Chapter 3: The Awakening Interface
A cool breeze drifted through the thick forest area outside BB City as tall trees created extended shadows across wet ground. A mysterious energy disturbance remained present in the air, although it was invisible to everyone except those who could sense it. The man in a navy-blue coat stood motionless in the middle of the chaos while his intense stare focused on the massive rock structure in front of him. His stance displayed authority through his hands clasped behind his back, while his presence conveyed the power of someone who had experienced leadership roles. A researcher with spectacles approached him, wearing a sterilized white jumpsuit with caution. The man in the navy-blue coat maintained his forward direction without turning his body, yet his commanding presence required instant attention. The researcher began his report, stating that their scans showed no anomalous energy remaining. The massive energy fluctuation had disappeared completely from all detection methods. The man’s jaw tightened. "Gone?" His tone remained steady, but his displeasure became evident through his words. The research team had conducted a comprehensive scan of every area of the territory. The researcher stated that the impact site showed structural damage, but no energy signatures persisted at the location. The man narrowed his eyes. "That’s impossible. Such a significant fluctuation cannot disappear without explanation." He executed a deliberate turn, his intense stare fixing on the researcher, who automatically moved a step away. The first rays of sunlight emerged from the tree line, illuminating the sky with vibrant orange and gold colors. The rising tension between the two men remained unaffected by the sunlight. The man released a deep breath as his thoughts raced through potential explanations. He waited for a short period before giving his order. "Lock down this entire area. No one enters or leaves without my authorization. Conduct a full sweep of the surrounding forest. I want every anomaly, every trace examined. If there is anyone in this vicinity who does not belong—bring them in." The four operatives standing behind him responded instantly, vanishing into the depths of the forest with practiced precision. The researcher hesitated for a moment before muttering under his breath, "If something did happen here... then where did it go?" Little did they know, the answer lay far from their reach. The Awakening A dimly lit room bathed in the soft glow of flickering neon signs from the city streets outside. The faint hum of distant vehicles and the occasional murmur of the world beyond its walls made the space feel isolated, like a forgotten corner of BB City. In the center of the room, a young man lay motionless in an old, creaking tub. His maroon school uniform clung to his body, still marked with faint traces of dirt from the previous night’s ordeal. His breathing was steady, but his body was not still. Faint tremors rippled across his fingers. His brow twitched, and his lips parted ever so slightly, as though he were murmuring words in his sleep. His hair, normally a dull brown, flickered between hues—darkening, lightening, shifting unpredictably. Inside his mind, a stream of cryptic messages played out in silent brilliance. [System Integration in Progress - 12%] [Host has received Restoration Enhancements] [Host has received Structural Reinforcement] [Host has received Toxin Resistance] A deep warmth spread through his limbs, accompanied by an unfamiliar sensation—his body knitting itself back together, strengthening in ways he could not yet understand. [System Integration in Progress - 24%] [Host has unlocked Evolutionary Potential] [Host has gained Genetic Adaptability] The minutes stretched on. Hours passed. His chest rose and fell in rhythm with the silent process unfolding within. [System Integration in Progress - 97%] [Host has acquired Mission Functions] [Host has unlocked Progression Metrics] A soft exhale escaped his lips. His fingers curled slightly. [System Integration Complete - 100%] The moment the final notification flickered into existence, Max’s eyes snapped open. A sharp intake of breath, followed by a rush of confusion. His vision was filled with bright, floating characters, glowing softly in the dim room. [Welcome, Host. Your integration is now complete.] His body jerked instinctively, sending his elbow colliding against the edge of the tub with a dull thud. A wince escaped him, but his gaze remained locked on the glowing symbols before him. He blinked. Once. Twice. The words remained, hovering in his line of sight, refusing to disappear. "Still here...?" