Imposter System

When Alexis woke, the first thing she wanted to was to hold her child. Alex was a very calm baby, but most of the doctors weren't surprised. Almost all of the children born so far were like this. They presumed it had something to do with the reason why fertility was low. Some sort of genetic disposition allowed them to survive, and thus resulted in this kind of personality right from birth. As soon as Alex felt his mother's warmth, he started giggling and flailing his stubby arms.

Matt had been awake this whole time watching them. When he saw this scene, he was impressed. It seemed Alex knew who to suck up to already. Although the two of them experienced something very similar in their long dream, a lot of details were skipped and they only had the highlights. Because of this, neither really had any experience in raising a child. Matt noticed that Alexis began spending her accumulated points. She must have realized that Alex was considered her 'spawn.'

[Evolution Points: 406->392]

[Nurture Lv. 0->3: Use your own blood and Evolution Points to directly improve your spawns. Each spawn can only be nurtured a limited number of times. Nurtured spawns will receive the most benefit when done in their immature state. Once nurtured, an unbreakable bond will form. Bonded spawns will receive bonuses when near their Mother.

]Ability: Nurture

]Bond Range: 50 meters

]Bond Strength: 1.3

]Bond Agility: 1.3]

[Nurture: Sacrifice a portion of your evolution points to feed your spawn. The amount of evolution points your spawn may accept is based on their genetic potential. Once a spawn is nurtured, you will be aware of their status. Evolution points will be used automatically by the spawn based on their species.

]Activation: Touch

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]Limitation: 3 Times

]Cost: 3x Grade Upper Limit]

Alexis's version of the status was a lot simpler so she likely didn't know most of the details Matt saw. However, she had a higher level of instinct when it came to her abilities than Matt did. This was likely due to the difference in reliance on the system. She was more of a natural parasite, in that sense. Another thing he noticed was that her Fatigue Resistance had increased to level two. This was likely due to a combination of extreme exhaustion from childbirth and evolving at that moment.

[Fatigue Resistance Lv. 1->2: After optimizing the host's cellular respiration cycles, stamina is significantly improved.

]Energy Recovery: 1.25

]Fatigue Accumulation: -20%

]Exhaustion Resistance: +8%]

Energy recovers more quickly, the time to become fatigued is decreased, and once fatigued, the effects of exhaustion are decreased. It was truly a remarkable skill. Matt felt that this would be very powerful with the path she chose because cranking out spawns took a lot of energy. Alexis wasn't too focused on the stats themselves but wanted to strengthen her baby immediately. She pressed her finger to Alex's chest and began activated Nurture.

[Evolution Points: 392->383]

'Nine points in one go!' Matt exclaimed internally.

This meant that little Alex had a grade upper limit of three. He wasn't sure if this was a capability of all humans, or if he was special in some way. Matt thought about Willard and his quest for a higher realm and wondered if there was perhaps some secret in the human genome. Could the third grade be what Willard was seeking? He was already at two-plus, which meant that he was closer to grade three than any human Matt had seen.

A small blood red mark appeared on Alex's chest in the shape of a limbless dragon. The mark looked like a very neatly designed tattoo, but soon after, it blended in with his skin color and was hardly noticeable. With Matt's connection to Alexis, he was able to also connect to her spawns. Once the nurturing was complete, he could open Alex's status board.

[Spawn: Alex

Status: Grade 1+ Human (Immature)

Evolution Points: 9

Abilities: None

Skills: None]

Matt was slightly disappointed. It seemed as though there was nothing for Alex to improve at his current state. However, Alexis didn't quit. She used Nurture on him again, deducting another nine points. There was still no change. With her final use of Nurture, she had no doubt in her eyes. She did not believe it was possible for the child between her and Matt could be so ordinary. At that moment, twenty points were instantly consumed and an ability appeared.

[Space Gene Lv. 1: Unique to terrestrial species that have returned to the stars and were born in the embrace of chaotic spatial energies. Mostly recessive and only grants the minimal advantages in space, once unlocked, allows a species to become true masters of their galaxy. Those with the space gene can utilize the stars as an energy source and travel through the void.

]Radiation Conversion: 20%

]Pressure Modulation Toggle: On/Off]

Matt was impressed once he read the ability completely. One could go into space without fear of exploding or suffocating with this ability. The incomplete or level zero version of this space gene must be one of the factors to how these thirty-three children were born on the ship. It took twenty evolution points to unlock this ability, but Matt thought that was a huge discount. The only unfortunate thing was the energy conversion was too low.

The human body converts glucose into energy at an approximate thirty-eight percent efficiency. This process requires water, oxygen, and glucose. This is why humans would be considered terrestrial since we cannot be separated from those sources for too long. In order to completely erase the need for breathing, the Radiation Conversion would need to be at least the same as glucose conversion. However, the ability did not appear to be Maxed so Matt was anticipating potential growth in the future.

"Good Job, Alex. I knew you were special. Let Mommy give you some kisses!" She gave him loud slobbery kisses which caused Alex to giggle and flail his arms each time she did it. That innocent and cute smile could make anyone melt and fall in love.

Soon, Sandra and Sarah arrived with their three kids and they immediately gravitated toward the baby in Alexis's arms. They were full of curiosity and glee. They had been with Alexis while her belly grew bigger and bigger, and now they saw a baby and her belly being a lot flatter. The little girl was quite smart and seemed to have figured it out, but the little boys were at a loss.

"Aunty, your belly is gone! Where did it go!?" One of the twins couldn't hold it in and exclaimed. Their older sister rolled her eyes and explained that their little brother was sleeping inside their aunt's belly but he's out now. They seemed to understand and want to hold Alex.

"Be careful, he was just born so he is really fragile!" Sandra warned the twins that were opening and closing their hands like crabs trying to touch the newborn's fresh-looking skin. Fran used to be quite the troublemaker because her dad and moms often gave more attention to the twins than her. However, since staying with Alexis, she became more docile because Alexis was very fair and loving to all of them.

"Aunt, can I hold him?" She asked politely. Alexis smiled and carefully handed over the newborn to the excited little girl. Although she was older than the twins, she was too young to remember their birth. Seeing such a small and precious little baby made her want to protect it. Sensing her emotion, Alex started giggling at her.

"Let me hold him!" "No, let me!" The twins came over. However, as soon as they touched Alex, he started crying. When they backed away, fearing they hurt the baby, he stopped. Fran pulled back and kept the baby away from the twins and began coddling him. Quickly, he began to giggle and smile again.

Matt raised an eyebrow at this. He wondered if Alex was more self-aware than he initially gave him credit for. They seemed to make eye contact again as if by coincidence. Matt wasn't certain, but the look Alex gave him seemed to be one of 'look at me, aren't I awesome.'

However, Matt shook his head and thought that there was no way. However, he had a strange, fleeting thought.

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'Could he also be reincarnated?'

Matt looked at his status again and pondered. He decided that it was just his imagination. Baby's were very sensitive to people's emotions even though it seemed like they were just eating, pooping, and sleeping. Given the fact that Alex was very unique, it was no surprise he might be more aware than other babies. Matt saw this as an opportunity and went over to his wife.

"How are you feeling?" He said as they interlocked fingers.

"Extremely tired and weak. I need an energy boost~!" She said in a cute tone while closing her eyes and lifting her chin up. Matt rolled his eyes and went in for the kiss when he was interrupted. Alex had looked over at that exact moment and began crying. Alexis stopped her actions, let go of Matt's hand, and reached out to check on Alex. Matt frowned and looked over at Alex who seemed to have arrogance in his eyes.

'Okay, it's confirmed. This little bastard is doing it on purpose!'