Sky spent the night pressed against the wall, with Arachne held tightly in his arms. They were roused the next morning by Raimondo's early morning bustle. Raimondo, just 16 but already standing a towering 180 cm, had a presence that felt oppressive due to his bulk. Nevertheless, his naive and slightly timid demeanor completely neutralized any sense of intimidation his size might suggest. As he made his bed, his chuckles filled the room. “Did you guys get a good night’s sleep?” he asked with a hearty laugh.

Arachne, realizing she was still in Sky's arms, let out a small gasp and quickly extracted herself. Noticing she was only in her light undergarments, she hastily grabbed a blanket to shield herself, her face glowing red with embarrassment.

Sky, ever composed, stood up and began to dress. He gave his brother a playful flick on the forehead, teasingly reprimanding, “Stop grinning like a Cheshire cat. Get on with breakfast. I’ve got a check-up at the base hospital, and we need to pack for our trip to the main city. This stays just between us, got it?”

After breakfast, Sky instructed Arachne and Raimondo to stay put while he made his way to the genetic research lab at the base hospital for his daily examination.

Sky lay transfixed in the scanner in the hospital's third sublevel, his gaze locked on the methodical dance of the mechanical arm above him. His mind wandered back to his current predicament and the cryptic goals of the system.

The system had outlined the mission in two stages. The first, to bring back Arachne, was done. Given the trials and dangers of that phase, he braced for an equally treacherous second stage, likely laden with life-threatening challenges.

Sky pondered this game-like scenario, realizing the 2-3 days until their departure for the main city was not a mere hiatus. It was, in all likelihood, a pivotal juncture provided by the virtual realm for players to unlock new storylines, gain new abilities, or meet key NPCs. Decisions made in this phase could significantly sway the outcome of the mission's latter half.

Deep in thought, Sky revisited the system's mission brief and was struck by a detail he had previously overlooked:

The Special Element - The Awakeners: Following the catastrophe, some individuals unlocked supernatural abilities, becoming known as "Awakeners." The virtuous among them were pivotal in the defense and advancement of cities, while their malevolent counterparts emerged as harbingers of vice and turmoil in the new world.

The Awakeners! That was the key. This term had been a recurring motif since his entry into the game instance. It was clearly a clue, indicating that the Awakeners might be essential to achieving his mission.

Beyond having glimpsed an Awakener soaring through the skies upon first entering this parallel world, Sky's interactions were limited to two pivotal figures connected to the Awakeners: Dr. Spencer and Max from the Genetic Warrior's Fifth Combat Squad. Yet, neither was an Awakener. As Sky sifted through his mind for clues, a light bulb went off. He remembered Colonel Marcus Reynolds, his mentor and the top commander of the Genetic Warriors at Satellite City 14 — a bona fide Awakener.

His musings were interrupted as Dr. Spencer, clutching a tablet, approached with a look of pleasant surprise. "Sky, your primary genetic enhancement fusion rate has astonishingly soared to 66% overnight! What on earth did you do? Jumping 17% in just one night is unprecedented. At this rate, by tomorrow, you'll reach the 80% threshold necessary for the F-type drug, and you haven't even been administered the G-type yet. This is truly miraculous," she said, her voice shaking with elation.

"I'll immediately draft a report and send it directly to the Central Research Institute," Dr. Spencer declared, pacing the room. "Don't leave today. I need to conduct a thorough examination immediately. We might proceed with the G-type drug today, but we must first evaluate the risks. I'll get in touch with the Institute and organize an online meeting."

Sky slightly narrowed his eyes, recognizing the value he held in this scenario. Outside the city, an environment riddled with radiation and geomagnetic storms necessitated the use of specialized, high-powered communication equipment for inter-city communication, consuming significant energy. Transmissions across cities required special approval and were exorbitantly priced. Online meetings were a luxury, typically used only by the military or government officials in emergencies.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Sky had no intention of spending his entire day cooped up in the lab. Thinking quickly, he fabricated: "Doctor, ever since yesterday's battle, I've felt a warm energy pulsing within me, as if every cell is basking in sunlight. Could this be an indication of an impending awakening? I recall Colonel Marcus Reynolds mentioning that unusual bodily sensations often precede an awakening. Maybe I should seek his counsel on this matter, and perhaps he might have some advice."

