“That was real.” I tated, pointing to the now-silent hologram projector.

“Correct!”

“The world is overrun by monsters because some organisation couldn’t keep them in their pants.” I surmised.

“Impurities, not ordinary monsters.” ALICE said. “That organisation is IEHAR, a formerly-clandestine Impurity-dedicated organisation that once masqueraded as an international charity. Now, their activities, along with the existence of Impurities and other anomalies, have become fully public.”

“And because they fucked up, humanity has been cut down to a quarter.”

“It may be even less than that.”

“And this INTERFACE-OS is meant to combat the Impurities.”

“To suppress all of them, yes.”

“All of them.”

“100%, in their entirety, not a single one less and such. Since you possess INTERFACE-OS, it is your responsibility.” ALICE said. “Is there something you’re not understanding, User Kyle Licht?”

I slumped in my chair, put my head in my hands and swore, violently and loudly. Then I woke up.

Turns out nurses don’t appreciate when their patients jolt up in their bed, screaming loud and long expletives inside confined quarantine quarters. They especially don’t like it when said patient begins flailing around, kicking up his sheets onto his dumb head and threatening to knock over the expensive IV drip attached to his arm.

Oh, there was also the part where my wounds almost re-damaged themselves. Can’t forget that. I certainly didn’t, when the collective agony from a damaged right side and second and third-degree burns smashed into me at once. When I opened my eyes for the second time—this was happening way too much these days—a nurse with blonde hair, a face-mask and protective goggles cleared her throat.

“Young man, are you quite alright?”

“Sorry.” I mumbled. “Nightmare.”

The nurse turned around to a holo-screen. The projection of a balding man in a white coat stood there, concern apparent. “Doctor, we may have a potential cognitive infection within the patient. Requesting permission to extend quarantine for more observation.”

The doctor tapped his chin. “I don’t believe IEHAR mentioned the Impurity possessed any cognitive risk, only physical. Still, best not to be careless, given his violent reaction. I’ll talk it over with my colleagues.”

“Wait, what the heck is going on?” I said. “Tell me, where am I?"

Thus, I was introduced to one of the many differences in this alternate Earth. Impurities were so damaging that any survivors of their attacks needed to be placed under observation. The standard length was three days, but could extend to up to several months depending on the severity. A faint minty smell hung in the air within the small isolation-recuperation room, apparently linked to an architectural anomaly-preventing measure. The nurse and doctor pair explained this with kindness and patience, considering I had almost assaulted the former in my panic.

Indeed, those who suffer the distorting effects of Impurities may acquire anomalous abilities themselves.

“Gah!”

“Does it hurt?” The nurse said. She had begun applying fresh med-patches to my skin. The solution within them would repair the burned skin. A quick dose of numbing agent had been injected into my bloodstream beforehand.

“No.” I replied. “Sorry, was thinking about something else.”

ALICE? What the hell? You’re here?

A cartoonish icon of ALICE’s porcelain face popped in the right corner of my vision. It rotated around in its square frame like those holo-ads found in shopping malls.

Yes, I am here! Is something the matter?

I don’t understand why, for starters. I replied.

ALICE’s icon spun around as her text scrolled into my vision.

As the Assistant of INTERFACE-OS, I will be acting as an intermediary between you and its functions. This includes taking over the automated UI messages. Farewell to those boring pre-set messages. I shall provide you with the best dynamic interface feedback possible!

My response was immediate. Let me opt out.

That is not possible, User Kyle Licht. Once assigned, an Assistant is here to stay.

Fuck! I swore, making sure not to direct it towards INTERFACE-OS.

“Young man, are you sure you’re alright? You’re staring off into space.”

“I’m fine. I’m fine.” I said. “It’s my way with coping with pain.” The best lies are ones with some ground in reality. In an ideal situation, I would have a bottle of alcohol though.

ALICE, can we talk later? I don’t want to get arrested.

As you wish!

The nurse and the doctor gave me suspicious looks, but resumed fixing me up nonetheless. They only replaced my bandages and medicines—the rest of wounds would take time. Stiffness clung to my joints like industrial glue. I forced myself up anyway, grimacing at the pain shivering down my shoulders and torso.

