It's quite evident that the initial response to unfamiliar circumstances or anything that thrusts you out of your comfort zone shouldn't be met with panic. And surprisingly, I'm finding myself strangely calm in the face of this completely strange and supposedly terrifying situation.

Yet here I am, standing right in the heart of a war zone.

Before long, however, my attention is swiftly captivated by HUD seamlessly integrated into my vision. It's not entirely unexpected since I do recall that the [First Augmentation] granted a free HUD upgrade, but it's still a bit surreal to see it overlaid directly onto my field of vision instead of confined to a mere PC screen. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to try out those VR sets since their prices were still ridiculously expensive, but maybe it wouldn't have felt as odd if I had the opportunity to buy one.

Interestingly enough, it bears a striking resemblance to a game I played some time ago.

Following my intuition, I shift my gaze towards the largest mass of smoldering wreckage, and to my surprise, multiple miniature text boxes instantaneously materialize before me.

Destroyed Atlas Knight.

Crashed Bullhead.

Scrap.

Electronics.

Circuits.

And many more names.

I look to another side, and to my surprise, a fresh wave of notifications springs up, alerting me to more scattered debris around me.

Broken Wilt and Blush

Now that got my full attention.

Without wasting a moment, I spin on my heels and walk fast toward the highlighted marker. However, as I reach the site, the notifications dissipate into thin air, leaving me standing above my mecha-shift weapon.

Well, at least a fragment of it remains.

Yet, as I reach out to retrieve it, I am suddenly confronted by the revelation of my first augmentation as a transhuman, a mark of my purchased heritage and origin.

A robotic prosthetic arm.

Extending my right arm, and trying to examine this new arm, triggering a flood of new notifications that block my vision.

Is there a way to turn all this notification off?!

[Turn off all item notifications?]

'Yes!'

And just like that, all those bothersome pop-ups vanish, giving me full control of my vision and allowing me to fully take in the sight of my prosthetic arm. I must admit, it has a rather... rustic charm.

It's not the stylish, futuristic robotic arm you'd expect.

In fact, it gives me more Steampunk vibes, with gears and cables protruding from its surface. Yet, it functions flawlessly as I clench that hand into a fist and move every finger, like a real arm could do.

Perhaps this unique appearance is a consequence of my origin heritage, and I should take a moment of introspection to understand it a bit better but I don't have the luxury to think much amidst the whirlwind of events unfolding around me, there are far greater concerns than thinking on minor details.

With my newfound arm, I retrieve my broken weapon, only to realize that it's just a shattered scabbard. I let out a sigh of disappointment and cast it aside, deeming it useless.

Surveying my surroundings once more, I spot a crashed bullhead at the center of a shallow crater. Surprisingly, it isn't engulfed in flames, making it my next destination of interest.

As I make my way towards the crash site, I can't resist the urge to kick a bot head lying in my path like a ball a couple of times before I send it flying, with a strong kick towards aimed towards a nearby head shatters into pieces upon impact with the tree's surface, causing a smirk to creep across my face.

However, upon reaching the wreckage, it becomes apparent that the cockpit is completely crushed, leaving little to salvage or discover. I find myself settling atop the remains of the bullhead, gaining a higher vantage point to survey my surroundings. The trees surrounding me have crimson leaves, triggering a flicker of recognition. If my memory serves me right, this must be somewhere within the Forever Fall Forest.

My breath catches as the realization hits me like a punch to the gut.

Adam, now me, only was in Forever fall in the Black trailer.

Blake's BETRAYAL.

The images replay in my mind, each detail crystal clear, as my fingers instinctively dig into my palms.

This was just a mission, no.

This was just retribution.

EVERYONE was onboard, EVERYONE came to this mission.

Wait… why am I getting so worked up?

Whatever.

Taking a series of deep breaths, I try to calm my racing thoughts and delve further into my recent memories.

