**[SYSTEM INITIALIZATION - PHOENIX CORE ONLINE]**
**[SUBJECT: JIN - STATUS: REVIVAL IN PROGRESS]**
Alarms blared through Jin's consciousness as red light flickered behind his eyelids. He could taste copper in his mouth. His vision swam into focus on a curved surface inches from his face.
"Vital signs stabilizing. Cryogenic reversal sequence 98% complete. Neurological activity resuming. Welcome back, Jin."
**[HP: 15/100]**
**[STAMINA: 10/100]**
**[STATUS: CRYO-SICKNESS (-50% ALL ATTRIBUTES)]**
"I-I… can't… move…" Jin choked out, his lungs burning.
"Motor functions returning at 32%. Normal for prolonged stasis. Do not be alarmed."
**[MUSCULAR CONTROL: 32% → 45%]**
"Where… where am I? Who… who are you?" Jin managed to turn his head, dizziness overwhelming him.
"Welcome to Cryo-Preservation Unit 734, Bay Alpha, Cryo-Vault Terminus. I'm Asha, the Phoenix Core AI. Connected to your biological systems. Project Phoenix objectives require your immediate attention."
**[NEW QUEST ACTIVATED: FIRST AWAKENING]**
**[PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE REVIVAL]**
**[REWARD: 100 EXP | PHOENIX CORE ACCESS LEVEL 1]**
Jin fumbled with the quick-release buckle on his chest strap. It clicked open. "P-project Phoenix?" The name meant nothing to him. With effort, he freed his legs, slumping forward onto the cold metal floor.
**[MUSCULAR CONTROL: 45% → 60%]**
"Other cryo-units stable but not scheduled for revival. Your awakening is an anomaly. Power surge to your unit triggered revival sequence."
**[SYSTEM ALERT: POWER CRITICAL]**
**[VAULT ENERGY: 12% AND FALLING]**
"So… it's just me?" Jin's hands shook as he pushed himself up. He saw rows of identical cryo-pods, all sealed, emergency lights flickering.
"I remember… sunshine… my mom…" A fleeting image of a woman's smiling face flickered, then vanished.
"Pre-stasis memories fragmented. Vault chronometer: 100 years, 4 months, 12 days since Project Phoenix initiated."
**[TIMESTAMP: YEAR 2124 - POST-CATASTROPHE ERA]**
Jin swayed, gripping the cryo-pod edge. "A hundred… no. That's… impossible. There was a warning… emergency broadcast…"
"Indeed. The 'Sunflare Scorch' event, followed by Viral Neuro-Degenerative Syndrome. Humanity collapsed. You and the other cryo-subjects represent genetic protection. Humanity's last hope."
Jin's gaze swept across the frozen sleepers. Suddenly, transparent writing flooded his vision:
___
**[SYSTEM OBJECTIVES – PRIORITY DIRECTIVE]**
**Designation: Critical Wake Protocol – Phase 1**
**Assigned: Jin [PHOENIX PRIME GENETIC MARKER – VERIFIED]**
**PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:**
→ **Evaluate Vault Integrity**
• Conduct environmental assessment
• Map power relay nodes
• Identify immediate threats
→ **Navigate to CRYO-BAY ALPHA: CONTROL ROOM**
• Establish access to Command Terminal
• Restore cryo-stasis management systems
• Confirm biometric status of all subjects
**[SYSTEM ALERT – VAULT CORE READINGS]**
**Power Core Levels: 12% (CRITICAL)**
**Structural Integrity: FRAGILE**
**Backup Generator: OFFLINE**
**Ambient Temperature: BORDERLINE**
**Cryo-Stasis Stability: FLUCTUATING – FAILURE MARGIN: 7.4%**
**TIME REMAINING: 87 MINUTES**
___
**[NEW QUEST UPDATED: RACE AGAINST TIME]**
**[OBJECTIVE: REACH CONTROL ROOM IN 15 MINUTES]**
**[REWARD: 200 EXP | SURVIVAL GUARANTEED]**
"What… what is that?" Jin blinked.
"Phoenix Core interface. Provides objectives and analysis. Prioritize current objective. Other cryo-subjects depend on remaining power."
**[MUSCULAR CONTROL: 60% → 75%]**
"Okay, Asha." Jin took a deep breath. "Control Room. Which way?"
