The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster-Chapter 38: Recovery System-D.E.M.O.N.S.

The first sensation Buji felt was a deep pain. It throbbed agony and seemed to radiate from every part of his body. His vision swam in and out of focus. The room in which he was in became dimly lit, dancing before him.

The overwhelming feeling of weakness gripped him like an anchor pulling him underwater. He couldn’t move. To speak was difficult. His body was broken and his spirit wasn’t far behind.

First, he had flashbacks of what happened inside the dungeon. How his surviving team members then had left him to die alone, unfortunately, they became the victims. How he had survived despite being struck at several part of his body by poisonous arrows. The glow, and how he had vanished into darkness.

Then, he heard it.

[Recovery System: D.E.M.O.N.S]

<Activation Initiated>

Unlike the normal female voice, this one was neither female nor male. It was a cold, mechanical monotone that echoed directly in his mind. No screen.

It startled him, and then, he found his words. But they only rang out as thoughts.

’What… what’s this?’ he thought as his lips refused to move. ’Is this the so called recovery process? To cause more pain?’

But then, the voice from earlier continued.

[Welcome, Host.]

[You have been selected by Dynamic Evolutionary Monster for Optimal Neurological and Somatic Repair (D.E.M.O.N.S.)]

[Your body is currently assessed as critically injured. Initiating recovery protocol…]

Before Buji could know it, a burning warmth spread through his body. First, it started at his chest, radiating like a wave of molten energy, spreading across his whole body parts.

The pain that had been his constant companion for hours began to recede. His fractured bones seemed to knit themselves together. The deep wounds and cuts on his skin closed rapidly, leaving only faint scars in their replace.

Buji’s eyes widened at what was happening. He flexed his fingers, then his toes.

’It was real. It was real. It... was... real!’

The happiness in Buji at the moment knew no bound.

He could move again.

But he still wondered what system was it. And what is was all about.

Then came the reply.

[I am the D.E.M.O.N.S. System, designed to assist in recovery, evolution and survival of every awakened monsters. You are advised to summon the system every week for somatic repair.]

Buji blinked, unsure of what he heard. "What did you mean by summon weekly?" But the system didn’t respond.

Then he thought. ’Summoning you weekly?’

[Correct. I am a system that requires periodic engagement. Failure to do so will result in the withdrawal of all benefits, including health restoration, skill enhancements, and survival optimization.]

<NB: Compliance ensures progression. Non-compliance ensures termination.>

The last word sent shivers down Buji’s spine. ’Wait, does it mean I will die whenever I fail to summon you?’

[Not exactly. But your chances of survival will be on a minimal.]

[As long as you summon me once every week, you will retain all benefits and continue to evolve.]

’I don’t have a choice, do I?’ he thought.

[Acknowledged. Consent is implied under thrilling conditions. Recovery protocol complete. You are now at 75% optimal functionality. Additional enhancement available upon system engagement. Proceed with caution.]

As the voice faded, Buji pushed himself into a sitting position. He wasn’t fully healed yet but the improvement was astounding. He glanced around the room which was different from the hospital room he had been in.

The room was cold and illuminated with a flickering fluorescent light. No windows. No visible doors. Just a space enclosed by walls.

’Where am I?’

[You are in a stabilization chamber. Location concealed for your safety. Further instructions will be provided upon successful system engagement.]

Immediately, symbol formed on the walls of the room. The symbols on the walls began to shift and rearrange themselves. One by one, they formed into words he could understand.

[Objective 1: Test your body’s recovery.

Stand up and take three steps forward.]

It seemed simple enough. So, Buji planted his hands on floor and pushed himself up. Only then he realized he had been on the floor.

As he stood, his legs trembled under his weight, but they held. Taking a deep breath, he moved one foot forward, then another. After the third step, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him.

[Objective complete. Optimal functionality increased to 80%]

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

"Not bad."

The symbols shifted again.

[Objective 2: Engage in basic combat.]

[Prepare to defend yourself.]

’Combat? Against what…’

Before he could finish his thoughts, a section of the wall slid open revealing a humanoid figure made of entirely metallic light.

Buji raised his fists instinctively, steadying his stance to accept any attack from the figure.

The figure lunged at him without warning. Buji ducked, narrowly avoiding a glowing fist aimed at his head. His body moved on instinct, his muscles reacting faster than his mind could process.

He spun on his heel to deliver a swift kick to the figure’s midsection. The figure stumbled backward from the kick.

The figure lunged forward and Buji realized something. As the fight went on, each blow from the figure was only meant to test his reflexes and endurance. The figure was not sent to harm him but to help him adapt.

After what seemed like an eternity of battle, the figure dissolved into a cascade of light, leaving Buji panting.

"It vanished," Buji said in between breath.

Then came the voice again.

[Objective complete. Combat functionality restored.]

[Optimal Functionality: 95%]

Buji dropped to his knees, kicking out the sweat from his brow with his index finger.

’What’s next?’

The symbol rearranged once more.

[Objective 3: Accept your first enhancement.]

Buji’s curiosity piqued. ’Enhancement.’

[Confirmed…]

"No wait, I wanted to ask what it meant." But it seemed the system ignored since he didn’t speak with his mind.

[Confirmed. Choose from the following options:

 Enhanced Strength

 Accelerate Healing

 Increased Agility]

Buji considered the options. Strength would be useful in combat, but he already felt strong enough. Not enough, but at least to some extent. Healing was tempting, given his recent brush with death, but he need agility for speed and reflex actions among others. It might give him the edge he needed to survive.

"I will take increased agility," he said.

[Activated.]

[Enhancement complete.]

[Optimal Functionality: 100%.]

[Daily and weekly engagement required to maintain benefits.]

Buji chuckled.

It was strange and at the same time, kind of fun for him.

He looked around the room, the symbols were fading into the wall. He imagined what more absurdities he was going to face later in the future.

First, it had been the second system at the dungeon. Now, it was D.E.M.O.N.S.

But then, he looked around again and noticed he was back to the hospital room, and was lying on the bed again. Shockingly, the bandages were still on him, although he felt no pain again.

Then another screen popped up with a message.

[Fitness Stats <unread>]

***