Yes, technically, the mission proceeded as planned, and Blake's disillusionment played out in a similar manner. However, she went beyond simply severing the train coupler, but she activated a defense protocol on the train locomotive. Clearly, her intention was to prevent me from pursuing her, as she must have anticipated that I would attempt to leap across the gap and apprehend her.

And THAT'S where things went completely different.

Neither Blake nor I had any idea of what that defense protocol truly entailed. Even Sienna, our leader, remained unaware.

The last image etched into my mind is Blake's horrified expression as the entire train cars underwent a shocking transformation, revealing themselves to be advanced spider tanks known as 'Atlas Dragoons.' Each of these Dragoons unleashed a swarm of relentless kamikaze drones, turning the situation into a full-blown nightmare.

A massacre.

If the kamikazes drones didn't kill them, then the Dragoon did short work of our platoons with their Gatling guns, shredding them to pieces.

Only myself and the captains with aura survived the initial onslaught, before we prepared the counter attack and started destroying the war machines one by one, since they have a glaring flaw of being stationary targets turning into easy picking when you close the gap.

However, what I failed to anticipate was their hidden capability; a fail-safe mechanism programmed toderail the entire damn train in case of dire circumstances. And, as fate would have it, that's precisely what occurred, claiming the lives of the remaining captains in the process.

With a stroke of sheer luck, I managed to utilize one of the Dragoons as a shield, absorbing the brunt of the crash, which ultimately saved my life and allowed me to escape with barely any injury.

Little did I know that this action triggered the final phase of the defense protocol, acting as a distress signal that alerted the rapid response teams from Atlas. In a matter of moments, an overwhelming force of Atlas machines encircled my location.

A sea of machines soon crashed against me, but even that wasn't enough to bring me down. No matter how many atlas knights or attack bullheads or stupid drones they threw at me, I kept cutting them down.

Which now makes sense the ridiculous amount of scrap in my surroundings.

As time passed, actual soldiers began to arrive as reinforcements, accompanied by heavy hitters. It's at this point that my memories become hazy, as the pain intensified, and I lost sight of myself. What remained was an overwhelming surge of primal rage and… a deep-seated hatred towards everything living around me.

CyberPsychosis

A horrifying condition that plagued Adam in secret for years, Blake's betrayal was the final nail in the coffin for the poor bastard.

From that point forward, my world became a red blur, actions guided solely by uncontrollable rage.

Adam Taurus turned cyberpsycho and was put down as the rabid dog he was.

Honestly, I added the Cyberpunk modifier, so it shouldn't be a surprise that cyberpsychosis is a thing here. Which really doesn't set a nice precedent of what might happen at any moment, but also I'm thankful that I invested in company defenses for this issue so it won't be a problem. (I hope)

Considering the existence of cyberpsychosis, it's highly likely that the kingdoms have their own version of MaxTac, the specialized forces responsible for containing and neutralizing such individuals. Although, Atlas just calls them MaxTac too.

With a deep sigh, I run my hand across my face, trying to process the nature of my entrance into this world or the rush of memories coming to me. However, I can find some solace in the fact that this information dump provides some context to this fucked up situation, making me sigh again.

It isn't what I expected, that's for sure.

I shift my gaze upward, observing the passing clouds in the sky, before directing my full attention to the HUD. It's time to delve into its features, as I know it has a high degree of customization. Although the current HUD is relatively comfortable, I decided to explore its settings and make some adjustments. Starting with removing the health bars and currency displays, I don't need them on all the time.

And the messages' notifications….

Message notifications?

With a mental command, I open the message icon on the HUD, and before I know it, my screen is flooded with messages and missed calls.

All of them came from three people.

Sienna Khan

Ilia Amitola

And much to my shock, Kali Belladonna.

Sienna: 'Report'

Kali: 'Adam what happened?'

Sienna: 'Report'

Ilia: 'ADAM'

Kali: 'Adam?'

Ilia:'PLEASE ANSWER'

Ilia:'PLEASE'

Ilia:'PLEASE'

As I scroll through the flood of messages, I notice that Ilia's messages progressively become more desperate. It hits me like a ton of bricks when I realize that all of these messages were sent almost two days ago.

