The reinforced door of the high-level simulator pod hissed open, releasing a blast of superheated air and the faint, acrid smell of instantly vaporized adamantium.
Daniel Vance stumbled out, his right hand still radiating a fain orange glow.
The air around his fist vibrated and oscillated intensely.
He took a deep breath.
"Huh,"
"Guess that works."
Understatement of the century.
The simulator, designed to withstand catastrophic-level talents, was now offline, its internal sensors likely fried from the sheer output.
Nyx, his Shadow Wolf Pup familiar, poked her head out of his specially reinforced pouch, her blue eyes wide open.
She let out an excited squeak that sounded almost like, "Again! Do it again, but on the boring grey walls this time!"
Daniel gently patted the pouch.
"Easy there, little brat," he murmured. "Don't want to accidentally remodel the entire platform. Maintenance fees are probably a nightmare."
He finally registered the silence. Not the sterile silence of the Spire, but the stunned, absolute silence of several dozen recruits who had gathered outside the simulator pod, drawn by the initial earth-shattering explosion that had vibrated through the entire deck plating of Platform Alpha.
They stared at him, then at the darkened, smoking simulator pod, then back at Daniel, their faces filled with an unadulterated terror!
One lanky recruit, who Daniel vaguely remembered boasting about his E-grade 'Enhanced Grip' after the initial Awakening, dropped the nutrient paste tube he was holding.
It splattered on the floor with a plop. His mouth opened and closed a few times, like a fish contemplating astrophysics.
"He… he broke the record," someone finally whispered, their voice trembling.
"Broke it?" another recruit, a girl with pink hair whose D-grade talent was [Stone Skin] spoke.
Daniel just offered a slight smile. "Bit of a power surge," he said, trying to make it seem casual.
He then began to walk away, the crowd parting before him like the Red Sea before a particularly grumpy Moses who could punch holes in reality.
Platform Alpha was a chaos of nervous activity. The 24-hour rest before Phase Three was about halfway through.
Recruits hurried between the repair stations, medical bays, and exchange posts. Some were huddled in groups, voices low and anxious as they discussed strategies, formed alliances, or just tried to process the horrors they'd just survived.
The casualty rate from Phase Two had clearly been brutal.
Daniel found his previously claimed secluded maintenance place. It was still empty.
Nyx wriggled out, demanding more of the 'Shadow/Umbral Affinity Variant' critter chow. As she munched contentedly on her food, Daniel sat down.
He was waiting for his Assimilation charges to regenerate further and truly integrate the feeling of his new S-Grade fist art.
The power was immense, but control was key. He didn't want to accidentally vaporize his own foot next time.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the energy within him, the cries of assimilated souls settling into his core.
Suddenly, a soft footstep, broke his concentration.
He didn't need [Aura Sense+] to know someone was there; the subtle shift in the air, the faint scent of antiseptic and an unfamiliar herbal tea, made him aware. Daniel opened his eyes.
Standing a few meters away was a young woman he had never seen before.
She was slender, with long, dark hair tied back in a braid style, she was also intelligent, calm, with grey eyes.
She show signs of being tired like dark circle around the eyes but she was still impeccably pretty.
She carried a wooden staff that seemed to hum with a faint magical energy.
Her Interface displayed no obvious Talent grade, suggesting she kept it private.
"Daniel Vance, I presume?" she asked, her voice soft but clear, like a bird chirp.
Daniel glanced at her but he didn't see any fear in her eyes. There was only curiosity.
Daniel squinted his eyes and then nodded slowly. "And you are?"
"My name is Elara Ja… no, just Elara will do for now," she corrected herself with an almost shy smile.
"Or perhaps Lia, if it's easier. I'm from… another assessment group.
We were merged onto this platform after our own initial phase." She said vaguely. "I witnessed your… strength at the simulator. It was… illuminating."
"Just some party tricks," Daniel said expressionlessly.
Lia tilted her head. "The energy signature was unlike anything I've encountered here."
She paused. "I am a healer. My Talent is [Lifeweave Affinity]. It allows me to mend wounds and, to a lesser extent, perceive the flow of vital energies."
[Lifeweave Affinity - Grade: A (Detected via proximity to high-energy user & focused observation)]
An A-grade healer. That was rare and incredibly valuable.
Daniel's internal threat assessment shifted slightly from 'potential annoyance' to 'potentially useful contact… if she wasn't a spy.'
"A healer," Daniel said in a surprised tone. "Useful skill to have in a place like this."
Lia's smile was gentle. "Indeed. Which is why I approach you. Many saw your display as a threat. I see it as… potential.
Phase Three will undoubtedly be more perilous. Even the strongest individuals can be overwhelmed.
A skilled healer can mean the difference between a successful mission and a name on the casualty list.
Her gaze was direct. "I am seeking a… mutually beneficial arrangement. Protection, in exchange for dedicated healing. My skills are considerable."
Before Daniel could respond, another presence made itself known. This one was less subtle.
The ground vibrated faintly as heavy, footsteps approached.
"Thump. Thump. Thump."
A young woman, taller than Lia, with fiery red hair cut short and spiky, and eyes that blazed with a feral intensity, arrived.
She was powerfully built, her muscles stretched taut over well-defined body.
Strapped to her back was a monstrously large two-handed axe that looked like it could cleave a dragon in half with one swing.
The air around her crackled with a suppressed energy. If Lia was a calm stream, this newcomer was a raging angry inferno.
"So, you're the one who almost blew up the simulator deck, huh?" the redhead spoke.
She grinned, a flash of white teeth. "Name's Roxa. Roxa 'The Rock' Rourke. And that, pretty boy, was one hell of a firework show."
She jerked a thumb towards the distant simulator area.
[Berserker's Fury - Grade: S (Detected via overwhelming aura & combat-ready stance)] Daniel's interface suddenly shined.
An S-grade berserker. Platform Alpha was apparently crawling with high-tier talents now that the groups had merged.
Lia looked momentarily surprised by Roxa's sudden appearance, then her calm expression returned.
Roxa's fiery gaze swept over Daniel, then Lia. "Heard the little bird here offering her services," she said, nodding at Lia.
"Smart move. You," she pointed at Daniel with her chin, "look like you attract trouble like a week-old corpse attracts Razorclaw Stalkers.
And trouble means things to hit. I like hitting things. Especially things that hit back hard." She hefted her massive axe slightly, the movement effortless.
"I was going to challenge you to a proper brawl, but maybe… teaming up could be more fun. More things to break together, right?"
Daniel looked from the calm, A-grade healer offering a pragmatic alliance to the boisterous, S-grade berserker who seemed to view him as a potential sparring partner and magnet for mayhem.
Nyx chose this moment to let out a tiny, inquisitive "Woof?" from his pouch, as if asking if these new humans came with snacks or were just loud.