Kai spent the rest of the evening after school holed up in his small alcove, avoiding his family as much as possible. The attention at school had left him raw and exposed. He replayed the interactions, Leo's surprised grin, Anya's curious stare, the System's unsettling commentary. He was a different person now, physically, and the System was a constant, intrusive presence in his thoughts, a silent narrator to his increasingly bizarre life.
He tried to summon the status screen again, focusing his intent.
[STATUS – KAI (CONDUIT)] Level: 1 Anima Core Stability: 76% (Diminishing – Sustenance Required Within Approx. 48 Standard Hours for Optimal Function) (Attributes unchanged since last view) NOTES:
Minor Anima energy expenditure detected: Heightened sensory processing, sustained alertness.
His Anima Core Stability had dropped by 2%. Just from being awake and using his enhanced senses at school? The "Sustenance Required" note sent a fresh wave of cold dread through him. He pushed the thought away, focusing on the new information. The System was tracking his energy use like some kind of internal power meter.
He woke the next morning before dawn, the habit of early courier runs still ingrained. As he sat on the edge of his thin mattress, the city outside still cloaked in pre-dawn gloom, a new System message popped into his vision, unbidden. It was different from the alerts or suggestions.
[NEW DAILY QUEST ISSUED] Quest: Morning Mobilization Objective 1: Perform Basic Physical Conditioning (0/30 minutes)
(Recommended: Light calisthenics, stretching, agility drills) Objective 2: Secure Morning Sustenance – Tier 1 (Nutrient Paste or Equivalent) (0/1) Objective 3: Attend Scheduled Educational Seminar (School) (0/1) Rewards for Completion: +50 System Experience Points (EXP), +1 Minor Stamina Elixir (Consumable). Time Limit: 8 Standard Hours. Accept? [Y/N]
Kai stared at the message, bewildered. A "Daily Quest"? Like something out of the MBL promotional games Leo was obsessed with. "Morning Mobilization"? It sounded so… ordinary. So pedestrian compared to "Survive Initial Exposure" or "Sustenance Protocol Engaged."
'A Minor Stamina Elixir?' he thought. 'EXP?'
The System responded instantly: [System Experience Points (EXP) contribute to Conduit Level progression. Higher levels unlock advanced System functions and potential Anima evolutions. Consumables provide temporary or minor permanent enhancements.]
Anima evolutions. The phrase snagged his attention. Could he gain more control? Understand what he was becoming? Maybe even… change it? The hope was a fragile thing, easily crushed by the memory of the alley.
The quest itself was simple enough. Exercise, eat breakfast, go to school. Things he (mostly) did anyway. The idea of being rewarded by this alien System for such mundane activities was absurd, yet… there it was. He felt a strange compulsion, a curiosity to see what would happen. And the thought of his Anima Core Stability diminishing was a constant, low hum of anxiety. Maybe engaging with these benign quests would help.
With a sigh that was part resignation, part trepidation, he focused on the 'Y' for "Accept."
The message updated: [DAILY QUEST: Morning Mobilization – ACCEPTED] Objective 1: Perform Basic Physical Conditioning (0/30 minutes)
(Timer Activated: 29:59 remaining for objective completion bonus)
A timer? He supposed he should have expected it. He got to his feet. His small living space didn't offer much room, but he could manage some basic exercises. As he started with some simple stretches, he noticed the difference immediately. His body moved with an ease and precision it never had before. The +1 Agility from the "Survival" mission, combined with his enhanced Strength and Stamina, made even simple push-ups feel effortless. He found himself moving faster, pushing harder than he intended, a strange energy thrumming beneath his skin.
After a surprisingly invigorating thirty minutes, a new message appeared: [Objective 1: Complete. Bonus: +5 EXP for efficient execution.]
He then moved on to "Objective 2: Secure Morning Sustenance." His mother had left out a tube of standard-issue nutrient paste. As he consumed the bland, vaguely sweet goo, another notification: [Objective 2: Complete. Note: Tier 1 sustenance provides minimal Anima Core stabilization. Higher tier (bio-organic) sustenance recommended for optimal Anima development.]
Kai shuddered. "Bio-organic sustenance." The System's euphemism for what he'd done in the alley was chilling. He forced the thought down. One step at a time.
Going to school felt different today. It was still an assault on his senses, but now it was also "Objective 3." He sat through his classes, the System a quiet observer in his mind, occasionally flashing up minor notifications:
[Environmental Scan: Apex Conglomerate surveillance drone detected. Standard patrol. Low threat.] [Social Interaction Analysis: Peer Leo exhibiting heightened curiosity regarding Conduit's altered physical state. Recommend evasive or deflective responses.]
He managed to get through the school day, his interactions with Leo strained by his evasiveness. As the final bell rang, the Daily Quest completion message appeared:
[DAILY QUEST: Morning Mobilization – COMPLETE!] [Rewards Dispensed: +50 EXP. +1 Minor Stamina Elixir (Added to System Inventory).] [Conduit Level 1: EXP 55/100]
An "Inventory"? He focused on the thought. A new screen overlay appeared, showing a simple grid. One slot was occupied by a small, glowing blue vial icon labeled "Minor Stamina Elixir."
[Minor Stamina Elixir: Temporarily boosts Stamina regeneration by 20% for 1 hour upon consumption. Consume? Y/N]
It was all so surreal. He had completed a quest, earned experience points, and received an item, all orchestrated by the alien intelligence residing within him. Part of him was terrified. Another, smaller, more pragmatic part – the part that had always struggled to survive in District 7 – couldn't deny the allure of tangible rewards, of progression, even if the source was monstrous.
The path ahead was still dark and uncertain, but now it had… objectives. And, perhaps, a twisted kind of logic.