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1. System Binding: A Journey Through Uncharted Memories

Allow me to underscore that the narrative presented in this novel is a work of fantasy and bears no relation to actuality. I implore you not to take its contents to heart or mistake it for reality.

By Khizar RehmanPublished about a year ago 7 min read
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As the sun set, the city transformed into a breathtaking spectacle of towering structures and mesmerizing landscapes. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the urban center, a mysterious figure with long, jet-black hair stood perched atop a thirteen-story building, watching intently. Suddenly, he leaped from the roof, his four arms stretched out wide as he hurtled towards the ground.

As he descended, a feeling of disorientation and dizziness overcame him, causing him to lose consciousness. When he came to, he found himself in an unfamiliar room, bathed in an eerie light and surrounded by strange surroundings. As he sat up, he questioned the very essence of his being, pondering whether he was truly alive or not.

Although most people would feel overjoyed at having escaped death, this enigmatic figure appeared despondent and discontented, as if plagued by an inner turmoil that could not be easily shaken off.

As he struggled to make sense of the chaotic and bewildering events that had befallen him, the individual was suddenly wracked with an excruciating pain that felt like a sharp axe cleaving his skull in twain. He let out a primal scream that reverberated through his surroundings, unable to contain his anguish. In the aftermath of this initial onslaught, a series of rapid-fire visions assailed him, hurtling him through time itself, each passing moment bringing fresh waves of pain and discomfort.

Gradually, the frenzied images began to slow, and the intensity of his torment began to wane. He lay back on the bed, gasping for breath, his eyes tightly shut as the visions ground to a halt. After a period of unconsciousness, he awoke to the emergence of unfamiliar memories that had become inexplicably intertwined with his own.

Despite the urge to delve deeper into these new memories, the process was cumbersome and time-consuming. Nonetheless, he was certain that these memories did not belong to him. As he struggled to comprehend this surreal situation, a cold and detached robotic voice abruptly interrupted his thoughts, emanating from within his mind. The individual knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

System Binding," the mechanical voice announced.

"What the hell is that?" Xu Ming asked, confused by the sudden intrusion.

"0%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 70%, .... 100%." The voice continued as the sound of whirring machinery filled the air.

"Host detected in a foreign body. Swapping host's body with original body." The world around Xu Ming began to warp and twist as his mind was abruptly plunged into darkness.

After a moment, his senses returned to him. "Welcome, Host," the mechanical voice declared. "I am the Dark Matrix System, designed to assist you on your life journey." Xu Ming was taken aback by the announcement, but he quickly regained his composure. "What the hell do you mean, my life journey?" he demanded.

The System continued unperturbed. "Host can access his stats by thinking about his profile, and can also ask any queries, which I will try my best to answer them. I'll be available anytime you need me. Goodbye, host."

Xu Ming was at a loss for words as he listened to the half-assed introduction, but nevertheless, he thought about his stats to see what they were like.

With a hint of sophistication in its tone, the system projected a series of data onto a black, abyssal-type surface in mid-air. The surface, though dark, was polished and smooth, emanating a faint glow that cast a mesmerizing effect. In vibrant red, the relevant details of the host were displayed, hovering effortlessly in mid-air, inviting further exploration into the unknown. The entire setup evoked a sense of wonder, simultaneously eerie and mesmerizing, encouraging further inquiry into the mysteries that lay beyond.

[Host: Xu Ming]

[Innate Ability: None]

[Title: None]

[Strength: 120] (normal average value for an adult male is 100)

[Charm value: 170] (normal average value for an adult male is 100)

[Wealth: 10,000 Yuan]

[Dark points: 0]

[Skills: None]

At the bottom of the interface, three additional options were visible but currently inaccessible:

[Lottery: Locked]

[Relationships: Locked]

[Shop: Locked]

As Xu Ming's eyes scanned the vibrant red metrics hovering before him, he couldn't help but feel a nagging sense of curiosity. With a firm resolve, he turned to the Dark Matrix System and posed a series of probing questions. "System, I am perplexed by my current situation. Could you clarify how I survived the fall from the roof and where we are now? Whose memories have become intertwined with mine, and how did my physical body come to be here?"

The mechanical voice replied in a reassuring tone, "Host, you were saved by a dimensional matrix shift, which transported you to Nexus Earth, a world that exists beyond your own. The memories that you have absorbed belong to someone who shares a striking resemblance to you, and your physical body was restored with the aid of the system. However, in the process, the other individual's soul was overpowered by your own, and his body was terminated. The memories that you have are only fragments, encompassing the last eight years of his life."

Xu Ming absorbed the information with a mix of shock and awe. Despite the unnerving implications of his newfound situation, he couldn't help but be captivated by the surreal nature of his circumstances.

Xu Ming's eyes widened as the system divulged the price for retrieving his full memories. Two thousand Dark Points. It seemed like a steep cost, but the rewards were undoubtedly alluring. The question remained - how could he acquire them?

As the system explained the process, Xu Ming's mind began to race. Every evil or wicked act committed would earn him Dark Points, with the reward scaling in accordance with the severity of the wrongdoing. It was a tempting proposition for someone who had already lived a life of crime. 

The lottery feature and the System shop, which offered legendary and helpful items in exchange for Dark Points, further piqued his interest. He could hardly believe his luck; the system was rewarding him for the same malevolent deeds that had earned him notoriety in his previous life.

Despite the moral implications, Xu Ming couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

Xu Ming's former life as "Nefarious" was characterized by an insatiable thirst for power. It was a drive that drove him down a path of destruction and ultimately led to his downfall. However, with a fresh opportunity at life, Xu Ming is resolved to learn from his past mistakes and begin anew. He is determined to pursue his ambitions, carrying on where he left off in his previous life. Empowered by the system's support, Xu Ming is confident he can overcome all obstacles and become the person the world knew as "Nefarious."

A button appeared on the panel, beckoning him to begin his journey. With his finger hovering over the 'Start' button, he hesitated. Instead, he opted to take a moment to fully immerse himself in the memories he had just obtained. Xu Ming knew the importance of being in tune with the host body's past experiences, and he refused to cut any corners. By integrating himself with the memories first, he could ensure that his schemes would be executed with the utmost efficiency, while keeping himself off the red radar of any potential investigations.

Xu Ming's eyes flickered open, only to discover that he was completely undressed. In a flash, he leapt out of bed and scurried towards the bathroom. As he stood in front of the mirror, he gazed intently at his own reflection, mesmerized by the rugged handsomeness that greeted him. With an enviously chiseled jawline, fair skin, and a hint of stubble, he exuded an air of confidence and trustworthiness that was almost palpable.

His pitch-black hair cascaded down his waist, adding to the aura of mystery and sophistication that surrounded him. As a smile slowly spread across his face, he couldn't help but approve of the striking figure that stared back at him from the mirror. He surveyed himself in the mirror with intense scrutiny, searching for any telltale signs that this was not truly his own body. But to his relief, he recognized the familiar aura that surrounded him, confirming beyond doubt that he was now inhabiting his true form.

Determined to make his appearance more good, he quickly took a shower and donned a comfortable night gown. But before diving into his schemes, he resolved to delve deeper into the memories of the body he had taken over. With a curious glint in his eye, he asked the system whether he could access these memories while sleeping, and received an affirmative response. And so, with a sense of anticipation coursing through his veins, he allowed himself to drift off into slumber, eager to fully integrate himself with the memories he got.

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About the Creator

Khizar Rehman

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