Chapter 8 Rewrite

Sam sits cross-legged on the floor of his now tidy apartment, his eyes closed in deep concentration. The Batman: Arkham Asylum Simulation Gem rests on the table before him, its ethereal glow pulsing in rhythm with his steady breathing.

As Sam delves into the Gem, he can feel the stored Mana flowing into him, replenishing his reserves. The familiar energy tingles through his body, revitalizing him. He watches as the Mana counter in his mind's eye ticks upwards, rising from 1,500 to 2,000.

Sam opened his eyes and felt his mana increase. He cleaned up his apartment this morning, as it was no longer a suitable living space with all the garbage scattered around. The once-cluttered room now looked tidy and organized, a vast improvement from the disarray he had awoken to. Sam took a deep breath, savoring the sense of order and control he had regained.

Sam looks at his thin body, taking stock of his physical condition. His arms and legs are nearly bony, and his chest and abs are a bit on the softer side. He frowns, displeased with his current physique.

In his previous life, Sam was never particularly muscular, but he had maintained a decent level of fitness from all the physical labor he had done. Now, in this new world, his body seems to have atrophied, a far cry from the toned form he once had.

Sam sighs, running a hand through his unkempt hair.

Sam ponders the idea of working out. He knows it would take months of dedication to get the body he wants. Then, a thought strikes him - he could extract Batman's physical fitness from the simulation. After all, Batman has incredible physicality. Sam believes that by doing so, he could quickly improve his own fitness.

Sam picked up the Gem and checked the Mana cost to extract Batman's physical fitness. It required 500 Mana, an amount he had in abundance. Sam used the stocked Mana in the gem to extract Batman's physical fitness. As he concentrated, he began the extraction process. Gradually, his body started to transform, becoming more powerful and resembling Batman's physique.

Sam watched in fascination as his body transformed. His muscles swelled, and his posture straightened. The lanky limbs filled out, and a sense of strength flowed through him. It was as if Batman's essence infused his being.

As the extraction finished, Sam stood up, marveling at his newfound strength. He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of energy.

He admires his muscular, toned physique in the mirror. He marvels at his chiseled abs and the powerful build that now resembles a Greek god. The transformation is astounding - Sam now possesses the physique of a peak human, a far cry from his previously lanky frame.

Flexing his arms, Sam is amazed by the newfound strength and agility flowing through his limbs. He moves with a fluidity and grace he's never felt before. Dropping to the floor, Sam effortlessly performs a series of rapid push-ups, his muscles rippling beneath his skin with each motion. The ease with which he lifts his body is a testament to his enhanced physical capabilities.

"Incredible," he muttered, flexing his arms and watching the definition in his biceps deepen.

Eager to test the limits of his transformation, Sam transitioned into a handstand, his legs effortlessly lifting into the air. He held the position with unwavering control, marveling at the sheer power he now commanded. After a few moments, he gracefully lowered himself back to the floor, landing in a crouch.

"This is unbelievable," Sam said, his voice laced with awe.

Feeling a surge of confidence, Sam executed a perfect backflip, his body twisting and turning with precise coordination. He landed softly, a grin spreading across his face. The thrill of mastering these physical feats was exhilarating, and Sam couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his newfound capabilities.

Stepping over to the center of the room, Sam began to shadowbox, his punches and kicks flowing together in a seamless display of technique. He could feel the power behind each strike, the impact reverberating through his body. Satisfied with his performance, Sam paused, taking a deep breath and relishing the sensation of his toned muscles.

"This is just the beginning," he said, determination burning in his eyes.

Sam felt a buzz in his pocket and pulled out his phone, seeing a notification from an unfamiliar number. Intrigued, he tapped it open and read the message.

"Hello, this is Gail Foster from SimQuest. I'd like to invite you to lunch to discuss a potential opportunity. Are you available today?"

Sam's eyes widened in surprise. SimQuest was the leading company in simulation technology, and the fact that someone from there was reaching out to him was both exciting and puzzling. He quickly typed out a response.

"Yes, I'm available. Where and when would you like to meet?"

Within minutes, Gail had sent him the details - a cozy cafe downtown, in an hour's time. Sam felt a surge of nervous anticipation. This could be the break he had been waiting for. Closing the messaging app, he took a deep breath and headed to the bathroom to freshen up, determined to make a good impression.

As Sam stepped out of his apartment, his enhanced physique was on full display. The transformation had boosted his confidence, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of power coursing through his veins. With a renewed sense of purpose, he set off towards the cafe, eager to see what Gail had in store.

Sam enters the cozy cafe, his eyes scanning the tables until they land on a woman sitting by the window. She appears to be in her 30s, with shoulder-length, straight blonde hair that frames a serious yet approachable face. Her light blue eyes convey an air of quiet confidence, and her posture is poised and professional. She is dressed in a light lavender button-down shirt and a dark skirt, her attire suggesting a polished, office-appropriate style.

As Sam approaches the table, the woman looks up and offers him a small, welcoming smile. "You must be Genesis. I'm Gail Foster, a manager at SimQuest. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Sam nods politely as he takes the seat across from Gail. "It's nice to meet you as well, Ms. Foster. I'm Sam, the developer behind the Batman: Arkham Asylum simulation."

Gail's smile widens slightly. "Excellent work on that simulation, by the way. It's been making quite a splash." She gestures to the menu on the table. "Please, order whatever you'd like. SimQuest is covering the bill."

