2025-01-13 23:28:56Adam now had enough motivation, and his hesitation vanished and a serious expression appeared on his face.
The mantis let out a loud shriek and charged again. It targeted Eve and swung hard.
Alec used his shield to block the attack. The sound of the mantis' arm hitting the shield gave out a large bang, setting off sparks and sending Alec crashing backwards.
While keeping Marcus at bay, Adam had analyzed the mantis. Its exoskeleton was tougher than the weapons they were using and it was relatively fast, especially when it is attacking.
With the aid of the system, Adam had identified the mantis’ weakness.
“Draw its attention Alec, I want to try something.” He shouted.
Eve drew her bow, aiming at the eye of the mantis, she shot an arrow.
Before the arrow could pierce its eyes, the two large arms moved with incredible speed, catching the arrow mid-air.
Adam had observed that the mantis's strength lies in its tough outer shell and how incredibly fast it can attack with its large front grappling legs.
From the impact and the movement of its body, its abdomen does not seem to be covered with the same consistency of tough material as the front legs.
“Only one way to find out!” Adam murmured.
With a gentle leap, he dashed behind the mantis as it threw a barrage of attacks towards Eve and Alec.
As Alec blocks the attacks, his hands start to get numb and the shield he was using has a large crack on it. Eve had shot eight more arrows at the beast. Some were deflected and others simply bounced off its tough exoskeleton.
With her last three arrows, she loaded them all at once and drew her bow, firing them rapidly in a manner that made them look as though they were fired all at once.
The beast deflected two of them and attacked Alec at the same time. As his shield broke in half, the final arrow zoomed through the crack and went right past the two large arms, piercing through one of the large eyes of the mantis.
Using this distraction, Adam stepped on nearby obstacles and jumped high in the air. With all of his remaining strength, he aimed at the beast’s midsection and swung his blade as hard as his strength allowed.
Swirling through the air, for a brief moment, the sound of his sword slicing through the air could be heard, in an instant, the mantis was split in half.
But the mantis was not dead. With green liquid oozing out of its body, it turned and swung its arm at Eve.
Alec pushed her out of the way on time, but he was hit on the arm, sending him wailing in pain.
If this was not a simulation, his hand would have been sliced off. It was understandable to Adam that the pain was unbearable, even if the simulation only inflicted haft of the actual pain.
With that, Adam had set his target, the mantis neck. If he cut through the joint in the neck, it was possible to win.
He drew a deep breath, and held the sword, light in his hand, allowing him to maximize his speed.
With a single leap, he lunged forward towards the mantis which had its back turned to him.
With a single strike, he sliced the head off and instantly, the mantis turned to pixels and scattered.
Congratulations,
You have been rewarded 5 stat points for defeating a simulated extremovore.
Adam was happy with this result, but as he raised his eye to see what was about to happen, his demeanor suddenly changed and he immediately put all of the five stat points he had earned into speed.
A few meters in front of him, across where the body of the giant mantis has disappeared, Marcus had snuck behind Eve who was helping Alec after he was injured.
He had raised his axe and was about to strike Eve from behind.
With a sudden gust of wind, Adam’s body shimmered a bit, right before he vanished.
As he ran across, targeting Marcus’ axe, for a brief moment, everything seemed to have slowed down a bit. Like the gust of wind, his figure shimmered again as he stopped and right in front and blocked the attack.
From Marcus’ perspective, it was as it Adam had disappeared and appeared right in front of him. After being unable to hurt Adam earlier, he resolved to attack his sister.
Even if she were to be injured now, unlike before, the Kennedy family would not be involved, they were no longer the twin outcasts’ guardians. Marcus thought.
Right now, he had been sent falling backwards, his hand numb from the force of Adam’s counter attack.
“Enough!” Eve snapped, turning to Marcus. “If you try that again, you’ll regret it.” She threatened her eyes slightly gleaming blue, which was uncommon for an outcast. Blue eyes are a feature only Pures possessed.
Marcus glared at her but said nothing. He wasn’t ready to back down, but he knew better than to challenge Eve further, whatever power she just slightly displayed, wouldn’t end well for him.
He, hissed and spat on the floor, showing that he was no longer going to keep attacking, but also indicating that his resentment towards Adam was not over.
