The first thing Raze noticed when he woke was silence — not the comfortable quiet of morning, but the weight of it.
For a moment, he didn't move. The world felt… different. His senses were sharper, his breath steadier, and even the faint hum of electricity in the walls pressed against his mind like a whisper. His body felt new — too light, too efficient, like everything inside him had been taken apart, polished, and rebuilt with precision far beyond human hands.
> [System initialization complete.]
[Template Integration: Agent Zero — 100% Synchronization achieved.]
[Genetic compatibility stabilized. All systems operational.]
The voice was still monotone, but less alien than before. It didn't echo; it resonated, like the calm logic of a machine pretending to be gentle.
Raze groaned, rubbing his face. "Still creepy, voice-in-my-head."
> [Statement acknowledged.]
He sighed, then blinked as golden runes shimmered into view across his vision — text scrolling like cascading light against a deep red border.
> [Welcome, Raze Antares C. Jackson.]
[System Type: Gacha/Lottery]
[Starter Points: 2,000]
[Specialty Ten-Roll Token: x1 (Gifted by Nono)]
His pulse quickened. He remembered Nono's words — the offer, the second chance, the strange humor in the cosmic being's voice before everything went black.
Now, here it was. The promise made real.
---
System Overview
A translucent golden window unfolded before him — neat, efficient, like the UI of a game that took itself too seriously.
> [Gacha Points (GPoints)]
Distributed during every major plot shift or change to the course of destiny.
Standard Roll: 50 Points
Ten Roll: 450 Points
Ten Roll + Template: 500 Points
Specialty Roll (World Select): 1,000 Points
"Alright, not bad," Raze muttered, rubbing his neck. "Fifty a roll, huh? Nono really wasn't kidding about it being a lottery."
> [Would you like to perform your gifted Specialty Ten-Roll?]
He hesitated only long enough to smirk. "Let's roll, baby."
---
[Specialty Ten-Roll — Initiating…]
Ten golden cards spun in the air before him, suspended in glowing starlight. Each shimmered with faint symbols of worlds he recognized — faint outlines of cities, emblems, and weapons etched in crimson light.
As the cards flipped one by one, each release came with a whisper of energy, flooding his vision.
---
1. Adaptive Combat Suit (Elite)
> Source: Marvel Universe (Weapon X Division)
Lightweight, reactive nano-weave suit capable of absorbing kinetic impact and storing residual energy for short bursts of speed or strength.
"...So Agent Zero wasn't kidding about fashion sense," Raze muttered, eyeing the sleek armor forming into a black metallic case near his desk.
---
2. Tactical Reflex Booster (Implant)
> Source: Deus Ex Universe
Enhances reflex response time by 220%. Allows time-dilation perception during combat for 2.5 seconds.
His eyes widened. "Holy—okay, that's overpowered."
---
3. Basic Marksmanship Memory Pack
> Source: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Series
Contains the cumulative skill data of top-tier sniper units.
---
4. Spartan Endurance Serum (Minor)
> Source: Halo Universe
Early-stage bio-serum developed for durability enhancement. Not a super soldier serum, but close.
---
5. Prototype Power Gauntlets
> Source: Original Item
Customizable kinetic-channeling gloves capable of stabilizing recoil from high-caliber weapons.
---
6. Language Comprehension Module
> Source: Mass Effect Universe
Allows instant translation of any known or similar linguistic structure. Requires minimal energy upkeep.
---
7. Stealth Field Generator
> Source: Predator Franchise
Personal cloaking device with limited duration. Heat signatures remain faintly visible under infrared.
---
8. Combat Drone — Model X5
> Source: Titanfall Universe
Autonomous support drone armed with dual machine pistols. Responds to neural link.
---
9. "Spectre" Combat Training Manual
> Source: Rainbow Six Universe
Provides tactical awareness, cover usage optimization, and small-unit coordination training.
---
10. Super Soldier Serum (Seven Vials)
> Source: Marvel Universe (SSR Variant)
A perfected variant of the serum. Grants peak human physicality, regenerative properties, and heightened neural efficiency.
---
The cards disintegrated into golden particles, surging into his body. His muscles clenched — not painfully, but intensely, as if his DNA itself was reconfiguring. Energy coiled through him like a storm restrained.
He fell to his knees, gasping.
> [Assimilation of "Agent Zero" template complete.]
[Mutation Stabilized.]
[Cellular harmony achieved — hybrid DNA synchronized.]
"...You could've warned me!" Raze groaned.
> [Warning would not have changed the pain threshold.]
"Wow. Thanks for the compassion, Siri 2.0."
---
When the glow faded, he sat back on the floor — breathing heavily but smiling faintly. His skin felt electric. His body hummed with restrained potential. He wasn't just reborn — he was evolved.
