Into The Portal: Monster Invasion

"It is never disclosed to the public because the energy in the article you read is dangerous to the body. When superpowers reach the Form-Rank, the body slowly uses the generated energy. Stamina, Mana, Energy, Ki, Chakra, Karma… It has too many names, although we still don't know its limits, it is the real power we hunters possess. Superpowers are just a portion of what humans can do." Malcolm said.

Malcolm said and then realized something. "But those articles are also classified. How did you read them?"

'Oh shit! Why didn't you tell me they are classified.' Miles screamed in his heart.

Miles couldn't ask Coin, so he had to improvise. "I joined a hunting team in the stronghold, and they allowed me to have a golden access card. It has some perks.." Miles said and hoped it would be enough to trick Malcolm.

"Oh, golden access card? That is a good thing." Malcolm squinted and said, "Anyway, Energy inside our bodies are our real powers. Superpowers are just a drop in the ocean."

"So exaggerated?" Miles couldn't help but ask. Superpowers were the main firepower humans had against monsters. If it was just a drop in the ocean, then this mysterious energy was too strong!

"Since you decided to become a hunter, it is not safe to keep you in the dark anymore." Malcolm raised his wristwatch and asked softly, "Lancelot, can you bring up the articles about energy please."

"Yes, sir!" The wristwatch answered as words started to float in the air. Miles looked at the title and schematics. Then waited for Malcolm to explain.

"Since you were able to activate the Skill Orb, it means you were able to use energy!" Malcolm looked at Miles with a bewildered gaze. "Oh my! How old are you? What is your level? How did you not explode?"

"Is it that dangerous?" Miles gulped heavily as he asked.

"You have no idea!" Malcolm berated, then his gaze softened.

"All humans are born with minuscule energy in their bodies, but because we are not able to make use of it willingly, we use it to fuel our lives. But because of the minute amount, we are destined to have low life spans." Malcolm started to explain as he pointed to the human body on the screen. There was a white corona around the body.

"After the monster invasion, we were still clueless, but your mother was determined to discover the fuel allowing us to gain superpowers and cause the monsters' strong bodies. After endless experiments and help from Mother AI, we discovered energy."

"You should understand that when we first discovered energy, all humans were still in Grace-Rank. Mother AI tried to convince us to wait until we were stronger, but we thought she didn't want us to get stronger and limit our powers. Some hotheaded people forcefully awakened energy and exploded to blood and gore in front of our eyes. Only after that we listened to Mother AI and waited until we were stronger." Malcolm explained until there and scrolled down the floating text. Next, a diagram appeared. The title was energy and had four branches.

"In the Form-Rank, humans are able to awaken the energy. The energy we awaken has four branches, namely; Body, Heart, Mind, and Mystic. I will not go into details, but just for you to get the reference." Malcolm said and dispersed the floating text with a swing of his hand.

"You may have read that Earth was crumbling on itself and was on the brink of destruction before the portal appeared, right?" Malcolm looked at Miles.

"Yeah." Miles nodded. He was still a little overwhelmed with the revelation.

"Planets need energy too," Malcolm said softly and pointed at the sky. "Space separating the planets aren't void of energy, but the energy in outer space is chaotic, disallowing Earth to absorb it. Although the atmosphere sucks a little bit every second, it is not enough to restore it when billions of humans are suċkɨnġ it dry.

So Earth can only generate it while using some. This cycle would have lasted for eternity if humans weren't greedy. But because of the ever-increasing population and never-ending pollution, Earth lost her ability to generate energy and started to die. But when the portal appeared, Earth suċkėd energy like a thirsting tree and fixed herself over time.

Everything your eyes see is the product of energy!" Malcolm finished his explanation. "Miles I forbid you to use Energy until you are stronger. Although you are different because you used a Strengthening Serum, your body is still too weak. If you use energy, you will explode and die."

"Alright. I can't use it willingly anyway." Miles answered. He was still astonished.

"Right, eat as much as monster meat you can," Malcolm added after seeing Miles understood the severity of the situation.

"Eating monsters?" Miles asked. He tried monster meat before, similar to chicken and lamb, but eating others like spiders and centipedes? He felt disgusted.

"I know you don't have a superpower, but energy flows in you all the same. It may sound disgusting, but eat the monsters you hunt. The higher their tiers the better. Believe me when I say this son. Monsters eat us for the same reason. So, put that silly idea behind, and feast on your prey." Malcolm once again reminded and asked. "I also wanted to talk to you for a while now, but I couldn't reach you."

'Here it comes.' Miles thought and asked, "What did you want to talk about?"

"Have you heard of the Marooner?" Malcolm asked and looked at his son's face.

"Yes, who in Unity hasn't heard him by now?" Miles didn't show any emotion on his face and dodged the question.

"I heard he is in 'Your' stronghold," Malcolm asked once again.

"I am not sure if he is in our stronghold, but the Commander said that she has seen him in the forest close to here. So, he must be in one of three strongholds around the Umbra Forest." Miles said.

"So I thought!" Malcolm said and sighed.

"What are you interested in, anyway?" Miles asked.

"Just wanted to ask questions, that is all."

"Hehe, never mind that. I wrote a new joke. You will be first to hear. Wanna hear?" Malcolm said with a devilish grin.

"Sure." Miles sighed helplessly. Malcolm was always a trickster.

"How did the police officer describe the two thieves who stole from a viagra store?" Malcolm asked with a red face. He was clearly trying his best to keep himself from laughing.

"How?" Miles asked in defeat.

"This is officer Malcolm. We are looking for two hardened criminals! I repeat we are looking for two hardene— wait Miles. This is hilarious!"

Miles left the headquarters and jumped on the train to return to Portal World through the Dimensional Device.