Fifteen minutes felt like an eternity spent pacing the non-existent floor of the Nexus. My muscles still thrummed from the hours of forced martial arts practice, a dull ache grounding me in the impossible reality of my situation. Finally, the Terra_Core AI pinged my mental interface.
::[Human Breathing Technique (Tier 1)] tutorial video generation complete. Ready for distribution via [World Hub]?:: "Took you long enough," I muttered, trying to project a confidence I didn't feel. "Do it. Pin it to the top. Title it: 'World Master Glitchfinder's First Exploit: Get Stronger by Breathing'." Gotta lean into the brand. Hope this actually works.
::Command Accepted. Uploading... Pinning to [World Hub] homepage... Distribution initiated.::
I watched the [Humans Awakened] counter – now prominently displayed on a floating holographic panel the AI had conjured for me – tick relentlessly past 1.8 billion. The initial viral surge from the "superpower demo" had saturated the easily reachable online population. Now, the growth was slower, steadier, spreading through word-of-mouth, shared devices, families huddled around a single smartphone. Still not everyone. But billions... billions trying to survive.
The [World Hub] forums, also visible on a nearby panel, instantly lit up with threads about the new tutorial. Skepticism warred with desperate hope.
[ForumUser_Alpha]: Breathing technique? Seriously? Glitch trolling us again?
[ForumUser_Beta]: IDK man, that map counter is real. And the no-PvP thing? Tried punching my annoying cousin, legit couldn't. Something's happening.
[ForumUser_Gamma]: Downloading the vid. Can't hurt to try, right? Stats are still locked at base.
Minutes stretched into an hour. I forced myself to practice the Human Breathing Technique again, following my own rendered instructions. It was easier now, the Insight flowing more readily, my body already adapting. The passive regeneration boost, Passive 1, was subtle but undeniable – the muscle soreness from my earlier flailing faded faster than it should have.
Then, the confirmations started flooding the Hub forums and echoing in my muted stream chat (which I kept open mostly out of habit, a tether to my old life).
[ClickTheLinkKaren]: OMG tried the breathing thingy. Felt weird but... my arthritis flare-up feels... better? Placebo? HP regen IS faster tho!
[DataNerd]: Analyzing the technique. Seems based on diaphragmatic breathing combined with visualization? Interesting. Feeling... calmer? Stamina regen confirmed +5% via stat panel monitoring!
[GymBroChad]: LOL breathing gains? Tried it between sets (yeah, still lifting, apocalypse ain't stopping leg day). Stamina regen def feels faster. Not bad, Glitch!
[SkepticSam]: Okay, the regen boost is real. I stubbed my toe like an idiot right after Awakening, HP dropped to 98/100. Did the breathing for 5 mins, back to 100. Wtf is this? The passive XP gain isn't working tho... MANA still 0.
[Prepper_Pat]: This is legit. Everyone in my bunker is doing it. Feels like... potential. Like the calm before the storm. Anyone else getting that vibe?
The validation was a small weight off my chest. It wasn't just a placebo. It worked. Even without active mana, the basic regen boost was proof. Proof that the System offered tangible benefits. Proof that I could offer something. The [Humans Awakened] counter surged again, breaking 2.5 billion as hesitant holdouts saw the verified results.
The AI chimed in, its blended voice holding a note of something akin to surprise, maybe even statistical fascination.
::Significant data incoming.
::Over 1.1 billion users currently attempting [Human Breathing Technique].
::Widespread, synchronized resonance with ambient Syntropy detected.
::Planetary Mana Field stabilization rate increasing exponentially.
::Feedback loop established: User attempts draw Syntropy -> Field coherence increases -> User attempts become marginally more effective -> Field coherence increases faster.
::Previous projection: Activation in ~15 hours. New projection: Activation imminent. T-minus approximately 50 seconds.
"Imminent? Now?!" My eyes widened. My internal analysis snapped back to the forefront. Billions trying to draw on an inactive field... like jump-starting a dead battery with sheer willpower? The internet exploit didn't just speed up Awakening; it created a feedback loop the AI didn't anticipate! "Because people are breathing?"
::Affirmative. Mass coordinated Syntropic interaction is accelerating field coherence beyond baseline projections for a Tier 0 world.
::Analogy: Billions of users simultaneously 'tuning' planetary energy field via shared resonant frequency (the breathing technique).
::Unexpected but optimal outcome. Prepare for Mana Field Ignition. Recommend bracing.
Bracing? Before I could ask, the Nexus around me seemed to vibrate. The pearlescent grey walls shifted violently, colours swirling like oil on water – deep blues, vibrant greens, burning reds. A low hum resonated, not through my ears, but through my very bones, growing rapidly into a powerful thrum that vibrated up my spine. Outside, according to the news feeds flickering erratically on the AI's screens, strange, intense auroras erupted globally, visible even in broad daylight. A collective gasp seemed to echo across the planet, a billion breaths drawn in simultaneously.
