I didn't have the strength to talk, but the moment the cuffs on my hands and legs released, I snapped back to reality.
Then, a hologram appeared in front of me.
I mumbled, "This world… is like an isekai?"
The hologram actually replied, "Of course it is. But unlike the other isekai genre anime you've watched, this one is full of technology. It's not widely used, but powered by mana. People here use their mana to operate technological devices—no batteries, no charging required. Same goes for you. Got any questions?"
I asked, "Introduce yourself first."
"I am Project Number 76," it responded. "A voice and image-based AI created to serve the tag bearer of No. 76 until their death. In this case, that's you. So, I hope you cooperate well."
I was surprised, but not threatened. Even if I was, I wouldn't show it. Better to control yourself—or one day, yourself might control you.
I simply asked about the place I was in.
The AI said, "Listen closely," and what followed was insane. I can't say this was arrogance or confidence, but here's what it explained:
> "In this world, there are countless strong beings, some thousands of years old. Each carries monstrous aura and mana. Normally, people here can only use one—mana or aura—never both. But you... you still have both.
Mana has three phases. Humans are born at a neutral state. The more they train as magicians, the more their mana shifts toward positivity.
Demons, also born neutral, shift their mana toward negativity as they evolve.
But if a demon's mana returns to neutral from negativity, they weaken. If it turns positive—they die. Same with humans. If their mana shifts from positive to neutral, they become ordinary. If it turns negative—they die.
That's why… you might die in this room.
This building—what your world would call a prison—is designed to suck mana out of humans slowly, day by day. Giving them time to 'recover' while they slowly lose all power and eventually die. It was originally made for ancient beasts. Now… it's used on people."
I shifted my goal to survival.
I stopped laughing and smiling—it always scared people. Even devils.
Surprisingly, the AI reacted to my attitude too.
But days had passed, and still—they couldn't suck even a single drop of mana out of me.
Why?
Because that kiss the witch gave me… that was just the excuse. The gift was perfect mana control.
It didn't make me stronger, but it stopped my mana from leaking.
No waste. No detection.
No progress for them.
I got food and was treated well—obviously, they didn't want me dying early.
I came with eight others, and they treated us all the same… or so it seemed.
I made a schedule. Inspired by something real.
100 push-ups.
100 squats.
100 pull-ups.
10 km run.
The AI warned me: "No human contact. Nothing to do. Your mind will break. Psychological collapse is certain."
It continued, "To keep you sane, we'll use the Sleep Paralysis Mechanism. It'll create illusions and dreams that satisfy your desires while we drain your mana. You'll die happily."
I replied,
> "Screw y'all. I got a real life to live. Why bother with fantasies that never happened?"
The AI went silent, then said:
> "Every year, they take one person from this lab to join the Mana Drainage Association.
Currently, 76 humans are inside.
Only one will be selected.
That one is the person who had the most mana drained.
Currently… you're ranked dead last. Rank 76.
Rank 1 is… the person in the room before yours. Number 75."
I didn't care.
> "It's all crap.
I bet they take the weakest person and kill them outside.
Whatever.
What matters is… I swear to God—I'll destroy this whole building and explode it in their heads.
Three months max.
I'll be out in three months."
I started working out like crazy.
The AI kept warning me. I ignored it.
Wore dark clothing.
Trained like I was possessed.
Even the greatest AI system is a joke when the world revolves around magic.
Good. That works in my favor.
All those years sacrificing my childhood, learning programming and coding while others played... it's about to pay off.
---
Day 1 passed. Day 2 passed.
On Day 15, I asked the AI for music.
It said, "That's not allowed. So… you're finally getting bored?"
I said,
> "Discipline is about hard work. Doesn't matter if it's boring or not.
Once it becomes habit—it lasts a lifetime."
I continued my day.
I felt boredom. I felt the weight of time.
But ignoring it was the best choice.
The AI surprised me again: it gave me workout equipment.
Treadmill, barbell, stationary bike.
I chuckled.
I'm actually the laziest person ever.
But being lazy doesn't mean I don't get things done.
It just means I do it at the right time.
At the deadline.
And now—I was glowing up.
Day by day. Inch by inch.
Today marks my first full month here.
They say it takes 21 days to form a habit.
Well, I did it.
Then the AI spoke:
> "You're wanted in the Head Office.
You have 30 minutes.
Shower. Wear the white uniform.
Prepare yourself."
I got ready.
The door opened.
Two workers escorted me downstairs.
I walked, low-key impressed by the surroundings.
Then a door opened…
And I couldn't even step in.
Inside sat a monster.
An old man.
Terrifying.
Dark and red eyes.
A white snake coiled on his shoulders.
I was truly afraid…
But I held my ground.
They shoved me in.
The pressure inside hit me like a wall—slamming me to the floor.
He looked down at me and said:
> "How can such a weakling have so much mana?"
I replied in a growling voice,
> "I… don't know."
He said,
> "Look kid. You will die. You know that, right?"
I didn't answer. I just smiled—my usual evil smile.
