Just then...
< Binding your interactive type view...10%...30%...45%...75%...98%... >
<...100% Binding complete>
<...100% Binding complete.
…a translucent, hologram-like screen that was filled with golden texts appeared before him.
"Is it just my eyes, or is there a hologram-like screen in front of me?"
Then he rubbed his eyes, slapped himself, and even bit his tongue to see if it would disappear. Alas…
The truth was, with him being the first special assistant to the Central Council of the Central Government, a job that earned him a pitifully pathetic salary despite its gravitas, he had no free time to himself, let alone time for entertainment. Thus, he could not comprehend what was before him. After remembering that the disembodied voice mentioned something about him 'being qualified for the view' when he asked him to 'refer to the view for his current stats,' it clicked.
"So this is the 'View' that that voice was ranting about. 'How ordinary!' he said, spite evident on the edge of his tone. One would not just come from a session where they were being almost directly cursed to die, no matter how veiled behind awesome benefits those curses were, and not be in a foul mood. But, even if he despised his current predicament, he knew that no one, not even the world, let alone the disembodied voice, would listen. So, he would rather teach the world, the universe, the multiverse, and all they are about the reality he found himself in out of his spite by shattering their expectations and defying the odds stacked against him to survive beyond the timeline placed on his life, one way or another; of that he was sure. After all, who asked them all to accept his transfer offer from whatsoever was responsible for his transfer to this world if they were not comfortable with his existence?
So he quickly came to terms with the fact that the hologram-like screen was here to stay; he decided to study it a little.
The words on the screen were as though they were made of gold, making them seem beautiful and giving the whole interface a beautiful feel, except that each character that made up those words seemed to be woven from tiny, cursed-looking, twisted golden vines that seemed to be able to drive one mad if they looked at the details for too long. These words were then shared in phrasal groups boxed in square parentheses into eight different colorful tabs: [Stats], [fragments], [aspect beasts], [pet beasts], [affiliations], [skills], [titles], and [feats achieved].
"So…how do I navigate this thing?" He asked, more to himself and not expecting an answer, as even if he could not figure it out at present, he would, sooner or later….
…that is why he almost jumped out of his skin when a reply wove itself into place on the screen, letter by letter, word by word, just below the eight tabs in a very creepy fashion:
[The host can navigate the interface with either a voice command, manual operation, or a well-specified thought.]
Mike was not alien to computers giving responses, whether written or verbal, as one of the hidden perks of his job back in his home world was working with some of the most advanced computer technologies ever made, and thus he was not spooked by this hologram giving a response. Rather, he was spooked by the way it did it: horrid, almost indiscernible, worm-like vines turning, twisting, and wrapping around themselves to form words in a horrid, vivid, and clearly memorable detail.
'It seems that this reality is trying its hardest to put me down once and for all. Sigh! Either I stop asking questions when this thing is active, or I get used to it.'
Looking at the tabs once again, while trying his hardest not to notice the details hidden in the characters, he contemplated which tab he should explore first. Information, especially about oneself, was a great asset.
'Maybe I should start from the last one [feats and achievements],' he thought.
The feats and achievements tab opened up in a more colorful and very animated display, which showed three feats he had achieved.
[Feat 1: Dao of usurping
You have usurped the will of an ancient and powerful existence, the proliferating forest, gaining control over it in its entirety, now in words only but sooner also in reality.
"Yeah! But you fail to add that it is one of the reasons I'm now having a curse on my life." Mike soliloquizes.
[Feat. 2. Homecoming ritual.
You have successfully carried out and completed a ritual that only a handful in the many years after the fragmentation were able to, and quite exceptionally at that.
"Yeah, one great piece of news after all." Mike muttered. If only he knew. "Hmm?! The texts seem a bit more manageable to look at now. That' new!"
… except that this time, almost all the text appeared at once on the screen, nearly saving him from another unpleasant experience.
…Almost…and nearly….
At the bottom of the page, the last two words of his last feat slowly wormed their way into their place on the screen...
[Feat 3: Qualifying rebirth.
You have found a natural and triggered a natural rebirth process, which now places you in the cadre of those qualified to awaken and use the first and other components of the Aspect image: …fiery one.]
...Yeah! Those last two words.
"…After wasting my words on complimenting it. I should have known better."