Chapter 11 – The Burden of Power
Kaito's fingers brushed against the glowing orb. The moment he made contact, an icy shock surged through his body. His vision blurred, and a flood of images crashed into his mind like waves.
He saw the bugs—no, the creatures—evolving. Once mindless pests, now merged with technology, growing stronger, smarter, more terrifying. Cities crumbling, people disappearing, entire populations enslaved under a hive mind.
And then — himself.
A vision of a future Kaito, not quite human anymore, wielding strange powers to fight back or maybe control this new world order.
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Awakening
He stumbled back, clutching the orb as it pulsed in his palm. It was warm now, alive, humming with energy that seeped into his veins.
The orb was more than a weapon or tool. It was a system—something ancient and powerful, connected to the creatures, the factory, and possibly his own fate.
Kaito felt a strange calm settle over him, a clarity he'd never known. His body tingled, senses sharpening.
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The System Interface
Suddenly, his vision flickered. A translucent panel appeared before him, covered with symbols and stats:
[System Activated]
Level: 1
Health: 100%
Skills: Unknown
Below the stats, a task list appeared:
Investigate bug mutations
Discover system origin
Survive
A small voice echoed in his mind: "Welcome, Exterminator."
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The Weight of Responsibility
Kaito looked around the dim chamber, realizing the factory wasn't just a workplace — it was the epicenter of a catastrophe.
If he was connected to this system, it meant he had to stop the outbreak. But how?
The weight of the world suddenly felt heavier. This was no longer just about bugs or a lousy job. It was a fight for humanity's survival.
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The Guard's Secret
Just then, footsteps echoed from the corridor outside.
Kaito hid the orb and extinguished his flashlight.
The door creaked open.
The guard appeared — the strange man he'd seen earlier, the one his boss said would wait for him.
But this time, the guard's eyes glowed faintly red.
Kaito's heart raced.
"Who are you?" he whispered.
The guard's lips curled into a cold smile.
"I'm the first test," the guard said, voice low and mechanical.
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First Test
Without warning, the guard lunged.
Kaito dodged just in time, pulling out his trusty crowbar.
They clashed in the dim light — metal on metal, flesh against flesh.
The guard moved faster than humanly possible, each strike carrying unnatural strength.
Kaito realized this wasn't just a man — he was infected, or worse, a machine controlled by the system.
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Narrow Escape
Using quick thinking, Kaito sprayed insecticide into the guard's eyes, buying precious seconds.
He kicked open a side door and ran into the maze of hallways.
The guard's footsteps thundered behind him.
Heart pounding, Kaito searched for an exit or a weapon.
His phone buzzed again.
A new message flashed on the screen:
"Trust no one. Your allies are few."
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Alone in the Darkness
Kaito ducked into a shadowed room and slammed the door shut.
He leaned against it, breathing hard.
This place was more than an abandoned factory — it was a trap.
And he was the bait.
He stared at the orb in his pocket.
This system — whatever it was — had chosen him.
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The Call to Action
A new objective appeared in his system interface:
Find others like you.
Uncover the truth behind the infestation.
Protect Tokyo at all costs.
Kaito clenched his fists.
He didn't want this burden, but there was no turning back.
The city was counting on him.
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A Whisper in the Dark
Suddenly, a voice echoed inside his head — soft, distant, but urgent.
"You are not alone, Kaito. There are others. Seek them. Together, you will stand a chance."
His eyes narrowed.
This was just the beginning.
End of chapter.