RE: Reality Smuggler (R-18)

{The Host has reached his genetic peak strength. The host cannot strengthen anymore.}

{Congratulations, Host, on becoming a peak-body Human.}

 

"Hah? Why isn't it working?" - I ask myself, habitually ignoring the message sent to my head.

Frowning, I order again.

"I said, strengthen!" - I say once more.

 

{The Host has reached his genetic peak strength. The host cannot strengthen anymore.}

 

Seeing that it didn't work for the second time, I begrudgingly checked the message, and only then I saw the message history.

"Genetic peak strength? Peak-Body Human? You mean I have a peak body!?" - My eyes blinked, still processing it.

"So, that means..." - My eyes suddenly lit, and I subconsciously felt my chest with my hands and looked down.

"Oh, shit! No wonder I felt my shirt getting tighter. I'm ripped!" - I blink my eyes and quickly lift my tight shirt to confirm it.

Well-shaped ripply muscles with a bit of fat.

Just the healthy balance between having a cut body with no fat and being jacked with bulging muscles and protein.

"Cool." - I say and knock on those impressive abs with my blood-covered gloved hand.

Tack* Tack*

Solid. I felt like I was knocking on hardwood.

"Nice! I always wanted to have a ripped body like this." - I nodded with appreciation but then frowned.

"Wait, didn't it say I have a peak body? I thought a peak body would look like Captain America, and he is swole." - I ask myself in confusion.¹A swole is a bodybuilder with massive, balloon-like muscles

However, a few moments later, I chastised myself.

"What am I? Stupid? Why am I comparing real life to a frigin fictional character? And besides, being a swole isn't necessarily a good thing. I hear they have relatively low stamina and eat like pigs all day. A Peak Body probably means having the best overall conditioning and having no obvious weakness, but not necessarily being a record holder. Besides, it also increased my disease immunity. Maybe it did other things?"

While thinking about it, I had an idea.

"Why not just ask the Amulet what it means? Although it isn't sentient, it should be able to explain a term it said, right?" - I muttered.

"Hey, Amulet, what do you mean by Peak Body?" - I asked, not expecting an answer.

However, to my pleasant surprise, it answered my query.

 

{Peak Body: A body having peak optimal overall performance ratio most suitable for a given genetic makeup. It includes Strength, Stamina, Vitality, Agility, Dexterity, Endurance, Toughness, Flexibility, Adaptability, Resistance, Senses, Reaction Speed, Intelligence, instincts, and Reflexes. It is an ideal vessel a creature can theoretically achieve through constant stimulus, meticulous diet, laborious conditioning, drug-taking, energy infusion, or any other means without changing its genetic makeup. As it is a non-genetic artificial state, not only does it need to be maintained(Partial, Subjective), but it also holds little benefit for future offspring other than being healthier and less likely for malformations.}

 

"Weew*... That's a pretty comprehensive improvement. It even improves intelligence. No wonder my head feels clearer." - I whistled in appreciation.

Of course, I am not expecting to become some super genius or something. The intelligence the Amulet mentioned is likely related to brain training, and my intelligence won't go through a fundamental change. At most, I would remember things better or think faster.

"Hm... But it seems this state is artificial and needs to be maintained. This sounds like buying and maintaining a luxury car. It should be expensive... Wait... How much energy did I use again?" - I suddenly widen my eyes, having a bad feeling.

Without wasting any time, I open the menu and check. And then my face fell.

"SHIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!" - I screamed at the top of my lungs.

 

 

Name: Divine fragment of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝

Powers: Dark Offering, Camouflage(Self), Storage, Teleport, Reality Travel, Evolution, Enhancement.

Basic Energy: 0.641

Evolution Energy A: 0.102

Enhancement Energy A: 12.618

 

 

"I spent over 125 Basic Energy Points! That's 250 mobs! DAMMITTTT!!!" - I screamed and held my head, not caring about my gloved hands covering my hair with yellowish blood.

From 125.831 to 0.641. The plunge was deep.