Shit.

My instincts scream at me to call them back immediately, to answer their messages and find out what the hell is going on. But I can't afford to stay in this place for any longer, especially in my current state. I need to gather myself, figure out my next move, and then I can reach out to them.

And I know exactly where I can go.

Fixing my gaze on the seemingly flat surface of a nearby tree, I give a simple mental command. And just like that, a swirling red vortex materializes before me.

[All Roads Lead to Home] is a truly very useful perk and a good investment.

Without wasting more time, I leap into the swirling portal, and the effects are instantaneous. The air around me transforms, becoming crisp and pure. Inhaling deeply, I feel the tension in my body melt away, replaced by a newfound sense of relaxation.

As I take in my new surroundings, I realize I'm standing in front of my [Sweet Home], which exhibits a striking Oriental architecture. The graceful curves and pointed corners remind me of traditional Japanese homes, although it is a puzzling choice since I'm not particularly fond of Japan in general. I just liked some animes.

I make a mental note to remodel the house completely at a later date, perhaps opting for a colonial style or traditional.

I slide open the main entrance, revealing the expansive main hall that connects to various rooms. To my delight, each door is equipped with a small sign, making navigation within the house a breeze. However, the room I'm searching for happens to be located on a different floor.

As I reach the upper level, I step into another hallway that leads me to the master suite, my bedroom. I swing open the door, greeted by the sight of a grand circular bed positioned close to a window wall, offering a stunning view of the outside world. Well, I say "outside world" because this home is essentially a floating island situated in the middle of nowhere. The view below shows an empty plot of land, giving me an idea to add a garden to improve the view.

Turning my attention to the other side of the room, I'm greeted by the sight of big, inviting sofas and couches, accompanied by a table adorned with an ornamental tea set. However, my attention is quickly diverted towards another door, which should lead to the walk-in closet.

With my curiosity piqued, I walk towards the special closet and swing open its doors. A whistle escapes my lips in amazement at the sheer abundance of brand-new clothes neatly arranged in rows. And to my surprise, there are even small signs indicating which season each set of clothing is meant for, showcasing an exceptional level of organization.

My eyes roam through the array of garments until they land on the section dedicated to combat. Instead of suits of armor, I find a collection of practical and functional clothes tailored for battle. I immediately recognize one set. It's the same outfit Adam wore in later volumes, a departure from his previous edgy long coat and impractical red shirt.

I grab the set of clothes and place them carefully on the bed, ready to change into them later. My next destination is the bathroom, and as I step inside, I'm greeted by how big it is. A large shower catches my eye, easily able to accommodate more than three people.I wonder why. And tucked away in one corner, I spotted a generously sized bathtub. I can't help but wonder if it includes a jacuzzi feature as well. The rest of the bathroom, though not particularly remarkable, serves its purpose adequately.

After discarding all my tore clothes, I indulge in a quick shower and scrub off all that dirt from my body. The experience is nothing short of amazing, thanks to the many features, one of them being the water is at just the right temperature. And to my surprise, I discovered that my prosthetic arm is waterproof. I had actually checked my memories to confirm whether I could bathe with it or if I needed to remove it, but it turns out it's perfectly safe to keep it on.

As I step out of the bathroom, I wrap myself in the plush, silky towels provided. With haste, I slip into the new clothes, enjoying their comfort and perfect fit on my body. However, something catches my attention as I catch a glimpse of myself in the body mirror.

I furrow my brows, momentarily puzzled, before taking a few steps toward the mirror, standing directly in front of it. The new me stares back, and I can't deny that it will take some time to adjust to this new appearance. I am Adam Taurus, that much is certain, but there are a few key differences that catch my attention.

First and foremost, there's the obvious prosthetic arm extending up to my shoulder.

