Zain sighed, glancing around the ruins.
"Let's just absorb some materials first."
There were plenty of rubbles and ruined electronics scattered across the area.
All of them were worthless to others but quite valuable to him.
Activating his system, he began the absorption process.
---
[Absorbed D-Rank Material: +10 Hack Points]
[Absorbed D-Rank Material: +10 Hack Points]
[---]
[Total Hack Points Gained: +300]
[Current Hack Points: 440]
---
Zain smirked as he saw his total Hack Points.
"It's not so bad. It has only been a few minute since I absorbed them."
He rubbed his chin. "Now that I have enough Hack Points… let's see if I can cultivate."
Cultivation had been his greatest strength in his past life. It was what made him the Heavenly Demon.
If he could regain that power here, his rise would be inevitable.
Without wasting time, he moved toward a more secluded area.
He sat down, crossing his legs, and closed his eyes.
He focused.
Trying to sense the Qi in the air.
Trying to absorb it.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
His brows furrowed.
His breathing became heavier.
But… nothing.
He opened his eyes, frustration appeared on his face.
"Damn it."
He clenched his fist. "Not only is this body incredibly weak... but the Qi here is practically nonexistent."
In his old world, Qi flowed like a river through the air, filling every inch of existence.
But here? It was thin, almost nonexistent.
"If it's like this... I can't cultivate at all."
He leaned against the ruined wall, sighing. "Tch. This world really abandoned cultivation, huh?"
But if cultivation was impossible, then...
Would he have to rely entirely on the Hero Hack System?
His fingers tapped against the ground, deep in thought.
"Looks like I need to rethink my approach."
---
Zain thought back to the Hero Hack System.
It could hack every aspect of a hero...
And based on his experiments, it didn't just apply to heroes. It worked on everyone.
Which meant…
"It should be able to hack me too, right?"
His smirk widened. If this system lets me modify others... then I should be able to modify myself.
He glanced at his current Hack Points.
Not a lot, but enough to test something small.
"Alright then, system. Give me an ability. A low-tier one, since I don't have enough points to waste."
He thought for a moment before a grin spread across his face.
"Let's start with the same ability as my late father. The one that strengthened his grip."
---
[Hack Initiation: Ability Acquisition]
[Target: Zain]
[Ability Acquired: Hard Grip (Low Tier)]
[Effect: Enhances hand strength, allowing the user to grip objects with unnatural force.]
[Cost Required: 100 Hack Points]
[Status: Executing...]
---
Zain's eyes widened slightly as he felt a shift within himself.
His hands tingled.
A new sensation spread from his fingers to his wrists, as if something inside him had changed.
He flexed his fingers, then clenched them into a fist.
"It worked."
Looking around, he spotted a decent-sized stone nearby. He picked it up, rolling it in his palm.
It was solid and dense. Normally, crushing something like this with bare hands would be impossible.
But now?
He tightened his grip.
CRACK.
The stone shattered effortlessly into tiny fragments, falling like dust through his fingers.
Zain smirked.
"I see… so this is how it works, huh?"
He flexed his fingers again, the new power settling in his muscles.
"If I can hack my own abilities..."
He chuckled. "Then this is my new path to power in this world."
---
Zain was still testing his new superpower but suddenly, he heard shouting not far from his position.
A fight.
The voices were loud and filled with curses.
He smirked. "Now, this could be interesting."
Without hesitation, he moved toward the commotion, slipping through the rubble until the scene came into view.
Three people were engaged in battle.
Two of them wore matching black gang attire. They were clearly villains.
The third person stood alone, clad in flashy, bright-colored clothing.
A hero.
"Damn you villains!" the hero snarled, fists clenched.
"I'll put you down today so you stop endangering innocent people!"
One of the villains snickered. "Oh? Tough words, hero. Let's see if you can back them up."
Zain observed their movements carefully.
One of the villains, a tall and lean man, only used his legs.
Each time he kicked, the air rippled with force, and anything his foot touched cracked instantly.
"Superpower related to his legs, huh."
But the other villain caught his attention even more.
This one wasn't using raw strength. He was generating fire from his hands.
Flames coiled around his fingers, dancing in the air as he smirked.
"A flame-user? Interesting."
And as for the hero…
Zain narrowed his eyes, studying him.
The villain with enhanced legs struck, his foot landing a solid hit against the hero's side.
Yet the hero barely flinched.
Zain's lips curled. "Ah, I see. His superpower must enhance his body's durability."
The fight continued, the hero tanking hits while trying to land his own.
He wasn't weak, but neither was he winning.
Zain cracked his knuckles, contemplating.
"Should I join in?"
His eyes flickered between the hero and villains, a devious thought forming in his mind.
"Or maybe… I should test my system on them first?"
---
Zain's smirk deepened as he thought about it "If I want to test my system, I need to push its limits."
He thought for a moment before a grin crept across his face.
"Let's try something ridiculous."
His eyes locked onto the villain with enhanced legs.
"System, hack him... and change his gender. Let's see if you can actually alter something that fundamental."
---
[Hack Initiation: Forced Transformation]
[Target: Ravik]
[Effect: Transforming into a female]
[Cost Required: 100 Hack Points]
[Status: Executing...]
---
Zain felt the system activate as he could see Ravik began to change.
Ravik, mid-kick, suddenly stumbled, his balance breaking as a strange shock ran through his body.
"Wh—what the hell?!"
His voice cracked. No, it changed.
Zain's eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched Ravik's body morph.