"I did it!" Kai celebrated as soon as he confirmed that he had finally leveled up.
His voice had even echoed faintly in the underground quarters, making a few people turn their heads in his direction.
However, the system message didn’t end there just yet.
[ Congratulations! You are the first Survivor to exceed the human limit and reach Level 6! ]
[ You have received an A‑Rank Gene Skill Serum x1 ]
[ You have received a new Title: Pioneer ]
Kai blinked at the glowing text. "Whoa... I’m the first Level 6? Not bad... But how many of us are here anyway?"
He muttered under his breath, realizing that the System had never revealed the total number of survivors. Were there hundreds? Thousands? Or only a handful scattered across the ruined world? The thought lingered for a moment before he shook it off and turned his attention to his current Status.
[ Name: Kai ]
[ Title: Survivor, Pioneer ]
[ Level: 6 ]
[ Health: 650/650 ]
[ Spirit: 150/150 ]
[ Physique Rating: D‑ ]
[ Talent: Infinite Gift Pack (SSS) ]
[ Active Skills: None ]
[ Passive Skills: Keen Sense Lv0 ]
[ Skill Points: 6 ]
"Nice... I feel stronger now." Kai whispered, scanning the numbers.
His health had jumped by a hundred points, his Spirit by twenty. The difference wasn’t just numerical, he could feel it in his body.
His breathing was steadier and his muscles became firmer.
He opened his inventory and checked the serum.
[ A‑Rank Gene Skill Serum ]
[ Grade: A ]
[ Type: Consumable ]
[ Description: A rare genetic enhancer. When consumed, the serum rewrites a portion of the user’s genetic code, unlocking a random Gene Skill. ]
[ Effect: Grants one permanent A‑Rank Skill upon use. ]
[ Warning: Irreversible. Once consumed, the skill cannot be changed or removed. ]
Kai swallowed hard.
"A‑Rank? So there’s a ranking in Gene Skills? I wonder what rank my Keen Sense is..."
He muttered, remembering the passive skill he had gained earlier. Keen Sense was useful, but it was basic... probably F or E rank at best.
This serum promised something far greater.
Before using it, he turned to his new title. It wasn’t an upgrade like when his Beginner Survivor title had evolved into Survivor. This was something new, something additional.
[ Pioneer: Awarded to the first Survivor who breaks past the human limit. It increases proficiency gain for all Gene Skills by 20%. (Gene Skills level up faster, requiring less usage or experience to improve.) ]
Kai’s eyes widened. "Now... this is amazing."
He knew how difficult it was to level Gene Skills. Achievements, battles, and rare opportunities were the only way to earn Skill Points. His first title, Survivor, had only helped his satiety, allowing him to endure longer without food. Useful, but limited. This new title, however, directly boosted his Gene Skills. It meant every skill he unlocked from now on would grow faster, and easier to master.
Finally, he turned back to the A‑Rank Gene Serum.
He didn’t hesitate and consumed it.
The moment the liquid touched his tongue, it dissolved instantly, flooding his body with a surge of warm energy.
’It feels a little uncomfortable...’
It didn’t settle in his muscles or sharpen his senses like before. Instead, it burrowed deeper, into the very foundation of his body. It felt as if his every cells vibrated, as if rewriting their original purpose.
’Alright... You’re an A-Rank for a reason...’
Kai then gasped, clutching his chest.
’Shit... What now?!’
His skin prickled, his bones ached, and for a terrifying moment, he thought his body might tear itself apart. Then the System spoke.
[ New Passive Gene Skill Activated! ]
Kai’s eyes widened. "A passive skill?!" He almost cursed.
He had wanted an active skill, something to help him fight the Mechanical Soldiers right now. A beam attack, a shield, anything. Instead, he had received another passive.
But as soon as he read the description, his frustration turned into awe.
[ Skill: Bio‑Adaptive Constitution (Level 0) ]
[ Description: The host’s physiology adapts to foreign modifications, preventing rejection and ensuring seamless integration with synthetic or unfamiliar enhancements. ]
[ Note: Passive skills cannot be deactivated. Leveling requires Gene Skill Points. ]
Kai froze.
’Body modifications...?’
He didn’t need any other explanation.
The purpose of this skill was clear. His body had been altered to accept changes that would normally kill a human.
Cybernetic implants, genetic rewrites, alien augmentations, whatever the future held, his body would not reject them.
"The System... Are you preparing something for me..." Kai whispered...
He thought back to the Sentinels they had fought. The D‑Grade units were crude, built with human technology and Aria’s influence. But the C‑Grade ones carried Energy Cores from the A.I. Civilization, an intelligence not of this world. If those machines could integrate alien tech seamlessly, then perhaps humanity’s only chance was to do the same.
Kai clenched his fists. The realization was terrifying, but also exciting.
It seemed as if a path had opened up before him...