In the heart of the Storage and Entertainment Department lay the Rejuvenation Chamber, a massive, cylindrical tank filled with a strange, glowing liquid. This chamber was renowned for its ability to heal and restore, a perfect place for warriors to recover after intense battles. Inside, Alonso floated weightlessly, suspended in the viscous, golden fluid. His body, once bruised and battered from his encounters with both Nightowl and Wyrmguard, now showed signs of rapid recovery.
The liquid gently swirled around him, soothing every muscle, mending torn ligaments, and erasing the weariness that had settled deep within his bones. Tiny bubbles of air escaped from his lips as he relaxed in the warmth of the chamber, the tension of the past battles fading from his body and mind. His once-heavy limbs felt light, almost energized, as the liquid worked its magic, restoring him to peak condition.
A holographic panel flickered to life before Alonso. As his eyes scanned the data, he recalled the system messages from Wyrmguard's revival. His thoughts raced with curiosity and caution as he pondered the purpose of souls within this intriguing system.
Ping!
The system's response was immediate.
"Souls are the catalyst for consciousness, granting life itself. They hold the power to evolve a being to a higher state. When placed within a creature of primal nature, the soul bestows reasoning, allowing it to discern good from evil. If infused into a being that already possesses consciousness, like a human, their strength and abilities are exponentially enhanced."
Alonso raised an eyebrow, pondering the explanation. "So... it's like mana?" he asked, trying to connect the dots.
Ping!
"Incorrect. Mana is energy—neutral and malleable. Souls, however, are life itself. Inject a soul into anything, even something as inert as a rock, and life will be birthed within it."
Alonso's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? That's impossible!" he muttered, taken aback by the system's claim. In his old world, while cloning technology existed, it required genetic material—cells, DNA—something tangible to recreate life. Even then, the process was fraught with complications and limitations. But this... this was different. The very idea of creating life without the need for genetic material was unfathomable.
The concept seemed too powerful, too divine. To think that with a single soul, he could breathe life into anything—animate or inanimate—it unsettled him. It was like holding the very essence of creation in his hands.
Ping!
"Note: While souls can animate any object, optimal results are achieved when injected into biological life forms. Biological entities are specifically designed to house and nurture a soul."
Alonso stared at the panel, his mind racing. This power felt... dangerous. It transcended anything he had ever encountered in his world of science and invention. This wasn't just manipulating matter; this was imbuing existence itself. The weight of it was overwhelming.
A chill ran down his spine as the magnitude of the situation settled in. Should anyone really have this kind of power? He wondered why Libra, the goddess of balance, would grant him access to such a dangerous force. It felt like something that should only be in the hands of gods—power that could easily tip the balance of life and death.
Alonso's gaze shifted back to the holographic panel, curiosity flickering in his eyes. He pondered the concept of 'system integration,' a sense of calm anticipation washing over him as he awaited the answer.
Ping!
"System Integration: The ultimate fusion of advanced technology and consciousness. Your laboratory and the system have merged into one unified entity. The laboratory is now the system, and the system is your laboratory."
As the words echoed in this mind Alonso's mind was hit by a sudden wave of sensation. It felt as if his consciousness had been plugged into something vast, something beyond human comprehension. A strange, overwhelming sensation swept over him—his mind expanding outward, reaching into every corner of the laboratory.
He blinked, stunned, as he began to sense everything within the lab as if it were an extension of his own body. He could "see" without seeing—cameras felt like extra eyes; every machine, every piece of equipment, was now a part of him. He could even feel Astra's meticulous work as she assembled androids in another chamber, her mechanical fingers moving with precision and grace. Further away, Wyrmguard lay resting on a sofa in the entertainment district, and Alonso could sense the faint rise and fall of his breaths as if it were happening within his own chest.
Alonso's heart raced as his mind struggled to process this newfound connection. A wave of shock washed over him, and he thought, What... what is this? His thoughts tumbled over each other, trying to make sense of the overwhelming sensation. It's like I've gained a second body... but this body is the entire lab.
The realization hit him hard: he had total control over everything in the laboratory—every wire, every machine, every automated system was now under his direct command. There was no need to push buttons or issue verbal commands. He could activate, monitor, or manipulate any part of the lab with nothing more than a thought.