After a moment of contemplation, Dr. Spencer responded, "That might indeed be a wise course of action. Colonel Reynolds is currently at the city defense army's genetic warrior base. As one of only six Awakeners in Satellite City 14 and an experienced trainer, his insights are invaluable. However, you're our most crucial experimental subject, so I can't let you venture out alone. I'll assign a bodyguard. Go ahead with your checks for now; I'll arrange everything."

Following another grueling hour with Dr. Spencer's assistant and a series of tests, Sky was again in the doctor's presence, unexpectedly accompanied by Max.

"Alright, Sky, the Central Research Institute has responded. They're analyzing your test data and physical condition to determine if we can go ahead with the G-type drug injection. The review might take a few hours, so you can use this time to meet with Colonel Reynolds. Despite his packed military schedule, he's agreed to see you after hearing about your situation," she informed him.

Turning to Max, she added, "He was here assessing the fifth squad's injured members and, fortuitously, I've enlisted him as your interim bodyguard. Max will escort you to Colonel Reynolds."

Shortly afterward, Sky, guided by Max, traversed the bustling corridors of the military hospital, rapidly making their way to the Genetic Warrior Base.

This facility was one of the pivotal components of Satellite City 14's defense force. On the battlefield, a mere 12-member squad of genetic warriors could surpass the might of hundreds, if not thousands, of soldiers. In certain extreme conditions, these warriors were capable of accomplishing feats that would be insurmountable for even large-scale armies.

The base itself looked like a fortress, its thick steel doors and robust walls exuding a sense of formidable security. It was ringed with countless sentry towers and advanced surveillance systems, a testament to its readiness for any potential threat.

Aside from the standard barracks and armory, the base also housed several cubic structures with metallic walls. Sky, as a military academy cadet injected with enhancement drugs, had undergone training here and was familiar with these facilities. He knew that these cubes were specialized indoor training grounds, each uniquely designed for different types of genetic warriors – focusing on combat, perception, manipulation, and elemental skills, equipped with various facilities for intensive training and testing.

Progressing further, a three-story building came into view, its entrance heavily guarded. Two well-equipped sentries stood at each side of the door.

"This is somewhere you haven't been before, isn't it?" Max said to Sky. "This is the command center of the base. Colonel Marcus's office is right there."

After explaining their purpose to the guards and undergoing a brief security check, they were allowed inside. Sky followed Max up to the third floor, walking down a lengthy corridor until they reached an office door.

Max knocked and announced their presence. "Report!"

"Come in!" bellowed a voice from behind the door – Colonel Reynolds.

Max pushed the door open, and Sky found himself face to face with his instructor, a figure from his fragmented memories.

Colonel Reynolds was seated behind his desk, engrossed in a report. His expression was stern and focused, exuding an aura of unspoken authority.

Lifting his gaze, his sharp eyes met Sky's. Dismissing Max to wait outside, he turned to Sky. "Sky, it's been a while. Of the ten cadets injected with the enhancement drugs, you're the only one yet to be assigned to a combat unit. You're a promising recruit, but Dr. Spencer had you holed up in her lab every day, playing guinea pig. I was worried those gadgets would drive you mad. However, Max told me about your first stint on the battlefield in a mech suit yesterday. You did well. Didn't let me down."

A hint of a smile crossed the Colonel's face as he gestured to a chair across his desk. "Take a seat. You've outdone yourself, a 17% fusion rate increase overnight – a new federal record. Even stirred up the Central Research Institute in the main city," he said, as per Dr. Spencer's account.

Sky, maintaining a soldier's perfect posture, calmly presented the narrative he had concocted on the way there. "Sir, is there a way for me to become an Awakener within two days?"

At this, Colonel Reynolds, in the midst of lighting a cigarette, jerked, singeing his fingers. "What did you say?"

"I want to become an Awakener within two days, sir," Sky repeated earnestly.

The Colonel stared at Sky's unflinching demeanor for a moment, then took a drag of his freshly lit cigarette. "Tell me, what's the situation?"

Sky raised his right hand, pointing north. "Since yesterday, I've been sensing several powerful forces converging towards our Satellite City 14 from that direction."

Abruptly standing up, Colonel Reynolds fixed a stern gaze on Sky. After a moment of contemplation, he commanded coldly, "Strip. Leave not a single piece of cloth on!"