UNKILLABLE IN ISEKAI: THE LAST

Chapter 4: Shadows Within

Within the heart of the kingdom's fortress, where scholars and mages gathered to unravel the mysteries of the world, Joseph became the center of their focus. His origins were cloaked in mystery, and the enigmatic Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb he possessed captivated their collective curiosity. The orb's technology was unlike anything they had ever seen, exuding an intricate blend of advanced engineering and magic. As they delved deeper into its secrets, they sought to understand its properties, hoping to unlock the knowledge hidden within.

The scholars and mages, however, were divided in their theories about Joseph's true identity. Some were convinced he hailed from Akakawa, the Red River Kingdom, famed for its mastery of cutting-edge technology. They believed his prowess and the orb were a product of Akakawa's innovations. Others speculated he might be from the Shinsei Empire, a realm known for seamlessly blending ancient magic with futuristic technology. To them, the fusion of arcane energies within the orb aligned perfectly with Shinsei's traditions.

Still, there were those who thought Joseph to be a fugitive, a clever thief who had managed to steal precious resources from both Katsuragi—the Victory Empire renowned for its mastery of mystical arts—and Akakawa, using them to create the powerful Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb. This rogue theory gained traction among skeptics, who saw him as a dangerous figure on the run, manipulating powers far beyond his understanding.

A few scholars, however, held a different belief entirely. They had uncovered ancient texts that spoke of a mythic figure, a being of immense power and destiny. These texts described a savior who would rise in a time of great need. To some on the high council, Joseph was this legendary figure, foretold to bring balance to their world. Others, more cautious, viewed him as an imposter—someone masquerading as the prophesied hero, perhaps from a realm beyond their own.

Debates raged within the high council, with scholars and mages fiercely defending their differing interpretations. Was Joseph a savior, a fraud, or something altogether different? Each theory only deepened the mystery, as the council struggled to grasp the full scope of the situation and the true nature of the man.

"Look at this device, unchanged since we began our study," remarked one of the scholars, peering closely at the enigmatic orb. "It seems to be in some sort of recharging state."

"Perhaps it requires a specific combination or sequence to unlock its secrets," suggested another scholar.

"It carries traces of magic," a mage mused thoughtfully, "I could attempt to use my magic to bypass its components and see what's inside. The magic I sense is limited—it shouldn't be too difficult."

"Such a strange artifact," another mage added, recalling their first encounter with Joseph on the day of his arrival. "Yet it holds an immense amount of potential. Still, we know so little—his intentions, motivations, even his very existence remain a mystery to us."

As the mage prepared to channel his power into the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb, still in its recharging state, the moment his magic touched the orb, it came alive. The device whirred to life with a symphony of mechanical sounds, electrical sparks, and magical energy crackling in the air. The group stood stunned as the orb absorbed the energy, lifting gracefully into the air with a low hum, the sound of charging magic reverberating through the room. 

The scholars and mages marveled, awestruck by the orb’s sudden animation. One scholar, filled with cautious curiosity, approached the floating device. As it began spinning slowly, she reached out, feeling a subtle magnetic pull. The orb’s energy met her hand with a harmless but electrifying jolt, startling her. Yet, she continued, her hand finally making contact. The orb’s spinning slowed, and then stopped entirely. 

In that instant, a wave of energy rippled from the orb, coursing through the scholar and spreading out across the entire room like a non-lethal shockwave. Silence followed, broken only by the hushed murmurs of the stunned onlookers. 

Suddenly, the device lit up. A word appeared on its screen: **"Loading... searching... scanning DNA sample."** Blue, binary-like code flickered across the room, scanning its occupants in a radiant flash. The intensity of the light momentarily blinded the group, forcing the scholar to pull her hand away. 

The room fell silent once more as they struggled to process what had just transpired. The orb, now eerily still, had revealed only the beginning of its secrets. The mysteries surrounding both it and Joseph seemed deeper than they had ever imagined.

Suddenly, a holographic visual projection flickers to life, displaying words alongside a strong, feminine voice. A holographic display illuminates, showcasing the remarkable story of Scholar Xiao Xiao, pioneering physicist and initial contact point for the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb. This brief bio honors Scholar Xiao Xiao, trailblazing researcher and first human to establish contact with the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb.

"Holographic projection online. Scholar Xiao Xiao's bio now available. Meet the visionary researcher who successfully interfaced with the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb."

**Holographic Bio Projection**  

**Scholar Profile: Xiao Xiao (Echo)**

**A pioneering mind in interdimensional physics, Xiao Xiao has made history as the first human to establish contact with the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb.**

### **Biological Data:**

- **Name:** Xiao Xiao (Echo)  

- **Age:** 35  

- **Gender:** Female  

- **Rank:** Renowned Scholar (Tier 3)  

- **Degree:** Ph.D. in Interdimensional Physics & Ancient Technologies  

- **Ethnicity:** East Asian  

### **Hobbies:**

- Martial Arts (Advanced)  

- Cryptography  

- Xenolinguistics  

- Virtual Reality Exploration  

**Marital Status:** Divorced (formerly married to Dr. Ryker Kim)  

### **Academic Credentials:**

- Ph.D. in Interdimensional Physics & Ancient Technologies  

- Theoretical Physics  

- Computer Science & Mathematics  

### **Achievements:**

- First human to establish contact with the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb  

- Published 12 papers on interdimensional energy harvesting  

- Groundbreaking research on interdimensional energy harvesting  

- Recipient of the prestigious "Nova Science Award"  

### **Personality Traits:**

- Analytical  

- Determined  

- Empathetic  

- Independent  

### **Interests:**

- Unraveling the mysteries of the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb  