"This is... incredible," Alonso thought, still reeling from the extent of his control. His mind raced with possibilities. I can oversee every detail, control every function, without lifting a finger. This changes everything.
His awe transformed into exhilaration as the magnitude of this power sank in. There's no limit now—no delay in command. I am the lab.
Ping!
"Correct. System Integration allows seamless control of all laboratory functions through neural connections. You are one with the laboratory."
Alonso couldn't help but smile, still marveling at the feeling. It was as if his intellect had been supercharged. This is beyond anything I could have imagined, he thought to himself. For someone who thrived on invention and discovery, this was the ultimate gift—a direct link to his technological creation, an extension of his own brilliance.
Intrigued by his newfound connection with the lab, Alonso leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. What about this scientific management feature? he wondered, a grin tugging at his lips as he felt eager to explore further.
Ping! "Scientific Management refers to the oversight of all your stock, including drones, robots, androids, and the raw materials necessary to build them. You can also view and manage the inventory of ingredients required for each project."
Alonso's gaze shifted to the holographic display as the system brought up a detailed list. A series of gadgets, tools, and their required components flashed on the screen:
Surveillance Drone
Iron bars: x10
Titanium alloy: x3
Mini fusion core (Grade 2): x1
Tempered glass: x2
Sliver bars x1
With a thought, Alonso focused on the surveillance drone. Instantly, the system accepted the command, a surge of energy rippling through the lab. He laughed, marveling at the ease with which he could manipulate the environment. "This is incredible... I don't even have to lift a finger!"
Meanwhile, over in the robotics department, Astra was deep in her work, meticulously drilling screws into the head of an android. She paused for a moment as the machinery nearby whirred to life, components shifting and assembling autonomously. Her sharp blue eyes glanced at the new drone being built on the conveyor line, and she smirked knowingly. "Seems the Master is enjoying his new abilities," she muttered, not surprised in the least. She returned to her work, fully aware that Alonso's connection to the lab was the cause, her hands moving with precision as she adjusted the android.
Floating in the glowing liquid of the rejuvenation chamber, Alonso's grin only grew wider. His body, though still, felt more alive than ever as the strange liquid worked its magic, healing his wounds and banishing his fatigue. Through camera feed, in the bots department he watched the drone being assembled piece by piece, the intricate machinery moving like clockwork at his mental command. "It's like having my own personal playground," he thought, a wave of wonder and satisfaction flooding his mind.
He shifted his focus to the holographic panel that hovered in front of him, displaying the next phase of his mission. "Revive Vardosia, huh? Well, that's easy enough," he thought with a smirk, the light of ambition dancing in his eyes. "Though I hate politics… all I need to do is build androids programmed to govern. With all the knowledge from the archives combined with mine from the Morden wold, they'll ensure Vardosia prospers without the usual nonsense.A bubble of laughter escaped him, reverberating through the rejuvenation chamber, a reflection of his newfound confidence.
Alonso's eyes skimmed the holographic panel, landing on a mission from the system. "Ruins of Vardosia... dungeons?" he thought, curiosity igniting within him. He quickly navigated through the system to check the Vardosian archives, wanting to jog his memory on the details.
As he contemplated the mission, another section of the panel revealed more information from the Vardosian archives. "Pyramids... interesting," he thought, his brow furrowing slightly. "These ancient structures are scattered across the world. Who knows what secrets they might hold?"
Alonso's mind raced, excitement bubbling up at the thought of these ancient structures. The system's mission to explore the ruins and dungeons of Vardosia seemed to align perfectly with his own curiosity about vardosia. He could feel the pull of adventure calling to him, and the prospect of uncovering lost knowledge thrilled him to his core.
Alonso's eyes narrowed at the information displayed on the panel. "What's this about companions? 2 out of 10? How do I recruit them?" he wondered, curiosity piquing as he scanned the details for answers.
Ping!
"Your companions, those who have sworn loyalty to you, can be modified as you see fit—all the way down to the genetic level," the system responded.
