The thing outside left.It didn't vanish magically—it pulled back, drawn by the thief's breathing. The unconscious guy on the floor had literally saved my life just by existing.
I stared at him for a moment, debating whether I should drag him somewhere safe. Then remembered: he's not me, and I don't have time for moral dilemmas right now.
I grabbed a jacket off the couch and muttered, "Sorry, buddy. Don't die."
The door was still twisted, warped like taffy. The metal frame groaned faintly when I leaned against it. The apartment was quiet again. Too quiet.
[System standby mode. Current charge: 1.]
One percent. Not enough to open the full HUD, but maybe enough to do something useful.
I wandered through the lounge and kitchen, letting my eyes adjust to the odd, liminal light. Shadows were too deep, angles that made no sense. Floorboards hummed faintly under my boots. Every so often, I thought I saw a corner of the ceiling shift like it was breathing, but a second glance revealed only warped paint.
Then, in the bedroom, I found it: a small, obsidian cube, smooth as glass, floating a few inches above the floor. Purple light leaked from its seams like it was quietly bleeding energy.
[Anomalous object detected. Class: C3. Rift energy signature: low.] [Recover object to recharge System and gain Company Points? Y/N]
I squinted. "Recover… sure. Why not?"
[Warning: C3-class object contains Rift energy. Recovery grants 0.1% System battery and 3 Company Points.]
I reached out. The cube hummed faintly and levitated into my hand, warming as it touched me. The light pulsed in time with my heartbeat, almost like it had synced itself to me.
[Object absorbed. Removed from environment.] [Recorded in Codex for Company records.] [System battery: 1.1%] [Company Points Awarded: 3]
"Not bad," I muttered, rolling it in my palm. "Small steps, I guess."The cube was gone from the floor, fully absorbed. Somewhere in the System, the Company had already logged it in their Codex. A faint ping in my HUD confirmed the record.
Curiosity won again. I checked drawers, cabinets, and shelves. The apartment felt like a liminal storage space for anomalies. The kitchen cabinets were filled with pots and pans, but I found a faint shimmer on one—an ordinary ladle, its metal reflecting Rift energy faintly like water. Drawers creaked when I opened them, producing soft static noises that made my teeth itch. Every so often, a small pulse on the HUD reminded me: each object I recovered restored System power, earned Company Points, and disappeared from the environment, leaving no trace.
C1 = 1 point C2 = 2 points C3 = 3 points C4 = 4 points C5 = 5 points P3 = 0.1% battery P2 = 1% battery P1 = 10% battery
I started a small stack of recovered items on the counter. Glow here, hum there, a faint pulse in my pocket—it was like running a weird thrift store for the Company.
The thief groaned once, chest rising and falling slow and steady. I glanced down. "Hey… thanks, I guess. Your breathing saved me."
The streets outside were still empty, sterile. Inside, the apartment hummed with Rift energy. The Duke-class N.I.N.A.H. was gone. For now.
I continued exploring, careful to avoid the warped doorway where the creature had stood. The floorboards groaned under my weight. I kept my ears open, half-expecting the static-voice to return: "Not alone… not alone…"
That's when I saw the next one.
A small, black sphere floated a few inches off the floor, smooth as glass. Purple light pulsed from its seams, stronger than the last object. Shadows warped unnaturally around it, twisting in impossible angles. My HUD buzzed faintly.
[Anomalous object detected. Class: C4.] [Option: Recover object to unlock one System function.]
I squinted at the sphere. Only one function could be unlocked. My options blinked on the HUD like a taunt:
Map: See the surrounding liminal space and anomalies. Safer navigation, early detection.
Codex: Track and log all anomalous objects encountered. Useful for long-term strategy.
Shop: Spend Company Points for upgrades, items, or special privileges.
Status: View System efficiency, abilities, and active effects. Also unlocks a rudimentary attribute system.
[Warning: C4-class object contains moderate Rift energy. Using it will restore 0.2% battery and grant 4 Company Points (scaled from XP: 1 point per 10 XP).]
I rubbed my temples. One choice. Seconds ticking away.
The sphere pulsed as though impatient. I glanced back at the thief. Still breathing. Still glowing faintly. He had saved me once, and now it was my turn to make a move.
I tapped the sphere, and it shot into my chest.
[Object absorbed. Removed from environment.] [Recorded in Codex for Company records.] [System battery: 1.3%] [Company Points: 7] [Select one function to unlock.]
I froze. Seconds stretched.
Map could prevent me from running into another Duke-class—or worse—before I was ready.
Codex could teach me about anomalies, but not immediately.
Shop meant power-ups and items, but without knowing what's out there, could be wasted.
Status would let me optimize absorption, track abilities, and start building attributes—critical if I wanted to survive long-term.
I exhaled, long and slow, and made my choice:
[Function unlocked: Status.]
Immediately, the HUD transformed. Blue panels unfolded, showing:
Absorption Method: Current efficiency 64%
Stored Company Points: 7 (converted from XP: 1 point per 10 XP)
Battery Level: 1.3%
Active Skills: None
Anomalous Objects Recovered: 2
Attributes:
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Dexterity: 1
Intelligence: 1
Perception: 1
[Note: Status access allows user to plan, optimize, and view progress toward full System power. Attribute points may increase via XP gained from objects and encounters. And intelligence does not increase Users IQ level as nothing can do that]
Ignoring the systems remark I leaned back against the wall, rubbing my eyes. The apartment was quiet now. The thief was still breathing.Outside, the streets were empty, unnervingly clean and cold. Inside, the hum of Rift energy was almost soothing, the only constant in a world that didn't make sense.
Somewhere deep in the System, the Company was already logging my progress, silently approving my choices, waiting for me to make the next move.
I rolled the cube in my palm again, feeling the faint vibrations of Rift energy, and muttered, "Alright, small victories. Let's see how far this goes."