- Developing innovative solutions for interdimensional energy harvesting  

- Deciphering ancient civilizations' technologies  

### **Attributes:**

- **Intelligence:** 18 (+4)  

- **Agility:** 14 (+2)  

- **Charisma:** 12 (+1)  

- **Strength:** 10 (+0)  

- **Perception:** 16 (+3)  

### **Skills:**

- Scholarly Research: +5  

- Martial Arts: +4  

- Cryptography: +4  

- Xenolinguistics: +3  

- Virtual Reality Navigation: +3  

### **Equipment:**

- Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb (experimental)  

- Neurocore Interface (advanced)  

- Cyberdeck (custom-built)  

- Gravity Boots (enhanced mobility)  

### **Reputation:**

- Renowned Scholar in Interdimensional Physics  

- Respected Member of the Ancient Technologies Research Community  

- Former Member of the secretive "Erebus Initiative"  

### **Quests:**

1. Unlock the secrets of the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb  

2. Develop a stable wormhole generator  

3. Uncover the truth behind the Erebus Initiative's dissolution  

### **Notifications:**

- New message from Dr. Elara Vex, renowned expert in ancient civilizations  

- Invitation to join the exclusive "Arcane Researchers' Guild"  

- System alert: Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb's energy levels fluctuating...  

### **Voice Message from Dr. Elara Vex:**

*"Greetings, Scholar Xiao Xiao. I'm Dr. Elara Vex. My research focuses on unlocking the secrets of the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb. This ancient technology holds the key to limitless clean energy and advanced propulsion systems. I'm committed to unraveling its mysteries, no matter the cost."*  

*"I'm driven by the pursuit of knowledge and the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe."*  

### **Feminist Voice Speech Pattern:**

*"Empowered women empower women. I stand on the shoulders of giants, and I will not be silenced. My research is a testament to female excellence in STEM. Let's break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and forge a better future for all."*  

### **Holographic Display Controls:**

- Zoom  

- Rotate  

- Info  

- Contact Scholar Xiao Xiao  

- Contact Dr. Elara Vex  

- Contact other users  

- Contact other timelines  

### **How would you like to proceed?**

1. Respond to Dr. Elara Vex's message  

2. Join the Arcane Researchers' Guild  

3. Investigate the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb's energy fluctuations  

4. Explore the Erebus Initiative's dissolution  

5. Other (please specify)  

Would you like to:

1. Contact Scholar Dr. Elara Vex  

2. Access her research papers  

3. Learn more about the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb  

4. Support her feminist initiatives  

5. Other (please specify)  

Scholar Xiao Xiao and her team were awestruck by the unfolding spectacle. As they watched in disbelief, the display of blue binary code vanished, and the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb suddenly merged with Xiao Xiao, enveloping her in a radiant light. In an instant, it crafted an advanced armor-like suit that conformed perfectly to her form. Within the suit, she found herself equipped with a visual display and holographic projections, the AI voice assistant guiding her through the new interface.

As she glanced at her colleagues, the suit instantly displayed their bio-data alongside her own, revealing a wealth of information that left everyone simultaneously amazed and unnerved. 

One of the mages, unable to contain his curiosity, took a step forward to approach Xiao Xiao. However, the suit reacted defensively, morphing her left arm into a formidable weapon, ready for combat. The mage quickly retreated, the atmosphere thick with tension as the others activated their magic, prepared for any sudden escalation while trying to reason with Xiao Xiao.

"Minimal threat level identified. Protect host from mage," stated the virtual voice assistant with a mechanical calmness.

Hearing this, Xiao Xiao gasped in fright and quickly commanded the suit to halt its aggressive posture. “Stop!” she yelled, her voice echoing within the armor. The suit complied, retracting the weapon and easing its defensive stance. 

Taking a deep breath beneath the protective shell, Xiao Xiao reassured her colleagues. “It’s alright; I can control it,” she said, though the uncertainty in her voice suggested they should still exercise caution. 

A male scholar, still visibly shaken, cautiously inquired, “Can you take off the suit?”

Xiao Xiao turned her attention to the AI, asking if it could reveal her identity and disarm the suit. The assistant responded promptly, unmasking her features and transforming the armor into a glowing arc reactor embedded in her chest. The suit’s intricate design shimmered, revealing her face and calming her anxious colleagues, even as the air remained charged with the potential for further surprises.

With the display now clear, Xiao Xiao stood confidently, though she knew that both the suit and its origin remained mysteries that needed unraveling. The scholars and mages around her felt a mix of admiration and trepidation, aware that this moment marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey, one that could reshape their understanding of technology and magic alike.

“Magnificent!” exclaimed a male scholar, his eyes wide with wonder at the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb’s capabilities. “Truly, this is a marvel. A technology that fuses both science and magic together; despite its limitations, it still achieves feats beyond our comprehension.”

Xiao Xiao nodded in agreement, her mind racing with possibilities. “We need more time to study its capabilities. However, if we are to accelerate our progress, we must question its original user. We need to gather more information from Joseph Benjamin Carmen about the capabilities of the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb.”

With that, she carefully removed the arc reactor from her chest. As she did so, the reactor morphed back into the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb, pulsating gently in her hands. The orb gleamed with the promise of untold secrets and potential, captivating everyone in the room once more.

“The knowledge Joseph possesses could be crucial for our understanding,” she continued, her determination palpable. “If we can unlock the full potential of this orb, it may not only enhance our research but could also provide us with unprecedented power.”

The scholars exchanged glances, each feeling the weight of the task ahead. They understood that their inquiry into Joseph’s origins and the nature of the orb would take them into uncharted territory—one filled with both opportunity and danger. 

As they prepared to seek out Joseph, excitement and apprehension mingled in the air. The fate of their studies, and perhaps even their kingdom, hinged on the knowledge they hoped to gain.