So deep that I didn't even have enough to go home!

"God-fucking-dammit! I feel like a poor man who bought a sports car! Now I have to go out there and hunt those stupid mobs!" - I said in a bad mood.

Clack*

"Gahhh."

"Speaking of the devil..." - I turned to the alley entrance, where I saw a lone mob wobbling over.

It seemed hungry, probably all the rotting stench whetting its appetite.

"Just when I needed you." - I say with a grim toothy smile and pull my pistol, aiming at it in a practiced motion.

But I didn't shoot in the end. I wondered for a moment before putting it back into the Storage.

"Forget it. This poor man bought a new sports car, so this poor man might as well break it in." - I said with a slight eagerness and picked up the fire axe.

Before this, as an average joe in below-average physical condition, only if I was put in a corner would I use a fire axe against a mob when I have a gun.

But now? Now I was filled with unexplainable confidence. The staggering and slow thing looked even slower in my eyes, as clumsy as a toddler. Only if I stand there like a dutch wife will it threaten me.

The 36-inch 6lb fire axe, which previously felt heavy in my untrained hands, now felt like a branch I could swing almost freely.

Previously, I needed around five full-power hits to break a mob's head open, but now a single smash is enough for me to shatter it into meat paste.

I didn't feel tired after hundreds of swings but rather full of energy, perhaps because of the strengthening.

My body felt lighter, and my balance and movement were smooth.

"If I, a human with a peak body and armed with a fire axe, couldn't take on a goddamn Mob, I might as well shoot myself." - I said with the same evil smile.

I confidently walked up to the walking points and raised my axe in a warcry.

"For the points!!!" - I shouted and swung the axe horizontally at the mob's neck.

CHOP*

With a single chop, the mob got cleanly beheaded, its head flying and hitting a wall.

The headless body slowly wobbled and collapsed, yellowish blood pouring from its severed neck.

"Hah! Nice." - I said and checked my new points.

 

Basic Energy: 0.641

 

"...Dude, didn't I kill it?" - I asked with a raised eyebrow, only to hear a noise on the side.

Clack* Clack*

The head I just decapitated, its bloody jaw moving as if trying to bite something.

"... What the fuck are you, the living dead?" - I muttered and raised my axe.

SPLAT*

 

{Gained 0.499 Basic Energy}

Basic Energy: 1.14

 

Using the blunt side, I smashed the head like a pumpkin. And finally, I got my goddamn points.

Picking up the black crystal hiding in the gore, I was about to offer it but then thought of something.

"Hey, I previously had almost no chance at successfully using this, right? Amulet, what are my chances of evolving with this thing now?" - I asked the Amulet, knowing it should be able to answer this.

And I was correct.

 

{Unknown Viral Energy Body: A crystal holding great allure to lesser carbon-based creatures. After consumption may cause violent evolutionary mutations on the host's body, potentially leading to death or suffering unknown mutation. Your current estimated successful evolution rate is 99.999%.}

 

"Wow, seriously? Doesn't that mean I can eat this thing and evolve without using the Amulet?" - I ask myself.

As for the 1 in a million chance of dying or mutating? I have a bigger chance of getting into a deadly car accident. I didn't pay any heed to it.

As if sensing my thoughts, the Amulet suddenly sent another message, dousing my thoughts of using this crystal.

 

{Violent Evolutionary Mutation: An extremely painful and forceful evolutionary option that leads to unknown and uncontrolled outcomes.}

 

It was as if the Amulet was telling me, "If you want to use it, I can't stop you, but are you sure?"

I was honestly wondering whether it is sentient or not.

"Okay! Fine! You convinced me. But what about the cost of evolving?" - I wondered and decided to check.

 

{Power: Evolution has been triggered.}

{Please select the desired option: Body Strengthening, Evolution.}

 

I noticed that the previously (Locked) state was removed from the Evolution option. I didn't check it before since I was worrying about survival, but now, I was curious. I had a hunch why, but it is unconfirmed.

