《The Day The Sky Fell》 I Never Forget March 13, 2109. It was a day that would forever haunt the memories of those who survived. It began as an ordinary day, the sun shining brightly over cities bustling with life. Laughter echoed from playgrounds, and the aroma of fresh coffee wafted through the streets as people hurried to their daily routines. But as noon approached, an unsettling stillness settled over the landscape, as if the world itself was holding its breath. An ominous shadow crept across the skyline, darkening the streets and sending a wave of dread through the hearts of millions. ¡°What is that???¡± a grandfather exclaimed, his voice trembling as he peered up from his lawn, squinting against the harsh sunlight. His weathered hands gripped the fence, knuckles white with tension. The shadow loomed larger, swallowing the light and casting an eerie pall over the neighborhood. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Oh Lord¡­¡± uttered a middle-aged man, his voice barely above a whisper. He stood up from his chair, the newspaper slipping from his fingers as he slowly took off his glasses. He approached the window of his high-rise office, heart pounding in his chest. The view that greeted him was people pointing above, their faces twisted in confusion and fear. He felt a chill run down his spine as he gazed at the darkened sky, a sense of foreboding washing over him. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°New government project, perhaps?¡± a young man suggested, his voice shaky as he stood in the street, holding his girlfriend''s hand tightly. His mouth hung open in disbelief, eyes glued to the ominous shape above, and he struggled to find words to ease the growing panic. ¡°Are you sure they can hide something that big from the media?¡± the girlfriend replied, her voice laced with anxiety. She fidgeted nervously, glancing left and right as the tension in the crowd escalated. The honks from the car nearby faded into silence, replaced by the heavy weight of uncertainty. Her heart raced as she scanned the faces of the bystanders, each one reflecting the same unease that gripped her. ¡°¡­¡± The kids who had been playing outside their house abruptly stopped their activity, their laughter replaced by wide-eyed stares. They looked up, mouths agape, as the shadow loomed overhead, blotting out the sun and casting an unnatural twilight over the world. The air grew thick with apprehension, and the once vibrant streets felt suffocated by an unseen dread. As the shadow continued to expand, a low rumble echoed through the air, vibrating in their chests. It was a sound that seemed to resonate from the very depths of the earth, a harbinger of something terrible approaching. The sky, once a canvas of blue, now felt like a shroud, wrapping the city in a cloak of impending doom. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± a small voice broke the silence, a child¡¯s innocent question that hung in the air, unanswered. The adults around them exchanged worried glances, their minds racing with possibilities, each one darker than the last. * * * I remembered it clearly as if it had happened yesterday. Above us loomed a colossal spaceship, a behemoth that defied all reason. It was no mere plane; it was a monstrous craft, so vast that it blotted out the sun, casting the world into an unnatural twilight. Its surface shimmered with an iridescent sheen, a patchwork of metallic panels that glinted ominously in the dim light. The ship was adorned with intricate designs and pulsating lights that danced across its hull, hinting at the advanced technology that lay within. It was a sight that belonged in the realm of science fiction, yet here it was. As we stood frozen, the ship''s belly opened, and from its depths emerged a swarm of flying aliens. They descended like a dark cloud, their wings glistening in the dim light, each one encased in a suit of shimmering black metal armor that reflected the chaos below. They resembled giant praying mantises, their elongated bodies and razor-sharp limbs poised specifically for destruction. Panic erupted in the streets as the first screams pierced the air, a cacophony of terror that echoed through the city. These creatures, with their cold, calculating eyes, showed no mercy. They swooped down upon us, their movements swift and precise, unleashing a wave of violence that left no one standing. Buildings crumbled under the weight of their assault, and the once-bustling streets became a battleground soaked in blood and flesh. It was a massacre, a relentless onslaught that spread across the globe ¨C Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America ¨C every corner of the Earth fell victim to their unknown purpose and wrath. Countless lives were extinguished in mere moments, families torn apart, dreams shattered. I was among the fortunate few who managed to escape the initial wave of destruction. My name was Nathaniel, one of the survivors who darted from bunker to bunker, navigating the ruins of a city that had once thrived with life. The underground sewers became our refuge, a dark and damp sanctuary where the few of us clung to the hope of survival. For two long weeks, we evaded the relentless hunt, scavenging for food and water while still haunted by the memories of those we had lost. Each day was a battle against despair, a struggle to remain hidden from the eyes of these unknown invaders. But even then, our numbers dwindled by the day, until only ten of us were left, clinging to the bitter hope of survival. As the days turned into nights, the reality of our situation became increasingly clear to us. The world above was a graveyard. The echoes of laughter and joy had been replaced by silence, a haunting reminder of what once was. I could feel the weight of despair closing in around me, the knowledge that my end was inevitable too. And then, on the twenty-fifth day since the first attack, it came. The ground trembled as the aliens returned, their metallic wings slicing through the air with a chilling hum. We knew there was nowhere left to hide. All of us emerged from the shadows, where we were met with the sight of the city, now a desolate wasteland, the sky darkened by the looming spaceship above. The last remnants of humanity stood together, united in our final moments, facing the inescapable death. But just as the end threatened to consume us, something extraordinary happened. A figure fell from the sky, crashing down with a force that shook the ground. In an instant, he was upon the aliens, his fists striking with a power that shattered their armor like glass, his mysterious blue glowing sword slicing through the alien armor, splashing green blood all around. Dust and debris exploded around him, swirling in the air as he fought with a ferocity we had never seen before. Blurry figures danced in the haze, but I could see enough to know that this man had a force no human could ever hope to achieve, dispatching the alien invaders with brutal efficiency. As the dust began to settle, I caught my first clear glimpse of him. He was a muscular human clad in a sleek black armored suit, his helmet gleaming ominously. With a swift motion of his left hand, he touched the side of his helmet, and it opened with a hiss of shifting gears. What was revealed before our eyes was a man with a beard, steady temperament, and solemn eyes that seemed to hold the weight of true responsibility amidst death, obscurity, hopelessness, and destruction. ¡°Are you all okay?¡± his deep, gruff voice echoed, cutting through the silence that had enveloped us. At that moment, I realized I was no longer alone. Later, I found out I was actually in the presence of the First Champion, a figure of legend among the remnants of humanity. We then discovered the real truth that was laid bare to us when we were saved. Seventy-nine years before the invasion, whispers had circulated among the world¡¯s leaders about an impending threat. In haste, they had retreated to underground facilities, preparing for the worst. Experiments were conducted, weapons forged, and strategies devised to combat the alien menace known as the Aelor. It all started as a secret message from an unknown source that had warned them of an advanced civilization intent on conquering Earth. And so, they had labored in the shadows, creating the Champion ¨C super soldiers born from genetic modification, imbued with extraordinary powers. So now it led to the current situation. As the carcasses of the fallen aliens piled up, the scientists advanced their research, developing serums that harnessed the very essence of the Aelor¡¯s biology. I had become one of these Champions, though my physical aptitude was weakened due to injuries I had sustained in my spinal cord in the past. This somehow resulted in the serum injected into me having a below-average integration percentage. However, the serum managed to heal all of my injuries and made me stronger than the average soldier. In the end, I was not destined to become one of the Frontline Division or Special Operative; instead, I became a Medic, tending to the injured, or a Carrier, bringing supplies and ammunition to those who fought. Day by day, I witnessed the sacrifices of my fellow Champions, their bravery igniting a flicker of hope in these damned ages - that I too, one day, hoped to sacrifice myself for humanity and the future of Earth. Maybe for someone precious too. Subsequently, after years of grueling effort and sacrifice, we finally managed to bring down one of the alien spaceships. From its wreckage, we retrieved samples ¨C designs, technology, and the source of its power core. This knowledge allowed us to create the first-generation suits and armor, enhancing our capabilities in the fight against the Aelor. Just as I had finished tending to a wounded soldier, I walked outside the temporary camp we had hastily built. I looked over the horizon, where lay the corpses of the Aelor and the many soldiers who had fallen against the enemy. I clenched my fist, feeling a renewed determination to fight on. ¡°This is not over yet¡­¡± I muttered under my breath. Suddenly, from the side, I saw a Champion wielding the Aegis Blade floating close and landing beside me. From the figure''s armor and the symbol etched on her chest, I recognized her as a female Champion, belonging to the Psych-operative, Psychic Unit. I knew exactly who she was ¨C Aina, a survivor from the same region as me when the First Champion had saved us. Aina was a friend with whom I shared a complicated relationship. We could have been called friends, acquaintances, girlfriends, friends with benefits, or even strangers. It was strange, wasn''t it? In short, the two of us had been extremely busy since we were saved, especially after proving compatible with the serum. Since then, we had been under constant stress, with lessons that filled our time and countless training sessions preparing us for the frontline fights against the Aelor. Stepping closer, her plasma-infused blade retracted, leaving only the middle part of the sword. The hilt retracted, turned, and attached to the middle part, transforming it into a rapier-like weapon. She then hung it at her waist. Placing both hands on the sides of her helmet with its black-tinted glass, I heard a shifting gear as she removed it, revealing her warm-beige skin tone, pink heart-shaped lips, large brown eyes, and shoulder-length black hair tied to the back. Following suit, I placed my hands on my helmet and commanded my AI to release my head armor. Resting it on the side of my head, I turned my gaze back to the front and took a deep breath of the unfamiliar air that filled my lungs ¨C the smoky, distinct aroma of gunpowder and burned flesh. There was also a metallic rust smell from human blood and the acidic, moldy scent of the greenish blood of the Aelor Mantis ¨C that was what we called them for these species of what we determined as the warrior of the Aelor. Knitting my eyebrows, I glanced sideways and found Aina still beside me. