As Haiko lay on the ground, he turns his head towards the prompt and simply just sighs as he sees it. He then lifts his upper body as he’s too mentally exhausted to stand up at the moment. Haiko then just glances at his surroundings and sees he’s in the middle of the forest.

Haiko feels as though something was off, as he still felt airy and light and notices as though everything around him is much bigger than he would expect, even the prompt seemed bigger.

Haiko could tell that he does have a body now, but as he stands and looks down to check. He jolts in surprise to see his new body looking like a tiny version of the Overseer, without the starry pattern all over him.

“Why am I so small?!” Haiko franticly touches his body all over, from his feet to his head.

The prompt changes back to his card form. “Height is currently at 12 inc-”

Haiko ignores the sentient Metallic Card. “WHY IS MY FACE SO ROUND, WHY AM I SO SQUISHY, AND WHAT HAPPENED TO MY HAIR!” he frantically says as he then looks at his hands. Haiko wryly chuckles, “Oh, I don’t even have fingers anymore… just tiny nubs…” he says as he wiggles his arms. Haiko also notices the same situation with his feet and does the same and wiggles his legs.

Haiko blankly smiles as he puts his dainty arms to his side lifelessly. “So, I’m now a shadowy black chibi thing… with no toes or fingers, just… nubs… just, great…” Haiko says to himself monotonously.

Haiko lifelessly jolts, “Ah, I even don’t have any clothes… but that doesn’t seem to matter really…” Haiko says to himself blankly staring at nowhere.

The Card again speaks, “Do not fret, even without any opposable thumbs. You are still able to grab on to anything as though you would normally do” it explains in a robotic voice to Haiko.

Haiko listens to the Card and grabs a fallen leaf near him. Without much reaction, Haiko looks at the leaf he just grabbed, “This feels like my hands just turned into some sort of magnets…” as he says he tries wiggling the leaf to test whether or not he’s actually holding on to it.

Haiko drops the leaf as he felt satisfied. He then looks at the floating metallic Card in front of him. “So… what exactly am I?” he asks the Card.

The Card then prompts to Haiko his Bio;

Haiko looks with curiosity at the prompt, he grimaces in seeing his name. “Zero? Really…” he sighs. “Can’t I change that to something else?” Haiko asks the Card.

The Card replied with a monotonous sounding robotic voice. “Ability to change ZERO’s name is not granted to you. The option to change what I call you is granted”

Haiko sighs, “Fine, I’ll take what I can get… Call me Haiko then” Haiko says to the Card dejectedly.

The Card replies, “Acknowledge, ZERO is now to be addressed as HAIKO”

Haiko nods and then continues to look at the prompt, “What’s this about first form and second form?”

The Card then explains, “Given ability by the Overseer to be able to shift between two forms. Would you like to change forms?” the Card monotonously asks.

Haiko ponders, “What’s the difference between the two forms?” he curiously asks the Card.

The Card then changes the prompt, “The difference is as follows,” it then begins to say what’s written in its prompt;

Haiko listens carefully as the Card finishes its explanation. As it finishes it asks, “Would Haiko like to change forms?” with its monotonous robotic voice.

Haiko sighs and shrugs, “Can’t see why not!” as he then gives the Card a thumbs up. To his surprise, his nubs molded into a thumbs up, “Oh! So, they’re like clay…” he says as he plays with morphing his nubs.

The Card then ends its prompt and returns to its original form. “Proceeding to change forms…” as it says, Haiko begins to glow white and morph into a larger stature.

As Haiko stops glowing he now sees that he has grown into a much taller form. “Umm, now what exactly am I in this form?” he asks the Card.

“Current form is classified to be as a SHADOW. Differentiation from a normal shadow is with the abilities Haiko has” The Card explains monotonously.

Haiko looks at himself and looks down to his feet, touching his face all over. “I’m still naked, but apparently that again doesn’t matter. And I’m still technically bald, and look like Overseer Fedo Jii-san in this form. Just without the star-like light swirling all over me” he says as he finishes looking at himself.

Haiko looks at the Card floating in front of him, “So what’s the point of having two forms?” he asks the card sternly.

