I awoke with a painful gasp. It was a feeling, like your heart beat too hard because it was under threat, and it felt as if there wasn't any air in your lungs because you forgot how to breathe. It rushed inward, filling my lungs with cold, moist air. I coughed, and it echoed into the dark. I didn't pay any mind to it until I breathed, my panting filling the space the ways sound bounced off metal.

I squinted into the dark, pushing myself up, and freezing in place as I felt metal under my palms. My heart beat sped up, adrenaline and a sobriety of the mind as the confusion and ache was swiftly replaced by grave realization. I was neither in my bed, nor my bedroom, but a place that was completely different.

My eyes focused, I could make out shapes in the dark, such as a desk with a computer and large monitors. I had only a laptop due to my frequent migration between Alaska and Florida. I also could see to the far wall a dresser or work table of some kind. Too dark to know what.

Beside me, a large, black shape that I realized was some kind of car.

Slowly I turned over to my knees, and into a crouch. To the far wall appeared some kind of key pad and screen that were alit. The only reason I could see in this dark place at all it seemed.

I felt my tension release as I realized I was the only person in this room, but no less wary since it was only in this room.

"Alright then. See about leaving." I spoke softly as I stood up and walked over.

I jolted as my words, as quiet as I was, were enough to activate the lights in the room, rendering it brightly and revealing the blue walls of what could only be a cargo container of some kind. My head whipped about as I scanned for threats, only again to calm as I really was the only one in the room. I stopped and stared at the car however, now that I could see it, I whistled a little in admiration.

It was jet black, and sleek as any super car as I've ever seen. It was a super car for certain since it looked far too expensive of a vehicle not to be one. The completely black and opaque windshield and windows raised an eyebrow. Probably could see through from inside, but not outside. I frowned lightly as I felt a familiarity with it when I saw the front. Like it had a jet turbine in the front, and I knew of only a few cars that had such a design feature.

Putting that off for the moment, I walked around the car and over to the far end of the room. There was a door that looked like it was added to the container after the fact since it was black with black jams, and appeared to be a slider given the groves on the door itself. Seeing the keypad next to the door, I frowned slightly before looking back at the far wall with its keypad.

"Well…here's hoping someone left a note."

Searching the dresser and shelves, I found…many things. Things that were clearly grenades, spare clothes, and electronic parts of a sort. I was slightly shocked that there were actual grenades in the place, but at the same time, thankful I had some kind of weapon now. The computer was easy to use since the screen was touch sensitive, but nothing that could help me since there was no "net" access, or files, or messages.

I paused for a moment when I looked at my reflection on the computer screen, and frowned in confusion as I realized that my face was different. It was still my face, but everything about it was more…masculine? I face was a bit longer, giving myself a larger, and more squared chin. I reached up and touched my head, full of black hair. It had brown hair, and it was receding as I got older. The next thing I noticed was my arm as I moved it, it was…much more muscular than my actual arm.

"What the hell!? My…what…"

I looked myself over, and found my body was not my own. It was far more fit and muscular than my actual body. It was also much taller. I had to measure myself by standing next to the door and realizing I was well over six feet tall now. My mind shut down in shock for a few minutes as I tried to rationalize how I was in this condition, never mind the situation, and not hyperventilate.

I wasn't in any way alright, but after ten minutes of controlled breathing, and thinking out loud, I was able to reason myself into putting this thing off for the time being.

"Get out of the place first, figure out why I have a new body later. Good? Good. Alright…fuck."

My breathing was hard, but slow, as I forced myself to focus back on the computer and noticed it.

There was a small container beside to the computer, like a case for a single cigarette or something, and seemed out of place. I frowned and reached down for it, and upon opening it, revealed a strange USB flash drive. It was shape slightly like a lightning bolt, and actually lit up upon my touch.

"Huh. Weird looking, but neat too."

Looking the computer over for a port, I was able to find one and slid the thing in.

It revealed several files, and a few notes. I frowned as I looked at the UI, as it was setting of some bells of familiarity. I've seen this set up before, but had a hard time recalling where. I glanced over at the car, suspicion filling my head.

I touched the screen over the notes and found the one I needed.

"Exit Door Code: 2020. Inner Door Code: 2039. Suit Code: MURK."

Again, my eyebrows rose as I noticed the last one. Suit code? Weird.

