Transcendent Gene
Chapter 240: Growth [4]

Chapter 240: Growth [4]

"Huu..."

Gio took a deep breath and opened his eyes.

He was consciously aware of every change that took place in his body, but he wasn’t able to get excited over any of it. Once he’d finished absorbing both the Gene Fluid and the Genesis Essence, however, it was a different story.

’It worked less than expected, but that can also be called an expectation of sorts.’

Considering that the Gene Fluid was centuries old, it was bound to lose some efficacy even if it was preserved properly. He hoped to see some kind of huge change in a single instant, but it wouldn’t happen so easily.

The Genesis Essence was different. Gio could specifically feel the change in density his blood experienced. It carried far more weight now, and with that weight came power.

’It’s not enough to take me to Origin Level 1-2.’

If the gap between Origin Levels was small, there wouldn’t be a need to differentiate between them.

’But that’s only with one crystal and one vial of fluid.’

He prepared much more than that.

The only reason for his short break was to assess the changes in his body after the first round. Once they’d been assessed, he didn’t need to take the same kind of break.

One by one, he picked up Genesis Crystals and vials of fluid and took them together. He repeated the same process twice, three times, four times, and more.

With the passing of hours, the changes within him became too pronounced to ignore. He grew just a hair taller. His hair became slightly lighter, gaining some grey undertones. The caramel color of his skin gained a new luster and the features in his face became sharper.

The amount of muscle he had didn’t change, but the way his muscles were structured did. They moved and rearranged themselves, becoming more similar to those of a predator.

He moved the Gene Fluid intentionally so it understood the changes he wanted from it. It recognized that his body needed to be built for battle and changed his musculature and skeletal structure for that purpose.

His genetics were optimized as a byproduct. What was truly happening was closer to evolution. The changes he made were not only permanent within his own body, but would also be represented in his future children who would one day inherit his legacy.

And while the Gene Fluid changed him on the deepest level, the Genesis Essence empowered his body and bloodline.

It happened on the fifth round of consumption.

Crack!

Gio heard a sound like a crack spreading across an icy lake. The cracking sounds became more frequent and so loud that he couldn’t hear anything else.

Out of nowhere, his body locked up. He felt no pain, but he also had no movement ability whatsoever.

He felt the rushing of blood throughout his body. It moved so fast and powerfully that it held him in place.

He knew what was happening.

Whoosh!

The blood inside of him rushed faster and faster, becoming a darker shade of crimson-black as it shined with the light of energy. Gio felt his entire body fortifying itself, and as his heartbeat replaced the cracking in his ears, he felt something new sprouting inside his head.

Psssh!

His eyes that were shut tight shot open. A wave of energy spread from his body as steam leaked from his pores. His blood slowed down, resuming its usual flow. His body calmed down, and the energy that was wildly pulsing through him settled into his Aether Core.

’Origin Level 1-2.’

He technically entered Origin Level 1-1 immediately after becoming a Sequencer, but that wasn’t a real improvement that he could feel. This was different.

He could feel the new strength coursing through his body. He could feel the greater amounts of energy flowing through his veins and channels.

He could feel that "thing" in his head.

’It’s only budding now, but I can already feel the effects.’

That "thing" would eventually turn into a Trait from the Blackwing Demon Tiger Bloodline that Gio could use as an active ability.

His perception was already at a higher level. Just by looking straight ahead, he felt like he could see far more of the room than he could before. The walls looked grainier as his eyes deciphered some of the grooves on their surfaces, and the air blowing from the air conditioning system seemed far too loud to be called white noise.

’It’s more than I was expecting?’

It was a shift between Origin Levels rather than a shift between Stages, yet his power increased to the level one would expect from a far stronger individual.

’The Blackwing Demon Tiger Bloodline being Equinox Grade definitely showed some benefits before, but this is different. Even if my growth rate doesn’t increase tremendously, the amount of power associated with each level is way above even what I would expect from a Nova Grade Bloodline.’

As a matter of fact, he felt like he already had the strength he was aiming for when he aimed to reach Origin Level 1-3 by the end of the year.

’And not only do I have more to digest today...’

...but he also had three more months to grow.

’My old goals might have been too realistic. I should aim for more.’

At the end of the day, stability was only important at the start. Once the foundation was built strong enough to handle chaos, what was the point of not letting it handle chaos?

’Until 1-3, I should stay steady. Once I hit it, I can take more risks to grow faster.’

The plans came together in his head. He stood up and stretched his body, doing a few basic exercises to adapt to his newfound power.

And when he felt like he was well-rested and adapted, he returned to absorbing Genesis Essence and Gene Fluid.

When six hours passed in total, he left in his wake an empty room with no traces remaining of his activities within it.

He returned to the lab to check on Farrah, informing her that he wanted to discuss the Riftworld he’d fallen into.

However, she was too busy to entertain him at the moment. Though her work hours had ended long ago, her curiosity as a researcher wouldn’t allow her to leave until she’d made progress with the Gene Fluid Gio brought her.

She was far too focused on that to entertain even ordinary conversation. Gio couldn’t imagine how she’d react if he dropped another bomb on her while she was still obsessed with the last one.

’Well, it can wait.’

Even if he gave her the information, she wouldn’t be able to do much with it.

’It might also be a good idea to meet with people who are in that field.’

He could always have Farrah send his findings to her peers, but that didn’t build any connections for him as an individual.

’I can branch away from the Taurus-Roth umbrella by working with other people. It isn’t a good idea to form a close relationship with a single company.’

But those were also plans for the future.

It was already deep into the night by the time Gio was on his way back to the First Institute. He wouldn’t be able to get much rest before classes started again.

’In the first place, classes aren’t what I’m looking forward to.’

Rather, the event he was anticipating would happen in a month.

The ancient ruin wasn’t much of an adventure. It was an ordinary excursion.

However, that event was a true adventure. It would take at least a month to return, so he was bound to miss school for it, but he had personally experienced the Headmaster’s tendencies. He knew he could get approval if he tried hard enough.

’I’m more than ready for it. The only question left is if everyone else will be ready.’

So, for the month before that event began, his main priority was making sure his comrades could grow just as much as he did.

’It’s going to be a fun few weeks.’