"To hell with you…"
The words came out heavy — strangely heavy.
Zis leaned forward and let out a light, provocative laugh.
"Don't worry — you were never going to actually die. This virtual world translates your imagination into pain, but leaves your body intact in the end. The pain is real… but ultimately, it's just an echo of a simulation."
Ice didn't fall for it. With a quick, cold glance, he examined the wound in his abdomen.
"True. The simulation is precise."
Zis's laughter cut off suddenly — replaced by a more somber voice:
"Except for that insect… it was real. I brought it from the material world. It wasn't a projection — it was a necessity. You needed it to kill those useless emotions that were clouding your judgment. And now, it seems your 'Kily' system has begun to tame the torment — filtering your senses as you wish. Unless you choose to dive into the full effect."
Ice's gaze froze. He stared into Zis's eyes with silent defiance, his voice sharp as a blade:
"How did you know about my system… Kily?"
Zis pulled back and threw himself onto the ground, groaning from the pain:
"Ah… what pain! I was a friend of your parents, son — especially your father. I witnessed moments you no longer remember. When you were four years old, things went wrong in Java and they fled. But they came back — slipping through a secret gap in the Wall."
He paused, eyes glimmering with an old memory:
"The Black Ice Wall organization shows no mercy to returnees. When they realized the end was near, they made that golden ring. It's not just an ornament — it's a vessel for a chip that reads the Loom. It connects to the world's codes and the threads of your body, sensing frequencies to accelerate your growth. It was supposed to be given to you as a child — I'm not sure why they waited."
A faint image surfaced in Ice's mind. His father's voice whispering:
"Do you see this ring? This is our legacy to you — for after we're gone."
Heavy silence settled, then Zis leaped up with renewed enthusiasm:
"Try saying… 'Status'."
Ice frowned with suspicion, but spoke the word quietly:
"Status."
A faint glow appeared, and a message made his heart pound hard:
Welcome back, sir… My goal this time is for you to know yourself… and to know me. Good luck — don't give up. (Message from your parents)
A list of customization options followed: changing the interface, colors, fonts, and even skill names.
Ice stared at the screen with amazement he couldn't quite hide, while Zis stood beside him wagging his tail like an idiot — waiting for a reaction with a blank, vacant expression.
Ignoring Zis's performance, Ice addressed the system:
"What about me?"
Kily responded immediately. The symbols shifted and an advanced violet screen expanded — comfortable on the eyes but pulsing with an aura of ancient and sophisticated technology:
[User Data]
Level: 0 | Rank: I
Lineage: Hybrid (Javian + Pharaonic "Desert Dwellers")
Type: Raw — Ordinary (Entanglement: 100% | Untangling: 0%)
Awakening Code: Biological Process Acceleration
Statistics:
Strength: 31 | Speed: 31 | Presence: 31
Agility: 2 | Intelligence: 10
(Khopesh Weapon Bonus: +30 Strength/Speed/Presence)
Physical Condition: Emotional Void (due to Dopamine Parasite).
Additional Advantage: Complete control over emotional state.
[Daily Mission]
Objective: Accelerate two biological processes.
Reward: 5 stat points + 5 system customization points.
Ice closed the screen, staring into the void with suppressed bitterness.
"Wonderful… what terrible luck."