A digital voice resonated through the emptiness of Avon's mind, its cold, mechanical tones slicing through the haze that enveloped his consciousness. Avon felt disoriented, as though he were drifting weightlessly in a dark, boundless void. The voice, though devoid of warmth, was impossibly clear, like ice-cold needles pricking at his senses.
[Welcome to the Cyborg System, Host.]
Avon tried to respond, but his voice was swallowed by the void. He felt an eerie detachment from his own body, as if his mind was drifting apart from his physical form. The darkness around him seemed to stretch infinitely, a vast expanse where time and space no longer mattered.
...
After what seemed like an eternity of floating through that desolate blackness, Avon jolted awake with a gasp. His body lurched upright as though he was escaping from a horrifying nightmare. The sterile, antiseptic scent of the hospital room assaulted his nostrils, a jarring contrast to the dark void he had just escaped. His heart raced as he glanced around, his panic-stricken eyes taking in the clinical surroundings.
"Grandfather!!" he screamed, his voice breaking under the weight of his fear and desperation.
A calm, measured voice cut through his panic. "You're awake."
Avon's head snapped toward the source of the voice. A man sat in a chair beside his bed, his posture relaxed but his demeanor businesslike. The man had neatly combed blonde hair and wore a sharp black suit. His eyes were sharp, observing, and held an air of detached professionalism.
"Who are you?" Avon demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.
"Agent Roan, from the Awakeners Association," the man replied smoothly, his tone betraying no hint of sympathy. "I'm here to inform you about the incident in the slums."
The mention of the slums struck Avon like a physical blow. His heart skipped a beat, and memories flooded back with brutal clarity—the suffocating smoke, the intense heat, and the cold, unfeeling eyes of the Dragon Fiend. He struggled to breathe as he asked, "What happened to my grandfather?"
Agent Roan's expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained unreadable. "I'm sorry, kid. His injuries were too severe. He… didn't make it."
The words were a hammer blow to Avon's heart. He stared blankly at Agent Roan, his world collapsing into a suffocating void of despair. Tears stung his eyes, but a numb emptiness gripped his chest. His grandfather—his sole family—was gone. The realization hit him with a crushing weight, and he felt as though the ground had fallen away from beneath him.
"I'll give you a moment," Agent Roan said, his voice devoid of emotion. He stood up and walked toward the door, his footsteps echoing with finality. The door closed with a soft click, leaving Avon alone in the cold, sterile silence of the room.
Avon's world seemed to blur through his tears. The room around him grew indistinct as he shook with silent sobs. His hands gripped the white hospital sheets tightly, his knuckles turning white with the force of his anguish. The guilt gnawed at him, a relentless ache in his chest. 'If only I hadn't run… If only I was stronger…'
Time dragged on, each minute feeling like an hour. The door creaked open again, and Agent Roan reentered, his expression as inscrutable as ever.
Avon wiped his eyes with trembling hands, trying to compose himself. His face was a mask of grief, but beneath it, a fierce determination simmered. "Who did this?" he demanded, his voice hoarse and raw but laced with an urgent resolve. "Who killed my grandfather?"
Agent Roan met his gaze steadily, his eyes betraying a flicker of recognition. "We believe it was an SS-Rank awakener," he said. "A rogue who goes by the name Dragon Fiend."
The name struck Avon like a scorching brand. 'Dragon Fiend.' The words felt like an inferno igniting a fire of rage and sorrow within him. "That bastard," Avon whispered, his eyes narrowing with hatred. "He did this."
Agent Roan nodded, as though he had expected this reaction. "Yes, but we don't yet know why. The commotion was… unusual, even for him."
Avon's mind raced furiously. He knew the reason—the Corporeal Engine. But he kept his silence, wary of revealing too much. His heart pounded, torn between the burning need for vengeance and the anxiety of the unknown.
"Rest for now," Agent Roan said, his tone practical. "Your medical expenses have been covered by the Association. We'll be in touch."
Avon barely heard him. As the door clicked shut behind Roan, he sank back into his bed, his mind spiraling into a whirlpool of chaos. 'I need power… I need to get stronger… I need to kill him.'
Suddenly, a soft chime echoed in his mind, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. A holographic screen materialized before him, glowing with an eerie blue light that cast strange shadows across the room.
[SYSTEM HAS BEEN ACTIVATED, ISSUING BINDING REWARDS]
Avon stared at the screen, his eyes widening with a mix of disbelief and awe. "What… is this?" he muttered, his voice trembling with a blend of fear and curiosity.
[I am the Cyborg System, Host.]
