The Legendary Programming Mage

The mana inside me suddenly flared as I intertwined the blue codes.

If I wanted to make sure nothing like this happened again, I needed to encrypt the data on all the blue codes.

It might be difficult, but if I succeeded, then no poison or status effect that used mana could harm me.

With a clenched fist, I commanded all the blue codes in my system to enter my glowing red body.

My chest tightened suddenly, but I didn't stop.

The blue codes slowly flowed into me.

However, since the purple codes still existed, they naturally entered as well.

But that was the least of my concerns.

I needed to map out and identify the viruses already inside me.

First, which ones were too corrosive.

Which ones could be cleansed.

And which codes could actually be beneficial to me.

The antivirus didn't just need to kill everything that entered; I had to give it a detailed set of commands.

So I divided the codes into three groups.

One batch was in charge of blocking viruses from entering my body.

Another was in charge of neutralizing existing viruses.

And the last was meant to restore corrupted blue codes and patch up defective ones.

Block. Isolate. Convert.

It still hurt, but the pain was becoming manageable.

I was adapting.

As soon as I finished encrypting the data into the blue codes, I released them from my bright red body.

They weren't sentient on their own, but at least they knew what to do.

Each time a blue code killed a purple one, a sudden warmth enveloped me.

And with each victory came a sharp sting.

But they couldn't lose.

They already had a set task to complete, while I could adapt.

Each time they attacked, I adjusted the antivirus subroutine.

It was thrilling…

Insane, even.

This was something I never would have thought possible in my past life.

But now?

Slowly, my body began rewriting itself.

Perhaps it was because of Valentina's mana, but the antivirus codes were many times stronger.

"Let's end this."

The blue codes, now embedded with antivirus, swirled around the purple codes as the residual energy entered my glowing red form, making it shine brighter.

The patch on my firewall was already half completed.

As soon as the last group of purple codes was eliminated, a cool sensation filled me.

Instantly, I began seeing colors moving around me.

Before, I couldn't see anything besides the codes, but now, I could see the particles.

Mana.

I could sense mana now.

My body gradually became tranquil, and only the decaying core remained.

"Now what should I do about this?"

I doubted I could destroy it instantly…

Then—

"Let's form a shield around it."

If I gave the codes and antiviruses enough context, they would be able to figure out what that thing was and eliminate it slowly.

Or at least tell me a way to do it.

If the reason Allen hadn't awakened the system was because of this, then if I formed a shield around it with those functions, wouldn't the system recognize it too?

It was definitely plausible.

A system checked the well-being and overall stats of its user, which meant it could also see mine.

"Then it's settled."

After gaining decent control of the blue codes and antiviruses, it was relatively easy to form the shield around my core.

From the looks of things, mana could still enter the core, meaning I could progress in rank.

Even so, I couldn't shake the heavy feeling in my chest.

I sighed, my gaze sweeping over my now peaceful system.

"Nice work, Allen."

I had taken a giant step forward.

The question was:

How do I get back?

I looked around my system again.

Even after the viruses were gone, my body still glowed red.

I knew the reason—just like in color palettes, red plus blue created purple. That meant each time a virus was cleansed, the remaining blue energy fused with this form.

Closing my eyes at what seemed to be the center of the system, I let my consciousness drift.

I needed to clear away unnecessary thoughts.

This was inside my body, which meant I had control over it.

Slowly, I began guiding the mana particles around me, merging them with Valentina's divine mana still flowing in me, as well as with the red energy in my body.

As soon as I did, the world behind my shut eyes grew brighter.

In the world of Meltonia, after a hunter entered a personal rift and awakened, they were given what was called a prospect rank.

This prospect rank determined how far they could go in terms of strength.

F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, SSS.

These were the prospect ranks, and once you reached yours, that was the limit.

At least, unless you were crazy enough to find an ancient artifact or draw some forbidden bloodsucking rune.

I didn't know how it felt when one received their prospect rank, since it was never specified in the novel.

But somehow, I knew this was it.

I sat cross-legged as if meditating.

Concentrate.

Haaah…

In and out.

The mana inside me slowly began to rage, then suddenly calmed.

A cool sensation gradually filled me from head to toe.

Aside from prospect ranks, there were also affinities.

Affinities weren't something grandiose, since all mages—including knights—could access all elements.

However, people usually chose one or two as their main elements.

But I couldn't see anything…

Just red.

Only red particles floated around me.

At first, there had been blue and yellow particles holding together, but they split apart in the most surreal way possible.

And what remained was red.

I inhaled deeply, unwilling to let go of this sensation out of sheer greed.

I let the red energy seep into my form.

It wasn't fire, that much was certain.

It gave me an electric tingling sensation whenever it touched me.

Haaah…

I drew another breath, letting my form stabilize.

The blue codes circled around me as if trying to protect me.

And slowly, I began to feel warmth.

From my toes upward, flesh started appearing.

I clenched my jaw and channeled my mana into perfecting the form that was emerging.

There was no way I was settling for Allen's mediocre looks.

The formation of skin paused for a moment, then resumed, this time anew.

My flesh grew along with my muscles, like I was regenerating.

It wasn't painful.

In fact, it felt rather pleasant.

The skin that formed was pale and smooth.

Even without seeing the full form, I was already mesmerized by it.

The flesh continued climbing up my glowing figure, wrapping it in skin.

I had a slender build, but fit enough to be striking.

The creation steadily reached my face, formed my organs, and even my senses.

I felt my hair brush my shoulders, and the moment I opened my eyes, I was no longer in that world.

Instead, I was in my room.

I couldn't see much, since it was filled with smoke.

But the scent was the same.

I let out a soft exhale as wisps of smoke escaped my lips.

My body was light, my head was clear, I could sense mana now, and most of all—

I felt alive.

However, as I glanced at Valentina from the corner of my eye, I froze.

She sat on the floor as if she had fallen.

Her gaze was locked on me, her face flushed bright red.

Even from where I stood, I could hear her heartbeat.

"What?"