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I sound rude, but if I may ask, lieutenant, have you reported to your captain?¡± I asked her. ¡°It¡¯s too late to call me lieutenant now when you don¡¯t even salute when you see me,¡± she replied, shoulder to shoulder, her eyes fixed on the scene before us. ¡°But you are the one who ordered me to do that when no one is around,¡± I countered, speaking more casually than I should have, considering she was one of my many superiors. After all, she was one of the few I could trust and be comfortable with. Stolen story; please report. ¡°Stop being so damn rigid, will you?¡± Aina sighed, rolling her eyes as she turned to face me. I met her gaze, exchanging muted, complex glances. There was much to be said, but both of us were aware of our troubled past. Such a relationship was something we avoided, even amidst the death and misery surrounding us ¨C the scar remained inside of us. ¡°I already heard about it,¡± Aina resumed. ¡°Heard about what?¡± I tilted my head, feigning confusion as I had always done. ¡°Stop faking it. You refused the position of Colonel, overseeing our whole district movement. That was three times higher than my current position, just below a General. Why did you do that?¡± she complained. After a few seconds, I turned my gaze away from her and shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t like it¡­¡± ¡°Hah, that¡¯s it?¡± Her eyes twitched, bewildered by my brief, nonchalant answer. Aina continued, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me this is all about dying on the frontline and whatnot. About being a real man and responsibility or whatever.¡± I turned back to her, my eyes reflecting unspoken conviction. Seeing that, Aina immediately understood. Flattening her lips, she said, ¡°Seriously???¡± ¡°It¡¯s worth it, Aina. I might be talented in tactical decisions, but I don¡¯t want to stay back at the base while others sacrifice their lives on the frontline. Even as a medic, I can still help them in my own way, maybe even kill a few of those bastard Aelors. Besides, I¡¯m pretty sure many more talented individuals can do the job of being a tactician. It doesn¡¯t have to be me¡­¡± ¡°Like who?¡± she asked, lifting one eyebrow ¨C a gesture I knew well, signifying her silent disagreement with my opinion. ¡°Like General Robert or Sir Dallen,¡± I replied. ¡°But no one has the same bearing and respect as you among the soldiers and even the fellow Champions. You know you¡¯re different, right? Your vision is so unique that even General Robert says so. Why do you always¡­¡± she sighed in defeat, bewildered by my reasoning. I remained silent as Aina continued. ¡°You¡¯re the one who resolved the conflict at headquarters, dealt with those greedy pigs directly, and led us to victory when our platoon almost wiped out in Paris. You convinced the Supreme Commander to follow your plan to attack their spaceship directly, and that¡¯s how we got these new suits, weapons, energy sources, and my Psych Amplifier. You led us to victory, Nath. No one is like you. And I¡¯m sure everyone feels the same way. It¡¯s fine if we die and sacrifice ourselves following your plan. It¡¯s worth it¡­¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not worth it,¡± I suddenly cut her off, my fists clenched tightly and my eyes reddening. The veins on my forehead surely surfaced by now. I didn¡¯t know where this rage came from, but hearing her talk about her own death so insouciantly overwhelmed me in anger. ¡°There are times when I failed too.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s always failure in everything, and your plan is always the most feasible one among the other. Above all, we¡¯re fighting an unknown race from a different galaxy with high-tech weapons and armor. It¡¯s a wonder we¡¯ve even managed to win against them,¡± she insisted. ¡°It¡¯s you I¡¯m worried about.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I¡¯m selfish. I don¡¯t deserve that recognition. I don¡¯t deserve that position. All I care about is that you are safe. Every plan I considered, every scenario I calculated, and every scheme and distraction I organized, was based on one single objective: to make sure you survive, even if it means sacrificing the whole troop,¡± I finally confessed. I had carefully hidden the facts from her. Since that day, she had become everything to me ¨C my path, my purpose, my whole meaning of existence. I was ready to sacrifice anything for her, even my life. My purpose was no longer to survive. It was all about her. Only her. Her mouth hung open in disbelief as she stared into my eyes. I could somewhat guess what she was feeling at that moment. She must have felt uncertain, incredulous, conflicted, and utterly incongruous. The discrepancy between her expectations of my whole personification and the harsh truth must have hurt her deeply. But could I say anything about it? Absolutely not. I was no hero, after all. All I had done was act out of my own selfish wishes and desires. I was no better than those people from that day ¨C those who wanted to suppress and take advantage of the chaos to gain profit amidst the turbulence back at headquarters, even playing politics while the legion struggled to save humanity from extinction. I was no different from them. A hypocrite, just with different values. Just as I held my breath, bracing myself for Aina to turn her back on me in disappointment and discontent, what I got instead was a blush from Aina, who swiftly hugged me tightly. I could even feel my armor creaking under the force of her strength, and I felt slightly suffocated. While I was stronger than an ordinary soldier in the legion, and Aina was a Psychic, the strength difference between a failed Champion and a true Champion was significant. She overwhelmed me in every regard when it came to muscle density and strength. As she eased her arms and slowly released the hug from my ribs, Aina looked up to meet my gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say or how to feel about this, but to be honest, for me, this is the most romantic way you¡¯ve ever courted me so far.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not kidding, alright? And I don¡¯t mean to court¡­¡± My lips were suddenly sealed by her finger as she looked intently into my eyes, her expression a mix of seriousness and mischief. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is that you indeed care about me. But you seem to forget our vow when we were first injected with the serum: to die for the greater cause of humanity.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just words! It represents nothing of our desires and wishes,¡± I argued, feeling a bit defensive. Aina lifted both of her hands and stepped back, indicating that she had given up on that topic. ¡°Alright, big guy, you win. So, in short, you do it all for me, huh?¡± ¡°¡­ ¡­ I¡­ yeah, it¡¯s indeed my reason,¡± I admitted, lowering my head and avoiding her gaze. I tried to think of other reasons for my actions, but nothing came to mind. So, I relented and locked my eyes onto hers, admitting to such ridiculous reasoning for all the plans I had made so far. Keeping our silence, Aina abruptly opened her mouth. ¡°You are a terrible liar, you know that.¡± ¡°¡­ What do you mean?¡± Though that was what I asked back, a lump formed in my throat. I knew exactly what she meant, but it was still hard for me to concede to my own true nature. I hate it, for all my suffering in the past stem from it. Without waiting for a response, she approached me again, rolling her eyes dramatically. In a swift motion, she placed her hands on my shoulders. With her psychic power, she made herself float to my height ¨C talk about a power move ¨C as she leaned in closer, her lips almost brushing against mine. Just as we were about to close the distance, our eyes shut in anticipation, a sudden cough from the side startled both of us, and we quickly separated, creating a comical distance between us. Our muscles tightened, and we stood straight, like two soldiers caught in a compromising position. To our surprise, it was the First Champion, Sir Gillihan, who stood behind us without either of us being aware of his presence. I wondered how long he had been there, but honestly, I couldn¡¯t care less if he had heard what I said beforehand. It didn¡¯t matter to me anyway, since I was pretty sure that the Supreme Commander and many Generals, including Sir Gillihan ¨C who was also a General ¨C already knew about my intention and feelings based on how I always drew up the many plans for our attacks, with Aina who always positioned at the very center of the formation and core deployment, ensuring her safety above all else. The others, in my mind and the whole angle, were just cannon fodder, serving as assurance in case something went awry during the mission ¨C including me, who was always at arm''s