A strange, overwhelming sensation pulsed through his body as the Gene Core dissolved into pure energy. It rushed into his bloodstream like molten fire, setting every nerve ablaze. His muscles tensed. His bones cracked. His skin burned from the inside out.
Then—
[WARNING! UNSTABLE GENETIC ESSENCE DETECTED.]
His Gene System, which had never worked before, suddenly flared to life. Lines of blue text filled his vision.
[ERROR! HOST HAS NEVER ABSORBED GENETIC ESSENCE BEFORE.][ADAPTING SYSTEM TO HOST…][GENETIC COMPATIBILITY: 0% → 100%][FORCED INTEGRATION INITIATED.]
Zayn gritted his teeth as waves of pain wracked his body. His veins bulged. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. Every fiber of his being was tearing apart—then reconstructing itself.
He didn’t know how long it lasted. Seconds? Minutes? Hours?
Then, as suddenly as it began, the pain vanished.
A cold, emotionless voice echoed in his mind.
[Integration Complete.]
Zayn gasped, his body slumping forward. His vision was still blurry, but he could feel it.
Something had changed.
He clenched his fist. His fingers felt stronger, his grip firmer. His heartbeat had slowed to an unnatural calm, as if his body had perfectly adjusted to the changes.
Then, the system prompt appeared again.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
[Gene System Activated.]
?? Name: Zayn Kael?? Level: 1 (Evolution Unlocked ?)?? Gene Points: 10?? Abilities Acquired:
-
Shadow Step (Rank: F) – Allows the user to momentarily phase into darkness, avoiding attacks.
-
Night Vision (Rank: E) – Enhances vision in low-light conditions.
Zayn’s eyes widened.
It worked. It actually worked.
For years, he had been stuck at Level 0, unable to absorb even a single Gene Point. But now—
10 Gene Points.
That was more than what some scavengers earned in months!
And even more shocking—
He had abilities.
“Shadow Step…” he whispered.
Instinctively, his body reacted. A faint black mist curled around his feet, and the next second—
WHOOSH!
He vanished, reappearing a few feet away.
Zayn stumbled, his breathing ragged. “What… the hell?”
It wasn’t teleportation. It was something… different. He had felt himself slip into the shadows, moving like a wraith before emerging again.
He clenched his fists, exhilaration flooding his veins.
For the first time in his life—
He wasn’t weak anymore.
Zayn’s excitement vanished instantly. He ducked behind a pile of rubble as two figures approached. Their combat suits gleamed under the dim Sanctuary light.
Hunters.
Zayn held his breath.
They must’ve come back to check the corpse. If they found out he had taken the Gene Core, they’d kill him without hesitation.
One of them kicked the Shadowfang Panther’s remains and cursed.
“Damn it. Someone took the core.”
Zayn’s heart pounded.
The second hunter growled, “It doesn’t matter. We’ll find them.”
His eyes glowed red—an ability-enhanced sight scanning the surroundings. Zayn froze as those glowing eyes passed over his hiding spot.
His mind screamed: Run. Hide. Escape.
But then, another thought entered his mind.
Or… fight.
For the first time, he had power. He had a system.
Maybe… he didn’t have to run anymore.
What do you think? Should Zayn fight or run? ?? Want me to continue with Chapter 3?