The voice inside his head echoed once more.
> Switching to a text-based interface.
> All future responses will be displayed in written format.
A transparent rectangle suddenly appeared before him, glowing in a sleek black interface with neon blue text.
Vincent blinked a few times, staring in astonishment at the holographic scene before him. He read the words displayed in front of him;
[Heir Status: Fully Integrated.]
[Subject Confirmed as Reinstated After Fatal Event.]
[Directive Established: Accumulate Power and Wealth.]
Vincent narrowed his eyes. Fully integrated after a fatal event?
But the text kept appearing, continuing with the next lines, and now began using words that he could understand more easily.
[Survival Contingency Activated.]
[Sovereign Syndicate Operates on Strict Compliance.]
[Failure to Execute Directives Will Result in Immediate System Penalization.]
Now Vincent stared at the last message. If he failed to follow the system's orders, there would be a penalty?
[First Task for the Heir:]
[1. Obtain a New Identity.]
The system didn't provide any more details, prompting Vincent to ask without thinking, "If I fail, what is the punishment?"
[You will be easily found by Universe Enterprises and authorities.]
Vincent let out a quiet growl. He didn't need a warning, he already knew the risks of not having an identity.
"Alright, I will do it tomorrow morning," he muttered, shifting onto his bed.
The system fell silent, and Vincent slept until morning.
***
The next morning, the system suddenly blared like an alarm inside his head.
BEEP BEEP
Startled, Vincent shot up, his eyes wide open, momentarily confused about where he was. As his brain slowly adjusted, he felt his entire body aching, as if he had just done hours of hard labor.
Everything that happened yesterday felt like a nightmare, but the small, damp-smelling room he was in reminded him that the past few days had been real.
And the floating screen in front of him confirmed that it was no dream.
The screen lit up and delivered new orders:
[Second Task for the Heir:]
[2. Acquire physical strength beyond that of an ordinary human.]
[Daily Task to improve physical strength.]
[100 push-ups.]
[100 sit-ups.]
[Running 2 km, 10 laps.]
[Failure to complete the Daily Task will result in punishment.]
[Time remaining for Daily Task: 20 hours 45 minutes.]
"What the fuck?" Vincent muttered, confused as hell. "Why am I stuck doing this workout bullshit?"
Suddenly, the system reappeared, and the transparent screen displayed new text:
[You have been revived by the Sovereign Syndicate System.]
[You must follow the program set for you within this system.]
Vincent scowled. "I didn't ask for this shit. I'd rather be dead than deal with this crap."
The system remained silent for a while, but then, without warning, Vincent's body moved on its own. He got out of bed, dropped to the floor, and positioned himself for push-ups.
"Hey!! What the fuck!" he shouted, but his body ignored his command. Against his will, he started doing push-ups—100 in total.
It didn't stop there. Suddenly, his body flipped over on its own and began performing sit-ups—100 of them.
Even though he fought back, yelling for the system to stop, his body refused to listen.
When he finally finished both push-ups and sit-ups, his breath was ragged. Then, the screen reappeared, displaying another message:
[Do you also need assistance with running?]
Vincent stiffened. He jumped to his feet right away, and barked, "HELL NO!"
Quickly, he grabbed his sneakers—luckily, he had them with him—and rushed out of his room.
***
Vincent pushed open the motel door and stepped into the freezing morning air. Snow was still piled up after yesterday's relentless snowfall.
He felt sluggish, completely unmotivated to run, but he knew that damn system would take over his body again if he didn't comply—and he hated that.
Taking a deep breath, he pulled his hoodie over his head and started running. The streets were nearly empty, and traces of dawn lingered in the sky.
The floating system screen appeared in front of him, displaying new text:
[Remaining Distance: 2 km]
[Laps Completed: 0/10]
Vincent gritted his teeth and pushed himself forward. The first lap was manageable. By the fifth, his breathing grew heavy. By the eighth, he could no longer feel his legs.
He stopped for a moment, gasping for air, but the floating system screen immediately reappeared before him.
[Laps Completed: 8/10]
Afraid the system would take control of his body again, Vincent clenched his jaw and forced himself to keep running. Finally, after pushing through the last two laps, he completed the tenth.
Breathless, sweat pouring down his body despite the freezing air, he stood outside the motel, staring at the screen in front of him, which now displayed:
[Daily Task Completed.]
[Physical Condition: Adjusting.]
[Heir Adaptation in Progress.]
"What the hell am I even doing, listening to this bullshit?" he thought, still trying to breathe.
The screen in front of him reappeared, displaying:
[Next Objective: Obtain a New Identity.]
Vincent let out a long sigh, then stepped back into the motel, his body aching after the grueling workout—something he hadn't done since his college days.
***
After showering, he stepped out of the motel again, pulling his hoodie lower as he walked through the empty streets of the area where he was staying.
Now, his body no longer felt sore and stiff after the brutal training he had gone through before heading to the place where he would obtain his new identity. Instead, he felt refreshed, his body stronger and more responsive than before.
Before he left, the holographic screen displayed new messages:
[Physical Adjustment in Progress...]
[Endurance Increased: 15%]
[Injury Recovery Speed: 20%]
[Muscle Strength: Optimization in Progress]
He smirked faintly, clenching one of his hands—the one not tucked into his pocket. If this system could be useful to him, he would take its offer to grow stronger.
And he would use that strength to take revenge on Universe Enterprises, especially Pearson and Selena. The thought of Selena made his mood darken, and he shook his head, as if trying to erase the memory of his former lover.
Vincent turned at the end of the street, entering an abandoned district where the buildings looked like old, forgotten structures, long left to decay. The closer he got to his destination, the worse the air became, filled with the stench of rusted metal and damp rot.
At the end of the alley stood an old building, its walls covered in peeling layers of paint and faded graffiti.