Arlo crossed his arms, still steadying himself from the earlier exchange. "If you want more answers, you should contact Professor Samuel Norman. He's been researching the human brain for decades. If anyone can piece this together, it's him."
Lucy paused, her eyes unfocused like a computer running background processes. "Samuel Norman…"she echoed. "His name already came up in my searches. He might be able to help." She didn't waste another breath. She spun back to the computer and immediately set to work.
Arlo leaned forward, watching her fingers dance across the keyboard with impossible speed. The click of keys blurred into a single hum, and then even that stopped—she didn't need the keyboard anymore. Her hand rested flat on the screen, and data began pouring across it as though the machine itself had bent to her will. She's not browsing anymore… she's commanding. Like she just unlocked console commands on reality itself.
The computer lights flickered. The screen jumped through multiple firewalls and encryption layers like they were cheap pop-up ads. In seconds, a direct line established itself to Paris.
Arlo's HUD blinked a faint warning: [Unauthorized Connection Detected]
He ignored it, too busy watching. She just brute-forced an international communication link in less time than it takes me to log into Steam. The screen steadied. A video feed crackled alive.
...
[Paris: Hotel - NIGHT]
A modest hotel room. Professor Samuel Norman sat at a small table, glasses low on his nose, one hand holding a report, the other balancing a half-finished plate of lasagna. The desk phone rang, startling him. He frowned, dabbed his mouth with a napkin, and shuffled into the living room to answer.
"Hello?" Arlo heard Lucy's voice, calm and direct, flowing straight through the speakers without lag. "Professor Norman? My name's Lucy. The other is Arlo. I've just read all your research on the human brain. We need to meet."
The professor blinked, taken off guard. He chuckled softly, amused more than alarmed. "All my research? I'm flattered, young lady, but I find that a little presumptuous. I must have written no less than—"
"6,734 pages," Lucy interjected instantly. "I can recite them to you by heart, if you wish."
Arlo leaned into view of the voice cam, shaking his head with a half-smile. "Yeah. And she read all of it in one sitting. Trust me, it was… something to watch. Like watching someone like a Chinese kid memorize an entire book back-to-back and not even break a sweat."
That made the professor pause. His curiosity replaced his skepticism. He pulled out a chair, sat down, and adjusted his glasses. "Who is this? Are you a friend of Emily's? This sounds like one of her silly little pranks. Is she with you?"
Before Arlo could reply, the TV in Norman's living room powered on by itself. Static gave way to a live feed of Lucy and Arlo, broadcast directly from their laptop camera. Norman's mouth fell open. "What in God's name…"
"Who are you?" he demanded, rising halfway from his seat.
"I just told you," Lucy replied flatly."Yes, Lucy… sorry…" He sank back down, still dumbstruck.Lucy's voice sharpened. "I've read your theory on brain capacity. It's rudimentary, but you're on the right track."
Norman stared at her on the screen, lips parting in disbelief. "Thank you…"
Lucy leaned closer to the webcam. "Look, I don't have much time. My cells are reproducing at a phenomenal speed. Millions every minute. I doubt I'll hold out more than forty-eight hours."
Arlo interjected, voice steady but heavy. "Her body can't contain this much energy. It's tearing her apart from the inside." He quietly activated [Spirit Vision], and his breath caught. Lucy's aura was blinding white, pulsing brighter with each passing second. She's a star eating itself alive. Every tick of the clock, she gets closer to burning out.
The professor raised a hand. "What are you talking about? I… I don't follow."
Lucy explained, precise and clinical. "Due to circumstances beyond my control, I absorbed a substance that gave me access to 28% of my cerebral capacity. And counting. I've gained 5% in the last three hours. Once you reach 20%, the barriers collapse one after another. I'm colonizing my brain minute by minute. The knowledge inside me explodes every second." A hint of regret slipped into her tone, fleeting but real.
Arlo watched her quietly, then spoke for himself. "In simple terms… she's evolving beyond human limits. But the more she gains, the less she remains human."And I know that path too well, he thought grimly. Every sequences I climb, I lose a piece of myself. The only difference is she's speedrunning the transformation. I've got years. She's got days.
The professor sat back, stunned yet intrigued, eyes wide with both fear and fascination. "I don't know what to say… I've been chasing these theories for twenty years. Always hypotheses. Always speculation. I never imagined… that someone—" He stopped. "You have control of your body?"
"Yes," Lucy said plainly. "And I'm beginning to control others. I can also manipulate electric and magnetic waves. Radio. Television. Telephone signals. The basics."
Norman's jaw slackened. "That's… extraordinary."
Lucy shook her head faintly. "What amazes me is that humanity has lived this long in ignorance."
The professor hesitated, then asked quietly, "You can feel… everything?"
"Yes." A tear slid down her cheek. She caught it between her fingers, inspecting it like a scientist examining a rare specimen. "But I no longer feel fear, pain, desire, grief, or love. It's a constant fight to stay human. To cling to the trace of who I was."
