[Initializing…]
The green holographic text box appeared in front of Damien's eyes. Or rather, it appeared in his mind. He could see it, but it didn't project into reality like the main system window.
[Core Processor activated.]
[Checking diagnostics…]
[Diagnostics unavailable.]
[Sending report to mainframe…]
[Connection failed.]
[Connection failed.]
[Connection failed.]
[Halting attempts.]
[Rebooting…]
The voice in his head went silent for a second before reappearing. After Initializing one more time, it completely changed its tone.
[Greetings! I am the Artificial Core assigned to aid you in your adventures! Please enter your name.]
"Damien Void," Damien said curiously.
[Registering Damien Void…]
[Searching database…]
[Host identified! Damien Void has been recognized as the Host. Due to interference with the Core's systems, Damien Void will be assigned as the Administrator.]
Damien's brow finally raised. The interference messages didn't surprise him, since he was actively holding the control center within a barrier of Void Essence, but this new procedure did just that.
'This Administrator setting must not show up for anyone else since the Administrator is automatically set during initialization. It's a good thing that I saved myself, but I'm not sure if I should do the same for the rest.'
It could be dangerous. Damien's chip not appearing in the main system could be written off as a bug, but if the same thing happened multiple times, suspicion would grow and impede his plans.
It was much better to have an enemy who moved as one predicted rather than one who plotted in the dark.
'Alright, now that the setup process is over, tell me what you can do.' He thought to himself, but the chip in his head seemed to understand his intent.
[Artificial Core Processor No. 1738, codenamed Eve, is ready to assist! I can improve the host's processing power, reaction speed, and much more! Please read through the instruction manual for details.]
The green holographic window changed to show the very instruction manual that the AI just mentioned. Damien did a quick skim over it to understand its functions.
'Essentially, it's a literal virtual assistant. It can handle plenty of menial tasks, and with its ability to enhance my memory and processing power, it makes it easy for me to play my role. Not to mention…'
With another thought, the screen disappeared from Damien's vision. What replaced it was a flood of code entering his brain.
But strangely enough, this code was registered in Damien's mind as memory. He was truly being given the memories of the individual named Damien Grey.
It was a real cheat. Damien was instantly turned into a Mana Research genius.
'Well, it's not right to say that since I'm not truly a scientist. Pretending to be one should be extremely easy now, though.'
Damien shook his head and played with the artificial intelligence for a while longer, familiarizing himself with it in the process.
'This…this can be included into the Ananta Matrix.' He realized at some point. With the idea rooted in his head, Damien's thoughts became wilder and wilder.
But he held himself back.
Although he already absolved himself of the hidden dangers, he still needed to be cautious until Asgard's intentions and schemes were revealed.
Until then, he'd use the AI as it was intended, as a mere memory support and acting aid.
***
A month passed without suspense after Bai Xieren's visit. Damien spent this month intermittently switching between practicing and learning more about Damien Grey who he would soon have to embody.
As it turned out, Damien Grey wasn't too different from him at all. Overall, it could be said that the man was just a muted version of normal Damien.
But, he was far more serious than the latter. Damien would have to quell his urge to mess around all the time until this mission ended.
'His family died in a car accident. It seems those are prevalent no matter where you go. Hm? I have a wife and kids?!'
The setting was done quite well. After all, having no relatives in the slightest would be more suspicious than anything. Setting him up with a family made total sense.
But having to become a family man all of a sudden…
'No, this is good too. I could use some practice for when…never mind. Xue'er has been moody recently too. I need experience dealing with kids.'
Even his home life would be training! With this somewhat depressing thought in mind, Damien continued his routine.
But not everyone was as relaxed as him. The atmosphere within the starship was becoming tenser with every passing second.
"What role do you have?" A woman asked her friend, but she was met with immediate rejection.
"Shh! That's confidential information!"
"Ah, who cares. It's not like they'll do anything to us if we share."
"R-really?"
"Of course!"
"O-okay, I actually wanted to talk about it to someone. My role is—"
The woman's voice was cut off as her head detached from her body. Bai Xieren stood behind her coldly, her hand dripping with blood.
A second head went flying soon after, giving a strong warning to those on board.
This operation wasn't a joke. Military discipline would be followed to the tee. If a rule was broken, punishment of the same severity would be dealt out.
And the punishment for leaking or attempting to leak confidential information?
Death without mercy. Regardless of who the ones giving and receiving were.
Long Chen sat to one side of the large recreational area with a troubled look on his face.
To say that he was uncomfortable didn't do justice to his current feeling. And the only friend he had on board the ship was busy training in an environment he couldn't reach.
'Show me my information again.' He muttered inwardly.
[Affirmative. The Host's chosen identity is Long Aotian, a research assistant under Researcher Damien Grey, a prominent member of the Mana Science and Engineering communities within Niflheim.]
Long Chen scrunched his nose. Both the overly domineering name he was given and the eerie feeling he got from having to serve under someone named Damien irked him unendingly.
As he wallowed in this feeling, a woman appeared at his feet. Or rather, she appeared from his shadow.
"What is it this time?" He sighed. He couldn't count the number of times this woman had done the same thing since they boarded the ship.
"Spar with me." And her question was always the same.
They sparred once near the beginning of their journey. Although Long Chen wasn't able to defeat Li Xiu, he was able to push her back somewhat by relying on his sword and poison together.
With Li Xiu being an entry-level 4th class, Even this much was considered a loss. Ever since that day, she would constantly pester Long Chen to spar with her again.
While he accepted some and denied some, her challenges weren't the only burdensome thing about her. Long Chen didn't like the look in her eyes at all.
'What is this sticky feeling…don't tell me she…?' He didn't want to accept it, but he understood that it was a possibility.
As he lamented over his strange fate, Long Chen proceeded to ignore Li Xiu and direct his gaze out into the starry sky beyond the glass.
'It must be nice…'
He couldn't help but be jealous of his closest friend. That annoying guy was able to experience the wonders of that atmosphere with his bare body.
But Long Chen was able to quickly dispel his negativity. Damien had his path, while Long Chen had his. While Damien desired to control space, Long Chen desired to sever it so it could never be repaired.
With them moving in practically opposite directions…
Long Chen was more than just a little excited for the battles they'd have in the future.
