96-100

Chapter 96: Back Home

"Brother!" Henry shouted as he ran towards Aron, who had just stepped out of his car.

Aron caught Henry mid-air, embracing him like a basketball, before setting him down and giving him a warm hug.

After he entered the house, his mother greeted him with a warm welcome, saying "Welcome back!"

"Thank you. How have you been?" Aron asked, settling into a seat in the living room as he continued his conversation with his mother.

"Not much has changed since you left. So, how was your trip to Europe?" his mother inquired.

"It was quite good. I think you should go on a trip with father. I don't recall seeing you two go on a vacation since my childhood," Aron suggested, encouraging his mother to take some vacation.

"During your childhood, we couldn't go because we couldn't afford it," his mother replied, her face reflecting the hardships of that period.

"But now there is no such problem," Aron affirmed, determined to help his parents live their lives without any regrets and to encourage them to do what they truly desired.

"What about Henry?" his mother inquired, revealing her hesitation to go on a trip without him.

"You can simply ask for permission from his school, and if they don't agree, I can take care of him for the two weeks you'll be on vacation," Aron suggested, offering a solution to his mother's concern.

"I'll talk to your father and let you know what we decide," his mother replied with a smile on her face. She was pleased that her son had not forgotten about them and still wanted them to enjoy a good life, despite his newfound wealth.

"In that case, I'll spend some time with Henry, as it's been a while since we've played together," Aron said, and after his mother nodded he got up and headed towards his room.

He was sure that Henry was there as his play station was still inside his mother's room, as he was caught playing in the middle of the night once again.

Upon entering the room, Aron found Henry playing FIFA 2014. He quickly grabbed the second controller and sat beside him, saying, "Let's see if you've improved while I was away."

"What will I get if I win?" Henry asked, his face displaying confidence in his imminent victory.

"What do you want?" Aron replied with a grin.

"I want to go to Disneyland again," Henry declared.

"But you have to win first," Aron replied, turning his attention back to the screen and selecting his team as they restarted the game.

Henry wasted no time and selected his team, and they began the playoffs. He leaned forward, showing his intense concentration and determination.

Aron couldn't help but smile as he watched his little brother's focus. However, he quickly returned his attention to the screen, not wanting to get distracted from the game.

...…

That night.

After playing games with Henry for over three hours and winning the shit out of it, Aron finally retreated to his basement, which also doubled as his workspace. Henry, who was upset over losing, ate his dinner silently, trying to act as if he didn't want to talk to Aron.

He only managed to soothe Henry after he promised to take him to Disneyland, which caused Henry's upset act to disappear like a mirage.

[If you were going to agree to take him anyway, why did you continue to win the game then?] Nova asked.

With a mischievous grin, Aron replied, "It's more fun to play that way." He chuckled as he recalled Henry's expression during the game. "And what are siblings for if not to tease and have a little fun with?" he added, before breaking into laughter.

[What do you plan to do tonight?] Nova asked, realizing that Aron didn't have any specific plans from her memory.

"I have to increase the speed of brain data collection, but I'm really tired of traveling across the world to do it myself.

So, I need to find someone to help me with this task, and I'm here to do the research and select the team for it." Aron explained as he put on his virtual reality helmet and logged in.

Inside the Universal Simulation.

Aron greeted Nova and then immediately took a seat that she had materialized for him after he logged in.

[Are you officially starting to assemble your private forces?] Nova asked excitedly.

"Yeah, since the plan in Eden is already in its second phase, we have less than six months to complete the third phase once the second phase is done. That means I have less than ten months to assemble my forces and make them powerful enough to handle the upcoming tumultuous conditions," Aron explained.

[The time frame is adequate to build a strong organization, but it would be more effective if we don't start from scratch,]

"I know, that's why I'm going for the people that no one would think of using," Aron said with a smile that revealed he was planning something devious.

He immediately turned to Nova and said "List all of the American soldiers who were discharged from the military due to heavy injuries in the last 10 years?"

Nova followed Aron's command and projected a holographic screen in front of him, displaying a list of all the American soldiers who had been discharged from the military due to severe injuries. The list contained over 50,000 people.

After a brief glance at the list, he said, "Remove all those who have no extensive combat experience."

Nova quickly removed the names of those who had no combat experience, causing the list to shrink down to less than 20,000.

