"Nrnnn..."
Riku groaned as consciousness slowly returned. He blinked against the light, taking in his surroundings. Green grass stretched beneath him, swaying in the breeze, and tall trees towered overhead, their leaves whispering with every gust.
"W-What the hell...? Where is this place?"
He placed his hands on the ground, pushing himself upright. His face paled as the memories of the recent chaos surged back—the explosion, the pillars, the surge of energy, and the sheer terror of awakening his genes.
No way...
Riku's mind flashed to Yui's worried eyes, and then to his father, Akio, their concern etched into his memory.
This was exactly why his father had opposed his transformation into a Mutant. Awakening those genes wasn't just risky—it was flirting with death.
"Another world... or a dungeon?"
He said it aloud without shock. After all, no one truly understood the origin of the dungeons or the monsters. Could this be some other realm? Or maybe... he was somewhere within the dungeon itself. Could his mother be here?
Frustration surged through him like wildfire. Damn it! What would he tell Yui, or his father, or even Haru? If he couldn't find a way back, they'd all think he was dead.
Despite the panic gnawing at him, one thought anchored him: he had to survive. He had to find a way back—no matter how dangerous this place was, no matter what challenges awaited him.
Riku's gaze fell to the ground beside him. The mana plate lay there, untouched but glowing faintly. Somehow, the pillars that had pulled him here had brought it along too.
A bitter smile crossed his face. Well... if this is where I am now, then this plate is going to be my guide. Time to see what kind of Mutant I really am.
Realization struck him like a bolt of lightning: he wasn't just lost—he was in a completely unfamiliar world. That alone meant danger lurked nearby. Monsters, no matter how long it took, would eventually find him.
I need to know what I'm capable of before I leave this forest, Riku decided, his gaze sweeping across the dense trees and shifting shadows.
"Right... my ability." He flexed his fingers, recalling the moment he had become a Level 1 Mutant. "Haru said my strength hasn't increased yet, but even so... this has to be useful somehow."
His eyes dropped to the mana plate lying at his feet. It had shrunk significantly, now small enough to hold in one hand.
At least it's intact. He hoped it still worked as before. If it did, it could serve as his guide.
"How do I activate this...?" Riku muttered, scratching his head. A memory stirred. Haru's words from a month ago resurfaced:
Master Riku, if you manage to become a Level 1 Mutant and wish to discover new powers or prepare for your second evolution, simply let your mana flow through your body, and focus it inward.
Riku frowned. Flow my mana... inward?
Haru, I don't even know what mana feels like. How am I supposed to do that?
Concentrate. Direct the flow within yourself. I believe in you, Master Riku. You've always exceeded my expectations.
Haru's voice echoed softly in his mind, comforting yet firm, fading slowly as Riku steadied his breathing.
Okay... I can do this.
With the forest around him, the faint hum of the wind, and the mana plate cradled in his hands, Riku took a deep breath. The first step into mastering his abilities—and surviving this new world—was about to begin.
-
A faint smile tugged at Riku's lips as he thought of Haru. Over the years, the man had taught him how to fight, how to think, and, more importantly, how to survive.
Haru... I know you'd go to the ends of the world to find me. But I've learned everything you've taught me. I'll be fine.
He drew in a deep breath, savoring the crisp forest air, forcing himself to push aside the overwhelming thought that he was stranded in another world.
Alright... first step: test the mana plate and see what I can really do. No mistakes. If I fail here... it might break.
Riku walked toward a towering tree and settled against its sturdy trunk. Closing his eyes, he began clearing his mind, deliberately pushing aside every distraction that might disturb his focus.
"Mana... flow through me..."
The rustle of leaves overhead, the warmth of the sun on his skin, and the soft caress of the wind against his face all worked in tandem, guiding him into concentration.
Moments passed before a faint blue-white glow began to shimmer around his body. He couldn't see it, yet he felt the subtle warmth of mana coursing through his veins—a delicate, almost fragile current, like a thread of light.
Good... it's flowing.
The next step was directing it toward the mana plate. But the current was thin, fragile. One misstep, one abrupt movement, and he could sever the connection—or worse, destroy the plate.
He realized something then: during his awakening, he hadn't accidentally broken the mana plate. His mana had simply been dormant at the time. An ordinary person stepping onto it back then would have felt nothing.
Now... focus. Channel the mana to the exact point I want.
He visualized his hands, picturing the energy moving from his core outward. Somewhere in this strange world, the mana plate awaited him, ready to respond.
Ding!
Riku's eyes shot open. Something had triggered—a signal, a subtle response, telling him he was on the right track.
Suddenly, a strange sound echoed through the forest, breaking Riku's concentration. The flow of mana within his body wavered, threatening to dissipate entirely. His heart raced as he struggled to steady himself.
But then, relief washed over him. The mana plate, still glowing faintly in his hands, confirmed it—he had triggered it. His abilities could finally be measured.
"Yes! I did it, Haru! All your lessons... they actually worked!" Riku whispered, a wide grin spreading across his face. Yet as he focused on the plate, the screen blinked, drawing him back into serious contemplation.
[Do you want to view your abilities? Yes / No]
"Absolutely!" His fingers pressed "Yes" without hesitation, eagerness overriding caution.
Boom!
The mana plate erupted in a dazzling display of light. Sparks scattered, disintegrating into shimmering white particles that danced around him. Surprisingly, Riku remained unharmed, standing firm amid the brilliance.
Then, a new phenomenon appeared—a blue screen hovering in the air, clear and sharp, as if waiting just for him.
[You've been granted!]
[Skill(s) acquired!]
[Your base gene:
Riku's eyes widened. His hands trembled slightly as the realization sank in.
"No way... seriously? These... these are my mother's genes?" His voice wavered, a mixture of shock, disbelief, and awe.
For a moment, the forest fell silent, as if the world itself was holding its breath. The power now coursing through him wasn't just any ability—it was a direct inheritance from his mother.
A shiver ran down his spine. This was no ordinary awakening. This was the beginning of something far greater than he had ever imagined.