The System

“Ding! System bound!”

The voice was clear, with a cold, inhuman electronic synthesized tone that echoed directly deep within his ear canal.

Jiang Kun sat bolt upright from his semi-reclined position.

The room was deathly silent, save for the urban noise drifting in from outside the window.

His bionic electronic eyes immediately switched to scanning mode, sweeping over every corner of the room.

He found nothing.

He was the only one in the room.

“System?” Jiang Kun’s throat felt dry.

The word wasn't entirely foreign to him.

In the early years when web novels were rampant, he had occasionally skimmed a few.

A system was a protagonist’s cheat, a turning point in fate—something that usually only existed in fiction.

Was it a hallucination?

Could it be neural signal interference caused by the long-term use of mechanical bionic prosthetics?

Or had the brain-computer interface of his military-grade firewall, which he had spent a fortune to implant, been breached by some new type of electronic virus?

“It could also be a supernatural incident.”

This thought made his heart tighten.

As one of the earliest pioneers in Zhongzhou to undergo deep mechanical modification, he knew a great deal about the other side of this world.

It wasn't the shallow understanding ordinary netizens gained through online channels, but actual, close-range contact on many occasions.

But... a system?

This sounded even more absurd than a haunting by a vengeful ghost.

“The Heaven-Defying Fate-Changing System has been bound. The host can receive rewards by completing system missions. Now, you may open the system menu to view the details.”

The cold electronic voice spoke again, calm and unhurried.

Jiang Kun’s heart gave a heavy thud.

Fear and greed sprouted uncontrollably from the depths of his heart.

What if it was real?

He knew all too well what a system implied.

Just like in those novels, this would be a golden finger belonging solely to him, a path to a completely different future.

Once exposed, what awaited him would certainly not be flowers and applause.

The best-case scenario would be being ‘protected’ and forced to cooperate with research, losing all autonomy and privacy to become a living specimen.

He didn't dare imagine the worst-case scenario.

Should he reveal the system’s existence in exchange for resources and support?

No, he didn't trust anyone, especially those high-ranking people who made the rules.

Back then, they had used such subtle methods to push people like him onto the path of mechanical modification; there was no guarantee they wouldn't use even more efficient means to squeeze every drop of value out of the system and him.

He had to keep it a secret.

He must keep it a secret.

“Open the system panel?” the system prompt asked again.

Jiang Kun took a deep breath and no longer hesitated. Concentrating his mind, he thought, ‘Open the system panel.’

Instantly, his visual interface was overlaid.

A semi-transparent blue light screen appeared before his eyes. Its style was extremely simple, even somewhat primitive.

In the top-left corner of the light screen was a 3D model of his body, clearly labeling each mechanical prosthetic, with several lines of basic data next to it.

In the center was the mission bar, which currently contained only a single, lonely entry.

【Beginner's Guide Mission】: The Best Little Lamb. (0/1)

Mission Description: Film a video of yourself helping others, upload it to the internet, and receive at least one like.

Mission Reward: The complete basic martial arts cultivation manual, 《Introductory Explanation of Qi Refinement》; 100 system points.

Below were other grayed-out, locked options like the exchange shop, achievement list, and personal warehouse.

Jiang Kun’s gaze was fixed firmly on the ‘Mission Reward’ section.

A martial arts cultivation manual!

His breathing suddenly became rapid, and his mechanical eyes glowed brightly.

It wasn't a prosthetic enhancement technology, not a new neural interface protocol, not any kind of reinforcement that required electricity and metal to drive!

It was martial arts!

The ancient methods of tempering one's own flesh and spirit to tap into the potential of life's source, as spoken of in legends!

The domain that only true geniuses or those in high positions could access!

Years ago, before he decided to undergo his first mechanical modification surgery, he had briefly fantasized about being able to practice martial arts or some other supernatural path.

Unfortunately, given his circumstances, the only path available was mechanical modification.

Now, a complete cultivation manual was right in front of him. Intense joy, like a high-voltage current, instantly surged through all his nerves.

What was that about ‘flesh is weak, mechanical ascension’?

To hell with that!

Anyone who believes that is a moron.

He had long since regretted his choices until his heart turned bitter, but he couldn't say it, much less show it.

Back then, he was just a recent graduate in his early twenties, filled with anxiety about the future.

The direction of public opinion had shifted quietly at some point. Overwhelming propaganda began to redefine ‘health’ and ‘potential.’

First, various experts frequently appeared in the media, proposing many high-sounding new concepts.

