Chapter 163 The New Human System
"99%... 100%... Sequence upgrade complete!" Robert's voice, usually bright and energetic, was now a bit fatigued. "Weak AI Sequence 5, initialization commencing."
The purple glow in Elbert's right eye pulsed, the five points of light spinning faster until they blurred into a dazzling, hypnotic swirl. The pupil itself seemed to expand and contract, like a breathing, five-petaled flower crafted from pure energy.
Simultaneously, the dormant machinery in the lab graveyard whirred to life. Robotic arms danced with newfound purpose, sparks flew from welding torches, and indicator lights blinked in a mesmerizing symphony of industrial resurrection.
Even Coco 2.0, the robotic canine companion, sprang into action. Its metallic tail wagged furiously as it ran around, fetching tools and components with surprising dexterity.
On the assembly line, a strange and intricate device began to form; something Elbert had never seen before.
"I'm back!" Robert's voice announced triumphantly.
The signal fluctuation in the lower right corner of Elbert's vision resolved itself into a 3D image of a young boy. He was no older than eight, with rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes, and a mischievous grin. He wore a miniature lab coat over his denim overalls, giving him an endearingly precocious air.
"Robert?" Elbert chuckled, surprised by the AI's new avatar. "Is that you?"
"I designed it myself," Robert declared proudly. "Even AIs need to look their best, right?"
"But why didn't you show yourself before?" Elbert asked, genuinely curious.
Robert admitted sheepishly, "Stage fright, but I'm over it now. Time to get serious!"
With a dramatic flourish, the young boy transformed into a slightly older version, sporting a pair of thick-rimmed glasses and a graduate cap perched jauntily atop his head. A blackboard materialized behind him, complete with chalk dust and a diagram of a double helix.
"Let's talk about evolution, Elbert," Robert announced, tapping the blackboard with a pointer that had magically appeared in his hand. "Reaching the New Human stage is just the first step. You've opened the door, but now you need to walk through it."
"The so-called 'first-stage combat awareness' is merely the initial unlocking of your genetic potential," he continued, his voice taking on the tone of a seasoned professor. "Your body is already changing, adapting, and preparing for greater things. However, it needs guidance, training, and a little push in the right direction."
"Combat awareness is about more than just enhanced strength or speed," he explained,pacing back and forth in front of the blackboard. "It's about the complete integration of your physical and mental faculties. It's about your cells, your neurons, your very essence vibrating at a higher frequency."
"The reason you felt overwhelmed before is because I forced the process. I artificially stimulated your cells, gave them a taste of what they could become. But it wasn't sustainable; it wasn't truly yours."
Elbert nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "So, I need to activate my cells permanently? Make them work at that higher level all the time?"
"Precisely!" Robert beamed, clearly pleased with his student's progress. "You're a fast learner, Elbert. I have a feeling about you."
The image on the blackboard shifted, morphing into a detailed anatomical model of a human body. It glowed a vibrant red, highlighting areas of stress and potential instability.
"The problem, Elbert, is that your current body is still… well, it's still human," Robert said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "It's not equipped to handle the demands of sustained New Human cellular activity. We need to upgrade your hardware."
With a finger snap, Robert made the model vanish.
"Upgrade? How do we do that?" Elbert frowned, a flicker of apprehension crossing his face.
"Through the miracle of metabolism, of course!" Robert declared, his enthusiasm returning full force.
"The human body is in a constant state of renewal," he explained, his pointer dancing across the blackboard. "Cells die, they're replaced, and over time, you become a completely new person. It takes about three months for your blood to fully regenerate, a year for your skin, five years for your internal organs, and seven years for your bones."
"But your metabolism is different now, Elbert," he continued, his voice filled with excitement. "Your new cells that replace the old ones will be New Human cells. Stronger, faster, more resilient. In essence, you'll be constantly rebuilding yourself from the inside out."
The image on the blackboard shifted again, this time showing a human figure radiating a golden light, its cells pulsing with vibrant energy.
"Our goal is to accelerate this process," Robert said, his eyes twinkling. "We need to push your metabolism into overdrive, and I have a three-pronged plan to do just that."
He held up three fingers, ticking them off one by one.
"First, we need to flood your system with energy. You need to eat, and I mean really eat! Second, we need to burn that energy; push your body to its limits and force it to adapt. Lastly, we need a little external stimulation; something to kick-start your cellular activity and get those New Human cells multiplying."
He concluded, "So, while you enjoy a delicious feast from every takeout place within a twenty-mile radius, I'll be putting the finishing touches on a few gadgets that will make your workout truly electrifying."
As if on cue, knocks sounded at the lab door, followed by a muffled voice announcing, "Delivery for Mr. Elbert!"
Elbert chuckled, shaking his head at Robert's impeccable timing.
An hour later, Elbert sat surrounded by a mountain of takeout containers, his stomach a bottomless pit. He'd already consumed enough food to feed a small army, but his appetite was still strong.
"Digestive function enhanced," Robert's voice announced. "Energy absorption rate increased by 300%. Muscle protein synthesis optimized. Please consume additional fluids to facilitate optimal metabolic function."
Elbert dutifully guzzled down a liter of water, barely pausing for breath.
Coco 2.0 trotted up to him, a black, form-fitting bodysuit dangling from its jaws.
"Behold, Elbert," Robert declared, his voice filled with pride. "The Electromagnetic Pulse Suit, or as I like to call it; the Little Hell Armor!"
"This baby uses microcurrents to stimulate your muscles, making them contract and relax in rapid succession," he explained, his image striking a heroic pose. "It's like a supercharged workout, pushing your body to its absolute limit. Trust me, you'll feel the burn."
Elbert observed the suit with curiosity and trepidation. He'd always been physically fit, but this sounded… intense.
He slipped the suit on under his clothes, instantly feeling electricity shooting through his body. It wasn't painful, exactly, but it was definitely… stimulating. His muscles twitched involuntarily, feeling strange tingling all over.
"Don't worry, it gets worse," Robert chuckled, clearly enjoying Elbert's discomfort. "I've cranked the voltage up to eleven. We're talking about accelerating your metabolism here, not a spa treatment."
Elbert took a step forward, his muscles screaming in protest. It felt like he was wading through thick mud, every movement requiring Herculean effort.
"What the…?" he grunted, surprised by the sudden weakness. He was no stranger to physical exertion, but this was something else entirely.
"Just a little something I like to call 'resistance training,'" Robert chirped, his voice dripping with faux innocence. "Think of it as a way of tricking your body into thinking it's working harder than it actually is. It's all about pushing those limits breaking through those barriers, Elbert."
Elbert gritted his teeth, determined to push through the discomfort. He knew Robert was right. If he wanted to unlock his full potential, he couldn't run a little pain.
He wore the bodysuit underneath his outer clothes.
The next moment, a weak electric current spread across his skin!
His whole body felt numb, as if all his nerves were being poked.
Elbert moved his arm slightly, his bones crackling as if enduring immense pressure!
The numbness made it difficult for him to lift his arm!
He was secretly shocked. His strength was at least 3,300 pounds!
However, he now moved like that of a frail old man!