she had watched over him like a surrogate aunt or neighborly caretaker.

"I'll try to do that. Thank you," he said gently.

"Good. That makes me feel better." She beamed at him. "Oh, and tell Rinaya to stop by when she can. I found some trinkets she might like."

Zane's expression flickered. Rinaya? So that was her name.

'Finally got something useful. That girl from yesterday… Rinaya.' He stored that name in his mind. Might come in handy.

After exchanging goodbyes, he stepped outside the gates and onto the street. The sidewalk was lined with trees, some planted artificially in square patches of soil. There were a few pedestrians in the distance, and the architecture of the surrounding buildings had a strange blend of futuristic and familiar—modern concrete blended with sleek, glowing panels here and there. The world looked quite normal, even for Zane, who was a stranger to it. But, at the same time, Zane could see the difference. This world felt a lot more... raw, if he had to describe it.

He came to a stop, opened the system's storage menu, and summoned the training elixir he had earned earlier. A translucent bottle shimmered into existence in his palm, filled with a glowing green liquid.

He turned it over a few times, inspecting it. "Alright, let's see what this does. Here's to hoping I don't explode."

He twisted the cap open and hesitated. 'This is probably reckless. I'm trusting a system I barely understand… but what's the alternative? Do nothing?' His grip tightened. 'No. If I'm going to survive in this world, I need to take risks. I need to become stronger.'

Resolute, he raised the bottle and downed its contents in one long gulp.

The taste hit instantly—cool and sharp, with a strong mint-apple flavor that tingled on his tongue. Not unpleasant, just… intense.

"Huh," he said after a beat. "That was actually—"

The rest of the sentence died in his throat.

A jolt of energy erupted in his chest like a detonation. It didn't hurt, but it burned with a fierce vitality that spread through his body like wildfire. His knees nearly buckled as the surge rippled through his limbs, his skin tingling and his muscles pulsing.

He gasped, staggering a step forward. "What the hell...?"

Looking down, his eyes widened.

Bright green lines began to appear beneath his skin—veins glowing with energy, pulsing like they were alive. They ran across his arms, down his legs, up his neck. His vision sharpened, and suddenly the world around him felt… clearer. Crisper. Lighter.

'So… intense.' He stood still, letting the sensation wash over him. It wasn't painful—just overwhelming. A heat, a rush, a vitality he hadn't known in years, or ever. His bloated body didn't feel so heavy anymore. His breathing was lighter. His heart beat steadily, powerfully.

He flexed his fingers and grinned.

"Now this," he muttered, "this is something I can work with."

A//N: Don't forget to support the book with Power Stones and add it to your library.