Chapter 1: "The Beggar’s Edge"
The cold bite of the cobblestones pressed against Jack's cheek, the stench of rotting garbage and unwashed bodies filling his nostrils. He groaned, his head pounding as if a blacksmith had taken a hammer to it. Slowly, he pushed himself up, his hands trembling as they brushed against the rough fabric of his tattered clothes.
"Where… am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse.
The alley around him was narrow, the walls of crumbling brick closing in like a prison. Above, the sky was a dull gray, the sun hidden behind thick clouds. The air was thick with the sounds of distant chatter, the clanging of metal, and the occasional roar of something… unnatural.
Jack's mind raced. He remembered the betrayal—his lover's cold smile, the sting of the needle, the darkness that followed. But this… this was different. This wasn't the sterile lab where he'd been sold for parts. This was something else entirely.
A sharp pain shot through his temple, and he clutched his head. Images flashed before his eyes—memories of his past life, fragmented and disjointed. He saw his lover's face, her lips moving, but the words were lost. He saw the men in suits, their eyes cold and calculating. And then, nothing but darkness.
When the pain subsided, Jack noticed something strange. His mind felt… sharper, clearer. It was as if a fog had been lifted, revealing a landscape of infinite detail. He could recall every moment of his past life with perfect clarity—every conversation, every equation, every betrayal.
And then, there was the other thing.
A faint hum, like the sound of a computer booting up, echoed in his mind. He blinked, and a translucent screen appeared before his eyes, glowing with soft blue light.
**[System Initializing…]**
Jack froze. The words hovered in the air, shimmering like a hologram. He reached out to touch them, but his hand passed through as if they were made of smoke.
**[Welcome, User. Quantum Core Integration Complete.]**
"What the hell is this?" Jack whispered, his voice barely audible.
The screen flickered, and a new message appeared.
**[Analyzing Environment…]**
**[Location: Eryndor, Slums District.]**
**[Local Threat Level: Low.]**
**[Recommendation: Seek Shelter and Resources.]**
Jack's heart pounded in his chest. This wasn't just a hallucination. This was real. He had some kind of… system. A tool. A weapon.
A grin spread across his face, sharp and calculating. If this was a second chance, he wasn't going to waste it. He'd been naive once, trusting and blind. But not anymore. This time, he'd play the game his way.
He stood, his legs shaky but determined. The alley opened into a wider street, bustling with people. Merchants hawked their wares, children darted between carts, and guards patrolled with swords at their hips. But Jack's eyes were drawn to the shadows—the figures lurking in the corners, their eyes gleaming with hunger.
One of them stepped forward, a man with a scar running down his cheek and a dagger in his hand.
"Well, well," the man sneered. "Looks like we've got a fresh one."
Jack's grin didn't falter. He activated the system, the screen flashing with new data.
**[Target Identified: Human Male.]**
**[Threat Level: Minimal.]**
**[Recommended Action: Disarm and Subdue.]**
The man lunged, his dagger aimed at Jack's chest. But Jack was ready. He sidestepped, his movements precise and calculated. His hand shot out, grabbing the man's wrist and twisting until the dagger clattered to the ground.
The man cried out, but Jack didn't stop. He drove his knee into the man's stomach, sending him crumpling to the ground.
**[Target Neutralized.]**
Jack picked up the dagger, turning it over in his hands. It was crude, but it would do. He glanced at the man, who was now groaning in pain.
"Thanks for the gift," Jack said, his voice cold. "I'll put it to good use."
As he walked away, the system hummed in his mind, a constant reminder of the power he now wielded. The streets of Eryndor were dangerous, but Jack wasn't afraid. He had a plan, and he had the tools to see it through.
This was just the beginning.