The voice was cold and emotionless, sending a shiver down Avon's spine. Avon squinted at the text on the screen, his mind racing to understand the implications. "What does it mean? System? Host? What am I supposed to do with this?"
[INITIATING SYSTEM INTRODUCTION… LOADING…]
A moment later, a new panel appeared on the screen, its blue glow pulsating gently.
[SYSTEM INTRODUCTION]
[Welcome to the Cyborg System, Host. This system will assist you in enhancing your abilities, acquiring new skills, and achieving greater power through the integration of cybernetic components. You have been granted rewards for binding to the system. Follow the instructions carefully to learn how to use them.]
[Rewards: Items granted to the Host upon activation or completion of tasks.]
[Cards: These items allow you to gain components, skills, or bonuses.]
[Skills: Abilities that enhance the Host's combat or survival capabilities.]
[To use any of these items, simply speak or think the command clearly.]
Avon's eyes widened as he absorbed the details. "So… it's some kind of enhancement system?" His initial confusion began to give way to a cautious curiosity. "Alright, let's give this a try. Use the Random Tier 1 Bionic Part Card."
[USED 3X RANDOM TIER 1 BIONIC PART CARD]
[OBTAINED:
Tier One Eye Component (X-1 Precision Lens)
Tier One Muscle Component (ZXd5 Fibers)
Tier One Neural System Link (Cypher Hyperlink)
Would you like to fuse with all the following components?]
Avon hesitated, his thoughts racing. "Fuse? What does that mean? Will it hurt?" He swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat. His desire for power clashed with a deep-seated fear of the unknown.
[It means integrating the components into your body, Host. It may cause temporary discomfort but will provide significant physical enhancements.]
'Temporary discomfort?' Avon's thoughts churned, his resolve wavering. But the image of his grandfather's lifeless body spurred him onward. "Do it. Fuse them."
A searing pain erupted through his body, intense and overwhelming. The agony was all-consuming, and the world around him faded to black as the pain engulfed him.
When he awoke, he felt… different. His body was lighter, stronger, and more agile. As he flexed his fingers, he experienced an unexpected surge of strength. His vision was crystal clear, every detail in the room sharply defined. He could even hear the distant footsteps of the hospital staff, each sound distinct and crisp. A grin spread across his face, a mix of wonder and grim satisfaction. "I can feel it… this power."
But the exhilaration was fleeting. His expression hardened as the image of his grandfather's broken body flashed in his mind. 'I'm still too weak.' The realization cut deep. He needed more power. Much more.
"System," Avon said, his voice gaining strength and resolve, "Show me my personal status."
A new screen materialized, meticulously detailing his stats and skills.
[System Status]
Name: Avon
Level: 1
Experience Points: 0/100
Health Points: 100/100
Energy Points: 50/50
SP: 0
Attributes:
Strength: 10
Speed: 8
Endurance: 9
Agility: 7
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 5
Cybernetic Components:
Tier One Eye Component (X-1 Precision Lens)
Tier One Muscle Component (ZXd5 Fibers)
Tier One Neural System Link (Cypher Hyperlink)
Skills:
Overdrive 1/10
Hide Components 1/1
Inventory:
5 Basic Battery Cells
5 One-time use Scrap Multiplier Effect Cards
Avon's gaze fixed on the screen, his mind racing as he processed the details. "System," he asked, his voice more confident but still laced with curiosity, "what are these skills? Can you explain their usage?"
[DISPLAYING SKILL INFORMATION…]
[Overdrive (S-Tier): An active skill that temporarily increases all stats by 10%. Ideal for critical situations. Use sparingly to avoid exhaustion.]
[Hide Components (SSS-Tier): A passive skill that conceals all cybernetic components, making them invisible to others.]
Avon's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information. "Overdrive… a 10% increase in all stats at level one." His expression twisted into a smile that was both satisfied and resolute. "Good. It's a start."
He turned his attention to the battery cells in his inventory, a new wave of curiosity washing over him. "These battery cells must be crucial for maintaining my enhancements. System, what exactly do these batteries do, and how do they affect my cybernetics?"
[The batteries are crucial for sustaining your cybernetic enhancements. They provide the necessary energy required for your components to function. Each battery cell contains a specific amount of energy that will be consumed over time and through the use of your skills.]
Avon's frown deepened as he considered this information. "So the batteries are like fuel for my cybernetics. How much energy do I consume with my current setup?"
[The host requires 2 units of energy to sustain their cybernetics. However, the cost will increase as you acquire higher-tier parts and use skills.]
Avon absorbed this knowledge with a grim nod. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but the power he had just begun to harness was his first step toward vengeance and strength. He steeled himself for the road ahead, ready to embrace the trials and the power that awaited him.