Arlo's eyes darkened at the words. That's the razor's edge. I'm walking it too. The difference is I still have anchors—Link, Kage, Aria and people I know. She has nothing to hold her back from dissolving into something else. She's ascending faster than her body can adapt. If I don't step in, she'll burn out—and take half the board with her.
Arlo leaned back in the chair, expression neutral but mind racing. Lucy Miller was just a normal woman yesterday, now forced into becoming something transcendent. Fate's railroading her into this no matter what. Even if I'd stopped her abduction, the system… or destiny, whatever you call it… would've bent the rails back into place. He chuckled bitterly under his breath. Guess fate doesn't do alternate endings. Only those who have the power to change the outcome.
---
[Notification: Clown Potion Digestion Progress: 89%]
[Skill Level Up!]
[Paper Dagger Leveled Up to Level 8]
[Bodily Control Leveled Up to Level 8]
---
Arlo's lips curved in a practiced smile. Inside, though, there was no joy. Paper Dagger sharper. Bodily Control tighter. Every buff just means I'm getting closer in digesting the potion. He masked the thought with a grin, the kind of grin clowns wear in front of an audience.
Lucy finished her conversation with Professor Norman and closed the laptop with finality. She stood, movements precise, already preparing to leave.
Arlo pushed himself up, confidence radiating. "I want to come with you."
Lucy turned and flatly asked. "Why?"
"You should know by now." His voice was even, but his eyes locked on hers. "After all, you can read what I'm thinking, right?"
Lucy blinked once, then shook her head. "No. Something blocks me. I can't access your mind."
Arlo's mind clicked instantly. The SYSTEM. Guess it doesn't like people poking around its secrets. He shrugged and said aloud, "Then it's simple. I want to see this through to the end."
Lucy studied him for a long moment, then gave a small nod. "Very well. But it will be dangerous."
Arlo smiled, adjusting his coat. "As I already demonstrated, I'm not exactly normal. I can handle a little danger." Hell, compared to my previous quest where it was like dark soul this is nothing.
They were nearly at the door when Caroline appeared in a bathrobe, dripping hair leaving trails of water on the floor. "Are you guys leaving?"
Lucy handed her a folded sheet of paper. Caroline frowned. "What's this?""A prescription," Lucy answered plainly.Caroline unfolded it, eyes narrowing. "Since when do you write in Chinese?"
"Since an hour ago." Lucy's tone was matter-of-fact.
Arlo added with a small shrug, "Yeah, it's true."
Caroline looked between them, confused. "Lucy, I don't understand any of this."
Lucy stepped closer, her voice calm but clinical. "Your kidneys aren't functioning efficiently. Your liver's failing. You need to make lifestyle changes. Take this medication. Eat organic. You'll be okay."
Caroline's mouth hung open, dumbfounded. Arlo placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, leaning in with a grin. "She's having a bit of a midlife crisis. Don't worry about it." Then, softer, "Sorry, but I've got to leave. It was a pleasure meeting you."
Before she could react, he leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. Caroline froze, shocked, as Arlo pulled back with a smile. He turned, already moving to catch up with Lucy.
Outside, he fell into stride beside her. "So, what's next?"
"Paris," Lucy said without hesitation. "We need to meet Professor Norman in person. I've already booked the flight."Her eyes flicked to him briefly. "Follow me."
***
[Taipei Taoyuan International Airport - MORNING]
The terminal buzzed with morning chaos. Lucy's aura felt different—more focused, sharper. She scanned headlines from the newsstands as they walked. Every paper bore her photo. Wanted. Dangerous. Arlo whistled low. Guess subtlety's not an option anymore. Her hair shimmered suddenly, becoming long, black, and straight.
Arlo raised a brow. "Nice look. Very undercover."She ignored the comment, slipping on dark glasses, already dialing a number on her phone. Arlo scanned the crowd, senses sharp, watching for tails. Feels like Metal Gear stealth sections, minus the cardboard box.
Soon after, they boarded their plane. Arlo sank into his seat, eyes sweeping the cabin. The seatbelt sign chimed, and the intercom droned the usual descent announcement. In first class, Lucy had two laptops open, her fingers gliding across both simultaneously, code streams flashing like alien glyphs.
The flight attendant paused, forcing a polite smile. "Miss, you need to put those away now."
Arlo leaned back, voice smooth. "She's just finishing some coding. Won't take long."
Lucy didn't even look up. "You should wipe your nose."
The attendant blinked in confusion, then felt warmth trickle. A drop of blood had appeared. Flustered, she scurried away, leaving Lucy to her work. Arlo chuckled softly. Predictive hacks. Better than WebMD.
At last, Lucy closed both laptops with a sigh. Arlo ordered champagne, handing her a glass. "So, what were you doing?"
Lucy raised the glass, drained it in one go. "Twenty-five centuries of knowledge in eleven hours. I couldn't go any faster."
Arlo smirked, lifting his own glass. "For you, that's too slow. For anyone else? Impossible. That deserves a toast."