The Card replied along with a visual prompt of what he says, “The Overseer has given these abilities as to match Haiko’s personality to adapt to most situations. The first form is for the ability to appeal to others, without causing worry and matches with the charade of maintaining full strength.” The Card projects the first form of Haiko, as it’s being shown as a cuddly but powerful form.

The Card then changes its visuals to Haiko’s second form. “The Second Form is made as a form meant for mobility and as a means to aid in cases wherein the First Form is unable to provide” the Card projects the second form holding weapons and using things with its hands. “The instance of Haiko being similar to a Shadow is coincidental as the Overseer only wanted a body that he says would match your neutral personality” it monotonously explains.

As the Card finishes its explanation, Haiko nods, and sighs. “I get it, so tiny form for appealing and shadow form for things needing dexterity…” Haiko ponders, “So, I’ll just stay in second form then considering it has more ups with being able to move around!” Haiko says happily as he stretches his arms and legs.

The Card interjects Haiko, “Would not recommend, as the Second Form is classified as a SHADOW in which most of the races would deem to avoid any contact with. Hence the first form is made to counter that as to look more approachable” It again monotonously explains to Haiko.

Haiko thinks as he scratches his chin, “Alright, how about this. I stick with my Second Form if no one’s around to notice. And change to my tiny form when there are people around, or should I need to hide from something” Haiko suggests and shrugs at the end.

“Acknowledge” the Card replies.

Haiko then smirks as he thinks of something, “Rather than walking out in the open. I could just get a disguise for my shadow form, right?” Haiko suggests happily. “I mean its better than letting myself get attacked outright!” Haiko chuckles.

The Card simply prompts in reply, “¯\_(─_─)_/¯”

Haiko smiles and looks forward, “Then let’s get moving! A new world, a new adventure, and all new possibilities for us to see!” Haiko excitedly says as he begins walking while the Card floats by his side.

* * * * * * * * *

As Haiko makes his way through the forest, he sees the new wonders of the world he’s in.

Haiko looks with childish delight as he sees the numerous types of different birds, bugs, and other four-legged animals and critters he can see moving about the forest. He sees some glow, he sees some float, and others look like a mix of different species that existed in his world.

Haiko childishly laughs in joy, “Gotta admit, this is nice so far! It’s nice to see some species made it here as well!” Haiko says as he sees a butterfly fly by as he continues to walk.

“Every world exists in conjunction with others. Some things may have originally existed here but have crossed over to another, which happens regularly” The Card explains as it looks at bugs climbing a tree.

Haiko smiles, “So the whole multi-verse thing is real?” Haiko says excitedly.

The Card pauses for a moment before answering, “The existence of Reality is limited only by the minds of those that can create it. Therefore, I cannot say for certain whether it is right or wrong, as reality is often what people make of it”

Haiko chuckles, “I’ll just take that as a maybe then…” he says with a shrug.

Walking a bit more, Haiko sees a beautiful glowing flower. Haiko stops and looks closer at it. “What’s this glowy flower?” Haiko asks being mesmerized by the flower’s beauty.

To Haiko’s short surprise, the Card scans the flower. The Card then prompts and shows a data scan of it. “SILFEIN, an uncommon type of healing plant that is used commonly for severe ailments or injuries thanks to its relaxing effect. In some cases, it may be used as a type of sedative” The card explains as it prompts.

Haiko nods and was about to comment on what the Card said. But he was cut off as the Card continues and prompted something different. “NEW ABILITY LEARNED: [HEAL]” the card says at it prompts.

Haiko looks in awe as to what he hears and sees. “Ooh! What’s this RPG like thing you’re doing!” Haiko asks excitedly as he grabs the prompt.

The Card reverts to its normal form to escape Eiziest’s grip. “One of your natural abilities is to acquire new abilities from things that you discover, learn, or absorb into yourself. This was given as from a bonus to your previous life’s capabilities” The Card explains to Haiko monotonously with its slightly irritated robotic voice.

Haiko ponders, “I see… Something like an NG+ skill bonus, huh…” Haiko sighs. “I’m usually the type who plays fairly, but…” Haiko grins, “Reality is funnier than fiction!! Go my floating wild card friend and scan everything!” as Haiko says he and his floating Card continued to scan anything that piqued Haiko’s interest.

