The endless darkness of the pocket dimension remained silent, stretching infinitely in every direction without form or boundary. There was no sky above, no ground below, no wind or sound—only a vast, suffocating void that seemed to exist outside reality itself.
The faint glow of the system screen illuminated Alex's figure, casting soft white light across his face. It flickered slightly, as if responding to something unseen, before stabilizing once more in the silent expanse.
Then—
New lines of text appeared.
[According to the System's conclusion, the Host's surname exists beyond the reach of this plane of reality.]
Alex frowned immediately as he read the message, confusion tightening his expression as the meaning began forming in his mind.
Before he could react, another line appeared beneath it.
[That is the reason your surname cannot be spoken within this plane of existence… Master.]
The mechanical voice echoed faintly within the empty dimension, but this time something felt different. It still sounded artificial, yet there was a subtle shift, as if the system had grown slightly more human.
Alex stared at the screen, his thoughts racing rapidly as questions piled up inside his mind, each one more confusing than the last.
Then—
Another message appeared.
[Master's species is also beyond the classification limits of this reality.]
His brows furrowed deeper, tension building in his gaze as he focused on every word.
The system continued without pause.
[It is indeed a human species… however, it is not a normal one.]
A brief silence followed, almost deliberate, before the final line appeared.
[Further information requires the System to reach a higher level of authority.]
Silence returned once more.
Alex stood still, unmoving, allowing everything he had just read to settle slowly within his mind. His earlier anger began fading, replaced by a calmer, more focused state of thought.
He inhaled deeply.
Then exhaled.
"If my surname and species are 'too high' for this reality…" Alex murmured quietly, his voice echoing faintly into the void.
"Then how was I able to say my surname all those years on Earth?"
The question lingered.
But before he could think further—
The system responded.
[Your question is logical, Master.]
Another line appeared beneath it, precise and unsettling.
[However, can you recall a moment when you actually spoke your surname aloud to someone?]
Alex blinked.
His expression shifted slightly as his mind began searching through his memories, diving into years of past experiences in an attempt to find even a single instance.
School introductions.
Class roll calls.
Talking with friends.
Conversations with teachers.
Countless moments passed through his mind—
But something was wrong.
He couldn't find a single memory.
Not one.
His heartbeat skipped.
A cold sensation spread across his body as realization began to take form, slow and terrifying.
"A… are you saying…?" his voice trembled slightly.
"My… my mother isn't from this reality?"
His throat tightened as he forced himself to continue speaking, despite the unease building inside him.
"A-and she came from… another plane of existence?"
The system answered without hesitation.
[Yes, Master. Your assumption is correct.]
More text followed, solidifying the conclusion.
[Based on available data, your mother most likely originated from another plane of reality.]
The words struck deeply.
Alex's legs weakened slightly, and he slowly dropped down onto the invisible surface beneath him. Though nothing could be seen, it supported his weight as if it were solid.
His thoughts spiraled.
Fragments of memories.
Moments from his childhood.
Everything began connecting in ways he had never considered before.
"Why… didn't I realize it sooner?" he whispered softly, his voice filled with disbelief.
He remembered what the system had said earlier.
That his soul existed beyond this reality.
That should have been the clue.
Yet he missed it.
Then—
Another thought surfaced.
If his mother truly came from another plane…
Then—
"…She might still be alive."
The words escaped him unconsciously, barely louder than a breath.
His heart began beating faster.
Hope.
A fragile, dangerous hope.
Then—
The system responded.
[Yes, Master. Your mother being alive is a possibility.]
Alex froze completely.
Another message followed.
[However, the System cannot currently determine the life status of individuals connected to you… yet.]
Alex stared at the screen.
Slowly—
A faint smile formed on his face.
But at the same time, tears began falling from his eyes, silently tracing down his cheeks.
"That day…" he began, his voice trembling.
"Some police officers came to our house."
He swallowed hard, forcing the memory out.
"They gave me a report file… and told me my mom had died."
His fists clenched tightly.
"But they said I couldn't see her body… because she was already buried."
He lowered his head, shadows covering his eyes.
"But if what you're saying is true…"
His voice changed.
Colder.
Sharper.
"…then something strange must have happened that day."
The sadness slowly faded, replaced by something far more powerful.
Determination.
Even the smallest chance—
Was enough.
Alex wiped his tears away and slowly stood up, his posture firming as resolve filled his chest.
He looked directly at the system.
"You said you can't tell whether people connected to me are alive or dead… yet."
He emphasized the final word.
"That means you'll be able to later, right?"
The system answered immediately.
[That is correct, Master.]
Another line appeared.
[However, the System must become significantly stronger to achieve that level of capability.]
Alex folded his arms slightly, his expression sharpening.
"And how does that happen?"
The answer came instantly.
[You must unseal your soul.]
Alex frowned deeply.
"Unseal… my soul?"
The system continued.
[The seal placed upon your soul is extremely powerful.]
[Even the System cannot currently comprehend its full nature.]
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity mixing with caution.
[To break it, Master must reach a level of strength far beyond your current imagination.]
He fell silent for a moment, processing everything carefully.
Different possibilities formed.
But one stood out clearly.
"…Maybe my mom sealed my soul to protect me."
His voice was calm now, grounded.
"That's the only explanation that makes sense."
The system confirmed his thought.
[Yes, Master. That possibility has a very high probability.]
Alex nodded slightly, accepting it for now.
Overthinking wouldn't help.
Right now—
One thing mattered.
If there was even a chance his mother was alive…
Then he would find her.
No matter what.
That thought alone ignited something deep within him, a burning determination that refused to fade.
Just as he was about to check his abilities—
The system spoke again.
[Master, it is recommended to integrate the ability "Omni Physique" before using other abilities.]
Alex raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Why?"
The system responded calmly.
[Your current body is too fragile.]
[Using other abilities may cause structural collapse of your physical form.]
Alex sighed softly, understanding the risk.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
"Wait…"
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You can read my mind?"
The system answered immediately.
[Yes, Master.]
[However, there is no cause for concern.]
[The System cannot harm you.]
[Its sole purpose is to serve you.]
Alex stared at the screen for a moment, still slightly suspicious.
But eventually—
He let it go.
"Alright then."
He rolled his shoulders slightly.
"Do I need to prepare for this integration?"
The system responded.
[No preparation is required.]
Then another message appeared.
[However, Master should prepare for the most intense pain you have ever experienced.]
Alex's throat tightened slightly.
The system continued.
[The Omni Physique is the strongest physique within this plane of reality.]
[However, it still does not fully match Master's true requirements.]
[It will evolve alongside the System as Master grows stronger.]
A heavy silence followed.
For the first time—
The system felt serious.
Truly serious.
An ominous feeling crept into Alex's chest.
But then—
He thought of his mother.
If there was even a chance to see her again…
Pain didn't matter.
A determined grin slowly formed on his face, his eyes burning with unwavering resolve.
"Alright."
He straightened his posture.
"Let's integrate the Omni Physique first."
"After that… we'll deal with everything else."
The system responded instantly.
[Integrating Omni Physique as instructed by Master.]
The moment the message appeared—
Alex's eyes widened.
Then—
Pain.
An overwhelming, unbearable pain erupted throughout his entire body, far beyond anything he had ever experienced before. It felt as if every cell in his body was being torn apart and rebuilt simultaneously.
He couldn't even scream.
His consciousness began fading instantly, unable to withstand the sheer intensity of the transformation. His body collapsed onto the invisible surface beneath him, completely lifeless.
Darkness consumed him.
As his vision faded completely—
His final words escaped in a whisper.
"…Wait for me, Mom."