Taog took a deep breath, rubbing his chin. Ateia had spoken to him on the nature of her cybernetic implants once she understood it herself, so Taog was at least partially aware of what a cyborg was.

“You mean…get the same kind of armor you and Ateia have? And…replace my arms and legs and stuff? And hook into my mind somehow?”

“Clarification: Friendly Taog is mostly correct, however Colleöne has claimed the new processing facility will not remove limbs as part of the process. This unit has not tested the procedure on a humanoid subject and so cannot fully verify those claims at this time, but predicts the claim is likely accurate.”

“That’s…”

Taog rubbed his chin. Ateia frowned, and fidgeted to his side.

“Taog…”

Taog turned to look at her, and took a deep breath.

“I know what you want to say. It wasn’t very pleasant for you at first, right? And you’re worried I would do this just because I said I wanted to follow after you?”

Ateia stayed silent for a bit, but slowly nodded. Taog grinned at her.

“Well…I’m not excited for the painful aspect but…I’m not going to do this just because. It’s more than just armor right? It connects you to Seero somehow, let’s you understand her, right?”

Ateia slowly nodded. Taog nodded back then turned to face NSLICE-00P.

“I’ve decided to follow Seero. So…I want to understand her, and be as helpful to her as I can. So, Seero, if you want me to, I’ll do that upgrade thing.”

“Acknowledged. Affirmative Statement: This unit highly recommends cybernetic upgrades to improve efficiency and enable integration into the NSLICE network.”

Taog nodded.

“Then let’s do it.”

“Affirmative.”

NSLICE-00P opened up an entrance to the New World. Ateia had a complicated look on her face, but led Taog inside.

A short while later…Taog exited the processing facility. Metal armor covered his torso and half his head. A metal exoskeleton covered the outer half of his arms, leading to metal gauntlets over his elbows and the top of his hands. A metal exoskeleton supported his legs as well. His organic eye was open wide.

“Whoa…”

Panels opened and closed all over his armor as his new cybernetic half ran diagnostics. Armor extended out from his limb exoskeletons, fully encasing his organic limbs before receding back. A helmet engaged and disengaged, and his vision lit up with illusions that resembled the records from the Aesdes.

And then a message passed before his eyes.

“Connection established. Linking to nearby NSLICE units.”

Suddenly, he could feel his thoughts expand beyond himself. Like sparks traveling from his mind into the metal parts in his head, then out into the air…and into the metal parts of someone else.

“Ateia?”

Ateia made a complicated smile. She didn’t say anything out loud. Instead, another message passed before Taog’s eyes.

“Hi Taog.”

Taog grinned. He held up his hand, turning it to glance at the metal armor around it, and then clenched it into a fist.

“Let’s pull some Seeros.”

Taog and Ateia exited the new world and found the rest of NSLICE-00P’s subordinates waiting. 01R crossed his arms.

“Hmmm…you have been most suspicious-disrespectful towards the Wise-Mighty-Gracious Boss-Queen, yes yes. But…if she has deigned-decided in her unfathomable grace and kindness to accept you anyways, then so shall we. Welcome, New Little Brother, to the Wise-Mighty-Gracious Boss-Queen’s army! May you fight-strive always to honor her name.”

“Um, I’ll do my best?”

And so CELIU Taog joined the network.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Taog held his blade as he stood on the beach. He took a deep breath…and then activated his new skill.

Active Skills

Name

Level

Description

Dark Shroud

Unique Hero Skill for Taog Sutharlan. Wraps user in a fusion of Dark and Holy mana at double user’s normal mana density, providing defense and concealment. May use to empower physical attacks or cast Dark and Holy spells. Dark Shroud cycles with the user's mana and so costs no additional mana to maintain, though mana must be spent to replenish it after defending from attacks or using offensively.