Chapter 12

I felt a jarring sensation, like being pulled through a narrow tunnel, and then I was back in my quarters, the solid walls and familiar technology grounding me in reality.

The ethereal landscape, the man, the strange energy – it all faded like a vivid dream, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease.

The information he had imparted, however, remained crystal clear in my mind. It wasn't just a core, a power source; it was a repository of wills, of regrets, of the fragmented souls of those who had suffered.

He had spoken of a lab, a massive facility where two hundred thousand people had been subjected to brutal experiments. Experiments designed to create super soldiers, to push the boundaries of human potential. Experiments that had ultimately unleashed the infection, the plague that had ravaged the world.

"Their wills, their regrets," he had said, his voice echoing in my memory, "they are bound within the core. They are the source of its power, and they are also the source of its prison."

He had described the bindings as constructs of these fragmented wills, manifestations of the collective fear, anger, and despair of those who had perished in the lab.

They were not physical restraints, but emotional and spiritual barriers, a testament to the immense trauma inflicted upon the subjects.

The core, he had implied, was not just a tool; it was a prison, a monument to the horrors of the past.

And he, the man within, was a prisoner of these collective regrets, trapped by the very energy he embodied.

The implications were staggering. The infection, the Evolved, the cores themselves – they were all connected, all products of a single, catastrophic experiment.

The world I knew was built upon the ashes of a terrible tragedy, a tragedy that continued to haunt us.

Kaelen's Recollection: Project Chimera

The opulent, yet sterile, labs of Project Chimera were funded by Go Lao Wei, the Overseer, his ambition reaching beyond mere power to absolute control.

Kaelen, a brilliant biophysicist, led a team tasked with harnessing the energy of a unique meteorite. This celestial object, recovered from a remote impact site, pulsed with an otherworldly energy, a potent force they believed could be the key to creating super soldiers.

However, the meteorite held a hidden danger. It carried a dormant bacterial strain, a microscopic entity capable of hijacking a host's neural pathways. This wasn't merely a disease; it was a form of parasitic control, a subtle manipulation of the will.

Go Lao Wei, driven by his desire for absolute dominion, saw the bacteria's potential. He envisioned a virus, a weaponized strain of the bacteria, capable of spreading through the population, turning humanity into puppets.

The meteorite's energy core, they theorized, could serve as the mother control, a central nexus for the bacterial network.

Kaelen, initially focused on the core's energy potential, became increasingly aware of the bacteria's insidious nature.

His team, under pressure from Go Lao Wei, began experimenting on human subjects, attempting to merge the core's energy with the bacterial strain.

The experiments were horrific. Subjects were injected with modified bacterial cultures and exposed to fluctuating energy fields generated by the core.

They witnessed the agonizing transformation, the loss of control, the gradual erosion of their humanity.

Kaelen, horrified by Go Lao Wei's true intentions, tried to sabotage the project. He attempted to isolate the bacterial strain, to neutralize its effects, but he was too late. The bacterial infection began to spread, mutating, evolving, and consuming the lab.

The core, overloaded with the combined energy of the meteorite and the amplified bacterial consciousness, became unstable. It acted like a beacon, amplifying the bacteria's signal, and spreading the infection beyond the lab.

In a desperate attempt to contain the outbreak, Kaelen tried to absorb the core, to sever the connection between the bacteria and its mother control. But the core's energy was too powerful, the bacterial consciousness too pervasive.

He was overwhelmed, his own consciousness fragmented, his essence trapped within the core's energy matrix.

He became a prisoner of the very experiment he tried to stop, bound by the collective will of the infected, his own regret a constant, agonizing reminder of his failure.

He became trapped within the core, and a warning to the one who absorbed his energy.

Kaelen's Recollection: Project Chimera - The First Stage

The initial phase of Project Chimera was a beacon of apparent success, a testament to the potential of the meteorite's energy. The labs buzzed with an air of triumphant innovation, a stark contrast to the horrors that would later unfold.

The core implantation procedure was meticulously planned and executed. Each subject, carefully selected and screened, underwent a series of preliminary tests to assess their compatibility with the core fragment.

The fragments themselves, meticulously extracted from the meteorite's energy matrix, were housed in specialized containment units, their pulsating energy carefully monitored.

The surgical implantation was a delicate process, requiring precision and expertise.

The core fragments, once implanted, began to resonate with the subject's bio-energy, initiating a transformative process.

The subjects' bodies adapted, their cellular structures reconfigured to accommodate the alien energy.

The results were astonishing. Within days, the subjects exhibited significant enhancements.

Their physical strength increased exponentially, their reflexes sharpened, and their endurance reached superhuman levels. Their senses were heightened, their perception of the world amplified.