The pressure stopped.
He asked,
> "Why are you smiling?"
I said,
> "You recognized my capability.
I wish I could show you more…
But I don't know how to use my mana yet.
Sometimes it leaks out—like that day I saw the grass outside.
My whole body felt as if it got reincarnated.
I became like Flash."
I continued rambling, and then he cut in—
> "I've seen your workouts.
You're always on fire.
Now that I've spoken to you… I believe it.
Let me ask you one thing."
He stared deep into my soul.
> "You said excitement triggers your power.
What excites you?"
I replied,
> "Anime, manga, manhwa, novels, games—especially RPGs—and dancing.
Phonks, funk music, K-pop too."
The old man smirked.
> "Go back to your room.
We'll deliver you all those things.
Enjoy your life.
If you're lucky…
I might just let you live."
>Well, what a load of bullshit. I can't help it anymore.
>Is it me, or are they all just stupid?
>Good thing I can't use my magic or skills right now… or else, I might've already progressed far beyond them. But fine—let me focus on destroying this pathetic system. Even less than a minute can make a difference.
>Once I got in, I started memorizing all the coding I'd learned.
Whatever happens, I don't really care.
The reason why I'm carefree? I've got nothing to lose, and I don't fear death. What I'm trying to do is make death itself fear me.
…Nah, I was just joking.
So yeah, the AI here is a joke. But I don't need to run or escape. I need to destroy this place. I swear I'll blow it up—whether it takes weeks or months, I'll do it.
My body feels stronger right now. And one thing just made me even more excited:
I saw the other Awakeners outside. At least, I spotted Rim and Lyra talking.
That means if I play this right…
I'll see the sun again.
What a fucking pleasure.
>Days passed. I kept up with physical training and exercises.
>Suddenly, the AI opened a Phonk track I'd never heard before. But damn… I still felt the vibe.
>So I played along. Danced like a mad genius. A flawless, victorious dance.
>While moving, I began slowly releasing mana from my core. Carefully. In control.
>I studied how the mana drainer was built—it was so easy to break.
>It began pulling my mana slowly… then suddenly, 10x the amount. Then back to normal. Then 20x.
>Just like a heartbeat spiking under stress. Unstable. Unpredictable.
>I knew what I was doing. Overloading it with unpredictable rhythm—just like corrupted code.
>And just like that, boom—it exploded.
In that split second, anything weak—like the computers, light bulbs, wall circuits, and every last one of the AI systems—shut down completely.
Sealing tech too. As long as they were connected to the AI system, they were down.
I could feel it. Something inside me felt different.
They must've shut my seal off too… maybe to avoid overloading.
Their mistake.
I approached the AI wall screen, ripped it off, and found something behind it—a physical power key.
Stroked it once.
The screen flickered and shifted into a keyboard-hologram hybrid. A live feed of the system programs appeared.
Lucky me.
I started reprogramming. Took about five minutes.
Then, I patched everything back. Repaired it like nothing ever happened.
System rebooted.
Back online.
I was a little nervous they'd suspect something.
But nah—they were all too busy being impressed with my mana.
They thought I "accidentally" exploded the system…
And since the system was new and unpredictable, no one questioned it.
Mission complete.
They were blinded by expectations.
I had just hacked the entire ai system from within.
Now the AI obeys my voice. Entirely.
But... voice commands are recorded.
So instead, I spoke to it in Morse code:
`.-.. .- -. --. ..- .- .-. / .- .. / -.-. .-. . .- - . / .- / ...- .. .-. - ..- .- .-.. / ...- .. -.. . --- / --- ..-. / -- -.-- / -. --- .-. -- .- .-.. / .-. --- ..- - .. -. . / .-- .. - .... / - .... . / -. . .-- / .- -. .. -- . / -- .- -. --. .- / .- -. -.. / - .... . / --- - .... . .-. ... / .. -. / -- -.-- / .-. --- ..- - .. -. . / .- ... / .-- . .-.. .-.. / .- -. -.. / .--. .-. --- .--- . -.-. - / .. - / - --- / - .... . / .. -. -.. -.`
**Translation:**
*"Language: AI, create a virtual video of my normal routine with the new anime, manga, and others in my routine as well. Project it to the IP cameras with audio. Generate my voice and match the music too. Sync it all."*
And just like that, the AI kept cooking fake routines on loop.
Exactly as I ordered.
Sure, the server might explode eventually, but that's a future problem.
Worst case? A replaceable part gets fried. No big deal.
Now that the routine hologram was running, my room became my own heaven.
Soundproof. Silent. Safe.
I could scream and no one would hear me.
But I wasn't going to scream.
I was going to move.
---
First Mission:
Meet the one ranked above me—Room 75.
But before that, I wanted to check my screen.
Thanks to the sealer talismans—yes, even those damn things are AI-integrated in this world—nothing escapes the system.
Funny how this place pretends to be high-tech but shady as hell.
Even paper talismans are AI-triggered.
