The clock struck midnight, and Zyan's heart raced as he sat on his bed, staring at his trembling hands. Everyone had warned him about this moment, but nothing could prepare him for what was about to happen.
A sharp pain flared on his right hand. He gasped, watching as an intricate tattoo etched itself into his skin, glowing faintly with golden light. The design pulsed, alive and alien, as though it had a will of its own.
Before he could process the mark, a shimmering status screen appeared in front of him, floating like a projection out of thin air. The text on the screen flickered, displaying the usual welcome message every 18-year-old received:
WELCOME ZY…
Suddenly, the screen froze. Lines of corrupted text streamed across it.
(@#-:78:;!/**" Glitch )...ERROR...SYSTEM OVERRIDE DETECTED
Zyan flinched as the screen began to distort, flashing erratically. The glowing tattoo on his hand burned hotter, but instead of pain, he felt a strange sense of control.
Then, something completely unexpected happened. A new voice echoed in his mind—calm, precise, and nothing like the Administrator's booming tone.
"Host detected. Syncing with Meteoric Core. Welcome, Zyan. Personal Evolution System activated."
"What the hell?" Zyan whispered, his eyes wide. The screen in front of him changed, the glitchy mess replaced by sleek, dark graphics that looked nothing like the realm's usual system.
Personal Evolution System: ONLINE
Runic Signature: Secured
Status: Undetected by Overseer
He stared at the display, confused. "Undetected? What does that mean?"
The voice continued, answering as though reading his thoughts.
"Your system operates independently of the Realm Overseer. You are outside the rules of the evolution process. Proceed as you see fit."
Zyan's heart pounded. Outside the rules? That wasn't supposed to be possible. Everyone was bound by the Administrator's system, their lives dictated by the choice between entering the realm or losing their power. But now…
"What are you?" he asked aloud, his voice shaking.
The response was immediate.
"I am a remnant of the meteor that impacted your location two years ago. You absorbed my core energy, enabling this unique system. Together, we will evolve beyond any known limitations."
Zyan staggered back, his mind racing. The meteor. He'd almost forgotten about it. As a child, he had been near the impact site of a strange, glowing rock that vanished before anyone could study it. Could this be why he felt… different all these years?
The tattoo on his hand shifted, glowing brighter, as if responding to his thoughts.
The corrupted status screen flashed one final time before disappearing completely.
WELCOME ZY…ERROR…DISCONNECTED FROM ADMINISTRATOR
Then silence.
The morning light poured into Zyan's room, but he couldn't shake the events of the night. While others would be agonizing over the choice between entering the realm or losing their powers, Zyan faced something far stranger.
His own system. Independent. Undetectable.
The tattoo on his hand no longer glowed faintly like others he'd seen. It pulsed with an intense, rhythmic light, as though alive. When he focused on it, his personal system came online, displaying a sleek interface.
Name: Zyan Ashford
System: Personal Evolution Core
Abilities: Luminara(Level 1)
Status: Unknown to Overseer
Potential: Unlimited
His eyes lingered on the last line. Unlimited? No one in the history of evolution had ever reached the pinnacle of their potential. Every evolved human was bound by the Administrator's system, their powers capped by their status and trials. But Zyan…
He clenched his fist, electricity sparking from his fingertips. His system wasn't just a gift; it was freedom. No trials, no Administrator, no rules.
But freedom came with a cost.
"What happens if they find out?" he muttered.
The system responded instantly.
"You will be erased. The Overseer does not tolerate anomalies."
His blood ran cold. He wasn't just undetected; he was a threat to the entire process.
Still, a slow grin spread across his face. "Then they better not find out."
Zyan sat back against his bed, staring at the glowing interface in front of him, his expression one of pure frustration. "So, now what? Can I even enter the Nexus, or is your glitchy system going to ruin my plans too?"
[Yes, host, you may enter the Nexus. However, the system advises against it. The Realm Overseer may detect you as an anomaly, given that the system is still only in version 1.0.]
Zyan groaned, rolling his eyes. "Seriously? Version 1.0? You couldn't even get a decent upgrade before all this happened?"
[Host, do not underestimate my abilities. Despite my humble beginnings, I am a remnant of a very powerful parallel universe, born from the laws of time, space, death, and reincarnation. This universe merely suppresses my potential, and I... well, I prefer the term 'vintage.' It's quite charming.]
Zyan blinked, momentarily speechless. "Vintage? Are you implying you're some sort of cosmic antique?"
[The term is metaphorical, host. Think of me as… seasoned. Evolved. Beyond your comprehension.]
"Sure, 'seasoned,'" Zyan muttered, unable to keep the smirk off his face. "But that still doesn't answer my question. If I can't enter the Nexus, how the heck do I get stronger? I can't just… hang around like this forever."
[While traveling across trillions of worlds over quadrillions of years, I encountered powerful beings and classified their realms into different planes. I will select a suitable world for your reincarnation, where you will evolve and grow stronger. No more sitting around like a helpless mortal.]
Zyan arched an eyebrow. "You mean I'm getting reincarnated into someone else's body? That's a bit much, don't you think? What happens to my Earth body, just chilling in a coma while I go play superhero in some random world?"
[Your Earth body will remain in a coma state until your journey is complete. Don't worry, it'll be just fine. In fact, it's probably the most restful sleep it's ever gotten.]
Zyan sighed dramatically. "Well, I guess that's one way to look at it. But what if I can't come back? What if I get stuck in some random world forever?"
[There are ways to return to Earth, host. But for now, you will be sent to a lower plane—a mortal plane—where you will inhabit a body with unlimited potential and fate. Think of it as a fresh start, with fewer… inconvenient leg issues.]
Zyan paused. "Alright, alright, no need to rub it in about the leg thing. You've made your point."
The system fell silent for a moment, and then—[Host, you have 12 hours remaining to make your choice. Will you proceed with reincarnation now, or will you take your chances with the Realm Overseer?]
Zyan ran a hand through his hair, groaning. "Can't I just take a nap and decide later?"
[Time waits for no one, host. Will you move forward or stay behind in your mortal state?]
Zyan looked at the interface, his heart heavy. But then his thoughts turned to Maria—his fierce, loving sister, who never once turned her back on him, even when the world mocked him. He remembered her warmth, her quiet love, even though she'd never confessed it. His resolve stiffened. "No. I need to talk to her before I make any final decisions. If this is the last time I'll ever see her…"
The system hummed, almost as if understanding his pain. [As you wish, host. But remember—time is running out. Make it count.]
Zyan nodded, his mind set. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't go glitching out again, okay?"
[No guarantees, host.]
With that, Zyan stood up, heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement. Whatever came next, he was ready to face it—with a little teasing and humor along the way. After all, what's a cosmic reincarnation without a bit of sarcasm?