Following another short look he said, "remove those who have family members to take care of them."

And just like that the list was narrowed down to about 4,000 people.

"Remove those who have not received special forces training"

The list fell down to 1,400 people.

"Remove those that are still loyal to the country"

This time, it took Nova a little longer as she had to comb through the remaining people's entire digital history to determine whether they met Aron's criteria.

After a thorough investigation, Nova narrowed down the list to a mere 380 individuals. These unfortunate individuals had suffered war injuries, had no one to care for them, and possessed special forces skills that they were unable to utilize due to their injuries.

However, the most significant common factor amongst them was their lack of loyalty toward their country.

They harbored resentments towards the Veterans Affairs and other government services for mistreatment, as well as towards their military leaders for giving foolish orders that resulted in their injuries and the shifting of blame to them, resulting in the loss of their rightful disability compensation.

"How many of them do you think will accept my offer and pledge their allegiance to me if I offer to treat their conditions and restore them to their peak?"

[More than seventy percent of them] Nova replied.

"Just that much? I thought it would be higher." Aron asked in surprise.

[Quite a few of the individuals on the list are contemplating suicide and might take their own lives in the next three months if nothing changes for them.] Nova explained in a cold and detached tone.

To Nova, anything that was not related to her master or deemed important by her master was just a collection of data points or data sets in her database. She had no emotional attachment or significance to them.

"How many of them are in the state?" he asked, disregarding Nova's unfeeling tone as he was familiar with her programming and understood why she behaved that way.

[Seventeen, Sir] Nova answered while displaying a holographic map of New York state that showed where the individuals in question resided.

"Oh, a few of them are located about 30 kilometers from here," Aron said as he zoomed in on the map to locate the nearest individual.

After examining the satellite images of the location of the person closest to his own, Aron commented, "It seems like he's living a very harsh life."

Nova revealed, [He is one of the individuals I suspect may resort to suicide. Presently, he is barely holding on by using powerful painkillers to which he is addicted. However, it won't be long before he runs out of money to purchase them, and that's when he may take the fatal step.]

"Can't he just beg for the medicines?" Aron said not connecting how will someone kill himself when he can just steal or beg for them?

[According to his records, it shows that he has a very high self-esteem and he can't bring himself to ask for help despite his worsening situation,] Nova explained while presenting the report on the man.

"That will make it easier for me to persuade him using his self-esteem. All I have to do is promise to give him his previous body back and he will be loyal," Aron replied after reviewing the man's history.

Chapter 97: At The Edge Of A Cliff

Within the solemn confines of the military courtroom, an atmosphere thick with tension engulfed the air, saturating every nook and cranny and casting an ominous shadow upon the faces of the gathered spectators.

The culmination of the proceedings had arrived, and the destiny of a courageous soldier, whose life had precariously teetered on the edge of judgment, now lay in the hands of the presiding judge.

General Robert Sinclair, a figure of distinction adorned with graying temples and eyes that bore the weight of his responsibilities, sat upright behind the elevated bench.

His gaze, a fusion of resolute determination and a profound commitment to justice, swept across the room, commanding attention from every individual in its path.

The time had come for the judge's final pronouncements and the delivery of the verdict, a moment that held the collective breath of all present in suspense.

Without hesitation, he commenced the delivery of his verdict. "Throughout the course of the proceedings, it has become abundantly clear that you knowingly disobeyed the direct orders issued by Central Command. This decision, unfortunately, resulted in the catastrophic outcome that we are currently facing.

In light of these circumstances, this court-martial has reached a verdict of guilt on the charges brought against you. The repercussions of your actions are undeniably severe, as the loss of life is an irreparable tragedy that not only affects your fallen comrades but also deeply impacts their families and our entire nation.

While acknowledging the significant injuries you sustained while dutifully serving our country, this court recognizes the sacrifices you have made. We understand that you have endured physical and emotional hardships.

As a result, we have decided to show some leniency by reducing your sentence to two years of probation instead of imprisonment.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the grave breach of trust that occurred in this situation. As members of our armed forces, it is expected that we all adhere to the established chain of command and uphold the orders issued by our superiors.

By willfully disobeying these orders, the consequences were dire, and we cannot overlook this fact. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I must also pronounce your dishonorable discharge from the military.

