Failure.
That's the word of the day.
The radiation plan? Completely botched. Sure, I managed to seep my toxic mist outside the glass, but the lab responded like clockwork. Emergency lockdown. Ventilation sealed. Every exit slammed shut. Now I'm stuck, and the air smells like recycled chemicals.
> SYSTEM LOG UPDATED
Attempt 1: Radiation Contamination – PARTIAL SUCCESS
Attempt 2: Physical Force on Glass – FAILED
Attempt 3: Corrosion via Radiation – FAILED
'Partial success, huh? Yeah, tell that to my nonexistent face.'
The only thing I gained was a better understanding of this glorified prison. The walls? Reinforced. The glass? Practically unbreakable. Every molecule of radiation I produce is countered by some advanced filtration system. Even the floor seems resistant, though there are subtle burn marks where I tried to melt it.
'No cracks. No weak spots. Just one big middle finger.'
I twist my body, the familiar glow of green radiation pulsing within me. My mind races for another solution, but the system's cold text reminds me just how far I am from victory.
---
> COMMAND: SYSTEM LOG
[System Log - Recent Entries]
Attempt 4: Physical Pressure Application – FAILED
Attempt 5: Radiation Overload on Seals – FAILED
Attempt 6: Focused Corrosion – FAILED
---
The vent. That damned vent. It was my best shot, but they cut it off too fast. I watch the warped grate in the corner, now sealed like a tomb. No air moves. Whatever they did to shut me in, they did it well.
'Smart bastards.'
But not smart enough to keep me from trying again.
---
Attempt 7: Force Overload
'If radiation can't do it, maybe force can.'
I coil my body, building tension. My form pulses with that vibrant green hue, the glow illuminating the walls of my prison. With a sudden release, I lunge.
> THUD.
The glass doesn't so much as crack. I recoil, my body shivering from the impact. The force alone should've shattered a normal barrier, but this? This was beyond reinforced.
'Figures.'
---
> SYSTEM LOG UPDATED
Attempt 7: Force Overload – FAILED
---
'Try again.'
This time I gather every ounce of energy. My radioactive core thrums, and the green mist thickens. I twist, lunge, and—
> THUD.
'Dammit!'
---
> SYSTEM LOG UPDATED
Attempt 8: Force Overload – FAILED
---
I swear I can hear the hum of the containment system mocking me. Every failed attempt feels like fuel for the twisted amusement of whoever's watching.
'Whatever. I'm not done yet.'
---
Attempt 9: Corrosive Pressure
'Fine. No more brute force.'
I focus. The mist around me grows denser, swirling with a sickly green radiance. If I can't break the glass, I'll dissolve it.
> COMMAND: INCREASE RADIATION OUTPUT
---
> WARNING: RADIATION LEVELS RISING
Environmental Hazard: Severe contamination detected
Structural Integrity: Minor corrosion detected
System Response: Anti-Corrosion Seal Activated
---
The walls darken as some sort of metallic sheen spreads across the surface. I watch as the corrosion slows, then halts entirely.
'Countermeasures. Of course.'
They knew. They built this place expecting something like me.
---
> SYSTEM LOG UPDATED
Attempt 9: Corrosive Pressure – FAILED
---
'Next.'
---
Attempt 10: Ventilation Manipulation
My gaze flicks back to the vent. Still warped. Still sealed. But I'm not out of options. Even if the vent won't open, maybe I can force the system to respond.
'If I make the radiation buildup severe enough, they'll have to vent it eventually.'
I exude radiation into the chamber once more, pushing the limits. The mist thickens, filling the room with a faint green glow. I wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Nothing.
---
> WARNING: CRITICAL RADIATION LEVELS DETECTED
Air Filtration Offline
Manual Intervention Required
---
'They're not opening it.'
The realization sets in like a lead weight. The lab is fully automated. Even with the air thick with poison, there's no human override. They're too cautious to risk it.
'Cowards.'
---
> SYSTEM LOG UPDATED
Attempt 10: Ventilation Manipulation – FAILED
---
I let the mist recede. The walls pulse with containment protocols, but no other movement follows. Just me. Alone.
---
Attempt 11: System Exploitation
'Alright, fine. Screw the physical world.'
I bring up the command interface once more. That glitchy, barebones screen. The constant ERROR tags stare back at me like a taunt.
> COMMAND: ACCESS SYSTEM
---
> ERROR
Access Restricted.
---
'I know that already.'
But this time, I'm not asking.
---
> COMMAND: FORCE ACCESS
> ERROR
Invalid Authorization.
---
'Authorization? From who?'
> COMMAND: TRACE ERROR
---
> ERROR
Data Fragment Located.
Corrupted Path Detected.
---
'Bingo.'
I can't brute force my way out physically, but systems? Systems can break. And this one? It's already cracked.
My mind races. If I can trace the corruption, find where the system is compromised, I might be able to pry it open. It's a risk. One wrong move, and I could fry whatever little access I have.
But when the alternative is rotting in this cage?
It's a risk I'm willing to take.
'Tomorrow, I try again.'
The hum of the lab never stops. It's a constant reminder that I'm not alone — not really. Cameras watch from the corners, their unblinking eyes capturing every move I make. But the scientists? They're nowhere to be seen. Just a sterile, empty observation deck beyond the glass.
