'What the hell is happening?'
Vio found himself in an unfamiliar place, gripping someone by the neck with just one hand, as if they were the lightest thing in existence. The person's eyes were wide open, ready to pop out. But, they were lifeless, devoid of any sign of life.
Startled, Vio let go, allowing the body to hit the ground as he took a few steps back.
"Who is this? And where am I?" Vio muttered to himself. He glanced around to make sense of the situation. but before he could, a cold, echoing voice invaded his mind.
[Congratulations on awakening, Hero.]
"Who's there?" Vio asked, spinning around, but there was no one behind him.
[The Hero demands an explanation. Searching for an answer... Please wait.]
'What is going on? Is this some kind of joke?'
While the system was busy, Vio noticed he was in a tent, indicated by the sound of wind brushing against its fabric. It gave him the same sensation he felt when camping in the forest.
'What brought me here? And what kind of decor is this?'
The tent was excessively ornate—quilted and detailed rugs, an antique oil lamp hanging overhead, a bed made of some kind of animal hide, and a wooden desk with a full-body mirror beside it.
His attention shifted back to the corpse.
'What's with these clothes?'
The man looked like he had stepped out of the medieval era—a leather shirt fastened with a silk belt, matching trousers, and boots, jewelry adorning his chest, connected to a cape draped over his back.
As Vio focused on his surroundings, oblivious to the strangeness of his own body, the cold voice resonated in his mind again.
[The required answer was found]
[Answer allowed]
[Congratulations on your awakening, hero]
[Welcome to Alam]
[I am the system responsible for guiding you on your journey]
Holographic windows appeared before Vio. Their words synced with a cold voice. This only heightened his confusion.
'Where is this Alam, and how far is it from my home?'
[The system must scan the Hero's memory to find their home. Permission required: Yes/No.]
Still unable to fully comprehend the situation, Vio decided to go with the flow.
'Yes.'
[Scanning the Hero's memory...]
[Memory successfully retrieved.]
[Extracting information from external data...]
As the messages continued flooding in, Vio moved toward the tent's flap. Pulling it aside, he found himself staring at a landscape of dense snow, faintly visible tall trees, and foggy dunes.
'Am I in a forest? Wait, when did it start snowing? It was just nearing winter!'
[Analyzing...]
He froze when his gaze finally caught the shape of his hand holding the tent flap. It was a silver metallic hand, composed of thin, sliding plates.
He stepped back, his heart pounding violently in his chest—a heart that now felt foreign.
"What is this?" he whispered in a trembling voice, lifting the hand to his face.
Beneath the transparent layer on his hand was a network of fine copper wires, like veins. They wrapped around the metallic frame.
Vio attempted to move the unfamiliar fingers, hoping they wouldn't respond. But his hopes were dashed as the metal bent slowly, each joint moving with mechanical precision and emitting a faint humming sound.
He stumbled toward the mirror, his steps uneven. A black cloak draped new body.
His face—the only part of him still human—was twisted in terror, making him look unfamiliar even to himself.
With trembling hands, he removed the cloak and let it fall to the floor.
His eyes widened in horror at the sight—his body was entirely made of gleaming silver metal. His human neck transitioned into metallic plates that extended to a transparent chest, revealing his human heart beating beside a glowing orb. His joints were black, glossy spheres, rotating fluidly with each panicked movement.
A complex network of glowing tubes lit up with each heartbeat, accompanied by a faint buzzing sound running through his metallic body.
He moved closer to the mirror, staring in disbelief at the strange entity his body had become. A muffled scream caught in his throat.
[An answer has been found.]
Vio was in no state to focus on the voice. His heartbeat raced beyond its normal rhythm. His features stiffened, along with his metallic body, causing the system to alert immediately.
[Severe brain activity detected.]
[Irregular heartbeat detected.]
[Warning: The Hero is in danger. At this rate, the Hero will suffer a stroke. Permission to intervene required: Yes/No.]
Barely conscious, Vio's thoughts spiraled into chaos.
'What have I become? What happened? Who did this to me?'
[Repetition: The Hero is in danger. At this rate, the Hero will suffer a stroke. Permission to intervene required: Yes/No.]
Amid his scattered and illogical thoughts, one thing stood out.
[.....Yes/No.]
"Yes," he muttered instinctively. Almost instantly, his racing heartbeat slowed.
[Brain activity stabilized. Heartbeat normalized. The Hero is now in a stable condition.]
Like Vio had awakened from a coma. His senses began to return, and he started to reel in his overwhelming emotions.
He drew in a deep breath, realizing there were lungs—artificial, functioning like precise mechanical pumps. Yet, he felt no difference.
"What are you, where am I, and what happened to my body?" Vio asked in his usual cold tone.
[I am the system responsible for guiding you.]
[Current location: Alam. Specific coordinates: Unknown.]
[What happened to your body: You have been upgraded from a robot to a cyborg.]
[Would the Hero like to view their information?]
