"Damn you..."
The words escaped through Ace's teeth, heavy with an unfamiliar weight. Before him, Zis leaned forward, letting out a provocative, light chuckle.
"Don't worry, you weren't actually going to die. This virtual world translates your imagination into pain, but it leaves your body intact in the end. The pain is real... but ultimately, it's just the echo of a simulation."
Ace didn't take the bait. With a cold, fleeting glance, he checked the wound on his abdomen. "True. The simulation is precise."
Zis's laughter cut off abruptly, replaced by a more somber tone. "Except for that insect... it's a reality I brought from the physical world. It wasn't a projection; it was a necessity. You needed it to kill those useless emotions that cloud your judgment. And now, it seems your 'Kili' system has begun to tame the agony, filtering your senses as you wish—unless you choose to dive into the full effect."
Ace's gaze froze. He stared into Zis's eyes with silent defiance, his voice as sharp as a blade: "How do you know about my system... Kili?"
Zis stepped back and threw himself onto the ground, groaning with exaggerated effort. "Ah... the pain! I was a friend of your parents, boy—especially your father. I witnessed the moments you no longer remember. When you were four, things got difficult in 'Java' and they fled. But they returned, sneaking back through a secret breach in the Wall."
Zis paused, his eyes gleaming with an old memory. "The Black Wall Organization has no mercy for returnees. Realizing the end was near, they forged that gold ring. It's not mere jewelry; it's a vessel for a chip that reads the 'Loom'. It binds to the world's codes and the threads of your own body, sensing frequencies to accelerate your growth. They were meant to give it to you as a child—I'm not sure why they waited."
A faint image from the past flickered in Ace's mind. His father's voice whispering: "Do you see this ring? This is our legacy to you when we are gone."
A heavy silence followed, broken by Zis suddenly leaping up with renewed excitement. "Try saying... 'Status'."
Ace knit his brows in suspicion, but he spoke the word calmly: "Status."
A faint glow erupted, and a message appeared that made his heart skip a beat:
[Welcome, Master... once again. My ambition this time is for you to know yourself... and me. Good luck, do not give up. (A message from your parents)]
A list of customization options followed: changing the interface, colors, fonts, and even skill names. Ace stared at the screen with a wonder he couldn't entirely mask, while Zis stood beside him wagging his tail like a fool, waiting for a reaction with a vacant, dim-witted expression.
Ignoring Zis's feigned stupidity, Ace addressed the system: "What about me?"
Kili responded instantly. The codes shifted, and an advanced purple screen expanded—easy on the eyes yet vibrating with the aura of ancient, high technology:
[USER DATA]
Level: 0 | Rank: I
Lineage: Hybrid (Javanese + "Desert Dwellers" Pharaohs)
Type: Raw - Commoner (Entanglement: 100% | Detanglement: 0%)
Awakening Code: Biological Process Acceleration
Stats:
Strength: 31 | Speed: 31 | Presence: 31
Agility: 2 | Intelligence: 10
(Khopesh Weapon Bonus: +30 Strength/Speed/Presence)
Physical Condition: Emotional Void (Due to Dopamine Parasite).
Perk: Full Emotional State Control.
[DAILY QUEST]
Objective: Accelerate two biological processes.
Reward: 5 Stat Points + 5 System Customization Points.
Ace closed the screen, staring into the void with suppressed bitterness. "Great... just my luck."