> Area: Southeast of MetaCore — Dark Eye Ravaged Lands
Estimated Time: 4:02 AM IRL
Level: 9
Technomancer Class Progression: 63%
The lands of MetaCore were like nothing else.
Hulks of ancient mechanical colossi lay on the ground, living cables snaked through the ruins like forgotten veins of a changing world. Z3RO advanced slowly, his boots crumbling in magnetic black dust, B.I.T. flying above him, silent but active.
> "Environmental scan... unstable energy detected. Anomalous frequency on beta waves."
Z3RO clenched his jaw.
"Another disturbance? I haven't even finished stabilizing my last craft..."
He opened a holographic interface. His plans for technological advancement were clear: create a dual-mode energy revolver capable of switching between a paralyzing pulse and a concentrated plasma blast. But each prototype had overheated or exploded after a few tests.
And for good reason: it lacked a military-grade stabilizer core. Unavailable in standard zones.
> "Craft Revolver: 42% complete — Critical overload risk: high."
He grimaced.
"If I enter a corrupted zone with an unstable gun... I'm signing my death warrant."
🧠 The Plan
He had organized himself:
Recover the components from the ruins of the old mech base.
Hack a central data console.
Extract the complete blueprint for the N-E3 stabilizer.
And leave alive.
Easy said. Less done.
He activated Tactical Infiltration, a skill that temporarily reduced his detection to enemy radars. But even so, he wasn't advancing without fear.
B.I.T. abruptly turned his head toward a collapsed structure.
> "Movement detected. Unidentified hostile entity — Analysis protocol initiated."
— Not now...
Z3RO crouched behind a gutted generator. His heart was pounding, but not like facing a boss or a player. No... it was that feeling of the unexpected. Of being alone against a world evolving without him.
🧩 Frustration & Realization
He thought of it again: Hakaijin.
His fluid sword. His surgical timing. His complete lack of fear.
Z3RO wasn't cowardly. He was... strategic. But he had just reached a limit.
> "I need to be able to survive… even without B.I.T. Even without gadgets."
He accessed his class interface and selected the secondary weapon integration tab.
> Available weapon: Energy Dagger — Not activated
Option: "Integrate a medium-range tactical model?"
He hesitated.
Then clicked YES.
> New quest unlocked: "Autonomy Forge — Find and adapt a custom sidearm."
Objective: Infiltrate the "Stratopoint Sigma" mech zone
He sighed, then straightened up.
"Okay. I can't beat him yet. But I'm going to build something even he can't keep up with." > [End of Part 1 of Chapter 20 — Z3RO]
> Part 2: Hakaijin
> Area: Murim Rim — Black Lake and Ruined Shrine
Estimated Time: 12:12 PM IG / 5:16 AM IRL
Level: 9
Special Quest Progress: 2 out of 3 Fragments
The Black Lake emitted no reflection. Its surface was too calm, as if frozen in a time older than that of the game. Hakaijin was there, kneeling, his blade resting beside him.
Around it, the mist crept like a sleeping beast.
He had just absorbed the second fragment of the Phantom Saber, and already, he felt a transformation. Not in his power… but in his perception of the world.
> [ORIAS System: Next Suggested Destination — Murim Silent Gorge]
Area Type: Forbidden Shrine | Difficulty: Unknown | Persistent Memories: Active
> ⚠️ Warning: This area contains sentient entities from shattered memories.
He reread the last line several times.
— "Sentient… entities?"
🗡️ The incomplete… but living weapon
He touched the spectral handle hanging from his waist. The object vibrated as if breathing through it.
> Item: Fragment of Shinjitsu no Yoru
Status: Incomplete (2/3)
Temporary Bonus: Access to the "Inner Void" stance – increases mental clarity and precision in combat.
Hakaijin took a deep breath.
He wasn't looking for power. He was looking for… the real himself.
FLASHBACK — 3 hours earlier (IRL)
> Location: Family Dojo — Outskirts of Seoul
Time: 5:02 AM
A cup of hot tea lay untouched on the floor. His mother, still asleep in the next room. And he, alone, cross-legged in front of his capsule, thinking.
— "I never chose this life. So I choose Genesis."
🧭 Change of direction
He stood up, ready to head towards the Silent Gorge, when a silhouette briefly appeared in his HUD.
> [Partial signal detection…]
Type: Unknown
Source: Unlisted entity | Classification: Non-NPC — Non-Player
A breath of air. A faint voice in the fog.
> "Why are you seeking a weapon that requires you to give up your name…?"
He turned around. No one. But the aura remained… present.
> [Special Quest Update: "The Weight of the Name" – Bonus Objective Unlocked]
He frowned.
— "This isn't a quest like any other. This game is testing me. Not my character… me."
He sheathed his sword, firmed his stance, and entered the path to the Silent Gorge.
✦ End of Chapter 20 — Part 2: Hakaijin
> Next: CHAPTER 21 — Tournament Preparation