The first Step

I didn't waste any time.

Pulling up the Chip Net, I searched for the quickest way out of Zenith Prime.

I needed to get to the mining city of Valtos.

If I remembered correctly from ATD, there was an abandoned cave system on the outskirts.

That place had barely been touched on in the novel.

Yet, hidden within its depths was something invaluable—an unregistered chip.

Unregistered chips were incredibly rare.

Unlike the standard-issue ones provided by the government or academy, these were artifacts from a time before the current system.

More importantly, they weren't bound to a single user.

If I could find one, I might be able to overcome my current limitations.

I scrolled through train schedules.

The earliest departure was in two hours.

I needed to move fast.

I grabbed the small duffel bag in my room, stuffing in some essentials—spare clothes, a flashlight, and a pocket knife.

It wasn't much, but it would have to do.

As I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I took a deep breath.

"Alright, Desmond. Time to hustle."

The train station was packed, as expected.

Zenith Prime never slept; people rushed in and out of the massive transit hub like blood cells through a vein.

I kept my head down, blending into the crowd.

With my low rank, I doubted anyone would recognize me.

But I couldn't afford to take risks.

When I finally reached the ticket kiosk, I slid my Chip ID over the scanner.

The screen flickered, processing my request.

Transaction declined.

"What?" I muttered.

I checked my account balance—empty.

Shit.

The academy provided every student with an allowance, but since I hadn't officially started yet, my funds hadn't been deposited.

I needed another way.

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to think.

This was the perfect chance to test my so-called Phantom Charm.

My Charisma stat was SS-rank—surely, it had to count for something.

I turned towards the nearest ticket vendor, a bored-looking clerk tapping away at his console.

Showtime.

I straightened my posture, relaxing my shoulders as I approached.

"Hey there," I said smoothly, letting a friendly smile play on my lips.

"Rough night?"

The clerk looked up, eyes slightly glazed.

"Huh? Oh… yeah, kinda."

I leaned in slightly, just enough to seem like I was sharing a secret.

"I get it. These night shifts must be killer."

He groaned.

"You have no idea."

I nodded sympathetically.

"Listen, I'm in a bit of a bind.

My Chip ID is acting up, and I really need to catch the next train to Valtos.

Is there any way you could help me out?

I'd owe you one."

For a moment, I wasn't sure if it was working.

Then his posture relaxed, and he sighed.

"Yeah, I can slide you in on a staff pass.

Just don't tell anyone."

I grinned.

"You're a lifesaver."

He handed me a ticket, and I made my way onto the platform.

Phantom Charm, huh?

That was easier than expected.

The train ride to Valtos was uneventful.

I kept my hood up, avoiding attention.

Outside the window, the towering skyscrapers of Zenith Prime faded into rolling hills and endless industrial complexes.

When I finally arrived, Valtos was just as I'd imagined—dusty, worn-down, and reeking of oil and metal.

It was a city built around its mines, and it showed.

The streets were narrow, lined with old neon signs flickering from neglect.

I didn't have time to waste.

According to ATD, the cave was located near an abandoned excavation site.

It had been deemed too unstable for mining operations, but that didn't concern me.

I needed that chip.

If I could get my hands on it, I'd have a fighting chance.

Pulling my jacket tighter against the cold night air, I made my way toward the outskirts.

The industrial hum of the city gradually faded as I walked, replaced by the distant howling of the wind through the rocky terrain.

After an hour of walking, I finally reached the entrance to the cave.

The mouth of the cavern loomed before me, an abyss of darkness.

I hesitated for a moment, gripping the pocket knife in my bag.

I had read about this place, but experiencing it firsthand was different.

It felt... wrong.

Like something was watching me from the shadows.

Swallowing my fear, I stepped inside.

The air was damp, the walls slick with moisture.

I activated the flashlight function on my Chip and pressed forward.

The tunnel twisted and turned, narrowing at some points, forcing me to squeeze through.

The deeper I went, the stronger the sense of unease grew.

Then, I heard it.

A faint click behind me.

I froze.

My instincts screamed at me to move.

But before I could react, the ground beneath me gave way.

I plummeted.

Pain exploded through my body as I crashed onto a lower platform, my vision swimming.

My flashlight flickered, casting eerie shadows on the cavern walls.

Groaning, I forced myself up, ignoring the sharp pain in my ribs.

That could've been a lot worse.

I glanced around, and that's when I saw it.

Nestled within a crystalline formation was a small metallic device—an old chip.

It looked ancient, unlike the sleek models used in modern society.

Energy pulsed faintly around it, casting an otherworldly glow.

Jackpot.

I stumbled forward, reaching out to grab it.

The moment my fingers made contact, a sharp jolt of electricity surged through my body.

My vision blurred, my mind filling with fragmented images—whispers of a forgotten past, a voice calling out a name I didn't recognize.

Then, silence.

I gasped, snapping back to reality, the chip now resting in my palm.

My heart pounded.

That was… intense.

I examined the device closely.

It had no serial number, no identifying marks.

Just a single phrase engraved on the back: Eclipse.

What the hell did that mean?

Before I could ponder it further, I heard movement above me.

My heart clenched.

Someone else was here.

Time to go.

Stuffing the chip into my pocket, I scrambled back up the rocky incline, ignoring the throbbing pain in my ribs.

If ATD had taught me anything, it was that nothing came easy in this world.

As I reached the top, I took one last look at the cavern below.

This was just the beginning.