(please comment if it's good or not PLEASE!!)
When Ali slowly opened his eyes, he wasn't sure how long he had been unconscious.
He saw Bakar beside him — and a woman wearing a lab coat and a green turtleneck, holding a tablet.
Bakar: "Ali!!"
When Bakar saw that Ali had regained consciousness, he immediately hugged him tightly.
Bakar: "Thank goodness you're okay! I don't even know how I'd explain this to your father if something happened to you!"
Ali (thinking): Ugh, I didn't even get to finish using IRIS, but this body is way too weak… tch, guess I'll have to keep pretending again. Haaa...
Ali: "Um… where am I?"
Before anyone could answer, a voice came from a nearby screen.
Man on screen: "A secret location. One of MATA's safe houses."
Ali: "MATA?"
Woman in lab coat: "Ali, the device you found today is called IRIS."
A holographic projection of IRIS appeared above the table in front of Ali.
Woman: "It's a prototype created by MATA. IRIS analyzes all received data, granting enhanced perception through computer-assisted vision, effectively turning its user into a super agent. When you activated IRIS, it synchronized with you. That means—"
Before she could finish, the man on the screen interrupted.
Man on screen: "That means from now on, no one else can use it. IRIS is bound to you alone, UNDERSTOOD!?"
He took a deep breath and exhaled sharply.
Man on screen: "The IRIS project was abandoned a long time ago. Early tests revealed… unexpected and dangerous risks."
Ali (thinking): Wow, look at that mustache. I kinda wanna yank it just to see what happens, hahaha—but calm down, stay in character, Zen.
Ali: "So… what happens now?"
General Rama: "Enough. You already know too much. We have no choice but to eliminate you… and terminate Project IRIS once again!"
As soon as General Rama said that, a combat droid appeared and aimed its laser rifle at Ali.
Ali: "Oh."
Bakar immediately stepped forward to shield Ali.
Bakar: "Eh eh, General, he's just a kid! Poor guy — what if we just, you know, lock him up forever instead?"
Ali: "What kind of stupid idea is that!?"
General Rama: "Don't be ridiculous! Who's going to guard him then!?"
Woman: "General, if you give me some time, I believe I can find a way to separate IRIS from Ali."
Bakar: "Good idea! I agree, General!"
Woman: "We could even use IRIS for missions."
Bakar: "Exactly! Wait—WHAT!?"
Woman: "MATA could become stronger and more efficient!"
Bakar: "Eh, no no no! That's not what I meant—!"
General Rama: "DEYY!!"
Both Bakar and the woman froze as the drone returned to standby mode.
General Rama: "Ali, from this moment on, you are MATA's property. Your training as an agent begins tomorrow!"
Ali: "Hmm, okay."
Bakar: "You don't feel pressured or anything?"
Ali: "Not really. I kinda expected this to happen the moment I touched something called IRIS."
Ali glanced at the woman.
Ali (thinking): She's actually really pretty... lucky me.
---
Later that night, at Ali's house…
Inside his bedroom, Ali lay on the bed.
Ali: "So this is Ali's house, huh? Not bad for a kid. My old rental place was smaller than this whole room. Sad life… Anyway, training with Bakar starts tomorrow. That should be Episode 2, right?"
As soon as he said that, a blue holographic screen appeared before him.
System: "Good evening, Master."
Ali blinked in surprise.
Ali: "Wait, are you… the system?"
System: "Yes. I am the system you requested."
Ali: "Hahaha! So you're the one I wrote about! That means you can increase my strength and give me daily login rewards?"
System: "Apologies, Master. The system can only increase your attributes every second — nothing beyond that."
Ali: "Huh? But I wrote—"
System: "Indeed. However, Master doesn't always get everything he wishes for."
Ali sighed.
Ali: "So you only increase my abilities every second?"
System: "Yes. Across multiple aspects."
Ali: "Do you have a status screen?"
(Name: Ali bin Ghazali / Zen)
(Stats: [Select])
(Skills: [Select])
Ali: "That's it?"
System: "Yes, Master."
Ali: "So I can choose which stat and skill I want to improve?"
System: "Correct."
Ali: "And how do I choose?"
System: "Simply tap 'Select' on any option."
Ali tapped the [Select] button under "Stats."
A long list appeared — strength, speed, IQ, stamina, and many more.
He tapped Strength.
(Name: Ali bin Ghazali / Zen)
(Stats: Strength (0), [Select])
(Skills: [Select])
Ali: "So now what?"
System: "Please tap the word 'Strength' to begin increasing it."
Ali tapped Strength.
Strength (1)... Strength (2)... Strength (3)... Strength (4)...
Ali: "Oh, so that's how it works."
He could feel his physical power increasing every second — the growth becoming faster and faster.
Ali: "System, can you tell me the current all-type combined strength levels of the MATA division heads?"