This dishonorable discharge carries significant consequences. You will be stripped of all VA injury compensation, including your retirement fund, as these benefits are reserved for those who faithfully fulfill their duties until the end.

The decision to revoke these privileges is not taken lightly, but it is an unavoidable outcome of your actions.

John Smith, as I deliver this sentence, I urge you to deeply reflect upon the events that have led us to this moment. It is my sincere hope that you fully comprehend the gravity of your choices and, in due course, find a path toward redemption and healing."

As the judge concluded his verdict, he firmly grasped the gavel, its weight descending with force upon the unyielding gravel, resounding through the courtroom.

"TANG"

The resounding echo of the initial gavel strike filled the courtroom, symbolizing the profound weight of the judgment that had just been pronounced.

"TANG"

With the second resounding thud, the fate of all those present was sealed, leaving behind a somber reminder of the irreversible consequences that awaited them.

"TANGGG"

"AAAAAH!" John Smith was abruptly awakened from his dream, startled by the reverberating sound of the third strike of the hammer resonating through the courtroom's gavel.

His chest heaved, rising and falling with each strained breath, serving as a visible testament to the weight he bore. Within the boundaries of his sleep, haunting recollections of the death of his team members, betrayal of his country and anguish resurfaced, fueled by the unrelenting grasp of post-traumatic stress disorder.

It served as a cruel reminder of that fateful day when the nation he had bravely fought for, the very nation that had inflicted profound wounds upon his being, chose to abandon him in turn.

After taking a few moments to regain composure, he mustered the strength to extricate himself from the comfort of his bed.

Engaging in a fleeting struggle with his own body, he wrestled with the task of standing tall. His one leg, blessed with unrestricted mobility, dutifully obeyed his commands. However, the other leg bore the enduring marks of nerve damage inflicted by a ruthless explosion during a treacherous mission. Its movement restricted, it remained a perpetual reminder of the sacrifices he had selflessly made in the line of duty.

With a determined stride, he made his way to the kitchen, dragging his impaired leg behind him. Upon reaching his destination, he endeavored to open the refrigerator, relying solely on the grip of his lone hand.

Retrieving a bottle of water, he painstakingly made his way to the couch in the living room, lowering himself onto the seat. With a sigh, he switched on the television, intending to spend the remainder of the night there, well aware that sleep would elude him after the haunting remnants of his dream.

Despite the television blaring in the background and his eyes seemingly fixed upon the screen, it was evident that his mind wandered far from the images that danced before him.

Lost in the labyrinth of his own thoughts, he remained physically present but emotionally distant, as if existing in a realm beyond the confines of the living room.

His mind wandered, reflecting on the circumstances that had led him to his current state: a dishonorably discharged soldier, both physically and metaphorically, standing on his last leg.

Usually, he possessed the capacity to calm his own mind and suppress the resurgence of these agonizing memories.

However, today unfolded as a different tale, for he found himself besieged by haunting visions. The faces of his fallen comrades from the ill-fated mission materialized before him, intermingled with the countenances of their grieving family members who held him responsible for their tragic demise.

To compound his torment, the visage of the general who had orchestrated his downfall to protect his own reputation appeared, wearing a wicked smile and taunting him with malicious intent.

Each memory, like a serrated blade, ruthlessly cut into his very essence, amplifying the excruciating anguish that lay dormant within. Tears welled up, streaming down his cheeks in a torrential cascade, their silent descent conveying a profound sorrow that inundated his fragile and vulnerable state of being.

Overwhelmed by the weight of his emotions, he found himself standing on the brink of despair, teetering perilously on the edge of a cliff.

He mustered the strength to rise from his seat, reaching out to grasp the bottle of painkillers resting on the table. Desperate to bury the agony he felt and save himself from the cliff, he sought solace in the numbing relief they offered.

Upon opening the bottle, he discovered its emptiness, serving as a stark reminder that he had exhausted his supply of pills and lacked the means to replenish them. Overwhelmed by frustration and unable to contain his emotions, he flung the bottle across the room in a fit of anger.

After enduring the torment for over 20 minutes, he reached his breaking point, unable to bear the pain and the push any longer. Desperation consumed him as he slid his hands into the crevice where the sofa's seat cushions met the armrest, extracting a concealed gun that had been stashed there.

Caressing the cold, unforgiving steel of the Heckler and Koch Mark 23 SOCOM in his hands, he found himself caught in a treacherous moment of contemplation.