* * * * * * * * *

As night begins to arrive, Haiko has set up a small camp next to a thick tree. As he lights up his campfire by using some dried leaves and sticks.

Haiko sits down on the ground, looking very much satisfied. “So, let’s see what we got!” Haiko smiles as the Card pops out of Haiko.

The Card then begins to prompt all the new skills and abilities Haiko has acquired;

Haiko leans closer as he reads, “Not bad!” he nods. “But not much for offensive abilities… I swear we scanned some vicious looking plants, didn’t we?” Haiko asks curiously to the Card.

“That plant you speak of would be CHROMIEL. It is a special plant that changes its element to survive mostly anywhere. The ability you’ve gained from it is ELEMENTAL TOUCH” The Card highlights the ability in its prompt.

The Card’s prompt then changes into a visual explanation of the ability. “This is an ability when used can make your touch be imbued with a specific element should you know it. Currently, you have ACID, and POISON as your options” The Card explains neatly.

Haiko smiles in excitement but quickly changes into a blank smile. “So… how do I use any this exactly?” Haiko asks with a wry chuckle.

“It all in the mind. Think of the ability you would want to use and if it matches any of your existing ones. Then it should activate as normal” The Card says while using some visual aids in its prompt.

Haiko looks at his right hand and concentrates, a second later it begins to glow. “Woah!”

“You’ve activated heal” The Card says as it turns back to its card form.

Haiko then plays around for a bit with his new abilities, using a fallen leaf as a test subject. Using ACID to break it down and HEAL to bring it back to its bright green self.

After a while, Haiko’s stomach begins to grumble. Haiko pats his belly as he stands up and begins looking for something to eat.

/=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/ /=/

The moon has just shown itself, as Haiko sits on the floor as he looks at the things he gathered.

Haiko sighs, “How come none of these is none poisonous!” Haiko says as he picks up what looks to be a bundle of black berries. “You sure I can eat this even though; you SPECIFICALLY said this thing can kill up to how many adults?” Haiko asks nervously at the floating Card.

“For humans, about four. But as I said, you aren’t a human anymore” The Card explains bluntly.

Haiko wryly chuckles, “Yeah, I know, but there’s still a chance, right?”

“Added with your ability of both TOXIC INDIGESTION and MATTER INDIGESTION. You can eat possibly anything. Something as simple as these poisonous berries would do nothing to you. If anything, these would only cause some drowsiness as it is there natural harmless effects” The Card bluntly says.

Haiko sighs, “Alright… If I die, I’ll ask the Overseer to change you to something else the next time I wake up!” Haiko jokingly says as he puts one black berry into his mouth.

Haiko meekly chuckles as he continues to eat the rest of the berries. “This tastes like nothing… a bit bitter, but taste like nothing…” Haiko dejectedly says as he continues to eat.

Haiko then tries to mix and match his gathered poisonous berries and tries cooking them over the flame, as he thinks it could add some flavor into them. But to his dismay, all turn out the same tasteless thing they started to begin with, while some just ended up being more chewy or crunchy.

* * * * * * * * *

Haiko is about to finish the last bundles of berries he has. “You know, these aren’t as bad. I mean they taste like nothing, but they feel nice to chew on!” Haiko happily says as he throws a berry in his mouth.

As Haiko yawns, he suddenly hears something scuttering around him. Haiko pops all the remaining berries in his mouth. As he stands and tries to see what’s out there.

Haiko swallows the berries in his mouth before speaking, “Buddy you see anything?” Haiko asks his Card companion while he readies a fighting pose.

“Unable to scan subject, line of sight obscured” The card says to Haiko as it scans the area.

Haiko readies himself as he sharply looks and listens to his surroundings. All around Haiko he can hear the rustling of leaves getting closer and closer. Haiko remains calm and quiet as anticipates an attack.

A moment later a reptilian looking large snake lunges out of the darkness aiming at Haiko. Haiko dodges and grabs the creature by the tail and slams it onto the campfire which knocks it out.

The Card quickly scans the creature, as Haiko takes it out. “Creature identified: VALQUIS, known as a violent serpent that commonly attacks anything, they see that is not of there specie. Has keen senses, sharp eyes, and able to move at incredible speeds” the Card quickly says to Haiko.