"Hey, Amulet, wasn't it Locked before? Why is it unlocked now?" - I asked.

And... Nothing.

Perhaps the way I was questioning it was wrong, or possibly it deemed the answer obvious, so it didn't answer.

"Sigh. Fine. I will assume it is because of having a Peak Body. Evolution." - I said.

And then, a long list of messages were sent to my head.

 

{It has been detected that the host has not undergone Evolution before. A simplified explanation will be provided.}

{Evolution is the act of restructuring and reinforcing the genetic chain, bringing the body's limits to new heights.}

{During Evolution, the host's body will enter an immobile vulnerable state, and all senses and thinking abilities will be shut down as a self-protection mechanism for the host. It is highly advised to find safe shelter before initiating the process.}

{To ensure optimal results, evolving can only be done in one go and requires a peak body as a prerequisite.}

{The host will be provided with the most optimized evolutionary routes.}

 

Currently available evolutionary routes:

1. Standard. Cost: 10 Evolution Energy A. 100 Basic Energy. Estimated Time: 4 hours and 21 minutes.

 

"..."

At first, I was hyped by the first messages, but after reading the price, I silently closed them and ignored them.

A poor man like me might as well focus on making money than having fanciful daydreams.

And with that, I silently offered the crystal to the Amulet.

 

{Gained 0.099 Evolution Energy A}

{Gained 0.102 Enhancement Energy A}

 

And went to the field of pumpkins that I had yet smashed.

My Gory Quest has a long way to go.

 

Splat*

Splat*

Splat*

Splat*

...

 

Around 40 minutes later...

Splat*

And so, I smashed the last mob head, picked up the crystal, and offered it, marking the end of this episode of my Gory Quest.

 

{Gained 0.102 Evolution Energy A}

{Gained 0.98 Enhancement Energy A}

 

Only then I looked around.

Like a scene out of hell, the streets were filled with stinking greenish-grey humanoid headless carcasses swimming in yellowish blood and gore.

The scene would likely make even the staunchest of men gag a bit.

Looking at my handiwork in a slight daze, I couldn't hold it in anymore.

Gag* Bleugh*

I puked a blank for the third time, having emptied my stomach of all contents 20 minutes ago.

Previously, due to the pressure of death and adrenaline, and perhaps because of the constant strengthening, I forgot how disgusting the gore around me was.

After finishing, I wiped the sweat on my forehead and looked at my fire axe.

"I can't use this anymore. I need a new Axe." - I said bitterly.

The axe head was now unstable, and there were dents and fine cracks on the back, making the axe obsolete. It was a miracle I could still smash heads with it until now.

Sighing, I tossed away the axe and looked at my final target, the cream of the crop.

The one and only...

BULLSHIT BOSS!!!²Yeah, he still calls it that, lol.

Well, at least what remained out of it.

After being ravaged by hoards of hungry mobs, it now turned into a bare skeleton.

I must say, its bones are thick and hard. Other than the more fragile joints getting separated, the bones were intact, with only some faint chewing marks. Only the places I shot at had cracks.

The skull I had shot open earlier got picked clean, save for an egg-sized onyx crystal firmly attached to its back.

I still remember it. The mobs were fiercely fighting over it.

It hadn't been eaten yet for three reasons: first, the bones were too hard to break down quickly. Second, every time one of them tried to eat it, the others would attack and kill it, and third, the carcasses were blocking access to the boss.

Simple as that.

"Well, I don't want to waste my time to try breaking it. Let's see if I can offer it directly..."

With that in mind, I crouched and firmly held the crystal in my hand, still attached to the skull.

Luckily, it worked.

 

{Detected relevant offering: Unknown Viral Energy Body B.}

{Renaming Unknown Viral Energy Body to Unknown Viral Energy Body A.}

{Unknown Viral Energy Body B: A crystal holding great allure to more evolved carbon-based creatures. After consumption may cause violent evolutionary mutations on the host's body, potentially leading to death or suffering unknown mutation. Your current estimated successful evolution rate is 0%.}

{Would you like to offer it?}

 

"Hah... what a bland naming sense. Still, a higher-tier crystal, hah? Worthy of a boss drop. Let's see how much I get from it..." - I say and offer it.