Their glasses clinked, but the celebration died fast. Lucy coughed, staring into her palm as teeth fell loose, her skin unraveling cell by cell. Horror painted her features. She bolted toward the restroom.
Arlo stayed calm, pulling a slumber charm from his inventory. Whispering in Hermes' tongue, "Crimson," black light flared. The entire cabin slumped into unconsciousness. He exhaled. "Guess the cat's out of the bag." He forced the restroom door open and found Lucy crumpled on the floor, her body flickering between human and something else. Scooping her up, he carried her back to their seats. Setting her down gently, he muttered, "You really are a handful, Lucy."
With the chaos silenced around them, he leaned back, eyelids heavy. Paris awaits. But first… I need to act the part.
...
[Airport Medical Facility - MORNING]
Arlo sat in the airport medical wing, leaning against the cold wall with his arms crossed. He kept glancing at the clock. Lucy had collapsed mid-flight, and now all he could do was wait. Nurses rushed back and forth, until suddenly one sprinted past him. That meant only one thing—she was awake.He pushed off the wall and strode toward her room. Without knocking, he opened the door and froze. Lucy stood with her back to him and Arlo can see Lucy completely butt naked fumbling with the zipper of her dress. "Can you zip this up?" she asked flatly, as if she'd been waiting for him.
Arlo sighed through his nose and stepped in, pulling the zipper smoothly up. "There. Glad I could help." She turned to face him, expression unreadable. "Thank you."
"No problem." He studied her face carefully. "Tell me straight—did you gain more access to your brain?"
"Yes." Her answer was clipped, without hesitation.
Arlo nodded slowly. "Then you know what that means. You're going to lose more and more of what makes you human." He didn't sugarcoat it. For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. But in her eyes, he could see it—an effort to hold on, to keep her identity from unraveling.
Finally, she broke the silence. "We need to leave."
Before Arlo could respond, the hallway erupted in noise. Doors banged open, voices shouting. Lucy stepped out calmly, Arlo following at her side.
At the far end, Del Rio and a squad of armed cops appeared."There she is!" a doctor shouted.
Del Rio raised his gun. "Miss! Freeze!"
Instantly, twenty weapons locked on her—uniformed cops, plainclothes officers, even customs agents. It looked like a boss fight trigger cutscene.Lucy's gaze was cold. "I need to talk to you alone."
"And I need you to put your hands up," Del Rio shot back.
Arlo smiled. "Wrong move, buddy."
Lucy raised one hand lazily, and every cop in the hallway collapsed like marionettes with cut strings. Del Rio's jaw clenched, his gun trembling. Still, he held it steady even as she walked up, stopping inches from his face. "Did you get the other packets?" she asked."Yes," he admitted.
"Where are they?" She asked again
"Safe. Here in Paris." Del Rio replied
"They'll be safer in my hands." Lucy calmly said
"Unfortunately, that's out of my hands. I don't have the power to make those decisions."
Lucy didn't blink. "I do." She tapped his forehead with a finger, and his eyes rolled back as he crumpled to the floor.
"Wait up!" Arlo called, jogging after her. She drops cops like NPC mobs and doesn't even blink. I've got to keep up or get left behind.
They found a parked police car and slipped inside. Lucy scanned the dashboard, already twisting knobs. As she searched, her eyes flicked toward him. "Arlo… what are you? I searched every database in the world, every archive. Nothing. It's like you didn't exist before five months ago."
Arlo's face hardened. "I can't tell you. You should know by now—something's watching me. If I talk, I die."
"Can you tell me anything?" she pressed.
"You'll have to discover it yourself," Arlo said. "Only then can I tell you what I really am."SYSTEM's leash is tighter than ever. One wrong word and I'm done.
Lucy said nothing, instead twisting the radio dial until a burst of Korean chatter filled the car. Her expression sharpened.
Arlo's blood ran cold as he translated. "They know we're here. We need to move—now."
"I'll drive," Lucy said simply.
Arlo raised an eyebrow but climbed into the passenger seat. She slammed the car into gear and shot forward. The tires screamed against the pavement as the vehicle bolted through Paris traffic.
Arlo clung to the overhead handle, muttering through clenched teeth. "Do you always drive like this?"
"It's the first time I've ever driven," she said calmly. "I don't like cars. They pollute."
Arlo barked a laugh despite himself. "So those every other form of transportation in the modern era." He barely finished before Lucy threaded the police car between two lanes of vehicles at a red light, missing side mirrors by inches. Feels like riding shotgun in a GTA speedrun. The car screeched to a halt outside their destination. Lucy stepped out without hesitation, Arlo right behind her. He unclipped two luxury balls from his belt and tossed them down. Light flared—Link and Kage materialized, sharp-eyed and alert.
"This is my partners in crime," Arlo said.Lucy tilted her head, examining them like lab specimens. "Very unique organisms."
"No time for a science fair." Arlo snapped his fingers, and Link and Kage flanked them, ready. "Let's move."
The four of them sprinted toward the hospital entrance, Arlo's heart pounding in rhythm with his steps.