length, ready on the frontline to tend to the wounded and create distractions if necessary to save Aina. If they couldn¡¯t even draw that conclusion, they might as well be called idiots. Both of us saluted at his presence, then stood straight, awaiting orders. ¡°Sir¡­¡± we called out simultaneously, our voices echoing in the awkward silence. ¡°At ease, soldiers. Cough, I¡¯m sorry if I disturbed your two little alone time, but young lady, your captain seems to be looking for you,¡± Sir Gillihan said, turning to Aina. There was a well-hidden smile forming beneath his well-groomed beard as he eyed me occasionally. Who knew what that smile really meant? But after being exposed to his presence for so long at the base and knowing what kind of person Sir Gillihan was, it gave me a slight headache thinking about what was going to happen among the troops from now on when I¡¯m there. In my honest, brief opinion, he was a busybody grandpa. Once he liked someone, he either treated you as a comrade if your age was close to his ¨C which was rare and could be counted on one hand since there were hardly any among the Ironclad Legion and the whole world who managed to be compatible with the serum at his age ¨C he was ninety years old when he volunteered to be one of the test subjects and was successful wonderfully at the level of integration percentage. Or he would treat you like his own grandson, constantly nagging you. Fortunate and unfortunate enough, I was the latter kind. ¡°Ah yes. I¡¯ll go first, Sir,¡± Aina saluted once again, then walked closer to me, whispering, ¡°I¡¯ll go first. I¡¯ll find you in your camp. Don¡¯t run away.¡± ¡°Go ahead¡­¡± Sir Gillihan nodded, allowing Aina to leave us. Just as she disappeared from our field of vision, Sir Gillihan smiled broadly, ¡°Oho! I guess the rumor about little Nath is true after all.¡± He then clasped my shoulder, and I winced in pain. I had never once used what Sir Gillihan believed to be a not-so-hard tap on my shoulder or back as a form of greeting. If I were a normal human, I figured I would have been thrown out by now, face-planted on the ground, or worse, ended up with broken bones from his overwhelming strength alone. Despite all my silent complaints and displeasure, Sir Gillihan was always a respectable figure in my heart. I secretly admired him. It had always been that way¡­ and I was pretty sure I was going to need an ice pack too after this encounter. * * * And that day happened. It became a terrible nightmare for all of us. We lost a man who had always been our symbol against the Aelor. He was the man who had fought against insurmountable odds and somehow managed to stay alive, even emerging miraculously as the sole victor in battles that seemed unwinnable. I lost him. We lost him. Sir Gillihan died while valiantly holding back countless Aelor. He sacrificed himself so that we could safely retreat, and it was a devastating blow to all of us. It struck at the very core of our confidence and shattered our whole mental fortitude. Like flipping the same coin, we tasted defeat overwhelmingly, losing one of our headquarters and our first hero in the process. That day with Aina had been the last time I had a long conversation and even joked around with Sir Gillihan. I didn¡¯t know how to process his sacrifice. But we still needed to move on. There was an unending battle out there, and we were still not on the losing side yet. Or so I thought. I was wrong. Just the following year after the death of Sir Gillihan, I lost her. I lost Aina too. Despite all of my efforts to keep her safe, I lost her as well. That day felt like my entire existence had lost all meaning. It was as if the very air had been sucked from my lungs, making it hard to breathe. My heart kept beating erratically, a frantic drum echoing relentlessly in my mind. I hallucinated that I was sent back to the past, reliving the agony of my injuries back then, which sometimes made me shiver in pain and end up convulsing on the floor. The difference was that ¨C I felt like I had lost all my strength to even stand. I felt weak, as the pain that ceaselessly assaulted my heart became unbearable by the ticks of the clock. But I needed to stay strong. I was a man, after all. No matter what, I stood there, clenching my fists as tightly as possible until they bled heavily, trying to numb the misery. I didn¡¯t remember exactly how I managed to return to my room. One thing was for sure: the sadness I felt that day was clouded only by a raging anger. A fit of overwhelming rage that threatened to burn away all of my reason. But I needed to calm down. I needed to breathe and think through it all, lest I lose my sanity too amidst this whole situation. I did all of that, not for humanity. Not for myself. Not for my sense of defeat. Not for Sir Gillihan nor even for Aina. It was solely for revenge. I needed to make those Aelor bastards pay the price. I couldn¡¯t die yet. Foolishly throwing away my life wasn¡¯t an answer. So, I dedicated myself to bringing an end to the enemy. I took on the mantle as the tactician of the Iron Legion. From a small leader of the tactical division, I climbed my way up the ranks. A Captain to a Major. To a Colonel and then a General. Victory after victory, I led the legion down to the only clear path we paved ¨C through countless sacrifices and the deaths of comrades. I strove toward the sole ambition, purpose, and end of our struggle and battle. And that was the conquest of our nemesis ¨C the true, crushing defeat of the Aelor, the invading army. I stood resolutely at the top of a cliff, surveying the Champions and Soldiers who lined up in front of me, all of whom had just managed to secure another victory under my leadership. Fifteen years after Aina¡¯s death, I was promoted to the highest command of the entire Earth army. I was responsible for the overall strategy, command, and coordination of all units. I was the one who held one of the highest positions under one banner against the Aelor: The Ironclad Legion. I was to be the Supreme Commander. But even then, I knew. We all knew that the battle was far from over. We would rise from the ashes, united in our quest to reclaim our world. For humanity? No. For Sir Gillihan? No. I didn¡¯t know about others ¨C but for me, this time ¨C it was all for Aina¡¯s sake. For our promise. I would not go quietly into the night. With me at the helm, we would rise, we would fight, and we would reclaim our home, no matter what. * * * After more than a hundred years, we did it. We finally did it. The air was thick with the scent of victory, the cheers of humanity ringing out like a triumphant anthem. We had done the impossible; we had driven the Aelor back to the void from which they came. The remnants of our once-broken world began to heal, and for a fleeting moment, hope blossomed in our hearts. We celebrated, believing we had turned the tide against the nightfall that had threatened to consume us all. But that celebration was short-lived at the end. Just as we began to breathe easy, the sky darkened once more. The Aelor returned, but this time, they were different ¨C new creatures, more advanced armor, and weaponry ¨C armed with technology that surpassed anything we had ever encountered. They descended upon us like a storm, their weapons glinting with a malevolent light, and we were woefully unprepared for the onslaught that followed. I fought alongside my comrades, but it was futile. The aliens were stronger, faster, and more ruthless than before. I could feel the tide of battle shifting, the weight of despair pressing down on us like a leaden shroud. As I fought, I saw my subordinates, my comrades ¨C one by one, their screams echoing in my ears. I fought with everything I had, but it never was enough. Then it happened. I felt a sharp pain pierce through my side, a long sword thrust deep into my flesh and heart. Time slowed as I looked down, the realization dawning on me that this was it ¨C my end was numbered in seconds. I had believed we could win, that we could reclaim our world, but it was all a cruel joke. We had lost. I had lost everything. Aina. My heart shattered at the thought of her. The world around me slowly faded in a blur, the sounds of battle drowned out by the silence of my impending doom. The last thing I saw was a brilliant blue light descending from the sky, crashing down toward our main base ¨C the sign of our end ¨C a harbinger of destruction. And then, I was shrouded only by darkness. Meanwhile, inside all of this, lying freely as if there was no gravity ¨C in an unforgettable moment, I faintly caught a voice whispering to me in my sleep that said, ¡°It¡¯s not over yet, is it, Supreme Commander?¡± When I opened my eyes again, I was not in the ruins of our last stand. I was back. Back in my young body, at twenty-one years old, in District A32. Mysterious Entity It felt like I had sunk to the deepest part of the Earth, where gravity had abandoned me, leaving my body to drift aimlessly. I kept falling ¨C deeper and deeper into the unending abyss¨C until, out of nowhere, some kind of force yanked me from above, picking up speed and accelerating with every passing tick of the second. Until¡­ Abruptly, I opened my eyes and jolted awake. Yet, I found myself struggling to breathe normally. My mouth opened and closed like a fish flopping on dry land. It was hard ¨C like I had forgotten how to catch air and pull it into my lungs automatically. It actually took me a whole damn minute to finally manage a normal breath. I drew a sharp inhale, gulping in as much air as I could muster. Cough, cough, cough! After a violent coughing fit, I attempted to sit up from the cold, hard ground beneath me. I felt weak all over ¨C as if my body had decided to take a vacation without me being aware of it. I had to put in a Herculean effort just to prop myself up with my arms. The floor felt like cement ¨C pretty backward if I were to say so. But who was I to complain? By some divine intervention, miracle, or just plain luck, I had somehow survived the assault. I was alive! On the other hand, my pillow seemed to be made of a haphazard pile of folded clothes. A sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu washed over me, but I tried my best to ignore it. ¡®What the heck am I even thinking about? Pretty stupid¡­¡¯ Sitting on the ground, I glanced unintentionally to the side. But that was all it took for my eyes to snap back. It was the sole source of light in this unknown