Only two names appeared before Alonso on the holographic panel. Astra and Wyrmguard was displayed prominently, and Alonso focused his thoughts on Astra's profile. A full-body image of her materialized before him, accompanied by her information.
Astra - Profile overview
Designation - Automated System Task Response Assistance, model unit 0.01
Age: 7 days
Skill: Adaption
Rank: N/A
Evolution Requirement: 500 souls
Alonso's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He knew souls could evolve beings, but seeing it applied even to non-organic entities like Astra was a revelation. "So, even non-organic beings can evolve..." he muttered. He couldn't help but wonder what Astra might evolve into. With a burst of curiosity, he pressed the "yes" button.
Ping!
"-500 souls deducted."
Back in the bot department, Astra suddenly paused in her work, a strange sensation tingling across her entire form. Moments later, she was engulfed in a blinding white light, a cocoon of pure energy forming around her. It was like watching a caterpillar morph into a butterfly, though in this case, it was an artificial being undergoing an evolution.
Ping!
Time for Evolution: 24 hours, 10 seconds.
Alonso grinned. "Fascinating... I can't wait to see what she becomes."
Still riding the high of Astra's transformation, he eagerly opened Wyrmguard's profile. His eyes gleamed in anticipation as the dragon's stats appeared on the panel.
Wyrmguard - Profile overview
Designation - White dragon
Role - guardian of vardosia
Age: 560,000
Skills: Lightning law, Fire Manipulation law
Rank: Mythical Dragon - Half-God
Evolution Requirement: 200,000 souls
Alonso nearly leapt out of the rejuvenation chamber in shock, his jaw dropping as bubbles rose around him in the liquid. "What?!" he exclaimed internally, though no sound escaped his lips, only bubbles floating to the surface. "Two million souls for evolution? Such a staggering requirement! If he evolves, could he ascend to godhood?"
"Half-god?!" he murmured, grappling with the implications. "So, he's essentially a demigod. And to think he possesses the ability to manipulate fire as well? This is extraordinary—he's far beyond anything I could have imagined! This is insane—he's way too overpowered!"
"This is so much more detailed than the Vardosian archives," he continued, frowning at the stark contrast. "All they mentioned was his ability to control lightning. There's so much more to discover about him!"
Ping!
"The dragon heart you used to revive Wyrmguard was from a fire dragon. Naturally, he has inherited the Fire Law."
Alonso blinked. "Fire Law? What's that? I didn't see anything about laws in the archive."
Ping!
"Dragons are not born through reproduction like most organic beings. They are formed from the accumulation of mana and elements over millions of years. Every dragon, upon formation, gains control over the element that birthed them. This control is as innate as breathing; they do not need to train or learn to master it."
Alonso nodded slowly as understanding dawned on him. "So, by using a fire dragon's heart, Wyrmguard naturally gained fire control. That's really impressive!
Ping!
"Yes, but this was only possible due to the merging of your technology and Vardosian tech. Under normal circumstances, such a merge would not occur."
Huh. I see," Alonso said thoughtfully. He swiped through the panel, his fingers moving through the holographic menu. "Oh… one of the missions is for me to evolve too. I wonder how many souls I need for that." His mind raced, excitement bubbling up at the possibilities.
Alonso Evolution: 1000 souls. Yes/No?
Alonso's finger hovered over the "Yes" button, temptation gnawing at him. He felt the urge to see what evolution would bring, to experience the new powers that awaited him. But then, Maria flashed in his mind. If Astra's evolution was going to take 24 hours, there was no telling what his own evolution might require. He couldn't afford to be out of commission for that long, not before he saw her. Reluctantly, he pushed the thought aside.
Not yet, he decided, feeling the weight of his choice settle over him.
He swiped the notification away and continued exploring the system. His eyes landed on a curious reward listed on his mission panel: Mysterious Map. Intrigued, he asked the system internally, What's this mysterious map reward?
Ping!
"I cannot disclose that information. You will have to obtain the item and discover it for yourself."
Alonso's brow furrowed in frustration. Of course... he mused silently, knowing the unknown always had a way of pulling him in. His curiosity was piqued, and now more than ever, he wanted to get his hands on that map.