The group continued their journey through the simulation, tensions running high. They encountered more challenges, treacherous terrain, simulated traps, and hostile creatures, but they managed to push through, avoiding fights and focusing on survival.
As night fell, they set up camp in a clearing. Eve and Alec took the first watch while Adam sat by the fire, lost in thought.
What is the Primordial Beast system?
who made it, and why did it choose him? He wondered.He also had to confront Marcus, but he needed to be smart about it.
When it was Adam’s turn to keep watch, he found Marcus sitting on a log, sharpening his axe with a piece of metal he had scavenged.
“You don’t trust me, do you?” Marcus asked without looking up.
Adam crossed his arms and answered. “Why would I? You attempted to strike me, and when you failed, you attacked my sister.”
Marcus chuckled. “Smart. But your smartness can't save you.”
“I will eventually crush you. To remind everyone of their place.”
Adam stepped closer, his voice steady. “And what if I don’t let you?” he asked menacingly.
Marcus finally looked up, his eyes gleaming with malice. “Then I’ll make sure you regret it being born.”
Adam’s system flared again.
Congratulations, you have successfully overcome the threat that Marcus poses.
You have been granted two strength stat points.
Suddenly, Adam’s perception sharpened. He could hear the faint rustle of leaves, the distant chirping of insects, and the subtle shifts in Marcus’s posture. The increase in his strength seems to be accompanied by a versatile increase in his perception as well.
“You’ve already lost,” Adam said, his voice calm. “You just don’t know it yet.”
Marcus threw his fist towards Adam, but Adam sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing Marcus’s arm and twisting it behind his back.
“Enough games,” Adam said. “If you want to survive, we do this together. Otherwise, you won’t make it out of this simulation.”
Marcus growled but didn’t resist. Adam released him and stepped back.
“This isn’t over,” Marcus warned.
Adam smirked. “I’m counting on it.”
As dawn broke, the group reached the simulation’s endpoint. Commander Darius awaited them, a satisfied expression on his face.
“Congratulations. Two hundred and fifty-two of you have survived the test,” Darius announced. “But remember, this was just the beginning. The real challenges await you on Arc Aegis.”
Adam glanced at Marcus, who avoided his gaze. Eve stood by his side, her confidence unwavering.
For the first time, Adam felt like he belonged. He wasn’t just an Outcast anymore. He was someone to be reckoned with.
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Primordial Beast System EPISODE 9: Arc Aegis.
The results were in. The list of students who qualified to board the shuttle to Arc Aegis was posted on the massive digital display in the main hall of the preparation base. Those who do not qualify must undergo an additional one year of training on Arc Inferna’s military base before they will be sent to Arc Aegis. This extends their mandatory military enlistment to 3 years.Among the hundreds of names posted were two that defied all expectations: Adam Reed and Eve Reed, the Outcast twins.The announcement caused quite a stir. Adam had placed in the top 30, his name shining brightly alongside the top Ascendants.Eve followed closely in the top 50, a remarkable achievement that cemented her position as an anomaly among the Outcasts. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, ranging from disbelief to grudging admiration.“An Outcast in the top 30? That has to be a mistake.” One of the boys whispered.“No mistake,” another replied. “I saw him during the simulation. He’s...different.”“I get tha
Primordial Beast System EPISODE 10: The Will to Rise
Later that day, all of the students arriving from the rest of the Arcs were put through the same process. Divided into groups and assigned dormitory rooms.In the evening, the cafeteria at Arc Aegis buzzed with the chatter of recruits enjoying a brief respite from their grueling schedules. Adam sat alone near a corner table, quietly eating his rations. The room, though vast, felt stifling as groups of Ascendants dominated the space with their loud conversations and infectious laughter.Across the room, a small figure shuffled through the crowd, a timid Outcast recruit named Liam from Arc Erudinia, the Arc with the Largest number of scholars. The boy's worn uniform and nervous demeanor set him apart immediately. Liam clutched his tray tightly, trying to find an empty seat when a foot shot out in front of him.The tray clattered to the ground, food scattering everywhere. The Ascendant responsible, a tall boy named Jaxon, grinned maliciously as his lackeys laughed."Careful there, Outcas
Primordial Beast System EPISODE 11: Awakening.