room, and it triggered a hazy memory from my younger self ¨C a past so blurry it made me wonder if I had actually lived that life. The light came from an all-purpose camping LED, the kind that could double as a flashlight. It was one of the cheapest on the market, and I had even bought a second-hand one with broken tripod legs, meaning I had to find a fitting stone or brick to prop it up on the ground. I recalled how I call it in jest, super economical¡­ Trying to calm my restless, beaten heart, I used my unfamiliar hand to approach the tripod LED ¨C trying to verify a conjecture that was currently hanging at the back of my mind. Just below the light, it was supposed to have a protrusion that acted as a switch, which could be turned clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the intensity. My hand touched it, and I was right after all. I slowly increased the light, my eyes widening as the brightness filled the room. My hands trembled as I brought them closer to my face. This was an unfamiliar hand ¨C gone was the rough, slightly wrinkly skin of my palm. Gone were the calloused knuckles that had been used for punching walls or trees during my made-up individual training. Gone was the big, unnatural hand that could snap a normal soldier''s neck with a single grip, courtesy of the serum that had modified my entire molecular structure and physique. Then my eyes were drawn to my wrist. My mouth subsequently fell open in disbelief. There it was ¨C the damned mechanical spider with the glowing red gem on its back, latched onto my flesh and bones. I remember when I was sent to the main R&D Department in Bangkok, Thailand, to protect the scientists there, where there was a rumor that the Aelor managed to detect its location by some unknown means, which in the end, was proven incorrect. While inside one of their facilities, this unknown robot ¨C or entity, or whatever it was ¨C had suddenly latched onto my back, clawing its way to my nape and drilling itself into my flesh, creating a visible bump. As one of the Iron Legion''s most important members and Champions, known for my intelligence and craftiness in formulating multiple decisive and cunning tactical decisions against the Aelor, many of them, especially the higher-ups, were worried about the repercussions of this strange attachment to me. Numerous experiments were then conducted in hopes of saving me. But all the experts ended in incredulity and bewilderment. They scanned me with everything they had. I remembered it all too clearly, especially when the Supreme Commander, right at his office ¨C at that time, presented the list of expenses incurred just to probe or identify what this thing really was. And what the heck, it was really expensive! As someone who had grown up poor since out of the womb, seeing the zeros behind the twos and threes almost gave me a heart attack. I thought it would be better to dig a hole and bury myself if they ever asked me to pay for it. I¡¯m pretty much in complete belief that ¨C not even all my organs could cover that whole expenditure, especially since the main headquarters always needed to tighten their belts to stay afloat amid the financial drain from the fight against Aelor. Though ¨C I was sure they were also curious about this wannabe spider from goddamn who knows where ¨C that couldn¡¯t even be scratched by our weapon. Nevertheless, it remained a core memory for me. I recalled sitting awkwardly in the main office, watching the Supreme Commander rub his forehead in frustration as I saw the detailed procedures conducted on me ¨C from Thermal Imaging Systems to Nanotechnology-Based Scanning Probes, Multi-Spectral Imaging Systems, Plasma Energy Detectors, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Neural Interface Scanners, Advanced Spectroscopy Analysis, Bioelectromagnetic Field Scanners, and even the most advanced technology the Legion had at the time: Advanced Quantum Resonance Imaging. Guess what, all of it still ended up in failure. They couldn¡¯t even identify its nature. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. They even had to call in one of their biggest investors to deploy the most powerful Psychic in the Iron Legion, who was stationed in one of the most dangerous zones on Earth - Tokyo, Japan - to retreat from the frontline and help them analyze what this thing really was. At that point, even I¡¯m curious¡­ She then used her psychic resonance along with the limited, exaggeratedly expensive Psychic Amplifier, which could only be used once before becoming a waste, usually reserved for emergencies, in hopes of gaining a connection with it. But, well, it was still a failure. She told me it felt like her psychic power had met an ordinary stone. Nothing¡­ The only conclusion they reached after all that effort and trouble was that, if this thing was removed from my nape, I would surely die. And that was it. That was all the answers they could provide. So redundant! Not that I could argue since it was all for me. Perhaps they had a certain agenda about it, especially given the enigmatic circumstances surrounding this thing. Surely, there was fear, but also excitement to discover what this spider actually was. Anyway ¨C now, this thing was currently on my wrist, not my nape. What did that even mean? Of course, I didn¡¯t know. But one thing kept nagging at the back of my mind: if my guess was right, my current predicament could very well be linked to this strange, unordinary spider. ¡°Fantastic,¡± I muttered to myself, feeling rather nasty from it. I then inspected it closely, my heart racing with a mix of uncertainty and interest. The image was identical to the photo that had been given to me in the past, as if it had connected itself to my bone, stretching my flesh and skin in a way that looked awfully painful but also kind of cool ¨C like a bizarre piece of body art in an illegal human experiment gone wrong. Curiosity got the better of me, and I lightly touched the bump with my other hand ¨C just like how whenever I got that itch, and ended up touching it anyway. Just as my fingers made contact, unexpectedly, a series of floating, typed green, ghastly words suddenly appeared in the upper corner of my right vision, gradually being written out like some sort of digital movie script: Memory Transfer: Successful¡­ Memory Transfer: Successful¡­ Initiating Phase One: Transferring complete control and management protocols to the new host¡­ Loading¡­ Initiating¡­ Initiation complete¡­ Commencing full assimilation process¡­ As this unknown thing activated, the mechanical spider nestled within my wrist began to disassemble into microscopic fragments. Each piece, infused with advanced technology, surged through my body without so much as a ¡°by your leave¡± permission to initiate whatever it was planning to do. Assimilation in progress¡­ Analyzing host compatibility¡­ Integrating core functionalities¡­ A short moment later, my body reacted violently to this invasive procedure. I jerked in place and then fell heavily onto my back. A sharp pain radiated from my wrist, escalating rapidly. The sensation spread like wildfire, coursing through my veins and climbing up my arm. At first, it crawled into my brain, then swiftly enveloped my entire being, as if filling every granule of my existence. My back arched, my whole body trembled, and I could feel my veins popping out like I was auditioning for a role in a superhero movie. I figured my eyes must have been reddening from the effort of holding onto my consciousness. I still remember the pain of the serum that had integrated with me before. If I lost my cognizance during that process, the serum would be defective in its enhancement, failing to modify my body and mind to become a Champion. That was also why not everyone could be injected with the serum. Pain tolerance was a prerequisite before injection. Even if someone was proven compatible with the serum ¨C if they couldn¡¯t handle the pain, the injection would be withheld, and the soldier would be trained first to increase their pain tolerance. But this? This was so much more painful than the serum assimilation. It was hard to breathe correctly, just like when I first woke up earlier. Pain threshold exceeded. Adjusting integration parameters¡­ Host experiencing discomfort. Initiating pain modulation¡­ Even amidst the agonizing, overwhelming pain, I managed to glimpse the words written in the corner of my sight. Seeing the part about discomfort, I almost rolled my eyes. ¡°Yeah, right. Discomfort my ass!!? This pain is insane! Arrggghhh¡­¡± Despite whatever this thing was trying to do to mitigate the agony, I felt as if my very essence as a human being was being rewritten into a new species altogether ¨C perhaps like a monkey turning into a crocodile or something equally absurd. Just as the sensation finally decreased enough for me to twitch my fingers, it began to intensify once more. If I were to describe it, it felt like a blend of sharp, stinging stabs and overwhelming pressure, like a hammer repeatedly pounding me. I realized that the pain receptors in my body were far more numerous than I could ever have imagined, especially when it reached my, umm, ahem ¨C let¡¯s just say, the part of me that was essential for the continuation of future generations. Yeah, something like that. Assimilation status: 75% complete. Host stability: critical. Continuing integration¡­ Finalizing control protocols¡­ My vision was hanging by a pitiful thread by now. It was cloudy as hell. My mouth opened wide ¨C surely, a river of saliva pooled had already made its way to my side since I couldn¡¯t even swallow it. I struggled to maintain consciousness as the pain reached a new level of hysterical crescendo. The world around me slowly faded, leaving only the relentless throbbing and the cold, calculating presence of this damned spider merging with my body. I really wanted to curse and scream, ¡°Cut it out!