c1: The First Plug-In
In the untouched expanse of a primeval forest, sunlight pierced through thick layers of foliage, casting fragmented beams on the ground below. Distant roars and shrieks of wild creatures echoed through the jungle, causing flocks of birds to burst into the air.
"Buzz!"
Li Xu's eyelids fluttered open, revealing a canopy of unfamiliar trees overhead. A twinge of confusion stirred within him as he took in the alien surroundings.
He was a devoted Dragon Ball enthusiast one who had read Akira Toriyama's original manga volumes multiple times, dissected power scaling debates, and memorized the structure of the Z-Fighter roster from the earliest arcs through the Majin Buu and Battle of Gods sagas. In his spare time, he immersed himself in Dragon Ball FighterZ and modded RPGs based on the franchise.
His last memory was of battling online in a fan-made Dragon Ball game set during the Tournament of Power arc. Just before his blackout, he had encountered a blatant cheater, and in a fit of rage, he slammed his fist into his PC monitor.
The next thing he knew, darkness claimed him and now, he was here.
"Ding Dong! The god-level plug-in system is initializing. 1%... 5%... 50%... 100%." A synthetic voice rang crisply in Li Xu's mind.
Before he could process the surreal development, the voice continued:
"Novice gift package detected. Would the host like to claim it now?"
Still unsure whether this was reality or some lucid delusion, Li Xu responded reflexively, "Claim it!"
"Ding Dong! Novice package received. Congratulations, host, you have acquired the Primary Auto-Training Plug-In!"
Primary Auto-Training Plug-In: Enables passive training. The host will accumulate one unit of combat power per day without active effort.
"System, where am I exactly?" Li Xu asked, prioritizing his orientation over celebration.
"Ding Dong! Host is currently in Universe 7, Planet Earth, within the timeline of the Dragon Ball canon. Ten days remain until the beginning of the Raditz arrival saga."
"The Dragon Ball world..." Li Xu whispered, stunned. He had somehow transmigrated into the actual continuity of Dragon Ball, not a spin-off timeline or alternate dimension.
His awe was quickly tempered by dread. He vividly recalled how the power scale would soon escalate absurdly from Raditz's initial 1,200 power level, to planet-destroying blasts, and eventually to gods of destruction and multiverse threats. By the time of the Dragon Ball Super manga's Moro arc, even the Earth could barely contain their battles.
Though he had always admired the Saiyan saga and Goku's growth, he now realized he had been like Duke Ye dreaming of dragons romanticizing what he never truly understood. Now that he was inside this high-stakes universe, survival was no trivial matter.
"System, can you send me back home?"
"Negative."
"Can you make me invincible then?"
"Negative."
"Then what's the point of you?!"
"This is the God-Level Plug-In System. Its purpose is to provide the host with plug-ins that may facilitate growth and survival."
Li Xu grumbled, "Hmph, even if I die, I won't activate another plug-in… Wait, that sounds useful. What plug-ins are available?"
"Plug-ins include: Bloodline Plug-Ins, Physique Plug-Ins, Comprehension Plug-Ins, and more."
Bloodline Plug-Ins: Standard Saiyan Bloodline, Legendary Super Saiyan Bloodline, Ancient Saiyan Bloodline, Primal Saiyan Bloodline, and the Original Saiyan Progenitor Bloodline.
Physique Plug-Ins: Limb Regeneration Physique, Atomic Regeneration Physique, Cellular Recovery Physique, Spiritual Recovery Physique, Eternal Physique.
Comprehension Plug-Ins: Basic Comprehension, Intermediate, Advanced, Peak, and God-Tier Comprehension.
Li Xu's eyes sparkled, the initial fear tempered by excitement. In a world where battle potential could define fate, maybe… just maybe, this system was his path to becoming someone even the gods might respect.
Automatic Training Plug-Ins: Primary Auto-Training Plug-In, Intermediate Auto-Training Plug-In, Advanced Auto-Training Plug-In, Top-Tier Auto-Training Plug-In, and God-Level Auto-Training Plug-In.
"System, how can I obtain these plug-ins?" Li Xu asked eagerly, his eyes gleaming at the possibilities laid out before him.
"The system will issue randomized tasks. Completing them will grant plug-in rewards. First mission issued: Locate all seven Dragon Balls. Reward: Primary Perception Plug-In."
Primary Perception Plug-In: Allows instant comprehension of all designated 1-star ranked martial techniques.
"Which techniques are classified as 1-star?" Li Xu asked, seeking specifics.
"Techniques such as the Kamehameha, Dodonpa (Dodon Ray), Taiyōken (Solar Flare), Shishin no Ken (Four Witches Technique), Zanzōken (Afterimage Technique), and Mafūba (Evil Containment Wave) are considered 1-star techniques," the system responded.
"So, with the Intermediate Perception Plug-In, could I instantly learn 2-star techniques like the Makankōsappō or Kaiōken?" Li Xu asked, trying to strategize.
"Access denied. The host does not possess sufficient clearance to view that information," the system replied coldly.
"Tch. Fine."
"System, what is my current combat power?"
"The host may check the Personal Status Panel."
---
…Personal Status Panel…
Name: Li Xu
Age: 18
Combat Power: 2
Possessed Plug-In: Primary Auto-Training Plug-In (Passively adds +1 combat power per day)
---
"Only two?" Li Xu muttered in disbelief.
By Earth's standards, he wasn't even a threat. A basic human farmer with a shotgun had a combat power of 5, according to Raditz's scouter in Chapter 195 of the manga. Li Xu, with no prior combat experience and no weapon in hand, found two points entirely within reason but still demoralizing.
"Still, this Primary Auto-Training Plug-In is actually useful," he muttered, trying to cheer himself up. "When Goku first appeared in the original Dragon Ball manga, his combat power was only 10. That means if I just wait eight days, I'll match kid Goku's base strength."
In the Dragon Ball world, such daily gains were practically miraculous, especially in the early arcs before the scouter era.
"ROARRR!"
Before he could finish that thought, a tiger's growl echoed from nearby. The deep, rumbling tone made Li Xu instantly alert.
"Not good! I need to leave this place fast!"
Although he hadn't seen the beast, the intensity of the roar suggested it was dangerously close. And with only 2 combat power, he was barely stronger than a child.
---
"Finally out!"
Three days passed in a blur of tense travel and near-misses. Li Xu had finally exited the vast primeval forest. During his escape, he encountered several wild beasts, possibly mutated creatures similar to those seen in early Dragon Ball chapters. Fortunately, his plug-in had boosted his combat power just enough to help him avoid fatal injuries.
In the safety of the open plains, he truly understood the perilous nature of this world. Watching monsters from a screen was one thing facing them was another matter entirely.
"I need to find someone who can tell me how to get to Mount Paozu."
Though he had escaped the forest, the barren terrain ahead was devoid of civilization. There were no houses, no roads only hills and dust.
"Move!"
A shout rang out behind him a female voice.
Bang!
Before he could turn around, a speeding capsule car struck him head-on.
The force sent Li Xu flying backward, landing hard on the rocky ground. His bones ached like they'd been smashed to pieces.
"Agh dammit, that hurts!"
Inside the capsule car, a girl gasped, her face stricken with panic.
"I hit someone!" she cried.
She quickly stepped out, her expression filled with guilt and worry, and cautiously approached the groaning boy on the ground.
---