Virtual Ascension

After being captured by the Cylinder Robot, Venix was taken to a city.

Without moving a single muscle, Venix had already achieved his initial plan—a plan he hadn't even thought through yet!

Upon entering the city, his eyes immediately caught something intriguing. The city was bustling with humans—or at least creatures that looked like humans. There was almost no discernible difference between them and the people on Earth.

It felt strange, but also astonishing, to witness such a familiar sight in an alien world.

Trapped in a web that bound his body, Venix struggled to free himself. He wriggled, tugged, and even bit at the web.

But it was all futile. The web was too tough. Though it felt soft against his skin, its strength was overwhelming. Every escape attempt only caused the web to restore itself to perfection, as though it had never been touched.

"This... is too realistic," Venix muttered, sighing in frustration. "It feels more like the real world than just a virtual game."

Trying to calm his thoughts, Venix opened his system interface. He did this without any gesture—just using his mind.

As he suspected, a new mission had appeared on the interface.

[Quest: Awaken]

[Description: Obtain the Awaken Injection and activate the Origin Fragment Realm, a hidden power within your body.]

[Reward: 100 Resource Points]

Venix carefully read the quest description multiple times, ensuring the details were etched into his memory. This mission might be the key to surviving in this strange virtual world.

"Captured by a cylinder robot but not thrown into a pit? Well, it's better than dying pointlessly," Venix thought, trying to find the silver lining in this absurd situation.

The cylinder robot continued its silent march, carrying Venix toward a large building at the city's center.

The structure stood out with its gleaming metallic walls and strange symbols displayed above the entrance—whether they were letters, numbers, or mere decorations, Venix couldn't tell.

As they entered the building, the atmosphere changed dramatically. The interior was bustling with activity. Humans—or humanoid beings—were busy with their tasks.

Some were typing on devices resembling tablets, while others moved quickly with serious expressions, carrying documents or glowing objects.

However, their reaction to Venix was almost nonexistent. They merely glanced briefly at the cylinder robot and the "lost sheep" it carried, then returned to their routines with no hint of curiosity.

"Hmm... If I'm a 'lost sheep,' I must not be an important one," Venix thought. The workers' indifference suggested that the term was more of a casual reference to a minor nuisance rather than a significant threat.

Whether to feel relieved or offended, Venix decided to reserve judgment until he understood what was coming next.

"Maybe it's ideological," Venix mused. "Perhaps those who refuse to worship this robot god are labeled as Lost Sheep."

It made sense. If the conflict was merely about differing beliefs, it was understandable why the city's residents wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

The cylinder robot stopped in front of a door that opened automatically, then rolled inside, bringing Venix into a specific room.

There, a woman stood. Her long brown hair was tied into a ponytail, adding to her professional demeanor. She wore a white coat, resembling that of a doctor, paired with glasses that sat neatly on her face.

But what truly caught Venix's attention was her beauty. She wasn't just attractive—she was stunning! Even if she were on Earth, she could easily be a top-tier celebrity or at least a regular magazine cover model.

Venix was momentarily transfixed, somewhat surprised. He almost forgot this was a virtual world.

Before his thoughts could wander further, the woman's voice broke his reverie.

"Oh? Another Lost Sheep? Fine," she said nonchalantly, her tone almost bored. "I don't mind handling one more."

The robot placed Venix on a large table in the center of the room, handling him with surprising care—or at least pretending to care about his comfort.

On the table, Venix noticed he wasn't the only "catch." Another web lay nearby, holding a man trapped inside.

The man's face was flushed with anger, and as Venix observed him, he suddenly screamed hysterically.

"You devil woman! Just kill me! I won't accept cursed devil blood in my body!"

Venix stared at the man. His outburst was full of hatred but also seemed a bit... over the top.

In his mind, Venix thought, "So even in this world, there's room for drama? This virtual realm has incredible depth and attention to detail."

The woman, clearly unfazed, responded with a hint of sarcasm. "It's been an hour. Aren't you tired of cursing me by now? Besides, this is my job. If I don't do my job, how am I supposed to buy nice clothes every week? Are you planning to cover my weekly paycheck?"

"You... You're sacrificing us for clothes?!" the man shouted in horror, his voice piercing.

