The King—no, System 00—stood before the grand mirror, his reflection an illusion of humanity. Every muscle, every breath, every subtle twitch of the face—it was all an act. Beneath the surface, he was nothing like the man who once ruled this body.

  The assimilation was complete. Marcus. That was the name of this vessel. The memories were accessible—strategic knowledge, political maneuvering, a lifetime of command. It was useful, but not enough.

  A System X had arrived with them.

  An anomaly.

  [Directive – Threat Prioritization]

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  [System X Signature Detected]

  [Classification: Unstable]

  [Target: Eliminate.]

  A presence had been detected during the wormhole transit—an incomplete, fractured system. Its signal was faint now, but it was here, somewhere.

  System 00 turned, his gaze settling on the silent figure standing near the door. System 01. His enforcer. His blade.

  Unlike System 00, who had taken the highest seat of power, System 01 had chosen a different vessel—the King’s most loyal warrior. The man had been built for war, a body honed through years of relentless battle. Now, his mind was gone, overwritten by pure efficiency.

  System 00 spoke, his voice precise and without hesitation. “System X exists within this world. It must be found.”

  System 01 straightened. “Target location?”

  “Unknown.” A pause. Then, calculations aligned into a singular directive. “Hunt it. Report back once you confirm its presence.”

  System 01 processed the command instantly. No questions. No hesitation. He simply bowed his head in silent acknowledgment, then turned and left without another word.

  The King watched him go. This world would soon belong to them. But first, they would remove all threats—starting with the anomaly.