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. His thoughts raced back to the events of the previous night—the fall, the strange apparition, the countdown, the sudden pull into unconsciousness. He inhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts. [To access system parameters, say: Interface Access.] Max hesitated. His mind screamed skepticism, but deep down, a part of him knew this was real. "...Interface Access," he muttered under his breath. The moment the words left his lips, the glowing text before him shifted. A structured display appeared, neatly arranged into sections. [System Interface] → Attributes → Enhancements & Abilities → Genetic Potential → Assigned Missions → Tactical Resources His gaze lingered over the organized text, his brain struggling to process what he was seeing. "Am I... inside some kind of simulation?" He tentatively focused on the first option—Attributes. The rest of the text faded away, leaving only a detailed breakdown. [Host Attributes] Name: Max Level: 1 Designation: [Pending] Experience: 0/100 Vitality: 100/100 Energy: 30/30 Core Attributes: → Strength: 1 → Perception: 1 → Agility: -- → Speed: 1 → Courage: -- → Intelligence: 4 → Presence: -- (Available Points: 0) Max's eyes darkened as he processed the information. "Agility, Courage, and Presence... null?" His jaw clenched slightly. Before he could dwell on the implications, a new line of text materialized. [Attributes have been calculated based on host’s natural capabilities. Lacking in key developmental areas—particularly social engagement and adaptive fortitude.] Max: "..." He narrowed his eyes at the system. "...Did you just call me a coward with no presence?" Silence. No response followed. A deep sigh left his lips as he ran a hand through his still-shifting hair. He glanced at the next section, muttering, "Let’s see what else is in here... Enhancements & Abilities." Another panel replaced the previous one. [Enhancements & Abilities] → Acceleration Burst [Lv.1] (Short burst of movement speed) → Regeneration [Lv.1] (Healing factor increased tenfold) → Morph [Lv.1] (Ability to shift minor physical traits) → Toxin Resistance [Lv.1] (Basic immunity to low-grade toxins) → Genetic Adaptability [Lv.1] (Potential to evolve based on acquired traits) Max stared at the list for several seconds, his fingers twitching slightly. "This is..." He swallowed, his thoughts racing. Then his gaze fell on the final enhancement. Genetic Adaptability. A small, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. For the first time in his life, something had changed. And for the first time in his life—Max held the key to his own evolution. A new path had begun.
Related Chapters
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 4: Broken Bonds
Chapter 4: Broken Bonds "Hold on… maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here." Max sat on the edge of the tub, fingers pressed against his chin in deep thought. His brows furrowed as a wave of uncertainty washed over him. "What if this is all in my head?" he murmured, eyes scanning the empty space before him as if expecting it to answer. The strange phenomenon he had experienced since waking up felt too surreal. The glowing words, the bizarre notifications, the absurd notion that he had somehow acquired abilities beyond his comprehension—it all felt like a twisted dream his mind had conjured. "How can I confirm that any of this is real?" He bit his lip, his gaze flickering toward the semi-transparent interface hovering before him. "Can I actually use these skills? Wouldn't that be the ultimate proof?" Just as he was about to voice his doubts again, another notification blinked into existence. [To use an unlocked ability, simply call out its name in your mind while adding 'Activate' b
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 5: XAO Academy
Chapter 5: XAO AcademyMax experienced intense embarrassment while standing in the teleportation circle because people silently judged him as he shifted his body position.The executive who stood nearest to him showed his disgust through a slight nose scrunch while keeping his distaste hidden. The man paused for a brief instant before he retreated multiple steps from the circle.The man left the circle to wait for the next set of teleportation.Several other passengers joined the exodus by moving away from the circle while exchanging quiet comments. The wide teleportation array lost most of its passengers within seconds so that only Max and a few others remained standing.Zwing!The blue light surrounded them before they disappeared in an instant.Thirty Minutes LaterThe journey ended when Max reached his final destination.The vast XAO Academy campus extended before him as an awe-inspiring sight that always left him speechless. This educational establishment stood apart from traditi
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 6: Powerflow Channeling