Sam's eyebrows rise in surprise, but he quickly recovers and scans the menu, settling on a hearty sandwich and a cup of coffee. As the waiter takes his order, Sam turns his attention back to Gail, curious to hear what she has in mind.

Sam leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "If I may ask, what made SimQuest interested in me and my simulation?"

Gail took a sip of her coffee, her gaze steady and composed. "We at SimQuest have been closely following the success of your Arkham Asylum simulation. The engagement and positive feedback it's received have been quite impressive, especially for a first-time developer."

She paused, her eyes meeting Sam's. "The truth is, we believe you have a rare talent, and we'd like to offer you an opportunity to join our team."

Sam's brow furrowed slightly. "Join your team? What exactly would that entail?"

"As a developer at SimQuest, you'd have access to cutting-edge technology, resources, and a talented pool of colleagues to collaborate with," Gail explained. "We could provide you with a stable income, benefits, and the freedom to focus solely on creating innovative, immersive simulations."

Sam considered the benefits of the offer but was not particularly interested. He felt confident that he could create better simulations in the future, which would address his financial concerns, allowing him to gradually acquire other benefits over time.

"I appreciate the opportunity, Ms. Foster," Sam said, "but I'm not sure joining SimQuest is the right move for me right now. I believe I can continue to grow and improve on my own, at my own pace."

Gail's expression softened as she leaned forward, her voice taking on a more persuasive tone. "I understand your desire to maintain your independence, Sam. But consider this – SimQuest has access to higher-rank Simulation Gems, the kind that are typically out of reach for freelance developers like yourself."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "With our resources and connections, we could provide you with C-rank or even B-rank Gems, opening up a whole new realm of possibilities for your simulations."

Sam considered Gail's words carefully. "If C and B-rank Gems are so closely monitored, why can't I just purchase them on the open market?" he asked.

Gail's expression became more serious. "The government closely controls the distribution of higher-rank Gems, Sam. They can't just allow anyone to obtain that level of power and potential. The risk of those Gems falling into the wrong hands is too great."

She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You see, a skilled developer like yourself could create simulations capable of extracting powerful skills or even dangerous items. In the wrong hands, that knowledge could be used to wreak havoc."

Sam nods thoughtfully, considering Gail's words. "I see. So what prevents someone from simply extracting a powerful skill or item from a C or B-rank simulation and using it for their own nefarious purposes?"

Gail's expression turns serious. "That's a valid concern, Sam. The government has implemented several safeguards to prevent that from happening." She pauses, gathering her thoughts.

"First and foremost, each Simulation Gem has a built-in tracking function. It logs the identity of the individual who extracts any skill or item from the simulation. This allows the authorities to monitor and identify anyone who tries to abuse the system."

Sam furrows his brow. "Okay, but what's to stop someone from just extracting the skill and then hiding it?"

"Ah, well, that's where the second safeguard comes into play," Gail explains. "The Gems are also programmed to prevent unauthorized skill or item extraction. A person can't simply take what they want – they need to apply for and receive government approval before they can absorb the knowledge or item."

She leans forward, her gaze unwavering. "The review process is thorough, Sam. The government wants to ensure that the skills and items are used responsibly, not for personal gain or to cause harm."

Gail continues, "However, this restriction does not apply to the developers, as they own the gems and have them in their possession. By joining SimQuest, you can publish your simulations to other cities. Each city has its own web network, and SimQuest has many connections to different cities. This can increase the mana gathered by the gem when more people play it."

Sam considers Gail's proposition, his mind racing with the possibilities. The opportunity to reach a wider audience is enticing, but he can't help but feel a twinge of uncertainty.

Sam furrowed his brow, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. "But what about the Simulation Gems I've created? Will SimQuest take them from me?"

Gail's expression softened, and she reached across the table to reassure him. "You have my word, Sam, SimQuest will not take your Gems from you. We understand the immense value and personal investment you've put into developing them. Our goal is to provide you with the resources and support to take your creations to new heights, not to strip you of your hard work."

She leaned back, her gaze steady and sincere. "You will maintain full ownership and control over your Gems. We simply want to offer you the opportunity to collaborate with our team and leverage our connections to expand the reach of your simulations."

Sam nodded thoughtfully, considering Gail's explanation. "Okay, I understand the potential benefits of collaborating with SimQuest. But what exactly does the company stand to gain from this arrangement?"

Gail smiled, her eyes conveying a sense of confidence. "Well, as a developer, you'll be creating the simulations, but SimQuest will take a percentage of the profits generated by those simulations. It's a mutually beneficial partnership – you'll have access to the resources and connections to expand your reach, while we'll be able to offer our clients the innovative, customized experiences they desire."

She paused, her gaze holding Sam's. "And let me be clear – we won't be taking the Mana stock from the Gems you've created. That's entirely yours to keep and use as you see fit. Our goal is to provide you with the tools and support to take your simulations to the next level."

Sam considered her words, weighing the pros and cons. On one hand, the opportunity to work with a well-established company like SimQuest was enticing. The access to higher-rank Gems and the potential to reach a wider audience was undoubtedly appealing. However, he was also wary of relinquishing too much control over his creations.

After a moment of contemplation, Sam nodded. "Alright, Ms. Foster, you've made a compelling case. I'm willing to give this a try, but I want to be clear – my Gems and the rights to my simulations will remain mine. I'm not handing over complete control to SimQuest."

Gail's smile widened, and she extended her hand across the table. "Excellent, Sam. I'm confident this partnership will be mutually beneficial. Welcome to the SimQuest team."