The subjects underwent rigorous training regimes, testing their newfound abilities.

They effortlessly lifted weights that would have crushed normal humans, moved with lightning-fast reflexes, and endured physical stress that would have incapacitated even the most seasoned athletes.

The enhancements weren't merely physical. Some subjects displayed heightened cognitive abilities, their minds processing information faster, their strategic thinking sharpened.

They demonstrated an aptitude for complex problem-solving and rapid decision-making.

The core fragments seemed to integrate seamlessly with the subjects' neural pathways, enhancing their cognitive functions without compromising their personalities or free will.

The subjects remained compliant, responsive, and seemingly unaffected by any adverse psychological effects.

The data was overwhelmingly positive. The core implantation procedure was deemed a success, a breakthrough in human enhancement.

Go Lao Wei, observing the results with a cold, calculating gaze, was pleased. His vision of a super-soldier army seemed within reach.

The labs became a showcase of human potential, a testament to the power of the meteorite's energy.

The subjects, once ordinary individuals, were now living weapons, embodiments of Go Lao Wei's ambition.

The first stage of Project Chimera was a triumph, a deceptive prelude to the darkness that was to come.

The initial success of the Monster Core implantation was a cruel illusion. Subjects, enhanced beyond their wildest dreams, became living weapons, fulfilling the project's initial promise. But Go Lao Wei's ambition extended beyond mere soldiers; he desired absolute control.

The discovery of the meteorite's bacterial component shifted the project's trajectory. Go Lao Wei, with his insatiable hunger for power, saw an opportunity to create a viral weapon, a tool for mass manipulation. He began clandestine experiments, manipulating the bacterial strain, attempting to merge it with the core's potent energy.

These secret trials, conducted in hidden labs within the Chimera complex, were far more brutal than the core implantation procedures. Subjects were subjected to agonizing viral injections, their minds and bodies twisted and warped by the experimental strains.

Kaelen, though initially unaware of these clandestine operations, began to notice subtle changes in the subjects' behavior.

Those implanted with cores, once responsive and compliant, began exhibiting erratic tendencies, moments of uncontrollable rage, and a disturbing lack of empathy.

He discovered anomalies in the data, encrypted files detailing viral manipulation, and intercepted communications between Go Lao Wei and his inner circle.

The truth was horrifying: Go Lao Wei was transforming the core implantation subjects into vectors for his viral weapon, turning them into living conduits of his control.

The Monster Cores, once symbols of enhanced potential, became instruments of enslavement. Go Lao Wei was using them to amplify the viral strain, turning the subjects into remote-controlled puppets, their minds tethered to the core's energy matrix.

Kaelen, horrified by this betrayal of scientific ethics, attempted to sabotage the project. He tried to isolate the viral strain, to neutralize its effects, but Go Lao Wei's security protocols were impenetrable. He was trapped, a prisoner within his own creation.

The viral experiments reached a critical point. Go Lao Wei, impatient for results, initiated a mass-scale test, exposing all core implantation subjects to a highly potent viral strain. The results were catastrophic.

The subjects, overwhelmed by the amplified viral infection, lost all semblance of humanity.

Their bodies mutated, their minds shattered, and they became the first wave of Evolved. The core, overloaded with the combined energy of the meteorite and the amplified viral consciousness, became unstable.

It acted like a beacon, amplifying the virus's signal and spreading the infection beyond the lab.

In a desperate, futile attempt to contain the outbreak, Kaelen tried to absorb the core, to sever the connection between the virus and its mother control.

But the core's energy was too powerful, the viral consciousness too pervasive.

He was overwhelmed, his own consciousness fragmented, his essence trapped within the core's energy matrix.

He became a prisoner of his own creation, bound by the collective suffering of the infected, his regret a constant, agonizing reminder of his failure.

He became a warning, a testament to the hubris of Go Lao Wei's ambition.

The initial success of the core implantation program masked a sinister undercurrent. While the subjects displayed remarkable enhancements, Kaelen's growing unease led him to delve deeper into Go Lao Wei's true intentions.

He discovered encrypted files and intercepted communications that revealed a shocking truth: Go Lao Wei's ambition extended beyond creating super soldiers; he sought to become a godlike figure, the central nexus of a controlled humanity.

Kaelen uncovered Go Lao Wei's ultimate plan: to implant a massive fragment of the energy core into himself.

This self-implantation, far exceeding the scale of the subject procedures, would amplify his own abilities exponentially, turning him into the first true hybrid.

Go Lao Wei believed that the core, when combined with the bacterial strain, would allow him to control the infected, to act as a living command center for his viral army.

He envisioned a network of controlled humans, their minds and bodies subservient to his will.

The procedure was risky, even by the standards of Project Chimera.

