A wave of exhilaration washed over Adam as he released his pent-up anger. "That felt incredible," he admitted, his voice brimming with satisfaction. "I should have done this sooner."
However, the thought of the Overmind's cleansing trial he had just called for made him pause. 'Perhaps I went too far.' In retrospect, a regular duel to the death would have sufficed, but years of suppressed hatred had led him to choose a more extreme measure.
Feeling somewhat drained by the ordeal, Adam decided it was time to refuel. He headed towards the sustenance chamber, an expansive, shadowy space filled with rows upon rows of feeding platforms. Each platform was occupied by a Zentarran warrior, engaged in the act of nourishment.
The chamber hummed with activity as the warriors absorbed their sustenance, standing on elevated platforms with eyes closed in concentration. From the ceiling, fleshy tubes descended to attach themselves to their mouths, pulsating and swelling as they delivered the vital nutrients that powered their formidable bodies. This method of feeding was not only efficient but also served to maintain the hive units' focus and minimize downtime.
As Adam walked among the warriors, he couldn't help but marvel at the strange yet ingenious feeding system the hive had devised. Though initially repulsed by the method, he had come to accept and even appreciate its practicality. He knew that every aspect of his life within the hive was designed for maximum productivity, and this unique approach to sustenance was no exception.
As Adam neared an unoccupied platform, he observed the Zentarran warriors around him, their expressions focused and tranquil. He couldn't help but recall his initial reaction to the feeding method when he was younger. The idea of having a fleshy tube connected to his mouth had repulsed and scared him. It had taken some time for him to adapt and embrace this foreign practice. Over time, however, he had grown to appreciate its efficiency and even the peculiar sensation it offered.
Comparing it to the various ways he had consumed food back on Earth, Adam conceded that this system had its advantages. There was no need for utensils or sitting down to eat, which allowed the hive units to stay focused on their tasks. It was a prime example of the hive's dedication to maximizing productivity and minimizing distractions.
Adam stepped onto an empty platform, mentally preparing himself for the unique sensation he was about to encounter. As he stood in position, the fleshy tube descended from above, attaching itself to his mouth with a moist, suction-like sound. The tube, cool and damp to the touch, began to pulsate rhythmically. He could feel the nutrient-rich substance travel through the tube, the bulging and pulsating growing more pronounced as it neared his mouth. A moment later, the nutrients surged into him, a medley of various flavors and textures that was both overwhelming and strangely gratifying.
As he received his nourishment, Adam couldn't help but feel a bit odd identifying more with the Zentarrans around him than his fellow humans. They all shared this distinctive method of sustenance, a testament to the hive's innovation and their united purpose. Once his feeding was complete, the fleshy tube disengaged from his mouth, retracting back into the ceiling. Adam stepped down from the platform, feeling rejuvenated and invigorated. Now fed, he decided it was time to rest.
"Time for some sleep, I guess," he yawned.
He made his way to his quarters in the hive — the prince's chambers. Adam walked down the dimly lit hallway, the soft squelching of his boots on the hive's organic flooring echoing around him. He reached the entrance to his room, which resembled a large, pulsating membrane. Pressing his hand on it, the door responded to his touch, and the membrane parted to allow him entry.
Stepping inside, he surveyed his room, a testament to his disciplined upbringing within the militaristic hive. Everything was meticulously arranged and orderly. The walls, composed of the same organic material as the rest of the hive, seemed to breathe in sync with the room's occupant.
His bed, a cot embedded in the wall, was made flawlessly, the sheets stretched taut and smooth. The pillows were plumped and neatly placed, their corners aligned with precision. When he desired privacy or sleep, he could close the bed by having the side facing the rest of the room sealed off with organic skin, which would seamlessly blend with the surrounding wall.
Adam's personal belongings were few but cherished. A small collection of toys from his childhood was carefully arranged on a shelf made of carapace, a reminder of simpler times before the burden of his responsibilities had settled on his shoulders. They had long outlived their usefulness as playthings but now served as symbols of his growth and development within the hive.
On the opposite wall hung a simple mirror, framed by organic tendrils. It was there that he examined his reflection each day, ensuring his appearance always met the hive's standards. Beneath the mirror, a small basin made of the hive's carapace contained water for washing his face and hands, while a towel, meticulously folded, rested on a nearby shelf.
It was a sanctuary, a place where he could retreat, reflect, and rest before facing the challenges that each new day would bring. With a sigh, he closed the door behind him, feeling the comforting embrace of the familiar surroundings as he prepared for the night ahead.
"Home, sweet home."
Unequipping his gear, he jumped onto the well-made cot, closing the exit to the bed. The organic skin grew from the bottom of the exit to encompass all of it, the orangey skin partially see-through.
He thought back over the day's events. 'I've gotten my first unit today, and I've learned how to lead it. Now that I'm allowed to awaken, I can do my best to level up. Having Lancer will allow me to level quicker. Plus, I've put the General in his place, so he won't mess with me for a while yet.'
