—POV Rey Lucien—
They said I had no talent. No potential. No purpose. Just a disgrace to the family name.
Lucien—once a noble house that stood tall as the guardians of the kingdom's northeastern border. But when my father died during an expedition to the north, the family slowly crumbled. Only remnants of its former glory remained, held together by the gentle hands of my stepmother.
Yes, my stepmother. Though we shared no blood, she was the only one who treated me like a real human being.
Her, and my two step-siblings: Alric—the perfect son. A lifelong "brother" I never acknowledged as such. Alira—the sweet, innocent little girl who always called me "Big Brother Rey" with a pure smile. The only warm voice in this cold stone house.
And me?
Just a shadow at the end of the family hall. The former heir from my father's first wife, whose face I can't even remember. Since I was a child, I was met with disappointment, raised on harsh words. And so, I became... a noble's disgrace.
If everyone had already branded me a bastard, why should I deny it?
I fought in the streets. Bribed servants. Skipped magic lessons. Almost slept with a maid.
Even my fiancée hated me.
We were engaged due to a political agreement between my father and hers. A woman with golden hair and icy eyes—Anastelle Evarin. Proud, ambitious, and far too perfect for a crumbling family like ours.
I tried to love her. Maybe. But all I ever received were insults and disgust every time she looked at me.
Eventually, she demanded the engagement be annulled. And of course, her family had enough influence to erase my name from the contract.
From that day on... I realized it was better if I didn't exist in this family.
Then came the day I left. I walked into the forest alone. No goodbyes. No reason.
I thought, maybe disappearing and being forgotten... Was better than living as trash and being a burden.
"If I die in this forest, who would care?"
"At least... I won't trouble anyone anymore."
—MC POV—
Cold air seeped into my lungs. I coughed lightly as consciousness returned. This body... felt weak. Tight. Strange. Fragile.
Just now... what was that?
The world had just spun like a replay— Fragments of a young man's memories... Disappointed stares, a sister's voice, and a whispered apology by the riverbank.
I'm not him. But I saw his life in a flash... as if the body was trying to show me who it used to belong to.
Slowly, I rose from the bed. The floor was cold beneath my feet. A sterile white room. My private underground clinic.
"Apolo?"
"How long was I asleep?"
"Damn... quite a while."
I moved slowly, trying to adjust. Stiff, but not painful. I walked to the glass wall... and saw the reflection of my new self.
That face—nearly identical to my old one. Only the hair was more silver, and the eyes were a cold, unfamiliar blue.
So, this is Rey Lucien's body...
A failed young noble. A man who nearly gave up on his life. But in the end, he wanted to change and chose to walk away from it all.
Too bad... he didn't make it. And I—who strangely looked just like him—came and took his body, continuing his life.
"Gaia."
[Hello, Creator. Was your "sleep" pleasant?]
"Not sure... human dreams are kind of annoying."
[I've completed all synchronization. Star Gazer is now fully operational.]
"And my new body?"
[I made minor modifications. This human body is now more optimal than before.]
I slowly clenched my fingers. The joints—stiff, but stable. Not like a regular human body. Something felt... familiar. Like power hidden beneath the skin.
"Explain, Gaia. What did you change?"
[Modifications were made for biological stability. However, I managed to integrate key components from your original design.] [Here are the details.]
---
[STATUS]
Name: Rey Lucien (Shiin)
Race: Human
Age: 16
LV: 31
Class: -
Title: -
HP: 100
MP/EN: 100
Stamina: 300
Strength: 30
Agility: 30
Intelligence: ?
Vitality: ?
Perception: ?
Willpower: ???
Skill: Telekinesis
[Technically, your new body received a partial transfer of neural energy structure from your original body via implanted nano machines.]
[Level 31 means your body is now three times stronger than an average adult human. Including enhanced stamina and muscle growth.]
I touched my chest. The heartbeat was steady. But there was something else... A warm surge spreading through my back and across my body like controlled electricity.
"Regeneration?"
[Correct. With Type-R Alien DNA integrated, this body now has limited regenerative capabilities. External wounds, muscle fatigue, and tissue damage can recover in minutes. Though it still requires food and rest.]
I nodded slowly. With this, the body was no longer just human. Not fully human... but no longer just a machine.
[The bone structure has also been reinforced with a light exoskeleton. Not as strong as your original armor, but enough to withstand hard impacts. It also enhances grip and jump power.]
I activated my right eye. Click.
The world changed. Warm red tones and infrared lines danced in my vision. Readouts and heat detection filled the screen of my now cybernetic eye. But now... it was more refined. Softer than before. And the color could shift.
[Right eye camouflage mode: active. Color changed to organic blue.]
"Nice."
I smirked. Even this eye could pretend to be real. As if... I never lost my original body.
[And of course, the nano machines have been fully integrated. You can now communicate with me and your pet directly without external transmission.]
"So I can talk to Genesis telepathically?"
[Correct. You can even send complex commands wirelessly, as long as the distance isn't too far.]
I slowly closed my eyes. Tried forming a mental transmission... and called him.
Genesis... come here.
Zhing!
A metal door slid open at the end of the room. Through the mist and cooling light, a large figure stepped in.
The creature resembled a giant dog, but clearly wasn't mammalian. Four front legs supported its upper body like a warhorse, while the rear legs were thick and muscular. A long tail hung behind—sharp and metallic. Hardened scales covered its entire form, resembling organic armor.
Genesis.
But this time... he didn't growl or leap with joy.
He just walked slowly. His gaze lowered. There was a sadness in his movement.
"Apolo... why is he like that?"
I fell silent. A little... touched.
Even though he was a predator alien, labeled The Adaptive Devourer, his nature... remained that of a loyal dog.
"They weren't wrong to call you an alien dog..." I smiled faintly. "...You still know who I am, huh?"
Though Genesis belonged to a mid-tier monster species in The Singularity, he was a favorite among dog-loving players. Not just because of his power, but because of his unconditional loyalty.
"Don't worry, Genesis. Even if my body changes... I'm still me."
I gently lifted him with telekinesis and stroked his underside—one of his favorite spots.
Genesis let out a soft growl. A quiet, relieved sound... As if he finally knew that his master... was still alive.
---
Blue light enveloped me as the teleportation hum echoed in the narrow room.
Zzrrrt!
A moment later, I stood by the riverbank. The place was unchanged. The water still flowed, carrying leaves and sky reflections. No traces remained. As if time had erased everything.
Only I knew... this was where Rey Lucien breathed his last.
I closed my eyes. That image returned—the frail young man lying there, blood staining the soil, his gaze empty yet begging to speak... And now I lived inside his body.
This body... is an inheritance he never asked for.
Gaia's voice gently echoed in my mind.
[Creator, a reminder. Your new body is not fully stable yet. If you die in this state, your consciousness cannot return to the original body.]
[I haven't completed the brain backup transfer to Star Gazer's mainframe.]
"Understood," I murmured.
I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a wildflower—a small purple bloom I picked near the base.
I knelt, gently planting it into the soil beside the large rock where Rey once lay. No ceremony. No prayer. Just a quiet exhale.
"I didn't know you. But I saw you." "And that's enough to honor you."
A soft breeze stirred my silver hair. Sunlight danced on the water's surface.
And for a moment... the place felt silent.
He was gone. And I... would carry on his steps.
"You wanted to apologize to your family—then I'll do it."
I still remembered the final words he barely whispered. "Family..."
Don't worry. I'll tell them.
"At the very least... let that be my final tribute to you."