Ryan stared at the words "Ultimate Infinite Extraction System" floating in front of his face.
It sounded very grand, like something from a fancy instruction manual for a blender that could also do your taxes.
"Deconstruction and assimilation of essence," he read aloud, his voice a little shaky. "So, I can take things apart and… eat their soul? That sounds a bit rude, doesn't it?"
He mentally poked the description on his god Interface, hoping for a simpler explanation. Maybe a cartoon guide? A helpful paperclip animation?
The Interface just repeated the same words, adding, "The system allows for the breaking down of targets into their fundamental components or abstract qualities, which can then be absorbed or repurposed by the user.
Potential is, theoretically, without end."
"Theoretically without end," Ryan mused. "That's like saying a bottomless bag of chips. Sounds great until you're elbow-deep and can't find the remote."
He tried to think of what he could 'extract.' Could he extract the 'boring' from a long story? Or the 'soggy' from a forgotten cereal?
The possibilities were confusing. And probably not what this epic SSS-Tier power was for.
He decided to check the CommNet again. If he had a super-duper power, maybe everyone else did too. The chat was still a waterfall of panicked and excited messages.
BigTony77: I got 'Minor Elemental Affinity [ Heat ]'! I can make my pinky finger a bit warm! FEAR ME! [ It's an F-Tier, but I'm working on it! ]
PrincessFluffybutt: 'Enhanced Reflexes [D-Tier].' Maybe I can finally catch that laser pointer dot. Still no cats, though. Sob.
ConfusedCarl: 'Toughened Skin [ D-Tier ].' My elbows feel like… slightly tougher elbows. Does this mean I can finally win that thumb war against my nephew? He's ruthless.
SmartyPants2000: I received 'Basic Tool Proficiency [ E-Tier].' I can now intuitively understand how to use a hammer. I already knew how to use a hammer. This is… underwhelming.
Xx_ShadowSniper_xX: 'Night Vision [F-Tier].' But only in my left eye. And it makes everything look green. Great.
Ryan chuckled.
It seemed like SSS-Tiers weren't exactly being handed out like free samples at the grocery store.
Most people were getting powers that sounded like they came from the bargain bin of a superhero garage sale. His "Ultimate Infinite Extraction System" suddenly felt a lot heavier, a lot more… secret.
Just then, the calm, slightly bossy voice from before cut through everyone's thoughts again.
This time, a blurry, see-through image of a stern-looking person in a very official-looking uniform appeared next to the CommNet.
The figure was all shimmering light, like a ghost trying to look important. Their name tag read: "God Warden."
"Attention, Arrivals of Genesis Outpost #7," the God Warden said, its voice as crisp as a new potato chip. "Aptitude Symbiosis is complete.
As you may have noticed, the distribution of Aptitude Tiers is heavily skewed towards the lower echelons. F-Tier and D-Tier Aptitudes are the most common. C-Tier abilities are uncommon. B-Tier abilities are rare. A-Tier abilities are exceptionally rare."
The Warden paused, letting that sink in. Ryan could almost hear the collective sigh of disappointment from thousands of pods.
"Within this very Outpost, Genesis Outpost #7, containing approximately ten thousand individuals, only a small handful possess Aptitudes of C-Tier or above. S-Tiers are, for all intents and purposes, legends spoken of in hushed whispers. And SSS-Tiers"
The Warden actually seemed to hesitate for a fraction of a second. "are unique on a scale that most of you cannot comprehend. They are universe-shapers, destiny-weavers."
Ryan swallowed hard. Universe-shaper? He just wanted to figure out if he could use his power to make better coffee.
He quickly made sure his own Aptitude wasn't being broadcast on some giant leaderboard for everyone to see. Nope, still private. Good. He wasn't ready to be a destiny-weaver before he'd even had breakfast goo.
The CommNet exploded again, but this time with a new kind of energy.
LuckyBoi99: Did anyone here get C-Tier? Anyone? Bueller?
HopefulHelen: Maybe my 'Slightly Better at Humming' is secretly C-Tier if I hum really, really well?
Then, a new voice, loud and confident, boomed through the CommNet chat, accompanied by a profile picture of a muscular guy with a determined grin.
Chris_Boulder_Magnus: Greetings, fellow Outpost #7 members! My name is Chris Magnus, but you can call me Boulder! Just got my Aptitude: 'Kinetic Surge'! It's a B-Tier! Lets me boost my strength for a short time! If anyone needs a heavy lifter, Boulder's your man! Let's rock this place!
Immediately, messages of awe and support flooded Chris "Boulder" Magnus.
BigTony77: A B-TIER! Awesome, Boulder! You're our hero!
PrincessFluffybutt: Wow, B-Tier! Can you punch things really hard? Maybe you can help me find my cats!
ConfusedCarl: Kinetic Surge! That sounds way better than tough elbows. Lead the way, Boulder!
Ryan watched as Boulder instantly became the Outpost celebrity. People were already calling him "Leader Boulder." Ryan, meanwhile, decided that keeping his SSS-Tier power under wraps was probably the smartest thing he'd done all day.
If a B-Tier got this much attention, an SSS-Tier might cause a riot, or worse, attract the wrong kind of attention from people who wanted to "study" him. No, thank you.
