--Awakening--
The incessant beeping of a heart monitor dragged him from a deep void. His eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but he managed to crack them open. A white ceiling stared back, sterile and unfamiliar.
Pain shot through his body as soon as he shifted slightly, forcing a sharp groan from his throat. His chest ached, his ribs felt like they'd been crushed, and his entire body throbbed with soreness.
Where am I?
Turning his head, he saw the tubes snaking into his arms and the IV stand nearby. The scent of antiseptic filled his nostrils. A hospital? But why?
Before he could dwell further, a voice echoed in his mind—calm and firm, yet otherworldly.
"Eric Thorn, you have been chosen."
His heart skipped a beat. The voice continued, projected directly into his thoughts.
"Due to your selfless act of sacrificing yourself to save the life of a child, you have been blessed by Mother Earth. You now possess incredible understanding—a gift that allows you to perceive, analyse, and deduce information at a level far beyond ordinary comprehension. Use it wisely."
The message ended as abruptly as it began. He blinked, confused and disoriented.
Eric Thorn? Who's Eric Thorn?
Before he could think further, a flood of memories crashed into him like a tidal wave. He clutched his head as fragments of a life that wasn't his own played out in vivid detail:
A man—Eric Thorn—whose family was murdered by five gangsters. A courtroom that let the killers walk free after a short six-year sentence, labelling it involuntary manslaughter. Six years spent training in secret, fuelled by a burning desire for revenge. A confrontation that ended in failure—Eric beaten, broken, and left for dead.
As the memories subsided, clarity washed over him. He wasn't just in Eric Thorn's body. He was Eric Thorn now.
Pain radiated from his ribs with every breath, but something strange was happening. His mind was sharper than it had ever been. Details leaped out at him: the rhythm of his breathing, the tightness of his muscles, the throbbing of his bruises.
And then it happened.
A sudden mental notification appeared, like text popping up in his mind's eye:
[You analyse your body's condition. You discover shallow breathing patterns and realize that regulating your breathing can reduce strain and promote recovery. New skill acquired: Basic Breathing Techniques.]
The text faded, but its implications didn't.
What the hell was that?
Before he could question it, his instincts kicked in. He inhaled deeply, slowly, letting the air fill his lungs, then exhaled in an equally measured pace. Almost instantly, his chest felt a little less tight. The pain didn't vanish, but it became manageable.
Fascinated, he continued experimenting. After a few minutes of controlled breathing, another notification appeared:
[You refine your breathing technique. Pain is reduced by 10%. Comfort level increased. Basic Breathing Techniques proficiency +1.]
A wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips despite the pain. Whatever this "gift of incredible understanding" was, it wasn't a joke.
As the hours passed, he decided to test his newfound ability further. He focused inward, analysing the sensations in his body. The sharp ache in his ribs, the dull throb in his head, even the slight numbness in his fingertips—all of it fed him information.
A new notification appeared:
[You focus on your body's condition. You deduce the nature of your injuries: fractured ribs, internal bruising, and muscle strain. Recovery will take an estimated 4–6 weeks with proper care. Warning: Excessive movement will worsen injuries.]
The precision of the information left him speechless. His body didn't feel like an enigma anymore—it was an open book, and he could read every line.
But the true test came when he turned his attention to the memories of Eric Thorn. The flood of emotions—the rage, the sorrow, the helplessness—was overwhelming. He needed to understand them, to make sense of his situation.
He closed his eyes and focused. As if responding to his intent, a new notification appeared:
[You access the memories of the original host. You gain insight into Eric Thorn's life, his motivations, and the events leading to his death. Memory Integration Progress: 40%. New skill unlocked: Vigilante Training (Basic).]
The memories became clearer. He saw Eric's rigorous training—boxing drills, firearms practice, stakeouts in dark alleys. It wasn't the training of a professional, but it was enough to give him a fighting chance.
By the time he opened his eyes, the hospital room was bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset. The pain in his body was still there, but his mind felt stronger, more capable.
He flexed his fingers, testing the limits of his mobility. His fists clenched tightly, the anger bubbling beneath the surface.
The gangsters who killed Eric's family were still out there, free to roam the streets. The original Eric Thorn had failed to bring them to justice.
But he wasn't the old Eric Thorn. He was something more now.
He stared at the hospital window, the city lights twinkling in the distance. This world was harsh, brutal, and unforgiving. But for the first time, Eric Thorn—or whoever he had become—felt like he had the tools to fight back.
The path ahead wouldn't be easy. He'd need to heal, plan, and grow stronger. But one thing was certain: he wasn't going to waste this second chance.