¡± midway through this suffering. But, well, as anyone reading this could see and think with their own brain, I was just incapable of doing that, no matter how hard I tried, bruh¡­ Assimilation Status: 98% Complete¡­ Host Resilience: Commendable. Executing Final Adjustments¡­ Integration Complete. Welcome to the System, Host 1277: Nathaniel. Designation of Last Incorporated Name: REN. Initiating System Protocols¡­ Accessing Core Functions¡­ Establishing Communication Link¡­ Hello, Nathaniel. You are now integrated with the Red Energy Nexus. Commencing operational readiness. Awaiting further commands. System online. After the ¡°integration complete¡± part, all the sentences not only appeared in the corner of my blurry vision but also echoed directly inside my head, as if a psychic woman were using telepathy to talk directly to my mind. Then, at last, I gave up altogether and succumbed to the darkness, fainting from this harrowing experience. ¡°Goddamn it, it was so unnecessarily painful¡­¡± That was the last coherent thought in my head before everything faded to black. Red Energy Nexus I groggily woke up, my limbs feeling heavy as I tried to lift my arms to rub my eyes. Slowly, I opened my eyes and was greeted by blinking words at the corner of my vision. It read, System Online. Welcome¡­ ¡°Well, it wasn¡¯t a dream after all¡­¡± I muttered to myself, the reality of my situation sinking in. It took me a few minutes to regain strength in my body, reminiscent of the first time I had experienced the effects of the serum injection. With considerable effort, I finally managed to sit up on the ground. Beside me, a blinking alarm emitted that same ordinary, antique, and terribly annoying dull ringtone from my digital watch. I recalled that I had no phone at this time of the year, so I had settled for the cheapest yet most reliable option I could find. It was a digital watch with a touchscreen and a long battery life. And the most important one out of all its features ¨C of course, because it was built by NOKINA, a corporation renowned for creating the toughest devices on Earth. They were often likened to bricks on the roadside, capable of being used to bash anyone¡¯s head. I used to call it extremely handy, as it not only could be used to look for time and accept calls, but it could also defend its trained user from thieves. Multifunction, baby¡­ I picked up the watch and tapped one of the icons to silence the alarm. Swiping to the side, I gazed at the calendar displayed on the screen, just below the real-time clock. It read 04:30, March 13, 2106 ¨C three years before the nightmare, inducing attack from the Aelor. Rubbing my forehead, I closed my eyes, feeling a slight headache. Dried blood brushed against my fingers, likely the result of my heavy fall to the floor, headfirst, added by writhing all around in pain. I also felt sticky all over, probably from the sweat. Looking at my wrist, I noticed that the wannabe, unethical and shameless mechanical spider was gone, replaced by a tattoo that featured intricate strokes and lines, forming a mysterious symbol. It showcased a striking spider image with a gorgeous red jewel on its back. However, anyone with arachnophobia would likely be grossed out by it. But oh well, who cares? And I gotta admit it this time, it looks really cool. Wearily gazing at the tattoo, I spoke to it as if it could respond. ¡°So, what are you?¡± Soon after I spoke, a voice ¨C a young girl¡¯s to be exact ¨C rang inside my head, accompanied by text that progressed alongside her speech. Welcome, Host. As the last name integrated into my base from the previous Host''s decision, you may call me REN, which stands for Red Energy Nexus. Do you wish to receive further explanation based on your inquiry? I narrowed my eyes, curiosity piqued. ¡°Go ahead¡­¡± REN is the designation granted by the previous Host. It was intended to sound cool and feminine, she said. However, the voice has been regulated to mimic that of the previous Host''s little sister, who unfortunately had passed away. This was actually done to commemorate her memory¡­ ¡°Stop, stop, stop. What the hell?¡± I felt my mouth twitch at the unexpected revelation. ¡®Why do I feel like I¡¯m listening to gossip? No, it¡¯s worse. I¡¯m possibly learning about someone¡¯s deepest secrets, thoughts and traumas dumped together all at once.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked. I asked, what are you actually, REN? How did you manage to burrow yourself into my flesh? How did you save me from that blast, and¡­ are you perhaps sending me to the past?¡± I continued. There were so many things currently swirling inside my head. So much so that my current condition seems to be the most redundant out of all of it. Loading¡­ Question being processed¡­ Error¡­ Error¡­ The Host''s Authority Level is currently insufficient to provide a complete answer. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Access Denied¡­ Creating possible answers based on the Host''s authority level. Access Granted¡­ In the previous event, the system managed to gain enough energy to activate itself by automatically employing the Emergency Protocol. This was to shield the future Host and absorb the blast, which originated from the Quantum Energy Manipulation typically utilized by Sixth Level Advanced Civilizations. Unfortunately, due to a system malfunction, the shield was breached at the last moment by the Energy Cannon, along with earlier attacks before activation, resulting in the future Host''s body being deemed irrecoverable. Based on the calculated details and the best approach to save the Host and Earth, and considering the limited energy accumulated, the system decided to extract all memories from the future Host body. By utilizing the Last Resort Program, Time Travel was initiated, and the system attached itself to the current Host body in the past. After transferring all necessary memories, the system is now prepared to guide the Host on the first unavoidable mission: to save humanity from extinction. It took me a while to process everything I had just heard. My mouth twitched uncontrollably upon realizing that I was, in fact, my younger self, now infused with the memories of my future self. The truth was, it was hard to believe what was happening to me. Those memories felt so real ¨C the pain of the first serum injection, the near loss of my left hand because of those damned Aelor, and the heat from the Mega Thermal Detonator exploding inside the Aelor spaceship. And time travel? How was that even possible? Yet, considering the galactic trouble taken to access and identify this spider called REN, which all the scientists still failed to understand, it somehow makes sense. It had shielded itself from that mega blue laser that had rained down upon us, extracted my memories, and even facilitated itself to travel to the past. Especially when it mentioned the part about the advanced civilization. It successfully sent a shudder down my spine. ¡®What the freaky damned is this thing? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s something that came from a more powerful green or red alien, then latched itself onto me to survey Earth and humanity, determining if we were even worth the trouble and their precious time to conquer or not. Is it something like that?¡¯ I thought to myself, expecting the AI to be capable of reading my mind. After all, if it could extract my memories, surely it would also know what was swirling in my thoughts right now. After a few seconds of silence, I finally understood that REN seemed to only respond to the inquiries that were directed to it. Rubbing my forehead once more, I decided to ask more questions. ¡°So, you traveled to the past, attached yourself to me, and transferred all my future memories to my current self? Is that right?¡± Affirmative, Host. ¡°I see. Anyway, let¡¯s start with another question. What do you mean by my insufficient Authority Level?¡± The Host can glimpse information through the current status¡­ ¡°Status? How do I ¨C oh, okay¡­¡± It seemed that REN was indeed, able to read my thoughts, as a glowing, translucent panel materialized at the corner of my vision. It expanded to fill the entire side of my view, and weirdly still insisted with that ghastly, glowing green glow, like some kind of green Halloween theme of flying Duckman from the SpongeJob CirclePants plastered on the Android phone as its features. The Host can manipulate the size of the screen using hand gestures to widen, contract, or even shape it into a sphere. The advanced integral processor and the current integrated system allow for seamless command processing. Caught in the throng of this weird nosy-parker of mine, I placed my finger at the very corner line of the display. As I moved it to the side, I managed to make the panel smaller and even reshape it into a ball. I could also zoom in on the words that were written. The truth was, I really wanted to play around with this feature. Who knew? Perhaps, even after assimilating with my future self, the childish part of my current self still heavily influenced how I thought. At least that was my excuse ¨C though, if Aina had known what I was thinking and what I was doing, she surely would have laughed. Because in the end, my childish, innocent self was still there, no matter how old I ended up becoming. And Aina was the one who truly knew me best. Next, I focused on the text displayed on the screen¡­ Status: Nathaniel Cross (Host #1277) System Status: Online Version: Lowest Version (Limited Features) Energy Level: 45% (Depleted) Current Authority Level: 1 (Insufficient for advanced access) Life Level: 1 (Ordinary Human) Attributes: - - - - - - Unlocked Features: ¡­ - - - - - - Notes: Mission "That is oddly specific," I commented after seeing my status. Not much I could say about what I was seeing; everything seemed to be alright. However, my interest was drawn to the intelligence and willpower attributes displayed on the screen. I couldn''t recall ever being that smart at my age. "Is it because I''m assimilated with my future memory, who is also a champion, that my willpower and intelligence are like that?" I asked REN about it. That is correct, Host. REN replied in my head in a tone that was both mechanical and oddly comforting. "I see. So, what is this mission thing about?" I inquire ¨C curiosity piqued. Just as I finished my question, the mission option was selected automatically, and the details appeared before me. Mission: 1. Proper Rest The system has determined that the current Host has inadequate rest and has forced himself to work beyond his limits. It is recommended that the Host resigns from the job that exploits his time and strength. Reward: A calm mind, better life management, and a mystery gift. 2. Look for a Fitting Energy Source to Refuel the System For better assistance from the system, it is recommended that the Host refill the entire energy level so that the system can initiate the self-repair program and assist the Host to a