Time seemed to stand still as he weighed the weighty decision that lay before him. The pain, an unwelcome companion, persistently gnawed at the fringes of his thoughts, a constant reminder of the anguish that enveloped his existence.

After a mere few minutes, he loaded a bullet into the firing chamber, raising the gun to his head. With closed eyes, he sought to gather the courage needed for what lay ahead.

As he took a deep breath, he began to pull the trigger slowly, allowing his mind a moment to surrender at any given instant.

Just as he was about to pull the trigger and end his life, a voice pierced the silence of the room, asking him a poignant question, "Are you truly going to proceed with that?"

John Smith was overcome with fear, startled to the core by the sudden appearance of the man. Reacting impulsively and without hesitation, he instinctively opened fire, unleashing a barrage of bullets at the unexpected intruder.

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG.

He emptied his entire ammunition onto the man before finally turning his gaze upon him once more.

"Are you finished?" the man uttered, inducing a near-collapse in John's trembling form. The realization dawned upon him that he had discharged every bullet from his gun at a close range that could be deemed point-blank, and yet the man sat there unharmed, seemingly unaffected by the barrage.

"Who are you?" John asked, his voice trembling with a mixture of shock and fear.

John's mind was in a state of contemplation and wonder, questioning whether he was immersed in the afterlife or if he was experiencing an exceptionally potent moment of clarity due to stress reaching a breaking point or if the veil had been lifted allowing him to perceive the unseen.

Chapter 98: Whispers Of Hope

Aron pulled up his car, parking it approximately one kilometer away from John's residence. He switched off the engine, retrieved the key, and stepped out of the vehicle. With fast strides, he began his journey on foot towards John's house.

When he was approximately three hundred meters away from the house, he carefully assessed his surroundings. Assured that there were no individuals nearby, he immediately activated the concealment rune. Instantaneously, he vanished from the sight of any potential onlookers or observing entities.

Upon reaching the house, Aron meticulously searched for a quiet entry point. He carefully surveyed the premises, quickly spotting an unlocked window that had been closed but not secured. With a gentle push, he gradually opened the window and silently slipped inside the house, skillfully maneuvering his way through.

Upon entering, Aron discovered John sitting on the spacious sofa, his face revealing signs of having just awakened from a distressing dream. Aron noticed John's immediate action of powering on the television, as if seeking solace or distraction from the unsettling experience.

Aron decided to settle into a single-seater sofa, curious to observe the unfolding events in the coming minutes. He positioned himself comfortably, anticipating what would transpire in the immediate future.

Aron remained seated, his gaze fixed on John as tears welled up and streamed down his cheeks. He witnessed John's desperate actions, watching as he reached for the painkiller medicine on the table, only to discover it was empty. Frustration mingled with anger, evident in John's attempt to contain his emotions, which ultimately failed. In a fit of rage, he flung the empty bottle across the room. Aron continued to observe, his heart heavy, as John grappled with profound thoughts about life.

To Aron's surprise, he witnessed John's hands slipping into the crevice where the seat cushions met the armrest of the sofa. As John retrieved a hidden gun, his touch caressed its cold surface while he contemplated his next course of action. Aron's breath caught in his throat as he observed John, the hesitation etched on his face, raising the gun and placing it against his own head. The weight of the moment hung in the air as John slowly began to pull the trigger.

Aron maintained a vigilant gaze, observing the harrowing scene unfold mere moments before the firing pin would release, sealing John's fate with a bullet through his head.

He immediately deactivated the concealment rune and broke the silence, asking, "Are you truly going to follow through with that?" scaring the shit out of the would have been dead John.

Aron, had to deactivate the concealment rune that had veiled his presence as it was necessary to deactivate the rune to ensure that his voice could be heard, as leaving the rune active would have rendered his words concealed as well.

But his materialization from out of nowhere ended up scaring the shit out john who in return immediately started firing a barrage of bullets to Aron.

"Shield," Aron said, swiftly responding to the sight of John aiming the gun in his direction. He immediately activated the shield rune, infusing it with a surge of magical energy, ensuring that the impending bullets would pose no harm, effectively nullifying their impact.

Aron maintained the shield, until he was certain that John had exhausted the entire magazine of his gun.