“We require some personal information for our records, since we neither the ISTs or the rest of the survivors knew you.” The doctor said. “Is that acceptable?”

“Shoot.” I said.

“What is your name.”

A list of aliases, created over the years, shifted through my head on instinct. It contained a variety of generic-sounding, Caucasian-based names, ranging from my native German ancestry to American. Then I put it aside. This was a new world. They wouldn’t know me.

“Kyle Licht.” I said.

“Do you have any family, Kyle?”

“No.” They were gone, left behind in a world where Impurities were either still locked up or did not exist.

“Do you possess an HIGD?”

“A…what?” I asked.

“Human Identification Demonstratum.” The doctor said. “The ID chip that proves you are human.”

That's a thing in this world? I thought. “I’m not sure.” I said.

“What do you mean?”

“I was kidnapped by the gang.” I explained, feigning a sting of pain in my head. My face scrunched up and I glanced away. A sliding door fell in my vision, protected by a keypass lock. “They said they dissected people…might’ve done something to that chip, too.”

“Do you remember where it was installed?” The nurse asked. “Most have it in their cranium, shoulder or thigh.”

“Sorry, I was very young when I got it. Never really paid attention to it.” I faked, then shrugged my shoulders for good measure. “Dunno.”

They asked me a few more questions. Age, date of birth, medication history and other such tidbits for the second. These two were good—they scribbled down my details without showing emotion. I kept my answers short and curt. Best not to wind up medical staff, never mind ones that show competence.

“Well, the good news is that we’re certain you are human and not affected, due to our observation results. You will have to stay here for a few more days, just to be sure.” The doctor said. “We will also need to a take a blood sample to conduct a background check.”

I held out my arm. They stuck a syringe and drew out blood. That was the end of that. The holo switched off as the nurse left. She promised that a meal would arrive soon. My stomach grumbled, but the idea of hospital food made me sigh. New world or not, I doubt it would taste any better. I was alone in the small room, with nothing but my own thoughts and the medical equipment for company.

Oh, and the Assistant girl in my head.

Are you ready to proceed, User Kyle Licht?

Just…give me a moment. I’m still processing that dream you gave me last night.

If there is something you do not understand, please raise it so we can sort it out sooner!

It’s not that I don’t understand, it’s that the scope of the mission is way past anything I expected. Suppressing all Impurities? Is that even possible?

It is, otherwise I and INTERFACE-OS would not exist!

How am I supposed to do that? I’m just one guy. I barely came out alive against that Impurity girl!

Yes, but you survived.

ALICE, I almost died.

Yet, you utilized your experience and the functions of INTERFACE-OS to emerge victorious. You should not deny that to yourself.

She got me there.

Also, User Kyle Licht, you need not embark on this mission alone. At least 80% of humanity wishes to eradicate the world of Impurities. There will be Allies. The Impurities are strong, but the world is not overrun by them. It is for a reason.

What about the other 20%?

They are enemies. Regardless, you have not yet fully discovered all functions of INTERFACE-OS. What’s not to say that trump cards lay within? Give it a try, User Kyle Licht!

I wondered if this whole ordeal was a punishment for my actions in a previous life. Then again, true or false, I felt like I had no right to refute it. I had spent my entire past life screwing over innocents for cash. I had then sworn to improve myself in that limbo. Time to put my words into practice.

Why do you keep calling me that? Isn’t it a mouthful?

It is what you are. The User named ‘Kyle Licht!’. Would you like me to refer you as something else?

Uh…

Loading recommended terms. How about Master?

No.

Sir Kyle Licht?

Nope.

Papa?

Hell no! What fucking recommendation is that? Just…you’re my assistant, so call me Boss. I’ve been called it before.

Boss Kyle Licht, it is! Shall we proceed with the next step?

And that is…?

Your rewards for completing , other than myself. Let me introduce you to your new Skills!

Virtual confetti exploded and canned cheers erupted. ALICE’s little icon began applauding, a ghostly smile on her artificial lips.

