"Thank you for your purchases. If you have any questions, please reach out to us and we'll help you." The bright-eyed blonde teen smiled sweetly at Kane as he pocketed his receipt.
His first stop in experimenting with the System had been a local pet shop specializing in exotic animals. Fortunately, Seattle offered a multitude of such businesses.
Picking up the small fish tank, Kane smiled back at the girl, then turned and headed for the parking lot.
It was surprisingly easy to buy an Axolotl, though they're more expensive than I thought, he mused. After his initial research, Kane had concluded that this small aquatic creature would be the backbone of his entire plan.
Though he had no concrete evidence about the world he'd been reborn into, a tingling in the back of his mind suggested the deity who sent him here hadn't chosen a normal one.
A System this powerful, with almost limitless potential, would be pretty redundant in a world without some hidden underworld, he contemplated, settling into his car.
Turning the ignition, the powerful roar of the engine sounded out, and a faint smile touched Kane's lips as he felt the car vibrate beneath him.
The 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 was his prized possession, the first and truly only luxurious item he had ever wanted, purchased when he took the reins of his estate.
Shooting out of the parking space, Kane began directing his car back home.
-------------------------
Back in his office, Kane carefully opened the top of the fish tank and slowly lowered his finger into the water, his destination a few mere centimeters away.
Hopefully, this works, he thought, simultaneously utilizing a System feature to focus on the specific trait he required.
A hint of concern flashed in his eyes as the tip of his finger made contact with the Axolotl.
[Ding!]
[Absorption Traits found.]
[Species: Axolotl]
[Trait Found: Epimorphic Regeneration]
[Would you like to absorb this trait?]
"Haha! Holy shit, it's so real!" Kane shouted excitedly, a childish grin plastered on his face as he re-read the System's notifications in his mind.
System, please describe what Epimorphic Regeneration is, just to make sure it's the same thing I had researched, Kane thought.
[Gains the axolotl's unique ability to perfectly regenerate complex body parts, including limbs, spinal cord, heart tissue, and even portions of the brain, without scarring or loss of function. This regeneration is even more comprehensive than the planarian flatworm, offering near-perfect anatomical restoration.]
Removing his hand from the tank, Kane paced around the office, his mind a whirl of excitement.
Do it!
[Warning! Momentary pain may be possible. Please be seated whilst absorbing trait!]
Quickly jumping onto the couch, Kane tensed his body in anticipation and worry as he waited for the pain.
Without a moment to comprehend the quick sensation, Kane felt every single nerve, tendon, ligament, organ, and tissue in his body light up with fire. It wasn't a simple flame; it felt more like a blowtorch being used inside him.
Clenching his jaw, Kane ground his teeth in pain as his eyes watered.
Momentary pain? You're a lying bitch! he screamed in his mind.
The searing sensation lasted for what felt like hours, but realistically was less than thirty seconds. Just as quickly as it came, it vanished with the same speed, a cooling feeling washing over Kane's body as he let out the air he'd been holding throughout the experience.
"God." "Fucking." "Damn."
He panted out, wiping away the tears that had accumulated under his eyes.
[Ding!]
[Absorption, integration, and optimization completed. Epimorphic Regeneration has been optimized by the System for improved characteristics.]
"Optimized? Well... that's something I should be thankful for." Kane quickly walked to his desk and picked up a sharp letter opener.
He speculated that a simple cut from a sharp object could now heal within a couple of minutes. Pressing the tip of the letter opener to his pointer finger, Kane braced himself as he quickly slashed it a couple of centimeters down.
Dropping the opener on the table, Kane pulled his finger in front of his face and stared at the wound.
"Huh?" he mumbled.
Kane stared at the droplet of blood that began to pool around the wound, dabbing it with a tissue to remove the obstruction. His eyes widened with surprise.
"No wound? It shouldn't be that fast," Kane said, a brief hint of confusion appearing before he let out a loud laugh.
"You're kidding me, optimized my ass! This is enhanced with steroids!"
As he excitedly spoke those words, a tiny wave of fatigue washed over his body and mind. Fuck, I knew this could be a possibility.
Kane's eyes turned greedily back to the fish tank, lighting up in happiness as he stared at the second thing he had planned to absorb today.
Fortunately, he had chosen this specific tank due to the algae sitting at the bottom.
"Photosynthesis, or endless energy from sunlight." The powerful ability to regenerate from any injury was only possible when factoring in energy consumption.
Food could do an incredible job at helping with cuts and breaks, but in the case of a lost limb, Kane might possibly lie dormant or in a comatose state for a prolonged period while healing.
Gleefully, he reached back into the tank and pressed his finger on the mossy substance.
[Ding!]
[Absorption Traits found.]
[Species: Cyanobacteria / Microalgae]
[Would you like to absorb this trait?]
Moving back to the couch, Kane sat down and braced his body once again for the onslaught of pain. Do it! he mentally commanded.
No warning came from the System this time, but a faint warm feeling began to flow through his body, almost like he had been bathed in a hot spring for a little too long.
The refreshing sensation blindsided Kane as he let out a low sigh of contentment. The feeling lasted less than the previous absorption, vanishing within ten seconds.
[Absorption, integration, and optimization completed. Photosynthesis, Energy Efficiency, and Self-Sustainance have been optimized by the System for improved characteristics.]
Tell me about the changes.
[Allows for incredibly efficient energy production at a cellular level, directly converting light into metabolic energy. Has much higher light-harvesting efficiency and CO2-concentrating mechanisms maximize energy conversion. This drastically reduces or eliminates the need for traditional food/water intake, fueling the body's metabolism, healing, and physical abilities with inexhaustible, self-renewing energy, allowing for sustained activity for days, weeks, or even indefinitely without external sustenance.]
Walking behind the oak desk, Kane pulled the blinds open before pushing the window outwards. A stream of fresh air flowed into the room, but Kane was focused on something else.
Sunlight. Warmth. Energy.
His body soaked in the sunlight like it hadn't seen it for the last eighteen years. The unyielding and unending energy was being used throughout his entire body, turning it into an ultimate solar-fueled device.
Kane felt all the fatigue he had accumulated over his life melt away, the healing factors of both new traits, combined with the endless energy, slowly repairing any ailments and injuries, while optimizing his body's functionality.
"God. I could get addicted to this!"