Rony stood there, motionless, the air around him eerily still as though even nature waited for him to process what had just happened. His breathing slowed, eyes flickering beneath his glasses as the last of the system's interface faded from his vision, leaving a faint afterimage like an echo on his retina. His thoughts spiraled as the realization took root—he was the bearer of multiple high-tier artifacts. Artifacts that should not, by any known logic or law of the world, have bonded with someone like him.
Just as his mind was beginning to settle, a distinct, electronic chime echoed softly into his ears.
> System Notification Initiated... Initializing interface... Status: Artifacts Detected - Primary Integration Incomplete...
His body tensed instinctively, eyes darting around before focusing on the now-illuminated data stream floating in front of him.
He narrowed his gaze. "System... what was that about artifact integration?"
> Query Detected. Clarifying request. Processing... Answer: Host has not yet unlocked 'Gaming Mode'.
Rony furrowed his brows, skepticism flashing across his face. "Gaming Mode? What, are we in some kind of RPG now?"
> Query Registered. Compiling Answer...
> 'Gaming Mode' is an advanced operational interface crafted uniquely for the Host. It enables synchronized control, visualization, and seamless interaction with equipped artifacts.
Another screen materialized in front of him, flickering with system-blue text. His glasses, the [SpectraLens], filtered the glare automatically.
> Gaming Mode Initialization Requirements:
[SpectraCam Device] (Phone 1): Status – Not powered
[SpectraLens] (Glasses): Synced
Total Integration: 3/4 Artifacts Synchronized.
Rony exhaled a long breath, eyes scanning the data slowly.
"So I need to get the [SpectraCam Device] working... Great."
> Observation Confirmed. Initialization Progress: On Hold.
He paced slowly across the moss-laden forest floor, crunching twigs beneath his feet. The vibrant green canopy overhead filtered sunlight down in trembling beams, painting everything in hues of gold and emerald.
He stopped suddenly. A heavy thought loomed.
"When... how did these artifacts connect with me? Artifacts are supposed to be... picky. Rituals, legacies, chosen bloodlines... They're not just lying around for anyone to grab."
He took off the [SpectraLens] for a second, looking at the modest frame of the glasses in his hand. Despite their appearance, they held extraordinary power. Same with the EchoSense Earbuds nestled in his ears and the Spectral Satchel that rested lightly on his back.
"System," he muttered, placing the glasses back on, "is there something unique about me that allowed these artifacts to bind?"
> Query Registered. Analysis Attempted...
Access Denied. Function Locked: 'Unlock Gaming Mode' required.
He rubbed his temple. "Of course. Can't get the answer without unlocking the damn feature."
> Acknowledged.
He groaned, half-exasperated, half-amused. "So... I have to fix the phone, power it somehow, and then maybe, maybe, you'll let me learn why I'm an artifact magnet?"
> Confirmed.
Rony smirked, sarcasm bubbling up in his tone. "Wow, thank you, system. Very user-friendly."
> You're welcome.
He blinked. "…You can respond to sarcasm?"
> Sarcasm Detection Level 2: Active.
He let out a short laugh, and just as the amusement was about to wear off, a loud and persistent grumble rose from his stomach.
Rony froze.
And then, with perfect comedic timing, he looked down at his belly and sighed dramatically.
"Seriously?" he muttered. "After all that divine knowledge dump and existential discovery, now I'm hungry?"
The sound echoed slightly through the quiet trees. The forest responded only with a breeze that stirred the leaves like a whisper.
He placed his palm against his stomach. "I swear... With the amount of system prompts I've eaten, my body's acting like I haven't touched food since the dawn of civilization."
The Spectral Satchel shifted slightly as he adjusted the straps on his shoulders. His eyes trailed to it. "Alright, backpack. Time to see if you've got lunch inside you."
He knelt, fingers brushing along the glowing threads at the edges. The seams lit up faintly with each touch—calm pulses of mana responding to his presence. It was warm, almost alive.
> Artifact Interface: Spectral Satchel Access Granted.
A mental interface opened within his mind. Unlike the clunky inventories in video games, this one was smooth—he only had to think of an item, and the bag would reveal if it existed.
"Food," he thought.
> Search Result: 1 item found – Ration Bar (Preserved).
"Not gourmet, but I'll take it."
He visualized the item, and like magic, the compartment materialized in front of him inside the bag. He reached in and pulled out a perfectly sealed nutrition bar, its packaging sleek and silver.
He unwrapped it, took a bite, and cringed slightly. "Tastes like cardboard wrapped in sadness."
Still, he chewed through it as the hunger slowly faded. A quiet moment passed.
The weight of the earlier realization settled on his shoulders again. The [SpectraCam Device] was the last piece in this strange puzzle. Once powered, Gaming Mode would activate. And with that, maybe answers would come—answers about his body, the artifacts, this world.
> System Notification: Energy levels for artifact [SpectraCam Device] remain at 0%. Recommended Source: Electro Stones or Compatible Energy Artifact.
Rony leaned back, brushing his fingers through his hair. "Electro Stones... I think I know where to find some."
He stood up, the ration wrapper dissolving in his hand as he tossed it toward the satchel, which absorbed it without a sound.
The forest suddenly didn't feel so large. Not when you had tools like these. Not when your body, against all logic, seemed designed for the impossible.
Rony grinned to himself, eyes glinting behind the [SpectraLens].
"Let's unlock Gaming Mode and see just how far down this rabbit hole goes."