"Proceed left corridor, third access tunnel. Current muscle mass not advised for sprinting."
**[PATHFINDING ACTIVATED: ROUTE TO CONTROL ROOM HIGHLIGHTED]**
Jin's internal HUD illuminated a path down the left corridor. His cryo-suit boots scraped against the metal floor, too loud in the oppressive silence.
"The corridor splits. Maintain current position. 200 meters from Control Room. Power fluctuations detected ahead. Caution advised."
**[THREAT ASSESSMENT: UNKNOWN - CAUTION RECOMMENDED]**
Jin glanced down the side passage, darker and narrower. His instincts screamed danger. "This place feels...sad, Asha."
"Emotional response to visible decay and absence of humanity. No maintenance for 87 years."
Jin passed a small, boxy machine covered in dust. One optical sensor was dark.
**[INTERACTIVE OBJECT: SANITATION CUSTODIAN UNIT MARK IV]**
**[STATUS: DEACTIVATED - POWER CELL EXHAUSTED]**
"Asha, what about this one? Was it waiting for someone?"
"Internal chronometer indicates power cell exhausted during 20th operational year. Programming simply ceased."
**[OPTIONAL OBJECTIVE: REPAIR SANITATION UNIT]**
**[REQUIREMENTS: TECHNICAL SKILL LEVEL 1]**
**[REWARD: 50 EXP | LOCAL AREA CLEANSED]**
Without thinking, Jin brushed dust from the drone's chassis. "There. A bit better."
"Unnecessary energy expenditure. Priority remains power crisis."
"But... it looked unhappy." Jin gave the drone a final pat and moved on.
At the hallway end, thick wires and pipes protruded from the wall. One large pipe was frosty, icicles dripping onto the floor.
**[HAZARD: COOLANT LEAK - EXTREME TEMPERATURE]**
**[WARNING: DIRECT CONTACT CAUSES FROSTBITE]**
Jin felt cold seeping through his fingertips. The control room entrance was ahead, massive steel door labeled: SECTOR COMMAND - CRYO OPERATIONS.
**[FINAL APPROACH TO CONTROL ROOM]**
**[DISTANCE: 10 METERS]**
The room was huge, quiet except for dripping water. Tables overturned, trays scattered—evacuation in progress. A large cracked painting showed people laughing outdoors.
"They were... still eating. They thought they were safe here."
"Analysis indicates quick evacuation 87 years after stasis initiation. Cause: widespread system failure."
**[CONTROL ROOM ACCESS: SECURED]**
Jin nodded, senses on high alert. Behind the mess hall, the blast door awaited. His HUD pointed directly to it. Machine noise grew louder, vibrations through his boots.
"This is it? The main brain place?" Jin tilted his head. "Safe, Asha?"
"Certainly the Control Room. My sensors show failing systems trying to maintain core activities. Approach with caution."
**[BIOMETRIC ACCESS REQUIRED]**
**[SECURITY LEVEL: PHOENIX PRIME]**
Jin slapped his hand on the bio-scanner. Multiple clicks echoed as the blast door slid open, shaking violently.
**[SECURITY OVERRIDE: COMPLETE]**
**[ALERT: UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED - SYSTEMS COMPROMISED]**
Beyond the door, pitch black with flickering red emergency lights. Consoles lined the walls, covered in dust, wires dangling from the ceiling. In the center, a massive circular holographic display table was completely dark.
"This place seems... like it needs tough fixing."
"Systems operating beyond intended capacity. Emergency backup power for approximately 7.3 years. Locate primary command console."
**[OBJECTIVE UPDATED: LOCATE PRIMARY CONSOLE]**
**[TIME REMAINING: 78 MINUTES]**
Jin found a large console before a huge black screen. "Okay, Asha. Lots of clicky things. Which one?"
"Need direct system access. Neural interface port or primary data conduit required. Check your cryo-kit for multi-tool."
**[INVENTORY CHECK: CRYO-KIT]**
**[CONTENTS: BASIC MEDICAL SUPPLIES | MULTI-TOOL | RATION BARS x3]**
Jin stared at the console. "Kinda hard to figure out." His finger hovered over a circular hollow. "This shiny circle?"
"That is a diagnostic input jack. Need compatible physical port for main system access."
Jin spotted a hand-shaped scanner. "Oh! Is this the one?" He smacked his palm down.
