The glowing fragments of the shattered training target drifted quietly through the chamber.
Silence returned, broken only by the soft sound of Kang Seung-woo's breathing.
He stood alone, his fist still frozen mid-air.
[Combat Art Sync Rate: 100.0%]
[Status: Technique integrated into user's biocircuit]
[Bonus Effect: +60 GEU per direct hit | +15% energy release speed]
His breath was shallow, but his mind—calm.
Something inside him was moving—not muscles, not nerves—
...but his very genetics.
Suddenly, the floor beneath him pulsed with a faint glow.
A whisper echoed in his mind.
"Detected integration of Combat Art with high-tier biocircuit."
"You've surpassed the limits of standard human evolution."
[Deep Gene System: Gene-Core Fragment A – Activation Commenced]
His eyes widened.
His body was paralyzed—not by force, but by the pull of his entire consciousness.
A strange vision emerged.
A void bathed in golden light.
At the center, a crystal shard floated—glimmering, alive.
[Analysis Complete]
[Designation: Bearer of Gene-Core Fragment A]
[Fusion Rate: 15.4%]
Core Capabilities:
Detect and absorb mutant bioenergy
Modify genetic structure at the molecular level
Synthesize special powers from external sources
Unlock evolution into higher Mutation Classes
Note: Advanced functions not yet active. Unlock by collecting ≥ 10 units of mutant energy.
Then, a glimpse of an ancient war—
Silver-armored beings clashed with towering beasts glowing from within.
A voice—calm yet thunderous—resonated from beyond space and time:
"You are the vessel I chose... as our ancient race perished."
"No one in this world understands true evolution... but you will."
"Wield it wisely—what you become cannot be undone."
The vision vanished.
Seung-woo collapsed to the floor, catching himself with trembling arms.
Sweat beaded down his temple.
"What... was that...?"
One thing was clear:
His power wasn't just special—
It was a system forged to evolve an entire species.
And he... was its first node.
He sat still for a long time.
Virtual panels hovered before him—
Data streamed like a living mind, deciphering his biology.
[Gene-Core Fragment A – Advanced Evolution Protocol]
[Fusion: 15.4%] | [Access Level: Initial]
▣ Abilities (Active/Passive):
Absorb mutant bioenergy
Adaptive power mimicry from enemy DNA
Overgrowth: GEU output limit break
Unlock evolution path for Rare Mutation Classes (E→D→C...)
▣ Analyzing functions:
Nano-cellular regeneration
Art-DNA Integration
Origin System Memory Retrieval
Seung-woo studied the panels.
This wasn't "a power."
It was a genetic scaffold, designed to rewrite human biology.
[Warning: Your Fragment is one of several.]
[Interference risk: High when encountering other Fragment bearers.]
[Advised: Avoid conflict until ≥ 50% fusion is reached.]
He frowned.
"So... others have it too?"
Another voice surfaced—not from the system, but something... ancient.
"When our race crumbled, we scattered our Gene Cores among the stars."
"Only a few worlds allowed them to take root...
and you are one of the outcomes."
"If you gather all Fragments—
you will become the 'genesis of a new species.'"
The words struck deep.
Both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
He didn't know whether to believe it—
But the changes within his body were undeniable.
Another notification blinked:
▣ Internal Protocol:
Collect ≥ 10 Mutation Units to unlock next evolution level
Warning: Rapid accumulation may cause temporary cellular breakdown
▣ Current Rare Mutation Class:
Class: D (Evolved from Class E)
Stability: 73%
Growth Rate: Adaptive – based on environment, combat, and training
Seung-woo whispered:
"No wonder... my Sync Rate blew past normal thresholds."
He clenched his fist.
He wasn't just strong—
He was a prototype, a design for humanity's next step.
The glowing panels faded.
But what remained within him...
...was more vivid than ever.
He sat in silence.
The voice of the Fragment had gone quiet—like a dream—
Yet a gentle warmth still pulsed at his core.
"Ancient race... new evolution... gather all Fragments...?"
He murmured to himself.
Not in disbelief—but in awe.
He was only eighteen.
But instead of fear—he felt clarity.
He hadn't gained this power to defeat others...
He'd gained it to change the world.
A soft chime rang.
The chamber door slid open—
A familiar voice called out.
"Hey, Seung-woo! Done training yet?"
It was Hyun-joo.
Alive. Cheerful. Grounding.
To Seung-woo, it sounded like a voice from another world.
"Yeah... that's enough for now."
"Still stuck at 22% myself. It's exhausting!"
Hyun-joo laughed and flopped down beside him.
"Seriously though—what are you? You've totally been training behind my back, right?"
Seung-woo shook his head.
"No... I just... have something inside me."
He stopped there.
Not because he couldn't explain—
But because no one could truly understand.
A soft voice echoed once more inside him:
"Do not reveal the Fragment... until the time comes."
"The species that survives... is the one that knows how to wait."
Seung-woo nodded to himself.
Then stood.
Looking at his friend, still laughing beside him—
Even as his world transformed every second...
What he needed to protect... had not changed.
"Come on, Hyun-joo. Lunch is on me today."
"Whoa! A free meal? Now that's a real mid-tier reward!"
They both laughed.
The door slid shut.
Behind it, a faint golden shimmer lingered—
Before vanishing into the air...
...as if the system in the shadows was preparing for what was soon to come.