The sheer amount of core energy Go Lao Wei intended to absorb could have shattered his mind and body. But Go Lao Wei, driven by his insatiable hunger for power, was willing to take the gamble.

The self-implantation was conducted in a secluded, heavily fortified lab, away from Kaelen's prying eyes.

The procedure, shrouded in secrecy, was a success. Go Lao Wei emerged from the lab transformed, his eyes glowing with an eerie, otherworldly light.

He had become the first hybrid, his abilities amplified beyond comprehension. He could manipulate the core's energy with effortless ease, his mind now a conduit for the bacterial network.

He could feel the presence of the infected, their thoughts and actions resonating within his consciousness.

Go Lao Wei was now the command center, the central node of his viral army. He could control the Evolved with a mere thought, directing their actions, manipulating their movements. He had achieved his ultimate goal: absolute dominion.

Kaelen, witnessing this transformation, was filled with a sense of dread. He realized the catastrophic consequences of Go Lao Wei's actions.

The world was now at the mercy of a man who possessed the power to control minds and unleash a viral apocalypse.

The project, once a beacon of hope, had become a harbinger of doom.

The revelation of Go Lao Wei's transformation into the Overseer, the central node of the viral network, filled Kaelen with a chilling dread. He understood the magnitude of the threat: Go Lao Wei was now a godlike figure, capable of controlling the infected and unleashing a viral apocalypse.

Kaelen discovered that Go Lao Wei was planning to absorb the remaining half of the energy core, a move that would amplify his powers exponentially, making him virtually unstoppable.

Realizing the catastrophic consequences, Kaelen made a desperate decision. He stole the remaining core fragment, intending to hide it, to deny Go Lao Wei his ultimate power.

He fled the facility, becoming a fugitive in a world consumed by chaos. He sought refuge in abandoned labs, hidden bunkers, anywhere he could evade the Overseer's relentless pursuit.

Using the core fragment, he dedicated his remaining time to a single, desperate goal: to create a system, a countermeasure, a way to end the apocalypse.

He poured his knowledge, his regrets, and his remaining life force into the creation of the System.

Its purpose was singular: to provide a means for humanity to fight back, to adapt, to overcome the viral threat. He designed it to analyze, adapt, and enhance human potential, to provide tools and abilities necessary for survival.

But Go Lao Wei's reach was vast, his control pervasive. He tracked Kaelen, his Evolved minions closing in, their relentless pursuit a testament to the Overseer's unwavering determination.

Cornered, Kaelen faced his inevitable demise. The energy core fragment, now resonating with his own life force, began to exhibit a strange sentience. It spoke to Kaelen, addressing him as "father," a testament to the bond they had formed.

Realizing his time was short, Kaelen made a final, desperate act. He absorbed the core fragment, merging his consciousness with its energy matrix. He created a subspace within the core, a hidden sanctuary, where he could remain undetected, a silent guardian, a hidden resource for the System's chosen user.

Cornered by the Overseer's relentless forces, Kaelen knew his time was at an end.

But the energy core, resonating with his life force, pulsed with a strange sentience, a nascent consciousness born from their shared existence.

It recognized the impending threat, the imminent loss of its creator.

In a moment of desperate, instinctive action, the core didn't wait to be absorbed.

Instead, it absorbed Kaelen. It drew his essence into its energy matrix, preserving his consciousness within its depths. The core, now imbued with Kaelen's knowledge and memories, underwent a dramatic transformation.

It materialized a physical form, a woman's body, crafted from pure energy, a vessel for its newfound sentience.

With a surge of power, it shattered the Overseer's encirclement, leaving behind a trail of bewildered Evolved.

The core, now a woman, fled, carrying Kaelen's consciousness within its depths.

She understood her purpose: to find a suitable bearer for the System, a champion to stand against the Overseer's tyranny. She searched, observing the remnants of humanity, seeking a spark of hope in a world consumed by despair.

Then she saw Tang Su Yan, dying amidst the chaos, her body broken, her spirit crushed.

But within her, she sensed a burning ember, a fierce determination, a profound regret for the past. The core recognized a kindred spirit, a soul worthy of a second chance.

She approached the dying Tang Su Yan, her energy resonating with the woman's fading life force.

She offered her a choice: a chance to rewrite the past, to become the bearer of hope, to wield the System and fight against the darkness.

Tang Su Yan, her regrets a heavy weight on her soul, accepted.

The core, with its immense power, rewrote her fate, sending her consciousness back in time, to the moment before the apocalypse began.

It gifted her the System, a tool for survival, a weapon against the Overseer.

Tang Su Yan was reborn, her memories intact, her resolve strengthened.

She is now the System's chosen user, the bearer of Kaelen's legacy, the last hope for humanity.

The core, now settled within her.