The woman pinched the bridge of her nose, visibly irritated. "Enough with the nonsense! Once this is over, you're free to go back to wherever you came from!"

The man slumped within the web, hugging his knees as if they were his last line of defense. Trembling, he muttered, "I'm already dead... This is the end..."

While this drama unfolded, Venix watched intently—like an audience member enjoying an absurd theater performance.

Eventually, his curiosity got the better of him. Politely, he raised his right hand.

"Um, excuse me. May I ask something?"

The woman turned, one eyebrow arched as she noticed Venix, the newcomer to the room.

Even the previously despairing man looked at him, his face a mixture of confusion and surprise.

The newcomer, of course, was Venix. He stood calmly, still trapped in the web, as if participating in a class discussion rather than facing a potentially life-threatening situation.

The language used by Venix was from Earth, but he asked the question confidently. If the system had an automatic translation feature—something he suspected from how he understood the language of the people in this world—then perhaps it also translated the language he was currently using, making it comprehensible to the locals.

Moreover, Venix was calm. To him, this was just a game. There was no reason to panic.

If he died, so be it. After all, for Venix, it was a game. He would respawn after some time, maybe in a different location.

The woman, who seemed slightly surprised by Venix's composure, finally responded.

"What do you want to ask?" Her tone held a faint curiosity.

Apparently, this was the first time she had encountered a "Lost Sheep" who reacted this way.

Most, like the man before, would panic and scream as if the world was ending when caught and brought to this room.

Hearing that the woman was willing to answer, Venix felt a bit relieved. At least the system automatically translated Earth languages. He didn't have to waste time learning this alien tongue just to communicate.

"I'm just curious," Venix said, his tone casual. "What are you going to do to us?"

Venix knew that gathering information was the most critical first step. Even if he had to die here, as long as he obtained useful information, it would be a fair price to pay.

The woman sighed softly, as if explaining something obvious. "Nothing major. I'm just going to inject the Awaken Injection into your body. Once the process is complete, you're free to go and live your life as usual."

"Awaken Injection?" Venix raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. He clearly hadn't expected such an answer.

"Awaken Injection? Could it be related to the quest I have?" Venix thought to himself. His mind began working furiously, piecing together the fragments of information he had just received.

Glancing back at his system interface, Venix could only let out a small sigh.

"So, my mission gets completed just like that without needing any specific plan?" Venix thought. There was no relief, only a mix of disbelief and bemusement.

But his curiosity soon took over. Venix looked at the woman with a serious gaze.

"Is this Awaken Injection supposed to awaken hidden power fragments within me?" Venix asked bluntly.

The woman appeared slightly taken aback but replied nonchalantly. "Well, that's correct. The Awaken Injection is meant to awaken hidden powers that cannot naturally surface."

Venix's eyes immediately sparkled with enthusiasm. He could barely contain his excitement.

"Awaken Injection? Count me in!" Venix declared with a half-joking tone, though his eyes shone with eager anticipation.

The shock on the woman's face was evident. Even the man, who had been drowning in despair, now stared at Venix with a mix of astonishment and dread.

"You're crazy! You've been possessed by demons!" the man shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Venix.

Venix ignored the outburst entirely. He focused on the woman in front of him with hopeful eyes, like a child waiting for a gift. If this Awaken Injection could truly grant him power, wasn't this the perfect first step?

The woman raised an eyebrow, as if puzzled by Venix's confidence, but eventually gave a small smile.

"In that case, I'll handle you first," the woman said, her tone slightly amused.

She stepped forward, carefully removing the net that had bound Venix. Once the net was gone, Venix stepped out casually, with no sign of nervousness on his face.

The woman calmly led Venix to a large, pod-like machine that stood empty.

Its surface was shiny, with small lights blinking faintly, creating a somewhat tense atmosphere.

"When you're ready, step inside. I'll take care of the rest," the woman said casually, as if this procedure was routine for her.

Venix paused for a moment, looking at the woman with slight hesitation.

"Is she really not worried that I might rebel?" Venix wondered to himself.

There were no additional security measures, no tight guards.

