The screen flickered again, and for a moment, I thought the system might crash. But then it stabilized, and a completely different black HUD appeared, one I hadn't seen before. It was sleek, minimalistic, but there was something unsettling about it—like staring into a void that was both alive and watching me.
[Unlocked
[Unlocked
[Technomancer class (Unique): a highly specialized and versatile class that combines technological mastery with magical and scientific principles. Grants user the ability to manipulate technology, energy, and data.]
[Hacker talent (Unique): an ancient and near-extinct ability. Hackers are the architects of systems, guardians of information, and explorers of the digital frontier.]
[Class: Technomancer (Unique)
Rank: EX
Talent: Hacker
DA: MAX
EA: MAX
STR: 55
INT: MAX
WIL: MAX
AGI: MAX
END: MAX
LCK: 0]
I stared at the screen, my pulse racing. My breath caught in my throat as I processed the words.
Technomancer?
Hacker?
These weren't classes anyone had mentioned.
And EX? EX rank…
That wasn't even on any guide. I should've felt exhilarated, but instead, a knot of confusion and anxiety twisted in my stomach. What was going on?
Suddenly, a voice boomed from the capsule's system, cold and dispassionate.
"Based on our analysis, you have unlocked the unique class Technomancer. Due to limited data on this class, you will be placed under temporary surveillance."
Surveillance.
I felt a cold wave wash over me.
Surveillance? This was supposed to be a standard awakening procedure. Routine. But now, I was flagged.
Something was wrong. Too wrong.
In this world, anything related to system technology was dangerous. Software engineers, programmers—people like me—were considered threats.
And GAIA, the AI that ran everything, controlled it all. There was no place for my kind here. For anyone who could manipulate data, control systems, or alter the digital world.
I couldn't breathe. Not because I was suffocating, but because I knew the weight of what this meant. If GAIA ever figured out what I was truly capable of—if it caught wind of my talent… I was finished.
I forced myself to calm down, but my heart was still racing when another screen flickered into view, pushing away the oppressive black HUD of Codebreaker. The new interface was clean, cold, corporate—GAIA's trademark. The contrast between the two was jarring, like two worlds colliding in real time.
[Verification complete. Your surveillance status has been revoked.]
[Class Threat Level: Low]
The relief hit me like a wave, but it didn't last long.
It felt too easy. Why had GAIA revoked the surveillance so quickly?
Was it because it didn't know what to do with me yet, or was it underestimating me?
Either way, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't over.
The screen flickered again, this time displaying an official GAIA update.
[Registering your class and rank with GAIA Talent Bureau…]
I watched as my stats recalibrated, the numbers shifting like sand, settling into a new configuration.
Noah Adler
Class: Technomancer (Unique)
Rank: D
Talent: Technical Specialist (Combat/Support)
DA: 43
EA: 60
STR: 55
INT: 77
WIL: 72
AGI: 42
END: 58
LCK: 0
I blinked, staring at the screen in disbelief. This was wrong. This wasn't me. It was like looking at a cheap imitation.
Technical Specialist?
That was the best GAIA could come up with for my class? I was nothing more than a glorified tech support guy in its eyes. D-rank.
The Codebreaker system had shown me something entirely different—my true self, or at least a version of it that felt more real than this.
I felt a mix of anger and dread bubble up in my chest as realization hit. Codebreaker had masked my true rank. It had concealed the fact that I was an EX rank Technomancer, with a hacker talent that GAIA would never understand.
I ran a hand through my hair, my mind racing. Why did Codebreaker hide my real abilities from GAIA?
It didn't make sense.
It could have exposed me, let me rise to the top, but instead, it had cloaked me in an identity so ordinary that no one would suspect the truth.
What was it protecting me from? Or worse—what was it hiding from me?
Before I could finish processing, the interface flashed again.
[Codebreaker Mode activated.]
A jolt of energy surged through me, and suddenly, the world around me wasn't quite the same. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing the true structure of everything around me. The capsule, the air itself—it all shifted into something digital, pixelated, as though reality was now laid bare before me in lines of code.
I reached out instinctively, my fingers brushing the air, and faint menus appeared before me, displaying options and data I had no words for. I could see traces of GAIA's presence everywhere—on the walls, the windows, even in the air itself, like a web spun across every molecule.
But before I could experiment further, a harsh notification flashed across my vision.
[Security Protocol Detected.]
[Warning: Unauthorized Access.]
My heart slammed into my chest. GAIA had detected me.
I panicked.
I didn't know how fast GAIA's reaction time was, but I couldn't afford to be caught, not yet. I yanked my hand away, deactivating Codebreaker Mode, watching as the overlay flickered out of existence.
My vision returned to normal, though the static that remained in the corner of my eyes served as a reminder: GAIA was watching.
I wasn't out of the woods. Not even close.
I exhaled, trying to steady myself. The adrenaline rush was fading, but the dread remained. GAIA had noticed me. Briefly. I had barely scratched the surface, and already the system was aware of an anomaly.
I had no doubt that it would come after me. And when it did, I'd need to be ready.
The capsule door hissed open, pulling me back into reality. My head still buzzed with the weight of the discovery, but I had to focus. This wasn't over.
Graham was waiting just outside, waving me over, a grin plastered across his face. "Hey! What did you get?"
I tried to act casual, forcing a shrug as I approached. "Technomancer. D-rank. Nothing special," I muttered, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.
His face fell. "Wait—what? You're kidding, right? D-rank? And what's that class of yours even supposed to be?"
"It's a tech specialist with some magic thrown in, I guess," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. But the weight of the situation pressed down on me harder than ever.
"Whoa," Graham murmured, his eyes wide. "That sounds pretty cool. I got Fighter, so... not exactly magic, but hey, I'll take it."
I didn't respond, my mind racing in different directions. This wasn't the time to explain. Not to Graham. I needed to figure out what the hell was going on with me—and why Codebreaker had chosen to hide my true potential.
I just had to be careful. GAIA was watching.
As the group shuffled back into formation, the conversation faded into the background. The world was buzzing with post-awakening excitement, but I was drowning in thoughts of the systems, the Codebreaker, and the looming danger of what GAIA might do if it found out what I could really do.
The shuttle ride back to school was a blur. I kept replaying the events in my head, trying to make sense of it all. The feeling of being watched was suffocating. And I had no idea how long I could keep up this act of being a nobody.
As we disembarked, Graham threw his arm around my shoulder, oblivious to my inner turmoil. "We could totally team up, you know? My combat skills, your... tech magic?"
I smiled weakly, trying to hide the storm inside me. "Sure, Graham. We'll make a killer team."