CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 10.6: BONDS

"No!" Jin said quickly. "I just... five levels seems like a lot. Will they know when they level up?"

"They’ll feel the deepening connection, but they won’t see numbers like you do. To them, it will feel like natural relationship progression. First crush, then love, then deeper commitment, and so on."

Jin hugged his knees to his chest. "What if they’re happy just being friends?"

"Then they remain at whatever level feels natural to them. The system doesn’t force progression—it merely quantifies what already exists. You cannot make someone fall in love with you, Jin. The numbers simply reflect reality."

"And if multiple people reach high levels?"

Asha’s tone turned amused. "Then you’ll have to navigate the complexities of polyamorous relationships in a post-apocalyptic vault.."

Jin groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Why did my parents’ project have to include this system?"

"Population recovery requires genetic diversity. Also, I suspect your mother knew your personality well enough to realize you’d need multiple people looking after you. You do have a talent for near-death experiences."

Jin stood there, totally aware of how heavy this new info was. Each girl had the potential to form a bond with him so strong that they’d trust him with their lives. That was a pretty scary thought.

But when he glanced at his HUD and saw their names and stats, he felt something different too. He was determined to protect them all and help them develop. And if they decided to get closer to him... he’d make sure he deserved their trust.

"Thanks, Asha. For explaining."

"You’re welcome. Try not to have an existential crisis about it. You have monsters to bait."

As Jin started toward the door, his legs suddenly gave out. He caught himself against the wall, breathing hard as a wave of exhaustion hit him.

"Jin? Your vitals just spiked."

"I’m... I’m fine. Just..." He slid down to sit on the floor again, head in his hands. "It’s a lot, you know? These numbers, these levels. What if I mess it up? What if I hurt them trying to... to what, maximize affinity?"

"That’s not how it works," Asha’s voice gentle slightly. "You can’t ’game’ genuine emotions. The system reflects reality—it doesn’t create it."

"But knowing about it changes things, doesn’t it?" Jin looked up at the ceiling. "Now every conversation, every touch, I’ll be thinking about numbers."

"Will you? When Clara fell asleep on your shoulder, were you thinking about affinity points? When Rosa taught you to dodge, were you calculating relationship scores? When Sera praised your determination, were you watching numbers tick up?"

Jin paused. "No... I was just... living in those moments."

"Precisely. The Phoenix Core quantifies what already exists. It doesn’t manufacture feelings. Those moments were real because you weren’t trying to manipulate anyone—you were being yourself."

"My clumsy, awkward self," Jin muttered.

"It’s the same person who stepped in front of the Crawlers to shield Clara. The one who pushed through the pain of coming back to life just to make sure the pods were operational.""

Jin was quiet for a moment. "When you put it like that..."

"The numbers are tools, Jin. Nothing more. They help me advise you, help track your growth, and help ensure the mission succeeds. But they don’t define your relationships. You do."

Jin stood again, steadier this time. "Okay. You’re right. I should focus on—"

His HUD suddenly flared with notifications, making him blink in surprise.

[SYSTEM UPDATE - SKILL SYNCHRONIZATION COMPLETE]

Two new skill icons materialized in his interface, pulsing with soft light.

Jin blinked as his HUD updated with the new information. "Asha, I’ve got two new skills showing up. Tsurugi Sword Forms and Emergency Evasion?"

"Indeed. Your training has yielded interesting results. More specifically, your emotional connections are directly influencing your skill acquisition rate."

"What do you mean?"

"The Phoenix Core doesn’t just track combat data—it monitors neural pathways strengthened by emotional resonance. Let me break this down in terms even if you can understand."

Jin rolled his eyes at the jab but listened intently.

"First, your Tsurugi Sword Forms. This skill didn’t unlock through physical practice alone. It requires an emotional breakthrough—specifically, the memory of your mother. The intensity of that emotional connection literally rewired dormant neural pathways, allowing you to access inherited muscle memory."

Jin touched his chest, remembering the warmth of his mother’s embrace in that memory.

"Current synchronization is only 7% because you’re still processing the grief and love associated with those memories. As you accept and integrate these emotions, the skill will strengthen. Think of it as... your mother’s love continuing to protect you through technique."

Jin felt his throat tighten. "So feelings make me stronger?"

"In your case, yes. The Phoenix Core was designed to amplify human potential through human connections. Your parents understood that survival isn’t just about individual strength—it’s about bonds that make us fight harder, push further, endure more."

"Like how I fought harder because Clara was in danger," Jin murmured, understanding dawning.

