The Day After
Xian sat on the old sofa in his small house, his fingers drumming softly on the armrest. The battle from the previous night replayed in his mind—every strike, every explosion, and, most importantly, the moment when his back erupted with thin, sharp originium crystals. He clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the uncomfortable memory. That power… it wasn't something he intended to use. Yet, it had surfaced at the brink of death.
With a deep breath, he opened his eyes and focused. He needed to understand what had changed. His body wasn't the same, and neither was his mind. That was when the system's interface appeared—transparent but sharp, overlaying his vision like a complex HUD. It was eerily familiar, like the mechanics from the games he used to play, but this was real. He wasn't even surprised.
"Appraisal."
The word resonated in his thoughts, and instantly, the interface expanded. A faint hum buzzed in his ears as lines of data streamed into his view. He stared at the coffee table before him.
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> Object: Wooden Coffee Table
Material: Oak Wood
Durability: 78%
Surface Condition: Minor Scratches
Estimated Age: 5 years
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Xian raised an eyebrow. So, this is how it works? He turned to the coffee mug.
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> Object: Ceramic Mug
Contents: Black Coffee
Temperature: 25°C (Cooled)
Composition: Water, Caffeine, Traces of Sugar
Quality: Drinkable
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He smirked. It wasn't just about objects; it broke down every detail. His eyes darted toward the kitchen. Curiosity burned within him.
He got up, moving slowly. His gaze locked onto the stove.
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> Object: Gas Stove
Condition: 65% (Worn)
Fuel Source: Propane
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Maintenance: Moderate Cleaning Required, Burner Efficiency Decreasing
"Huh," he muttered. "I knew I needed to clean that, but now it's official."
Next, he turned his attention to the fridge.
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> Object: Refrigerator
Temperature: 3°C
Power Consumption: 72% Efficiency
Contents: Fresh Produce, Leftovers, Beverages
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He opened the fridge and inspected the vegetables one by one, watching as pop-up windows described each item.
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> Object: Carrot
Freshness: 91%
Nutrient Content: High
Spoilage Estimate: 3 Days
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> Object: Tomato
Freshness: 80%
Nutrient Content: Moderate
Spoilage Estimate: 2 Days
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He closed the fridge, impressed but slightly overwhelmed. His gaze fell on the kitchen knife sitting on the counter.
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> Object: Kitchen Knife
Durability: 47%
Sharpness: 52%
Condition: Minor Nicks on Edge, Sharpening Required
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A bar graph appeared, showing the knife's sharpness and durability, both partially depleted. The visual detail fascinated him. "It even shows wear like a game," he whispered. He couldn't help but think back to the gun he used during the battle—it had shown similar stats but with additional data about ammunition and damage output.
He exhaled, walking back to the sofa. His body sank into the cushions as he sighed, bringing up his status window.
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> Name: Xian
Status:
Physical Health: 74% (Minor Injuries)
Mental State: Stable (CuTheriosity Noted)
Skills: Craftsmanship, Basic Combat, Appraisal (NEW)
Passive: Originium Contamination Resistance Detected
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His eyes hovered over the human figure representing his body. Small indicators highlighted injuries on his arms and back, while a label on the side noted his curiosity. But what caught his attention was the list of skills. The thin originium crystal shield was missing.
Xian frowned. "Why isn't it listed?" He mulled it over, tapping his fingers on his knee. Then it hit him. "It wasn't a skill. It was raw power."
He recalled the sensation—the sharp, searing pain as the crystals formed. His body had instinctively generated them, consuming his strength. "That's why…" he murmured. "It wasn't something learned. It was a desperate response."
His eyes darkened. If that power emerged again, it wouldn't just protect him; it could destroy him. "I'm immune, but not invincible," he muttered. "If anyone finds out…" His thoughts spiraled to the potential dangers—organizations, researchers, governments. They'd want to capture him, study him, turn him into a lab rat.
His mind drifted to his long conversation with Ch'en.
---
Flashback
Ch'en's eyes burned with intensity as she paced the room. "How did you survive? No one walks away from something like that."
Xian leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I told you, I got lucky."
"Lucky doesn't explain the crystals on your back." She stopped, narrowing her eyes. "You were covered in originium. Yet here you are, breathing, unscathed. That's not luck. That's something else."
He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "What can I say? Maybe I've got thick skin."
"Don't play dumb." Her voice sharpened. "You're hiding something."
Xian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I don't know what you want me to say. I'm just a guy trying to survive. I have no idea why I'm still here."
Ch'en glared at him. "You're lying."
"Fine. You want the truth?" He straightened, his expression turning serious. "I don't know what happened. All I know is, one minute I thought I was dead, the next I was still standing. Maybe it's some freak survival instinct."
Her eyes softened slightly but remained suspicious. "And your origins?"
Xian hesitated. He couldn't tell her about Earth. "My home... it's gone. That's all you need to know."
Ch'en studied him for a moment before sighing. "You're impossible."
"And you're relentless." He smirked, breaking the tension slightly. "We make a good team."
She crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "We'll see."
---
Present Day
Xian sighed, sinking deeper into the sofa. "Ch'en's still suspicious, but at least she's not prying... for now." He rubbed his temples. "I need to figure this out before she digs deeper."
He stood, stretching. His body ached, but he couldn't afford to rest. He needed to train.
With a determined look, he stepped outside. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: if he didn't control this power, it would control him.
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In the LGD Superintendent's Office
The steady click-clack of fingers on a keyboard and the soft rustle of paper filled the quiet air of the Lungmen Guard Department (LGD) superintendent's office. Ch'en Hui-chieh sat at her desk, eyes scanning through the mountain of files before her. Despite her composed exterior, her mind was far from calm.