better degree. Reward: 1 free attribute and a mystery gift. - - - - - - "Hmmm, is this like a game or something?" I raise my eyebrows at the peculiarity of it all. It felt reminiscent of those litRPG novels I had once read before I buried myself in work, even selling the phone that I bought with the money I had secretly saved up for quite a long time, without my family having any knowledge about it. Based on the currently available data on Earth, the system had deemed it necessary to follow certain rules and regulations, where the directive to develop the Host had been created to maximize all parts of the current system''s capability. "Oh¡­ where did this mission idea come from?" I pondered aloud while rubbing my chin, my habit when I was the tactician under The Iron Legion. Loading¡­ Access Granted¡­ The answer is derived from Host memory. REN states, its voice devoid of emotion yet precise. Suddenly, fragments of memory flood back to me at that exact moment. In the past, when I had sustained my injuries and needed to stay in the hospital for prolonged hours, I managed to find a rare person I could comfortably call a friend ¨C who taught me how to play a game. After being discharged from the hospital and having refused the subsequent surgery due to my inability to pay the bill ¨C I maintained my habit of playing games. The game was a first-person shooter where players fought against aliens. In that game, an AI was integrated directly into the soldier''s brain, assisting them in their daily lives and providing tactical guidance during battles. That game had been my escape from the stress of my personal life. The thought of it made me sigh in frustration. It felt like a blurry past that should have remained there, yet here I was, at the exact time when I was supposed to live in that twisted version of reality. I had a mixed feeling about this. Just around a year from now, I sustained an injury to my spinal cord from an accident, which resulted in a below-average integration percentage with the serum that had labeled me a failed Champion. Based on the health monitor and tests, the doctors had explained that this was likely due to incomplete neural integration, an unknown problem with my neuroplasticity, alongside various physiological limitations due to the injury I had in the past. The place of the accident was right here where I currently stayed. I worked as a temporary construction worker, trying to feed my insatiable family while treating myself like I was lower than a dog. To confirm my conjecture, I touch the side of my ribs. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Yep, I could feel it. I was damn skinny. I had always lived frugally, so much so that even my clothes were second-hand, given to me only when my brother no longer wanted them, or other shameless excuses like ¨C not fancy anymore, or if they were looking old, cheap, and had some small tears here and there. Looking at my clothes, it indeed had some holes or messy sewed parts. Always fearful of eating more or drinking more ¨C worried if I spend too much, while my pig of a father eating till his stomach bloated like a balloon, and so with my brother and sister who followed suit. Though, if I weren''t wrong, my little sister, had become skinnier over the past three years, and the next year, she was set to marry someone. And where the hell had she gotten the money for the wedding when she had always been a spoiled brat, having everything taken care of by my money, relying wholly on my earnings and never saving a dime? Of course, the funds for her wedding still came from me. A month after my years of savings had been drained to help my younger sister, I sustained that injury when a wall fell heavily on my back while I was working. I had been lucky to be alive. Though part of me had died back then, it had resulted in so much resentment that I had almost given up on my own sanity. And that was the reason I couldn''t pay the bill for my injury. Of course, there had been other ways, such as borrowing money from a loan shark. But at this time, when the economy was at a low point for everyone in the world, the harshest ever recorded in the year 2000 in history ¨C especially after Earth had nearly faced its Third World War ¨C those who turned to loan sharks usually ended up swallowed whole, with none of their bones even spitted out. It was a chasm of complete tragedy¡­ Even moneylenders these days had a similar cruelty, charging exorbitant interest rates ¨C just in a more subdued manner, without directly harming the borrower. However, the first time amounts they could lend were far too small to cover the surgery I needed for my spinal cord. * * * 06.00 AM. Morning finally arrived, I stood up and dusted myself ¨C after inspecting REN and all that could benefit me greatly for the last hour and a half. At the back of my mind though, there was still this gnawing uncertainty and suspicion as to what REN''s true purpose really was. When I asked her directly about it, she denied me an answer, claiming I didn''t have enough Authority Level. But oh well, thinking about it too much wouldn''t give me an answer, would it? Besides, with what was about to happen to the future, REN could very well be the only chance for humans to have any chance against those bastard Aelor. I remember much too clear how helpless we were against those aliens. I also harbored a suspicion that those who attacked us, in the end, belonged to a different civilization than the Aelor. But that was merely speculation on my part. I wondered if REN had any insight into that part. Anyway, for today, I planned to tackle the first mission. Except for the mystery gift, the rewards didn''t particularly excite me, and to be honest, it turned me off. What the hell was that calm mind about? Was it a mysterious magical game-like skill or something? Or was it just a good, positive regard from this advanced AI-like? Because even without the mission, I surely would resign from this job. There was no way I would continue to abuse myself after knowing what awaited humanity in the future, including my impending injury. I had other things in mind that I wanted to do, one of which was seeing Aina. Just thinking about her made the corners of my lips lift uncontrollably. She was still alive at this time, after all. "Wait for me, Aina¡­" I whispered to myself, feeling a flicker of hope. I turned off the LED lamp and removed the brick that had been propping it up. I tidied up the makeshift bed I had created on the ground, which consisted of a thin sheet, some folded clothes, and a folded blanket I only used when it got too chilly. Yep, that was how I slept every night. I had grown accustomed to it over the years. From childhood until now, I had always slept on the ground, often without even a blanket. I was the idiot cheap and constantly worried about my dwindling savings, which were often drained by certain irresponsible people who exploited me throughout my life. I only realized how beyond saving they were and how stupid I was when it was too late, and I had to endure years of agony over my injury before the Aelor attack and the serum injection. As I walked down the stairs of the building still under construction, I encountered one of the workers, yawning as he shuffled by. From the direction he came, it seemed he was waking up to relieve himself. "Eh, you''re awake, Nath! Go, go! Get some more sleep! Don''t start working when it''s not even time yet!" he said, shooing me away with his hands like I was a pesky fly ¨C though obviously in a well-intentioned way. "No. Don''t worry, Uncle Ron! I won''t do that," I replied, half-amused. There was a reason I felt comfortable working here, even though the boss was a real piece of crap. Many of the workers here were genuinely nice people and to boot, also diligent in their tasks, unlike my previous job, where everyone seemed to be on a mission to dodge work and dump it all on me. These workers primarily came from a village and had been hired by a certain nice guy, or so they claimed. Only to be exploited here, working from 7 A.M. to 10 P.M., earning below the basic wage, eating bland food, and getting only an hour of afternoon rest. They had been duped into signing an unethical contract, and because most of them came from not-so-well-educated backgrounds, they still happily worked here, claiming that the work in the village was even harder than this. Talk about resilience! However, at least they were permanent workers here, unlike me, a temporary worker earning even less than they did. Uncle Ron raised his eyebrows, perhaps sensing something off about my demeanor. The younger me had always been extremely polite and full of smiles, albeit looking perpetually weary. Now, with memories of being a Supreme Commander for over a century, my bearing had certainly changed. "Are you having diarrhea, lad? You rarely wake up this early. And¡­" Uncle Ron sniffed the air, grimacing as his nose got closer to me. "Yeah, you stink. Perhaps it really is diarrhea." He awkwardly smiled at me, trying to comfort me, but I could see the concern in his eyes. I felt like crying at that moment. Well, it wasn''t his fault; I indeed smelled terrible. Even the sheet I used to cover the ground reeked ¨C much less my body. I smelled like something people would relieve themselves on in the toilet. "Thanks for the concern, Uncle Ron!" I rubbed the back of my head, feeling embarrassed, but internally surprised. This was the habit of the young, awkward me. "Just don''t let the boss catch a whiff of you, or he might think you''re trying to sabotage the project!" Uncle Ron chuckled, shaking his head as he walked away, leaving me to contemplate my less-than-glamorous morning. With a sigh, I resolved to tackle my day, starting with a shower. After all, a clean worker was a happy worker, or so they said. * * * Humanity And Naths Plan Finally feeling freshened up, I changed into my best set of clothes, the finest I had in the two bags I had with me. My next action was to write down my letter of resignation on a nearby table. Thankfully, as a temporary construction worker without any legitimate contract tying me down, I didn¡¯t have to jump through hoops to leave. I had heard in the past that it was customary to notify an employer at least two weeks before resigning, but in a world engulfed by financial troubles that only seemed to worsen with each passing year, jobs like mine had desperate people lining up to take