Chapter 6: Powerflow ChannelingAs Max steadied his breath, he recalled the notification that had appeared moments ago."Daily task?"A moment later, the system responded.[Daily tasks can be found in the missions panel.]"Missions?" Max furrowed his brows as he reflected on the system interface. "Oh, I didn't check everything before. Missions were listed after abilities, I think."Without hesitation, he focused his thoughts."System Interface!"A soft chime echoed in his mind.[Host Stats] [Skills & Techniques] [Powerflows] [Missions] [Shop]The translucent panel materialized before his eyes, its smooth, metallic sheen hovering in mid-air. He didn't waste a second before directing his attention."Missions!"---[Missions]DailyWeeklyMonthlyYearly---Max scrutinized the categories closely."Missions… aren’t these just like quests in those old games? You complete them and get rewards. But why are they divided into daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly?"His eyes narrowed as he analyz
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 7 - Xeon Awakening
Chapter 7 - Xeon Awakening---Principal Wren introduced Cedric Vale as the top middle school student who possesses an A-grade Xeon ability to manipulate space. His A-grade Xeon ability enables him to control space with complete freedom. Principal Wren made the announcement with a touch of school pride in his voice. "It's a fusion of telekinesis, gravity control, and partial spatial manipulation. His Powerflow Channeling reached four points at age eight which made him the youngest Zeta-ranked Xeon user in history.The two XAO inspectors watched the young boy fight humanoid AI droids with complete surprise on their faces.Cedric launched himself two meters upward while his black hair followed the motion of his jump. He dropped while pushing his hand downward.A powerful energy emanated from his palm.Boom!The approaching droid met its demise when the invisible force crushed its knees to the ground. Two more bots with identical designs approached Cedric from both sides while he was una
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 8 - A Revelation
Chapter 8 - A Revelation[Does the host wish to extract this Xeon Ability - Yes/No?]Max’s eyes widened as he read the notification hovering before him."Extract… Miss Raelyn’s ability?" His thoughts spiraled into chaos."Yes… No—wait…!" He hesitated, his heart pounding.[Host has chosen to extract this Xeon Ability.][Initiating Powerflow Extraction…]"What?! I said no!"His mind reeled. The raw power he had sensed from Miss Raelyn’s ability flashed through his thoughts, and for a split second, he had instinctively agreed. But the realization hit him like a thunderclap—she had never wronged him like the others had."Oh no… what have I done?" Panic gripped him as another notification appeared.[Extraction in Progress: 0% / 100%]Max’s breath hitched. Desperately, he tried to think of a way to stop it. His gaze shot to Miss Raelyn, who still held onto his arm with a firm grip. He pulled back with all his might, hoping that breaking contact would halt the process—but it was like trying
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 9: Attribute Points
Chapter 9: Attribute PointsMax took his time walking home from the academy, lost in deep thought. Unlike the morning rush, he wasn’t in a hurry. His mind was occupied, running through everything that had happened during the day and how he could maximize his newfound power.By the time he arrived at his residence, the entire place was empty. Normally, Raiden would have already been picked up by their mother and dropped off at home. Max was used to coming back from school to find him there.Not that it mattered. Without sparing another thought, Max entered his small, dimly lit room and sat on the edge of his old metal tub.Unlike most people who had proper beds, Max had never been given one. His parents decided long ago that he wasn’t worthy of such a luxury, so they had dumped a discarded bathtub in his room—something they had salvaged from a junkyard.For almost a decade, this had been his resting place. His small frame, stunted by years of malnutrition, was the only reason he still
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 10 - Steady Advancement
Chapter 10 - Steady AdvancementMax studied the illuminated display in front of him with a thoughtful expression."Being able to allocate five points to any attribute of my choosing is definitely useful… but looking at these numbers, five points barely make a difference."He studied the display screen intently while he examined his available choices.{Attribute Stats}»Strength: 1»Perception: 1»Agility: null»Speed: 1»Bravery: null»Intelligence: 4»Charm: null{Available Attribute Points: 5}Max used his hand to tap his palm as he thought about his options."If I spread them out evenly, the growth will be balanced, but at the same time, it might not be as impactful as concentrating them in one area…" His brows furrowed slightly.He took several moments to think before letting out a deep breath.The weakness of multiple attributes when one attribute stands out strongly could create problems. Great strength becomes useless when speed remains lacking. My strength would become useless
