Awakening as Prisoner 9999
Moist, musty air seeped deep into my lungs.
Heavy eyelids fluttered a few times before I mustered the strength to lift my drooping head.
"Oh, you're finally awake, newbie."
As I raised my head, several pairs of eyes gleamed at me from the darkness.
And the clothes they wore... like prison uniforms.
What the hell is this situation...?
My mind went blank in the face of this absurd reality.
Just moments ago, I'd been in my warm room, toasting the end of Age of Legend while creating a new character...
Now here I was.
It felt like a dream,
but the clammy dampness and stench soaking into my body made me acutely aware that this was real.
"W-Who are you?"
"Who am I?"
A flicker of confusion crossed his face, but he replied in a calm voice.
"I'm 2317, got here before you in this hellhole."
"2317?"
"Yeah, in Lunaria Empire Prison 3, the number on your chest is your name, 9999."
I slowly looked down at my chest.
Sure enough, I was wearing the same prison garb, with '9999' starkly embroidered on it.
Wait... Lunaria Empire Prison 3?
A chill ran through my entire body.
This name was all too familiar.
How could it not be?
In the Age of Legend world, it was the camp built by the mighty Lunaria Empire for all sorts of inhumane experiments.
The place countless players avoided in horror and dread.
Yes, the very spot that had only existed in my favorite game—right on the verge of service shutdown—had just spilled from this man's mouth like it was real.
"This place... is Lunaria Empire Prison 3?"
"Ha... did you hit your head on the way in?"
The man looked at me with pity, like I was some lunatic.
"Why keep asking the obvious? No, actually... maybe it's better if you're crazy. Beats facing the reality here head-on..."
Yeah, I already knew.
My voice was heavier than usual, and though I hadn't seen a mirror, the alien sensations all over my body screamed it.
I couldn't deny that this body wasn't mine.
Does that mean this is really the game world?
At that moment, a translucent window popped into my vision.
Wait... no way.
A horrifying realization hit me.
9999 points. All poured into Supernatural Ability.
An all-in gamble.
So the rest—background, everything—must've been auto-filled randomly by the system...
Damn, if only it'd been something common like slave trader stock or mercenary...
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
At least then I'd have a shot at escape.
Of all the worst backgrounds, it had to be Lunaria Empire Prison 3.
The absolute worst of the worst.
In the game, it'd just be a difficulty spike.
But now, this was my reality.
This place boasted tighter security than any other imperial camp—impenetrable fortress, crawling with regular soldiers and ability users. Escape was impossible.
No, there's still a chance.
Top-tier abilities only cost 3000 points.
This ultimate one devoured 9999.
Depending on what it was, it might get me out of this mess.
I'd bet everything on it.
My last hope on this all-in Supernatural Ability.
[Domain of the Absolute]
Rank: Black
◈ Absorbs all auras within 10m and emits them amplified by your Charisma stat value
◈ Once per day, absorb and reflect any attack
◈ Charisma stat is activated
◈ All actions are enhanced by Charisma stat
"..."
Hahaha... This was the ability that ate 9999 points?
Absorb aura and blast it back stronger...
It's just bluffing by reflecting their pressure to scream, "I'm stronger!"
How the hell do I escape a prison with this show-off trash ability?!
Zero combat power, useless in real fights... complete garbage.
What do I do now?
Just get poked and prodded in every human experiment until I die?
This place ran experiments too gruesome to describe.
One of the hidden bosses from the game proves it.
A boss from an old event had escaped this very prison, body fully transformed into a monster's.
No, I can't die like this. Think calmly.
Wait.
Black rank?
First time hearing that.
Green - Blue - Purple - Red - Gold.
Age of Legend only had those five ranks. Black was new.
And stats... no ability I knew added a new stat.
Think I don't know?
No, I can say for sure.
I knew every Supernatural Ability in Age of Legend.
The moment I recognized the ability, a new 'Charisma' stat appeared in my status window.
BOOM!!!
Suddenly, an ear-shattering explosion rocked the entire prison. Dust flew, and the ground trembled.
Panicked prisoners muttered as they scrambled up from the floor.
"W-What was that?"
"Explosion? Who the hell could—"
Weee-ooo! Weee-ooo!
"Emergency! Emergency! All prison guards, assemble at Sector A immediately! Intruder detected! I repeat, intruder—"
An intruder in a Lunaria Empire prison?
Did this happen in the game?
No time to think—more explosions shook the camp.
BOOM! BOOM! CRASH!
"Fuck, what's going on?!"
"What the hell's happening?!"
The prisoners' confusion turned to terrified screams.
The blasts grew closer.
CRASH! CRASH!
"Argh! Help!"
"Y-You... what are you?! Graaah!"
Flesh tearing screams pierced the air, and a memory flashed in my mind.
Ah... right. The Lunaria Empire Prison 3 massacre!
If it was what I thought, this was my last shot at escaping this hell.
Even then, endless explosions closed in—right to our cell block.
"N-No way, it's coming here..."
BOOM!!!
The door exploded into shards, debris flying everywhere.
"Agh, it's here! Everyone, down!!!"
Through the thick smoke, a figure emerged.
A silhouette cloaked head to toe in pitch-black darkness, its black cape undulating in the air like it was alive.
"T-That's..."
Color drained from the prisoners' faces.
Everyone instinctively knew: no one survived that black figure.
"No... no!"
A scream erupted.
"I'm not dying! I won't... after all I've endured...!"
Mixed with terror and despair, prisoners charged madly.
Their eyes held no reason—only beastly survival instinct.
"Grah!"
It was instant.
Flesh ripped, bones shattered, guts burst in horrific sounds—
And everything fell silent in the blink of an eye.
Roll...
Something tumbled to my feet.
Looking down froze my blood solid.
2317, the first to speak to me, who'd pitied me.
His face now twisted in indescribable agony and horror.
Those once-compassionate eyes had lost their light forever.
Squelch—squelch—
The black figure approached, stepping through blood pools.
Darkness that devoured all stepped toward me, one foot at a time.
Death itself walking.
I remembered this scene the moment it started—I knew it'd come to this.
He was that much of a monster.
Please, please... calm down, heart.
Thump—thump—thump—
My heart pounded like it would burst.
If things went my way here, I could escape.
But how to stay calm?
Amid this slaughter and sea of blood.
I'm just an average guy who games at home and works part-time when broke...
"You not charging?"
The voice from the deep darkness slithered like a demon's whisper from the abyss.
I stayed silent.
No—couldn't speak.
Terror-locked brain refused to open my mouth.
10 meters.
If he entered my domain, would things change?
I held my breath, praying desperately.
Please... just no ranged attacks...
Thanks to the ability, I could reflect any attack once.
After that... certain death.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
My heart felt ready to explode.
Just... come in...
Squelch—squelch—
Blood footsteps drew nearer.
And finally—
The black figure stepped into my domain... and halted mid-air.
Time crawled slow in that frozen moment.
An overwhelming pressure surged from my body.
It writhed like a living beast, exploding with my will.
"What business here, Haven's dog?"
I managed the words, but couldn't hide my trembling voice.
Still, I believed.
In the ability's description.
All actions enhanced by Charisma stat.
And seeing his startled expression at my shaky voice confirmed it.
It works.
I already knew who he was.
The mad nation even Lunaria feared.
Where only strength was truth,
and might decided all—savage Haven.
And its absolute ruler's most trusted right hand.
Shadow lord, reaper of thousands.
Black Killer Kain.
That such a powerhouse faltered at my trembling voice.
This was my ability's true power.
"You'd better explain this situation to my satisfaction. Or else—"
A cold smile crept across my lips.
"I'll get very displeased."