...…

As soon as the events unfolded, Nova immediately sprang into action, promptly intercepting all phone calls within a one-kilometer radius. With precision, she filtered through the calls, specifically isolating the emergency phone calls intended for the police. She focused on selecting only those callers who were reporting the shooting incident, leaving out any unrelated calls.

Once Nova completed the isolation process, she took on the role of the original callers, assuming their identities as she continued with the conversation with the emergency services. She then humbly apologized, claiming to have misunderstood the sounds of a neighbor starting their car as gunshots, all in an effort to avoid arousing suspicion within the emergency call center.

By taking this approach, Nova aimed to ensure that these calls would not be abruptly terminated by her interception and raise suspicions.

Meanwhile, for the ones who had initially contacted the emergency services to report the incident, Nova skillfully continued to impersonate an emergency operator. Engaging with them adeptly, she inquired about crucial details such as their location, any sightings of the shooter, and other relevant information.

Nova then advised them to vacate the vicinity or lock their doors, assuring them that the police would be dispatched to investigate the incident.

....

"Who are you?" John asked, his voice trembling with fear as he gazed at Aron, seeking an explanation for the extraordinary turn of events.

"I'm Aron," he introduced himself in response to the question, his voice calm and reassuring. "Someone to help you from your current predicament"

"Where did you come from? You just materialized out of thin air," John asked, his fear still palpable as he tried to comprehend Aron's sudden appearance before him.

"I was here for more than half an hour, you just didn't see me. Like this," Aron answered, and then activated the concealment rune again, immediately disappearing from John's view before reappearing shortly after.

"How can you do that?" John asked, his mind racing as he attempted to comprehend and find a logical explanation for what he had just witnessed.

"A magician never reveals his secrets," Aron replied, a faint smile playing on his lips, maintaining an air of mystery around his abilities.

"So, you're a magician? Was it all just a trick?" John inquired, beginning to calm down as he started to believe that what he witnessed was simply a display of magic. However, before he could fully process his thoughts and question why Aron hadn't succumbed to the barrage of bullets he had fired, Aron preemptively provided an answer.

"Not a magician, per se," Aron clarified, realizing the limitations of using the term as a figure of speech.

"You mentioned that you can help me. How exactly can you do that?" John inquired, his previous concerns fading into the background as his focus shifted to the potential help that Aron had offered.

"I can help you with anything," Aron responded calmly, a warm smile gracing his face, emanating a sense of confidence in his ability to fulfill the promises he made.

"Then can you help me with this?" John asked, striking the leg that suffered from nerve damage, his hand still clutching the empty gun, symbolizing his frustration and the burden he carried.

"Yes, I can even help you with that as well," Aron replied, pointing at his amputated hand.

"What do you want in return? I don't have anything of value with me," John expressed, his mind torn between skepticism and the undeniable evidence of Aron deflecting the bullets fired at him. As he recalled the distorted bullet casings scattered on the ground in front of Aron, some shattered into multiple fragments as if striking a metallic surface, he questioned his initial assumption that they were mere blanks.

With a flicker of hope, John chose to believe that the man could offer him relief from his pain. He didn't even entertain the idea of complete healing, knowing deep down that such a possibility was impossible.

"I want your unwavering loyalty to me," Aron stated calmly, maintaining his composed and steadfast demeanor.

Upon hearing Aron's request for loyalty, John's mind raced with a flurry of thoughts. "What does my loyalty matter in this situation? Could he be after military secrets? But my security clearance must have been revoked long ago, and any vital information I possessed would have been updated. Or perhaps he wants my organs?" John's mind spun with speculative possibilities, grappling with the uncertainty of Aron's intentions.

While John was engrossed in contemplating the underlying motive behind Aron's request for loyalty, Aron chose to give him the space to ponder, refraining from immediately addressing any misunderstandings that might have arisen.

After several minutes of contemplation, John finally found his voice and spoke, "I'm not certain what you stand to gain from my loyalty, but if you can relieve me of this pain, I solemnly swear, in the name of God, that I will break the oath I made to never trust anyone again, following the betrayal I experienced from my own country." His words revealed a profound sense of desperation, as he believed he had already reached the depths of despair, with nothing further to lose.

