LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 16: Chapter 16
Alex's week went by in a blur of routine tasks and gradual testing. He didn't push himself too far with smart mode—just enough to feel the mental stretch every once in a while, the way an athlete might slowly build muscle over time. The progress was subtle, but he could feel it, a kind of mental resilience forming that hadn't been there before.
At work, things were as mundane as ever. Barry still grumbled about his projects, and Denise was knee-deep in the office gossip. This week, the hot topic seemed to be some changes in management—rumors of layoffs, or maybe a promotion spree. No one really knew, and Alex wasn't too interested, though he couldn't help but listen when Denise cornered him during a coffee break.
"You know," Denise said, leaning conspiratorially over her cup, "I heard that someone from our department might be getting a raise. Or a transfer."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Really? Who?"
She gave him a sly look. "Not sure yet, but I have my guesses. You've been pretty quiet lately, Alex. What if it's you?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "I doubt that. I'm just trying to stay out of the way."
Denise narrowed her eyes, smirking. "Uh-huh. That's what they all say. Watch, one day you're going to be in charge of this place, and we'll all be asking you for raises."
"Sure, when pigs fly," Alex said, though the conversation made him think. The idea of using his system ability to climb the corporate ladder was tempting, but also risky. He preferred to keep his profile low for now—just enough to get by comfortably, nothing more.
---
Later that day, after work, Alex found himself at a local coffee shop, meeting up with Sarah for a quick catch-up. She had been texting him all week about her boss, and she needed a venting session. As they sat down with their drinks, Sarah wasted no time diving into her work drama.
"So, guess what synergy-loving boss did today?" Sarah groaned, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Let me guess—more buzzwords?" Alex asked, grinning.
"Worse!" She leaned forward, eyes wide with disbelief. "He decided we need to 'rebrand our work environment.' Apparently, we're going to have mandatory 'creative breaks' where we, get this, paint together."
Alex nearly choked on his coffee. "Wait, what? Like... as a team-building exercise?"
Sarah threw her hands up in frustration. "Exactly! He wants us to bond over watercoloring landscapes. Can you believe that?"
"Sounds like you're going to be a professional artist soon," Alex teased.
Sarah rolled her eyes. "I just want to do my job without being forced to pretend I care about abstract art. Is that too much to ask?"
They laughed, and Alex was reminded once again how much he enjoyed these moments with his friends.
"So, how about you?" Sarah asked after a moment. "Any secret projects you're working on?"
Alex shrugged. "Not really. Just trying to keep things balanced. Work's fine, life's fine. No crazy team-building painting sessions on my end, though."
"Lucky you," Sarah said, mock-pouting. "But seriously, you seem different lately. More... I don't know, focused? It's like you've got something brewing."
He hesitated for a second, wondering if he should tell her anything about his abilities, but quickly decided against it. "Nah, just trying to stay on top of things."
Sarah nodded, though she looked unconvinced. "Well, whatever it is, don't let the corporate world grind you down. We need to keep you sane."
Alex smiled, appreciating the concern. "Don't worry, I've got it under control."
---
The weekend came, and with it, Alex's routine hangout with Mark and Chris. This time, they decided to check out a new gaming lounge downtown. Mark was excited about some VR setup they had, and Chris was always down for anything involving new tech. As they settled into their booth, the conversation shifted to their favorite topic—gaming.
"I've been crushing it in the new MMO," Mark boasted as he leaned back, grinning. "Top of the leaderboard in the PvP arena."
"Yeah, yeah," Chris waved him off, "but can you beat the AI bosses? That's the real challenge."
Alex chimed in, "Speaking of AI, did you guys hear about that company in Silicon Valley that's developing fully immersive gaming tech? They're saying it's going to blur the line between reality and simulation."
Mark's eyes lit up. "I did! Can you imagine? Fully immersive worlds, like being inside the game. That's the dream."
Chris smirked. "Yeah, but give it a few years. Right now, it's just rich people playing with beta versions. By the time we get to try it, it'll be old news."
They laughed, but Alex's mind wandered. If he wanted to, he could simulate entire worlds within his own mind, thanks to the system. He hadn't tried anything too crazy yet, but the potential was there. A fully immersive world built by his own thoughts, completely under his control—he could be the ultimate hidden legend in the gaming world if he chose to. The temptation was there, but he kept it in check.
For now.
---
That night, as Alex lay in bed, he thought about the conversations he'd had over the past few days. The talk about promotions, Sarah's ridiculous team-building activities, Mark's obsession with the leaderboard—it all seemed so distant from the growing world inside his mind. But at the same time, it was a reminder of the normal life he wanted to maintain.