System: "Affirmative. Current readings are:
• Neuro Division Chief: 4490
• Techno Division Chief: 3840
• Combat Division Chief: 4330
• Inviso Division Chief: 4480."
Ali: "Hmm… so in a few hours, I'll surpass all of them. Nice."
System: "Warning: 'Strength' only enhances physical power. It does not increase energy reserves."
Ali: "Got it."
After two minutes, his strength reached 120.
Ali: "Hahahaha! Just a few more minutes and I'll surpass every division head! This system is awesome!"
He tapped [Select] again — this time choosing IQ, Stamina, Thinking Speed, Movement Speed, and Memory.
He focused on IQ first.
IQ (1)... IQ (2)... IQ (3)... IQ (4)...
After a while, he noticed Strength had stopped increasing.
Ali: "So I can only improve one stat at a time?"
System: "Yes, Master."
Ali exhaled slowly.
Ali: "Hmm, fair enough."
After two more minutes, his IQ reached 120.
Then he upgraded Stamina, and soon after that, Thinking Speed, Movement Speed, and Memory.
After six hours of constant upgrading, almost all of his stats hit 5000.
(Name: Ali bin Ghazali / Zen)
(Stats: Strength 5000, IQ 5000, Stamina 5000, Thinking Speed 5000, Movement Speed 5000, Memory 4900)
(Skills: [Select])
System: "Congratulations, Master. You have surpassed the highest recorded parameters of all MATA division heads."
System: "Alert! Alert!
In your previous life, you mastered all forms of martial arts.
All your combat knowledge has been fused into a single skill — [AMAG], short for All Martial Arts Genius."
Ali: "Hahahaha! All the pain and hard work from my past life finally paid off!"
He tapped [Select], opened his skill tab, and found [AMAG], immediately choosing to upgrade it.
AMAG (1)... AMAG (2)... AMAG (3)... AMAG (4)...
He kept upgrading until AMAG reached level 5000.
When it did, countless combat memories flooded his mind — as if he had trained for over five thousand years.
Ali: "Hahahahaha! System, you're the best!"
Ali: "Tomorrow's my first mission — that should be Episode 2 if this were the series. Hmm… let's see if I can find 'Mental Defense.'"
He tapped [Select] again, searched for two minutes, and finally found Mental Defense, then began upgrading it.
Mental Defense (1)... Mental Defense (2)... Mental Defense (3)... Mental Defense (4)...
After a while, he checked his status again.
(Name: Ali bin Ghazali / Zen)
(Stats: Strength 5000, IQ 5000, Stamina 5000, Thinking Speed 5000, Movement Speed 5000, Memory 3000, Mental Defense 200)
(Skills: AMAG 5000)
Ali: "Alright, that's enough for now. With this much power, I don't think I'll need to pretend anymore. Hahaha! Tomorrow's going to be fun."
He looked at the clock beside his bed — it was almost midnight.
Ali: "It's late already. Time to sleep."
He lay down and drifted off within seconds.
---
A few hours later…
Ali opened his eyes and looked around.
Ali: "Guess that wasn't a dream. Hahaha!"
He grabbed his phone — the time was 5:23 a.m.
Ali: "Bakar should arrive at 5:30. Hmm… no idea what to do till then. Might as well take a shower."
He grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, he was done.
Ali: "That was quick — only five minutes."
He went to his closet to find clothes.
Ali: "No hoodies? A hoodie would've been good…"
He found a black short-sleeved shirt.
Ali: "Eh, good enough."
He put it on along with black pants.
Suddenly, he heard his window creak open — and Bakar climbed in through it.
Ali: "Uncle, what are you doing here this early in the morning!?"
Bakar blinked, surprised that Ali was already awake.
Bakar: "That's the spirit! A true MATA agent wakes up early for training!"
Ali: "Who said anything about training!? I'm about to pray! It's already 5:30 — Fajr time, you know!"
Bakar: "Eh—haha! Yes, yes, of course! Go ahead, I'll wait downstairs! I came to get you for training!"
Ali: "Yeah yeah, sure, go wait downstairs… don't tell me you don't pray, huh?"
Bakar jumped out through the window again.
Ali: "Haa… that's 'Agent' Bakar for you."
He checked the clock again — 5:35 a.m.
Ali: "It's time."
He prayed, then came out of the house eleven minutes later in the same outfit.
Bakar: "Alright, let's go!"
They walked toward a park on top of a hill.
There, they began training — climbing monkey bars, running, balancing, and more.
Despite everything, Ali didn't feel tired at all.
Not even a bit of muscle pain.
Bakar: "Not bad, huh, Ali. Even though you're still young, I'm surprised to see you fight those two back there — even if you used IRIS."
Ali just stared toward the rising sun.
Bakar: "Are you okay?"
Ali: "Yeah."