He brought up his status to see his progress for the day.
Name: Adam Emmanuel-Amin
Age: 8
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Race: Human
Title/s: Dream child
Trait/s: Immortal
Talent: Partially awakened
Health points (HP): 140/140
Stamina points (SP): 150/150
Mana points (MP): 100/100
Class: Warrior (Tier 0)
Level: 4
Xp to next level: 3640
Attributes:
Strength: 17
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 14
Endurance: 15
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 10
Attributes available: 4
Skills:
[Stab] (common) (Tier 0)
[Sprint] (common) (Tier 0)
[Spear mastery] (common) (Tier 0)
[Cleave] (common) (Tier 0)
[Light armor proficiency] (common) (Tier 0)
[Battle Cry] (common) (Tier 0)
As Adam examined his status, he couldn't help but think he would have leveled faster on his own. He could have taken riskier fights against higher-level enemies since he would eventually come back to life. Learning to lead another unit was more challenging than he had anticipated, slowing him down in his leveling process as he focused more on leadership. Additionally, he was sharing experience points with Lancer. Furthermore, Lancer had only one life; if he died, he was gone for good, forcing Adam to play it safe.
'Hopefully, as I become a better leader and gain more units, we can level up faster by taking on more enemies at once.'
His stats had changed significantly since the day began, with four attributes assigned automatically to strength, dexterity, constitution, and endurance because of his class. He was given two extra attributes that he could assign himself. Pondering which attributes he needed the most, Adam brought up the tooltip explaining what each attribute did.
Strength: This attribute governs raw physical power. It directly influences the damage dealt in physical combat and enhances the capacity to lift, carry, and manipulate heavy objects without being weighed down. Individuals with high strength can overpower their foes with brute force, making them formidable opponents in any battle.
Dexterity: Representing agility, coordination, and finesse, dexterity affects precision in striking targets, evading incoming attacks, and moving swiftly across the battlefield. Those with high dexterity can expertly weave through enemy lines, strike with deadly accuracy, and avoid blows with uncanny grace, making them elusive and dangerous adversaries.
Constitution: A measure of physical resilience and vitality, constitution directly impacts maximum health and natural health regeneration rate. Individuals with high constitution can endure punishing blows and recover quickly from injuries, allowing them to outlast their opponents and persevere in the face of adversity.
Endurance: This attribute represents the ability to withstand physical and mental fatigue, directly influencing maximum stamina and stamina regeneration rate. Those with high endurance can perform strenuous activities for extended periods without succumbing to exhaustion, enabling them to maintain peak performance even in the most grueling situations.
Intelligence: A reflection of mental acuity and arcane aptitude, intelligence governs the maximum mana pool and the potency of magical attacks. Individuals with high intelligence can harness vast reserves of magical energy and unleash devastating spells, making them formidable spellcasters with the power to alter the course of battles.
Wisdom: Representing insight, intuition, and attunement to mystical forces, wisdom affects mana regeneration rate and resistance to magical or supernatural effects. Wise individuals can rapidly replenish their mana reserves and withstand spells or otherworldly attacks, allowing them to outmaneuver their opponents in a contest of arcane might.
Charisma: This attribute embodies personal magnetism, charm, and force of personality, influencing the ability to persuade, intimidate, and inspire others. Those with high charisma can sway hearts and minds with a silver tongue, rally allies to their cause, and cow their enemies into submission, making them natural leaders and skilled negotiators.
Adam liked to categorize the attributes into three distinct groups to make them easier to remember: the physical group, the mental group, and what he considered the useless group. The physical group consisted of strength, dexterity, constitution, and endurance. The mental group comprised intelligence and wisdom. In his opinion, the useless group included charisma, which he believed to be the least valuable attribute. To him, true power and success stemmed from a combination of physical prowess and mental acuity, rendering charisma superficial and unnecessary.
'I'd rather punch an enemy in the face than try to sway them to my side. Yep, never putting a point in it,' he joked.
With four available attribute points to allocate, he pondered which attributes to boost. He invested two points in wisdom, recalling how the snake's [Panic] ability nearly killed him if not for his fortunate resistance. He then spent the remaining two points enhancing his dexterity for faster strikes. Though satisfied with his current strength, he needed more dexterity to capitalize on the opportunities Lancer created for him.
Dexterity: 14 > 16
Wisdom: 10 > 12
Attributes available: 4 > 0
'I need to think about my next steps. Once I wake up on Earth, I need to check on Stella. She should be in school today. And I need to handle the Emmanuel family,' he frowned, pondering over Stella and the Emmanuel family.
'Hopefully, she's fine.' With that final thought, Adam drifted off to sleep.
After eight hours of slumber in the Dreamverse, he had only a few minutes left. He meditated after making his bed, ensuring it was neat and tidy, patiently waiting for the Dreamverse to release him.
*Ding*
*You are leaving the Dreamverse in 3*
*2*
*1*
*0*