He exhaled, shoulders shaking. "Alright... time to see what I can do."
---
Adapting to Strength
The rest of the night was a blur of discovery.
He moved — lightly, powerfully — his body responding like liquid precision. Every motion felt right. Every breath seemed to synchronize with an unseen rhythm.
He tested himself — push-ups, pull-ups, simple lifts — and by the time dawn filtered through the curtains, Raze had learned something crucial:
He wasn't human anymore. Not entirely.
He smiled grimly at his reflection. "Guess that's one way to deal with teenage insecurity."
---
The Junkyard Discovery
That afternoon, Nick dragged him out of the house.
"Come on, Raze. You've been locked in your room for two days. We're heading to the junkyard — gotta check out what old Mr. Barlowe's selling before someone else does."
Raze shrugged but followed. He needed the air — and maybe the distraction.
The old junkyard stretched behind a chain-link fence, rusted cars and twisted metal glinting under the sun. Nick, cheerful as always, hopped a tire pile with the confidence of someone who'd been here way too often.
Then they heard it — a low whine, faint but urgent, coming from under an old steel frame.
Nick crouched. "You hear that?"
Raze knelt beside him and peered through the gap. Two faintly glowing eyes stared back — terrified, but defiant. The creature crawled out hesitantly, trembling.
A pup.
Small, maybe twenty pounds, pitch black fur streaked with red undertones that shimmered like embers when the light hit right. The most striking feature, though, was the narrow strip of rough scales running between its eyes — a jagged ridge that pulsed faintly when it growled.
Nick blinked. "Dude… what is that?"
Raze tilted his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "Badass, that's what."
---
The Vet Visit
The local vet's office was a sterile cube of beige and disinfectant. The old veterinarian — Dr. Hemsworth — examined the pup with mild curiosity.
"Well, boys," he said, tapping his pen. "Healthy enough, aside from some malnutrition. But this ridge here—" he tapped the scaled strip gently "—appears to be an access keratin growth. Rare, but harmless. Sort of like a callus mutation. Possibly mixed breed with some exotic strain."
Raze raised an eyebrow. "So… not an alien hellhound?"
The vet gave him a flat look. "Son, I've seen worse in bulldogs."
---
Naming the Pup
By the time they left, the pup had already decided Raze was his person — following him closely, occasionally nudging his leg. Nick laughed.
"Looks like you got a shadow, man."
Raze knelt, scratching its chin. The faint glow in its eyes softened. "You need a name, huh?"
He thought for a moment, watching the creature's ember-colored fur ripple in the sunlight.
"How about… Onyx?"
The pup wagged its tail once — then barked softly, as if in approval.
"Onyx it is," Raze said, smiling.
---
The Night After
Later that night, as Nick snored on the couch and Onyx slept at his feet, Raze sat before his glowing screen again.
> [GPoints Remaining: 1,500]
[Would you like to perform a single roll? Cost: 50 GPoints]
"Yeah," he murmured. "Let's see what fate's got next."
He tapped "Confirm."
A single golden card flipped in the air, scattering sparks of light.
> Item Acquired: Blueprint – Quantum Encrypted Communication Device (Original)
Description: Prototype schematic for a closed-network, high-security communication system. Capable of operating independently from global internet infrastructure.
Raze stared, then grinned slowly.
"Well, guess I'm making my own phone network."
---
He didn't sleep that night. Instead, he coded — sketches, schematics, calculations, all pouring out faster than he could process. His mind ran like a machine, fueled by new intuition and Agent Zero's tactical intelligence.
By sunrise, his desk was covered in blueprints, and a faint hum filled the air — the soft pulse of something new being born.
The first ember of Helios Corporation flickered into existence.
---
> [Observation: You appear… content.]
The voice broke the silence again — still monotone, but slightly curious.
Raze smiled faintly. "Guess I am. But you need a name, don't you?"
[Designation unnecessary.]
"Yeah, well, it's awkward calling you 'System.'" He leaned back, eyes glinting. "You're efficient, powerful, bright... Nova suits you."
A long pause. Then —
> [Acknowledged. Designation accepted: Nova.]
[System personality calibration… updating…]
When Nova spoke again, her tone carried a faint warmth — like a whisper of humanity through data.
> [Good evening, Raze. And… thank you.]
He smiled. "Don't mention it, partner. We've got a long road ahead."
At his feet, Onyx stirred and whined softly — the small spark of hellfire beneath his scales pulsing faintly with the rhythm of Raze's heartbeat.
And above them, the golden runes shimmered one last time before fading into the dark.
---
End of Chapter 2: Rebirth and Rerolls
---