Chapter 4: The Road To Strength 1
The soft glow of dawn stretched across Whale Island as Chris sat cross-legged on the forest floor. His crimson eyes glimmered in the fading twilight as he reflected on the incredible, almost terrifying potential of his system—and the world he now inhabited.
The Adapt Evolution skill intrigued him the most. It allowed his body and mind to grow stronger from adversity, no matter the form. Every challenge he overcame, whether physical, mental, or emotional, would leave him sharper and more powerful.
"This world… doesn't play by Earth's rules," Chris muttered, clenching his fists. "If I stick to Earth's values, I won't survive. I need to adapt—and fast."
He glanced at the system panel in his mind, which floated before him with an otherworldly hum.
---
System Progress:
Status:
Name: Chris Valentine
Age: 13
Skills: Adapt Evolution (Passive/Maxed), Shadow Manipulation (Beginner, Level 1), Hand-to-Hand Combat (Level 4)
Points: 700
System Rank: E
Adapt Evolution: This passive ability allows the user to naturally overcome challenges, becoming stronger from hardship. The more dangerous the challenge, the greater the reward.(Maxed/Passive because it's a Intrinsic Skill like how talent works.)
Chris exhaled deeply. He understood the skill's potential. If used correctly, it would allow him to transcend his limits faster than anyone else. But the cost of failure in this world was death.
"I can't fail," Chris muttered. "Failure here isn't an option."
Chris had woken Gon before the sun rose, dragging the boy out of bed and into the forest. Gon, still half-asleep but ever-energetic, yawned as he followed.
"Chris, do we really have to start this early?" Gon asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes," Chris replied curtly. "The Hunter Exam won't wait for you to sleep in. If you're not prepared, you'll die. Simple as that."
Gon nodded, his youthful energy bubbling back to life. "Okay, then! What's first?"
Chris smirked. "First, I see what you're capable of."
Later Chris began by testing Gon's stamina, strength, and agility. He had the boy run laps around a forest clearing, climb trees, and lift heavy rocks. Gon's natural athleticism impressed Chris, though he noticed the boy's form was inefficient.
"You're strong," Chris admitted after an hour, "but you waste a lot of energy. Strength alone isn't enough."
Gon grinned, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "So what do I do?"
Chris folded his arms. "You learn to control your body. Every movement has to be deliberate and efficient. No wasted effort."
The first combat training session began with simple sparring. Chris faced Gon in the clearing, his stance calm and confident.
"Hit me," Chris instructed.
Gon hesitated. "You're sure?"
"Do I look unsure?" Chris smirked.
Gon lunged forward, throwing a punch. Chris sidestepped, tapped Gon's back lightly, and sent him stumbling forward.
"Sloppy," Chris said. "You telegraph your attacks. Try again."
Gon came at him again, more cautious this time. Chris dodged easily, countering with taps to Gon's arms and legs to throw him off balance.
Each time Gon fell, Chris could feel his Adapt Evolution skill kicking in, subtly enhancing his reflexes and footwork. It wasn't an instant transformation, but each sparring session left Chris sharper, his movements smoother.
By the end of the session, Gon was panting heavily, his hands on his knees.
"You're getting better," Chris admitted, noticing how Gon adapted to his movements, albeit slowly. "But you've got a long way to go."
Gon grinned despite his exhaustion. "I'll get there. Just watch!"
Later, Chris worked on sharpening Gon's awareness. He blindfolded the boy and told him to listen to his surroundings.
"Don't rely on your eyes," Chris said, his voice calm but firm. "In a real fight, your opponent will exploit your weaknesses. If you can't see them, you'll have to feel them."
Chris began throwing small pebbles and twigs near Gon, testing his reactions. At first, Gon flinched at every sound, turning in the wrong direction.
"Calm down," Chris said. "Focus. Let the sounds guide you."
Gon furrowed his brows, his breathing steadying as he concentrated. Slowly, he began reacting more accurately.
Chris felt his Adapt Evolution skill stirring again as he guided Gon. It wasn't just physical growth—it enhanced his teaching ability, allowing him to convey complex concepts in ways Gon could easily understand.
As the sun climbed higher, Chris led Gon deeper into the forest.
"This world isn't kind," Chris said, crouching by a patch of wild plants. "You need to know how to survive, even when you're alone. If you can't find food, water, or shelter, you're dead."
He showed Gon how to identify edible plants, set traps for small animals, and find clean water sources.
Gon watched intently, mimicking Chris's actions. When they caught a rabbit, Chris demonstrated how to skin and prepare it.
"It's not fun," Chris admitted, "but it's necessary."
Gon nodded seriously. "I get it. Survival's part of being a Hunter, right?"
"Exactly," Chris said, his tone softer.
That evening, as Gon slept soundly by the campfire, Chris opened his Status screen. His progress was slow but steady:
Hand-to-Hand Combat: Level 5
Survival Skills: Level 3
Awareness: Level 2
His Adapt Evolution skill was the real MVP. Every mistake, every challenge, was a stepping stone. He could feel himself growing—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
But even with this advantage, Chris reminded himself of the dangers ahead. The Five Great Calamities were constant shadows in his mind.
"These creatures… they're on a level I can't even comprehend," Chris muttered, his gaze hardening. "I'm not invincible. Not yet."
He clenched his fists, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the firelight. "But I will be. One day."
And with that resolve, Chris closed his eyes, preparing for another grueling day of training.