Sam leaned back against the cool lab wall, his breathing slowing after the grueling reattachment. The serum had done its job—blood vessels reconnected, nerves fused, muscles regenerated, and bone restructured layer by agonizing layer. His arm still throbbed like hell, but it was his again.
"Status," Sam muttered, still panting.
╔═══════════════════════════════════╗
║ ── UNIVERSAL SURVIVAL SYSTEM ── ║
╟─────────────────────────────────╢
║ NAME : SAM COER ║
║ AGE : 24 (M) ║
║ BLOODLINE : HUMAN ║
║ TRAITS : REGENERATION (UNLOCKED) ║
╟────────────────────────────────╢
║ CORE STATS ║
║ STRENGTH : 11 ║
║ VITALITY : 17 ║
║ AGILITY : 10 ║
╟──────────────────────────────╢
║ SKILL REGISTER ║
║ • Insight ..... [SSS] ║
║ • Code Tyrant .... [S] ║
║ • Genetic Mastery ... [S] ║
║ • Sharp Memory ... [SS] ║
║ • Mind Matrix .... [A] ║
║ • Thought Acceleration .... [B] ║
║ • Pain Tolerance .... [C] ║
╟──────────────────────────────────╢
║ SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ║
║ ▸ Identify ║
║ ▸ Protect Mode (Status Only) ║
║ ▸ Chat System ║
║ ▸ Shop ║
╚═════════════════════════════════╝
The regeneration trait blinked softly: UNLOCKED. I knew the human body had some regenerative abilities, but they were weak, far from this level. This was on a whole new plane.
Curiosity gnawed at me—I had to explore what else the system had hidden away.
"Identify all skills," I muttered, activating the command.
The system ran a thorough scan and then presented the list.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ --- UNIVERSAL SURVIVAL SYSTEM --- ║
╟────────────────────────────────────────╢
║ SKILL REGISTER ║
╟────────────────────────────────────────╢
║ • Insight ..... [ SSS ] ║
║ A profound and almost supernatural comprehension unique ║
║ to its wielder. Sharpens perception and cognition ║
║ beyond normal limits, allowing unparalleled understanding║
║ of complex phenomena. ║
║ ║
║ • Code Tyrant .... [ S ] ║
║ Born from relentless curiosity and passion, grants ║
║ mastery over coding and technological manipulation, ║
║ bending digital realms to the user's will. ║
║ ║
║ • Genetic Mastery ... [ S ] ║
║ Pinnacle of genetic engineering expertise, enabling ║
║ precise alteration and enhancement of biological systems.║
║ ║
║ • Sharp Memory ..... [ SS ] ║
║ Surpasses photographic memory; flawlessly records ║
║ every sound, scent, and sensation with perfect recall. ║
║ ║
║ • Mind Matrix .... [ A ] ║
║ Creates multiple internal personas to analyze problems ║
║ or debate within one's own mind, exploring myriad ║
║ perspectives simultaneously. ║
║ ║
║ • Thought Acceleration .... [ B ] ║
║ Speeds mental processing exponentially under pressure, ║
║ enabling rapid, strategic decision-making. ║
║ ║
║ • Pain Tolerance .... [ C ] ║
║ Enhances resistance to pain, allowing sustained ║
║ function despite severe physical distress. ║
║ ║
║ • Identify ..... [ SYSTEM ] ║
║ Detects and analyzes virtually any object or being ║
║ through Earth Spirit's omnipresent sensing network. ║
║ ║
║ • Protect Mode .... [ SYSTEM ] ║
║ Conceals status screen to prevent external observation. ║
║ ║
║ • Chat System ..... [ SYSTEM ] ║
║ Enables secure, long-range communication via Earth ║
║ Spirit's network. ║
║ ║
║ • Shop .... [ SYSTEM ] ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════╝
Skills reflected my past efforts and specialties, a distilled summary of who I was and what I had accomplished.
Kira's voice broke through my concentration. "Are you staring at the status screen again?"
"Yeah," I admitted. "Looks like it's invisible to anyone else.
"Shop."
╔══════════════════════════════╗
║ PLANET SHOP ║
╟─────────────────────────────╢
║ ▸ Skills ▸ Weapons ▸ Potions ║
║ ▸ Gene Modifiers ║
║ ▸ Sell ║
╟─────────────────────────────╢
║ Essence: 0 ║
╚══════════════════════════╝
I stared at the shop menu.
This was no ordinary marketplace.
It was an open global exchange — a place where anyone on Earth could trade freely with anyone else. The system called it the Universal Shop, but in truth, it felt like walking into an interdimensional bazaar, buzzing with activity.
I decided to explore every section.
I skimmed through each category — weapons, skills, potions, modifiers, you name it. But the more I saw, the more my excitement deflated. I was greatly disappointed.
Weapon Shop.
