Chapter 3 - Germinal Organization

“Thank God I have a system!” Drake was ecstatic but quickly discovered that there were several irregularities.

'NPC, not a player? Countdown timer? Torturous future ahead?'

Drake furrowed his brows as he organized his thoughts.

First of all, although he had no idea how the system had transmigrated together with him, he had to treat this world as a new reality, meaning that if he died, he could not bank on being able to respawn like in the game, he will be dead for good.

Secondly, he could still access the system's interface despite being classified as an NPC. This suggested that he could still level up like a player, which was good news.

Thirdly, if the countdown timer confirmed his suspicions that he had indeed traveled back in time to before the game's launch, did it mean that 'real players' will soon appear?

Lastly, and most important of all, the 'torturous future ahead' meant only one thing; he was currently in grave danger!

Drake felt indignant. Didn't people who transmigrated normally receive perks such as resources, companions, or.. at least an ex-girlfriend? At the very least, he should have started out in a safe location! The war hadn't even begun, and he was already a lone hero deep behind enemy lines. A single slip could prove fatal; he could very well end up in the Hall of Heroes.. if such a place existed in Galaxy.

Drake only had one life here. If he died then that would the end of it. It would be a pity. Yes, Draoe only felt it would be 'a pity'. 'I want to survive!' would be a more normal line of thought. As for variations such as 'My fate is not for heavens to decide; if the heavens wants to erase me, then I will erase the heavens!' or 'Swallow an aurous core to transcend life and death'. Such ramblings were exclusive to people with second-grade syndrome.

“What the hell, why am I the only one SAO-ed?” Drake lamented.

And while his senses confirmed that this was indeed reality, he started to wonder...

'What exactly I'm I now? Am I an actual lifeform, or am I just a bunch of data? Did my soul transmigrate, or is it something else entirely?'

Sigh!

'I guess I will just have to make the best out of the situation and take it one step at a time'

The essential thing was to survive. With a year to go before launch, he hwd enough time to get prepared; this was the sole glimmer of promise that he could cling to.

Clank!

Suddenly the door opened, and several people walked in. As he could only make out their silhouette due to the light streaming in from outside, Drake could not see their faces clearly. However, he could make out from their outlines that one of them was a woman with a fiery figure.

“The subject's condition?” the woman spoke to her subordinate in a voice that was smooth, yet intertwined with an ever-so-faint rasp, reminiscent of a cup of rich coffee.

“It appears that the test subject has claimed down.”

The experiment leader, Doctor Calebite, answered the woman as he stared at Drake passionately, as though he were looking at a prized possession.

“Who are you people?” Drake asked hoarsely.

“Hmm? Amnesia?” the woman's eye twitched.

“Valkyrie must have stimulated his brain, there by leading to memory loss. This is not unexpected.” replied Doctor Calebite, squinting.

When Drake's eyes had finally adjusted to the light, he was stunned by the sight of the woman.

Boasting a headful of luscious, burgundy hair that concealed part of her face, the woman wore a tight-fitting, jet black bodysuit from from which her curvaceous figure threatened to bust out at any time.

Her features were telling of her western descent, but they were also composed of a certain softness that was characteristic of eastern women; perhaps it was her mixed heritage that blessed her with such beauty and charm. In a different world, she could have been easily mistaken for a beautiful snake demoness.

“I am Hila, the commander here.” said the red haired woman as she looked at Drake. She waved a hand and ordered,

“Conduct a blood test. I want to see the report ASAP.”

Two stone-faced guards walked forward to yank him away. Their massive bodies and the fact that they were carrying guns dispelled any notion that Drake had of resisting.

He recognized the 'Crimson Snake', Hila, and that this was one of the playable scenarios on Planet Aquamarine, Valkyrie Experiment Lab, located in a base of Germinal.

During Version 1, Hila was a boss who had caused beginners on Aquamarine much grief. She had many nicknames, one of which was the 'Goddess of Death'. She would eventually attain the 'Celestial' class strength and rise to prominence in the Cotton Cluster.

Drake laughed bitterly on the inside. The situation was bleak!

*

The blood test results were complied quickly. Hila went over the data she received from Doctor Calebite with knitted brows.

“No abnormalities detected?”

“Valkyrie mainly affects the brain. We will need to open the head up for assessment.

'Wait What!? Open the head up!?' snapped Drake inwardly.

'Open the head up!'

Hila waved a hand in dismissal of the idea.

“He's the only subject to have ever survived the experiment. We'll leave that option out for now.”

Drake's eyes lit up as he realized that his current status was somewhat advantageous to him. Doctor Calebite was not pleased by Hila's decision, but he made no fuss about it.

“In that case, we'll observe him for the time being to see if anything has changed.”

“Proceed with the brainwashing.” Ordered Hila suddenly.

'Brainwashing!?' Drake's heart instantly sank.

He knew he had to find a way out of this facility as quickly as possible, but he knew it won't be possible. He remembered what the System said about the torturous future ahead. If they succeed in brainwashing him, he would be no different from a slave without a consciousness.