She flipped through another thick dossier, her eyes narrowing as she uncovered more details about the company Xian used to work for. At first glance, it seemed like a typical commercial enterprise: manufacturing, logistics, and technology services. However, the deeper she dug, the more disturbing the evidence became.
Several sections of the files were marked with red ink, indicating illegal activities. Bribery, smuggling, and human trafficking were just the beginning. What really unsettled Ch'en were the reports detailing human experimentation and genetic modification research. There were charts and diagrams outlining experiments involving raw Originium energy injections directly into test subjects, with no regard for their survival rate.
Her fingers tightened around the folder. "How could something like this operate under our noses?" she thought grimly. She could feel her pulse quicken, her mind racing through the implications. This wasn't just about illegal business dealings. It was about human lives.
As she sat lost in thought, the door slammed open, shattering the silence.
"Ch'en! What is with this ridiculous amount of paperwork?!"
Ch'en's eyes snapped up, her focus broken. Swire stormed into the room, arms laden with a stack of documents. She marched over to the desk, dumping them unceremoniously on top of the already overwhelming pile.
"You've got me running around the whole building filing reports like some intern!" Swire huffed, glaring at Ch'en. "I'm a senior officer, not a delivery girl!"
Ch'en sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Swire, maybe if you finished your tasks on time, you wouldn't have this problem."
"That's rich coming from you," Swire retorted, crossing her arms. "You're the queen of pushing work onto others!"
Ch'en's patience snapped. She rose from her chair, her expression sharp. "Lazy? You want to talk about lazy? Who was it that disappeared for two hours yesterday 'looking for lost files'?"
"That was a legitimate investigation!" Swire shot back, stepping forward. "Besides, I'm not the one drowning in conspiracy theories right now!"
"Enough!"
The firm, commanding voice belonged to Hoshiguma, who stepped into the room with her usual calm but authoritative presence. Her jade-green eyes flicked between the two, exuding quiet strength.
"Seriously, you two are like kids fighting over a toy," Hoshiguma sighed, placing a hand on both their shoulders. "What's going on?"
Ch'en folded her arms, exhaling sharply. "Swire's complaining about doing her job again."
"I'm complaining because it's not my job!" Swire shot back.
Hoshiguma chuckled, shaking her head. "Alright, alright, enough bickering. Let's act like professionals, yeah?" She turned her gaze to the mountain of documents on Ch'en's desk. "Looks like you've got a lot on your plate, Ch'en. What's all this?"
Ch'en hesitated for a moment, but she knew Hoshiguma wouldn't let it go. "It's the case involving the company Xian used to work for. I've found evidence of illegal transactions, smuggling operations, and—" she paused, her voice tightening, "—human experimentation."
Hoshiguma's expression darkened. "Human experimentation? Are you sure?"
Ch'en nodded, pulling out a specific file and handing it to her. "These documents outline the experiments in detail. Genetic modifications, Originium infusion into live subjects... It's all here."
Swire's curiosity piqued as she grabbed a folder from the pile. "Wait, are you serious?" She flipped it open, her eyes widening as she skimmed through the contents. "This is insane. They were injecting raw Originium energy into people's bodies?"
Ch'en leaned back in her chair, her fingers wrapping around a cup of coffee. "Yes. Without proper crystal formation, they were trying to bypass the usual contamination process. Their goal was to enhance physical capabilities without causing infection."
Swire whistled, shaking her head. "Mad scientists. I knew corporate greed ran deep, but this is another level."
Hoshiguma, still skimming the documents, paused as her eyes fell on a photograph of a strange suit. "Hey, what's this?" She held it up.
The image depicted a sleek, futuristic suit with sharp lines and an armored exterior. It resembled something out of a sci-fi novel. The design was similar to the Valkyrie armor from Honkai Impact, but neither Swire nor Hoshiguma recognized the reference.
"That armor… It's not like anything we've seen before," Hoshiguma commented.
Swire's eyes narrowed. "Where did this come from?"
Ch'en took a slow sip of her coffee before replying. "The files indicate that the company obtained the design from an independent workshop. The suit was supposed to enhance the user's compatibility with raw Originium energy. No crystals. Just direct power."
Swire flipped through the attached notes. "It says here they were inspired by sketches from a workshop in Chernobog. Apparently, the owner was reluctant at first but eventually agreed to collaborate." She stopped, frowning. "Wait a second... this workshop owner—"
"What about him?" Ch'en asked, her voice steady but curious.
Swire smirked, shaking her head in disbelief. "He moved to Lungmen last week. He's working here now."
Ch'en raised an eyebrow, exhaustion creeping into her expression. "You're telling me we've got someone tied to this mess right under our noses?"
"Yup," Swire said, tossing the file onto the desk. "Small world, huh?" She glanced at the clock. "Well, my break's over." The timer on her phone buzzed, and with a cheeky grin, she sauntered out of the office.
Hoshiguma remained, watching Ch'en with a thoughtful expression. "So, what's the plan?"
Ch'en sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'll handle it. For now, I need more information." Her mind wandered back to Xian. Something about him didn't sit right. She had noticed the tension in his answers during their last conversation.
Hoshiguma crossed her arms. "You're thinking about him, aren't you?"
Ch'en shook her head, dismissing the thought. "It's just another task. Let's focus on what we have in front of us."
But deep down, she knew it wasn't just another task. Xian's connection to the workshop, the suit designs, and the company's experiments painted a larger picture—one she couldn't ignore.
Hoshiguma knew who's Xian is because of ch'en explained to her previously, but both of them even swire didn't knew that it was Xian they where after next.