Chapter 3: System
Just as I was beginning to steady my thoughts, a sharp ding rang through my mind. It wasn't a sound from my surroundings; it came from within, clear and mechanical, like the notification tones from a system interface.
Before I could react or make sense of it, a calm , feminine voice continued.
[The Soul of Zephyx Everblade is now fully merged with the soul of the host.]
I froze, the words hanging in the air like a storm cloud. My breath caught in my throat, and my hands instinctively clenched at my sides. The words were surreal, yet they carried a weight that couldn't be ignored.
"What…?" I whispered, disbelief lacing my voice. "What do you mean, 'fully merged'?"
But the voice didn't answer immediately. I stood there, my pulse hammering in my ears, half-hoping that I had imagined the whole thing. Then, like a bell chiming in the distance, the voice returned.
[In the unconscious mind of Zephyx Everblade, where you find yourself at first in your soul form and encountered another soul, that soul was of Zephyx. The merging began there but was incomplete. The process is now finished.]
Her words struck me like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the dark corners of my memory.
The void. That endless, dark space where I had first regained consciousness after transmigrating. I remembered the cold nothingness, the sensation of being neither alive nor dead. And there, suspended in that abyss, I had felt another presence.
It wasn't just a faint echo or a fleeting shadow; it was him. Zephyx Everblade. The original owner of this body.
I recalled the overwhelming pain of that moment—the collision of our souls, the clashing of memories, emotions, and identities. It had felt as though my very existence was being torn apart and stitched back together and later he merged with me after I hugged when i felt connection with him.
"So… he's still here?" I asked aloud, my voice trembling.
The voice responded immediately, its tone unwavering.
[No. Zephyx Everblade, as a separate soul, no longer exists. The merging has unified you both into one entity. His memories, emotions, and essence are now fully integrated into yours.]
A chill ran down my spine. The realization struck me like a tidal wave. I wasn't just borrowing this body anymore. I wasn't merely in Zephyx Everblade—I was Zephyx Everblade.
I staggered back, gripping the edge of a nearby table to steady myself.
"What does this mean for me?" I asked, more to myself than the voice.
The voice answered anyway
[You retain your individuality as the dominant soul, but you now carry the complete memories and essence of Zephyx Everblade. His thoughts, feelings, and instincts are yours to access, whether consciously or unconsciously.]
I leaned heavily against the table, my head spinning. Flashes of Zephyx's life began to surface—his childhood, his friendships, his heartbreaks. The joy he once felt running through the royal gardens. How he became arrogant because of the death of his mother's death to mask his pain and sadness.
I could feel it all as if it were my own. His anger, his bitterness, his longing for acceptance—it was no longer something I observed from a distance. It was part of me now, as much a part of my identity as my own memories.
"Why?" I asked finally, my voice hoarse. "Why merge us at all?"
There was a brief pause, as though the voice was considering its answer.
[The merging was necessary for survival. Without it, this body would have rejected you entirely. Now, with the unification complete, you are whole.]
"Whole," I echoed bitterly. The word felt hollow, its meaning tainted by the storm of emotions swirling within me.
I sat down heavily, burying my face in my hands. There was no going back. My life as I knew it was gone, and in its place was this strange, terrifying existence as Zephyx Everblade.
I sighed and asked "what is your name system" i asked as thinking it will be like something with a long big prideful name like the domination system, Heaven Breaking System or Milf System... Wait why am I thinking of the Milf system.
[I don't have any name host as you are the first one to bound with me]
"You don't have any name.. hmm... then from now on I'll call you.... 'sys' "
[Sys... Acknowledged... Thank you host]
The female voice sounded... pleased, almost as if it had been waiting for that moment, a strange sense of warmth coloring the response.
"Okay, sys," I said cautiously, trying to steady my voice. "Show me your functions."
[Affirmative host]
Before I could react, a translucent screen materialized in front of me, hovering in midair. Its appearance was so sudden, so surreal, that I instinctively stepped back. The faint glow from the screen bathed the dim room in a soft light, and lines of text began to arrange themselves in neatly organized sections.
[Status]
[Quests]
[Inventory]
[Gacha]
"Open the status ,Sys," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions coursing through me.
[Affirmative host]
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[Name: Zephyx Everblade / Edgar Neal]
[Title: ???]
Strength: 9
Intelligence: 15
Agility: 10
Stamina: 8
[Average stats before awakening: 10]
[Talents: Elemental harmony, ???, ???]
[Bloodline: Everblade wrath, ???]
[Physique: ???]
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I stared at the glowing interface before me, my eyes locking onto the very first detail.
[Name: Zephyx Everblade / Edgar Neal]
My name was there, alongside Zephyx's. The reality of my situation hit me once again—this wasn't just a game anymore. It was my life, intertwined with a character I had only ever known through a screen.
But my gaze shifted downward, landing on the next line:
[Title: ???]
A frown creased my forehead. The placeholder "???" stared back at me, mocking my ignorance. "Sys, why is my title listed as '???' " I asked, already anticipating the likely answer.
The system's calm, feminine voice echoed in my mind. [The system currently lacks the power to decrypt this information. To reveal your title, the system must be updated.]
"Of course," I muttered under my breath, a mix of frustration and resignation washing over me. Updates—yet another mechanic pulled straight from a game. Still, I knew that titles in this world weren't just superficial. They could shape destiny itself, granting powers and recognition. If I wanted to unlock its potential, I'd need to figure out how to strengthen this system.
Shaking my head, I returned my attention to the screen. My focus moved to the section listing my stats
"Sys," I said, "explain these stats to me."
[Of course, host.]
The explanation came swiftly.
[Strength: Measures physical power, affecting combat ability and carrying capacity. A higher strength stat means harder strikes and the ability to wield heavier weapons.
Intelligence: Governs magical prowess and comprehension. It influences the potency of spells and speed of spell casting.
Agility: Determines speed, reflexes, and dexterity. It enhances combat maneuverability and evasion capabilities.
Stamina: Dictates physical endurance and resilience. It affects energy reserves and recovery speed.]
The explanations were straightforward, but they painted a clear picture of where I currently stood. My strength and stamina were below average by this world's standards. However, my intelligence stood out, a clear edge in magical prowess.
But there was more on the screen, and my curiosity deepened as I read further:
[Talents: Elemental Harmony, ???, ???]
My gaze lingered on Elemental Harmony My breath hitched as memories of the game flooded back to me. It was this very talent that had made Zephyx Everblade nearly invincible. Even after hundreds of attempts, no matter how skilled I had been as the protagonist, it was a struggle to bring him down.
Then i saw the
And then my eyes fell on the final lines:
[Bloodline: Everblade wrath, ???]
[Physique: ???]
Confusion welled up in me. Bloodlines? Physique? In the game, there had never been any mention of Zephyx possessing an extra bloodline other than Everblade wrath or any physique.
"Sys," I said, hesitating slightly. "Why are these listed here? Zephyx only have one bloodline and no physique in the game."
[To know the answer to the question , the host has to update the system]
Frustration bubbling inside of me after hearing sys answer and replied annoyingly "Right I have to update you" after saying I sighed and relaxed my nerves.
As my bloodline Everblade Wrath is also locked , i don't want to waste my time listing its benefits.
"Let's see your other functions, sys"