"It's possible because you have the tech inside you," said Kim Seijin, his voice direct and stronger than before. His intense gaze fixed on Seung. "I am talking about the Power System."
Seung stuttered in surprise, "P-power system? Inside me, or what did you just say?"
"An E-ranker beating a D-ranker is unheard of. The events at the Gangnam dungeon and the abandoned factory were only possible because of the advanced technology inside you. Although specialists identified that you underwent NCS, your data is highly secured, blocking any external attempts," said Kim Seijin. "The Power System was intended for global use by our ally, but now it's owned by an underaged citizen."
Seung was bewildered by how this man knew about his fight with the metallic dude. He imagined the possibility of having been tailed for a long time. And what was this talk about a futuristic creation?
From the outset, he honestly thought it was a lie – everything was just unveiling gradually then. 'Perhaps, the bluish screen is what he is talking about?' he wondered, furrowing his brows.
A strange screen that negotiated flashy empowering stats and upgraded daggers was indeed uncommon. Since his days of exploring the hunting field, he hadn't seen anything like that before. Thinking deeper, he realized another point: he had only Awakened a cloning ability, yet he was gaining features entirely out of line. How were his ability and improving weapons similar in any way? What about refilling his energy for one-half stats reduction?
'Now I get it. My guess of it being an artificial intelligence was correct.'
A shadow crossed his side. Looking up, the director was there, placing a purple card on a desk beside him.
The man sighed and gave him a stern look. "Contact me when you have been discharged. It's then that I will let you know what I need you for in return for rescuing you and covering up the tech's matter."
As he started walking towards the door, Seung's question made him stop: "But…isn't that considered a fraud?"
Seijin turned around, not too surprised. He had been observing Seung since the conversation started; the young man was cautious of what he said. Even though Seijin's words were direct, Seung maintained his composure.
"You refused the C-rank raiding's profit for a reason, didn't you?" Seijin interjected. "Once you are discharged, come fetch as many Jars of Life as you want. In return, you'll help me out."
"Help you…?"
Just at that moment, Kim Seijin snapped his fingers, and a purplish portal emerged. The portal, dome-shaped like those leading into dungeons, differed in color and emitted striking thunder sounds.
"You can stop by the Reawakening center to get lucky too. I have an additional teleportation ability now," said Seijin, stepping into the portal. In two seconds, both he and the portal vanished.
Seung sighed heavily, closing his eyes and resting his head in his palm in stress. His plan wasn't to get someone else to save the life he had brought doom upon by himself, but with the situation at hand, he thought that might finally be the case. It would take weeks for his wound to heal and months to get used to the new arm.
He opened his eyes and managed a smile. "Alright, AI screen! Let's find out what you are!"
The screen shimmered to life at his eye level. Silence enveloped all corners of the ward, with the ticking of the wall clock and faint movements in the hallway becoming the dominant sounds.
The screen started without his order this time.
[You have one unread message.]
"Open," Seung said right away, already knowing it's all he had to do.
[Message was sent by the system on January 21st, 2022: Congratulations on becoming a Mutant. You have been tested on various occasions and have proven worthy to unlock the system's full potential.]
A smile played on Seung's lips. "What next?"
[Hello, Mutant 001. I am called Power System and model BUT-1X, made in Blue Labs. As the data encoded in me has synced with your neurons, I can assist you with anything, whether you want me to manage everything or just offer some guidance. Besides, we have merged as one.]
This cleared up his earlier confusion. It suggested that, possibly, an alien's spaceship had crashed near his apartment, and the iron box containing the tech had fallen into his backyard.
He asked it to proceed.
[Mutation is a controlled process facilitated by advanced automatic technology, enhancing a mutant's abilities and ensuring continuous improvement. This is carried out through NCS.]
"The stoic man was right."
Then, the display changed to an entirely different section.
[Welcome to the System Interface. Please study everything carefully and try to remember each section.]
[Processing sections for you…]
[Character Profile]
Name: Lee Seung
Level: Cloning, LV. 2. Mutant, LV. 1
Power rating: 1000
Age: 17 years
Intelligence level: 80
Reflexes: 16
Speed: 25
Strength: 23
Endurance: 40
Seung grinned, "Wow, even the system recognizes my intelligence."
[Stats are still the same as before mutation.]
[…]
[Country map: Here is an interactive map display of everywhere in your country. Since you may need to complete various missions in unfamiliar places, you can easily access the location at any convenient spot.]
***
At W.H.A headquarters
"Good afternoon, President Park," greeted a slender lady. "Mr. Song Minseok seeks an audience with you."
The President's mouth opened, and his eyes widened in surprise. "He is at the headquarters right now?"
"Don't be too surprised, Colonel Park. Or should I address you as the president now?"
