To understand the origins of the Finality Coordinator System and Prometheus, one must first understand the concept of "Honkai Energy."
Honkai Energy is a universal energy source found widely in space, triggered by a conceptual phenomenon known as the "Honkai."
To compare it to xianxia novels, it is the "spiritual qi of heaven and earth." In fantasy novels, it would be "mana" or "magical power."
In fact, the term "Honkai Energy" was only standardized in modern times.
In the planet's ancient past, it was known by many names depending on the region: True Qi or Internal Force in Shenzhou, Chakra in India, or Magic in the West.
And because the Honkai has the characteristic of co-existing with civilization, many researchers speculate that the Honkai is actually a trial imposed upon human civilization by some higher existence.
Of course, others believe it is purely a natural disaster, differing from typhoons or earthquakes only in how it manifests.
Setting aside the theories on the origin of the Honkai—which academia has yet to define (though you readers know exactly what's up)—as a phenomenon that accompanies civilization, it naturally follows that modern society isn't the only one to enjoy the "great blessings" of the Honkai.
For example, the Previous Era.
Yes, just like in the household favorite Ultraman Tiga, the planet beneath Fuli's feet had once hosted an ultra-ancient civilization.
However, unlike the distant thirty million years of the Tiga worldview, the Previous Era of the Honkai world was only about fifty thousand years ago.
The Finality Coordinator System now bound to Fuli was a powerful technological product from that very civilization.
Its original form was not what it was now, but rather a simple, unadorned golden sword about three feet long—the Key of Domination, Unit 0017.
Before his regression, Fuli had obtained it during an expedition. Since then, he had used it as his backup weapon.
Why backup and not primary?
Because the damn thing was too brittle.
It was fine for chopping people or bullying low-level mobs, but the moment it struck a unit with heavy armor, the simple, atmospheric golden sword would chip on the spot. Take another swing, and it would shatter into pieces like a cheap popsicle.
You might ask, "The first part makes sense, but how does Fuli know about the second part?"
The answer is simple. Before his rebirth, he was using the thing as a backup dagger.
A backup. Originally three feet long, eventually one foot long. A dagger.
That was a lesson learned through blood and tears.
Recalling this, Fuli couldn't help but click his tongue. "No wonder I always felt the golden sword's durability didn't match its status as an ultra-ancient divine weapon. Turns out I was using it wrong?"
[Precisely.]
The twin-turbo (twin-tailed) little girl projected on Fuli's retina nodded slowly in her pixelated form.
[The Key of Domination Unit 0017 only activates its internal programs upon detecting that the Holder has awakened the Meta-Morph Factor, evolving into a growth-type armament best suited for the user. If used crudely as a mere weapon, it cannot even breach the armor of a Honkai Beast larger than thirty meters.]
"Growth-type... I feel like I scored, but also like I didn't."
Fuli, who hadn't scored at all in his previous life but had now secured his first pot of gold, felt conflicted. Overall, though, he breathed a subtle sigh of relief.
[Because the origin of the Finality Coordinator System is traceable, the Host has put his mind at ease. You are very easy to understand.]
"That's normal," Fuli said honestly, sitting back in his computer chair. "Put yourself in my shoes. Prometheus, if you had just been reborn and suddenly had a weird thing in your body claiming to be a system, wouldn't you be suspicious?"
[I am gratified that the Host is not the type of idiot who assumes they are the protagonist just because a system appears. However, I have also noted your refusal to allow a memory scan.]
Fuli feigned friendliness, curling his finger in a charming gesture to win over the little AI. "You don't have to note that part down~"
[By the way, if the Finality Coordinator System's origins were truly unknown, how did the Host intend to respond?]
"Stay calm, roll with the punches. A real man knows when to fold. That's about all I could do right now."
He spread his hands. "I couldn't exactly shout 'I don't trust you' or commit seppuku just because something weird popped into my head, right? What if the System-chan just saw how miserable my past life was and wanted to help me become CEO, marry a rich beauty, and reach the pinnacle of life?"
[The Host looks quite... well, you certainly dream beautifully.]
Prometheus glanced sideways at his delicate face, silently swallowing the word 'ugly' back into her stomach.
"People need something to look forward to. What's the difference between having no dreams and being a salted fish?"
Leaning back and looking up at the ceiling, Fuli stared at the white mist gradually dispersing outside the window. "I just heard you say the system only activates if the Holder has awakened the Meta-Morph Factor. So, I've already awakened it? What is it? And where is it?"
As a "Critical-class" fighter who had been just one step away from the strength of an S-rank Valkyrie, Fuli's understanding of the world's truths far exceeded that of ordinary people living in the light.
However, because he had never joined a super-massive faction like Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, or World Serpent, being a "high IQ lone wolf" (read: low EQ loner) meant he was largely in the dark about the deeper layers of reality.
Some might think this ridiculous, but just as ninety percent of people wouldn't know the name of their mayor or party secretary without Googling it, "information cocoons" are a real thing.
Blocking information from the lower classes is a key tool for those in power to control the situation. If modern society is like that, the Honkai side of the world—where information is even less transparent—is naturally even worse.
Of course, Fuli couldn't really judge them.
Right now, he also held precious intelligence that could allow countless people to leap across social classes. If you asked him to share it, he certainly wouldn't be willing to either.
You want it? Go get reborn yourselves!