Then, a single, clear blue box appeared in my vision, simultaneously appearing for every Awakened human on Earth.
[Planetary Mana Field Stable! MP Unlocked! Syntropy Absorption Enabled!]
My own MP bar instantly shifted from 0/135 to 135/135. A warm, invigorating energy flooded my body, entirely different from the physical ache of my earlier practice. It felt like potential, coiled and ready. My mind felt sharper, clearer, the [Collective Insight] stream suddenly richer, tinged with faint whispers of energy manipulation, basic elemental concepts, the raw feel of Syntropy from billions experiencing it for the first time.
And then, the real feedback started hitting the [World Hub] forums and my stream chat, drowning out everything else.
[MageWannabe]: HOLY-- MP IS FULL! I CAN FEEL IT! IT'S LIKE STATIC ELECTRICITY UNDER MY SKIN! What does it DO?!
[GymBroChad]: WOAH! Doing the breathing thing now feels WAY different! Like I'm actually CHARGING UP! My STR XP and HEA XP bars are visibly ticking up when I channel!
[DataNerd]: Confirmed! Passive 2 of Human Breathing Technique now active! HEA XP +0.01/min, MANA XP +0.02/min passively. Active channeling STR/HEA XP gain increased! Stat growth is REAL! THIS IS HUGE!
[ClickTheLinkKaren]: My chronic back pain... it's lessened? The HEA XP gain? Is this healing me? Oh my god...
[FirstMagicUser69]: Guys I think I just made a spark? Focused on my MP like the breathing thing, thought 'light'... little zap? Anyone else?? #FirstMagic
The breathing technique wasn't just a regen boost anymore; it was the key to active progression, passively generating stats and amplifying training gains now that the Mana Field was live. My first real contribution. It worked. A wave of satisfaction washed over me, deeper this time, quickly followed by the crushing weight of responsibility. Now they have mana. Now they can actually get stronger. Now they need real guidance.
The AI interrupted my thoughts, its tone back to clinical efficiency.
::Mana Field active. Latent mana-based Awakened Skills now functional across userbase.
::Monitoring initial activations via global sensor network... Detected: 3,107 uncontrolled minor exothermic reactions (fires), 844 instances of unintended object levitation (property damage), 1 instance of spontaneous localized frost generation (User #1,847,209,331 reports 'frostbite').
::Probability of catastrophic user error resulting in widespread casualties within first hour: Elevated.
::Recommend immediate posting of basic 'Mana Control' and 'Safety First' tutorials to [World Hub].
Chaos. Absolute chaos. Of course. Billions of people suddenly get magic juice, what did I expect? "Core," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Yeah. Safety tutorials. Good call. Pull the data, find the simplest, safest 'mana cycling' or 'energy sensing' exercises. Something idiot-proof. Title it 'Don't Blow Yourself Up - Mana Basics 101'."
::Acknowledged. Cross-referencing 'Meditation for Dummies' with Syntropic field theory... Filtering for lowest probability of self-immolation... Generating tutorials...::
While the AI worked, I felt the change within myself. The [Collective Insight] stream was becoming a torrent of raw sensation – flickering lights, tingling fingers, the phantom smell of ozone, the feeling of energy gathering and dispersing without control. Billions of minds fumbling with a brand new cosmic force. It was overwhelming, but underneath the noise, patterns began to emerge. My own MANA stat felt... brighter, more responsive.
The AI finished.
::Basic [Mana Circulation] and [Sensory Attunement] tutorials generated. Posting to [World Hub] under 'Essential Safety Guidelines'.
::Addendum: Invader arrival time re-evaluated based on active Mana Field resonance signature.
::New Estimated Arrival: T-minus approximately 38 hours.
My stomach dropped. Less time?! "Why? I thought the field activating faster was good!"
::Clarification: Field activation is beneficial for Terran users.
::However, stable Mana Field acts as a clearer 'beacon' for extradimensional entities.
::Analogy: We just turned on the porch light. Visibility significantly increased.
::Revised Threat Assessment based on refined signature analysis: Initial wave composed primarily of Tier 1 K'Tharr warrior-drones (Estimated Level 30-50). Command units confirmed as Tier 2. Tier 3 Command Nexus directing operation remotely.
::Survival probability remains... suboptimal.
Tier 1 grunts, but high level... Tier 2 commanders... Tier 3 boss calling the shots. Thirty-eight hours. Billions of Awakened humans, barely Level 1, now fumbling with active mana and a basic breathing technique I'd cobbled together hours ago. Facing organized, experienced alien soldiers designed for conquest.
Okay, Leo. I took a deep, steadying breath, automatically falling into the rhythm of the technique I'd just helped unleash, feeling the nascent power circulate within me. Phase one complete. Humanity is online, Mana active. Phase two... survive the welcome party. Time to figure out how [Admin Privileges] can really break this thing.
Estimated Arrival: approximately 38 hours.