NOVEL WEB Chapter 6: Planet Sadala
Flying through the boundless darkness of space, Zero and the Tuffles decided to pass the time by engaging in a card game. The soft hum of their spacecraft provided a tranquil backdrop as they shuffled and dealt the cards, the flickering lights from the control panels casting a warm glow over the scene. It wasn't just a game; it was a bridge, a way for Zero and the Tuffles to communicate beyond words, their competitive spirits mingling with genuine camaraderie. Laughter erupted as strategies clashed, and grudging admiration grew as clever plays unfolded. Each hand dealt seemed to peel back another layer of mistrust, replacing it with mutual respect. By the time they approached Planet Sadala, the bond between Zero and the Tuffles felt solid—built not just on shared survival but on the simple joy of connection through a game.
As they drew closer to Planet Sadala, the atmosphere inside the spacecraft grew heavier—both literally and figuratively. The ship's instruments began to register an alarming increase in gravitational pull, far exceeding expectations. The Tuffles, seasoned in their understanding of planetary sciences, were stunned. On Planet Plant, gravity was already a formidable 10 times that of Earth, enough to crush the unprepared. Yet their calculations indicated that Planet Sadala's gravity was at least 50 times greater than that of their home world.
Zero felt it too, his body instinctively tensing as the strain grew. He stood near a viewport, gazing at the looming planet. Its surface was rugged, almost defiant in its harshness. To Zero, however, this gravity felt strangely familiar. A flicker of memory surfaced—his harsh home planet of Geyser, where the crushing gravity was not unlike what they were experiencing now. For the first time in a long while, Zero felt something akin to nostalgia.
"This gravity..." he murmured, his voice carrying a tone of recognition that caught the attention of the Tuffles. "It's almost exactly like the pressure on Geyser. I thought I'd never encounter anything like it again."
The Tuffles exchanged curious glances. For them, this level of gravity was extreme and taxing, but for Zero, it was a haunting echo of his past. "It explains a lot," Zero continued, turning back to the group. "If the Saiyans here were raised in a place like this, their strength wouldn't just come from training—it would be baked into their very nature. The environment shapes the warrior."
His words hung in the air, resonating with the Tuffles as they studied the approaching planet. For the first time, they began to grasp the unique connection Zero had to this kind of world. Unlike them, who relied on technology and intellect to thrive, Zero and the Saiyans were products of survival against relentless physical odds.
The Tuffle named Mikan, a meticulous scientist with a calm demeanor, spoke with measured precision as the spacecraft began its descent. "Zero, we are landing in an unpopulated area approximately 500 kilometers east of any known Saiyan settlements. Based on our reconnaissance, the planet appears to be underdeveloped. The Saiyans we've observed seem to live in small, primitive communities, their homes constructed primarily of wood."
Zero nodded in acknowledgment, his sharp gaze fixed on the planet coming into view through the ship's viewport. Mikan's voice was steady, but there was a subtle edge of caution that didn't go unnoticed by Zero. He leaned slightly forward, his hands clasped behind his back, as he took in the breathtaking scenery below.
Planet Sadala was a world teeming with life. Towering trees, their canopies sprawling like emerald blankets, extended as far as the eye could see. The vibrant green of the forests was punctuated by jagged, majestic mountain ranges that stretched skyward, their peaks dusted with a shimmering layer of snow. Deep valleys carved through the land like scars of time, cradling winding rivers whose waters sparkled under the planet's sunlight. Wildlife dotted the landscape—flocks of strange bird-like creatures soared gracefully overhead, while herds of animals grazed in the open meadows.
"Magnificent," Zero murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the hum of the descending ship. The sheer vitality of the planet was almost overwhelming. It was a stark contrast to the harsh, barren world of Geyser, where survival was a constant struggle against an unforgiving environment. Here, life flourished in harmony with nature, creating a perfect balance.
The ship began to slow as it neared the landing site, a small clearing surrounded by dense forest. Mikan adjusted the controls, ensuring a smooth touchdown. As the ship's thrusters hissed softly, sending plumes of dust into the air, he turned to the others with a firm expression.
"Wonderful," Zero said, stepping away from the viewport to address the group. "Do not stray too far from the ship when we land. The Saiyans here are extremely hostile to anything unknown. We don't want to provoke them unnecessarily."
Mikan nodded, and the rest of the Tuffles exchanged nervous glances. They trusted Zero's judgment, but the idea of facing Saiyans in their natural habitat was daunting. While the Saiyans on Planet Plant had been strong, they were nothing compared to what Sadala likely harbored—true warriors born of the planet's intense gravity and wild, untamed conditions.
As the landing gear made contact with the ground, a stillness settled over the group. Zero was the first to step toward the exit, his demeanor calm but alert, like a predator ready to confront the unknown. He took one last glance at the serene landscape outside and felt a strange mix of admiration and forewarning. Planet Sadala was beautiful, yes, but it was also a danger zone, a forge for power and survival. Whatever awaited them beyond the safety of the clearing would not be easily tamed.
On the morning of the fifth day, the serene atmosphere of the forest surrounding the Tuffles' concealed ship was broken by movement. The scanners in the ship's control room buzzed to life, detecting two figures emerging from the dense foliage. Zero stood near the monitor, his arms crossed, his eyes narrowing as he observed the intruders' approach.
The two Saiyans were male, their physiques robust and honed from years of survival in the unforgiving environment of Planet Sadala. They moved with a natural confidence, completely unbothered. Based on their actions, they appeared to be hunters, their keen eyes scanning the area for prey.
