The next day, Sakolomé had gotten up early. After a quick shower and a light breakfast, he put on an elegant jacket. His first day of classes was over, and he was now walking calmly toward the famous place where Nexura worked.
A discreet glance at his watch:
2:45 PM.
—I still have time, he murmured.
He hailed a taxi and, a few minutes later, found himself in front of the imposing glass and steel building. The ultra-modern architecture reflected the grandeur of Gu-Hoit, a symbol of a city where power and prestige reigned.
At the entrance, the hostess asked him to wait a moment in the lobby. Sakolomé complied and settled into a black leather armchair, pulling out his phone out of reflex.
A notification immediately caught his eye. Leyla.
"Great, how about we meet tonight? I want to introduce you to someone."
He raised an eyebrow.
— Already?… I just arrived, and she's setting up a meeting.
After a few seconds of hesitation, he typed:
"No problem, tell me where."
He then thought back to the mysterious conversation from the night before. Still that anonymous message. Still no reply. No read receipt. A strange feeling crossed his mind: Who could it be?
A familiar sound broke his thoughts.
Ding.
New notification. Leyla, again.
"Meet me at the 6 Trees district. There's a place where we can eat and drink."
Sakolomé raised his eyebrows slightly. The 6 Trees district… Not far from his place. Barely four streets away.
He answered quickly:
"I'll be there by 8 PM at the latest."
Almost immediately, a smiling emoji appeared in response. He gave a brief smile before locking his screen.
It was then that the door of the office opposite him opened. An elegant, confident figure came out. Nexura.
— Ah, Sakolomé! There you are. Come, we'll settle this quickly.
She suddenly stopped, her gaze catching a detail:
— Wait… did you cut your hair at the front?
Sakolomé gave a smile, slightly surprised she noticed such a subtle change.
— Yes. What do you think?
Nexura scrutinized him for a second, squinted slightly, then shrugged with a small smile.
— It's not bad… it suits you. Come on, let's go!
Sakolomé crossed the office door and sat facing Nexura.
— Sit down, she said, pointing to the chair in front of her.
He obeyed while she sat down as well, slightly sideways, her eyes fixed on him.
— I studied your file, she began in a calm tone. You're a Satsujin Otoko. I already suspected that. Ramos told me about you. He says you're a good person… and Ramos never lies to his little sister.
She paused, took a deep breath, then resumed with a hardening gaze.
— Mutants are becoming more powerful and dangerous every day. Here, in Gu-Hoit, we made a decision… We've created something. It isn't yet applied throughout the country, but within three years, it will be a reality for everyone.
Sakolomé raised an eyebrow.
— Created something?
— Yes, she confirmed, nodding. We want humans to stop being prey. For as long as we can remember, Mutants have exploited human weakness. But imagine… if every human could defend themselves alone?
Sakolomé put a hand to his chin, thoughtful. What she described was no small matter. It could shake the course of humanity.
— And… what exactly have you created?
Nexura held out her hand. Instantly, a holographic screen sprang into the air, covered with lines of glowing data.
— Let me introduce you to the Nemesis System, she announced clearly. This program allows any citizen to gain special abilities in record time. Many young people here have already adopted it.
Sakolomé leaned in slightly, intrigued.
— How does it work?
Nexura stood and took a few steps as if to give more weight to her words.
— You buy a chip that you connect directly to your skull. You sleep with it, and the next day… it's integrated into your brain. At that moment, you and the system become one. You'll hear its voice, and have access to a virtual interface projected in your field of vision. This dashboard will show your current skills, allow you to assess your danger level, access combat simulations… and much more. It will also be your guide to evolve.
Sakolomé slowly nodded, impressed.
— Fascinating… But… will training be necessary to progress?
Nexura gave a slight smile.
— Very good question. Actually, yes… but not necessarily in the way you imagine. Some things can trigger resistances or special abilities.
She paused briefly, her expression becoming slightly embarrassed.
— For example… there was a time when I drank a lot of alcohol, she said with an embarrassed smile.
Sakolomé frowned, intrigued.
— And?
— Well… my system ended up turning that alcohol overload into poison resistance, she explained, somewhat amused.
Sakolomé widened his eyes slightly before smiling.
— Not bad… so you resist poison.
He thought for a moment, resting his elbow on the armrest and his fist under his chin.
— If just drinking alcohol can give you poison resistance… I can't imagine what someone training in extreme conditions for a week… or just a month might get.
A smile stretched across Nexura's lips.
— Exactly, Sakolomé. I think you just understood the very essence of the system.