Still, now that I knew the codes, I went to the far wall and keyed one in. The whole wall opened…to a cave or tunnel. My eyes looked too and fro in the dark, and I realized that leaving without knowing where I was, or was going, wasn't going to do much but get me killed. I closed the door, locked it, and walked back over to the door on the other side of the room.

"Why would this place be in the middle of a dark tunnel? Aside from an illegal operation that is…it would explain the fucking body snatching situation I'm in!"

I keyed coded the door open, and it revealed to me a space that was more like a command center than anything else. A large desk with five computer screens, what appeared to be several computer servers behind glass, and a big freakin map of a city on the far wall that appeared to be a computer-generated image with several dozen markings on it. I squinted as the displayed city looked…oddly familiar.

Then I froze. I looked the map over and saw the name of the city. I felt my eyes slowly look over the city map, moment by moment the rock in my gut getting bigger and bigger.

My thoughts were interrupted with the lights of a connecting room turning on, revealing what was obviously a work shop, and a cabinet with a glass door, and what I could only assume was "The Suit" that the code file mentioned. I wandered over, my steps heavy with grim anticipation, and it came crashing into me when I saw various weapons and firearms scattered about.

"Arasaka. Militech. Kang-Tao. Techtronika…" I murmured as reality decided to finally sit on my head. I felt a panic attack coming and I just laid down on my back and let it hit me. Heart Rate spiked, hurting my chest as it felt fit to burst. Arms over my head as I breathed in and out. Felt my emotions go all over the place, and struggled to keep control. I focused on my health, at this moment, and tried to ignore everything else but me in the now.

It was hard. I would rationalize that this was an elaborate prank of some kind. Except no one I knew would do this kind of shit. Let alone be able to. Plus, the now familiar technology, the new body, the fact that I was in no way this lucid in my dreams. Nope. This was all as real as it got. It was that line of thought I latched onto and began to think out loud again, reasoning things out.

I thought of every argument I could as to why my situation is possibly a psychotic episode, and then disproved it, eventually getting myself down to the core of the issue and able to convince myself that the situation was fucked, and it was time to unfuck it as best as we could. Adapt, improvise, overcome.

Maybe there was something more to it, otherwise, why the hell would I be here? Insane as it was to begin with.

It worked as eventually I began to calm down. Hadn't felt this way since my heat stroke, or that crash in the middle of winter where it was blizzard conditions and had no signal to call out. I was able to survive those, I can survive whatever the hell this was.

I wandered over to the suit and stood before it, and despite my rather harrowed mental state, I whistled lightly at how impressive it was. It was very advanced. If this was really the Cyberpunk setting, it was probably par for the course in terms of what it could do compared to borged up people, but it was still very cool. Very…Batman like, if I had to describe it. It had the same tone to it. Even had the ears.

I was surprised as the glass door suddenly lit up with words and a technical readout of the suit itself, showing the various devices in the suit. Most of which I could only recognize due to my own knowledge and experience with machines and technology, and the setting. This suit was more like a suit of light power armor the way it was being described.

I pulled myself away towards the main computer in the place, and tried to use it. The desk had a built-in touch screen that instantly changed from a keyboard to a hand print image.

"User detected. Please provide biometric scan." A female voice filled the room.

I realized it was a hand print scanner, and blinked a bit impressed. "Hm. Very Tron like."

I frowned as I stared at it, leaning on the desk. "There's no way that this will allow me to use it. Unless whoever the fuck put me here gave it my…" I paused on that thought, and realized, it was entirely possible that my own biometric data was entered into this system. New body after all.

A sharp spike of anger filled me at the thought. Glaring down at the hand print on the screen, I smacked my hand onto it. It then began scanning for a few seconds before blanking back to a keyboard.

"Biometrics confirmed. Welcome new user. Proceeding with playback."

I blinked, anger fading in an instant to wariness as the screen with the city map faded, and a picture of…myself sitting before computer desk I currently stood beside appeared.

The man glared at the camera, stone faced and spoke with a hard tone.

"If this is playing, it means I have failed. That this city, slowly walking towards the fire of its own destruction, has destroyed me before I could steer it away from that end."

My face twisted into an expression of confusion. "The fuck?"