Upon hearing John's response, Aron's smile widened, exuding a sense of reassurance. "Very well. Now, go to sleep, and when you awaken, everything will be over," Aron said before he moved with remarkable speed, placing his hand on top of John's head while uttering an incantation. "Sleep," he said, activating the sleeping rune in an instant.

"WhAt?" John barely had time to comprehend the words spoken to him before a wave of drowsiness swept over him.

As he struggled to stay awake, the only fragments he could recall were the words "Good," "Sleep," and "Over." With his eyes growing heavy and his consciousness fading, a final thought crossed his mind, "Damn, he must really be after my organs." Succumbing to the overwhelming fatigue, John slipped into a deep slumber, "It doesn't really matter anymore" his mind at rest accepting his fate as this was better than the pain.

Chapter 99: Healing

As John's body began to sag, surrendering to the effects of the rune-induced slumber, Aron swiftly intercepted his fall, gently laying John down on the sofa, ensuring he was in a comfortable position, providing support for his weary frame.

[You seem to be thoroughly enjoying your play as a magician] Nova remarked once she was certain that John had fallen into a deep sleep.

"No, I was merely assessing the extent of his depression," Aron replied, carefully lifting John's leg from the ground and positioning it on the sofa to ensure his comfort.

"You seem to have missed the mark. He ran out of pills today, not within your projected timeline," Aron said, playfully teasing Nova.

[I said within three months, and today falls within that time period, so technically, I am correct,] Nova retorted.

[However, it seems my approximation was off. He must have been using the medication at a higher dosage than previously calculated. Perhaps his body became accustomed to the normal dose, prompting him to consume more and deplete the supply sooner than expected.]

"Regardless, let's get started. It will take me a considerable amount of time to fully heal him using only the basic healing runes," Aron said, preparing himself for the extensive healing process.

With everything in order, Aron extended his hand and confidently uttered, "Heal," activating the healing rune he had diligently practised during his preparations for the brain data collection journey.

It was to serve as a contingency plan in case he unintentionally caused harm to someone during the collection process.

When the rune was activated, a gentle, pulsating golden glow emanated from it, enveloping John's body and starting to heal John's body.

However, a noticeable issue arose—the healing process was incredibly sluggish, to the point where it would be easy to assume that nothing was happening at all.

This was a consequence of utilising a low-level healing rune, which lacked the potency required for swift regeneration for the heavy injuries that John had sustained.

Upon witnessing this, Aron swiftly initiated the reactivation of the identical rune, as there was nothing preventing him from doing so. However, in doing so, he would consume more magical energy to sustain the simultaneous activation of both runes.

Fortunately, when it came to magical energy, Aron possessed an abundance. Thanks to his runic heart, which was fortified by over two hundred billion runic lines, he possessed what could be deemed as boundless mana.

Similar to someone who stumbled upon an infinite glitch, Aron began relentlessly activating one rune after another, maintaining the continuous activation of them for over an hour and a half.

Astonishingly, he managed to activate more than ten runes per second, leading to an astounding accumulation of over 50,000 active healing runes.

Aron's runic heart tirelessly operated, absorbing mana from the atmosphere to replenish the energy that had been expended mere moments ago.

Again and again, he tapped into a tremendous amount of mana to sustain the activation of over 50,000 healing runes, all in an effort to expedite John's body's healing process.

John's physical form had become completely obscured, concealed beneath a radiant golden silhouette.

The glow emanated from the collective healing light emitted by the expansive array of over fifty thousand runes, tirelessly working together to mend and restore his body.

But for those without the ability to perceive magic, a remarkable sight unfolded before their eyes.

The amputated hand could be seen to have begun to regenerate visibly, steadily reclaiming its original form.

The other changes occurred in John's nerve-damaged leg, which had been mere existence due to a lack of funds for amputation.

The damaged nerves within the leg initiated a process of regeneration, intricately reconnecting with the existing nerve network throughout his body.

Subsequently, the muscles in the leg, which had experienced atrophy from disuse, commenced a remarkable regrowth.

This remarkable process persisted for over an hour until the new hand had been fully regenerated and the leg had completely healed, returning to its normal state.

"What do you think would happen if I keep the Runes active even after his wounds have been fully healed?" Aron asked Nova, intrigued by the complete regeneration of both the hand and leg, now restored to their prime condition.

After a brief pause for calculation, Nova responded, [Although I cannot offer an absolute certainty, from my calculations, I believe that no detrimental outcomes or any harm would be experienced by him.]

