The Next Morning
[Master, translation complete.]
Om sat hunched over his study desk, scribbling a series of symbols into a notebook with intense focus. At the message, he paused, gently closed the notebook, leaned back, and took a deep breath.
"How is it?" he asked.
[The book mostly contains rhymes, chants, and philosophical texts. But the intention behind them—it's scientific in nature. Ancient knowledge wrapped in philosophy.]
"Oh really…"
He stared at the ceiling for a second, lost in thought.
"So… is creating an inheritance feasible now?"
[For now, what we understand is that these words are the foundational units of an ancient language. They respond to very specific frequencies.]
[However, building a complete inheritance system with them is still out of reach. We lack too much data.]
Om exhaled sharply. "So, this is the end of the rope…?"
[Not entirely.]
That line sparked Om's curiosity.
"…How?"
[Until now, I could only process what you see in the external world. I haven't been able to access what you see in your consciousness.]
[But… if I can directly observe the behavior of the words within your inner perception—then I can accelerate our understanding.]
"You're right. I can't fully comprehend them with my current cognitive ability. But if we sync…"
[Yes. If I connect myself not only to your physical senses but also to your consciousness, our progress would be exponential.]
"And the cost?"
[I will become a part of your body. Your cognitive, sensory, and some physical attributes will improve. However… your body will undergo changes at the cellular level.]
Om sat up straighter, eyes narrowing.
"Will they be visible?"
[Slightly. Estimated visible change: 3%.]
"Any side effects?"
[Yes. The process will be extremely painful. You must remain awake for the full duration.]
Om smirked. "I'm already in pain."
[No, Master. I mean truly painful.]
He chuckled. "Even better."
"So… when do we begin?"
[If you allow me, we can start now.]
Om stood up, stretching his arms.
"Not yet. This process is long, and I don't want any interruptions."
"Zero, call Mr. Narad."
[Connecting...]
Ring... Ring... Click.
Narad: "Hello."
Om: "Mr. Narad, I need your help."
Narad: "Heh. First time I'm hearing that. What kind of help?"
Om: "It's about my inheritance. I'm on the edge of a breakthrough."
Narad: "Go on."
Om: "I'm going to isolate myself in my room for six days. I need absolute silence and no interruptions."
Narad: "Six days? What about food?"
Om: "Unnecessary."
Narad: "…Are you sure?"
Om: "Yes."
Narad: "Fine. I'll station guards outside your door. No one will disturb you."
Beep. Call ended.
Om took a few slow steps across the room, then stopped.
"A problem still remains…"
"…Mr. Raj."
"Zero, can you contact Mr. Raj's whip?"
[Attempting. Please wait…]
[Beep…]
[No response.]
Om clicked his tongue. "Then we'll go see Raj ourselves—"
Knock knock.
He turned.
Without asking, he opened the door.
Floating outside—was the whip.
{Were you guys missing me?} it said with a smug flick of its cord.
Om blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
{Hey. I've got free will, you know. I can go where I want.}
"Come in."
The whip slithered in casually.
"Zero, bring it up to speed."
Within moments, Zero explained the integration plan.
The room fell into a quiet hum of tension.
{You're both serious about this?}
{This sounds risky. And… maybe irreversible.}
Om observed the whip. It was trembling—not from fear, but from anticipation.
"…Why are you shaking?"
{I don't know about you—but I'm excited}, the whip replied, its voice nearly trembling with glee.
Om grinned. "Good."
"Then let's begin."
[Ready.]
{Same here.}
Om sat cross-legged on the floor, breathing calmly.
"Zero, start the integration."
1…
2…
3…
[Installation begins…]