They don't even hire humans here. Total automation. It's all… suspicious.
And the AI told me before—this place is illegal.
So why the hell is that king involved in all this?
Questions for later.
What matters now is my SYSTEM.
---
SYSTEM STATUS:
- Result : NULL
- Class : UNKNOWN (Assumed Aura Farmer)
- Affinity : NEUTRAL (True: Blue + Red + White = Dark Purple)
- Detection : Invisible to Magic Scanners
- Aura Flow : Stable / Max Efficiency
A message popped up—SMS system activated.
So my system can text me now. Good to know.
Then the system spoke again:
> SYSTEM: 3 SYSTEMS DETECTED IN TOTAL. One to smash. Proceed?
> `[Yes / No]`
Me: "Yes… but let me see them first."
Three distinct system screens popped up around me. Each from a different direction.
Kind of unsettling. But exciting.
---
1. MANA STATUS
- State: Neutral
- Magic Capacity: None
2. EMOTIONAL POLARITY
| Positivity | Negativity |
|-------------|-------------|
| HP: 100 | HP: 100 |
| MP: 100 | MP: 100 |
| IN: 90 | IN: 90 |
| WIL: 97 | WIL: 97 |
| MNA: NULL | MNA: NULL |
| INT: 85–100 | INT: 85–100 |
3. AURA FARMER SECTION
- Ability: None
- Level: Unknown
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
- END: 90
- VIT: 90
- AGL: 70
- STR: 60
DAMAGE SYSTEM
- Physical Damage Reduction: 85
- Physical Damage Output: 0
4. VOID SYSTEM – SINGULARITY CORE
- State: Active / Balanced / Adaptive
- Core Polarity: [Blue / Red / Neutral] — Dynamic Switching
- System Type: Custom (Fusion-Class)
Attributes:
- HP: 100
- MP: 100
- BP: 100
- WIL: 98
- IN: 95
- END: 90
- AGL: 85
- INT: 100
- MNA: MAX
- Corruption Level: Low / Stable / Critical
Unique Traits:
- Polarity Shift (Blue ↔ Red ↔ Aura)
- Mana + Aura + Curse Overflow Combo
- Break Limit Barrier (Temporary Full Awakening)
---
But still… "NULL"?
Even with all these stats, my system says NULL?
I get it. Maybe it's not that Blue (positive) and Red (negative) mana are canceling out.
Even Aura Farmers have mana pressure—mine is just neutral.
So I won't intimidate others unless I want to.
But NULL?
That means:
- Can't use magic
- Can't use aura
- Can't even use skills
So what's the point of these stats if I can't use them?
---
SYSTEM SMS:
> THERE IS ONLY ONE THING THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION:
> YOU HAVE ONLY ONE WEAPON, MAGIC, SKILL, OR ABILITY—CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT—
> BUT YOU BEAR THE TITLE
"DESTINY BREAKER."
> YOUR ONE AND ONLY POWER IS: ACQUISITION.
IT'S THE KEY TO UNLOCKING ANYTHING—MAGIC, SKILL, OR ABILITY.
HOWEVER… SINCE YOU ARE STILL HUMAN, THERE ARE LIMITS:
1. MAGIC – You can only perform attack and defense spells.
2. SKILLS & ABILITIES (Aura Users) – You can perform them, but not create, merge, or copy them.
3. STEALING – Forbidden. You cannot steal powers from others.
FEAR NOT. NO ONE CAN COPY OR STEAL YOUR UNIQUE ACQUISITION.
---
Exactly what I needed.
The reason I acted like some fiery, hopeful idiot in front of that flashy old man…
The reason I played "protagonist" was simple:
I wanted him to underestimate me.
To believe I was just another light-filled fool who never gives up.
People like that? They're easy to manipulate.
He thought I was one of them. So he gave me everything I needed…
Without even questioning it.
Biggest mistake he'll ever make.
---
Truth be told, anime isn't just for kids.
It's not just for fun.
Anime, movies, manga, manhwa, games, novels—they contain real info.
I know there's a kingdom where Japanese creators exist.
They turned ancient war autobiographies into anime—like historical memories.
People thought they were watching for fun.
Me? I was collecting maps, skills, techniques, and fighting styles.
So yeah… don't ever underestimate the anime world.
---
Now, onto my next mission:
Room 75.
---
Seeing how the walls opened when the old man summoned me, I realized something…
They're built to confuse. Doors disguised as walls. Perfect seamless overlap.
If I'm right, I can open the walls on all six sides.
"AI. Open the wall between my room and 75."
The wall slid open.
Totally unexpected…
A hot girl. Killer body.
She was ranked number one?
I'm losing to a girl? Damn, that hit my ego hard.
But that wasn't the issue.
It wasn't that she beat me.
It wasn't even the potential alliance or escape plan I had in mind.
It was the fact that she was—midway changing her clothes.
And they were huge. Way bigger than when I last saw her.
A pillow hit my face.
I turned and walked out immediately, apologizing fast.
But still...
Damn. They were huge.