After hearing her answer Aron said "Then, let's see what will happen," making the choice to persist in keeping the runes active. He was captivated by the possibilities of what they might do now that they had fulfilled their purpose of facilitating healing.

As a consequence of his decision, the runes embarked on the process by infusing vitality into the bones and fortifying them. This fortification persisted until it reached the threshold of the low-level rune's capabilities.

Following the completion of bone reinforcement, the runes shifted their attention towards revitalising and strengthening the organs.

Their restorative influence effectively repaired any potential damage that might have accumulated throughout John's lifetime. This rejuvenation process aimed to restore the organs to their peak condition, facilitating optimal functionality.

Subsequently, the runes turned their focus to the muscles, initiating a healing and strengthening process. Meticulously nurturing the muscles, they unlocked their inherent potential, pushing them to unprecedented levels of strength.

Once all these enhancements were completed, the runes finally directed their attention towards healing the skin, addressing any imperfections and scars that John had endured.

As a result of the comprehensive vitalization and strengthening of every aspect of his body, the 35-year-old man appeared rejuvenated, exhibiting the youthful appearance of an individual in their mid-20s.

Typically, such an outcome was not expected or intended. However, the excessive concentration of runes infused into an ordinary individual led to an unexpected mutation in their function.

"That's enough time for something to have happened to him" Aron said and promptly ended supplying mana to the runes, officially concluding the process two hours before dawn.

"Holy mother!" He exclaimed in astonishment as he laid eyes on John's transformed face, now appearing younger and resembling someone in their mid-20s.

After observing John's now young face with a mixture of surprise and awe, he said, "Now, let's see what other changes happened to you" brimming with excitement and curiosity to see what other changes occurred to the man

Following that, Aron swiftly rose from his seat and retrieved the virtual headset. He then proceeded to place it on John's head before saying, 'Nova, your time to shine."

Nova immediately powered the VR headset and downloaded the brain data of John.

[Done,] Nova informed Aron, indicating that she had finished collecting the brain data.

Aron promptly removed the VR helmet from John and proceeded to cast the cleaning rune on it. After taking a seat, he swiftly put it back on and promptly logged in.

He was not worried about John waking up as he was sure that he would continue sleeping for a few more hours for his brain to get used to the new body. You can think of it as the software upgrading itself to accommodate the upgraded hardware.

Chapter 100 [Bonus ] The Changes And His Backstory

Inside the Universal Simulation.

"What are the other changes that happened to him?" Aron immediately asked after passing through the gate, wanting to know the complete extent of the changes that had taken place within John's body due to the relentless barrage of healing runes he unleashed upon him for hours on end.

[Nearly every aspect,] Nova responded, conjuring a holographic representation of John's physique before delving into a detailed explanation of the remarkable changes.

[In addition to healing and regenerating his limbs, the extended exposure led to meticulous fine-tuning, revitalization, and fortification of his muscles, organs, and bones, pushing them to their absolute limits. In essence, you've transformed him into a super soldier, doubling his strength compared to what it was previously,] Nova elucidated, emphasizing the profound changes that occurred within John's body.

"That's fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!" Aron exclaimed with great excitement upon hearing Nova's detailed explanation.

After reveling in the momentary celebration, Aron posed a question, "Did any mutations occur, similar to what happened to Henry?" He desired to ascertain whether the circumstances that befell his younger brother were potentially replicable in other individuals.

[Unfortunately, no such mutations occurred in John's case,] Nova answered.

"That's a relief," Aron expressed with a sense of reassurance, pleased to learn that John had not experienced any similar mutations.

Nova inquired, "Aren't you supposed to be saddened by the absence of mutations despite the prolonged exposure?" She was curious about the reason behind his sense of relief rather than sorrow.

"It's actually quite the opposite. If everyone underwent mutations simply from being exposed to concentrated mana for a certain duration, it would severely restrict my ability to employ runes in large-scale scenarios, as there would be a constant fear of unexpected mutations occurring," Aron explained, shedding light on his rationale.

"Has there been any change in his mental state? If I have to send him for therapy, it will pose a problem, considering that all the candidates appear to be experiencing some form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)," Aron inquired.

[Due to the enhancements provided by the runes, John's brain has undergone strengthening, enabling it to recover from the emotional damage he had accumulated throughout his life.

