NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 4: The Chosen Conduit
Adam glanced back toward the workers and Dr. Grayson who were standing at the far side of the room.
Their faces were as unreadable as always as they continued to check in on the condition of the crystal while he was using it.
Their expressions were neutral as though nothing happened...
They hadn't reacted to the sudden change in the crystal!
'Was it an illusion...?'
Adam wondered briefly, but quickly dismissed the thought.
'No, it most likely wasn't... They probably didn't see the changes because the interference was only directed towards me. The crystal must have set it up that way... making it so that only I could respond to the shift.'
'I wonder if their records will log this anomaly...'
As an experienced Team Captain who had roamed around the Tower of Yxthar for years, his mind had naturally developed the habit of analyzing the unexpected, especially when things didn't go as planned.
It was needed as the lives of his team members often depended on him and his ability to command them.
'This anomaly… it definitely links to the fact that I've gone back in time and accepted that strange viewer's deal...'
'Just who was that viewer...?'
His attention snapped back to Dr. Grayson, who had noticed his gaze.
The doctor stepped forward, breaking Adam's chain of thought.
"Congratulations!"
Dr. Grayson said with a smile that seemed to radiate warmth.
"You've passed the Resonance Test, you are now awakened."
Adam nodded, though his mind was still partially elsewhere.
"Thank you."
Dr. Grayson's smile broadened, clearly pleased with the results.
Without another word, he motioned toward a door on the far side of the room.
"Come, let's move to the next area. There are some formalities to take care of. Nothing too complicated, but it's needed."
Adam followed Dr. Grayson through the door into a smaller, more sterile room.
A desk sat against one wall, papers neatly stacked on its surface.
Dr. Grayson handed Adam a stack of papers, his movements swift and practiced.
"These are the documents you'll need to fill out regarding your awakening."
He explained.
"Nothing too daunting. Just some basic information about your Stream Codename, your ability, and your personal details for the system."
Adam took the papers with a nod.
Dr. Grayson, seeming to anticipate his curiosity, added.
"You can check your information by willing the system in your mind. It will show you your updated profile."
Adam didn't say much, pretending as though this was his first time knowing about these things.
▶ [User] Adam Codranel
➤ [Rank] Ember (Requires 50 Basic Soul Core points and max level for the next Rank)
➤ [Level] 1 ─ (Capped at level 100)
➤ [Soul Core] 0
◆ [Abilities]
├── [Temporary Copy] (?-tier) ─ Temporarily copies an ability of a viewer (Copied Skill will be reduced to its F-tier version)
├── [Permanent Copy] (?-tier) ─ 1 usage per rank increase. (Can only copy a viewer's skill)
└── [Body Blood Magic] (D-tier) ─ Magic in relation to Blood Control. (10 Meter Limit)
◆ [Stream Information]
├── [Stream Codename] The Chosen Conduit
├── [Sponsors] None
├── [Average Viewers] 0/sec
├── [Subscribers] 0
└── [Pending Gifts] 0
'Temporary Copy? Permanent Copy?'
Adam stood agape, to him these seemed like super high tiered abilities that only top Stream Hunters would probably have.
'I can only copy a viewer's skills?'
Adam scrutinized that piece of information.
He wasn't disappointed in the fact that he couldn't copy other Stream Hunter's abilities...
In fact he was more than shocked!
Any viewer was a hundred and if not... a thousand times more powerful than any of Earth's current Stream Hunters!
Dr. Grayson noticed Adam staring at an empty spot beside him and raised an eyebrow before speaking.
"Amazing, isn't it?"
He remarked, his voice calm yet expectant.
"You can start filling out the forms now."
He handed Adam a digital tablet, its screen glowing faintly with the registration interface.
Then, with a more serious tone, he added.
"Make sure everything is as accurate as possible. No falsifications. There will be a combat evaluation later to confirm all of this."
"Got it…"
Adam replied absentmindedly, already familiar with the process.
He had gone through it before already.
At that time, he got below the average assessment evaluations...
The combat evaluation was designed to test an individual's physical abilities and to confirm their awakened personalized ability.
It wasn't the only test, either.
There was also a Knowledge Proficiency Test, which ensured that every Stream Hunter had at least a fundamental grasp of hunting and survival skills.
After all, the Tower of Yxthar wasn't a simple tower.
Each floor was a vast, self-contained environment, ranging from scorching deserts to freezing tundras, labyrinthine ruins to monster-infested forests.
Anyone without basic survival knowledge wouldn't last long.
Then there was the Psychological Evaluation, meant to assess a candidate's mental stability.
The government wasn't about to let highly unstable individuals awaken unchecked, only for them to enter the tower and become a danger to others.
Adam scrolled through the form, filling in his details while recalling another crucial part of the process...
The background check.
Every candidate had their personal records screened, including their criminal history.
Of course, this didn't mean the government could outright stop someone from entering the tower.
After all, one month after awakening, the Tower of Yxthar would forcefully teleport all awakened individuals to the first floor.
It didn't matter who they were.
They could be a decorated war hero or a wanted criminal.
If they were awakened, they would be sent in regardless.
However, that didn't mean people could do as they pleased.
The government wasn't just sitting back and watching.
They had found a way to establish contact with those inside.
Adam knew the details— Stream Resonance Energy.
The Stream Crystals used in the awakening process weren't just for show.
Their energy resonated across dimensions, forming a stable frequency link between the outside world and the tower itself.
Using this, the government and certain authorized organizations could communicate with the awakened inside.
Of course, this connection was strictly regulated.
Outside of official personnel, no one else had access to it.
This was why failing the tests had serious consequences.
If someone failed the Knowledge Proficiency Test or the Combat Evaluation...
The government would immediately send a notification to their personnel inside the tower which were awakened agents stationed on the first floor.
Those who failed would then be forcibly trained, honing their combat skills and learning the necessary survival techniques before they were allowed to climb higher floors.
As for those who failed the Psychological Evaluation?
They weren't simply ignored.
The government ensured that those individuals were given mandatory psychological therapy and treatment on the first floor, monitored closely to prevent any potential dangers.
And for criminals?
Their fate was more straightforward.
Jail cells. Constructed by those inside the tower awaited them.
Those with serious offenses weren't given the luxury of freedom.
They were locked away, watched over by awakened law enforcement within the tower itself.
Adam let out a quiet sigh.
'Even in the tower, it's hard to escape the grasp of the government.'
Still, he wasn't against it. If anything, it was a necessary measure.
Regulating the awakened lowered the death rate, ensured cooperation, and reduced the risk of senseless crimes.
Without this system in place, the first floor of the tower would have turned into a lawless battlefield long ago.
And Adam had no intention of stepping into something like that.