Chương 7: Chp 7 System Choices
Haruto felt the familiar hum deep within his chest, growing steadily stronger. It was the same sensation he had experienced six months ago, just before the system had granted him his first reward. His heart raced as the hum intensified, a silent signal that something was coming. Something important.
It's happening again.
He took a deep breath, his infant body still, though his mind buzzed with anticipation. The system had been silent for months, watching, waiting—just as he had been. Now, it was offering him something, but what?
Suddenly, the hum quieted, and a soft chime echoed in his mind. The same mysterious energy pulsed through him, followed by a new sensation: choice. Haruto blinked, and in the depths of his consciousness, three options appeared before him, each accompanied by only two words.
[Option 1: Chakra Sensitivity]
[Option 2: Dexterity Increase]
[Option 3: Cognitive Boost]
Haruto stared at the words in his mind, his heart pounding as he realized what was happening. The system was offering him three choices, but with only the barest of explanations. Two words for each reward—nothing more. There were no further details, no explanations, no guidance. Just the names.
He clenched his small fists in frustration. The lack of information was maddening. He wanted to know more, to understand exactly what each option would give him, but the system wasn't going to hand him that information. He would have to choose based on logic and instinct alone.
Haruto exhaled, forcing himself to calm down. He could do this. He had to think carefully, use what he knew about his situation and his goals. Each option seemed valuable, but which one would help him the most right now?
Option 1: Chakra Sensitivity
Haruto's thoughts immediately latched onto this. Chakra Sensitivity—it was exactly what he had been struggling with for months. He had finally sensed a faint flicker of chakra within himself, but it had been weak, barely noticeable. If this option did what he thought it might, it would give him a significant boost in sensing chakra.
Chakra was the foundation of everything in this world. Without the ability to sense and control chakra, he would be at a huge disadvantage. If he chose this option, he could speed up his progress, maybe even begin to understand the flow of chakra in others as well as himself.
But there was a downside. Sensing chakra was just the first step. He would still need to learn how to control and use it, and that was an entirely different challenge. Chakra control wouldn't come instantly, and there was no guarantee that this reward would make him powerful immediately. It might just make him more aware of chakra without giving him the ability to do much with it yet.
Option 2: Dexterity Increase
This was another tempting choice. Haruto had spent months working on his body, refining his movements in secret, testing the limits of his physical control. He had already seen significant improvement after the first reward, and this option would build on that.
Dexterity Increase could mean better control over his limbs, more precise movements, and faster reflexes. It would help him in both everyday tasks and in his training. Being physically capable was essential, especially in a world where strength and agility could mean the difference between life and death. The ability to move with precision could also help him hide his true progress from the caregivers and others around him.
But then again, he was already ahead of the curve when it came to physical development. He had spent months refining his movements, and while more control would be helpful, it might not be the most critical thing for him right now.
Option 3: Cognitive Boost
This one intrigued him the most, but it was also the most mysterious. Cognitive Boost—what did that even mean? It sounded like it would enhance his ability to think, learn, and process information more quickly. His mind would become sharper, allowing him to pick up on things faster, absorb knowledge more efficiently, and maybe even understand complex concepts better.
Haruto had spent months learning the language, and while he had made progress, it had been slow and painful. A boost to his cognitive abilities could speed up his learning process, help him master the language faster, and give him an edge in understanding this world. It might also help him process information about chakra and other critical elements of this world.
But at the same time, it wasn't as immediately tangible as the other two options. While a sharper mind would help him long-term, it might not have the same immediate impact as better physical control or enhanced chakra sensitivity.
The Choice
Haruto closed his eyes, weighing each option carefully. He knew he couldn't make this decision lightly.
Chakra Sensitivity would give him a head start in understanding chakra, but it was only the beginning of the process. Without control, it wouldn't make him immediately more powerful.
Dexterity Increase would improve his physical abilities even further, making him more capable and more agile. But he was already making progress in that area, and he could continue to improve on his own.
Cognitive Boost… this was the wild card. His mind was his greatest asset, and a sharper intellect could help him in ways that weren't immediately obvious. It could accelerate his learning, allow him to absorb information faster, and give him a deeper understanding of the world around him. In a world where knowledge was power, this might be the best long-term investment.
His heart pounded as he realized that the answer was clear.
The mind is the most important tool I have. Haruto knew that if he could think faster, learn faster, and understand the world better, everything else would follow. The physical strength, the chakra control—it would all come in time. But without the ability to learn and adapt quickly, he wouldn't survive long enough to use any of it.
I'll take the Cognitive Boost.
He focused on the option, willing the system to accept his choice. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a soft chime echoed in his mind, and the words dissolved, leaving him with a sense of finality.
Haruto felt the change almost immediately. His thoughts, once slow and muddled by the limitations of his infant brain, began to sharpen. It wasn't overwhelming—it wasn't as though he suddenly became a genius—but there was a subtle clarity in his mind that hadn't been there before. His senses felt more attuned, his focus more precise.
He smiled to himself, feeling the potential of what he had chosen. It wasn't a flashy reward, but it was the right one.
The mind is the key to everything, he thought, settling back in his crib.
And with this boost, Haruto knew he had taken the first true step toward mastering the world he now lived in.
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