them. There were so many poor and homeless individuals, even in America. I couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine the dire living conditions in some countries, especially in parts of Asia. I figured it must be hell there. I had seen the news on large outdoor screens streaming live footage from various locations, where people were hanging themselves out of sheer desperation in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. They were too poor and had no money. Or the ones who kept the household afloat had suffered major injuries, leading to parents abandoning their children through suicide. The government funds that were promised to help those children or teenagers were what they hoping for. However, who knew if they were actually paid? And I was sure this tragedy had also occurred in more than just those three countries. I didn¡¯t follow up with the news because I had my fair share of troubles. So much so that by my twenties, I was already losing a lot of my hair. All around the world, living conditions had deteriorated, and widespread protests erupted against governments perceived as corrupt and ineffective. This civil unrest disrupted daily life and economic activities ¨C leading to a lot of further declines in productivity and investment. It also caused the collapse of critical infrastructure. Transportation systems, healthcare facilities, and even educational institutions fell into disrepair, exacerbating the economic crisis and creating a vicious cycle of decline. Everyone believes that the present situation all started when tensions between major world powers reached a boiling point. Military buildups and aggressive posturing led to fears of an all-out war¡ª of what people called, World War Three. Nations invested heavily in defense budgets, diverting funds from essential social services and infrastructure development. The looming threat of conflict caused instability in global markets, leading to decreased foreign investment and economic uncertainty. And then, suddenly, all went silent. Everyone cheered back then ¨C believing that the world had finally regained its peace and that the economy would bounce back to how it used to be. But no, everyone was wrong. Instead, it plummeted drastically. That was how life was on Earth. I also had so much resentment and complain bottled up, convinced that the government was to blame for it all. Only after the Aelor attacked Earth and I joined the Iron Legion did I finally understand how terrible the situation really was. It was awful. Even before the supposed all-out war, Earth had already been grappling with its own troubles, one of which was environmental degradation. Rapid industrialization and overpopulation have led to the depletion of natural resources, including water, arable land, and fossil fuels. This scarcity drove up prices and created fierce competition among nations for the remaining resources, exacerbating tensions and contributing to economic instability. ¡°Sigh.¡± I sighed to myself, looking at the simple letter I had written. I then placed it in a white envelope. They said life had its ups and downs, and it could be said that the situation on Earth was at rock bottom right now since the end of World War Two. Standing up, I walked in the direction of the canteen, deciding to have my last meal there. Along the way, many workers smiled and greeted me casually, though I also caught some malicious glares directed my way. Well, I had once heard that where there was good in the world, the opposite also existed, often at its worst ¨C to be the opposite of the best. I suppose that made sense, for me at least. Taking one of the reusable plastic plates, each in different colors, I slowly handed it to the young man distributing the food. He was a hefty fellow, and while I could call him an acquaintance, we weren¡¯t close enough to be considered friends. ¡°You look¡­ different today,¡± he said, opening the conversation while casually glancing my way. He busied himself by piling pancakes onto my plate, devoid of honey or maple syrup, followed by a meat bun that barely contained any meat. There were also some blanched vegetables and a fried egg on the side. Today¡¯s breakfast was better compared to what I had yesterday ¨C which resembled military rations that had less nutrition. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Sad? Well, those who lived on the streets had it even worse than this. Looking down at myself, I shrugged my shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t feel that different. What do you mean I look different?¡± I asked him, genuinely curious. He handed me the plate back and replied, ¡°You don¡¯t have that fake smile anymore. I guess it kinda looks good on you.¡± After saying that, he didn¡¯t want to engage in a further mish-mash of conversation. Ignoring me, he returned to serving the others who were already waiting in line behind me. I walked to a table, a faint smile forming on my lips. Well, that guy was known to be rude and had no smile, but I knew him quite well from working here. In short, he was diligent. He might have looked serious while working ¨C but outside of work, he was a funny and casual person. We both seemed to have a good opinion of each other because we were the same kind of fellows who, when it was time to work ¨C put all our focus and dedication into it without wanting any distraction. Now that I thought it through, I almost didn¡¯t remember his name. Allen. Yes, I was pretty sure that was his name. He didn¡¯t survive the first initial attack. The reason the casualties had been so large was that Earth had caught itself unprepared for the assault. The Aelor spaceships possessed some kind of camouflage ability that bypassed all the radar systems set up to monitor any movement in the Earth''s atmosphere and space, or on the ground. The sample to create the Champion was in the final steps of the procedure but still wasn¡¯t completely ready. So, compared to the real population on Earth, we had far too few soldiers ¨C and those who could potentially be compatible with the serum had lost their lives in the first attack. I noted that in my mind. We needed more people to survive. Sat down, I quietly devoured all of the food ¨C while chatting casually with some other worker there who I was familiar with. I didn¡¯t tell them about my decision to quit the job. it was better to just leave silently ¨C since I didn¡¯t want the hassle of them giving advice, that jobs were hard to find in this day and age, so I should think about it more thoroughly less I regret it later in life. And many more that I could guess, the kind of well-meaning but annoying comments they would make. Finish with the meal, I walk to the managerial office. Knocking twice, I called out. ¡°Excuse me¡­¡± Just as I had called out, suddenly my ears caught a faint sound from the inside. Put my head closer and listened intently, I found out, there were unmistakable sounds of clapping cheeks, a groan from a man, and a moan from a woman. Looking at the door weirdly, I subsequently raised my eyebrows and looked at my watch. It listed, 08.15 A.M. ¡®What the heck, at this hour he is exercising inside,¡¯ I thought to myself as I shook my head. Finally, after five minutes, the sound was gone. It seems they had been at it for quite a long time ¨C or maybe it was indeed a short time. Not like I cared much¡­ Knock the door a few more times, for the sake of pissing out the man who was in the inside, finally, I got a response. ¡°What is it? Bloody bastard,¡± I heard some sound of clamor from the inside. A few moments later, the sound of footsteps from high heels approached the door. Waiting quietly, the door then opened. Looked up, and I found out it was a skinny girl, quite pretty, startled seeing me. Her hair and clothes were messy, with a smudge of lipstick streaked across her cheeks and a blush on her face. There was also the smell of alcohol emanating strongly from her, and of course ¨C a weird smell from¡­ Cough, cough. Man¡¯s hormones in other words. She looked down and in panic, hurriedly ran away from the spot. There was also a mist formed on the edge of her eyes as she wanted to cry after seeing me. Why such a reaction? That was because I knew her. In this day and age, everyone was struggling. That woman who worked here was actually the ¡®call girl¡¯ for the several, let¡¯s say ¨C bosses, leaders, or whatever here. There was a time I caught her crying in the bathroom, right at the back of the building where rarely anyone was there. The young me at that time, was a shy guy and not really great ¨C alright, I admit, I¡¯m the worse one when it came to interaction with a fellow human being. I stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to say. Just as I wanted to turn and leave the place, she turned toward me and called out, to have me stay there ¨C to not leave her alone there. While crying, she stood up and approached me. When she was right in front of me, she began to unbuttoned her shirt one by one, and I hastily stopped her. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I reprimanded her. I still recall how I raised my voice to her. ¡°Why? You don¡¯t want me? Aren¡¯t all men the same? Or maybe your taste is so high up there, that you are disgusted with me. A dirty woman? Isn¡¯t it? Right?