Congratulations for passing the first stage of the Tutorial, Boss! Your performance in has been evaluated! As such, the following Skills have been assigned to you.

[Stealth I]: The ability to conceal your presence. Scales with AGILITY, PERCEPTION and DEXTERITY (in that order). Obtained from your willingness to forgo direct combat and sneak to the objective.

[Blade Combat I]: Proficiency with wielding a short blade in combat. Scales with DEXTERITY and STRENGTH (in that order). Obtained from using a knife to suppress the Impurity.

[Firearms (Standard) II]: Proficiency with firearms. Scales with PERCEPTION and WILLPOWER. Obtained from using a gun to suppress the Impurity. Also acquired a bonus from past life experience.

[Pain Resistance I]: Ability to endure physical trauma and keep on acting. Scales with ENDURANCE and WILLPOWER.

What happened to my other proficiencies, like vehicle handling and first aid?

You did not utilize them in the Tutorial. As such you have to learn them later on. Skills measure your various proficiencies. Their existence will provide benefits to related actions and checks within conflicts. The higher the rank of a skill, the stronger it is.

How do I upgrade them?

You must train them. More information shall be provided at a later time. Now, onto perks!

Another window then popped up in front of me.

Congratulations, Boss! Due to levelling thrice, you have acquired three Perks! Perks are permanent bonuses assigned to your character.

A menu appeared in front of me, containing a list of the available Perks and their description. I consulted it carefully before making my decision.

You have acquired the [Expanded Inventory] Perk! Your maximum Inventory size has increased by 1!

You have acquired the [Quiet Takedown] Perk! Attacks from a stealthy state will have reduced noise!

You have acquired the [Fast Learner] Perk! +10% to all EXP gained!

As such, here is your full status, Boss!

[BASIC INFORMATION]

NAME: Kyle Harris Licht ("Boss") LEVEL: 4 EXP: 130/300 HEALTH: 45/136 ENERGY: 50/50 $NF 200 Alexandrite (AX) 2700

[STATS]

STRENGTH 8 PERCEPTION 10 DEXTERITY 9 ENDURANCE 7 AGILITY 8 CHARISMA 10 WILLPOWER 14 INSIGHT 5 Upgrade Points Remaining 2

SKILLS:

Stealth I The ability to conceal your presence. Scales with AGILITY, PERCEPTION and DEXTERITY. Blade Combat I Proficiency with wielding a short blade in combat. Proficiency with firearms. Scales with PERCEPTION and WILLPOWER Firearms (Standard) II Proficiency with basic firearms. Does not include more specialized firearms, such as sniper rifles. Scales with PERCEPTION and WILLPOWER. Pain Resistance I Ability to endure physical trauma and keep on acting. Scales with ENDURANCE and WILLPOWER.

PERKS:

Expanded Inventory Your maximum Inventory size has increased by 1. Quiet Takedown Attacks from a stealthy state will have reduced noise. Fast Learner +10% to all EXP gained.

STATUS EFFECTS:

Battle Fatigue (Heavy) -3 to all physical stats. Healthwill gradually restore over time. Disappears when Health is restored to maximum.

I hope this is to your satisfaction, Boss! ALICE chirped.

As I was reading, the doctor projected himself onto the holo. “Mr. Licht, our background check has been finished. Your family will be contacting you very soon.”

“I don’t have a family." I said.

"Their incoming communication seems to suggest otherwise."

Another holo-image appeared into view. A family of three. A young girl, sixteen years old, fresh out of a long day from her public school, dyed trails still in her blonde hair. A bearded older man with grooves of age and experience carved on a set of stony features, dressed in a casual suit. A woman with greying air but bright eyes, dressed in a scarf and smock. There was relief, exasperation and anger.

Alive. Breathing. Blood running through their veins.

"Kyle! Bro!" My little sister, Emily, cried. She marched closer, hands on her hips. "Geez, there you are! You gave us all such a scare! Going missing for almost a week like that..."

I stared at the younger form of the sister who disowned me, then clenched my fist. I slammed it straight into my nose.

Damage to nose! -3 HP!