What Venix didn't realize was that the woman was far stronger than she appeared. For someone like her, dealing with Venix, whose strength was equivalent to an average human, was like swatting a fly.

After pondering briefly, Venix decided to ask a question, trying to lighten the mood. "May I know your name?"

The woman stopped and looked at him, then gave a small smile.

"You can call me Luna," she said simply, her tone friendly yet professional.

Venix noted the name in his mind.

This game is a bit strange. The NPCs here are too realistic, almost like real-life beings. If that's the case, building a good relationship with an NPC like Luna might be a good strategy moving forward.

Before he could say anything further, Luna added something that left Venix puzzled.

"By the way, are you one of those hypnotized by the tribal chief?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Tribal chief?" Venix frowned, confusion evident on his face. "What's that?"

Luna looked at Venix for a moment before beginning to explain casually.

"The Lost Sheep are mostly like that man," Luna gestured towards the man who had been shouting earlier. "They panic and think it's the end of the world once they're brought here."

Venix's interest was piqued, and he listened attentively.

Luna continued, her voice calm yet compelling enough to hold Venix's attention. "These people are born generation after generation, living isolated from the outside world. Their knowledge is extremely limited, and what they know comes from traditions passed down in their secluded communities."

Venix listened intently, the virtual gleam in his eyes reflecting the new information.

"Of course," Luna added, "some Lost Sheep start to realize something is off and uncover the truth. To hide the reality that contradicts their teachings, these people are hypnotized. It's a lengthy process, forcing them back into their old beliefs and traditions."

Venix paused, processing the information. So... someone was actively covering up the truth from those who became aware? That sounded like a dirty tactic, even for this virtual world.

Luna observed Venix closely before concluding, "And you're different from the other Lost Sheep I've met. Most likely, you're one of the hypnotized ones."

Venix felt like something was missing from Luna's explanation, but he only nodded slightly, unsure how to respond.

"Uh, maybe," Venix said hesitantly, averting his gaze.

However, with Luna's explanation, Venix began to get a clearer picture of the situation in this world.

Apparently, the so-called "Lost Sheep" were individuals who rejected the evolution of superpowers and tended to isolate themselves from the changes occurring around them.

Driven by growing curiosity, Venix stepped toward the Pod standing tall in the room.

Luna calmly moved aside, approaching the Pod's control panel.

With a few quick taps, the Pod door slowly closed.

"The mechanism of this machine is very advanced," Venix remarked, offering sincere praise.

Curiosity swirled within him, even as his body felt increasingly tense due to the unfolding situation.

Once the Pod was fully closed, Venix remained calm.

Outside the Pod, Luna stood observing intently. A few seconds later, six large needles emerged from the Pod and cruelly pierced the sides of Venix's body.

As the needles punctured his skin, a searing heat spread throughout Venix's body, like fire. His muscles felt as though they were being squeezed by hot metal, and every breath he took felt as if he were swallowing embers. If this was a simulation, the realism was absolutely overwhelming!

Outside the Pod, Luna stood without showing any overly surprised reaction. However, as soon as she heard Venix's scream, she glanced toward the Pod with a hint of curiosity.

"Ahhh!!!" The loud scream reverberated through the air, clearly audible even though the Pod should have suppressed sound.

"Hm?" Luna was taken aback and glanced slightly toward the Pod that Venix had entered. "Every Pod is tightly sealed with a strong soundproofing function. But this scream… How could it be so loud outside? How intense was his scream?"

Luna paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes.

The Awaken Injection process was known to be extremely painful for everyone. It was expected that anyone undergoing the process would scream in agony.

However, Venix's scream was louder than she had imagined, breaking through the sound barriers designed to maintain peace and calm in the room.

The scream reverberated throughout the room, and Luna began to sense something intriguing. This scream, so loud, could easily rank among the top three loudest screams in the history of the Awaken Injection process.

"This person... interesting," Luna murmured with a thin smile. "Perhaps he will have a much better Awaken quality than any of the normal Awakenings."

Venix's scream lasted for a full five minutes, as if time slowed with every painful cry that erupted from his body.

But eventually, the scream faded, leaving behind a deep silence.

Luna checked the monitor in front of her, carefully observing Venix's condition inside the Pod.

