Zion sat down on his bed, his mind occupied with countless different thoughts. But the main question on his mind was the freedom Ravel had given him.
'What is he trying to achieve with this?' he thought, scratching his head. 'Uriel, do you have any idea if this is some kind of ploy?'
[Negative,] Uriel responded simply.
Zion let out a sigh and leaned back on his bed. He stared up at the ceiling, still unable to figure out Ravel's intentions.
"Forget about it," he muttered.
After a few seconds of silence, Uriel's voice suddenly echoed through his head.
[Would host like to train to continue advancing to the next level?]
"Huh?" Zion mumbled, sitting up again. "Oh, right. What do I even need to improve to reach the next stage?"
[To begin advancement to the next stage, host must further strengthen the physical body, increase nerve synchronization rate, and integrate additional nanobots into the muscle tissue.]
Zion frowned slightly. "Integrate more nanobots, huh," he said. "Sounds like a lot of fun."
[Affirmative,] Uriel replied in a tone Zion could swear was cheerful. [Host's muscle fibers must be broken down and rebuilt alongside the new nanobots for full integration.]
Zion's expression darkened. "You really have a strange definition of fun, you know that?"
[Correction: Uriel does not experience enjoyment,] the AI replied flatly. [However, host's suffering is a necessary step in the optimization process.]
"Of course it is," Zion shook his head.
He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the place where he'd had the first injection of nanobots. "So how long will it take to integrate more nanobots into my muscles?"
[That depends on host's training intensity,] Uriel replied. [The more stress applied to the muscles, the faster integration will occur. However, excessive strain could cause injuries that slow recovery and delay overall progress.]
Zion fell silent for a moment as he digested the new information. "Alright," he finally said. "So I assume this muscle integration will happen gradually as I train my body in general?"
[Correct.]
"And the nerve sync rate? I assume it's the same as last time?" he added.
[Also correct,] Uriel responded. [Host may continue using training mode. However, there are more efficient methods available for developing the physical body.]
Zion nodded slowly. He knew of several training methods and exercises, having watched his former best friend and comrades grow stronger over the years.
"Alright," he said, glancing around the room. "I guess there's just enough space to run a few simulations."
[Confirmed,] Uriel responded. [Although host can run a simulation without weapon modules as a precaution.]
Zion leaned forward slightly, eyes widening slightly. "So pure hand-to-hand combat?"
[Affirmative. The program will replicate multiple opponents at the same time in order to achieve the same rate of growth efficiency.]
Zion stood up, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. "Multiple opponents, huh?" he said, a small smile growing on his face as he walked a few feet away from his bed. "Sounds fun."
He exhaled softly, feeling the strength from his nanosuit as energy coursed through it. "Alright then, let's get this started before I change my mind."
[Initializing simulation…]
The dim lights in his room flickered once, then disappeared completely. The next second, Zion found himself in a completely new metallic room with bright white lights.
Zion clenched his fists, eyes scanning every detail around him.
[Engaging training level: 9,] Uriel's voice echoed coldly through his head.
In each corner of the room, humanoid shadow figures began to take form, their expressions blank and their bodies perfectly still.
[Simulation loaded. Opponents vary in speed, strength, and size,] Uriel said, its voice less cold. [Good luck, host.]
Zion gave a small nod, lowering himself into an appropriate stance.
'One from each direction,' he thought, glancing behind him. 'I'll have to begin actively and try to quickly finish one. That way I can use its corner and avoid getting hit from behind.'
Getting hit from behind was the last thing he wanted since there wasn't really any way to block the attack.
Without wasting another second, Zion jumped forward, heading straight for the thin and small shadowy figure in front of him.
Zion closed the short distance in an instant, barely giving the small shadow figure time to move before his hand wrapped around its throat.
'Feels strange,' he thought in a split second as he noted the cold, barely tangible sensation of the shadow.
He didn't let that bother him and tightened his grip, lifting the figure clean off the ground. The shadow flailed for a moment before its body began to crumble into motes of dark mist.
Within seconds, its throat had been crushed, and it was sent back to where it came from.
Zion exhaled sharply, spinning around just in time to see three more figures rushing toward him, each varying in size and speed.
His stance shifted automatically. 'Three at the same time,' he thought. 'I can do this.'
The battle dragged on longer than he expected. The shadows kept coming, forcing him back step by step until he barely had room to move.
When the simulation finally ended, Zion's chest heaved heavily as his heart pounded in his chest.
[Level 9 complete,] Uriel announced. [Neural synchronization rate increased by 0.3%. Estimated total: 27.2%.]
Zion unclenched his fist, his breathing gradually slowing. "Only 0.3, huh?" he muttered. "I thought I'd get more from this."
Uriel didn't answer right away. Instead, a faint pulse ran through Zion's limbs as the nanobots began their repair cycle. Warmth spread through his muscles, followed by an ache that made him wince.
[Repair cycle initiated,] Uriel reported. [Slight muscle damage detected. Estimated recovery time: eighteen minutes.]
Zion sat down on his bed, smiling slightly. "So I got a little break, huh."
[Host could continue training another round, as you've only suffered slight muscle damage,] Uriel cut through.
Zion leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Figures you'd say that."
[Decision required,] Uriel stated. [Continue or recover.]
He stared at the floor for a moment, the ache in his body still faintly pulsing. "Start the next round," he said, pushing himself from his bed again.
[Acknowledged. Initializing Level 10.]
The lights flickered once more as the room dissolved around him, the simulation building up around him instantly.