It had been six days since Kane had gone through his first round of trait absorptions, and he couldn't wipe the constant smile from his face.
Though the Regeneration of the Axolotl were tremendous, erasing any visible or hidden ailments his body held, but the true benefits stemmed from the plant-based traits.
Photosynthesis had essentially turned Kane into the living embodiment of endless physical stamina.
He no longer required sleep, as his body continuously used and stored sunlight like an everlasting battery.
His days had gone from needing eight hours of sleep to simply taking a meditative nap to release any mental fatigue he had built up.
The Self-Sustenance trait had removed any and all requirements to eat food or drink water.
His body was continuously getting nutrition from sunlight and always working at an optimal state.
Thanks to these changes, Kane had spent the rest of the week locked in his apartment, scouring the internet.
He looked through scientific research papers and watched videos. His once nearly empty notebook was now filled to the brim with notes he had taken.
Kane was currently standing inside the same pet shop he had visited earlier in the week. The same young, blonde-haired girl was directing him to the back of the shop.
"You must really like animals," she said, flashing a flirty smile at him.
"I'll be honest, I've always wanted to hold one of these. The only time I ever saw one was on a cartoon as a kid," Kane smiled.
"You won't be the first or last. We've had a lot of kids come in to look at them."
Turning the corner at the end of the aisle, the teen waved her hand at the back wall, as if gesturing Kane to go by himself.
Raising his eyebrow, he turned his head slightly and looked at her.
Noticing his questioning gaze, she smiled sheepishly. "I don't usually handle these; they give me the creeps."
Kane snorted, but nodded. "Well, thanks for entertaining my curiosity. I'll only be a couple minutes."
The girl nodded and turned away, walking back towards the front of the store.
Kane quickly walked towards the cage, his eyes peering inside as he watched the little rodent sleep in the corner.
Naked Mole Rat. My next trait objective.
Slowly unlocking the cage, Kane extended his hand inside as it made its way through the contents of the cage, briefly touching the odd-looking creature.
[Ding!]
[Absorption Traits found.]
[Species: Naked Mole Rat]
[Trait Found: Pain & Cancer Resistance, Longevity]
[Would you like to absorb this trait?]
Not now, save it for when I'm home.
Removing his hand from the cage and re-locking it, Kane quickly moved from the back of the store and reached the entrance where he met with the employee once again.
"God, their skin's so weird," Kane said, feigning disgust.
The employee, Jade, whose name was written on a tag, laughed lightly. "Probably why no one wants to adopt one."
Chuckling lightly, Kane placed his hands in his pocket and pulled out a $10 bill before placing it on the counter.
"Thanks for helping me out, at least I can mark this off my bucket list."
Jade, seeing the money, slid her arm over it before putting it away. "No worries, weird list, but it's paying me good. If you ever want to pet any others, just come in when I'm working."
Noticing Jade's playful smirk and wink, Kane couldn't help but chuckle internally.
"Sure, will do. Anyway, thanks. Have a good afternoon."
Turning and walking to the exit, Kane slightly waved back before leaving the store.
-------------------------
Sprawled out on his bed, Kane stared at the ceiling as he mentally prepared himself for the new absorption.
Hopefully, this works out. I'd rather not go through excruciating pain each time I do this process.
Exhaling loudly, Kane slapped his face as a glint of determination passed through his eyes.
Go ahead, absorb the Mole Rat traits.
...
Huh? Kane thought, bewildered.
The pain he was expecting to come with the new species traits was almost non-existent. If anything, he felt a slight moment of discomfort before it disappeared altogether.
[Absorption, integration, and optimization completed. Pain & Cancer Resistance, Longevity (Mole Rat) has been optimized by the System for improved characteristics.]
Oh, did the Pain Resistance already start working? Kane thought, his body vibrating with excitement.
[Synergy found between Mole Rat, Axolotl, and Cyanobacteria.]
[With the integration of these three traits, you transcend typical biological limitations. The Naked Mole-Rat's genetic enhancements provide extraordinary pain resistance, making you largely impervious to physical discomfort, coupled with an unparalleled immunity to cancer that ensures robust cellular health. This trait also bestows extended vitality, meaning you will remain physically robust and youthful for a significantly prolonged period, potentially living for 150 to 200 years, or even longer, while avoiding the common frailties of aging.]
[This foundational resilience is seamlessly complemented by the Axolotl's ability to perfectly regenerate complex body parts, including limbs, organs, spinal cord, and even portions of the brain, without any scarring or loss of function, effectively granting biological agelessness through continuous, flawless renewal.]
[All of these remarkable regenerative and vital processes are endlessly fueled by the Cyanobacteria's highly efficient photosynthesis, providing an inexhaustible, self-renewing energy supply directly from light. This eliminates the need for traditional food, water, or rest, ensuring perpetual stamina and accelerating all healing to a biological maximum.]
[The result is a being of near-absolute biological immortality, perpetually healthy, tireless, incapable of feeling significant pain, and able to regenerate from virtually any physical harm with astonishing speed.]
Kane stood stock-still, his mind going at lightning speed as he read about the biological changes he now had.
"I'm essentially immortal?" Kane whispered. "Well... ageless, I guess. But if I continue to build up resistances, I could truly become a monster."
Gulping down the pool of saliva that had built up when Kane's mouth was hanging agape, he slowly stood up and walked towards his bedroom window and peered down at the city below.
His mind was distant, as his eyes absently watched the cars and people pass by.
Even though all his notes had pointed out he would gain something close to what the System notified, Kane couldn't help but scratch his head in deep contemplation.
There has to be something more to this world... I can't be the only person with powers or abilities.
What kind of fulfilling life would I lead if I was the only special person?
Though the note mentioned he had chosen to forget his past life's memories, he was now acutely aware that all those dreams he'd had every night for eighteen years pertained to his previous world.
After re-reading some of his journal entries, he now knew they were based off some entertainment that was even present in his new life.
Unfortunately, those dreams were fragmented, and he could barely recall any specific information.
Kane remembered some anime about a person dying and being reincarnated in a world of fiction they'd read, something he speculated could be possible.
But without proof, it was just an empty theory.
"No point in overthinking it. If I'm immortal and no one else is, I'll just build some stupidly rich empire and find an island to retire on."
Turning from the window, Kane stared at the clock on the wall.
"Time to dress up. I've got a fundraiser to attend."