As the Card explains, Eiziest is surprised to see as his hands turn into some sort of black oozing matter and quickly absorbs the Valquis. “What just happened?!” Haiko asks but his question remains unanswered as in no time the other Valquis begin attacking.

The Card quickly goes back inside Haiko. As Haiko defends against the attacking creatures. “New Abilities acquired: HYPER SENSE and LIFE VISION” the card quickly states inside Haiko.

Haiko notices his sight change, “Woah! Heat Vision, I like it!” Haiko excitedly says as he smirks and readies his stance.

In unison, each of the other Valquis lunges towards Haiko. Haiko clicks his tongue, as he dodges. The last Valquis that lunges at him, he grabs its tail and he then uses that Valquis as a weapon against the others.

As Haiko knocks out the last of the Valquis, he throws the one he’s been using as a weapon to the ground and sighs. But before he could take a break, the voice of the Card speaks in Haiko’s head. “One more approaching” the Card says inside Haiko.

Haiko readies his stance, he clenches his hands into fists. As he hears its steps being larger than the ones he just fought. “This one’s a big one!” Haiko says with a smirk as the large creature looms out of the shadows and into the moonlight.

The creature shows itself as a very large reptilian, similar to an alligator. With its entire body covered in thick scales and all along his tail are pointy looking scally spikes.

The Card comes out of Haiko briefly to scan the creature. “Identified creature; EVAVALQUIS, pack leader of a Valquis group. has extremely tough scales that can regenerate if damaged, at the end of its tail contains spikes that it can launch at its targets” the Card quickly explains as it returns into Haiko as the creature roars.

Haiko smirks, “If it regens, then I just need to deal constant damage…” Haiko says to himself as he arms both his hands with ACID.

Haiko then poses and gest to the Evavalquis to come at him, “Don’t be shy, come here Lizzie!” Haiko yells teasingly at the creature.

The Evavalquis charges at Haiko with its mouth open, aiming to bite him. Haiko smirks as he dodges by jumping up and using the creature’s mouth to boost him up and over to its back.

Haiko uses his acidic hands to bury his dissolve into the Evavalquis scales. Giving him some hold onto the creatures back, as the creature tries to get Haiko off by moving erratically and wildly.

Haiko laughs as he enjoys the ride, “Yeepy-Ka-Yay you overused pincushion!” Haiko joyfully yells as he also punches the creature with his right hand as he holds onto it with the other.

The Evavalquis seemingly stops, “Ride’s over big guy?” Haiko jokingly says. But quickly jumps off the Evavalquis back as he senses its tail launch spikes at him.

Haiko laughs as he lands on the ground, “Almost forgot about the tail!”

The Evavalquis then furiously roars at Haiko, mindlessly and violently using its tail to launch a barrage of spikes at him.

Haiko moves around to dodge the spikes, “Hey buddy, can I pass on my elemental effects onto things?!” Haiko quickly asks as he continues to dodge the spikes and the Evavalquis constant charge attacks.

As the Evavalquis charge and miss Haiko, cutting down a tree in the process. The Card replies, “Affirmative”

Haiko smiles as he kicks back the Evavalquis, giving him and it some space. Haiko grins, “Good, then its time to end this rabid pincushion!” as Haiko says the creature launches another barrage of spikes.

Instead of moving out of the way, Haiko stands his ground and dodges most of the spikes but grabs one mid-air.

Haiko then goes on the offensive and charges towards the Evavalquis. Using the spike, he grabbed to deflect the spikes launched at him.

As Haiko comes closer to the Evavalquis, the creature tries to bite him. But Haiko simply slams the thick end of the spike his holding onto its face. Stunning it and giving Haiko time to jump on its head.

Haiko imbues the spike his holding with acid, as he plunges the spike onto the Evavalquis head. The Evavalquis roars in pain before dying completely.

Haiko jumps off the creature and sighs, “And that’s that!” Haiko tiredly says as he lets, his body drop and lean on the dead creature.

The Card pops out of Haiko as he sleeps, “Sleep inducing after effects” the card says as he looks at Haiko snoring.