number of creatures under our care. We started with the herbivores, laying out fresh greens and vegetables in neat piles

ge, meat-filled carts. Each piece of meat was created by Flora's abilities, perfectly balanced to mimic the taste and n

, and deceptively gentle when waiting for their meals. "One at a time, Boris," I s

pounced on Flora's lap, mewing playfully as she stroked their soft fur. I found mysel

earlier, so I got to work cleaning while Flora took on vacuum duty. As I scrubbed the counters, I

filled the house as he cursed at the screen. "If you don't dodge, I swear I'll break this console!" he shouted, his tone

. Their golden houses-one for the dogs, one for the cats-were starting to look

l thousands of them-turned their attention to me, tails wagging furiously. I barely

o human levels to make the experience more authentic, which meant I was easily knocked to the ground. The puppi

y, just enough to get back on my feet. Carefully, I placed each dog back on the floor

er, nudging and guiding them until they finally settled down. "Good," I said, smiling as I began pouring food into the bowl

e assigned dog could access its food, ensuring fairness. It worked

ed the door, the cats reacted in their typical way-some ran to greet m

sional storage, I pulled out the bag of cat food Flora and I had formulated. Each portion was caref

into the basement. At the very bottom was a door, unassuming yet brimming with potential

matter how long we stayed, we would return to the exact moment we left. It was both a blessing and a curse

her was mesmerizing, her movements fluid and purposeful. Her black hair shimmered u

as-ever the perfectionist-was also warming up nearby. After t

eeded. State-of-the-art weights, machines, and specialized zones catered to ev

ut firm. "Flora, head to the machines. Foc

to the gym area. Atlas turned to me, his expression

ed her, lingering just a second too long. She had

d brought me back to reality. "Foc

Atlas reminded me. "We'll keep this strictly physical. Equal

e I had practiced countless times. My left arm extended forward, my right arm held

ed through relentless practice-allowed me to anticipate his strikes. Punches came from every direction; left,

ible. I leapt back to dodge a roundhouse kick, but

for his midsection with a right hook, but he blocked effortlessly. In the same motion, he countered with his elbow, st

led back, but I didn't fall. My arm regained its strength, and I char

oving faster than he expected, I appeared behind him in an ins

o

real move. As he moved to block, I locked both arms arou

p his left arm just in time, absorbi

wisting his arm, but he countered by grabbing my wrist and slamming me to the ground. Before I could react,

a scratch on its surface. Atlas had designed this d

his arms wrapped around my neck in a chokehold. The pressure w

, focusing my energy. Atlas ascended toward me, his movements even more aggr

himself, using them to confuse me before landing a solid blow.

into a kick. He countered, grabbing my ankle and sp

overwhelming, his technique flawless. No matter how hard I

said, releasing

. My body ached, but my spirit burned with d

my feet. "Good progress," he said.

unwavering. This wa

dimensional storage and constructed a hanging bar. Without a word, he motioned for me to grab

crack, then my shins, my legs, my back. Each strike was deliberate, brutal, calculated

nder his breath. "But yo

My skin turned a deep crimson, veins bulging from the effort of holding myself up. My mind screame

elt before. I could barely process the weight, but the pain was undenia

dible through the blood filling my throat. My eyes burned red

ying every second of my sufferi

owled, teet

amme," he said casually

prehension. My grip faltered for a moment, and blood dripped onto the floor b

closed my eyes, trying to escape into some semblance of a happy place. But there was no escape. The

utes, in reality-Atlas finally stopped. I fell from t

" Atlas

feet. This time, it wasn't just anger fueling me. It was something mo

my body naturally activate the Golden Halo without conscious eff

I spat, my voice d

sound. "Big talk for someone wh

ith an intensity that sent a wave of calm through me. When our eyes met, she nodded,

te. Every muscle in my body burned, but I pushed the pain asid

es to confuse him. But Atlas saw through it, ducking under my strike and deliver

e brutal, but I matched him, blocking and countering with everything I

o the ground with enough force to shatter my skull. Darkness

nergy unlike anything I'd ever felt before coursed through me. My Golden Halo flared t

inally did it," he said, his tone almost proud. "Golden Halo,

my veins. My strikes were faster, stronger, more precise. The room echoe

n something, it will happen. Just believe in it m

ing gaps in Atlas's defenses and exploiting them ruthl

him as I launched a tornado kick that landed squarely against his ribs.

s body. He struggled, thrashing and punching, but I held firm.

ground, signali

onto my back, every ounce o

said after a momen

d to look at hi

ride and relief. "I knew you could do i

"Thanks. I couldn't ha

ccomplishment washed over me. After 183,539

as just th