Fragmented memories swam around his head—some willingly opening their tales to him like a storybook, while others slithered away, just beyond reach—elusive and shadowed.
One memory in particular was vivid, almost disturbingly so.
It wasn't like the others. It didn't feel like a memory at all.
It played out like a movie.
---
A young man with pale white skin sat on his throne, dry heaving, his breathing harsh and uneven.
For some inexplicable reason, his body felt worse than usual.
The shift had started after breakfast, during his morning exercises—just a subtle offbeat in his rhythm, a strange heaviness in his limbs. So, he decided to rest. Just briefly.
Now, he regretted it.
His eyes felt heavy beyond reason. Feeling the end drawing near, he reluctantly took his final breath, his eyes closing forever.
---
Michael sucked in a lungful of air as clarity struck like lightning.
The body he had taken over wasn't in prime condition—not by any stretch. In fact, it seemed this frail shell had given out, its soul quietly slipping away, leaving the door open for Michael to walk in and claim what remained.
With newfound understanding and unspoken reverence, Michael dropped to his knees, bowing his head low. He kowtowed three times—a tradition plucked from Xiao Ren's memories, a gesture of respect and thanks.
"I promise," he whispered, his voice steady but soft, "I'll live your life in the best way possible."
Just as he was about to rise and turn toward the throne, a knock shattered the silence.
Knock knock knock.
The sound thundered through the chamber, reverberating off the cavern's walls.
Michael tensed while remaining silent. He wasn't ready to deal with anybody yet. He was still organizing his new memories, and didn't want to risk anything by speaking thoughtlessly.
Time slowly passed, and just when Michael thought his plan had worked, his ears picked up a muffled voice from beyond the door.
"Did it work?..."
"Seems like. Should we check it out?"
The words were distant, dampened by thick wood and stone, but clear enough to stir dread in Michael's chest.
Did what work?
Michael suddenly had a bad feeling. Before his mind could dwell on it, the huge doors cracked open, creaking loudly as they slowly swung inward.
A lone head cautiously poked through the opening—
Then froze.
Obsidian black eyes stared back, cold and unreadable.
Something about those eyes twisted the man's insides. An involuntary shiver crept down his spine.
"Hey, what are you doing?" another voice whispered harshly. A second figure followed closely behind, squeezing through the gap.
Then he too stopped—paralyzed, caught in that same petrifying gaze.
A heavy silence lingered in the air, only to be sliced apart by a deep voice—low, smooth, and dangerous.
"And who gave you the right to enter my halls?"
The sheer weight behind those words made the intruders flinch. They exchanged a glance—a silent exchange of panic and regret.
The taller of the two stepped forward first.
"Greetings, Grand Elder," the man said, bowing at a rigid ninety degrees, his right fist slamming against his chest in a practiced salute.
"We came to report our surveillance findings. We knocked… but when there was no response, we assumed something had gone wrong and entered."
Xiao Ren stared at them, unmoving. His gaze was unreadable—cold, like still water hiding a deadly current.
"You think if something had happened to me, you could have handled it?" Xiao Ren asked.
The question wasn't loud, but it cut deep.
"Next time," he continued, his voice sharper now, toned like a blade drawn in the dark, "assume slower."
Silence followed. The weight of his words pressed on the room like gravity.
The man who spoke swallowed hard, his salute faltering just slightly. His companion kept his eyes on the floor, as if afraid to meet Xiao Ren's gaze.
Xiao Ren finally moved—just a step forward. Not fast, not loud. But it made them both tense.
"You entered without permission," he continued, tone flat, almost bored. "That's either bravery…"
He paused, eyes flicking between the two.
"…or stupidity."
No one dared respond.
He turned his back on them, walking toward the throne of the chamber.
"Next time, wait… Or don't bother reporting back at all."
Taking that as a cue to exit, the two men saluted before shuffling out of the room like shadows escaping the light.
Bang.
The doors slammed shut behind them.
Michael collapsed into the throne, his strong front crumbling away. His legs, which had stood firm moments ago, now trembled like jelly beneath him.
What the hell just happened?!
It was almost like he had been possessed the moment the door opened.
His mouth had moved, but the words hadn't felt like his.
He didn't talk like that.
He didn't act like that.
It wasn't just unusual—it was unnatural.
And just as that thought surfaced, reality decided to up the ante.
A transparent blue screen shimmered into existence before him, flickering slightly in the dim chamber light.
Cough cough cough.
His breath hitched. His chest burned violently.
His frail heart beat wildly from all the excitement he had just been through.
Something wet smeared his palm. He looked down.
Crimson.
Blood.
He blinked, dazed.
Did I just almost die from fright?
Wiping his hands on his robes with shaky fingers, Michael turned his attention nervously to the glowing blue screen in front of him.
---
STATUS SCREEN
Name: Xiao Ren
Race: Human
Age: 32
Title: Grand Elder (Remote Intelligence Outpost)
Condition: Frail Constitution, Chronic Illness, OCD (symmetry and orderliness), Poisoned
---
STATS (Average Human = 10)
Strength: 6
(Well, it's a good thing you don't need to win any arm-wrestling contests. Maybe you should consider a career in… poetry?)
Agility: 12
(You're not exactly lightning fast, but you can probably outrun a tortoise. Just don't try to escape anything too fast.)
Dexterity: 16
(Alright, now we're talking. You can probably cut through the air as easily as your sword slices through flesh. Impressive, if I'm being honest.)
Intelligence: 18
(Now we're talking. Your mind's sharp enough to cut through even the most complex problems—no wonder you were a Grand Elder. You're no simple strategist; you see the battlefield in ways others can't.)
Evaluation:
Not bad… Not bad at all. You've got some bite behind that frail bark. Keep sharpening that sword, and you might just climb out of the pit called irrelevance. But don't get cocky—you're one bad day from being average.
---
Talent: —
Danger Sense:
If anyone's sneaking up on you, they'll have to deal with your sixth sense for danger. You might not be able to dodge a punch, but at least you'll see it coming.
Sword Mastery:
Your sword skills are nearly flawless—every movement precise, every strike calculated. There's no sword you can't handle, and few who can match you.
---
Stat Descriptions
Strength (6):
Represents raw physical power and force. Affects how much damage Xiao Ren can inflict with physical strikes and how much weight he can lift. Due to Xiao Ren's frail body and chronic health issues, his physical strength is well below average.
Agility (12):
Measures speed, reaction time, and fluidity of movement. Impacts how quickly you can move, dodge, or perform quick actions in combat. Although Xiao Ren's body is weak, his training as an elite soldier maintains a moderate level of agility.
Dexterity (16):
Reflects coordination, precision, and control. Affects how well you can wield a sword or perform tasks that require finesse. Xiao Ren's swordsmanship and battle coordination are exceptional, developed through years of elite training.
Intelligence (18):
Represents cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, tactical thinking, and strategy. Xiao Ren is a master tactician, with an intellect far above the average person. His experience as a battlefield commander and Grand Elder enhances his sharpness.
---
Talent (—)
Danger Sense:
This unique talent heightens Xiao Ren's awareness of potential threats around him. He can sense danger, killing intent, or ambushes before they occur, giving him a defensive edge in dangerous situations.
Sword Mastery:
Xiao Ren's talent for swordsmanship is beyond exceptional. His ability to read the flow of battle and execute complex strikes with ease makes him a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
---
Synchronization Rate: 5%