The crystal, attached to the skull, went up and black flames and floated into the Amulet, leaving a hole where it once was.

 

{Dark Offering has been triggered.}

{Absorbed Unknown Viral Energy Body B.}

{Seperating and purifying useable energies and discarding the dregs... Success.}

{Gained 1.32 Evolution Energy A}

{Gained 1.3 Enhancement Energy A}

{A new complete evolutionary strand compatible with the host's human genome has been detected.}

{Extracting... Success.}

{Optimizing... Success.}

{Unlocked new Evolutionary Route: Soldier.}

 

"Er... So, thirteen times the energy? Seems not fair compared to the difficulty of killing it, but oh well. That aside, a new evolutionary route? And why is it called Soldier? That boss is more like a mad brute." - I tilted my head and checked.

 

Currently available evolutionary routes:

1. Standard. Cost: 10 Evolution Energy A. 100 Basic Energy. Estimated Time: 4 hours and 21 minutes.
2. Soldier. Cost: 13 Evolution Energy A. 130 Basic Energy. Estimated Time: 5 hours and 44 minutes.

 

Seeing the new price, I almost vomited blood.

"Oh, c'mon!!!" - I yelled in exasperation.

The price was even pricier than getting a peak body.

"Urgh, fuck it, looking at it any more will just piss me off." - I said and decisively closed it.

I then checked my points.

 

Name: Divine fragment of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝

Powers: Dark Offering, Camouflage(Self), Storage, Teleport, Reality Travel, Evolution, Enhancement.

Basic Energy: 8.652

Evolution Energy A: 24.71

Enhancement Energy A: 37.2

 

During this time, another 15 mobs were attracted by the putrid smell, so I got around 8 points together with the previous mob.

"Well, at least I have enough for a round trip home." - I thought optimistically and looked at the rest of the energy and smiled.

At least my hard work paid off.

Even with any supposed maintenance needs, 24.7 points are enough to last me a long time.

The enhancement energy that I didn't use yet was even more, at 37.2 points.

Although I didn't use it yet, I feel it is a valuable resource as valuable as Basic Energy and Evolution Energy.

After all, it can enhance the Amulet. I will find out soon what it can do.

But for now...

"I should get the heck out of here. More and more mobs are coming, and a big one might come." - I said and decided to leave this goddamn alley.

I was rightfully afraid of the smell of death attracting another bullshit boss or something worse.

I was lucky with the bullshit boss, as he was inexperienced. But what about an experienced bullshit boss? One that knows how to make armor and throw spears, for instance?

There would be only one outcome. I would be a spitroast.

And I am not being paranoid since I saw how smart the bullshit boss is. It is fully capable of achieving this, given enough time and ideas.

The thought of a fully armored bullshit boss armed with a shield and spear charging at me sent shivers down my spine.

I doubt I can kill something like that without a .50 BMG sniper rifle or an automatic assault rifle loaded with anti-armor ammunition.

And so, fearing the worst, I exited the alley and saw another mob wobbling over.

I calmly pulled out my pistol and shot at it with one hand.

Tack*

But no bullet came out.

"Tsk... Fucking gun malfunction." - I clicked my tongue and calmly cleared it before firing, scoring a headshot.

 

Bang*

{Gained 0.5 Basic Energy}

 

After putting away the pistol, I didn't go to retrieve the crystal but started walking in the opposite direction it came from.

Why? Because the wind has likely brought the stench to it, so it is more likely that the monsters will come from that direction.

"Okay... I should first look for a safe shelter for the night, a tool shop to get a new axe, and a weapon store. If I get these three covered, I should also see if I can find anything to scavenge." - I muttered.

With that decided, I went on to scavenge.