The System Awakens: Rise of the Champion

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: You’re Hired!

Just as Damian felt his consciousness, vision, hearing, and control over his body return all at once, the white substance that had encased him in a cocoon-like structure suddenly exploded, dispersing into a fine white mist.

Damian was still seated on the throne, just as he had been when he allocated his stats two days ago, but he didn't feel the same.

A strange mix of warmth and cold spread through his body, slowly relieving the sensations he had been experiencing.

As his eyes and ears fully cleared, a series of notifications assaulted his senses.

"Argh..."

Damian clutched his head as a buzzing noise overwhelmed his ears.

A chilling pain spread across his skin, and his head felt unbearably heavy.

An intense restlessness surged through him, making everything around him seem irritating, causing him to bite his lip in frustration.

"Calm down..." he muttered to himself, trying to steady his mind.

He shook his head and took deep breaths.

After a few minutes, he finally calmed down as the system prompt appeared before him.

[Your flesh has been reconstructed.]

[Your bones have been reforged.]

[Your blood has been purified.]

[Your nerves have been reformed.]

[Your organs have been reconstructed.]

[Your energy streams have been reconstructed.]

[Your energy circuits have been reconstituted.]

[Your energy cores have been reconstituted.]

[The hidden potential within your cells has been unlocked.]

[Your genetic code has been rewritten and upgraded by a tier.]

[You have evolved into a 'Superior Human.']

[An evolved form of the human species. You are much stronger than an unevolved human but weaker than a High Human. You possess most of the racial abilities that High Humans have, though on a lesser scale.]

[You have awakened the Racial Ability, 'Deep Resonance']

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[Racial Ability: Deep Resonance]

[Effects: -As a Superior Human, you can hear and sense frequencies that unevolved humans cannot.]

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[You have awakened the Racial Ability, 'Sixth Sense']

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[Racial Ability: Sixth Sense]

[Effects: -

-You can more accurately judge the strength of any presence.]

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[You have awakened the Racial Trait, 'Accelerated Healing']

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[Racial Trait: Accelerated Healing]

[Effects: -You can heal injuries 10 times faster than an unevolved human.

-You possess lesser regeneration: severed limbs will regrow, though the process will take time proportionate to natural growth rates.

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[You have awakened the Racial Trait, 'Longevity']

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[Racial Trait: Longevity]

[Effects: -You can live for 500+ years.

-With proper training and a well-maintained body, you can extend your lifespan to 800+ years.

-Slower aging.

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[You have awakened the Racial Constitution, 'Superhuman Physiology']

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[Racial Constitution: Superhuman Physiology]

[Effects: -Permanently increases Strength by 15%.

-Permanently increases Agility by 15%.

-Permanently increases Perception by 15%.

-Permanently increases Stamina by 15%.

-Permanently increases Endurance by 15%.

-Permanently increases Resilience by 15%.

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[You have awakened the Racial Constitution, 'Silver Bones']

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[Racial Constitution: Silver Bones]

[Effects: -Your bones are 10 times stronger than those of unevolved humans while remaining lightweight.

-Your bones become more flexible.

-Increases Stamina by 15%.

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[You have awakened the Racial Constitution, 'Superior Blood']

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[Racial Constitution: Superior Blood]

[Effects: -Your blood contains healing properties, capable of healing minor injuries in those who consume it.

-Your blood stores more energy, allowing you to survive without food or water for extended periods.

-Side Effect: Your blood becomes a small delicacy for creatures that thrive on blood.

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[You have awakened the Racial Constitution, 'Superior Charm']

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[Racial Constitution: Superior Charm]

[Effects: -You are significantly more charming than an unevolved human.

-As a Superior Male Human, you are considered the ideal mate for beings ranked lower than you in the racial hierarchy.

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[Your energy reserves have slightly increased.]

[The effects of your inherited ability [Warrior's Will] have slightly improved.]

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[Inherited Ability: Warrior's Will]

[Effects: -When activated, all physical abilities increase by 20%.

-While active, all unnecessary emotions and thoughts related to battle or the task at hand are completely suppressed.

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[Your talent [Boundless Refinement] is taking effect.]

[You have adapted to your evolution.]

[Your efficiency in evolving has slightly increased.]

[Your constitution [Unyielding Warrior's Physique] is taking effect.]

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[New Trait Acquired: Evolutionary Body]

[Effects: -Your physical body has become more attuned to evolution, significantly increasing the efficiency of future evolutions.

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.

.

"I evolved..."

This was the most important thing.

He had actually evolved without depending on any other being, not even the system.

Though relying on the system to evolve wasn't considered true dependence since the system only granted missions for evolution when the Awakener had earned them through effort, Damian, being the monster he was, had evolved on his own through sheer strength alone.