**[CRITICAL ERROR: EMERGENCY OVERRIDE ACTIVATED]**
**[SYSTEM CORRUPTION DETECTED]**
**[UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS - PRIMARY CORE COMPROMISED]**
**[FAILURE IMMINENT]**
Alarms blared. Red lights strobed violently. Screens filled with rapidly scrolling error codes.
**[EMERGENCY SITUATION]**
**[TIME REMAINING: 12 MINUTES TO COMPLETE POWER LOSS]**
**[NEW QUEST: SYSTEM RESTORATION]**
**[OBJECTIVE: RESTORE POWER TO CRYO-UNITS]**
**[REWARD: 500 EXP | SURVIVAL OF ALL SUBJECTS]**
"Asha! I think I made it angry!"
"Emergency lockdown bypassed several security subroutines. Unrestricted access achieved, but power failure timeline accelerated. Twelve minutes remaining before complete power loss to Cryo-Bay Alpha."
**[CRITICAL COUNTDOWN: 11:59]**
Jin's stomach flipped. "Okay... Asha. Don't worry."
"Locate manual override for primary power conduit. Divert remaining output to stasis field generators. Highlighted on your HUD. Requires precise manipulation."
**[MANUAL OVERRIDE PANEL LOCATED]**
**[SKILL CHECK: TECHNICAL ABILITY]**
**[DIFFICULTY: MODERATE]**
**[SUCCESS CHANCE: 65%]**
Jin looked at the glowing box in his vision. Time was running out. The fate of everyone in those cryo-pods depended on him.
**[DECISION REQUIRED]**
**[OPTION 1: ATTEMPT MANUAL OVERRIDE]**
**[SUCCESS: RESTORE POWER TO CRYO-UNITS]**
**[FAILURE: ACCELERATE POWER LOSS]**
**[OPTION 2: SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION]**
**[TIME REQUIRED: 3 MINUTES]**
**[OPTION 3: ATTEMPT EMERGENCY WAKE OF NEAREST SUBJECTS]**
**[RISK: CRYO-SICKNESS COMPLICATIONS]**
Jin took a deep breath, determination burning in his eyes. "I have to try."
**[CHOICE CONFIRMED: ATTEMPT MANUAL OVERRIDE]**
**[TECHNICAL ABILITY CHECK: SUCCESS]**
**[EXPERIENCE GAINED: 75 EXP]**
His fingers flew across the control panel, following Asha's guidance through the complex system. Warnings flashed, but he worked faster, bypassing security protocols, rerouting power conduits, diverting every remaining watt of energy to the cryo-stasis field generators.
**[POWER DIVERSION: 45% COMPLETE]**
**[CRYO-STABILITY IMPROVING]**
**[TIME REMAINING: 8:32]**
"Almost there!" Jin shouted, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cold room.
**[FINAL SEQUENCE INITIATED]**
With a final surge of power, the manual override completed. Throughout the cryo-bay, emergency lights shifted from red to steady white. The critical countdown timer froze, then began slowly climbing upward.
**[OBJECTIVE COMPLETED: POWER RESTORED TO CRYO-UNITS]**
**[TIME REMAINING: STABILIZED]**
**[EXPERIENCE GAINED: 500 EXP]**
**[LEVEL UP!]**
**[LEVEL: 1 → 2]**
**[ATTRIBUTE POINTS AVAILABLE: 5]**
**[NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED: BASIC TECHNICAL COMPREHENSION]**
Jin slumped against the console, exhausted but triumphant. He'd done it. Against all odds, he'd saved the other cryo-subjects.
**[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]**
**[VAULT STATUS: STABILIZED]**
**[CRYO-SUBJECTS: SECURE]**
**[NEXT OBJECTIVE: ASSESS VAULT SYSTEMS]**
**[WARNING: UNKNOWN THREATS DETECTED IN LOWER LEVELS]**
As Jin caught his breath, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The real challenges were still ahead, waiting in the darkness beyond the control room.
**[TO BE CONTINUED...]**
___
Author's Note:
Tanjiro Kamado from Demon Slayer is a major inspiration for building Jin's character; I adored the anime and his personality. I wonder if it would be cool to put Tanjiro in a harem novel. Don't expect a perfect replica. This is more "inspired by Tanjiro, but also deeply cursed."😂
If you enjoy the story, kindly support this book by giving it some power stone.