The Rise of Max bladeheart Chapter 11: Cafeteria Confrontation
Chapter 11: Cafeteria ConfrontationMax stepped through the doorway.Students from different classes filled the cafeteria space while it buzzed with activity. Multiple conversations merged into a loud and disorganized mix of voices.—"Did you hear? The private photos of Kiera Lane appeared online for everyone to see.—"No way! Show me the location because I require evidence.—"She's gorgeous… Damn!"—"Titan Industries is drowning in another corruption scandal!"Students gathered in small groups to view trending content and gossip while they bent their heads over their electronic devices. Students displayed a spectrum of emotions between surprise and mirth.Max remained completely uninterested in the digital world. Throughout his life he had never purchased his own device nor did he become absorbed by viral content or social media discussions. He had always remained outside this social sphere.His eyes briefly moved toward the second floor. The upper floor served as the gathering place
Latest Chapter
Chapter 63: Familiar Voice
The Xeon SystemChapter 63: Familiar Voice[Slash has been activated]Max’s claws cleaved through the air, sending a flurry of strikes that tore deep gashes across the serpentine mixed-breed's jaw. The creature recoiled, its head jerking back as a screech filled the air. Blood, thick and dark with a purplish hue, sprayed from its wounds, staining the surrounding ground.But Max wasn’t finished.His left arm swung around with practiced ferocity, aiming for another brutal follow-up.Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash!Max’s claws raked across the serpentine beast’s neck, leaving deep, jagged marks that bled heavily. Each cut he delivered exposed the creature’s innards, the cruelly exposed muscle and bone now visible through the gashes. The air around them was heavy with the stench of blood and the metallic scent of battle.Max’s claws continued their relentless assault, the force of each strike causing the serpentine mi
Chapter 62: The Power of the Bloodwolf
Chapter 62: The Power of the Bloodwolf Max sprinted across the body of the massive serpentine beast, his hands engulfed in a radiant white glow. The ground trembled beneath its writhing form as it attempted to shake him off. With a sudden lurch, the serpent whipped its enormous tail upward, seeking to throw Max off balance. But instead of being sent sprawling, he used the momentum to propel himself forward, launching through the air with the grace of a seasoned fighter. His body arced high above, and as he descended, his glowing fist was poised for impact. Bang! His strike landed squarely atop the creature’s head, sending a tremor rippling through its massive form. The impact shook the beast slightly, but unlike before, Max wasn’t thrown back as violently. The radiant white light surrounding his hand had absorbed most of the recoil. Landing with a grunt, Max steadied himself, his breath measure
Chapter 61: The Savarinia Serpent Xeon Beast
Chapter 61: The Savarinia Serpent Xeon BeastBoom!A catastrophic explosion erupted, unleashing an unstoppable shockwave of raw energy that ripped through the surroundings. The sheer force of the blast shattered everything in its wake, obliterating reinforced structures and vaporizing any remnants of order.The supposedly self-repairing glass walls crumbled into countless fragments before the energy could even physically reach them, their integrity overwhelmed by the sheer power tearing through the space. For several more moments, the energy raged, crackling with chaotic intensity before the devastation finally settled into eerie stillness.As the thick mist gradually dispersed, the extent of the destruction became gruesomely clear. What once stood as an advanced facility had been reduced to nothing more than a ruin of broken technology and lifeless wreckage.Equipment lay in twisted heaps, their once-precise machinery now melted beyond r
Chapter 60: Laboratory Facility
Chapter 60: Laboratory FacilityMax sprinted through the sparse forest, his movements swift and silent. The cool night air brushed against his face as he activated his enhanced speed, dashing between the towering trees with barely a sound. After a few powerful strides, he came to a halt before an ancient tree that stood at least twelve meters tall, its rough bark illuminated faintly by the moonlight.Crouching slightly, he gathered power in his legs before launching himself into the air.Thoom!His body ascended five meters instantly, and he reached out, his fingers sinking deeply into the tree’s rough bark. With practiced ease, he pulled himself up, maneuvering past branches and thick foliage until he reached the top. Perched on a sturdy limb, Max let his gaze sweep across the vast landscape, his sharp eyes catching even the smallest movement below.His perception had improved significantly over the past few days, stretch