Golden tickets and Power Stones are appreciated
Just a few minutes ago, Mr. Song had eavesdropped on Seung's conversation with the director. Anxiety gripped his heart, pounding erratically. He knew Seijin's request would push Seung back onto the dangerous path, one he had barely escaped from. Determined to prevent this, he hailed a taxi to the W.H.A headquarters.
"I will be allowed to meet him because I am not a random stranger," he reassured himself as the taxi sped through the bustling city.
[Inside the Building]
A firm knock echoed through the President's office.
"Come in," the man said without looking up from his newspaper. He found solace in either enlarging his muscles or reading the news during his leisure time. Despite his age, he remained vigorous.
A slender woman in a pink suit, her hair neatly styled in a bun, entered with measured grace. She clasped her hands together at her abdomen, her gaze respectfully lowered.
"Good afternoon, President Park," she greeted. "Mr. Song Minseok seeks an audience with you."
The President's jaw dropped, eyes widening. The newspaper slipped from his hand as he stood abruptly.
"He's at the headquarters right now?" he asked, surprise giving way to excitement. The recent months had brought little to stir his emotions like the news of his former colleague being alive.
"Don't be too surprised, Colonel Park," said a slow-paced, raspy voice approaching the door. "Or must I address you as the president now?"
The woman exited quietly at the President's command. The two men, reunited after many years, exchanged warm pleasantries.
A few moments later, they were seated on opposite couches, a table holding two steaming cups of coffee between them. The rising steam lent a cozy warmth to the room.
Mr. Song had served directly under President Park in the military. Park, a Colonel, and Song, a Lieutenant Colonel, had been renowned for their seamless cooperation and successful operations. But the military field had changed after most soldiers became Awakeneds. The once-bustling headquarters stood empty, with the world now at war with monsters. Mr. Song had chosen to protect his family and the Lee children, opting for a quieter life.
"The... the boy is a Hunter now?!" President Park exclaimed, spilling his coffee. His cheeks drained of color. "Of all things in the world, why would you allow him to choose that? Don't you know how dangerous it is for him?"
Mr. Song sighed deeply. "His family's breakdown affected him profoundly. He doesn't trust anyone and makes decisions on his own. He's trying to save his sister with something dangerous, and he's even in a sickbed right now. On top of everything, he has lost an arm!"
His voice grew louder and more tense. The concern in his eyes was palpable. It was natural for someone to want to save their loved ones, but Seung saw it as a way of repenting for a sin he thought he had committed.
During the human-against-monster war, his mother had been killed trying to save him, and his father had suffered a similar fate. Mr. Song witnessed it all. He had wanted to do more than just cover the Colonel and save the kids; he had wanted to crush the monster's heart.
Little Seung and his sister had been found at a dumping site a month after they ran away, their bodies dark with dirt. The sister was unconscious and diagnosed with food poisoning, while Seung was healthy, indicating he had been fed while his sister ate rotten food. Seung must have blamed himself for that too.
Mr. Song pleaded, "I have a favor to ask. Please. I am making this request as Seung's family, not just as his benefactor."
"Do you mean...?"
"Yes," he responded immediately. "I know there's a law that mandates you, as the President, to delist a Hunter if their family members ask for it. Now, I am making that request. Please, remove Lee Seung from the hunting field. I want him to live a typical and happy life like his peers. He has a lot to do with his teenage life."
[Later in Seung's Ward]
Seung stood by the window of his ward, a somber expression etched on his face. He gazed outside, silently. The pain in his stomach and the stress coursing through his joints had completely subsided, thanks to the AI system.
He thought about the death of his C-rank teammates, recalling their brief happy moments and their painful last moments. Tears streamed down his face as he remembered how hard they had tried to stay alive and protect everyone else, only to have their lives end in the blink of an eye. He wondered how responsible the tech inside him could have been if it had empowered him before the first person died.
"No," he nodded, sniffing. "None of them deserved that kind of ending. They were all nice. Even though Jiwoo needed her dagger most, she gave it to me to protect myself. Should that have been their fate, nature?!"
His composure was slipping. Anger surged as he wondered why nature was unfair to everyone now, not just him.
Seung sniffed again and wiped the tears away, then walked back to the bed and laid down.
[At Midnight]
The ward was dark, and Seung's loud snores filled the room. The gigantic silver moon danced in the dark clouds, its divine light faintly illuminating the sky. The city was quiet, except for the barking of stray dogs and other restless animals.
In the hospital ward, the screen turned on above Seung's body, its bluish light casting on him.
[The time is 5:00 AM.]
[Mutant is required to carry out mandatory daily missions. Once the countdown is met, you'll be transported to the Domain for intense training.]
[10,9,8,7,6...]
Seung woke up with a start. "I think I heard someone speak to me," he shouted.
He was surprised to see the display on the screen. It was similar to the mechanical male voice he had heard in his sleep, stern and devoid of emotions.
[5,4,3,2,1...]
Golden tickets and Power Stones are appreciated.
----
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