For example, they claimed that the pace of modern life led to widespread sub-health, that the original functions of the human body had evolutionary bottlenecks, and that preventive enhancement was the future of medicine...

Then, the legislative level introduced the 《High-Risk Profession Human Function Auxiliary Pilot Act》.

The first batch of volunteers to undergo mechanical modification were portrayed as life-saving heroes. They used mechanical arms to lift debris and enhanced eyes to search for life in fires. They were praised for ‘embracing the future’ and their ‘selfless dedication.’

Every single one of them received flowers and applause.

At that time, Jiang Kun was gradually brainwashed, believing that mechanical modification was progress and a benefit for specific groups of people.

Once the law provided a loophole, the tide of public opinion immediately began to shift subtly.

People in other industries began to question the fairness. Why were only a few people eligible for mechanical modification?

It seemed that everyone who underwent mechanical modification could quickly reach the pinnacle of their life and leap across social classes.

Naturally, those who were envious joined in one after another, starting to exploit loopholes.

Vague precedents began to appear in the judicial system, and the review for mechanical modification eligibility gradually loosened.

Later, insurance companies entered the fray. They launched the ‘Future Health Plan,’ bundling mechanical prosthetic maintenance costs into insurance policies.

Banks followed closely behind. Advertisements for ‘Potential Development Loans’ plastered the subways and the internet, with the slogan ‘Invest in your body, win the future’ being extremely tempting.

The threshold for mechanical modification was drastically lowered by financial tools.

Social concepts were also slowly reconstructed, and traditional sayings like ‘one’s body, hair, and skin are received from one’s parents’ were suppressed.

In movies and TV dramas, those with mechanical modifications were symbols of strength and rationality.

Modified individuals could also obtain better jobs in certain industries.

Driven by anxiety, parents began to consider whether to have their children undergo mechanical modification once they reached adulthood.

Voices of opposition were gradually drowned out by the waves of ‘free choice’ and ‘technological progress.’

Jiang Kun was among the first batch to undergo mechanical modification, and he happened to be in the right place at the right time, catching the trend and taking off.

He voluntarily accepted mechanical modification and was interviewed by numerous media outlets, becoming a trending figure, a pioneer, and a role model.

Many companies sought him out for cooperation, and he harvested a large amount of wealth in a short time, achieving a leap in social class.

For years, he could only constantly emphasize the advantages of mechanical modification, shouting slogans that even he gradually began to doubt.

He had no way back. Like those bodybuilders on steroids, he could only continue down this path without looking back.

Initially, he only replaced one mechanical arm. Then, caught up in pressure from all sides, he replaced his other hand, his feet, his eyes... everything that could be replaced was replaced.

By the time mechanical dongs became popular, he didn't want to change anymore, but he was bound by the interests of various parties.

He was already firmly tied to this ship. Beneath the ship was a bottomless ocean of capital and countless people who had jumped into the sea because of his influence.

He couldn't complain about the hardship, he couldn't say he regretted it, and he certainly couldn't mention the astronomical maintenance costs and the heavy pressure of having to upgrade his equipment every so often.

The moment he showed the slightest wavering, the manufacturers with vested interests, the financial institutions, and even the forces that had placed him on a pedestal would be the first to tear him to pieces.

He could only maliciously hope that more healthy people would take the plunge to prove that his choice was correct.

And now, a system had appeared.

The reward for the system’s beginner mission was actually a martial arts manual!

This was simply fantastic!

Transcendental knowledge regarding cultivation was something people of Jiang Kun’s class would basically never encounter in their lifetime.

The supernatural academies of official institutions had strict mechanisms to prevent self-study and leakage. Even if one learned a set of skills in the academy, they couldn't teach others.

‘No wonder this is called the Heaven-Defying Fate-Changing System. I must do the mission immediately!’

Jiang Kun took action at once. Potential risks, the system’s origin—he ignored it all.

He wasn't going to look too deeply into why the system had chosen to bind with him specifically.

...

At the top floor of the Wang Group, Yue Shi was observing Jiang Kun’s every move through real-time data monitoring.

The Heaven-Defying Fate-Changing System was, of course, Yue Shi’s handiwork.

Many of the civilian mechanical bionic prosthetics produced by the Wang Group had backdoors, allowing for real-time eavesdropping and monitoring of the users' every move.

The mechanical prosthetics on Jiang Kun were all produced by the Wang Group, so Yue Shi had easily delivered the system to him.

The goal was to test the degree of compatibility between a human body that had undergone mechanical modification and various supernatural systems.