"Exactly. Now, Emergency Evasion is even more interesting. You acquired this from Rosa in record time—typically, learning such an advanced technique takes weeks of practice. But your current affinity with Rosa sits at 47%."

"So?"

"So, the Phoenix Core accelerates skill transfer between individuals with strong emotional bonds. Rosa wasn’t just teaching you to dodge—she was unconsciously sharing her survival instincts because she cares about your wellbeing. The higher your affinity with someone, the faster you can learn from them."

Jin watched as his HUD displayed a detailed analysis, the numbers and connections suddenly making more sense.

"Watch this correlation:"

---

[SKILL ACQUISITION ANALYSIS]

Tsurugi Sword Forms (7%)

- Source: Maternal Bond (Deceased)

- Emotional Resonance: EXTREME

- Acquisition Rate: Instant (Memory Trigger)

- Growth Potential: Tied to emotional acceptance

Emergency Evasion (Level 1)

- Source: Rosalie Thorne (47% Affinity)

- Acquisition Time: 2.3 hours (300% faster than baseline)

- Bonus: Rosa’s playful nature added the afterimage effect

- Growth Rate: +15% when training with Rosa

Companion Status

Clara Vance: 70% Affinity → Tech knowledge transfer accelerated

Rosalie Thorne: 68% Affinity → Physical instincts syncing

Seraphina Vale: 76% Affinity → Tactical insight transfer active

Affinity Correlation Data:

- 0-20% Affinity: Standard learning speed

- 21-40% Affinity: 2x skill acquisition

- 41-60% Affinity: 3x skill acquisition

- 61-80% Affinity: 4x skill acquisition + unique skill variants

- 81-100% Affinity: Near-instant transfer + synchronized abilities

----

Jin studied the data, his mind racing. "So when Clara was teaching me about the reactor systems last week, I actually understood some of it..."

"Her 66% affinity meant her teaching was enhanced by emotional synchronization. She wasn’t just explaining—she was sharing her understanding through your bond."

"And Sera’s tactical advice sticks better because..." She paused.

"54% affinity creates subconscious trust in her judgment. You follow her plans not just because they’re good, but because part of you instinctively knows she would never lead you astray."

"This is why your relationships matter, Jin. Clara’s 66% affinity means you could learn her technical skills remarkably fast. Sera’s 54% would accelerate tactical ability acquisition. The stronger your bonds, the more you can learn from each other."

"So... the power of friendship is real?" Jin asked, half-joking.

"The power of emotional synchronization through nano-enhanced neural plasticity, but... yes. Essentially, the people who care about you can literally make you stronger. And vice versa—your skills can transfer to them more easily as bonds deepen."

Jin stood up, a new understanding filling him. "They’re not just people I need to protect. We’re... we’re making each other stronger. Together."

"Now you’re beginning to understand the true purpose of the Phoenix Protocol. Not just to preserve humanity, but to forge bonds strong enough to rebuild it."

"There’s one more thing. Your mother’s skill is incomplete because she’s gone. But the living bonds? Those can evolve. Rosa’s Emergency Evasion could develop unique properties as your relationship grows. Perhaps Clara’s technical skills could merge with your combat abilities. Sera’s leadership could enhance your tactical instincts."

Jin stared at his status screen with new understanding. "So getting closer to them..."

"Makes all of you exponentially more capable of survival. The Phoenix Project may have selected you for genetic compatibility, but this emotional resonance system? That’s what will actually keep you alive."

"Also," Asha added with what sounded like amusement, "it explains why your Accidental Harem Magnet skill exists. The more physical and emotional contact, the faster the bonding process. Your clumsiness is literally a survival mechanism."

"That’s... wait, what?"

"Every time you stumble into Clara, catch Sera when she slips, or end up tangled with Rosa during training—those moments of vulnerability and trust accelerate your neural synchronization. Your parents programmed you to be a walking bonding catalyst."

Jin’s face burned. "I need to sit down again," Jin muttered, but he was smiling despite himself.

Jin made his way to the door, still trying to wrap his head around everything. The numbers, the connections—it was kind of a lot, but it also felt... right. This was their way to make it through, as a team.

As he strolled toward the Command Wing, he couldn’t shake the thought of what new skills the girls might teach him and what he could unintentionally share with them too.

Tomorrow’s mission was going to push them all—their bonds, their trust, and how well they worked together. But for the first time since hearing about the Crawler swarm, Jin actually felt like they had a shot at this.

___

A/N:

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. I’d really appreciate any support if you’re enjoying the story’s development!