[Initiating Evolution Process...]
The moment Chen Fang confirmed his evolution, reality seemed to dissolve around him. A wave of indescribable euphoria crashed through his consciousness, starting at his core and radiating outward through every nerve ending. It was pleasure beyond anything he'd ever experienced—pure, overwhelming bliss that made his entire being sing with ecstasy.
His vision blurred as warmth flooded his body, every cell vibrating with transformative energy. The sensation was so intense, so perfectly satisfying, that if he'd still possessed human vocal cords, he would have cried out in an explosive rapture.
Deep in his mind, a distant memory surfaced—the private relief he'd once found in solitary moments as a human—but this was infinitely more profound, and much more complete.
As the euphoric waves peaked, Chen Fang felt his skin begin to loosen and separate. The old flesh peeled away in translucent sheets, revealing colorful vibrant new patterns beneath. His body stretched and expanded, muscles strengthening - his organs repositioning themselves with fluid precision. Chen Fang's Consciousness fading into a dream-like state as his form underwent its miraculous transformation.
When awareness returned, Chen Fang felt fundamentally different. His body hummed with a newfound vitality, and every movement carried enhanced grace and power. He performed the octopus equivalent of a yawn—a slow, rhythmic expansion and contraction of his mantle—as his senses gradually sharpened back to cognition.
Ding!
*[Congratulations, Host! The First Evolution has been successfully completed!]*
The system's voice carried what almost seemed like genuine pride, its usual mechanical tone warmed by something approaching enthusiasm.
"I had no idea evolution would feel so incredible," Chen Fang mused, still basking in the afterglow. "If I'd known, I would've worked much harder to achieve it sooner."
As full awareness returned, he noticed his coral hideout felt considerably more cramped. What had once been a spacious refuge now seemed barely adequate for his expanded form. Examining himself, Chen Fang discovered his body had grown to approximately thirty centimeters in length—a substantial increase that came with noticeable improvements in strength and agility.
Most striking were his colors. The rainbow patterns that had adorned his previous form now blazed with incredible vibrancy, each hue more vivid and dynamic than before. He felt like a living work of art, beautiful and dangerous in equal measure.
*[The Host has earned a reward for completing his first evolution: Mission Function now unlocked!]*
[New Mission Available: "The Infamous Octopus!!!"]
*{[The Host has now unlocked the Mission function of the System, which is the main purpose of the System along with evolving The Host into A "$%##%*" Being.]}
"System, what do you mean by mission function? I thought that the purpose of the system was for me to just infinitely evolve until I reach a level of power that can send me back to my old life. And what type of being were you trying to say?"
"When you tried to say it a type of static interference mixed with gibberish came in; which is weird considering your some type of super advanced high-tech magical system."
Chen Fang tilted his head, and placed a thoughtful tentacle beneath what passed for his chin. "This sounds more complicated." He thought with a groan.
{[Endless evolution is a secondary result of the primary objective: gaining Recognition Points from dominant species throughout the universe. And The Host has not yet unlocked the required Existence level to hear The True Name of the Being.]}
"Well that's not suspicious." Chen Fang was extremely curious to know what the system was hiding from him, but at the moment he could only pocket the issue for another day. It was as the saying went, 'no crying over spilled milk.'
"Recognition Points?" Chen Fang's curiosity peaked. "How exactly do I acquire those?"
[The Host must complete actions that make him known to the dominant species of each world. Every individual who learns of your existence or experiences an emotional reaction because of your actions grants the Host one Recognition Point. (Note: Points cannot be earned from the same individual twice.)]
Chen Fang's excitement deflated as his plans for repeatedly farming the same targets evaporated. He released what could only be described as a grumpy octopus sigh, a frustrated jet of water through his siphon.
"Are humans the only dominant species on Earth?" he asked.
[Currently, the human species is the sole recognized dominant race on Planet Earth. However, multiple subspecies and classifications fall under the 'human' designation.]
Chen Fang's eyes widened with surprise. "Subspecies? What do you mean by that? Explain!"
[Information classified. Details unavailable until Host completes designated prerequisite missions.]
"More classified information! And What missions!?" Chen Fang demanded, his frustration mounting.
[Mission parameters are currently locked pending System authorization.]
"Are you fucking serious right now?!" Chen Fang exploded, his octopus body literally bouncing up and down in the sand, tentacles flailing in indignation. "You're just going to dangle all of this information in front of me and then lock it away?"
After several moments of furious gesticulating, Chen Fang forced himself to calm down. Getting angry at the system wouldn't change its programming, and he'd learned to accept the strange circumstances of his new existence.
{[Alert: Host has not yet accepted Mission: "Recognition Protocol." Accept mission?]}
{Yes} {No}
Chen Fang drew what passed for a deep breath of water through his gills and selected "Yes" with resigned determination.
[Mission accepted! Unlocking additional reward for Host's cooperation.]
"System, display my properties panel."
The familiar blue interface materialized, updated information flowing across its surface:
*[Host Information Panel]*
[Name: Chen Fang
Race: Mutated Common Octopus {Adult}
Skills: Camouflage, Underwater Breathing, Underwater Movement, Jet Propulsion, Total Mimicry, Limb Elongation, Meta Vision (Lesser)
Body Length: 28 CM
Bio-Energy Points: 20/100
Recognition Points: 0/100,000]
Chen Fang stared at the updated information with mixed emotions. Adult status after just one evolution seemed remarkably fast, though he supposed the system operated by different rules rather than natural biology.
His attention then focused on his new reward skill: Meta Vision (Lesser). According to its description, this passive ability granted enhanced vision in darkness and, with mental energy expenditure, could pierce through perfect camouflage and concealment.
While useful, it hardly seemed extraordinary—until Chen Fang read the final line of the description.
"Advanced forms may evolve into Omnipresent Vision with omni-directional sight capabilities."
The implications quickly hit him like a tidal wave. Omnipresent vision—the ability to see everything, everywhere, simultaneously. It was god-like power hidden within an seemingly modest skill.
Chen Fang attempted to shout with joy, but only streams of excited bubbles emerged from his siphon beak. His reflection in the system screen revealed striking changes to his eyes—multilayered rings of constantly shifting colors that seemed to pulse with inner light.
"System!" he internally called out, barely containing his enthusiasm.
*[Yes, Host?]*
"You're fucking awesome!"