The data-chip Roric had given him led Kai to an unexpected sanctuary: a surprisingly intact, sealed-off maintenance sublevel of a defunct District 7 water treatment plant. The air was cool and slightly damp, a stark contrast to the usual grime and pollution above. The main chamber was spacious, lit by functional emergency lights, and equipped with exactly what Roric had promised: basic but sturdy training gear. There was a heavily patched punching bag, worn floor mats, a few weighted bars, and clear, open space. Most importantly, it was private, secure. A place where he could push himself without fear of prying eyes.
For the next two days, this sublevel became Kai's world. He threw himself into training with a desperate, focused intensity he hadn't known he possessed. The eviction notice, the looming fight with Crusher, Roric's audacious plans, and the ever-present System – it all coalesced into a singular drive: get stronger, gain control.
His mornings began with the System's Daily Quests, which had subtly shifted in focus: [DAILY QUEST ISSUED: Combat Conditioning Regimen] Objective 1: Agility & Reflex Drills (0/60 minutes) Objective 2: Strength & Endurance Circuit (0/60 minutes) Objective 3: Controlled Anima Manifestation Practice (Target: Dermal Plating – Partial) (0/3 successful cycles) Rewards for Completion: +60 EXP, +1 Nutrient Pellet (Enhanced).
He followed the System's recommendations, pushing his body to its new limits. His Agility allowed him to move with a speed and grace that felt alien yet exhilarating. He practiced footwork, dodges, and quick strikes against the battered punching bag, imagining Crusher's lumbering form. His Perception helped him anticipate, to react to the imaginary blows.
The strength and endurance circuits were brutal. His enhanced Strength, Vitality, and Stamina allowed him to perform feats he wouldn't have dreamed of weeks ago, yet he pushed harder, the memory of Razor's shiv and the thought of Crusher's fists fueling his efforts. The Nutrient Pellets he earned were "Enhanced," providing slightly better Anima Core stabilization than the standard ones, keeping his Stability above 80% despite the exertion.
The Anima manifestation practice was the most challenging and disturbing. The System guided him to focus on "Dermal Plating," a key aspect of his "Shadow Scale Draconic Anima." [System Guidance: Visualize protective scales forming along forearms and torso. Channel Anima energy to targeted areas. Maintain control. Focus on density and coverage.]
It took hours of intense concentration. The first few attempts resulted in nothing more than an uncomfortable itching. Then, slowly, patches of small, dark, iridescent scales would shimmer into existence on his forearms, cool and surprisingly hard to the touch. They felt like a second skin, tough and resilient. Maintaining the manifestation, then retracting it at will, was exhausting, but with each successful cycle, his control improved. He could feel his Anima Affinity (currently at 1) subtly strengthening, the connection to the draconic power within him becoming a fraction clearer.
The System was a constant companion, its feedback immediate and clinical: [Agility Drill Set 4: Optimal. Minor EXP bonus awarded.] [Strength Circuit: Peak output achieved. Consider attribute point allocation to STR for further gains.] [Dermal Plating Manifestation: Coverage 35%. Density: Tier 1. Control: Moderate. Continued practice recommended.]
He largely ignored its suggestions for attribute allocation for now, hoarding his 3 undistributed points, unsure where they'd be most needed. The +1 Skill Point from the "Crusher's Downfall" quest was also held in reserve.
During breaks, he would review the "Anima Manifestation Profile" and the "Skill Tree." The "Shadow Scale Draconic Anima" profile hinted at future abilities: "Bio-thermal Breath (Latent)," "Tail Appendage (Latent)," "Wing Manifestation (Rudimentary – Requires Significant Anima Evolution)." The thought of actually growing wings or breathing fire was so outlandish it felt like something from a comic book, yet the System presented it as a matter-of-fact potential.
The "Predatory Development" branch of the Skill Tree still made his stomach churn, with skills like "Enhanced Scent Tracking (Prey)" and "Silent Stalking." He focused instead on "Anima Control" and "Physical Prowess," mentally earmarking skills like "Improved Anima Concealment" or "Rapid Reflex Boost."
The hunger, the crimson urge, was a dull ache in the background, kept at bay by his high Anima Core Stability, thanks to the recent "Tier 2 sustenance" and the enhanced pellets. But he knew it was always there, lurking. This knowledge was a dark undercurrent to his training, a reminder of the monstrous bargain that fueled his newfound power.
By the evening of the second day, Kai was exhausted but also strangely exhilarated. His body ached, but it was the ache of exertion, of growth, not of weakness. He was faster, stronger, and his control over the minor Anima manifestations was improving. He could summon and dismiss the scales on his forearms with increasing ease, and his slitted pupils were now almost entirely under his conscious command, thanks to the "Basic Anima Concealment" skill.
He wasn't just Kai, the scared courier, anymore. He was a weapon being forged in the fires of desperation and alien power. Tomorrow night was the fight. Tomorrow night, he would face Crusher, and the first true test of what he was becoming would begin. The fear was still there, a cold serpent in his gut, but now it was coiled alongside a grim, dangerous resolve.