Chapter 214: Meeting Jack
[Welcome to Power Evolution.]
As the cold, emotionless system notification slowly echoed through the air, the pitch-black space composed entirely of consciousness before Zich suddenly filled with countless tiny silver-white particles of light.
As though guided by an invisible law, they spread outward in every direction at a speed almost impossible to perceive with the naked eye. Within only a few breaths, the entire space had completed its reconstruction, and a world built entirely from data gradually unfolded before him.
Beneath his feet stretched a transparent platform that extended all the way to the horizon.
Within the platform, countless streams of blue-white data flowed continuously like miniature rivers, linking the entire surface into a single whole. Every step Zich took caused a faint ripple of data to spread beneath his feet before the platform returned to perfect stillness.
Above him, countless torrents of data formed from particles of light drifted slowly across the sky.
Gigantic pillars of data rose from the earth toward the heavens, each towering several thousand meters high like colossal columns supporting the entire world. Within every pillar, countless golden runes that Zich could not understand flowed endlessly, radiating a mysterious aura that far surpassed the limits of humanity’s current technology.
Just then, a translucent humanoid silhouette slowly appeared before him.
[Please create your simulation character.]
As the prompt appeared, an operation panel several times larger than the one used by the real-world system gradually unfolded.
[Scanning appearance...]
[Scan complete.]
The very next moment...
The humanoid outline rapidly transformed.
In only a few short seconds, a young man who looked almost identical to Zich stood before him.
Whether it was his signature silver-white hair, his light golden eyes, or even the subtle expressions on his face, there was no difference whatsoever between this figure and the real Zich.
[Host has chosen to retain their real appearance.]
[Confirm?]
"Confirm."
Zich answered without the slightest hesitation.
Concealing one’s identity might be extremely important for some players, but Zich already had the Master Shroud identity. He didn’t want to create another one. He would rather be himself here.
Also, if he were to use his identity as Master Shroud, Jack, the creator of this simulator, might put two and two together and discover him.
As his voice fell, the figure instantly dissolved into countless particles of light before condensing once more into a body that seemed to possess genuine life.
At the same time, a series of new system notifications appeared one after another.
[Nickname: Zich.]
[Identity successfully bound.]
[Simulation character successfully created.]
The next moment, the body slowly opened its eyes.
An indescribably strange sensation immediately spread throughout his entire body.
Zich lowered his head and looked at his hands.
He could move. He could breathe. Even the sensation beneath his feet was completely indistinguishable from the real world.
If he did not clearly remember that his real body was currently lying in his room, no one would ever believe this was merely a simulated world.
"So this is Power Evolution..." Zich slowly clenched his fist.
His strength was still there. However, unlike in reality, every one of his abilities had been completely sealed. Aside from his most basic physical attributes, everything else was inaccessible.
At that moment, the space ahead suddenly split open once more.
A young man dressed in a silver-white uniform slowly stepped out.
Pinned to his chest was a data badge identifying him as a guide, while a professional smile remained on his face from beginning to end.
"Welcome to Power Evolution."
"I am the beginner guide for this simulation world."
"According to our scan, this is your first time entering the simulation world. Therefore, I recommend that you first complete the basic combat tutorial."
Zich nodded.
"Let’s begin."
The guide gently waved his hand.
The entire space changed once again.
The platform beneath their feet rapidly disintegrated as countless particles of data scattered in every direction, while entirely new terrain began forming at a speed visible to the naked eye.
There was a forest, mountainous terrain, ruins, and finally, a circular training ground several hundred meters wide gradually took shape.
[Basic Combat Simulation Activated.]
[Generating Opponent...]
As a deep system notification sounded...
Countless streams of data rapidly gathered at the opposite end of the arena.
Soon, a human warrior nearly two meters tall, wielding a massive greatsword, slowly emerged.
[Simulation Target.]
[Level: 15.]
"Defeat him to complete the first phase of training."
The moment the guide finished speaking, the warrior violently shattered the ground beneath his feet before charging toward Zich like a cannonball, swinging his enormous greatsword sideways with a deafening whistle as it tore through the air.
However, Zich did not summon Slimy. Nor did he use any skills. Relying solely on his natural combat instincts, he shifted half a step backward, narrowly avoiding the strike.
BOOM!!
The greatsword smashed heavily into the ground.
The solid data floor instantly split apart, leaving behind a crack more than ten meters long.
Zich’s expression remained calm.
After enduring countless high-intensity battles throughout the championship tournament, his close-quarters combat abilities had long surpassed those of inexperienced players.
The next instant, his body exploded forward.
Before the opponent had time to recover his greatsword, Zich’s right fist had already crashed heavily into the warrior’s chest.
BANG!!
A dull impact echoed across the training ground.
The simulated warrior staggered backward several steps.
But before he could stabilize himself, Zich was already upon him once again. His fists, elbows, and knees flew out violently. Every attack landed precisely on the weakest points of his opponent’s defense.
In less than a minute, with one final side kick slamming heavily into the warrior’s abdomen—
BOOM—!!
The simulated warrior’s entire body instantly dissolved into countless streams of blue data before completely dispersing into the air.
[Phase One Complete.]
[Overall Rating: S.]
[Evaluation: Excellent.]
[Recommendation: Physical control greatly exceeds that of others at the same level. Higher-difficulty simulations are now available.]
At the exact moment the evaluation ended, a voice suddenly drifted over from the entrance to the training ground.
"It seems I underestimated you after all."
Zich turned around. A young man with neatly trimmed light-green hair was slowly walking toward him.
The young man glanced at the dissipating data warrior before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"I originally thought your first time entering the simulation world would require some time to adjust. But now it seems a champion is still a champion."
As he spoke, he took the initiative to extend his right hand toward Zich.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly... I’m Jack Green."