Bakar: "Don't you want to know more about MATA?"
Ali: "If I can."
Bakar smiled.
Bakar: "Heh, MATA stands for Meta Advance Tactical Agency — a secret intelligence organization in Cyberaya, established to protect the city's safety."
Bakar: "MATA is divided into four cores."
Bakar raised four fingers toward Ali.
Bakar: "We've got Neuro — the smartest agents, gathering intel and forming strategies against threats."
Bakar: "Techno — experts in technology, creating advanced tools and handling complex weapons."
Bakar: "Inviso — agile and stealthy agents, masters of deception and disguise."
Bakar: "And lastly, Combat — like your uncle here, strong agents skilled in battle, and also the most handsome of all."
Ali looked at him with a blank face, glancing to the side.
Ali (thinking): Yeah right, 'handsome.' Sure.
Seeing Ali's sour expression, Bakar thought the boy was worried or overthinking. He placed a hand on Ali's shoulder and smiled gently.
Bakar: "Don't think too much. Just keep training first, then decide which core suits you best."
Bakar looked at the sky.
Bakar: "Eh, what time is it already? Let's head back — you'll be late for school."
---
(Skip to Ali's house, daytime)
Ali wore a white shirt, blue jeans, and a red tie with black stripes.
He walked to the table beside his bed, picked up IRIS, and slipped it into his pants pocket.
Then he walked outside, took the kick scooter behind his school bag, and used it to go to school.
(Skip to when Ali arrives in his classroom.)
Ali sat in his seat and saw his friend — the owner of this body before — looking out the window.
Ali: "What are you looking at, Viktor?"
Viktor: "Ali ma, he's always late."
He didn't realize Ali was already at his desk. Then he turned around and was startled.
Viktor: "Eh, Ali! When did you get here!?"
Ali looked at Viktor with a smile.
Ali: "I've been here for a while — you're just the one who didn't notice."
Viktor: "Haiyaa, sorry ah, Ali."
Ali: "It's okay."
Then the teacher entered the classroom.
Teacher: "Alright, everyone sit down!"
The teacher walked toward the whiteboard, then suddenly jumped.
Teacher: "POP QUIZ!!"
The teacher threw a sheet of paper onto every desk — perfectly.
Ali looked at the questions on the paper and closed his eyes. Because his {Memory} had reached 4900, he could remember everything he had learned.
Then he began answering all the questions quickly — but not too fast, just enough to impress.
(In another timeline, a tornado would've appeared here — but wrong story!)
Ali answered all the questions at lightning speed, though not so fast that the paper would catch fire.
Within two minutes, he had finished everything.
He stood up from his chair and walked to the front.
He could feel everyone's eyes on him, but he ignored them and went to the teacher's desk.
Teacher: "What do you need, Ali?"
Ali: "I'm done."
He placed the answer sheet on the teacher's desk.
Everyone was shocked — Ali was known as the lowest-ranking student in class, yet he finished first.
Ali ignored their stares and returned to his seat.
(Skip — class ended.)
Ali and Viktor were walking toward the school canteen.
Viktor: "Wow, Ali, you're awesome ah! Your score is the highest today!"
Ali: "Hmm, not bad."
Viktor: "Haiyaa, smile a little ma, don't be so gloomy."
Ali: "Who's gloomy—"
Viktor: "Eh, wait, I'm gonna buy a drink first."
Viktor walked to the drink stall while Ali sat at one of the canteen tables, staring at his test paper.
Before he could even sit properly, someone slammed the table in front of him.
Female voice: "You cheated, didn't you?"
Ali looked at her.
Female voice: "Don't pretend. You've never gotten an A before — why suddenly today?"
Ali: "So just because I never got an A before, and now suddenly I do, you accuse me of cheating?"
Ali: "Do you have proof? Or is it just based on your instinct?"
Ali (thinking): "If it were the original Ali, she might've been right — he did cheat using IRIS. But me? I didn't cheat. I just… have a slightly stronger memory."
Then Viktor returned and sat in front of Ali, unaware that a girl had been talking to him.
Viktor: "Hey, your score's even higher than Alicia's, right?"
Ali only nodded, then pointed beside Viktor.
Viktor turned to the side and smiled.
Viktor: "Eh, Alicia, hi!"
Viktor waved toward Alicia.
Alicia: "Hmph!"
Alicia showed a slightly annoyed expression, then walked away.
Viktor looked back at Ali.
Viktor: "What's wrong with her?"
Ali: "No idea. Maybe she's mad because I scored higher than her?"
Ali then noticed Bakar, who was in disguise wearing a fake mustache and sweeping the floor, motioning him to come over.
Ali: "Wait, I need to go buy something."
Viktor: "Okay 👌."
Ali walked toward Bakar.
Ali: "What is it, uncle?"
Bakar: "We have a mission."
