Triple X System

[Kyle, Kyle! Are you alright!?] Snow inwardly yelled, earning a groan in response.

Argh, what happened? He asked sitting up straight on the hard terrain.

[Am not sure, but I was blocked again by some force.] She paused her voice a mix of anger and guilt.

What is it snow?

[It’s just.. am supposed to be an all powerful system, guiding you on your path to power. But how can I help you when I can’t even help myself.] She lamented with a conflicted tone. Listening to her Kyle could feel she was really upset at herself. For not being much useful.

As an otherworldly system, it was impossible to feel any emotion or react like a living being. But that was the thing, she wasn’t just an ordinary artificial intelligence.

If you feel guilty then look at me. I was blessed with a once in a lifetime opportunity but lost everything in a day. Plot twist, to the same being hunting me for dead. He sarcastically joked hoping to lighten up snow’s mood. Which strangely worked out.

[You know, you’re one weird pervert right?] She teased, making Kyle puff out his chest with pride.

Sighs.. we’re not always at our best at times, bit it’s crucial we make the most of our time together. He calmly spoke.

[D-did you just drop a wise saying on me?]

Apparatus yes young one. The apple doesn’t fall far from it’s tree. I’ve been learning a lot. Kyle uttered, changing his voice into that of a much matured version.

Leaving his system more speechless.

[You’re not Kyle. Bring him back you mimic!] She joked, to which they both laughed off.

Getting up his memories slowly started flowing back to him. Not like a tidal wave crashing to shore, but a more soothing one.

I didn’t know they sacrificed this much for me. As an only child he was pampared and spoilt with lots of stuff from his parent. Though they weren’t extravagantly rich, they worked hard to provide his necessities. Often engaging in multiple shifts a day, thus having limited time with him.

[Are you ok?] Snow softly asked seeing his heartbeat slowling down a bit. When such happened it could mean a lot of things. But the two plausible causes were dying or extreme grief.

I’m fine. It’s just this place.. it’s like it’s changing me. There was some noticeable changes of growth in his personality. Even his stats had increased by one, his intelligence receiving a whooping additional 10 points.

[Well according to it’s name, it isn’t just a place for reflection. More like growth.] Snow chimed in, earning a small nod from Kyle.

[Demon energy: 0]

His system was online and he could vividly feel his skills. But for some reason, his sense of demon energy was blocked. Along with activating skills requiring it.

[Whatever being controlling this place is way more powerful than any you’ve faced. So be careful Kyle.] Snow warned to which he thanked her. Advancing forward.

I wonder how mom and dad are fairing. His heart sank each time remembering the scenes from the past. He’d failed to protect his parents, which led to their current state.

And now he still couldn’t keep their group together, separated in this mysterious castle.

[Don’t worry Kyle, am sure they’re alright.]

Yeah.. they are one hell of a power couple. A light chuckle escaped his mouth. His parents were strong willed as humans, even stronger now with their transformation.

Taking a left turn he could feel some vibrations on the ground. Which meant there were other prescence, present here.

[Am detecting some heat signatures of beasts. It’s likely to be red ants but am not certain so be cautious.] Snow foretold alerting Kyle.

Now on alert his guard was up. Though he wasn’t with the katana, his strength exceeded that of the red ants. So he could swiftly take care of a few dozens, with some light casualties.

[Get ready, they’re at the next turn.]

Calming himself, he prepared to launch a surprise attack. Peeping from the wall, demarcating him for the beasts.

There’s only six of them so this should be easy. It played out perfectly in his head, but this was reality. Knowing the ants weren’t weak, he wouldn’t dare underestimate the..

Swoosh! He dashed from spot, the wind brushing against his skin.

[Stamina regeneration failed.]

[Host body is in critical condition.]

The system notifications popped in view. Dismissing them he pushed forward, reaching the ants in a flash. Using the momentum to land a deadly blow to the nearest. Exploding it’s head, sending it crashing backwards to a wall with another.

Whoa~ did my strength just increase? His punches were lethal, but to some extent. Especially to beasts with tough skin or steel like exoskeletons.

Not stopping he grabbed the ant by his right, leaping up a bit and slamming it onto another. Making a small bang sound, with a crater forming in place. Viscously pulling out two of it’s legs.

Disappearing from spit, appearing on the last ant. Impaling it’s skull with the two sharp legs.

That was surprisingly easier than I anticipated. He slyly chuckled expecting the ants to put up more fight.

[Something doesn’t feel right.] Snow abruptly said, making his face contort into a frown.

What do you mean?

[Their auras it’s different from the other ants. They might be clones.]

Just as she finished speaking there was a light screech, followed by the dead ants coming back to life. Moving fast he got to work, killing the ants more faster than they could regenerate.

There.. now they’re dead. He smiled stomping the last ant head, squashing it to bits.

Crack! Screech..

His face went pale seeing the ants limbs twisting and turning. Lost limbs being replaced by new ones. Smashed heads being reconnected faster than he could comprehend.

How is this possible? They’re regenerating faster than me. He frowned killing them once more, only to be regenerated. Like some animated test subjects.

[I know this might sound weird but I think you should stop killing them.] Snow telepathically spoke. Adhering he stopped killing the ants. Letting them fully regenerate.

Standing to their feet’s the ant stared at him, their two antennaez softly swaying. Just when he thought they would attack they didn’t, turning and leaving.

[Quick! Follow them] Snow urged.

Tailing behind the ants, he still had his guard up for any surprises.

There’s more of them. Up ahead he could see even more red ants. Carrying blocks made out of wood, with a blue liquid on top.

Is that mana? The energy had a distinct resemblance to that of mana.

[Yes but why do they need mana on wooden blocks?] Snow questioned finding finding it vaguely odd what the ants were doing. Getting closer Kyle could finally see clearer. The six ants he’d fought placing some wooden blocks on their backs. Linking up with the rest ants, marching down the road.

Intrigued Kyle followed suit. Not having anywhere else to go in this labyrinth. Tailing them he was led to a tall wooden stand. Erected without pillars or support aiding it.

On it’s body were drawings of the same symbols and crows he saw at the entrance to the labyrinth.

[So that’s what the man’s for. Impressive, they’ve somehow found a way to advance architecture.] Snow enthusiastically spoke, with an impressed tone.

But how are they doing that? Some skill maybe? Before his eyes he watched the ants simply bring the wooden blocks close to the stand. Almost like a presentation of offering. Then he watched the wooden blocks absorbed by the grand stand. Distributed evenly to make the desired portion of a new extension.

[You can’t understand yet, it’s too sophisticated.] Snow replied making Kyle scoff a bit, feeling his ego insulted.

There’s another tablet. Besides the stand there was another tablet. Constructed by wood, with more intricate patterns and spiralling designs.

Unlike the structures of our past which are firm and solid, etched to the core. The pillars of our present are definitive, constantly changing shape. He read having a hint of what the tablet read.

I’ve already been to my past so the next should be the present? He didn’t know how this would play out, but he was eager to try it out. And learn as much as he could from his present.

Here goes.. sighing he stepped through the wooden stand, transported to an entirely different location.

Where am i? He wasn’t sure if he was still in the labyrinth, but this place seemed familiar.

[Oh no] snow’s voice uttered making Kyle frown. Knowing there was danger approaching.

You know something?

[Of course. Don’t you remember? This is the entrance to the celestial city] she inwardly yelled making his heart sink.

At first he hadn’t noticed but now he pierced it together. Standing on the clouds high above the sky, with a domineering object in front.

It remains- he didn’t finish his words when a figure softly landed on the clouds.