The next morning, the students gathered in Section 14 of the base which was divided into 25 colossal sections, each with a specific purpose.Section 14 was a colossal chamber with walls covered in intricate engravings that glowed faintly, pulsating with energy from the Nytherite-powered coolers. Inside, the air was cold and the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation and nervous chatter.Rows of seats surrounded a central platform where seven large sets of 10 transparent awakening pods were arranged.The students from the various Arcs were gathered in different sections of the chamber in accordance with their class, with Pures in the front, the Ascendants in the middle, and the Outcasts at the back.Adam stood among the recruits, his heart beating loudly in his chest from excitement. The moment had arrived, the defining step in his journey.Around him, the Ascendants exuded confidence, looking forward to their awakening, while the Outcasts whispered in hushed tones, their fear and ho
Primordial Beast System EPISODE 12: Awakening 2.
Eve nodded, her calm exterior unbroken, but Adam saw the faint smile tugging at her lips. She had done it, she has broken through the limitations imposed on them.As Eve joins the group on the other segment of the chamber, Adam notices Marcus glaring at her, his jealousy barely concealed. Adam knew immediately that they would face more challenges, but for now, they are taking a significant step forward.Adam’s name came after a few others. He stepped forward, his strides steady, his gaze fixed ahead. He felt the weight of countless eyes, some filled with disdain, others with curiosity.He proceeded inside the awakening pod and sat as instructed. The robotic arm inside the pod injected him with the vial of the awakening serum on his arm. The serum flowed into his veins like liquid fire. His vision blurred, and his body felt as though it were being pulled apart and rebuilt simultaneously.His pod began vibrating and shaking rigorously, pulsing white light before becoming engulfed in a b
Primordial Beast System EPISODE 13: The Journey Begins
Adam stood in the testing chamber, his eyes glowing faintly golden, his thoughts racing. The new sensation coursing through his body was like nothing he’d ever felt before. He could hear the quiet hum of vast energy pulsing just beneath his skin.The recruits were led to a sprawling simulated outdoor training field on the other section of the awakening chamber, right after the awakening session has completed.The atmosphere buzzing with a mix of excitement and tension. The field was a massive expanse of reinforced earth and artificial grass, ringed by towering holographic panels that displayed ongoing activities and records of legendary soldiers who have passed through the same process.Commander Darius stood before them, with his sharp gaze scanning the group.“Today, you will begin to familiarize yourselves with your newfound abilities. Over time, you will learn to control your awakened powers. This is critical. Untrained abilities are a liability, not an asset. You have the rest of
Primordial Beast System EPISODE 14: Class Assignment
Class Seven assembled in a specialized training hall, its walls lined with holographic panels depicting combat scenarios. Commander Darius strode in, his presence commanding immediate silence. Behind him were two women, each of them was a silver-grade commander, with the same three silver stars on their shoulders.“Welcome to class seven,” he began, his tone both stern and encouraging.“You are here because of a randomized computer matching. You all have good potential to become strong. But potential means nothing without effort. Your training here in Aegis consists of three different fields. Combat, history and Ability. Each class is assigned three Commanders as their teachers. As many of you already know, my name is Darius Kane and for the next two years, I will be your class combat instructor. Your combat classes are held three times a week.” He said, stepping backwards.One of the women stepped forward to the podium. She was a young woman, her golden hair was an indicator of her c
Primordial Beast System EPISODE 15: Combat Training begins.