When he awakens, all the trauma will appear to him as nothing more than a melancholic past,] Nova explained.

"That's excellent news," Aron replied, his voice carrying a sense of relief.

"So, what is his story?" Aron asked, wanting to know further details of his story beyond what he had read in the profile that Nova had prepared for him.

[There have been no significant deviations, except for the inclusion of additional information that reinforces the details provided in the previous brief.

He served as the esteemed SEAL captain leading a daring captive rescue mission for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl.

The operation was initiated based on compelling intelligence obtained from the army's intelligence wing, which served as the catalyst for their determined pursuit. Upon arriving at the suspected prison's location, they were confronted with a formidable fortress, extensively fortified and guarded.

Faced with the imminent danger to his team, he made the audacious decision to override central command's orders and strategically retreat, intending to ensure the safety of his comrades.

Tragically, during the perilous retreat, one of his team members inadvertently triggered a concealed landmine killing himself and alerting the enemy, the following fight resulting in the devastating loss of the entire team, leaving him as the sole survivor haunted by the burden of survivor's guilt.

In a shocking revelation that surfaced later, it was uncovered that the mission had not received the necessary approvals from the upper echelons of command. Instead, it was a clandestine endeavor orchestrated by the conniving Bagram base commander, motivated by personal ambition and aspirations for promotion.

However, when the operation took an unforeseen turn, with tragic consequences, all blame was unjustly directed towards him and with the commander deleting any and all the evidence leading to him nothing existed that could prove his innocence other than his words.

As a consequence, he faced a court-martial, leading to the forfeiture of all his VA benefits, including healthcare, as well as the termination of all the privileges and benefits associated with his former status as an army member.

However, what truly shattered him was the relentless blame and anger directed at him by the families of his fallen team members, regardless of his attempts to explain the circumstances and share his side of the story.

This ordeal became the catalyst for his haunting nightmares, and in an attempt to escape the memories, he resorted to using the meager savings he had left to purchase sleeping pills and pain-reducing medications.

Unfortunately, this led to a dangerous dependence on narcotics, as he sought to numb himself from the relentless pain.

As you have witnessed, when his supply of narcotics ran out, he made the agonizing decision to bring an end to his suffering in the most drastic and irreversible manner.] Nova explained the new information presenting it alongside the visual footage she had collected from John's memories.

Aron gently wiped away the tears streaming down his cheeks, profoundly affected by John's tragic ordeal and the heartbreaking path he had chosen to cope with his pain. It saddened Aron even more because he could empathize with the depths of despair that led John to such extreme measures.

It served as a stark reminder of how he, too, could have easily succumbed to similar methods had he not received the system and support from his family that helped him navigate through his own challenging circumstances during that period.

After taking a short time to recollect himself, he turned to Nova and said "Send his body to the Lab City and task them with reverse-engineering his physiology to explore the possibility of creating a genetic serum capable of replicating the same results.

This way, we can administer it to the members of my private forces. I can't be expected to always continue pumping magical energy for hours on end just to finish strengthening one person." changing the topic as it was a very painful memory to him despite having overcome the predicament.

[Yes, sir] Nova who was quietly observing Aron throughout the entire ordeal, immediately sent two bodies to the city, One was for the genetic engineering lab, while the other was assigned to the runic genetic engineering lab, having them start their research into reverse engineering and developing a serum capable of creating formidable soldiers.

"How is progress in the Lab City?" Aron inquired after he calmed down further, wanting to receive an update on the developments within the accelerated universal simulation, considering that more than seven days had elapsed in simulation time.

[There have been a few breakthroughs in the White Labs, but no definitive results yet. As for the Golden Labs, they are still undergoing rune training.

With tens of thousands of individuals, each practicing a different rune, once they master it, I assimilate that runic knowledge to all of them, eliminating the need for others to practice the same rune.

It will take a few more weeks for them to complete learning all the beginner-level runes before they can start applying them in their respective fields,] Nova explained, providing an overview of the Lab City's current situation while showcasing live footage of the ongoing activities.

To facilitate clarity regarding the methodologies employed by different labs to achieve specific outcomes, they had opted to designate them with colors.

The White Labs solely rely on technological approaches in their research, while the Golden Labs utilize runes as their primary tools or explore the application of runes within their respective fields.