The Ghost asked, “Which supernatural system will a mechanical cyborg be most suited to cultivate?”

Yue Shi replied, “I don't know, but I think martial arts is definitely a no-go. The entry level for martial arts is tempering the physical body, and a cyborg’s physical body is incomplete.”

The Ghost said, “I think so too. Any supernatural system that requires the physical body’s participation in cultivation will shut its doors to mechanical modification.”

“However, if one continues down the path of mechanical modification alone, perhaps they could achieve mechanical ascension.”

Yue Shi said, “There are too many supernatural systems on the Deep Red Continent. How far can the technological route of mechanical modification go? Why don't you first gather statistics on what kind of people mostly undergo mechanical modification?”

Data streams flashed through the Ghost’s eyes. After a moment, it said, “Those who undergo mechanical modification are generally people from the middle and lower classes. Initially, when the number of modified people was small, they were more competitive in society. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly competitive in recent years.”

“Very few big figures in this world undergo mechanical modification. Even the team that originally developed mechanical bionic prosthetics are all natural humans; they didn't use mechanical modification on themselves.”

Yue Shi chuckled. “Truly good things aren't circulated, much less popularized. They are held in the hands of a few at the top. Only the things discarded by those above will slowly move downward.”

“Just look at the attitude of Zhongzhou’s official institutions. They keep all kinds of cultivation knowledge firmly in their hands while letting mechanical modification take its own course.”

The Ghost fell silent for a moment. Thinking of something, it gave a mischievous laugh. “Suppose a cyborg with combat power comparable to a god suddenly appears. Do you think certain people would be terrified and then urgently call a halt to the mechanical modification industry?”

Yue Shi replied, “I don't know.”

The Ghost said, “Let’s give it a try. You’ve already created a Heaven-Defying Fate-Changing System anyway.”

“By the way, I really didn't expect you to use such a cliché trope as a system. And that guy named Jiang Kun accepted the setting immediately.”

Yue Shi clicked his tongue in disagreement. “How can you call this a cliché?”

“The general education level of the population in Zhongzhou is quite high. Society is full of young people who have received years of education but have had their ideals ruthlessly shattered by reality.”

“A system symbolizes the continuation of their student days. As long as they complete missions, they receive stable rewards. It’s like getting good grades in an exam to gain attention and resources.”

“The existence of a system is also a protest against the unfairness of one's background. No matter how noble or powerful someone’s birth is, they are no match for a protagonist who has a system as post-natal compensation. Don't underestimate a poor youth.”

“Popular novels are reflections of the reality of the era. The theory that ‘effort can change one's fate’ is gradually losing believers. If there weren't a golden finger like a system, how could a poor youth ever defeat the powerful and wealthy?”

The Ghost said, “Heh, you always were so good at sophistry, making something so common sound so inspirational.”

...

Yu Duanhong’s eyes were vacant, looking as if his yang energy had been sucked dry.

The Forging City Branch of the Anomaly Management Bureau was an institution that nominally handled supernatural events and maintained order. This was where he might be working for a long time in the future.

But in just a few days, Yu Duanhong’s impression of the Bureau had been refreshed, and his horizons broadened.

He had personally witnessed secret crushes, love triangles, four-way polygons, overbearing section chiefs falling for cleaning ladies, jealousy, and rekindled old flames...

It was like he had accidentally walked onto the set of a melodramatic short drama, surrounded by actors who were far too deep in character.

Yu Duanhong tried his best to filter out these distractions to avoid his own mind becoming contaminated.

He now had more pressing problems that needed urgent solutions.

The ghost inside him was becoming increasingly active. It was no longer just emitting coldness or occasional stabs of pain; in the dead of night, while half-asleep, he could feel his body moving.

Sometimes he would wake up suddenly in the middle of the night to find himself standing at the door, his hand already in the motion of knocking.

The ghost was reviving. He was controlling the ghost, but the ghost was also controlling him in return.

He needed information.

This kind of rule-based ghost was clearly not a ghost in the traditional sense of a human soul after death.

He had to find a way to delay the revival as soon as possible and further use the ghost’s power safely.

The archives of the Anomaly Management Bureau were currently the only place where he might access relevant knowledge.

His clearance wasn't high, but it was enough to access the basic archives and some non-classified supernatural incident cases.

Entering the archives, he typed the keyword ‘ghost’ into the computer. Dense rows of entries popped up on the screen.

Yu Duanhong’s movements paused for a moment, and then he began to click on the entries one by one, watching them as if nothing were wrong.

That feeling of being watched returned, just as it had before.