The next day day arrived, the morning sun shone brightly over Arc Aegis, casting a golden glow over the expansive training grounds where recruits stood in formation, anticipation was heavy in the air.Today was another important day for their combat and ability training. It was their introduction to utilising their abilities in combat, two classes in one go just like Commander Astra had informed them the day before.When they arrived at the hall, a large projection screen was put on the wall with a breakdown of 20 groups, each with 5 members.Adam adjusted the collar of his standard-issue military uniform, glancing at the faces around him, looking for his group members. Class 7 stood in orderly rows, awaiting instruction.His sister, Eve, was nearby, her icy blue eyes scanning the field with a quiet determination. Beside her was Alec standing, a broad-shouldered Ascendant with golden hair carrying a massive shield strapped to his back.Just like Marcus, Alec had awoken a unique body s
Primordial Beast System EPISODE 16: Team Battle
A special reward? Adam wondered. The system had never used such terminology before. It always stated what the rewards of the missions it gave him were, so what exactly counts as a special reward.But Adam had no time to figure out what the special reward was.As soon as Darius gave the order, the team battle erupted instantly.Jaxon’s group moved aggressively towards Adam’s group, charging forward with overwhelming force. Adam barely had time to react before Jaxon was on him, swinging a heavy metal baton straight for his ribs.Adam instinctively raised his Primordial Light sword. It shimmered brightly as it met Jaxon’s attack. For a moment, it held firm, but the sheer force of the strike caused cracks to form along the glowing blade.Weapon Integrity: 70%. The system interface displayed in a translucent window that only Adam could see.Adam gritted his teeth in shock, countering with a quick slash aimed at Jaxon’s shoulder. Jaxon saw the attack and twisted out of the way, his speed un
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EPISODE 29: Lucius
Adam’s heart hammered in his chest as he stepped forward into the center of the arena. His mind raced with memories of every sneer, every jeer directed at him, every moment when he was forced to crawl from the gutter.Now, before him, stood the embodiment of everything he had fought against. Lucius Draven’s silhouette emerged at the far end of the arena—a figure shrouded in dark armor and an aura of cold brutality. His every movement exuded lethal precision, his eyes glinting with the promise of pain.As the countdown began, “Five… Four… Three… Two… One…”—Adam’s system interface flashed in his mind. His muscles tensed, his focus narrowed, and for the first time, the scars of his past became a distant memory—replaced by the burning desire to rewrite destiny.The arena erupted into chaos as the match commenced. Lucius advanced with a speed and ferocity that belied his legendary status, his every step a calculated strike against the very notion of mercy, looking for opening to deal devas
EPISODE 28: The Gauntlet of Trials
The next day, the arena’s harsh lights blazed overhead as the tournament rounds continued. The arena’s colossal, circular was filled to the brink by students, tutors and spectators alike.The holographic screens encircled the rings, displaying live feeds, combat stats, and roiling images of victories and defeats from previous rounds. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and tension, a charged silence punctuated by the occasional roar of the crowd and the clang of weaponry.From one side of the arena, Seraphina and Eve shone like beacons, seated among the qualifiers for the next stage of the tournament waiting for the first stage to be over. Both had already emerged triumphant in their earlier matches. Though absent from the pit of combat today, they observed the proceedings from the sidelines.Seraphina’s piercing blue eyes, cool and calculating, betrayed a flicker of worry as she surveyed the other team members. Eve’s calm yet resolute expression spoke volumes; despite her win,
EPISODE 27: Defying labels
Her opponent was none other than Aldric Valmont, a renowned Pure fighter whose reputation for impeccable technique and strategic brilliance was widely celebrated on Arc Aegis. Aldric’s presence exuded an aura of superiority; his silver hair and icy blue eyes marked him as one of the elites. As he strode confidently into the center of the arena, the tension in the air thickened to an almost unbearable density. When Aldric looked into Eve’s eyes, he was even more shocked to see they were blue.“Cadets, prepare yourselves,” the announcer intoned. “Let the battle commence!” he shouted.The signal rang clear, and the duel began. Aldric advanced with a series of precise, calculated strikes, each movement carried the impact of the years of disciplined training he had gone through. His weapon—a gleaming, intricately designed energy blade—sliced through the air with deadly precision, a blur of silver aimed directly at his opponent.But Eve was no novice to combat. Despite the stigma attached t
EPISODE 26: Abomination
The next day, students were gathered at the grand coliseum of Arc Aegis. Today’s military tournament was highly anticipated.Under the luminous glow of Nytherite-powered floodlights, hundreds of recruits and military officials gathered in the combat arena, their murmurs flooding the entire place.At the center of the arena stood numerous raised platforms, their smooth surfaces contrast the rugged energy of the combat zones around them.Holographic scoreboards hovered in the air with digits and symbols flickering with the names and rankings of combatants.As the announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers, the crowd fell silent.“Welcome, cadets and honored guests, to today’s round of the military tournament at Arc Aegis! Today, we shall continue the fights from where we left off yesterday. Let the competition begin!”The first match of the day was slated for one of the most anticipated combatants: Seraphina Kennedy, the brilliant Pure whose pyrokinesis had already become legendary.Cla
EPISODE 25: Clash of the Shields
The atmosphere in Arc Aegis had shifted overnight. Tension and excitement buzzed through the corridors like a living storm. In a vast, purpose-built arena district specially designated for the Inter-Base Military Tournament, recruits from all over the Arcs had been gathered to witness the ultimate test of skill and strength.None of the competitors could hide the anticipation in their eyes. Every recruit knew that this was an opportunity to etch their names into the history of the Arc.On the marble-floored central plaza of the tournament area, Base 7’s team assembled in neat formation. Military officers in dark, imposing uniforms barked final instructions. Amid the throng, Adam stood with his sister Eve at his side.Alec Rho, one of the ten members of Base 7 and the team’s specialist shield bearer, flexed his arms as he prepared himself mentally. His Ascendant-class training had honed his ability to manifest an energy shield in combat, and today, he was determined to prove that his sk
CHAPTER 24: Weapons Test.
