Gathering Wives

Kein Moretti clutched his head as a sharp pain stabbed through his brain. Memories from the past 21 years flooded his mind—his childhood as Jiang Han, the brutal life he endured, his struggle for survival, and finally… his tragic death.

He staggered, collapsing to his knees on the cold wooden floor.

"AAARRRGHHH!!!"

His agonized scream echoed through the empty apartment. Sweat dripped from his temples, his breathing ragged, while the chaotic memories continued to assault his mind.

As the pain slowly subsided, a mechanical voice rang in his head:

"Administering a sedative to reduce the impact of memory overload."

Immediately, his body felt lighter. The suffocating dizziness gradually faded away.

Kein remained motionless, his gaze vacant as he stared at the ceiling. After a few moments, he took a deep breath and spoke in a hoarse voice.

"…System."

"Yes, Great Master?"

"Adjust my face slightly. I still want to be handsome, but make my pupils permanently black. Keep my skin tone fair."

"Command received… Modification complete."

Kein raised his hand, gazing at his reflection in the window. He was still undeniably handsome, but now, there was an even stronger aura of mystery surrounding him.

He exhaled slowly before asking again, "What year is it now?"

"The year 2030, Great Master. The same year as when you lived as Jiang Han."

Kein froze. "What?"

That made no sense.

"Isn't this the Victorian era? The 20th century?"

"No, you are mistaken, Great Master."

Kein frowned. His mind was still spinning with endless questions. But for now, he decided not to dwell on it too much.

"…Heal my wound."

"Healing process initiated… Complete."

The pain on his temple vanished, leaving behind flawless skin with no trace of injury.

Slowly, Kein stood up and walked toward the apartment's wardrobe, selecting clothes that matched his taste.

He wrapped a deep red scarf around his neck, grasped a black cane with a classic design in his right hand, and completed the look with a half-length top hat that exuded an aristocratic air.

He glanced at his reflection once more.

A small smile formed on his lips.

"Now then… let's see what kind of world I'm dealing with."

Kein stepped out of the apartment.

The cold night air greeted him. The streets glistened with remnants of rain, streetlights cast a golden glow on the pavement, and towering skyscrapers loomed in the distance.

He recognized this place.

London.

But something felt… off.

He saw people walking as usual. Cars passed by, shops remained open, and neon lights illuminated the streets.

Kein narrowed his eyes.

(Where… are the zombies? Wasn't the world supposed to have fallen into an apocalypse?)

He strolled along the cobbled sidewalk of London, his black cane tapping against the ground in a steady rhythm. The night air was sharp against his skin, though the red scarf around his neck provided some warmth. Streetlights bathed the road in a golden glow, casting long shadows behind him.

Grand classical buildings lined both sides of the street, their facades reflecting the lights from shops and bars. Yet, something felt fundamentally wrong. The London he knew should have been drenched in fear from a zombie apocalypse. But here, life continued as if nothing had changed.

Kein gazed at the sky. There was no moon tonight—only an abyss of darkness.

Then, the familiar mechanical voice spoke in his mind.

"Great Master, are you confused by the state of this world?"

Kein narrowed his eyes. "More than just confused. And I want answers."

He halted on a bridge overlooking the Thames River. The water rippled gently below, reflecting the city lights.

"AQCC… what exactly are you?"

"I am the AI Quantum Core Cicada System. Created to serve and assist you, Great Master."

"Who created you?"

"You, Great Master. You created me from the future."

Kein fell silent for a moment.

"…Nonsense."

"I am not lying. I have traveled across dimensions and timelines to find you again."

Kein's grip on his cane tightened.

"How is that possible? I'm not a genius. There's no way I could have created something like you."

"You are mistaken, Great Master. From what I know, you are an extraordinary person, despite having no innate talent. You started from nothing, survived in a ruthless world, and eventually reached the peak… before you died."

Died.

That word echoed in his mind.

Kein sighed and resumed walking, continuing along the bridge. The night breeze carried the scent of the river and a faint trace of rain.

This London felt different. Something was off, but he couldn't pinpoint what.

Old buildings with 19th-century architecture coexisted with technology that shouldn't exist. Holographic lights, 3D projection billboards, and even some vehicles hovering without wheels.

In the corner of the city, a man in a classic suit was conversing with someone clad in a sleek, futuristic black armor—something straight out of science fiction.

The London he was seeing was not an ordinary London.

"AQCC, what is this world?"

"I cannot provide full details at this moment, but I can confirm that this is not the original timeline you remember."

Kein stood still, staring at the towering skyscrapers in the distance.

"Then… what kind of world is this?"

He gazed at his reflection in a store window and let out a long sigh.

"So, I was in a different timeline before, living as Jiang Han?"

"Yes, Great Master. That timeline was much simpler, focusing only on the zombie apocalypse and survival."

Kein crossed his arms, trying to make sense of it all. "Then when will the day come when zombies overrun this world?"

"It has already begun… but only on a small scale. This world is far more complex than your previous timeline. Here, many individuals possess power far beyond the simple aura techniques from your past life as Jiang Han. That's why the apocalypse here isn't just about zombies—it includes monsters and other, far more dangerous threats."

Kein stared down the street. At first glance, this world seemed normal. But upon closer inspection, something was undeniably wrong.

"What kind of powers exist in this world?"

"There are two main paths, Great Master. The Path of Heaven and the Path of Hell."

Kein raised an eyebrow. "And which one should I choose… to regain my prime?"

For a moment, AQCC System hesitated before answering.

"The Path of Heaven is the path of balance and protection, whereas the Path of Hell is the path of destruction and absolute power."

Without hesitation, Kein replied, "Path of Hell.

"Great Master… are you certain? You make me worry."

Kein smirked, his eyes filled with determination.

"Don't worry. I've already made my choice. Most people would take the Path of Heaven, wouldn't they?"

AQCC System fell silent for a moment, as if carefully considering its words.

"Yes, Great Master. The majority choose the Path of Heaven because it is the 'safer' route. However, you…"

Kein let out a low chuckle. "I'm already used to the darkness."

He stared at his reflection in the store window, his dark pupils sharp and unreadable.

"My goal is simple—to regain my prime."

"But your original family still exists in this world. Do you not wish to return to them?"

Kein shook his head and laughed softly, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"In my previous life as Jiang Han, I was just an introverted orphan. There was no place to return to. And as for my original family… they'd only misunderstand if I suddenly reappeared. It would just bring more trouble. That's why I had you alter my face."

He looked up at the dark London sky.

"So, the Path of Hell… means endless hardship. If I fail, I'll either die or go insane, correct?"

"Yes, Great Master. The Path of Hell grants absolute power, but very few survive. Many are destroyed before reaching the peak."

Kein's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Good. If the path is difficult, that just means it's worth taking."