Ram had met the old man, Smith, a few times before and had been impressed by the strange aura surrounding him.
Despite not knowing how strong Smith truly was, Ram had learned that the man could contact one of the Shadow Society's messengers—a group known for using forbidden methods of awakening ordinary humans into Professionals.
The catch? Anyone who used the Shadow Society's special awakening method was bound to serve them for at least ten years.
For a long time, Ram had been reluctant to consider the offer. He'd tried everything else to awaken—gene potions, spiritual fruits, Reiki training—but nothing worked.
Now, as his options dwindled, the thought of this last-ditch effort grew more appealing.
If it worked, Ram could finally break through the bottleneck that had held him back for so long.
Maybe then, he could use his "Golden Finger" to its full potential.
Ram nodded but remained cautious. "Yes, I want to meet this Shadow Messenger you mentioned first. I need to know more about the method before I commit."
Instead of answering, Smith burst into laughter. He doubled over, holding his stomach, laughing like Ram had told the funniest joke he'd ever heard. "You? Meet the Messengers? That's rich, kid. The funniest thing I've heard in years!"
Despite the old man's mocking tone, Ram stood there silently, his expression unchanging.
He waited for Smith to finish, knowing better than to let the man's theatrics rattle him.
Finally, Smith wiped his eyes, still chuckling. "Alright, alright. I'll contact the messenger but don't expect any favors. If he's willing, you'll meet him tonight."
Ram's pulse quickened. "How long will it take?"
"If you're lucky, by tonight," Smith replied with a grin. "I'll send you the location. Come alone."
Ram nodded, accepting the instructions. He left the shop, his mind racing. There was no turning back now.
That evening, Ram spent time with his family, chatting with his grandfather and celebrating Lisa's awakening over dinner.
He didn't mention his plan to meet the Shadow Society, knowing it would only worry them. Afterward, he slipped quietly out of the house, careful not to disturb anyone.
He grabbed a few bottles of liquor from a nearby store and headed to the location Smith had given him.
The address led him to a rundown, five-story building on the outskirts of the city. The structure looked like it had been abandoned for years, its walls cracked and the windows covered in grime.
Ram made his way up to the roof, where he found a quiet spot to sit and drink. The cool night breeze rustled his hair as he looked up at the black sky, devoid of the stars he once knew from his past life.
Behind him, a tall humanoid robot stood watch—his Blade Type II combat robot. Ram had purchased it from the black market last year for a staggering 200,000 Life Energy points, keeping it a secret from even his family.
Though the robot wasn't anything special compared to more advanced models, it was powerful enough to protect him if things went sideways tonight.
He concentrated on the robot for a moment, and a holographic screen appeared before him, displaying its stats:
[Name: Iron Robot - 'Blade Type II']
[Type: Combat Mech]
[Grade: Silver]
[Technology: Life Energy Power Furnace (Small), Super Alloy Blade]
[Specifications:
Height: 2.8 meters
Weight: 600 kilograms]
[Skills:
Scarlet Sting: physical monomer attack, additional shield-breaking effect, and armor-breaking effect require 700 Life Energy to perform.
Heavy anchor cross chop: physical monomer attack, additional interruption effect, requires 1200 Life Energy to perform.
Proficient Knife: Passive skill, when using a knife, the damage is increased by 15%.]
[Additional Features: Powered by a small Life Energy Power Furnace, consuming 700 Life Energy per day.]
This was an old Tier-3 combat robot, on par with a Tier-3 Physical Professional. He purchased last year from the black market, for approximately 200,000 Life Energy.
Even his parents don't know its existence, as he typically concealed it away, only retrieving it when necessary.
Spending two hundred thousand Life Energy Points is not a small amount for him, it took nearly three years of saving to buy it.
Even the minimum daily operation of the robot requires 700 points of Life Energy, so usually he keeps it hidden in standby mode to save energy.
Combat robots like the one Ram owned had been common during the early days of Reiki's appearance.
They were equipped with advanced fighting algorithms, excellent flexibility, and situational awareness, making them deadly in combat.
But as humans evolved and became stronger, the reliance on robots had decreased.
Today, most top-tier professionals could outperform combat robots with their own enhanced physiques and abilities.
Within the series, there were a variety of different models, each tailored for specific combat roles like Blade Robot, Firearm Robot, Sword Robot, and Shield Robot.
The Blade Robot, characterized by its sleek and nimble design, specialized in swift and accurate melee combat, leveraging its agile frame for close-quarters engagements.
Contrastingly, the Firearm Robot showcased an arsenal of ranged weaponry, its robust construction optimized for delivering precision and devastating firepower from afar.
The Sword Robot commanded attention with its formidable stature and imposing blade, excelling in both offense and defense, its design meticulously crafted to master the art of swordplay.
Meanwhile, the Shield Robot stood resolute as a guardian, boasting sturdy armor and a massive shield, prioritizing the protection of allies and resilience against enemy assaults.
Ram's Iron Blade Type II was more than enough for his current needs, offering protection and firepower in dangerous situations. While it wasn't one of the more advanced models, it was still capable of holding its own against a Tier-3 Professional.
More advanced robots, like those loaded with artificial intelligence and combat chips, could cost millions of Life Energy Points—far beyond Ram's reach. But for now, his Tier-3 robot was enough.
But robots are still considered as a main force against the mutated monsters, many rich mercenary groups rely on them for reconnaissance, combat, and other functions.
Even with the evolution of humans and advancements in scientific technologies, many Mechanical Professionals rely on making combat robots to fight.
What limits ordinary humans is that robots are costly, just an ordinary combat robot costs him around two hundred thousand Life Energy.
You can imagine how high the cost of those advanced robots can be ranging from millions to hundreds of millions of life energy.
As Ram sat drinking on the rooftop, he looked up at the night sky. No stars twinkled above—just the black void. Reiki, the mysterious energy that had reshaped the world over the past 400 years, affected everything, both organic and inorganic.
While Reiki radiation had positive effects—enhancing strength, consciousness, and unlocking supernatural abilities—it also made most humans dare not go to the surface unless you're an official citizen protected by the Dwan Federation.
Ram took another sip of his beer and sighed.
But at this point, he didn't care. He was tired of being left behind, of watching others awaken while he remained stuck.
The allure of power was too strong, and if the Shadow Society could give him what he needed, then he was willing to take the risk.
The breeze picked up, and Ram closed his eyes, trying to calm the storm of thoughts racing through his mind.
He didn't know what the night would bring, but he had made his choice. Now, all he could do was wait for the Shadow Messenger to arrive.