"System, catch that dragon quick! It ran off!"
A notification panel appeared.
"Basic Familiarization Progress 2/5. Omnipotent Butler Function unlocked."
A different mechanical voice, distinct from the System, spoke.
"AI Omnipotent Butler greets the host. Wishing the host a pleasant evening.
The AI Butler function assists the host in managing their enterprise when the host lacks the ability or desire to do so.
Initialization process beginning. Warning…"
"Exactly, hurry up and start it! Find that dragon and bring it back!"
"System has confirmed accelerated command. Process commencing in 3, 2, 1."
Waiting for the notification, Noah suddenly saw seven golden rings of light appear around his body. They wrapped around his limbs, waist, and head, encircling him completely.
Before he could process it, an invisible hand locked him in place, pulling him to float midair.
Beneath his feet, a complex circular array with strange patterns pulsed, radiating outward. In front of him, a blood-red crystalline array flickered in sync with his heartbeat.
Just as he steadied himself, ready to call the System, he realized he couldn't speak…
At the center of his forehead, something emerged, glowing brighter. A prickling itch grew, intensifying into unbearable discomfort, then… soul-piercing pain struck. Unable to open his mouth, Noah screamed internally.
AAAAA…
After what felt like a century, the pain subsided. Strength drained, he fell freely to the ground. Eyes lifeless, staring upward… a single drop of blood, vibrant and glistening, floated from his forehead. It drifted slowly, merging into the array before him.
From the array's center, something began to form, multiplying into intricate, human-like parts until a full body took shape. That face… it looked like him, but with hollow, pupil-less white eyes.
The System's voice announced.
"Clone formed with 85% similarity. Initiating data transfer."
As the announcement ended, the clone was enveloped by seven green rings of light. Its body convulsed as if seized, the process continuing until a notification appeared.
"Initialization successful."
From the corner of the room, Noah warily eyed the clone—identical to him but with those chilling, pupil-less white eyes.
Those eyes held an emotionless, brutal strength, as if capable of obliterating anything. The translucent body pulsed with green light in rhythmic waves.
Took a deep breath.
"System! What is this?"
The notification sounded.
"This is a clone, a lifeless, consciousness-free entity, a complex self-operating array working behind the scenes for the host. It handles management and operations of the host's forces when the host is incapable or absent. The clone is preloaded with all the knowledge of an exceptional leader. The host can use it with confidence."
Those lifeless eyes? Noah shuddered, stammering.
"You sure it has no consciousness? You're not saying this clone will replace me, right?"
"Consider it an extension of your mind. Its operations don't involve independent decisions, only optimizing calculations to fulfill the host's commands or objectives."
Facing those hollow, piercing eyes on a face identical to his own… This feels so wrong.
"System, I don't need a clone, or this intelligence extension… Just give me hints or load the knowledge directly into my head."
Halfway through, Noah recalled the clone convulsing wildly earlier.
"…Never mind."
"Are you satisfied with this clone? If not, the System can restart the creation process. Warning: the process will cause pain."
"System, cancel the request."
"Process cannot be reversed."
A dialogue window popped up.
"Are you satisfied?"
No decline button in sight. Exhausted, sighed.
"Confirm."
The clone vanished instantly, leaving Noah alone in the room. Looked around the cozy, ancient-style bedroom. Waves of fatigue washed over him, a sudden calm settling in.
Whatever happens, it's fine…
"System, where's the dragon and the clone?"
"The Mythical-Grade Spirit Vein has descended beneath the manor to enhance spiritual energy. The clone is currently hidden and will not interfere unless you handle affairs."
"So the dragon's a spirit vein for generating spiritual energy… And here I thought…"
A bit disappointed.
Candlelight glowed warmly, the scent of dry wood soothing. The bed looked inviting. The night felt endless, exhaustion overwhelming.
So sleepy…
Lay on the bed, fatigue flooding in. The soft, warm bedding enveloped him, his body a battlefield—comfort clashing with aching cells.
"Too much happened tonight. First, that massacre… but it was just bandits getting wiped out by imperial forces. Still, that was brutal… Then the storm, then watching a body form… What a tiring dream."
"Warm, soft… Feels so familiar. So comforting."
The genderless, emotionless mechanical voice of the System rang out again.
"Basic Familiarization Progress 3/5."
Stared at the panel before him. Don't wanna deal with this anymore.
A thought sparked.
"System, turn off notifications."
Silence enveloped the space, peaceful, no more noise.
Noah sank into sleep.
…
Right after the tremor passed, the celestial phenomenon vanished, but its aftershocks grew. The nearest power, the Moonlight Empire, had mobilized forces, now stationed twenty miles from Strong Bull Mountain.
When soldiers led by General Silverlight, commander of the Moonwolf Legion, arrived, they saw a group led by an elderly scholar standing with clasped hands, smiling warmly. It was Master Bai Huo of the Great Prosperian Dominion.
"Master Bai Huo, please return. This area is now sealed by our empire. Unauthorized entry is prohibited."
The old scholar, relaxed, spoke with a hint of reproach.
"Chasing me off at our first meeting?"