Inside the prison basement, Alex knelt in front of Tina and Remus' cage, watching Tina cling to his boot as she begged for her brother's life.
In his mind, he spoke a single word. 'System.'
[ Host, ] the familiar voice replied. [ Their will to live has increased exponentially. ]
A translucent panel appeared in Alex's vision.
[
Subject: Remus
Will-to-live index: 12% → 83%
Subject: Tina
Will-to-live index: 9% → 91%
]
[ Their current mental resilience has spiked. With proper training, their potential is high—possibly enough to surpass transcendent rankers. We can begin now. ]
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Good. Then let's start.'
He reached into his storage ring and drew out two cores.
One burned with a deep, molten crimson glow—like liquid fire trapped inside a crystal.
The other shimmered with a dark, shifting blue-black mist, as if a piece of the night sky had been compressed inside it and drowned in shadows.