General Kael, the commanding officer of Base 7, stepped forward. All of them instantly recognized and collectively saluted him. “Enough with the pleasantries”, he snarled. “Each of you will choose a specially designed nytherite weapon that will complement your ability. These weapons are designed to enhance combat prowess.”One by one, the recruits made their selections. Eve chose a sleek Nytherite bow, its energy-infused arrows humming with explosive power.Adam approached the racks, his fingers grazing the hilt of a curved sword. The moment he touched it, a spark of golden energy flared between them. The weapon resonated with him."A fine choice," General Kael remarked. "That blade reacts to those with unique energy signature."He turned to Eve, watching her carefully. He nodded his head in approval and laughed arrogantly.“You twins are more popular than you know, but I am satisfied.” He said, looking at Darius before walking closer to where Eve was standing.“These arrows are made
EPISODE 23: Nytherite Weapons.
Adam pressed his back against the cold metal wall of the dormitory corridor, his breath still ragged from the night's escape. His uniform was scuffed, dirt clinging to his boots from the restricted sector he'd barely managed to flee. Even now, as he stood outside the entrance to his shared room, the echoes of Arc Aegis' patrol guards barking orders still rang in his ears.He'd been on the run for hours, evading detection after being forced into the penalty survival mission. The system had thrust him into a brutal test on the harsh surface of the planet that was dominated by extremely dangerous beasts, a trial where the only outcome was survival or death. And yet, here he was, a survivor.His fingers trembled as he placed them on the access panel of his dorm room. A soft beep signalled the door unlocking, and as he stepped inside, he exhaled a breath of relief.The dormitory was silent, his arrogant Ascendant roommates were deep in their slumber.Adam sighed in relief, dropping onto hi
EPISODE 22: Survival
The ground beneath Adam was a patchwork of ruin and decay, the air thick with the stench of desolation. As he stood amidst the remnants of an obliterated world, the extremovores began to emerge from the shadows, their forms a nightmarish blend of earth's former fauna twisted into grotesque predators.But among them, one creature stood out—a colossal spider, its body a mass of dark, chitinous armor, with limbs that gleamed like wicked scythes under the sunlight. When he looked at the spider’s face, he was stunned, as if he was looking into the eyes of a demon.The system window appeared.Survival Test Initiated: Objective: Survive for 10 minutes.Reward: Return to Arc Aegis.Adam's breath came in short, sharp gasps, the weight of survival heavy upon him. He knew the stakes; failure here was not just a setback but a plunge into oblivion. He willed his Primordial Light into existence, the golden glow offering formed a protective layer around his body and formed two long swords.Normally
EPISODE 21: Penalty
In the upcoming days, Adam did everything he could that would earn him EXP points. He pushed each body fitness quest the system gave him, sometimes going overboard and exceeding the limit of what the system had asked him to do. He eventually obtained 2 passive level 1 skills, the first one being stealth, which allows him to dampen the sound of his footsteps, but the system had explained to him that if he level up the skill, it’s application can be changed.The second one was a distortion skill that changes his face according to his wish.Today, Adam decided to visit the Skyview Museum, an entertainment and relaxation facility on Arc Aegis that preserves the history of humanity, with displays of ancient artefacts and paintings from a long-lost era.Although Adam was quite interested in the relics of the past, the main attraction that brought him to the place was the large viewing station of the Museum that showed a live view of the sky below them.The facility had served as the only ent
