Fighter stared at the space where the [Black Box] had vanished, his mind racing to process the implications of the sudden, disembodied voice.
Fighter: "Hooo, hell no. No, I am not prepared for the trial."
???: [Ok! If you need help, I will be there for you. And there are many lessons that have been recorded for the trial. Ok.]
The voice, calm and monotone, repeated in his head. Fighter narrowed his eyes and spoke aloud, aiming his question at the silent room.
Fighter: "What is this voice in my head?"
???: [You are a rude one, my new owner... Ok.]
Fighter: "Again, what are you? An Artefaq?"
???: [Yes, I am an Artefaq. Ok.]
In the world of the novel, an
Fighter: "Do you have a name? If you don't, can I give you one? Though I should have asked you first: what weakness do you come with?"
???: [Yes, yes, and yes again. My Flaw is sharing your body. You can give me a name because I don't have one. Ok.]
Fighter: "Sharing my body, you say? Well, whatever." Fighter chuckled, a hollow sound in the dark room. "What name should I give you? One of the best waifus in anime, 'Speedwagon'? Your voice sounds like a woman's voice... Hey, I can call you Rechel."
Rechel:[You don't have a naming sense. What nonsense are you talking about?.... I should be polite to my new owner. Thank you. Ok. Do you want to take your time or start the lesson? Ok.]
Fighter: "No, I am not in the right situation."
The Call to Freedom
Fighter fell back onto the floor, the hard reality of his situation finally beginning to sink in. He wasn't just in a different place; he was in another world.
He had an opportunity here, a chance he never had in his original life. Back on Earth, everyone was "flesh and blood"—powerless, in a sense. People couldn't change their lives by sheer force of will; they were bound by endless processes and schemes.
Here, that was different. Here, he could be free. He wanted the power to change anything and everything. He wanted to see what could not be seen, and go wherever he wished, completely unrestricted.
He looked around the dark room, his eyes shining with a newfound fire.
Fighter: "Now, in this world, I can be free. Free to see everything. Free to travel everywhere. Free to change myself."
In this new reality, Fighter could walk the Path of Stories—the path to ultimate power. Living beings could ascend to become a God, a Divinity, achieving power beyond imagination.
Fighter: "I will walk the Path of Stories and refine myself into a Divinity."
Inheritance and Identity
Fighter completed his inner monologue, the weight of his resolve settling on him. He looked down at his new body—covered in dried blood and grime.
Fighter: "This is my new body, and the previous owner's name was... Fighter. Well, this is a new world, a new beginning. I have inherited this body's memory and his name. From today onward, my name is Fighter."
He frowned, puzzling over Mr. Doll's earlier comment.
Fighter: "Mr. Doll said before he went to sleep that I was a