"And now, the city is without a strong hand to deliver it the justice and vengeance it so deserves. It now will continue to fall into the shadow of evil, as the inherent sin within man grows uncontrolled and without consequence."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I stared, still a bit confused, but began to settle into wry expression at how dramatic this guy was being.

"And so, it now falls unto thee-"

*Pfft*

"-to take up the sword, and drive it into the heart of evil. To be the shield of fading innocence held in the hearts of the citizenry. Your armor being your determination to stand and fight against the darkness until it is done."

Now I just stared flatly, having gotten over the dramatics and just wondered what the hell he was on about, aside from becoming some kind of vigilante, which…hmm.

"Thus, I pass the torch unto thee. You, my successor, shall become the new Murk Man."

Aaaand there it was, and now I remembered. The black car, a Caliburn, the setting's Bugatti, and in this case the "Batmobile" for the setting's "Batman". Who disappeared or died at some point before V found the cargo box in the cave that was supposed to be a new tunnel or something. It was an interesting easter egg for Batman, and you got the free car for the fastest vehicle in the game.

I guess him being dead is more likely, since I was here, and given how Cyberpunk's world actually works.

"Listen well. You are likely confused as to how you came here, why you were drawn here, and why the mantle has been draped upon you."

"Understatement." I muttered.

"Before I took my fight to the shadows of Night City, I realized that my battle may end all too soon. Perhaps even during the first battle, though I have confidence in my skills and strengths that this will not be. Even so, I prepared. If for any reason, I should fall in my duty, the computer in this place shall scan the activities of the citizens of Night City. Edgerunners, Solos, Street Samurai, Net Runners, even talented yet ordinary citizens will be scrutinized for their actions and their psychological profiles. To find a worthy heir. Once one had been chosen, they would be given an invitation. You being here, is proof that it has succeeded, and that the idea, the symbol that is Murk Man, will not fade."

I listened attentively as he explained in a normal way what his plan was. It made a surprising amount of sense given how it played out in the game. V received a message and was led to the place as a random event. Here, given more depth, it meant that V was actually considered a worthy successor. Given the reputation needed to be level forty in game to find this place, the one chosen couldn't be anything but one who achieved a lot of events. Mainly subcontracts with NCPD and the Gigs.

"As such, you are worthy." The man who looked like me finished before he leaned back. Half of the screen was suddenly taken up by a chair with some kind of apparatus that…might be a virtual reality connection? Maybe a Brain Dance? It also revealed that it could open and close around the user, thus making it like a suit or coffin. I had to wonder what that was for.

"Time is of the essence, and it would take years to train you into something that could walk in the shadow of night. Thus, I have devised and constructed this. This machine is the Soul Builder. I based it off of technology I had obtained from the Arasaka Corporation, and mixed with Brain Dance technology, and training simulations from various military organizations. By sitting in this chair, it will place you into a simulated world where you will train, learn, and master the skills you need to become the Murk Man."

The chair faded, focusing back on my look-alike.

"The human mind is able to interpret and assimilate information only so quickly under normal circumstances, despite having a data storage surpassing even ten most powerful super computers on Earth. Arasaka obtained a heinous, evil program called Soul Killer. It, simply put, digitizes the memories and psyche of a person it is used upon. Their body however, when disconnected from the digital engram, becomes a husk that soon after dies, and personality goes with it. Making the Engram simply data Arasaka can use to dive and gain knowledge and power."

The disgust was apparent as the man spoke, and I knew all this already since I finished the game some time ago. It wasn't entirely lethal to those who participated in the "Secure-your-Soul" thing that Arasaka provided, but it isn't true immortality at all, just a trap by a corporation that sought total control.

While I was…ambivalent to the technology itself, the way they were using it, their purpose, was why I sided with Johnny Silverhand in the matter.

I frowned. It occurred to me that I was in the Murk-Cave, which meant it was before V found it. So…was it 2077? Was it before? Was "Secure-Your-Soul" even unveiled yet? Was the program actually improved to the point where you could digitize an engram without lethality? Did the Murk Man even know anything beyond what he was able to obtain? I was ignorant about the world as it currently was, and had to learn as much as possible soon.

"Using all of my knowledge, and skill, I have managed to create a version that allows you to make an engram without having yourself killed."

I brow rose. The necessary ability to succeed at this…

On one hand, I am very impressed that he succeeded with such a breakthrough. On the other I have disbelief that he succeeded alone where it decades for Arasaka to do the same.

