Several hours had passed by the time Vikram managed to make his way out of the jungle. The strange thing was, despite consuming the 'Origin Gene,' his exhaustion hadn't fully faded. The gravity of this new world was so intense that the simple act of walking drained a significant amount of his energy.
Suddenly, the tree line ended, and a vast plain opened up before him.
Vikram's eyes widened in shock at the sight ahead. In the distance, a small town was visible. But this was no ordinary town. The buildings there were floating in mid-air, constructed from massive boulders.
Vikram was still taking in the view when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind.
"Who are you?" a heavy voice boomed.
Vikram spun around quickly. Two men stood before him. They wore simple leather armor and held long, spear-like rods in their hands. They looked human, but their skin emitted a faint blue glow.
Vikram replied cautiously, "I... I am a traveler. I've lost my way."
One of the men, who stood nearly 7 feet tall, laughed. "Traveler? Your clothes and that weak body tell us you've just arrived from the 'Lower World' (Sanctuary)."
Vikram was startled to hear this. Did they know where he came from?
The other man pointed his rod at Vikram. "Let's see just how strong a 'God' from the Lower World really is."
Vikram didn't appreciate the challenge. He thought, 'Even though I'm new here, I was the strongest warrior in that world. I can easily defeat them.'
Vikram utilized his maximum speed. Using the 'Phoenix Technique,' he attempted to get behind the man in an instant and strike his neck with a hand chop. It was a blow so fast and powerful that, in his previous world, it would have shattered mountains.
Bam!
But what happened next was beyond Vikram's belief.
Without even turning around, the man simply raised his left hand and caught Vikram's strike in mid-air. Vikram's hand went numb upon impact with the man's palm, as if he had struck indestructible metal.
"What? He blocked my attack?" Cold sweat broke out on Vikram's forehead.
The man turned slowly and smiled. "Your technique is good, kid. But your strength... is pitifully low."
He flicked Vikram's hand away. The force of that casual motion was enough to send Vikram flying 10 meters back. The air was knocked right out of his lungs.
"How is this possible?" Vikram wondered as he dusted himself off. "I am a 'True God' level warrior. And this man... he looks like nothing more than a guard."
The tall man lowered his rod and walked over to Vikram. He reached out a hand to pull him up.
"Don't be surprised," the man said calmly. "Where you came from, you likely considered yourself a 'God' or a 'Deity.' You probably ruled your entire world. But here, in this 'Origin Universe'..."
He gestured to the surroundings.
"...That power you call 'Divine Power' is a basic necessity for survival here. Every child born here possesses the level of strength you considered a 'Super Gene' or the 'Ultimate Level' in your world."
Vikram was stunned into silence.
"So... what am I here?" Vikram asked quietly.
"Here?" the man laughed. "Here, you are lower than a 'Commoner'. You are currently a 'Newborn.' Even an ordinary farmer here can lift heavier weights than you."
Vikram clenched his fist. Instead of despair, a new glint appeared in his eyes. This wasn't an insult; it was a challenge.
He thought, 'This means there is no limit to evolution. If the common man here is equal to my previous peak, just imagine how powerful the 'Elite' must be here. I must become that.'
"My name is Vikram," he told the man, straightening his spine. "Tell me, how can I become stronger?"
The guard noticed Vikram's spirit and nodded. "First, you have to pay the 'Gene Tax' to enter the town. If you don't have money, you'll have to work with us in the Mine."
Vikram smiled. "Deal."
Author Note: "If you like the story, please vote with Power Stones! It helps me write faster."