He preferred his organs right where they were.
The God Warden's holographic image flickered back into view, looking even sterner, as if annoyed by the brief burst of B-Tier excitement.
"Your first Outpost Trial will now be issued," it announced, its voice cutting through the chatter.
"The objective is twofold: First, survive for seven standard cycles. A cycle is equivalent to one standard day in your previous spatiotemporal realities. Second, reach Assimilation Level 5."
"Assimilation Level?" Ryan muttered. "Is that like leveling up in a video game? Survive for seven days and get five levels, sounds simple enough, if you don't count the whole 'being kidnapped by a god-like entity' part."
The Warden continued, "To assist you in this endeavor, basic provisions will now be dispensed to each Arrival Pod."
With a soft clunk, a compartment opened in Ryan's pod wall. Inside, he found two items. The first was a knife. It was plain, gray, and looked like something you'd get in a cheap camping set.
It was about as long as his hand, with a simple, sturdy handle. The Interface labeled it: "Utility Knife [ Basic, Tier F ]."
The second item was a small, vacuum-sealed packet. "Pioneer's Rations [ 1 Day Supply ]," the label read.
Ryan picked it up. It felt like a dense brick of something. Definitely not as jiggly as the beige goo.
"Well, it's not pizza," he sighed, "but it's probably better than goo. Maybe."
The God Warden wasn't finished. "Failure to meet these objectives within the allotted time will result in consequences."
It didn't elaborate on "consequences," but its tone suggested they wouldn't involve a stern talking-to and a plate of cookies.
"The energy barrier surrounding Genesis Outpost #7 will lower in one hour. Good luck, Arrivals."
With that, the Warden's image vanished.
Panic erupted in the CommNet.
Xx_ShadowSniper_xX: SEVEN DAYS?! Out THERE?! What's out there?!
PrincessFluffybutt: Assimilation Level 5? How do we even do that?! And what about my cats?!
BigTony77: Don't worry, everyone! Boulder will protect us! Right, Boulder?
Chris_Boulder_Magnus: Uh, yeah! We got this, team! Boulder is ready! [ He sounded a little less confident now. ]
Ryan looked at the plain Utility Knife in his hand.
"Deconstruct and assimilate essence," he repeated to himself, the words of his SSS-Tier Aptitude echoing in his mind. "Limitless potential."
He wasn't sure about fighting monsters or surviving in an unknown world. But he was curious. Very curious.
He focused on the knife. He held it, turned it over, felt its weight. It was a knife. Not very impressive.
"Okay, Ultimate Infinite Extraction System," he whispered, feeling a bit like a wizard about to try his first spell. "Let's see what you can do. Can I extract something from this knife?"
He concentrated, trying to will his new power to work. For a moment, nothing happened. He felt a bit silly. Maybe he needed to wave his hands? Say some magic words? "Extracto Knifus?" he tried, then cringed at himself.
Then, a faint warmth spread from his hand, the one holding the knife, up his arm.
The god Interface flickered, and a new line of text appeared under his Aptitude description:
Target: Utility Knife [ Basic, Tier F ]
Initiating Extraction Protocol.
He felt a strange pulling sensation, not physical, but like his mind was gently tugging at the knife's very being. It wasn't unpleasant, just odd. Like trying to unscrew a very tight mental jar lid.
The knife in his hand didn't glow or shake. It looked exactly the same.
After a few seconds, the Interface chimed softly.
Extraction Complete!
Acquired: Residual Forging Impurities [ Trace Amount ]
System Note: This material consists of microscopic flaws and leftover particles from a hasty and imperfect manufacturing process. Essentially, you've vacuumed out some of the crud.
Ryan stared at the knife.
It still looked like a cheap camping knife. "Residual Forging Impurities? So, I extracted dirt? Or tiny bits of bad metal?"
He wasn't sure if that was impressive or just a very fancy way of cleaning things.
But then, another line appeared on the Interface regarding the knife itself:
Utility Knife [Basic, Tier F] – Status Update:
Potential Refinement Slot Opened [ 1/1 ]
NOTE: The removal of impurities has created a minor instability in the item's structural matrix, paradoxically allowing for potential targeted reinforcement or enhancement.
Basically, you've made a tiny bit of room for improvement. Good job, sparky!
"A refinement slot?" Ryan blinked. "So, by taking out the bad bits, I made space to add good bits? That's actually pretty cool."
The knife didn't look any different, but the Interface said it was potentially better. It was a start. A very small, very confusing start, but a start nonetheless.
He grinned. Maybe this SSS-Tier thing wasn't so bad after all. He still had no idea what he was doing, but he'd just successfully "extracted" something, even if it was just "crud."
And his knife now had a "Potential Refinement Slot." He felt like he'd just won a tiny, invisible prize.
The one-hour countdown until the Outpost barrier dropped was ticking. He had a lot to learn, and very little time. But for the first time since waking up in the pod, Ryan felt a flicker of something other than confusion and worry.
He felt a spark of well, potential. And a strong desire to see what else his "Ultimate Infinite Extraction System" could do. Hopefully, it involved more than just knife dirt.!