Zero's mind raced, his thoughts as sharp as the edge of a blade. Saiyans here do not seem to have the concept of hiding their true power, he thought, his expression grim. His voice broke the silence, directing a question to the artificial intelligence embedded in his system. "Oracle, what are their power levels?"
[The Saiyan with the red hair has a power level of 147,020. The black-haired Saiyan's power level is 376,126.]
Zero's brow furrowed. These were not elite warriors, not leaders or legends—just two ordinary Saiyans out hunting in the wilderness. Yet their power dwarfed the might of warriors like Captain Ginyu, who had once been regarded as among the strongest in the universe.
"Just these two random Saiyans," Zero muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief, "are more powerful than Ginyu ever was. If Planet Sadala had never been destroyed, the galaxy would be a much different place. Prime specimens like these could be bred and raised like crops—unstoppable warriors in endless supply."
But his musings were cut short by the gravity of the situation. Their power levels alone were staggering, but if there was even a single Saiyan stronger than them—one who could potentially transform into the legendary Super Saiyan—it would spell doom for him and the Tuffles.
Zero's decision was made. He had to eliminate them swiftly. Without hesitation, he focused his Ki, channeling it with precise mastery. Two beams of concentrated energy shot from his eyes, the golden streaks cutting through the air with unerring accuracy. The Saiyans didn't even have time to react. The beams struck their hearts, and both hunters crumpled to the forest floor, lifeless.
Zero approached the corpses, his steps deliberate, his expression cold. He crouched beside the nearest Saiyan, the one with red hair, and placed his hand on the body. Oracle activated without prompting.
[Extracting genetic sample from specimen 'Saiyan'.]
There was a brief pause before it continued.
[Complete. Would Host like to add the genetic material of the Saiyan to his genetic sequence?]
Zero didn't hesitate. "Yes," he said firmly, his voice laced with determination.
The process began immediately, and with it came pain—unimaginable, all-consuming pain. Zero's body convulsed as the Saiyan genetic material was integrated into his own. His muscles burned as if molten lava coursed through his veins. His Ki flared uncontrollably, the sheer power of the modification changing him in real time. He screamed, the sound primal and filled with agony, echoing through the forest like a wounded beast.
The commotion brought the Tuffles rushing from the safety of the ship. Mikan was the first to reach him, his face pale with worry. "Zero! What's happening?!" he shouted, his voice tinged with panic.
The others followed, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion as they witnessed Zero's transformation. His body glowed faintly, the integration of Saiyan DNA manifesting visibly. His aura grew more intense, flickering with raw, unbridled energy, as if his very being was being torn apart and rebuilt stronger than before.
Zero collapsed to one knee, his breath ragged, but his resolve unwavering. Through clenched teeth, he managed to speak. "Stay back... This is necessary."
The Tuffles hesitated, watching helplessly as the transformation continued. In that moment, they realized the lengths to which Zero was willing to go—to fight, to survive, and to ensure their mission's success, no matter the cost.
Zero opened his cyan eyes, their brilliance sharper and more vivid than before. He felt a surge of energy coursing through his body—a raw, untamed vigor unlike anything he had experienced. It was as if every fiber of his being had been revitalized, optimized for a greater purpose.
The familiar voice of Oracle broke through his thoughts.
[Genetic modification complete.]
Zero took a deep breath, testing the new sensation of power within him, before speaking aloud. "What changes were made?"
Oracle responded with its usual precision.
[ I integrated the advantageous traits of the Saiyan species into the genetic sequence of a Frost Demon. This approach ensures you benefit from the Saiyan's inherent adaptability, rapid power growth, and enhanced combat instinct while avoiding their drawbacks, such as uncontrollable transformations into a Great Ape during a full moon or personality shifts tied to primal instincts. As a result, you are now a hybridized variation of Frost Demons—a mutation that enhances your existing strengths. What designation would you like for your new form?]
Zero considered this for a moment. He had always been a warrior, a survivor, someone who transcended the boundaries of his origins. Now, he was something more—something superior. A smirk played at the corners of his lips. "High Frost Demon," he said confidently.
[Noted. You are now classified as a High Frost Demon. Additionally, during the modification process, your power level increased significantly, which has been detected by the inhabitants of this planet.]
Zero's smirk vanished, replaced by a steely expression. "How much time do we have before they arrive?"
[Based on the trajectory and speed of the approaching Saiyans, I estimate their arrival in approximately 15 minutes.]
Zero rose to his feet, his movements fluid and controlled, each step radiating an aura of newfound strength. He clenched his fists, feeling the power ripple through him. It wasn't just raw energy—there was a refined precision to it, as though his very essence had been sharpened into a weapon.
He turned toward the Tuffles, who had been watching him cautiously from a distance. Their faces reflected a mix of awe and trepidation, their scientific minds struggling to comprehend what they had just witnessed.
"Prepare yourselves," Zero said, his voice steady and commanding. "They're coming. All of you get back to the ship."
Mikan, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward. "Zero, are you sure you're ready? Your power may have grown, but we don't know the full extent of their forces. If they've sensed you, they'll come in strength."
Zero's eyes glinted with confidence as he glanced back at Mikan. "That's precisely why I'll face them head-on."
The Tuffles nodded, retreating to the safety of the ship to make preparations as Zero turned his gaze toward the horizon. His aura began to flicker, a glow surrounding him, growing stronger with each passing second. The jungle around him seemed to quiet as if the very planet was holding its breath in anticipation of the clash to come.