The heavy silence that followed the countdown was deafening.
Eran stood alone in the middle of the ruined transit hub, his breath fogging in the cold air. The lights had dimmed, the holographic displays had all gone blank, and the sky outside shimmered with a red glow—as if the world itself had glitched.
Then, the voice returned.
> [Codex Zero: Initialization Complete.]
[Synchronization: 100% — Subject Eran Veyl confirmed.]
Lines of data began to pour into his vision, streaming from the corners of his eyes. But this wasn't like the basic interfaces he'd seen others use. This felt… sentient.
"Why me?" he whispered.
> [Designation: Observer. Access Level: Absolute.]
[Welcome, Observer Zero.]
The world shifted.
Not metaphorically.
Literally.
His surroundings pixelated for a brief second—walls flickered between states, the floor fragmented like broken code, then repaired itself. It was as if reality itself had paused… just for him.
And then came the first prompt.
> [Do you wish to begin Protocol: Awakening?]
[Y/N]
He hesitated. Something deep inside screamed that once he pressed "yes," there'd be no going back.
But what other choice did he have?
His city was gone. People were dying. No one else remembered what the world was before the event. No one… except him.
"Do it," he said.
> [Protocol Initiated.]
[Codex Zero Skill Tree unlocked.]
[New Ability Acquired: Data Phasing (Lv.1)]
Phase partially out of reality. Temporary invulnerability. Cooldown: 60 seconds.
Before Eran could even process what that meant, a screech tore through the air. One of the corrupted beasts had entered the terminal—part machine, part flesh, with jagged limbs and a gaping jaw.
Instinct screamed at him to run, but instead… he stood still.
The world slowed.
> [Codex Zero Engaged: Time Window Activated (3 seconds)]
Three seconds.
Enough to move. Enough to survive.
He stepped aside just as the monster lunged—its claws missing by inches. Eran's eyes widened. He didn't dodge. He… phased.
The monster passed through him like smoke.
> [Skill XP: +34]
He turned around slowly. The Codex was no ordinary system. It wasn't gi
ving him strength.
It was rewriting the rules.
To be continued...