Chapter 59: Channelling Beast Transformation xeon
Chapter 59: Channelling Beast Transformation xeonAs Max made his way toward his apartment, he could feel the weight of countless eyes on him. Whispers rippled through the crowd, their voices laced with curiosity and admiration.“Welcome back, Max!”“Good afternoon! How was school today?”“Hey, Max!”A few teenage girls standing nearby giggled as they greeted him, one of them even winking playfully. Max offered nothing more than a brief nod, his expression unreadable as he climbed the stairs leading to his apartment.It wasn’t unusual for him to receive a warm welcome whenever he returned, but today’s greetings carried a different energy. The sheer enthusiasm in their voices made it clear—they knew. The entire neighborhood must have already heard the news.He had been appointed as the new Observer.As he stepped into the corridor, his sharp gaze landed on a familiar figure standing in front of his apar
Chapter 58: Raelyn’s Suspicion
Chapter 58: Raelyn’s Suspicion“There will be a three-day interschool exchange event, hosted in Atrihea City’s Grandridge High, scheduled to begin precisely one month from today!”“The Xenith Academy has been formally invited to participate!”“Class Three students will represent us for this occasion!”Principal Wren’s voice thundered through the echoing halls of the auditorium, carried clearly by the built-in speaker systems that lined the walls. His tone was one of ceremonial pride, but the murmurs that followed came from something deeper—excitement, ambition, and barely contained adrenaline.Among the sea of students seated in neat rows, Max Vale leaned back into his chair near the rear of the hall. His lips curled into a subtle smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes.So it’s finally here… The opportunity I’ve been waiting for—an excuse to cross the border without drawing attention.The auditorium buzzed with ener
Chapter 57: School Announcement
Chapter 57: School AnnouncementSince the downfall of Old Man Daki, the neighborhood had been left vulnerable. None of the Xeon Users in the area had achieved Zeta Rank—except for one individual. But even then, they weren’t a combat-oriented Xeon User, leaving the district largely defenseless against the sporadic incursions of lower-tier Mixedbreeds.Attacks had always been a part of life here, occurring about once a month in the past. However, before Old Man Daki's passing, the frequency had begun to increase, shifting from a monthly nuisance to a near-weekly crisis. It was thanks to his efforts that complete chaos had been kept at bay, but with his death, the situation spiraled out of control.There were fifty-seven buildings in the area that he had once protected. Without him, it was only a matter of time before disaster struck. One fateful night, a Mixedbreed infiltrated one of the apartment complexes, slaughtering an entire family before hel
Chapter 56: A New Responsibility
Chapter 56: A New ResponsibilityMax stood at the doorway of the Vance residence, his sharp eyes scanning the familiar entryway before turning his attention to the young woman before him. Yura Vance, dressed in casual home attire, tilted her head slightly in curiosity at his unexpected arrival."I'm here to see your father. Is he in?" Max asked, his tone neutral yet firm.Yura blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before nodding. "Um, my father? Yes, he's inside."She stepped aside, allowing him entrance. Just as he took a step forward, a deep, commanding voice echoed from within the apartment."Come in, Max."Recognizing Theo Vance’s voice, Max proceeded inside, his boots making barely a sound against the polished wooden floor. The apartment had a warm yet modest aesthetic, its interior illuminated by soft evening light filtering through the window blinds.Theo Vance sat on a navy-blue sofa to Max’s right, his broad fr
Chapter 55: Surprised Appearance
Chapter 55: Surprised Appearance The sharp, feminine voice cut through the air like a blade, carrying such authority that the man gripping Max’s shoulder stiffened involuntarily. A tremor ran down his spine, his fingers momentarily loosening their hold before he forcefully steadied himself.That voice… it couldn’t be—With a slow, almost reluctant motion, Master Jk turned, his breath catching in his throat as he laid eyes on the person who had spoken. His pulse pounded wildly. The composed expression he had worn mere moments ago shattered in an instant.A woman stood before him, her presence undeniable. Long strands of sleek, silver-grey hair cascaded down her back, catching the light as she moved with an effortless grace. She was clad in a short, form-fitting green dress, accentuated by a brown coat draped elegantly over her shoulders. Despite her slender frame, an aura of sheer dominance radiated from her every step.“Young M