"Upgrade? Damn you, I was human!"
[Warning: Information conflict detected. Information conflict detected.]
A buzzing sound filled Vio's mind, resembling fire alarm sirens. However, it did not cause him pain; instead, he frowned at the repetition of the same phrases, which he could already see displayed in front of him.
'What exactly is your problem?'
[A contradiction has been detected. According to the Hero's memory, the Hero was human. According to external data, the Hero is described as a robot.]
[A contradiction has been detected. According to the Hero's memory, the Hero was human. According to external data, the Hero is described as a robot.]
'What is it talking about now?'
[Analyzing... Analysis failed.]
[Reanalyzing... Analysis failed.]
[Reanalyzing... Analysis failed.]
"Stop, stop!" Vio shouted, unaware that he was speaking in a strange language.
[Analysis has been halted.]
Every time he spoke, the system responded with the same monotony. He could read the text, so why was there a voice? And if there was a voice, what was the point of the text appearing before him? He didn't need more confusion.
'First, what is this external data?'
[external data is a chip implanted in the Hero's brain. For clarification, it can be considered a Hard Disk.]
'Who are you talking to? A Hard Disk? Do I look like a computer to you?'
[Clarification: The system considers the Hero a host, regardless of status, form, or appearance.]
Its name, "system," implied it wouldn't grasp the nuanced meanings behind words. It would only respond based on what Vio said, no more, no less.
'Now, let's move on to this Alam. How far is it from my home, as you said?'
[Clarification: I have said nothing on the subject yet.]
'Damn you, just tell me how to get back home.'
[You cannot return.]
'What? Why?'
[Alam is considered a world like your previous one. They are separated by the laws of time and space.]
'Damn it, are you trying to say I've been transported to another world?'
[Does the Hero fail to understand? Should I simplify the explanation?]
Vio ignored it, gripping his head as trying to sort through his scattered thoughts, a level of disarray he hadn't felt even in his worst days.
'Information. You mentioned something about information.'
[Would the Hero like to view their information?]
'Of course.'
A faint buzzing preceded the slow formation of words before his eyes.
[Stats Window]
Name: Vio Kian
Age: 24 years (biological), 2 years (mechanical)
Level: 1 | EXP: [0/100]
Rank: Proto-Cyborg
Titles: None
HP: 100/100 (100%)
EP: 50/100 (50%)
SP: 0/0 (Locked)
[Stats]
Strength: 10
Stamina: 10
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 10
Perception: 10
Endurance: 6
(Available points to distribute: 0)
Cores: Alpha
External Data: 38/100 MB
[Abilities]Active Abilities:
Surge Strike:
Releases an electrical charge through touch, causing a short stun to the target.
EP Cost: As long as EP remains.
Micro Repair:
Activates nanobots to repair minor wounds or restore functionality to damaged mechanical parts.
EP Cost: Depends on the severity of the damage.
Adaptive Scan:
Scans the surroundings, allowing the user to perceive objects as 3D models, even with closed eyes.
EP Cost: 3 EP per minute.
Passive Abilities:
Boy, Life is Tough in Alam:
A natural fiber sheath surrounds the hero's frame, adhering tightly and allowing color customization.
Enhanced Durability:
Provides higher resistance to physical injuries, particularly minor effects like cuts or bruises.
Energy Efficiency:
When energy levels drop below 30%, energy consumption is automatically reduced, conserving resources for critical situations.
Cybernetic Reflexes:
Response speed matches decision-making and thinking speed, enhancing reaction times.
His expression froze, but his eyes moved rapidly between the lines. Something about the display was familiar, though his mind struggled to recall where he had seen something similar.
'What exactly am I looking at?'
[Does the Hero request clarification?]
'If you'd be so kind.'
[The system does not possess kindness or generosity. The system performs what it is commanded to do.]
Vio inhaled deeply, more intensely than he had ever done before.
'Explain it now.'
[The Name: Refers to the label given to an entity at birth, allowing differentiation and recognition between…]
As the system began explaining even the most basic concepts like a name, Vio didn't stop it. His attention was drawn to approaching footsteps outside the tent. Before he could act, the flap was pulled aside, and two figures entered.
The first rushed in with excessive enthusiasm, while the one behind followed at a slower pace.
The moment their eyes met, the man in front scowled, drawing his sword.
"Rat!" the soldier shouted.
As Vio's mind worked quickly, a buzzing overtook his thoughts, and words blocked his vision.
[Mission 'Kill or Be Killed']
Type: Urgent
Requirements: None
Restrictions: None
Description:
Creatures have decided to stand in the Hero's path. It is the Hero's duty to eliminate anyone who prevents their progress.
Objective:
The Hero must ensure his safety by killing the enemies and ending their pitiful lives.
Rewards for Mission Completion:
10 EXP
2 Plastic
4 Metal
1 Steel
1 points
Penalty for Failure: Minor Punishment: The Hero's heart will stop.