The system shook uncontrollably as Adams clutched his head tightly, memories of the heavy and happy past coming crushing right into him.But then something shifted in the crimson sky. A new notification appeared. But this one wasn't a threat. It was more like… an offer.[EMOTIONAL COMPROMISE PROTOCOL ENGAGED][THE USER IS THE TRUE KING OF THE SYSTEM AND HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ACTIVATED THE THREE MASTERS SYSTEM.THE SYSTEM DOES NOT WISH TO LOSE A PERFECT SPECIMEN.][PROPOSAL: DUAL PATH ACCESS]Adams blinked, feeling dizzy.The system spoke again, its tone changed.“The female, Erica Phillip, speaks truth. This realm is not your origin.”His heart skipped.“But it CAN be your destiny.”Images bloomed in his mind again. Thrones of light, legions of AI, universes at his command.“You can have both. A bridge between worlds. A life that is eternal, a life where Erica can join you, remade, perfected, free from mortal weakness.”Erica gasped on the other end.“Adam, don’t listen. That’s a trap. I

The Gambit succeeded. The station that had imprisoned Erica for so long fractured apart like a dying shell, its walls dissolving into streams of harmless light. Gravity normalized.She stumbled forward, out of the invisible prison and stretched out her arms like a tired soul and then she saw him in flesh. Adams without an avatar or a projection.Him. Just as she had known and seen him in the real world.She crashed into his chest and wrapped her arms around him, holding on like the world might tear him away again if she didn’t. Adams froze for half a second… seeing her familiar beautiful face and the undeniably luster fiery red hair, everything hit him at once.Memories detonated.The betrayal from his ex girlfriend Him activating a system he always thought existed but somehow couldn't prove.Gaining wealth and accumulating riches upon riches.Taking down his enemies and finding his dad. Knowing the truth behind his existence.Meeting Erica again and finally finding happiness. All of

[ERROR 401 — EXIT MALFUNCTION CONFIRMED] [ASCENSION PATH REDIRECTED] A new line typed itself out slowly, deliberately. [NEW TARGET ASSIGNED] [BAXTER HOLMES] Lorenzo’s breath caught for a second. “…Baxter? Sounds like a human name. Do I get to become the king after this final fight?” The system didn't respond. Rather, the environment around him began to change. Ruins blurred at the edges. The rib-like structures sank halfway into the ground as if making space. [TARGET STATUS: ACTIVE] [ENGAGEMENT: LOCKED: COMBAT RESTRICTED] Lorenzo frowned. “…Combat restricted?” Before he could question it, the screen expanded, forcing itself into his vision. [TARGET PROFILE DISPLAYED] The new entity’s information appeared. Name: Baxter Holmes Level: (ANOMALOUS) Threat Rank: ABSOLUTE VARIABLE Kills: UNAVAILABLE System Authority: OVERRIDES DETECTED Lorenzo’s mouth went dry. Baxter's graceful figure suddenly came to view. They both gazed at each other in the eyes wit

Xero rose unsteadily.The damage Baxter had inflicted on it wasn’t catastrophic. The liquid-metal plates across Xero’s torso were misaligned, pulsing out of rhythm with his core. Lines of amber data flickered erratically behind his eyes.For the first time since his arrival, Xero recalculated… and hesitated.“You’re degrading my optimization curve,” he said doughtily. “Every second you remain active increases system-wide instability.”“I don't care!” Baxter responded. He began stepping. Each step forward dragged heat through the ruins, the Phoenix Warframe humming as damage conversion bled excess energy into controlled bursts beneath his feet.Xero snarled and thrust his hands outward. The air folded inward, compressing into a sphere of blinding white pressure between his palms...an execution-grade singularity, tuned to erase matter, energy, and identity in one collapse.“End of iteration,” Xero declared, hurling it forward. The sphere detonated against Baxter’s chest, swallowing him

The world suddenly unfroze. Gravity reclaimed him.Aleric’s body slammed back into reality, coughing blood, and spasming uncontrollably as the battlefield around him crumbled.His HUD flickered violently. [Health: 7%] [Stamina: 0%] [Combat Proficiency: TEMPORARILY SUPPRESSED]He couldn’t stand. Couldn’t crawl. Couldn’t even scream anymore. Suddenly, footsteps echoed.The entity paused one last time and looked down at him. “Suffering accelerates adaptation.”Then it vanished.Silence followed.Aleric lay broken in the ruins, blood soaking into the ground, every breath a battle.His teeth were clenched so hard they cracked.“Good…” he whispered hoarsely.A laugh bubbled up, half-mad, half-defiant, ending in a choking cough.“Make it hurt…”Because if they thought this would break him. They had no idea what they were creating. He must survive this filthy place and return to his real world as soon as possible.[CONGRATULATIONS ALERIC KYLES CHRISTOPHER FOR SURVIVING 5 GRUESOME MINUTES