Chapter 2: The Scientist Template System

Himawan stood frozen, his mind racing as he absorbed the impossible reality around him. The bustling city stretched out in every direction, filled with sights and sounds that were far beyond anything he had ever known. Towering skyscrapers loomed overhead, glistening steel and glass reflecting the vibrant sunlight. People, some of them seemingly ordinary, others dressed in strange outfits that hinted at superhuman abilities, moved through the streets as if it were just another day. And overhead, in the sky, figures flew—actual people flying through the air, some leaving trails of energy behind them.

This isn't Earth, Himawan thought. Or at least, not the Earth he knew. The world before him seemed like something out of fiction—Marvel comics, to be exact. He recognized some of the structures, the advertisements, even a few of the faces that passed him by. But that recognition did little to calm the growing sense of unease bubbling in his chest.

A sharp, cold voice echoed in his mind once again, pulling him from his daze.

"Welcome to your new reality, Himawan. You have been chosen to wield the power of the Scientist Template System."

He felt a chill run down his spine as the words settled into his consciousness. He wasn't alone. Something—or someone—was speaking to him from within, a presence that felt almost mechanical, yet deeply intertwined with his thoughts. Slowly, Himawan glanced around, half-expecting to see some sort of machine or person addressing him, but there was nothing. The voice was inside him.

"What… what do you mean?" Himawan muttered under his breath, still trying to make sense of it all.

The voice was calm, unwavering. "The Scientist Template System is an advanced mechanism designed to provide individuals like you with knowledge and abilities beyond the constraints of ordinary human understanding. You, Himawan, have been chosen to receive this power."

Himawan's breath caught in his throat. He had always been a man of science, a believer in logic and reason. But this—this was beyond anything he could comprehend. The system, whatever it was, felt alien. And yet, a part of him couldn't help but be intrigued. His entire life had been dedicated to pushing the limits of human knowledge, to discovering the unknown. Now, he was being offered something that could accelerate that goal beyond his wildest dreams.

"Why me?" he asked, his voice steadier now, though the questions tumbled chaotically in his mind. "Why have I been chosen?"

There was a brief pause before the voice responded. "You have proven your dedication to science and innovation. Your mind is unparalleled, and your willingness to break through ethical boundaries makes you an ideal candidate for this system. You seek power through knowledge, and now you shall have it."

Himawan felt a surge of conflicting emotions. Part of him was unnerved by how easily the system had sized him up, understanding his motivations and desires. But another part of him—perhaps the larger part—felt a dark thrill. This system had chosen him because it recognized his ambition, his desire to control and dominate through the power of science.

"How does this work?" Himawan asked, already sensing the answer would change everything.

"The Scientist Template System grants you access to the knowledge and skills of scientists from different universes. Each template you receive will imbue you with their intelligence, their expertise, and their capabilities. As you progress, new templates will be unlocked, providing you with greater knowledge and abilities."

The concept was staggering. Himawan's mind, always sharp and analytical, immediately began calculating the possibilities. If he could gain access to the knowledge of scientists from other universes, beings who had perhaps already solved the problems he had spent his life working on—genetic engineering, biological augmentation, energy manipulation—there would be no limit to what he could achieve.

But even as excitement gripped him, a question lingered. "What's the catch?" He wasn't naïve enough to believe that such power would come without a price.

The voice responded without hesitation. "You must complete tasks assigned by the system. These tasks will challenge you to apply your newfound knowledge and abilities in various ways. Failure to complete them will result in penalties."

Himawan's eyes narrowed. "Penalties?"

"The system operates on a reward and punishment structure. Failing to meet expectations or disobeying the system's guidelines can result in consequences. However, as long as you continue to progress and fulfill the system's goals, the rewards will be beyond your comprehension."

There it was. The catch. A part of him bristled at the idea of being controlled by some mysterious system, forced to follow its directives like a puppet. But another part—the more pragmatic, ambitious part—recognized the opportunity. If this system could truly offer him the knowledge of otherworldly scientists, the penalties were a small price to pay.

As he pondered this, the voice spoke again. "It is time for you to receive your first template. The selection is random, and the draw will now begin."

Himawan's heart rate spiked. Random? That wasn't exactly reassuring. He had no idea what kind of scientists this system had access to, what sort of knowledge he might gain—or how dangerous it could be. But before he could protest, his vision blurred, and a strange sensation washed over him.

In his mind's eye, he saw a spinning wheel—an image of a roulette, with countless names and faces flashing by too quickly to recognize. Each represented a different scientist, a different set of skills and knowledge. The wheel spun faster and faster, a blur of possibilities, until suddenly it slowed. Himawan watched with bated breath as the wheel ticked past unfamiliar names, unknown faces, until it came to a halt.

The name Doctor Genus from One Punch Man blinked into focus.

"Template selected: Doctor Genus." The voice announced the result with clinical detachment.

Himawan's brow furrowed. Doctor Genus? He wasn't overly familiar with the name, but as the system began feeding information into his mind, he quickly understood. Doctor Genus was a brilliant, yet morally dubious scientist from an anime series called One Punch Man. He had devoted his life to the pursuit of evolution through genetic experimentation, striving to create the perfect human being by manipulating biology at its most fundamental levels.

As the knowledge of Doctor Genus flooded into his mind, Himawan felt a sharp jolt of realization. The concepts and principles that Genus had mastered—cloning, genetic splicing, and biological enhancements—were now his to command. He could feel the understanding settling into his brain as if it had always been there, as though these ideas were his own.

The system wasn't lying. This was no mere transfer of information. It was as if Himawan had become Doctor Genus, as if the knowledge and experiences of that scientist had merged with his own. The intricacies of genetic manipulation, the ability to create artificial life, the audacity to play god—all of it was now within his grasp.

And with that knowledge came ambition. Dark, insatiable ambition.

Himawan's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "So, this is my new reality?" he whispered to himself, the full weight of his transformation settling in.

The voice of the system echoed in his mind, colder than ever. "Yes, Himawan. This is just the beginning. Use the knowledge well. Your journey toward ultimate power has only just begun."

Himawan's lips curled into a slow, calculated smile. The restraints of his old life were gone. This world—this chaotic, marvelous world—was ripe for the taking. He wasn't bound by the limitations of Earth anymore. Here, with the Scientist Template System at his side, he could achieve what no one else could.

He could shape the future.