Arknights| The Gunpowder Gunslinger and Chernobog

Chapter 3: Ideology

August 15, 1094

I slowly open my eyes expecting to see the mattress of the infirmary bed. However, I was met by something completely different, a black abyss. I laid in it completely void of the feeling of solid ground or even the concept of outer matter. Standing up, the invisible floor held as I jumped up and down. It was a solid floor, but completely see-through.

Where the hell am I?

I turn around to walk the other way, but I stop as I see an identical image of myself walking toward me. I braced myself for the worst but then the copycat started talking.

??: "It seems you have finally made it here. Been a while since I had a chat."

I hear English for the first time in a while. The foreign Russian of Ursus had been a skill of my new body one I couldn't use now for some reason.

Parabellum: "To?"

??: "Your mind, the gateway to me and you. I'm surprised you know Victorian."

I ignore his calling of English as "Victorian" and pursue my quest for answers.

Parabellum: "And you are?"

??: "The person who powers your arts unit."

Parabellum: "You power my arts unit? Yeah, that doesn't make any sense mate."

??: "Says the outer world being with a few days of orginium studies."

I stared at him as I realized what he said. I feel the shock crawl through my body.

Parabellum: "H-How-"

??: "I get that arts in general is a fascinating thing to someone like you, but let me make it clear I am inhabiting that book you picked up."

Parabellum: "You could have went on and not told me a thing. Why even talk to me."

??: "I have done that for many years within the country of Yan. Till of course that Reunion member brought me down here. My mission has always been the research of this world's powers, seeing you makes this an opportunity to capitalize."

Parabellum: "Capitalize on what? I have no connection to my technology. The only thing I got is vague knowledge."

??: "Knowledge is a connection to share that technology. The material world is only something you influence in. The ability of a mind from a completely different background to do something people here think is completely discovered produces amazing results. Weapons, vehicles, arts, and tactics are all in your grasp and I want to research it all."

Parabellum: "What do I get? I ain't some lab rat."

??: "Power that no one on this planet can fathom. Skills that will both advance me and you."

Parabellum: "I ain't some power-hungry protagonist in a novel. I just want to help my people and family. Nothing my fists can handle."

??: "Violence to end violence. The irony bleeds like an open wound. Just remember I'm here and waiting. I got all the time in the world."

Suddenly, I felt tired and my eyes felt heavy and were forcefully shut. When I open them once more, I feel the softness of a futon and pillow.