Chapter 7: Chaotic Heartbeat
> Seven days. That was the time Gwydox needed to recover. But to Zaphro, every hour felt like a countdown he didn't want to reach.
After logging out, Zaphro barely slept. The image of Gwydox collapsing in his arms haunted his thoughts. Even as he reminded himself that it was just a game—just data—he couldn't ignore the gnawing worry in his chest. Gwydox wasn't just code anymore. He was… family.
Day 1 - Online
Back in Hell Village, the party regrouped in the newly repaired Black Ember Inn. Shion was resting on one of the couches, while Ayana, Slicer, and Accel sat around the main table. Everyone had respawned and recovered—everyone except Gwydox.
Zaphro remained quiet, sitting at the corner, staring at the dark cube in his inventory.
Chaotic Box (Unidentified)
An item containing an unknown forbidden relic. Opening it may invoke unpredictable consequences. Requires Class Authority: Chaotic, Arcane, or Dark Angel.
He exhaled deeply. "I have access."
The others turned toward him.
"Access to what?" Accel asked.
Zaphro summoned the Chaotic Box, and its sinister aura filled the room in an instant. The temperature dropped. The lights flickered.
"This was Amana's core… but it's more than that," Zaphro muttered. "I think it's tied to the Crimson Order."
Slicer frowned. "Why would a Goddess-class AI drop something from them?"
"Unless she wasn't fully herself," Ayana suggested. "Maybe she was… overwritten."
Zaphro nodded. "Only one way to find out."
He placed the cube on the table.
> [System Prompt: Do you wish to open the Chaotic Box? Warning: Unstable energy detected. Proceeding will trigger a location-wide event.]
"Let's go outside," he muttered. The team agreed.
They stepped into the icy courtyard just outside the village gates. With a deep breath, Zaphro confirmed.
> [Chaotic Box - OPENING…]
The cube pulsed and unfolded like a blooming lotus of black steel. Inside was a glowing red orb, swirling with crimson mist.
> [Item Acquired: Chaotic Core - Type: Soul Fragment.]
Description: A remnant of a corrupted AI essence. Requires attunement. Compatibility: High - Dark Angel Class detected.]
Suddenly, a wave of darkness rippled through the air.
> [WARNING: Anomaly Detected. Animus Integrity at Risk.]
Zaphro's body was yanked backward by a force he couldn't see. The core hovered toward him, vibrating violently—until something else stopped it.
A translucent barrier appeared—Gwydox's sigil.
Though deactivated, a faint remnant of Gwydox's energy flared up, halting the core's advance.
"What the—? He's unconscious. How is this possible?" Zaphro blinked.
> [Soul Guardian Protocol: Triggered. Gwydox - Animus Grade: Elite. Integrity Interference Blocked.]
Ayana stepped forward. "His bond with you… it's stronger than we thought."
Zaphro looked at the hovering core and then at the lingering shimmer of Gwydox's shield. "He protected me even while offline…"
> [New Quest Triggered: "Echoes of the Forbidden Core"]
- Objective: Investigate the origins of the Chaotic Core.
- Bonus Objective: Restore Gwydox using the core's alternate function.
"What? Restore Gwydox?" Slicer stepped closer. "It can heal him?"
Zaphro checked the detailed info.
> [Hidden Function Detected: Chaotic Core contains fragmented AI healing protocol. Risk of corruption: 37%.]
Accel gulped. "You're not seriously thinking of using that thing… on Gwydox, right?"
"I'd rather take the risk than wait and do nothing," Zaphro whispered. "But not yet… Not until I learn more."
He tapped the core and stored it back in his inventory.
Later that night, Zaphro visited the Hell Village temple. Alone. He summoned Gwydox's status panel and watched the static, unchanging bar.
Animus: Gwydox
Status: Deactivated (Resting) — HP: 1/HP max
Recovery Time Remaining: 6 days 12 hours
Override Available: Chaotic Core Integration (High Risk)
He kneeled.
"I'll get stronger. I'll make sure next time, you won't have to protect me at the cost of yourself."
The flame torches flickered in the cold wind.
"And when you wake up… I'll have answers."