Damian raised his hand and noticed a subtle change in his skin tone; it had gone from white to a slightly fairer shade.

His hair had also grown longer, now reaching down to his arm joints, and had changed from jet black to a mix of black and brown.

Closing his eyes, he slowly let go of his senses.

Unlike the overwhelming experience when he first awakened after evolving, this time his senses did not assault him.

Instead, he felt the gentle touch of the wind brushing against his skin, the serene sounds of the atmosphere coming from every direction.

He didn't know what was making these faint noises, but he instinctively knew their exact locations.

Opening his neon blue eyes, he looked at the two figures standing a short distance away.

He could easily sense the strength of their presence.

Shiru was surrounded by an almost nonexistent, colorless aura, and even without activating his [Eyes of Clarity], which enhanced his eyesight, he could clearly see her brown eyes dilating and the sweat forming on her skin.

His attention then shifted to the person standing beside her, though he didn't even need to move his eyes to get a clear view.

A faint, pale red aura surrounded the figure.

However, his instincts told him that this individual wasn't a threat.

With just a glance, Damian could tell he was a vampire and an old one at that.

"Hmmm..."

Damian stood up from the throne, revealing the changes in his body to Shiru, who, for some reason, felt her body heat up as she looked at the evolved Damian.

"How long have you been standing there watching me evolve?"

Damian's voice had deepened slightly, carrying more weight than before.

"From the start," the vampire replied simply.

"And you are?" Damian tilted his head.

"I'm Lucian Holloway. I wish to join your faction," the vampire stated.

"Hmm... how about this?" Damian smirked before sitting back on the throne.

"Give me one good reason, or better yet, tell me something useful, and I'll let you join my faction."

Lucian thought for a moment, replaying everything he had seen during Damian's power ranking battles.

Then, he remembered something, a flaw in Damian's fighting technique.

If corrected, it could significantly increase his stamina and improve his energy efficiency.

"During your ranking battle against Aeron Brenlith, the noble vampire, and the Alpha Werewolf, you weren't controlling your elemental power as efficiently as you should have been," Lucian said with a small smile.

"What do you mean?"

Damian prompted him to continue, though he already had a pretty good idea of what the vampire was referring to.

"Whenever you used your elemental powers or powered up, you let your aura run wild without control. A significant amount of your energy was wasted as excess aura, which is obviously inefficient... Judging by your expression, you already knew this, didn't you? Yet, you don't care to control it."

Lucian watched as a small smile played on Damian's lips.

"Yeah... give me something else," Damian said.

"Well, I can't think of anything at the moment because I need to watch you fight more, to analyze how you use the abilities at your disposal and identify any flaws."

"But I can assure you, I have 800 years' worth of knowledge that you couldn't even find in the greatest libraries. I have interacted with Awakeners across thousands of worlds and witnessed the abilities of hundreds of different races.

"Furthermore, I am a servant of an ancient noble vampire who has lived for more than 6,000 years. If you let me join your faction and allow me to study your growth, all the knowledge and insights I possess will be at your disposal," Lucian declared as he knelt on one knee.

Damian tilted his head in curiosity.

Why was this vampire acting like this?

What had he done to make Lucian want to join him so badly?

"Tell me this, why do you want to join me so badly?" Damian asked, fixing his gaze on the vampire.

"I want to learn," Lucian admitted.

"You are the most Fascinating person I have ever seen. The power you displayed surpasses anything ever witnessed in the First Tower Realm."

"Your growth potential is something even my master, the ancient noble vampire, would envy."

"You evolved on your own, something that was believed to be impossible until now. That alone is proof of your uniqueness."

"Tell me, if you were in my position, if your entire existence revolved around learning and understanding the mysteries of the universe, and you encountered someone like you, would you let such an opportunity slip away?"

Damian didn't even need to answer.

He was someone who seized every opportunity to grow stronger.

He understood perfectly.

"What about your master, this Ancient Noble Vampire you speak of? Won't they be angered if you join a human faction?" Damian asked.

The moment Lucian mentioned having an ancient noble vampire as a master, Damian sensed potential trouble brewing.

"My master may be a battle-hungry, unstable, overpowered maniac of a vampire," Lucian admitted, "but she is also someone who values her subordinates. She would respect my decision, even if it means accepting me joining a human."

Lucian's expression was serious as he looked at Damian, who was now grinning at him.

"Did you just say your master is a battle-hungry, unstable, overpowered maniac?" Damian asked, tilting his head.

"Well... that was a bit disrespectful. I got carried away," Lucian admitted. "But she is very powerful and a little unstable. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing important," Damian replied, his grin widening. "Anyway..."

"You're hired."

[The Awakener titled 'Professor Holloway' has joined your faction.]