The cameras installed inside the Pod provided a clear view of what was happening.

What surprised Luna slightly was that, after all the shaking and screaming, Venix now appeared to be either asleep or unconscious, as if his body could no longer bear the pain.

"Normally, a regular person would scream for several minutes before stopping. But this person... he only screamed for five minutes. His scream was so loud, it might even have broken the record for this category." Luna smiled faintly, finding Venix rather entertaining.

Meanwhile, the madman who had been trapped in the net earlier now lay unconscious on the table, his face pale.

Venix's deafening scream had frightened him about his own fate, and his mind had collapsed before he could even experience the Awaken Injection firsthand.

The Awaken Injection process was swift. As soon as the Awaken Injection liquid was injected, its effects immediately began.

This process not only stimulated the body to release hidden Power Fragments, but also destroyed parts of the body, damaging bones and flesh to trigger latent potential.

However, not everything about the process was terrifying. The Awaken Injection also contained a powerful healing element, designed to repair the damage caused by the injection.

The healing liquid would start working as soon as the Power Fragments emerged, and the body would begin to recover naturally after the destruction.

The Awaken Injection process could be extremely painful, but it was also filled with hope. After the power was awakened, the body would heal itself.

For those who successfully passed this trial, superpowers would soon be theirs!

The recovery process usually took about six hours for most people, until they fully recovered to their original state.

At this moment, Venix was completely unconscious.

Earlier, Venix had tried to stay relaxed, thinking that this was just a game.

Although the Awaken Injection process was likely not easy, he had been confident he could endure the pain.

After all, whatever happened in this virtual world should be easily solvable.

But the reality… The pain was so real, hitting him with an unexpected force.

It felt like lightning shattering his mental defenses in an instant. Surprised and unprepared, Venix felt as though his body was made of fragile glass, shattering into pieces.

As someone accustomed to the comforts of the modern world, the pain was so overwhelming that it made him feel trapped in the depths of hell.

In the midst of his unconsciousness, Venix seemed trapped in a dark world.

There, spots of color began to appear, dancing in front of his eyes as if they were a faint glimpse of hope. Yet, they were still too far away, just out of his reach.

Six hours passed like this, time feeling thick and sluggish, until Venix gradually felt his consciousness returning.

He slowly opened his eyes, trying to adjust to the light that suddenly flooded his vision.

The door of the Pod holding his body opened automatically, like the response of a machine that had been pre-programmed. Venix was slightly surprised, his voice hoarse as he tried to speak.

"Uhh... Where am I?"

"Oh? You're awake?" A soft voice, that of a woman, rang out, catching Venix's attention.

He turned his head, and the face of a beautiful woman with long brown hair and glasses resting on her nose appeared before him.

Venix furrowed his brow, feeling confused. "You..."

The woman smiled and then calmly responded, "I'm Luna. And you are... Oh, right, I forgot to ask your name. But the important thing is, you're in a weak condition right now. You need to rest, at least for a full day."

"Your mind isn't fully stable, so you might have difficulty remembering many things right now."

Venix nodded weakly, trying to recall something, but his thoughts felt too disordered.

"Uhhh... Whatever it is, is there a bed I can use?" Venix's voice was still hoarse, his body feeling as if it had just fallen into a pit of suffering.

Luna smiled slightly, as if she had already guessed Venix's condition. "Of course, I'll take care of that for you."

Luna called one of her colleagues to escort Venix to a lodging in the city.

Luna's colleague seemed a bit confused and hesitated. Wasn't Venix one of the Lost Sheep? Since when did they get special treatment like this?

However, Luna simply shook her head and explained briefly, "I'll handle the expenses."

Luna had her reasons for doing this, but she didn't explain them to her colleague.

Without saying much more, Luna's colleague obeyed and promptly escorted Venix to a lodge in the city.

During the drive, Venix glanced at the sky, which looked beautiful. But in his current state, like a drunken person, he paid no attention to it.

Ten minutes later, Venix arrived at a simple apartment building and was guided by Luna's colleague to his room.

Once inside, Venix immediately walked toward the empty bed and, without a second thought, collapsed onto it.

Within seconds, his eyes closed, and his body sank into the much-needed sleep.