Ali: "Oh, okay."
Then a voice came from the school's speakers.
Speaker: "Attention, students. The school will be closed today because of… uh… haze."
Ali looked outside — the sunlight was shining brightly, and there wasn't a trace of haze anywhere.
Viktor: "Eh, Ali, let's go home together."
Ali looked at Viktor.
Ali: "Sorry, you go ahead first. I've got something to do."
Viktor: "Ohh, okay okay 👌."
---
[THE NIGHT BEFORE]
At Alpha Tower.
An old man sat in his chair, looking at his computer, with a bodyguard standing beside him. Then a young man entered, carrying a box, and placed it on the table in front of him.
Old man: "Yes, what do you want, Aaron?"
Aaron: "Dr. Tong, may I show you my new invention?"
Dr. Tong: "You have five minutes."
Aaron: "Okay. We all know that workers are resources that constantly change depending on emotional fluctuations, health, and motivation."
He opened the box and took out a helmet with two antennas and a light bulb in the middle.
Aaron: "Imagine if we could eliminate all those factors."
Dr. Tong: "What do you mean?"
Aaron: "Let me show you."
He walked toward a trash bin and knocked it over. Then he turned to look at the bodyguard standing beside Dr. Tong.
Aaron: "Bob, please clean that up."
Bob chuckled lightly.
Bob: "You joking or what?"
Aaron: "As expected."
Aaron smiled faintly, picked up the helmet from the table, and put it on his head.
The light on the helmet turned on, and suddenly, the sound of a phone ringing came from Bob's pocket.
Bob took his phone out and answered it.
Bob: "Hello?"
As soon as he answered, his pupils shrank. The phone slipped from his hand and fell to the floor. He stood frozen — motionless.
Aaron: "Bob, clean it up."
Then, as if under control, Bob moved toward the fallen trash bin and began picking up the garbage silently.
Aaron: "Stop."
Bob stopped cleaning.
Aaron: "Sit."
Bob sat down, obeying Aaron's command, his expression completely blank.
Aaron: "Shake hands."
Like a dog, Bob reached out and shook Aaron's hand.
Aaron: "Good. Go back to your position."
Bob stood and walked back to where he had been standing earlier. His eyes were empty, emotionless.
Aaron turned to Dr. Tong with a proud smile.
Aaron: "My invention can program the human brain to do anything — regardless of emotion or will."
Aaron: "So, the efficiency rate—"
Dr. Tong watched everything with anger.
Dr. Tong: "Are you insane!?"
Aaron: "Why!?"
Dr. Tong: "You've created a mind-control device! You're taking away people's free will!"
Aaron: "But Doctor, this device will help humanity reach a level of progress we've never achieved before!"
Dr. Tong: "By stripping away their humanity!?"
Dr. Tong: "Your device… is only for people obsessed with power!"
Aaron: "Not obsession, Doctor — unity! We'll unite mankind—"
Dr. Tong: "No!"
Aaron: "But the world—"
Dr. Tong: "No!"
Aaron: "We can be—"
Dr. Tong: "NO!!"
Dr. Tong slammed his hands on the table furiously and glared at Aaron.
Dr. Tong: "WHAT PART OF THIS DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!?"
Dr. Tong: "YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR! WE'RE SCIENTISTS — WE MUST BE RESPONSIBLE!"
Aaron: "Exactly! And it's our responsibility to advance the human species—"
Dr. Tong slammed his hand again, even harder this time.
Dr. Tong: "ENOUGH!! LEAVE NOW BEFORE I FIRE YOU!!"
Aaron: "What!?"
Dr. Tong: "DON'T WASTE MY TIME WITH YOUR RIDICULOUS IDEAS!!"
he sat back down in his chair.
Dr. Tong: "Bob! Escort him out!!"
But Bob remained still, ignoring his order.
Aaron: "Looks like, Doctor, you've just become an obstacle to progress."
Dr. Tong: "Bob! Didn't you hear me!?"
The light on the helmet glowed brightly, and the sound of a phone ringing came from Dr. Tong's phone on the table.
Dr. Tong looked at Aaron with fear.
Dr. Tong: "What are you doing!?"
Aaron: "Accelerating progress, Doctor."
---
[BACK TO PRESENT DAY]
Ali and Bakar were seen walking toward the library.
They entered quietly without making a sound.
Then they walked to one of the bookshelves. Bakar pulled out a book and handed it to Ali.
Bakar: "Place your hand on the handprint picture."
Ali took the book, opened it, and saw a handprint image. He placed his hand on it.
Suddenly, an electronic image appeared inside the book, and a sound like something unlocking was heard. Ali turned around — the large wall that had seemed normal before was now opening, revealing an elevator.
Bakar stepped inside.
Bakar: "Come on."
Ali followed him into the elevator.
Then the elevator began descending.