Infinite Upgrade System

Chapter 5: Fragments of the Past

The morning after the mission, Kartik awoke to the faint hum of the Haven’s machinery. The previous night’s events still weighed heavily on his mind, especially the decision to spare the guard. As he sat up on his cot, he found himself lost in thought, questioning his choices and the path he’d chosen.

The wrist-mounted device buzzed softly, snapping him out of his reverie. A message from Arjun flickered onto the holographic screen:

“Briefing in ten minutes. Training Hall. Don’t be late.”

With a groan, Kartik got up and prepared himself. The Haven’s training hall was one of the largest areas in the base, equipped with state-of-the-art simulation technology designed to push operatives to their limits. Kartik had been spending most of his free time here, honing the skills the system had enhanced.

The Challenge

When Kartik arrived, Arjun was waiting alongside Priya and Naveen. The mood in the room was noticeably tense. Arjun gestured for Kartik to step forward.

“Good. You’re here,” Arjun said, his tone clipped. “Today’s session is different. We’re not just training your body—we’re testing your mind.”

Kartik raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Priya tapped on a console, and the room’s lights dimmed. A simulation began to form, holographic projections filling the space around them. Kartik recognized the setting instantly: it was the orphanage where he’d spent his childhood.

His breath caught in his throat as he took in the familiar sight of the dilapidated building, its walls covered in peeling paint and its windows cracked. The sound of children’s laughter echoed faintly in the background.

“What is this?” Kartik demanded, turning to Arjun.

“Your past,” Arjun replied. “To understand who you are and what drives you, we need to confront it. The system has extracted fragments of your memories and reconstructed them here. Your task is to navigate this simulation and uncover what it’s hiding.”

Kartik’s fists clenched. “This isn’t fair.”

“Life rarely is,” Naveen interjected. “But this is necessary. Trust us.”

Reluctantly, Kartik stepped into the simulation.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

The simulation felt unnervingly real. Kartik’s footsteps echoed against the cracked pavement as he approached the orphanage’s entrance. The door creaked open, revealing a hallway lined with faded photographs. Each picture depicted moments from Kartik’s past—his first day at the orphanage, the friends he’d made, and the caretakers who had tried their best in difficult circumstances.

As Kartik moved deeper into the building, he encountered figures from his childhood. They appeared as ghostly projections, their forms flickering like static on a screen. One of them, a boy named Aman, stood in front of a classroom door. Aman had been Kartik’s closest friend, always the one to cheer him up when times were tough.

“Kartik,” Aman’s projection said, his voice tinged with sadness. “You’ve changed.”

Kartik’s chest tightened. “What do you mean?”

Aman didn’t answer. Instead, the projection dissolved, and the classroom door swung open. Kartik hesitated before stepping inside.

The room was empty except for a single desk. On it lay a journal—his journal. He hadn’t seen it in years, but he recognized it instantly. The worn leather cover and frayed edges brought back a flood of memories.

He picked it up and opened it. The pages were filled with his handwriting, recounting his thoughts and dreams from years ago. As he read, the words began to shift, forming a message:

“The truth lies within.”

The Truth Revealed

Suddenly, the simulation’s atmosphere changed. The walls of the classroom crumbled away, replaced by a cold, sterile environment. Kartik found himself standing in what appeared to be a laboratory. Rows of monitors displayed data streams, and the air was filled with the hum of machinery.

The system’s voice chimed in, emotionless and precise: “Memory reconstruction complete. Proceed with caution.”

A figure emerged from the shadows—a scientist wearing a Vanguard insignia. Kartik’s heart raced as he recognized the man. It was Dr. Raman, a name he’d heard whispered among the resistance as one of the Vanguard’s top researchers.

“Ah, Kartik,” Dr. Raman said, his tone almost fatherly. “We meet at last.”

“This is just a simulation,” Kartik said, trying to steady his voice. “You’re not real.”

Dr. Raman chuckled. “Perhaps. But that doesn’t make the truth any less real.”

The scientist gestured to the monitors, which began displaying scenes from Kartik’s childhood. They showed moments he didn’t remember—times when he’d been taken from the orphanage for “medical check-ups.” The scenes revealed Kartik hooked up to machines, his body subjected to experiments he couldn’t comprehend.

“You were always special,” Dr. Raman said. “The system chose you for a reason. You’ve been connected to it far longer than you realize.”

Kartik’s mind reeled. “What are you talking about?”

“The experiments we conducted unlocked your potential,” the scientist continued. “The system you now wield is an extension of those experiments. Without us, you wouldn’t be the person you are today.”

Rage and confusion surged through Kartik. He clenched his fists, his voice trembling with emotion. “You used me. You stole my childhood.”

Dr. Raman’s expression softened. “Perhaps. But you’ve gained something extraordinary in return. The question is, what will you do with it?”

Confrontation

The simulation’s environment began to destabilize, the laboratory flickering between reality and the orphanage. Kartik’s memories clashed with the truths he’d just uncovered, leaving him disoriented.

Arjun’s voice broke through the chaos. “Kartik, focus! The simulation is trying to break you. Don’t let it.”

Kartik took a deep breath, centering himself. He remembered what Arjun had said about trust and resilience. The system was a tool, but his choices defined him. He wasn’t just a product of the Vanguard’s experiments—he was more than that.

Summoning his resolve, Kartik confronted Dr. Raman’s projection. “You don’t control me. Whatever you did to me, I’ll use it to fight you and everything the Vanguard stands for.”

The projection smirked. “We’ll see.”

With that, the simulation collapsed, leaving Kartik standing in the training hall. Arjun, Priya, and Naveen were there, their expressions a mix of concern and approval.

Moving Forward

“You did well,” Arjun said. “The system revealed truths that could have broken you, but you stood your ground. That’s the kind of strength we need.”

Kartik nodded, though his mind was still reeling. The revelations about his past had left scars, but they also ignited a fire within him. He was determined to uncover the full extent of the Vanguard’s actions and ensure no one else suffered as he had.

As he left the training hall, Kartik felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was uncertain and fraught with danger, but he knew one thing for sure: