Chapter 4: Kinetic Conversion

  Adrian and Mike moved quickly through the ruined streets of Mandaue City. The chaos around them only grew worse as time passed. Every building they passed, every piece of debris littering the ground, was a reminder of how much was at stake. With the Typhon-Aswang Hive looming ever closer, they couldn’t afford to waste a second.

  Mike, despite the bruises and exhaustion from his earlier fight, was keeping pace. His muscles rippled with power, his strength evident in every stride. Adrian watched him with a mixture of admiration and wariness. The man was tough, but tough alone wasn’t enough. He needed to know how to harness that power, how to make it work for the System. They didn’t have time for weak links.

  They finally reached a wide, open intersection that had once been a bustling hub. The area was eerily silent now, the remnants of vehicles and shattered glass scattered everywhere. Adrian paused, eyeing a nearby building where they would regroup and make plans for the next move. The silence was broken only by the distant roars of the Aswangs and the unnerving hum of the Genesis Ring, which Adrian could feel thrumming in the air.

  "This will do," Adrian said, his voice low. "We need to test your strength, Mike."

  Mike raised an eyebrow, wiping the sweat from his brow. "What do you mean, test? I’ve been fighting these freaks all day."

  Adrian turned to face him fully, his expression serious. "Fighting’s one thing. But you need to understand the System. You’re not just a fighter now, Mike. You’re a part of this—our only chance at surviving. And the first thing you need to learn is how to convert your kinetic energy."

  Mike looked confused for a moment, but Adrian could see the wheels turning. The way Mike had been using the weight plate earlier—it had all been instinctual. Mike had been absorbing blows, but he hadn’t yet learned how to use that energy to his advantage. And that was what the System was about. It was all about utilizing the energy you harvested and converting it to power.

  Adrian stepped forward, his eyes never leaving Mike’s. "You’ve been absorbing impacts, right? Every hit you take makes you stronger. That’s your first class evolution: Brute. But it’s more than just tanking hits. You can convert that kinetic energy—turn it into raw power to increase your strength."

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  Mike’s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. "So, like... taking hits makes me stronger?"

  "Exactly," Adrian confirmed. "But there’s a catch. The more damage you absorb, the more your body becomes attuned to the System. It’s a balancing act. Too much, and it’ll backfire. But if you can control it, you’ll become unstoppable."

  Mike’s lips quirked into a smile. "Sounds like my kind of deal."

  Adrian motioned for him to step forward. "Alright, we’re going to test it now. Find something to hit."

  Mike looked around, his eyes landing on a nearby overturned car. Without hesitation, he walked toward it and began punching the side of the vehicle, each blow making a loud clang as it impacted the metal. The car groaned under the force, and Adrian watched closely as Mike’s energy began to build.

  A few punches in, Mike stopped, his breathing heavy. "I feel it," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "I feel like I could crush this whole car."

  Adrian nodded. "Good. Now take it to the next level. Absorb the energy from the impact. Don’t just hit. Let the force of the impact come to you, and then focus it into your next move."

  Mike hesitated for a moment, then stepped back, taking a deep breath. His body tensed as he prepared himself. He struck the car again, but this time, Adrian saw it—a shift in the air around Mike. The energy seemed to move toward him, like an invisible wave rushing into his body. His muscles rippled with power, and when he struck again, the car buckled under his blow, denting inwards with a sickening crunch.

  Adrian grinned. "There it is. You’re not just absorbing it anymore—you’re converting it. That’s how we win, Mike. We use the energy to become more powerful."

  Mike’s grin matched Adrian’s. "I like this. I’ve been lifting weights my whole life, but this—this feels different."

  Adrian nodded, eyes sharp. "This is just the beginning. Keep practicing. Get used to the flow of energy. You’ll need it when we face the Hive."

  But as Mike continued to strike the car, Adrian felt it—something was wrong. He turned to look over his shoulder, his instincts screaming at him. In the distance, the air seemed to ripple with an unnatural energy. The Typhon-Aswang Hive wasn’t waiting anymore. It was drawing closer.

  Mike, sensing Adrian’s shift in focus, stopped hitting the car and turned to face him. "What’s wrong?"

  Adrian’s eyes hardened. "The Boss is coming. We need to move. Now."

  Without waiting for a response, he turned and sprinted toward the nearby alley, motioning for Mike to follow. They couldn’t waste any time. The energy harvest they’d been building up had just attracted the Hive’s attention. And now, it was time to face the consequences of their actions.

  Mike was hot on his heels, his newfound power evident in every step. But Adrian knew it wouldn’t be enough. They needed the rest of their team, and they needed to secure the Mandaue Node before the Hive arrived. If they failed... if they didn’t stop it here, the world would slip further into chaos.

  Adrian’s mind raced. They were so close. The System, the energy, the game—everything had led to this moment. It was all coming down to the next few minutes.

  And if they couldn’t beat the Hive, the world would never be the same.

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