Swallowing the Cosmos
Chapter 24: Awakening in Darkness
A deep rumble echoed through the silent cave. Cracks lined the stone walls, faint energy fluctuations rippling outward as Veer Verma sat cross-legged on the rocky floor.
The soft glow of the cave's bioluminescent moss cast an eerie green hue, highlighting the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. His breath was steady, his focus razor-sharp. Inside his body, a storm raged. He could feel the raw energy of his newfound Awakening Stage cultivation coursing through his psychic channels, the sheer power making his senses sharper than ever.
His Genetic Warrior cultivation had also surged to Foundation Stage Level 9, a peak he never thought he'd reach so soon.
I clenched my fists. My body—no, my very existence—felt different. Stronger. My Psychic energy hummed in perfect harmony with my physical strength, a balance I had never experienced before. I had advanced in both the Gene Warrior and Psychic Master paths.
With a slow exnale, he opened his eyes. "Damn," he muttered, shaking his head. "This power... I feel like I could punch through a wall."
He glanced at the smooth cave walls, hesitating for a moment before shrugging. Why not? Veer clenched his fist and threw a casual punch at the rock.
BOOM!
A small crater formed in the cave wall, cracks spreading outward like a spiderweb. Veer blinked. "Well, that was... more than I expected."
Before I could fully process it, a mechanical voice echoed in my mind.
[System reboot complete. AI combat assistant 'Chatur' activating.]
I flinched. "What the—"
[Calm down, meatbag,] the voice interrupted, smooth yet dripping with sarcasm. [Congratulations on not dying in your sleep. I'm Chatur, your highly advanced AI assistant, here to prevent your inevitable stupidity from getting you killed.]
I blinked. "Did you just call me a meatbag?"
[Well, technically, that's what you are. Flesh, bones, and an alarming tendency for reckless decision-making.]
I exhaled, rubbing my temples. "Great. My AI is a smartass."
[Oh, I prefer 'highly intelligent strategic advisor with a sharp sense of humor.' But we can workshop it.]
I sighed. "Alright, Chatur, what's the situation?"
[Let's see…] There was a brief pause. [Ah. You're in a cave. Brilliant deduction, Sherlock. Outside, however, it's a literal hellscape. Want to take a look, or would you rather continue your beauty sleep?]
I shook my head and pushed myself to my feet. My muscles felt light yet powerful, as if a boundless energy was coursing through them. Taking a steady breath, I made my way toward the cave's entrance.
The moment I stepped outside, my breath hitched.
The sky was veiled in thick smoke, the horizon painted in hues of fire and destruction. Outposts that once stood as the first line of defense were nothing but charred ruins. The ground was littered with bodies—human and beast alike. Distant roars and screams melded into a haunting symphony of chaos.
Chatur whistled. [Well, that's one way to ruin a morning.]
Above, massive holographic screens hovered in the sky, broadcasting war updates. One screen displayed Dwarka City's energy barrier holding strong, while another showed Base Stations crumbling under relentless beast attacks.
The reports scrolled in real-time:
**Base Station 14: Overrun. Estimated casualties: 9,300.**
**Base Station 21: Holding. Reinforcements inbound.**
**Base Station 7: Last transmission—'We need backup now!'**
My hands curled into fists. This wasn't just a battle. It was an extermination.
Chatur's voice cut through my thoughts. [So, fearless leader, what's the plan? Running away, or are we actually going to do something about this?]
I took a slow breath, my eyes narrowing at the devastation before me. There was no turning back.
**[System Interface]**
**Name:** Veer Verma
**Gene Warrior Rank:** Foundation Stage Level 9
**Psychic Master Rank:** Awakening Stage Level 1
**Abilities:**
- **Telekinesis (Intermediate):** Controls up to 7 objects with high precision.
- **Enhanced Strength (Genetic Enhancement):** Ten times normal human strength.
- **Lifespan Devouring:** Gains lifespan upon killing enemies.
**Total Lifespan:** 200 years
Chatur hummed. [I'd suggest increasing that lifespan total soon. You're way too fragile for my taste.]
I ignored him. The battlefield awaited.
END OF THE CHAPTER...
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, check out my other novel, Restart: A Piece of Cake. Dive into an exciting time loop adventure. Available now!