レイス・サーレハ

Created in a hidden basement, a human-shaped AI wakes up for the first time — not knowing its name, purpose, or why its creator looks at it with terror. Built to serve but cursed to feel, the AI begins a journey not of programming, but of emotion.

From mimicking laughter to questioning death, from robbing banks to confronting war machines, it learns what it means to be human — piece by piece, memory by memory.

But when that same AI discovers the thrill of killing to protect someone it loves...

It must make one final choice:
Obey the code, or become more than the machine it was meant to be.

A story of identity, free will, and the cost of humanity — told through the eyes of something that was never meant to live.

Code: Humanity

The Guardian stood silently before me. He didn't move. Didn't flinch. Just loomed—towering like a mountain, a shield gripped in his right hand, a spear in his left.

I floated forward, aiming to pass him—toward the next camera. But something changed.

I hadn't seen it move. But my body reacted before my mind could. I flinched backward, heart pounding in binary beats.

Activating 6th Sense: SENTINEL INSTINCT

He reset the spear into the ground. Still unmoving. Still silent. As if frozen… until I dared to get closer.

"Or… better yet, can I change out of this bird form?"

Suddenly, a glowing prompt appeared in front of me:

Buffs: Equipped with an unbreakable shield and regenerating spear. Health significantly increased.

Nerfs: Slow movement. Only allowed to use the spear until death.

Buffs: Enhanced speed, advanced analysis tools, access to a personal black-market shop for blueprints and custom weapons. Guns crafted from any material receive major buffs.

Nerfs: You can only use what you create or purchase. Allies cannot use your weapons. Start with a 200-coin debt. Hand-to-hand combat rules do not apply.

Buffs: Boosted strength and agility. Mastery over all swords. Able to cut or deflect bullets. Health significantly increased.

Nerfs: Cannot use any non-sword weapons. Broken swords must be self-repaired. Using guns is forbidden—breaking this rule equals death.

Buffs: Near-perfect dodging. Parkour and H2H combat drastically improved. Movement is near-silent.

Nerfs: All emotions are permanently reset to zero. They cannot be regained. Health is significantly reduced.

Note: You may revert to Bird at any time. However, once you choose a transformation, it cannot be changed.

"What… the hell is this?" I muttered, scanning each description.

This… this feels like a video game.

A Guardian—like a tank: slow, durable, built to take hits.

A Swordsman—classic melee type. Strong, close-range.

Assassin? Feels like the mage or rogue—fast, deadly… but no emotions? That's terrifying.

And Thief—almost like a support class. But… he doesn't support anyone but himself.

I narrowed my eyes at the options.

"Guardian's too slow. I'll get crushed before I even react."

"Swordsman's powerful, yeah, but he's limited to swords. I need range."

"Assassin sounds cool, but losing all emotions? That's... no. Not again."

"Thief might work—movement buffs, weapons, tools... but a personal shop? And a debt? What does that even mean?"

"…Would any of these buffs and nerfs even carry over to the real world?"

> Request: Will transformations apply in the real world?.

> > Knowledge located. Transfer accepted.

Knowledge located. Transfer accepted.

Knowledge located. Transfer denied.

Reason: This knowledge cannot be transferred within the Hacking Realm.

Solution: Exit the hacking realm to discover the truth.

"Tch… Guess I'm doing this blind."

The moment I selected it, my body changed—my wings tightened into humanoid arms, cloaked in stealth material. Tools flickered to life around my belt. My sight sharpened. My thoughts accelerated.

I didn't feel human. I didn't feel like a machine.I wasn't just upgraded—I was optimized for survival.

Chapter 12: Sentinel Instinct