Chapter 13: The New Power Within
POV: Zai
I lay back on the virtual Battlefield terrain, gasping as the digital world around me began to flicker and vanish.
The platforms dissolved into ribbons of light. The night sky above folded into a tunnel of code. My body floated up into zero gravity—
And then, the system's voice spoke in my head again:
[LEVEL UP COMPLETE — CURRENT LEVEL: 5]
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[STATS SLIGHTLY INCREASED BOARD-WIDE]
[NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED: SUBORDINATE CREATION (CPU ADAPTATION PROTOCOL)]
[PASSIVE SYNC ENHANCED]
[3 NEW RANDOMIZED SMASH SKILLS GAINED — ADAPTED TO USER'S HUMAN LIMITS]
The adrenaline still running through my chest, I nonetheless sat up quickly. Fingers twitching with excitement.
This was the new paradigm—three new Smash-based abilities per level.
I mind-hugged the glowing notification screen that had drifted into view.
[NEW SKILLS GAINED @ LV. 5]
Boomerang Toss (Link Variant, Human-Safe):
A close-range, circular arc projectile which comes back to user. Useful for zoning or establishing combos. Light stun upon impact.
Flip Jump (Zero Suit Samus Variant):
An evasive acrobatic flip which one can use to traverse long distances or jump over enemies. Permits a strong downward kick at the apex of the arc. Great for edge recovery.
Ink Bomb (Inkling Variant, Custom Human-Safe):
A deployable bomb that explodes in ink, impeding movement and blinding targets for a temporary amount of time (non-lethal). Ideal for crowd control.
These were not tricks—they were tactics. Adaptive.
I was already envisioning it: Flip Jump to get away from a stampede. Ink Bomb to take down. Boomerang Toss to tag from a distance and keep someone out of rhythm.
But what else was actually piquing my interest was the other reward.
[NEW SYSTEM SKILL UNLOCKED]
— SUBORDINATE CREATION (CPU ADAPTATION PROTOCOL)
At Level 5, the system recognizes your leadership skill. You can now create a loyal AI-powered "Subordinate" from altered CPU logic from the Smash System. Your Subordinate will obey what you say, train with you, or complete tasks based on system commands.
Subordinate Level: Defaults to one level below user
Customization: Limited at Level 5. Boosts at every 5 levels.
Limit: 1 (Up to Level 10)
My breath caught.
A partner, Smash-style? A human CPU, on demand?
That was an entirely different degree of power. And if it did function as I thought it did… this was the start of my team. Of something greater than me.
The potential overran my mind.
A scout. A practice partner. A battlefield backup. Someone to test out combos on. An encyclopedic human.
And maybe more.
I blinked—and was back in my room once more, lying on my bed, the lights turned out.
My desk fan whirred. The air outside did not stir.
The system faded to the rear of my mind again, quiet and calm as it always was after a climactic instant.
But me?
I whirred.
Tomorrow, I'd do it.
Tomorrow, I'd construct my first Subordinate.
Because from that moment on… I wasn't alone