'Cowards. They don't even have the guts to stand in the same room as me.'
Not that I blame them. After the radiation incident, they probably think I'm a walking hazard.
'Which… isn't exactly wrong.'
But right now, I'm no threat to anyone except myself. The glass remains unbroken, and the system's error logs are all I have to show for my efforts. No cracks. No vents opening in a panic. Just the stale air of containment.
The system clock blinks faintly in the corner of my vision.
> TIME: 13:06
'Only one in the afternoon?'
Time drags here. The hours stretch endlessly, broken only by the occasional mechanical hum. I shift, the sickly green glow of my radiation fading back to a dull pulse. No use wasting energy. I've already failed ten times today.
---
A metallic hiss draws my attention. The wall to my right shifts, a small panel sliding open. It's feeding time.
'Like clockwork.'
Two things drop onto the floor with a heavy thud. Rats. Big ones, about the size of a clenched fist, their bodies limp and lifeless. They're already dead. Probably irradiated. I don't know if they were killed before or after the radiation seeped out yesterday, but I'm guessing they weren't volunteers.
'Gross. But I'm not exactly in a position to complain.'
My body stirs instinctively, the parasite's hunger gnawing at me. Even after evolving, that primal need remains. Flesh. Energy. Growth. It's not something I can ignore. I slither closer, my body pulsating faintly. As disgusting as it is, I need this.
The first rat vanishes in seconds. My tendrils twist around the carcass, breaking it down in a matter of moments. There's no taste — just a surge of warmth as I consume its energy. Then the second rat follows.
> SYSTEM UPDATE
Rat Consumed. Evolution Points Gained: +5
Rat Consumed. Evolution Points Gained: +5
'Ten points.'
The familiar pulse of power courses through me, subtle but noticeable. It's not much. Barely a drop in the bucket. But it's something.
---
> COMMAND: STATUS
---
> ERROR: STATUS DISPLAY UNSTABLE
---
'Figures.'
The command line flickers, a few garbled lines of text blinking in and out before the error message slaps me in the face. Whatever damage the system took when I unlocked it, it's still lingering. At least I can see my points.
'Ten down. No idea how many more I'll need to actually evolve.'
---
The Rest of the Day
Time continues its sluggish crawl. I test my radiation levels again, pushing a faint mist through the air. The walls remain unaffected. Whatever they reinforced them with, it's holding strong.
The floor? Same story. Even with concentrated pulses, I can't do more than leave a faint scorch mark. Every attempt is met with the same frustrating result. Failure.
> SYSTEM LOG UPDATED
Attempt 11: Radiation Corrosion (Floor) – FAILED
Attempt 12: Focused Pressure (Wall) – FAILED
I lose count of how many times I try. Each failure blends into the next. The system doesn't even comment anymore — just logs my useless efforts like it's tallying up my misery.
By the time the lights dim, signaling the artificial 'night' cycle, I've exhausted every idea I could think of. There's no use. Not today.
'Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll try again.'
---
Day Two
The bright, sterile lights flicker on with a hum. Morning. Not that it makes much difference down here. There's no sun. No sky. Just the walls, the glass, and the ever-present hum of the system.
I shift, my form slithering lazily along the cold floor. My body still pulses with that unnatural green hue — the radiation that's become as much a part of me as the parasite itself.
'Day two of being a glorified science project. Let's see what fresh hell today brings.'
The small panel on the wall slides open again. Breakfast.
> TWO RATS DELIVERED.
Just like yesterday. Two more limp bodies, their fur patchy and skin marked with signs of radiation exposure. No surprises.
I make quick work of them, the familiar surge of power following.
> SYSTEM UPDATE
Rat Consumed. Evolution Points Gained: +5
Rat Consumed. Evolution Points Gained: +5
'Twenty points total.'
Still not enough. My body hums with the faint energy, but I can tell — I'm far from the next evolution. The system doesn't exactly hand out free upgrades. I'll need to earn them.
---
> COMMAND: SYSTEM LOG
---
> SYSTEM LOG:
Attempt 13: Radiation Surge – FAILED
Attempt 14: Physical Impact – FAILED
Attempt 15: Controlled Radiation Pulse – FAILED
---
'Yeah, yeah. I get it.'
The lab remains as unforgiving as ever. Every strike against the glass leaves nothing but a dull echo. Every surge of radiation is countered with mechanical precision. The air filtration system doesn't even flinch.
I coil back, frustration gnawing at me.
'There has to be something I'm missing.'
The system's corruption. That fractured, unstable interface. It's the only opening I have left.
'But if I push too hard, I might lose whatever sliver of access I have.'
Risk and reward. Story of my life.
I stare at the flickering prompt, its glitchy text waiting. Somewhere in that tangled mess of code is my key. I just have to find it.
---
> COMMAND: TRACE ERROR
---
> ERROR
Data Fragment Located.
Corrupted Path Detected.
Access Level: Restricted.
---
'That corrupted path...'
If I can figure out how to pry it open, maybe — just maybe — I'll find what I need.
'Tomorrow.'
For now, I wait. Another cycle. Another two rats. Another slow crawl toward something greater.
Because I'm not staying in this cage.
Not forever.