There were countless listings — some dazzling, some mundane. A few caught my eye:
Dual Blade Razor Sword (S)Seller: IamGod
Lightning Cyber Sword (A)Seller: iamgod
Elemental Sword (S)Seller: iamgod
Viper Neon 9774 Rifle (B)Seller: Soldierboy
Doom Breaker Shield (A)Seller: iamgod
Meta-Laser Pistol (S)Seller: MadKiller
From swords to rifles, shields to spears, the list stretched endlessly. Each seller had their own terms. Some demanded other weapons in trade, others asked for information, rare materials, or even favors.
But for all the variety… I was underwhelmed.
There wasn't a single item that looked truly difficult to create — nothing with the uniqueness or mystery I had hoped for.
I switched tabs.
Skills Section.
This was a little better, but only just.
Karate (C)Seller: IamGod
Judo (B)Seller: IamGod
Muay Thai (S)Seller: Vivian Star
The range of combat styles was impressive, but again… too ordinary. Still, I decided to buy something — just to test how the system worked.
"Let's go with Muay Thai."
As I hovered over the 'Buy' button, a system prompt blinked into existence.
To make purchases, you must complete registration.Begin Sign-Up Process?
"Let's complete the actual sign-up," I muttered.
According to Earth's system, signing up wasn't complicated — just a single step to establish your identity and protect your profile. No passwords, no biometrics. Just… a name.
'It only needs a name?'
I hesitated for a second, then typed:KLU
A flash of light pulsed from the screen. A new interface appeared, labeled:
Shop Instructions
To buy or sell, you must have a valid ID.
Selling of living organisms is strictly prohibited.
All listed items are transferred to a secure alternate dimension during the sale period.
Sellers may cancel their listings at any time.
Once both parties confirm, items are exchanged instantly.
No refunds. Ever.
As I scanned through all the instructions, I understood them quickly. Simple enough. Efficient.
It was clear this entire system — this surreal marketplace — was functioning through the Earth Spirit.
It wasn't just facilitating trade; it was trying to unite us, to connect humanity through shared need and survival.
The shop, in its own way, was a tool to strengthen and bind us together.
'This wasn't the time to buy'
Let's hold off for now. First, I wanted to truly understand what this shop was offering.
Potions Section.
Countless listings flooded the screen. People were selling anything and everything they could bottle up.
───────────────────────────────────────────────
🔹 Healing Potion (C) — Seller: Uni Chani
🔹 Green Rocked Leaf (B) — Seller: Ks Int
🔹 Healing Mud (F) — Seller: Poor Amam
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Among them, the Green Rocked Leaf stood out — the highest rated item in the entire potion category.
───────────────────────────────────────────────
🟢 Item: Green Rocked Leaf (B)
👤 Seller: Ks Int
📜 Properties:
Moderate healing capabilities. Cannot heal fatal wounds or restore severed limbs. Accelerates recovery. Provides essential nutrients. Prevents conditions from worsening.
📦 Trade Requirement:
➤ Any A-rank item.
───────────────────────────────────────────────
'This guy's too greedy,' I thought with a faint scoff.
Sure, the Green Rocked Leaf was rare — and yes, it had value — but I knew where it grew. The seller was clearly exploiting the current chaos to demand more than it was worth.
Useless to me.
I had far more advanced healing resources — even my basic medical formulas were on par with B-rank. And my personal creation? The SSS-rank regeneration serum I developed? It wasn't even in the same league.
I left the potions tab behind.
Next... Gene Modifier Section.
I raised an eyebrow. The moment the listings loaded, disappointment followed again.
──────────────────────────────────────────────
Boar Strength Gene Modifier (C) Seller: Mad Clover
Lizard Heal Gene Modifier (D) Seller: Mad Clover
Rat Sense Gene Modifier (A) Seller: Mad Clover
──────────────────────────────────────────────
Only one seller. Mad Clover.
The descriptions were simple enough.
Gene Modifiers were external liquid serums — biotech mixtures designed to temporarily or permanently fuse beast DNA with human DNA. Much easier to apply than unlocking innate traits. Just inject, adapt, mutate.
If I wanted to, I could create a demi-human right now.
Several of my older serum prototypes had caused similar gene-altering effects. Failed attempts, maybe — but with results that could rival these so-called Gene Modifiers.
A memory surfaced, uninvited.
"KIRA," I said aloud, "you remember that time when serum version 51426 mutated a rat?"
KIRA's voice pinged through my earpiece. "Affirmative. Mutated rodent anomaly. Behavior classified as hyper-aggressive. Physical mutation: 62% rat, 38% cephalopod. Tentacle structure fused with vertebral base."
I exhaled. "Yeah… that thing was a menace."
Its body had morphed grotesquely, sprouting octopus-like limbs and regenerative tissues. I wanted to study it further — desperately — but the creature was too unstable.
No tranquilizer worked. All wounds healed near-instantly.
In the end, we had no choice but to seal it.
And to this day, it was still in my private prison, beneath the lab.