It had been around thirty minutes since the original Vector was betrayed and killed by the traitor.
Vector Astrum, a spy for the Novastra Liberation Front, had met his end not in battle, but through treachery. And the traitor? Traitor wasn't even from the Astrum family— Just another outsider who had joined the resistance for his own reasons.
The Traitor had come to Carnatic City to deliver intelligence—an urgent report from the governor's estate. But after handing off the intel, he hadn't left. Instead, he lingered.
He approached Vector alone, claiming to have something important to say on this pretex he confirmed Vector's infiltration of the colonel's estate, on learning he worked in the Colonel's estate, and on finding an opportunity, he struck Vector with a knife.
Yet something about it… Vector felt unease. Was there something going on at the colonel's estate that made the traitor act so recklessly?... To take such an extreme step to kill him on getting a slight chance.
"Why did he attack?"
He tries to remember the traitor's expression and words during the attack on him.
The traitor had acted hastily, as if he killed to hide something, but decisively—waiting until they were alone before delivering the fatal strike.
It didn't make sense. Vector's cover as a lowly gardener inside the colonel's estate had never been compromised. No alerts had been raised, no suspicion had surfaced.
His identity hadn't been blown. As for his real identity no one knows about it even in the resistance.
And then he remembered the traitor's final words:
"Now, no one will ever know…"
Vector muttered "Know about… what?"
Was the traitor trying to hide something?
Vector's mind raced. It all clicked.
"The traitor had likely silenced him to keep some critical information from being exposed—so that I cannot discover or obtain any more news from the colonel estate."
"Is the Lionheart Empire doing some covert operation?… If known, it will disrupt their plan."
Once the traitor realized what Vector may uncover, he must have decided to eliminate him—both to protect the secret and to curry favor with the Empire. A promotion, a reward, a place among the enemy ranks—who knew what he was promised?... Perhaps even earn him a place in their ranks.
Vector contemplated…he must silence the traitor and find something to know about it from him.
"I need to find out what he was trying to hide… and before any major event happened."
The traitor was likely still at Vector's rented quarter, searching for those stolen documents.
He has to act fast and interrogate the traitor before his escape.
"If I don't act now, those documents will fall into the traitor's hands, and that could spell disaster for the entire spy network and resistance here in Carnatic City."
Though his body had only recently healed, Vector knew he didn't have the luxury of rest.
Without hesitation, he made his way through back alleys with quiet steps, his movements more fluid and sharp than ever before, thanks to the strengthening of his body by the Chaos Energy.
As he moves towards his apartment he feels the morning air in Carnatic City, a key region in Elaris State, bordering Redfield—was heavy with salt and smoke, remnants of war-fires that hadn't quite faded.
When he reached the house, the door was slightly open.
Inside, the traitor was flipping through scrolls and papers, oblivious to the approaching danger.
Vector struck without hesitation, driving a dagger into the back of the man's thigh—a precise strike to cripple, not kill. The traitor collapsed with a gasp, catching the man off guard —froze when he saw Vector.
The Traitor's eyes widened in disbelief after seeing the Vector's face.
'Hadn't he pierced his heart? How was he still alive?'
The traitor was restrained by the vector by holding his hands.
Before Vector could restrain him fully, the traitor acted—biting down on a pendant around his neck as if trained in it countless times. Within seconds, Foam bloomed at his lips; his body convulsed once and collapsed.
Result… the traitor died from poison.
Vector staring at his corpse—surprised by his determination…to take the extreme step of suicide, so no one can interrogate him and no information leakage.
The man's willingness to kill himself confirmed it; affirmed his thoughts and the suspicion that he had drawn—the secret he was protecting was critical.
Vector knew now—he had to investigate the colonel's estate. There was something important buried there. Something the Lionheart Empire wanted hidden at all costs.
But first— Since it was still morning and there was time before heading to the Colonel's estate— Vector decided to explore the System.
He took a breath, calming his mind, and focused on the system's function and use.
The blue holographic glow of the Void Library System hovered before him like a futuristic game interface. Pages of glowing light shifted and folded as he explored its database.