I run my fingers through my auburn hair, attempting to flatten the spikes that stubbornly remain despite the shower and my efforts to scrub them down. Truth be told, I'm not a fan of spiky hair. It's a hassle to maintain, and I know from experience. However, with my [Aesthetic Talent], styling it shouldn't be a problem. Still, I've decided that it's time for a change and I'll let my hair grow to get a better style.

However, that soon becomes a second concern as the most striking difference lies in my face. The scar that was once a defining but disgusting feature, the scar that would always haunt me, is gone. I gently touch my right cheek, tracing my fingers along the smooth, unblemished skin. The SDC scar, a symbol of my past and reasons to enact justice, has vanished without a trace.

This must be the result of the [Body Tune-Up] talent. It's becoming clear that this change is likely to bring about its own set of problems. Regenerating a scar as hideous as the one I should have had is not something that can happen overnight. How am I going to explain this?

I contemplate whether there was an option to stop these modifications, or if I simply neglected to check for them when making the build. It's frustrating to think that there may have been a way to prevent this situation altogether.

I let out a sigh before I turn around and reach for the long blindfold, securing it tightly around my eyes. Only to realize that I can still see through the black fabric. I just wanted to try the style so as not to discover this… oddity.

A blindfold should… blind, after all.

I glance back at the mirror and take in my reflection. While I like the new militaristic style, it still exudes the edgy vibes that I'm not particularly fond of. But what really catches my attention is the blindfold which reminds me of a pair of androids and their blindfold that works as googles that enhances their vision rather than impair it.

Maybe a freebie?

I take off my blindfold and scrutinize it closely. It appears to be just an ordinary piece of black cloth. Even when I utilize my HUD to scan for any anomalies or special properties, I come up empty-handed. The cloth continues to register as nothing more than a simple piece of black fabric.

I wrap the blindfold around my eyes once again, partially convinced that my transhuman heritage is the responsible one for this.

Leaving the master bedroom behind, I make my way down to the first floor, heading towards the room marked as the Armory, a DLC purchase I considered essential to the initial plans of my build.

Entering the Armory, I'm greeted by a sight that brings a grin to my face. The room is brimming with an impressive array of weapons, encompassing both those I remember from my past world and the special weaponry of Remnant, just as advertised.

Adorning the walls were three distinct sections, each devoted to a specific class of weaponry. The first wall proudly displayed an impressive collection of firearms, ranging from small pistols to heavy guns, like a mini-gun. The second wall showcased an assortment of melee weapons, their gleaming blades and intricate designs captivating the eye. And on the third wall, an array of explosives like grenades and RPGs.

Yet, amidst this already impressive arsenal, a single spotlight shone on a metallic weapon rack, its centerpiece holding a flawless replica of my weapon.

Wilt and Blush.

Gripping my precious mecha-shift weapon, I retrieve it from the weapon rack. With a flick of my wrist, I unsheathe the blade, extending it before me. The sharp edge catches the light in the armory room, casting a mesmerizing crimson gleam. Brand new.

I swiftly swing the weapon, feeling the weight and balance as it cuts through the air. Each movement is instinctual, as if my previous memories guide my actions and with Martial Talent, it should allow me to utilize it to its fullest potential.

After sheathing Wilt back into its scabbard, I watch as it seamlessly transforms into Blush. Raising the weapon, I aim it towards the wall, envisioning a target dummy on that spot. I will add one at a later date.

This much makes me smirk in confidence as now I'm prepared to deal with this fucked up world once I leave my personal paradise. Even then, I can always retreat to this place for safety.

However, before I leave the armory, a stack of crates in the corner catches my attention. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I approach them, opening one to discover that it contains military-grade dust and refined dust.

Knowing that I possess my own pocket space, and this armory is capable of replenishing itself, I see no reason not to seize this opportunity. I gather a portion of the military crates and send them into my pocket space.

With my preparations complete, I exit the armory, taking a moment to turn off the lights and ensure everything is in order. Stepping outside my home, I'm greeted by the sight of the same red vortex that still lingers at the end of the cobblestone path.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I break into a run and launch myself into the vortex and I find myself landing in the familiar, charred and broken wasteland within the Forever Fall forest. Except this time I am fully armed and ready. How things should have been from the very beginning.

