The air inside the abandoned warehouse was thick with the smell of burnt electronics and dust, the heavy scent of defeat lingering as Lin Chen surveyed the battlefield. He was exhausted, his body battered from the brutal fight with the hacker-host—Subject A-004, as the system had named him. His movements were slow, almost mechanical, but there was a certain calmness now. A clarity. He had just walked through hell, and come out on the other side stronger.
Beside him lay the wreckage of the hacker, sprawled in a heap, his fingers twitching in the aftermath of the combat. The battle had been a test of wits, a clash of systems—Lin Chen's own, and the one embedded within his opponent. His adversary had tried to invade the very fabric of Lin Chen's system, manipulating the very parameters of the battlefield. But in the end, the hacker had underestimated something fundamental.
Lin Chen wasn't just a man anymore. He was a product of evolution. A system-bound weapon.
[System Update: Host's victory confirmed. Subject A-004 neutralized.][System Notification: Reclaiming Host Ability Module from Subject A-004. Transmitting to Host now.][New Skill Acquired: Logic Penetration Lv. 1][Skill Description: Ability to perceive and interpret complex data flows, bypassing security protocols and hidden layers of information. Effective against systems, firewalls, and neural defenses.]
He looked down at the hacker, a twisted grin etched on his face even in death. Lin Chen's gaze lingered for a moment, the silent satisfaction of victory filling the void within him. This was the second time he had come out on top after a battle against another "host" like himself. But it was more than just victory—it was a signal that the game had changed. That he was now a force to be reckoned with, a predator among predators.
"Is that all you've got?" Lin Chen muttered, feeling the weight of the system's new power coursing through him. His fingers twitched, instinctively tapping on the nearby terminal. The system was already analyzing the hacker's code, extracting fragments of information that could unlock more of his potential. The battle had only just begun, and now, Lin Chen was a different creature entirely.
The system beeped quietly, alerting him to the successful transfer of the hacker's skill module. He could feel a subtle shift, like the unlocking of a new door inside his mind. Logic Penetration. The very essence of hacking, bending the will of systems and data with a mere thought. It was the ability to see through layers of encryption and firewalls, to peer into the deepest recesses of code and manipulate it to his will.
A skill that could prove invaluable.
Lin Chen leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment. He knew this wasn't just about the fight. This was part of something bigger. The more he unlocked, the closer he got to the truth.
A buzzing noise suddenly broke his concentration.
[System Alert: New Incoming Transmission. Source: Erebus Organization.][Message: "We know you're getting stronger. We won't let you get away. Prepare for the next phase."]
His eyes snapped open.
Erebus. They were onto him. He had expected this, but hearing it in black-and-white text was a stark reminder of the danger he was facing. It was only a matter of time before they came after him with everything they had. The hacker had been the first shot across the bow. There would be more.
But Lin Chen wasn't scared. Not anymore. Not after everything he had gone through. He was ready.
He turned to the terminal once more, the faint blue glow illuminating his face. There were files buried deep in the hacker's system—fragments of information that could change everything. If he was going to take down Erebus, he needed to know who he was truly up against. The hacker had been part of their inner circle, a pawn used to infiltrate and manipulate networks. But the real power, the one pulling the strings, was still out of reach.
A series of encrypted files appeared on the screen, and Lin Chen's heart raced as the system began its work.
[System Update: Decryption in progress…][Decrypting File #1… Complete.][Decrypting File #2… Complete.][Decrypting File #3… Complete.]
The screen blinked. A new folder appeared, marked with a simple label: "Project Solace".
His breath caught in his throat. The words "Project Solace" were like a trigger, a dark warning that reverberated deep within him. This was no coincidence. This was tied to his past. Tied to the system that had been injected into him all those years ago.
He clicked on the folder, opening the first file.
[File #1: "Subject B-013: Phase Zero"][Project Solace Overview: An advanced experiment initiated by Erebus, designed to integrate human consciousness with a highly advanced neural system. Subjects are modified and implanted with artificial cognitive enhancements. Key objectives: control and manipulation of neural networks, mental adaptation for future integration with artificial intelligence.][Current Status: Subject B-013 active. Neural resonance confirmed. Preliminary results show an 89.4% success rate.]
Lin Chen's pulse quickened. His mind raced, piecing together the fragments of his life that had been hidden for so long.
Subject B-013. That's me. The very system implanted into him—"Solace"—was no accident. It had all been part of Erebus's grand design. He was nothing more than a test subject in a twisted experiment.
The files were more than just a collection of technical jargon; they were his origin. He had been born into this world as a product of Erebus's influence, his entire existence manipulated for their gain. They hadn't just created him as a system host—they had designed him to be something more.
Something dangerous.
The First Step of Revenge
Lin Chen leaned back, his thoughts consuming him as the implications of the files sank in. The path ahead was clear now. Erebus had started this, but he would end it. The organization might have had control over his past, but they would never have control over his future. He had the power now, the resources, and the will to expose them for what they were.
He wasn't just going to take them down. He was going to destroy them.
As the night deepened, Lin Chen set his resolve. He wasn't just going to play this game anymore. He was going to make Erebus regret ever turning him into their weapon.
[System Prompt: New Mission Activated. Objective: Destroy Project Solace.][Mission Reward: Unlock Hidden System Functionality.][Warning: Completing this mission will initiate a global shift in the power structure. Host will face escalated threat levels from Erebus and allied forces.]
Lin Chen smiled grimly, the thrill of battle coursing through him.
Let them come.