— I see… it's fascinating, murmured Sakolomé, nodding. But… don't you think it might encourage laziness in some users?
Nexura put a hand to her chin, reflecting for a few seconds.
— Hm… yes, that's possible, she calmly admitted. But it will be mostly among a minority. Many will always dream of evolving. And believe me… this tendency toward laziness will be quickly corrected in the future.
Sakolomé furrowed his brows slightly, intrigued.
— Oh yeah? Do you plan to teach young people in schools the importance of cultivating the power of the Nemesis System to prevent them from becoming lazy?
A confident smile stretched Nexura's lips.
— Exactly… but not only that. We will also organize far more stimulating programs…
Sakolomé tilted his head slightly.
— What kind of programs?
— Expeditions, she answered with a sparkle in her eyes. Open to everyone.
— Expeditions? repeated Sakolomé, intrigued.
— Yes, Nexura confirmed, nodding. Missions to track and eliminate Mutants. Each infested area will have to be cleaned. And… it can be very profitable. Very, very profitable.
— How profitable?
— Some bounties might exceed two million GKM.
Sakolomé's eyes widened, mouth slightly open.
— Two… million? Isn't that a bit… excessive?
Nexura laughed lightly.
— Of course, it's huge, but that's intentional. We want to give young people a reason to become stronger. You know as well as I do that Mutants aren't all on the same level. Some are monstrously powerful… and there are millions free, just waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
She paused, then continued seriously:
— The Nemesis System already ranks Mutants: class D, C, B, A… and finally S. Class S can wipe out an entire city. And trust me… even A classes are dangerously close.
Sakolomé gave an admiring smile.
— I like your idea. It's sophisticated… and if it works, it could change the hierarchy. Maybe one day, Mutants will end up seeing humans as creatures better avoided… because they would have become too dangerous.
Sakolomé paused and exhaled softly, thinking about the implications.
— However… what do you expect from me in all this? Will I have a role to play? Or… does my file not convince you?
Nexura folded her hands on the desk and answered calmly:
— On the contrary. Your file is impeccable. And above all, you're a Satsujin Otoko. Ramos told me you're extremely powerful in combat. I'd like you to have a key role: teaching our future warriors how to progress using the system.
Sakolomé raised an eyebrow, surprised.
— The… future little warriors?
— Yes, Nexura nodded with a slight smile. We call them M-Killers, the Mutant hunters.
— And should I… use the system's skills or my own abilities? he asked, intrigued.
Nexura plunged her hand into her pocket and took out a small package. Inside rested a thin, shiny electronic chip. She held it out toward Sakolomé:
— For them to fully understand the Nemesis System, you'll need to transmit your knowledge through the system itself. Given your level, the system will take some time to analyze and synthesize your skills, then integrate them properly for them.
Sakolomé remained silent for a moment, weighing the responsibility.
Nexura stepped closer slightly, her gaze serious but warm:
— I'm asking you to accept. Your help, Sakolomé… would be valuable. And I know you can make a difference.
— Alright, I accept, said Sakolomé as he took the small package and slipped it into his pocket.
— I wear it on my head before sleeping, right?
Nexura nodded.
— Exactly.
Sakolomé took a deep breath, his gaze becoming more serious.
— Nexura… can I ask you a question?
— Yes, of course, whatever you want, she replied calmly.
— Who created the Nemesis System? And… isn't there a risk that it will turn against the people one day?
Nexura stayed silent a moment, weighing her words.
— Sakolomé… The Nemesis System isn't dangerous in itself. You can see it as a tool. It exists only to help people become stronger quickly and exploit their magical skills.
She lowered her eyes for a few seconds, as if confiding.
— To be honest, if something could be a problem, it wouldn't be the system itself… but the one who created it.
Then she raised her head, determined.
— We don't know exactly who designed the system, but the one who gave it to us is the legendary Mo-Zus.
Sakolomé clenched his fists discreetly, his thoughts circling around the name. Mo-Zus… he's the guy credited with my father's heroism… just to keep despising us…
He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply.
— It doesn't matter. I'm in Gu-Hoit City. I can finally see him face to face, understand who he really is, what his intentions are… and especially why he stole my father's merits.
When he opened his eyes, Nexura was already concluding:
— Now you know everything, Sakolomé. If you want to know the creator of the system, you'll have to meet Mo-Zus. He'll lead you himself… but what I can assure you is that he always wanted what's best for humanity.
Sakolomé nodded and gave a slight smile.
— I understand… so, who is the best user of the Nemesis System?
— Mo-Zus, she answered without hesitation.
Sakolomé let out a small laugh.
— Ah… I should've guessed, haha.