So the next question is, where exactly Vale should be?

As I ponder the whereabouts of Vale, my HUD promptly responds by overlaying a mini-map and a world map in my vision. I immediately find my current location within the Forever Fall forest and the positioning of the kingdoms on the map.

"So I only need to head South. Seems easy enough." I mutter to myself, rubbing my chin in thought before dismissing the maps.

However, just as I'm about to take a step forward, a powerful sensation overwhelms me, pulling me to a sudden stop

But why exactly?

Ah…

Right, I need to answer those messages and calls, but… to who?

My opinion of Sienna is conflicted. I know I feel those mixed emotions against her, not hate, but definitely not nice things.

Kali is… very conflicting, but also made me somewhat happy that she actually tried to reach out to me.

So that leaves Ilia.

She definitely needs to know first.

Instead of sending a message, I decide that a call would be more appropriate in this situation. With a mental command, my HUD instantly dials the number displayed on the screen. I watch as the call connects, hearing the familiar beeping sound indicating that it's ringing.

Still, I didn't expect to get this Cyberpunk feature of a phone integrated into me.

After a few moments, the beeping stops.

"Who are you?" she hisses with a venomous tone, catching me off guard by her hostility.

"Ilia?"

"Adam?! You are alive?!"

I remain silent, absorbing the unexpected shift in her voice.

"No, you can't be. We saw the reports and pictures! You bastard, I will kill you when I find you!"

"Don't hang!" I quickly interjected, knowing very well that if she hanged then I would lose all contact.

"Stop mimicking his voice!"

It's evident that she's skeptical, and I understand why. Given the circumstances, it's only natural for her to assume the worst. The videos and pictures she has mentioned doesn't help my case.

So I scrambled my memories for a solution, a solution that would resonate with her and get her to calm down and trust me.

"Ilia, calm down," I begin. "Remember that day? When I was still learning how to use my new arm and..."

"You accidentally burned a monkey tail and almost caused a fire," she interrupts, her voice wavering."Adam, i-is it really you?"

Her voice broke at the end. Something I didn't fail to catch.

"Yes, Ilia, it's really me," I reassured her.

"But how? Atlas even showed evidence, how…how you went cyberpsycho and… they even had the gall to show pictures of you as a hunted animal! Sienna confirmed that those weren't deep fakes!"

What the fuck happened, really?

"Ilia, I will try to explain, but not now. I need you to tell me a safe place where we can meet up."

There is a long silence after my response.

"M-mountain Glenn, that's the best place right now. And A-Adam?"

"Yes?"

"Is the rest…?"

I let out a heavy sigh. "Yes, everyone."

"Please come fast."

Ilia finally hung, making me sigh.

That could have gone better.

But at the very least, now I have somewhere to go and get some direct answers.

So I only need to reach Mountain Glenn, which is still really far, and going by foot is out of the question. Walking is a death sentence with the new species of Grimm roaming the land and Atlas finding out I'm alive.

So a fast vehicle to move undetected.

A fast vehicle which I bought.

Reaching into my pocket space, I summon a vehicle from my childhood; a Solar Surfer. Memories of Treasure Planet come rushing back, reminding me of the creativity behind that world. And now, in front of me, the Solar Surfer materializes, and it looks just like in the movie.

I can't help but feel a surge of excitement as I climb onto the sleek vehicle, gripping the handles tightly, letting my instinct guide me in how to use this vehicle. With a swift motion, I shift the direction of the Solar Surfer and press down on the trigger with my heel.

As the engine roars to life, I get to experience firsthand a very old fantasy of mine.

And I must say, this feels AMAZING.

AN: To be fair, comments do motivate people to write faster. So give your positive energy and support to your favorite authors to motivate them more. Anyway, the second chapter is here. Hope you guys enjoy it.

If you are feeling generous, then consider supporting me with some coffee on: /choloman