Plus…well…never mind. This guy was Batman basically. Of course, he wasn't going to use the data to help other Corporations or make money. I'm slightly disappointed he didn't use this for the good of everyone, but then again, Batman had all sorts of toys he never shared with the world.

Also, I was speaking for myself in this regard, and I remind myself of Gandalf from Lord of the Rings.

"I would use this ring for good Frodo. But through me,it would wield a power too terrifying to imagine."

I might not be remembering that right, but the sentiment is one I kept with me. I would use this technology for good, but that wouldn't be where it went in this world. I knew better.

"My engram, with my knowledge, memories, skills, and thoughts, are now stored in a virtual simulator. I have since programmed it to be the ultimate training apparatus. With it, I, myself will teach you everything I know. All the skills and knowledge you need to use the tools I have left behind. To fight, to investigate, and deliver Justice in a city where it is in rare supply. Additionally, the Soul Builder encloses around your physical body and subjects it to advanced Bioware Enhancement. Your skin, bones, immune system, nervous system, ocular system, and more, will be enhanced, repaired, and modified by nanites to push you to your physical apex."

I nodded. I had somewhat expected that given the suit in the shop. With Cyberware, one would be hard pressed as a meat-bag to match the capabilities of a borged out criminal or cyberpsycho. Plus, not that I look at him, the Murk Man in the video didn't have any indication of Cyberware whatsoever. Given the "humanity stat" in Cyberpunk, Murk Man might have done so to not "lose his humanity". Which might have been for the best really.

"In a short time, you will gain years' worth of experience, skill, technique, and become the hero this city deserves." He stated with a finality. It just made me chuckle.

"The Night awaits you. Come." The man finished and the video ends, returning to the map of Night City.

I heard a sound behind me, and witnessed a wall withdraw and open like a hidden door. The chamber with the Soul Builder lit up and the suite itself opened and revealed the chair.

I paused for a minute, really thinking about what I was being asked to do. What I had been given here. The paranoid part of me says "It's a TRAP! He's trying to implant himself into you!", while the childish part of me says "GET IN DA CHAIR! IT'S HERO TIME".

The realist part of me was having to reconcile the fact I was in a fictional setting, and basically being given the means to operate in it without the hassle of actually earning it.

The optimist in me said "if this guy wanted to implant himself into someone, he'd have better prepared for it, and wouldn't be a hero. Batman wouldn't do this, and would be true about his intentions."

The cynic said "He's not Batman, parody or not."

The pragmatist in me won out with the fact that I was outside of having any real control, and the best step forward is to just go with it, plus there may be a whole "Dispose of the rejector" program if he was willing to kill, which he may have been, given all the guns. Plus, the man said he programmed the computer to find a candidate most like him, so rejection to the call was unlikely anyways.

With a breath to steady myself, I placed myself into the machine with trepidation.

Without any announcement or warning the suit closed itself around me. It was pitch black and I was becoming uncomfortable before suddenly the plate in front of me lit up with LEDs that appeared to be Braindance projectors. I took another breath in preparation.

"Well…here we go."

Then it lit up and I lost sight. It was black again for ten seconds before a spotlight shined from somewhere above, onto a wooden door.

I then found I could move, and as I did, I jumped a bit, hopping about and touching my face and arms, realizing how real everything was.

"Woah. This is…amazing!"

After a few more minutes of just moving about, I finally just went over to the door.

"Invitation accepted." I stated and opened it.

Beyond the door was what appeared to be a Japanese Dojo. The sliding panels that made up a far wall were open, revealing a garden with a stream flowing through it. The door disappeared behind me as I stepped onto the floor, a clonking sound of a shishi-odoshi emptying itself filled the air.

The ruffling of fabric filled the air as I walked out into the garden, and there was someone who looked very much like myself. Dressed in a black gi, he moved with hard and fast motions of a kata. My own experience in Tang Soo Do came to fore, and I realized he was practicing Fu Jow Pai. My eyes followed his grasping technique and how he was throwing his imaginary opponent about, putting them into locks and tearing skin and jerking limbs into positions they shouldn't move in.

I waited until he finished before he turned to me, a stern demeanor showing he was a no-nonsense at the moment.

"It's time to begin your training. Come." He commanded.

I frowned, and then I moved.