¡± I still remember her cloudy eyes. Her desperation. Her helplessness. The fading light at her eyes. I didn¡¯t know much about the mindset or reason of those girls who sell their bodies for money and food ¨C because, in these desperate days, many girls have done that anyway. But that time, I somehow had an inkling, that if I didn¡¯t do or say anything about it, this girl likely was about to give up her life. There were too many cases at this age when I was watching the screen display on the side of the road. Suicide was far too common of cases. Usually, I couldn¡¯t care less about it, however, something kept scratching inside my heart. I felt a mixed feeling that I couldn¡¯t comprehend. Without thinking much, I hugged her, while whispering directly to her ear, that she wasn¡¯t a dirty woman ¨C but just someone who was lost ¨C and that she could cry on my shoulder if she needed it, anytime. When I was at the part where I told her, that not all men were the same, she chuckled. After which, she blew hot air on my ear, making me quite uncomfortable. And we stayed there ¨C hugging each other, lost in time until finally, my watch received a call, that my superior called me out of my absence from work. I hurriedly let her go and told her that I needed to go back, to continue my duties. She gave me her smile, and said to me, to be careful while at work. I nodded, then left her alone. That was the last of our interaction. And whenever she saw me at work, for some reason, she always ran away. Of course, the adult me somewhat understood why she did so. I also finally understood, why my superior, always looking at me with ire while I was working, constantly bullied me and made me work past my hours. If I didn¡¯t look tired enough, they would keep persecuting me unfairly, loudly calling out of me, way over the top reprimanding me with a harsh tone ¨C often when I didn¡¯t even make any mistakes. Kept adding work to me, or just outright asking for money, telling me that they would pay it back, but they never did ¨C even after the accident. All because of this girl''s real affection, if someone wasn¡¯t blind or an idiot, was clearly directed at me. Tch, thinking about this part often made me question my humanity, and there was a time, seeing all of the corruption at the heart of my fellow humans, I started to question myself, whether what we work and fight for as the Champions of the Earth, had any worth or meaning to it. Jaw Lock * * * ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Sir Hendry, my superior at the construction site, called out to me spitefully while adjusting his pants. The way he glared at me made it clear that if he could, he would swallow me whole right then and there. ¡°Oh, sir. I have something for you,¡± I replied calmly, forcing a faint smile onto my face as I took the envelope from my pocket and handed it to him. Sir Hendry looked at me with a mixture of confusion and irritation as he snatched the envelope away from my grasp in a rather ill-mannered fashion. I could tell he was unaccustomed to my unfamiliar demeanor at that moment. I was making direct eye contact with him, something I had rarely done in the past. The old me always tried to act submissive in front of those who were older or held a superior position, regardless of whether they were right or wrong. This behavior had been instilled in me by my mother, a lesson I regretted following after my injury. ¡°What is this?¡± he demanded, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°You better not waste my time, or I¡¯m going to cut your wages again.¡± He then harshly tore open the envelope, revealing a piece of folded paper inside. With a frown etched on his face, he unfolded it and began to read. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± he asked, looking at me with a mix of incredulity and peculiarity after finishing what was written. Countless individuals out there would do anything for the chance to work here, especially given the low acceptance rate for jobs. Yet here I was, asking to quit. Many of those who held higher positions took advantage of their authority, treating their workers like slaves. Even then, there was little that common folks could do but remain subservient, lest they succumb to hunger. However, I also had heard that in the past, even before the economy had been drowned in conflicts, there were companies that operated in the same manner. As long as they had connections with the police force''s top brass or were directly linked to a few corrupt government authorities, no one could file any reports against them. ¡°Yes sir. I¡¯m sure of it,¡± I said, without breaking the eye contact. ¡°Okay then. Clean up all of your luggage and get the hell out of here,¡± he spoke with a sneer. He also muttered, ¡°Ungrateful bastard,¡± while striding off inside and closing the door, which I put a stop to by using my shoe. ¡°Wait sir, the rest of my pay?¡± I asked with a mirthless smile that didn¡¯t reach my eyes. ¡°What the hell are you thinking about? What pay? If you want to quit, go. You rest here, you bathe here, and you eat here. Do you think this place is a charity? What pay did you deserve, huh?¡± he scolded me at length. His face turned red in anger, like a cooked shrimp. With how he uttered all his tirade in one breath ¨C it seemed it had been inside his mind for quite some time by now, in which, he hated his subordinate. He was the project manager here ¨C but what he did was lounge around all day, leaving all the job at the hand of his assistant. ¡°From the last of my payment, I worked here for around twenty-one days. Isn¡¯t it my right to receive the payment from that?¡± I replied smoothly without a break. I just knew exactly what ticked him off. While I had worked silently here before like some kind of background character, I was actually the kind of someone who always noted everything in my surroundings, including people''s emotions and personalities. To judge and decide who was not easily offended, and chill with their attitude in life. Those people were what I walked to when I needed help or just interacted casually with. People who had never been satisfied with what they had, then vent it to the innocent people around them usually letting out so much negativity, which, in my depressed state before, made my life even worse than it already was. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. ¡°Huh. Hahaha. Are you serious right now? Payment? Twenty-one what? Hahahaha,¡± he guffawing right at my face with derision ¨C as if he heard the funniest jokes in a century. His beer belly trembled like there was an alien inside. His saliva was splashed everywhere, and I needed to pull my head away from him, even though there was distance between our positions. Seeing what I did, he eyed me with a bubbling rage, which I purposely ignored. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Maybe because of your age, that¡¯s why you didn¡¯t hear me clearly. I said, twenty-one days of my¡­¡± my words were abruptly cut off as he bristled at me. ¡°You crazy b&%()&%^&R^$^&^*&#. Get out right now before I call security,¡± his hand lifted high, wanting to slap me. Of course, he didn¡¯t dare to. There was a time when he annoyed me so much that I couldn¡¯t hold it any longer, so I resisted his unreasonable orders. He wanted to punch me in front of everyone, and I slapped his hand away harshly, while silently looking at him. He backed away, visibly scared. Since then, he hadn¡¯t dared to be physical with me. Just when I somehow pissed him off for no reason, he cut my wage without directly confronting me. Truly the trashiest of the trashes. I lifted both of my hands and sighed. ¡°Okay then, so that¡¯s how you want to play it, huh,¡± inside my head though, I was gleefully glad that he confronted me. This was something I really wanted to do since I gained my future memories. Then just as I was done speaking, my right finger clenched, and I whipped it directly to his face. It was a fast motion ¨C and before he even managed to register it into his brain, he blinked once, and my fist already came into contact with his nose and mouth. It was a left jab ¨C my favorite move when I was still the crazy teenager who involved myself in countless street fights to vent my anger. Bam Sneak attack? Yes. That was my capability. My master ¨C secretly was a hitman after all. Sir Hendry dropped to the ground like a sack of rice, trembling while yelping in pain, holding onto his bloodied, broken nose. ¡°Argh, uh, uh¡­¡± he then spitted out a few broken teeth onto his hand, now covered with saliva mixed with blood. From his expression, I knew he seemed to swallow a few of it. Who knows how many? All I knew was that ¨C I felt contented with his misery. Smiling brightly like a psychopath, I approached him. ¡°Ahh, you a murderer. Help. There is a murderer here. Help,¡± he flinched, then screamed like a pig about to be slaughtered. He crawled away seeing me close the distance between us. He wanted to prop himself using his hand, but it seems he hurt his hand when he fell ¨C must be thanks to his weighing fats then. No one came, of course, because it all stems from his decision to not let any of the closest rooms from here be occupied. Reason? Well, looking at his wretched face, who knew what he hid in his office? Seeing I was getting closer, he pressed his back against the floor. He wanted to kick me using both of his legs, but I easily caught it. Putting my leg in between his, I kicked lightly ¨C and that was enough to elicit a girlish squeal from him. I also kneaded it a few more times with a grin. Luckily there was my shoe in between, or I would be disgusted too, by what I was doing. ¡°Arrgghh. Arrggh. Stop. Stop¡­ you crazy bastard, argh¡­¡± Sir Henry¡¯s fat jiggled while holding onto the pain. Feeling satisfied enough of tormenting him, I curled two of my middle knuckles into a fist shape, then struck at both of his thighs with enough force to reach what I intended the strikes to. And it actually was at his femoral nerve, causing temporary paralysis in his legs. I moved on to the next strike ¨C swiftly striking his shoulders, in the brachial plexus, causing temporary paralysis in his arms. The last was his jaw, located in the mandibular nerve. It temporarily caused the nerve control for the muscle in the jaw to be immobile, hence, the name of this strike was called, Jaw Lock. I had enough of playing the nice guy. Let¡¯s be evil for once. (A/N: Targeting nerves and pressure points is dangerous and should never be attempted without proper training and supervision. So, don¡¯t do it!!!) Subsequently, I kneel on his side, then grasp his cheeks menacingly, as I direct my sharp, intimidating gaze at Sir Henry''s eyes, which were widened in disbelief. Yeah, must be pretty hard to believe someone as scrawny as me, who had an innocent look like I was someone who couldn¡¯t even kill a chicken, could make him paralyzed like this. To add to this rare, marvelous ambiance, I pulled out a screwdriver with the edge of my lips slowly lifted. Then, I pressed it to the side of his neck, until it drew a little bit of his blood. I could see sweat soak his body, glistening on his face too. It was a face full of fear and horror. ¡°Hear this, you little sh*t. You better tell me where you keep your money that I deserve, or I¡¯m going to kill you now, understood??? If you are ¨C nod, so I will unlock your jaw at least. You better be obedient, or my hand might slip¡­¡± I pressed the corkscrew even deeper into his flesh, drawing more blood. Sir Henry then hastily nodded his head repeatedly, while whimpering. * * *