---
[Void Library System – Status Window][Host Name: Vector Astrum]
[Physique: Void Body]
[Basic Stats – Enhanced (3x Normal Human; normal max = 10)]
Strength: 36
Agility: 35
Dexterity: 34
Vitality: 105
[Soul & Mind Attributes (10x Normal Human; Normal max. Soul- 10, Intelligence- 100)]
Soul Strength: 108
Intelligence: 1250
---
[Void Library – Knowledge Database]
[Scientific & Engineering Knowledge] (expand)
[Arms & Military Technology] (expand)
[Agricultural Advancements] (expand)
[Medical & Biological Enhancements] (expand)
[Manufacturing & Industrial Development] (expand)
[Naval & Aero Technology] (expand)
[Martial Arts and Body Refining Techniques] (expand)
[Combat Techniques] (expand)
[....]
---
[Functions]
[Storage Space], [Scanning], [Simulation]
---
"System, Expand the [Martial Arts & Body Refining Techniques]"
He expanded his martial arts and Body Refining techniques, but when it came to other streams of knowledge in the system, he was powerless, without resources, he had no means to produce the technology provided in the database. So he didn't bother checking those yet.
---
>[System Notification]
---
[Martial Arts]
[Unarmed Martial Arts Manuals]
[Iron Body Sutra], [Shadow Serpent Fist], [Heavenly Dragon PalmMantis Style Grappling], [Chaos Flow Technique], [....]
[Cold Weapon Manuals]
[Sword Arts]: [Flickering Blade Scripture], [Nine Sword Styles of the Void], [....]
[Spear Arts]: [Thundering Pike Method],[Azure Dragon Spear Form], [....]
[Daggers & Knives Arts]: [Basic Knife Arts], [Phantom Fang Style], [Bloodletter Technique], [....]
[Bows & Throwing Weapons]: [Silent Arrow Art ], [Heaven Rain Needles], [....]
[....]
---
[Body Refining Methods]
[Crimson Marrow Refinement Technique]
[Heavenly Pulse Expansion Manual]
[Celestial Furnace Body Method]
[Void Body Refinement manual]
[Storm Vein Method]
[....]
---
After browsing through the vast sea of knowledge within the system, Vector's curiosity shifted toward something more personal, his own growth. The question lingered in his mind like a flicker of flame.
"What body refining technique would be most suitable for me now?" he wondered aloud, his gaze settling on the interface.
He saw dozens of powerful methods, techniques to harden bone, strengthen marrow, expand blood capacity.
But with his unique Void Body physique, not every technique would match. He needed one that was not just effective, but perfectly compatible. One that could unlock the full potential of the Chaos Energy flowing through him.
"System, which Body Refining method is suitable for me"
---
>[System Notification]
[...]
[Compatibility Check Complete]
[Recommendation: Void Body Refinement manual: path of the mortal god, a body refinement technique that can only be used by physique of Void Body]
[Host's physique matches 100% with Void Body Refinement Manual]
[Accessing: Void Body Refinement Manual — The Path of the Mortal God]
[Flesh Foundation Stage]
[Diamond Bone Strengthening Stage]
[Marrow Purification Stage]
[Viscera Reinforcement Stage]
[Bloodstorm Stage]
[Etherium Body Stage(Unique to Void Physique)]
---
"There is 6 stages in Void Body Refinement Manual, which is different fom general manuals— which only had 5 stages."
Then he asked the system "System, what are the methods and requirements for Body refinement:Stage One."
---
>[System Notification]
[Void Body Refinement Path – Stage 1: Flesh Foundation]
[Focus: Strengthening muscles, tendons, skin.]
[Requirement: Void Body Physique]
[Training Method: blood energy tempering, Weight training, combat drills, body pressure chambers, infusion of Chaos Energy(performed with the help of system)]
Mode: Manual / System Simulation
Estimated Time (Manual): 90 days
Estimated Time (Simulation): 8 hours
[Note: Pain intensity remains at 70% realism. Proceed with caution.]
[Would you like to proceed with Simulation trainig?]
[Yes / No]
---
Vector hesitated. Not because of the pain, but because of the mission. He had to maintain the routine his predecessor followed. Any deviation might raise suspicion.
Vector decisively chose "'No'."
There would be time for training. But now was the time for strategy and to focus on his pending work.
There would be time for training. But now was the time for strategy and to focus on his pending work.
The morning sun rays began to fill the sky and sun is visible in horizon that's why choosed no.
It's near time to go to the Colonel's estate to continue his work as gardener. To know the covert operation being planned by Lionheart Empire.
[To be continued…]