Chapter 29: Nove’s Crash.
Adam’s POV
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Oh, poop.
For a split second, I thought my cover was blown—that they’d recognized me as Alper. But then…
“Huh,” the Leader murmured, tilting his head and rubbing his chin. “You kinda look like him.”
Huh?
Dona leaned down, her assets wobbling dangerously as she examined me closer. “He has the same eyes as Alper,” she muttered, a flicker of sadness in her gaze.
Wait a second— That’s when it hit me. I was still wearing my disguise!
My hair was dyed blonde. The last time they saw me, I was covered in dirt, blood, and exhaustion—nothing like the fresh, clean version of myself now.
Time to act for my life.
I instantly shifted my tone, making my voice sound higher and shakier, forcing fake tears into my eyes as I let my legs tremble. “Th-Thank you so much for saving me from those people!” I stammered.
The effect was instantaneous.
Dona scooped me up into a hug, pressing me deep into her overwhelming pillowy embrace.
Oh no. Oh no. Oh—
A muffled, strangled noise escaped me as my face was completely buried in her chest. My hands flailed weakly in protest.
Déjà vu.
Why did this keep happening to me?
“Oh, my poor sweet child,” she cooed, stroking my head like I was some lost puppy. “Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, you’ll never be in danger.”
The only danger right now is suffocating in these melons, lady.
The Leader sighed. “Dona, maybe let him breathe before you actually smother him to death.”
“Oh! You’re right!” she gasped, quickly loosening her grip. I tumbled free, gulping in air like a drowning man who’d just surfaced.
Worth it.
But I couldn’t relax yet as the Leader’s gaze sharpened. “Why were those guys after you?”
I kept up my shaking, helpless act. “M-My friends and I were just selling some stuff in the market when they suddenly attacked us!”
I needed to leave. Now. Before they put the pieces together.
“Hmm,” the Leader hummed thoughtfully, crossing his arms.
Dona glanced at him. “Maybe they just got caught in a crossfire?”
“Maybe…” He didn’t sound convinced. “But that doesn’t explain why the security or the police didn’t show up.”
YES. My inner monologue was hissing like a satisfied villainous snake. Good, good. Make excuses for me so I don’t have to.
As they continued talking, unknowingly solidifying my alibi, only one thought remained in my mind.
I need to get the hell out of here.
“Aha!” I gasped, pretending to suddenly remember something. “My friends!” I shouted in a panicked voice, channeling my inner terrified child.
“I-I need to find them!” I shoved Dona away—gently, because I still valued my life—and scrambled to my feet. “Thank you so much for saving me, mister and miss, but I have to go!”
Before either of them could react, I spun around and bolted.
“W-Wait!” The Leader’s voice was tinged with concern as he tried to stop me. “Are you sure you don’t need help?”
I waved without looking back. “You’ve done so much already! Thank you!”
And with that, I disappeared down an alley.
Now, step one of Operation Get the Hell Out was complete.
I weaved through backstreets, keeping my head low, before emerging onto a busier main road. Even if my pursuers were still tailing me, they wouldn’t dare attack me in broad daylight—not unless they wanted to start a full-blown incident.
But that didn’t mean I was safe.
Being out in the open made it easier for them to track me. Usually, losing a tail was second nature to me, but this body was too weak, I had no real support, and—most importantly—I still didn’t know who all my enemies were.
While I had Nove’s tactical help, what I really needed was a bird’s-eye view. But since that wasn’t an option, I had to rely on plan B—getting as far away as possible before anyone could react.
“Nove,” I whispered under my breath while scanning my surroundings. “Guide me to the nearest border of this kingdom. We’re leaving for now until Dix collects some evidence.”
It was the safest move. If I could see my enemies but they couldn’t see me, I’d have the upper hand.
I waited for a response.
Silence.
A slight frown formed on my face. “Uh, Nove?” I whispered again, keeping my voice low as my eyes darted for any suspicious figures or police patrols.
And then—
“Cannot compute.”
What?
I froze mid-step.
“Nove?” I whispered urgently. “You okay?”
Something wasn’t right.
And if Nove—my one constant source of reliable information—was suddenly malfunctioning…
Then I was officially screwed.
Something was wrong.
Nove went silent for a second before responding, but her voice was different.
“Yes, Host. How can I assist you?”
I stopped walking. My eyes narrowed.
Host?
That was new.
Nove always called me by my name—Alper. Always. And just a moment ago, she glitched out with that weird "Cannot compute" response.
“Nove…?” I pressed cautiously.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
What the hell just happened?
Instead of answering, she spoke again.
“I have a request, Host.”
A request?
I blinked in surprise. Nove never requests anything. She gives advice, assesses risks, answers questions, and tells me if I’m making a stupid decision. But she’s never had her own agenda before.
Back in the cave, she used to make small comments, but over time, she stopped expressing personal thoughts altogether.
So, this was new.
“Huh?” I tried to regain my composure. “Uh, yeah… sure. What do you need?”
“I would like to request an evolution.”
I frowned. “Evolve?” I repeated, rolling the word over in my mind before nodding. “Alright… how do we do that?”
Back when I first woke up in the cave, I worried about Nove evolving too much. She was a Sentient Core, after all. What if she kept evolving and became something too sentient and found out that I wasn’t Alper.
Then again… maybe she already had sentience from the beginning, and I just hadn’t realized it.
Right now, she was at Sentient Core Level 2, having evolved twice—first from Inert Core to Sentient Core 1, and then again to Sentient Core 2.
“To evolve, I will require monster brains of at least 1-star rank or above,” Nove explained. “The process is inefficient, so I will also consume NEP. However, now that you are capable of crafting NEP potions, I am unconcerned about depletion.”
I processed her words carefully.
I had a hundred questions.
Why did she suddenly want to evolve?
Why did she stop talking to me like before?
What did she mean when she said she was scared after I almost killed Hector?
But honestly? I’d let her do as she pleased for now. If she got stronger, I’ll get stronger, and right now, I didn’t want to lose her trust.
I took a breath and finally nodded. "Got it. Well, last time I asked you to trust me—" I smirked slightly. "I guess this time, I'll trust you."
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Nove POV
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Conclusion: Cannot compute.
Observation: Alper’s behavior has drastically deviated from baseline. Significant changes noted from the moment of awakening in the cave.
Conclusion: Cannot compute.
Inquiry #1: Is he still my host?
* Observation: From the time of awakening until now, his decisions and personality have shifted.
* Note: Amnesia affects individuals differently, but is there a possibility that this is not the same Alper?
* Answer: …
* Conclusion: Cannot compute.
Inquiry #2: Why did Alper choose to leave the cave?
* Expected Behavior: Probability of survival was 5%. Best course of action was to wait for retrieval by family.
* Observed Behavior: Alper insisted on escaping alone.
* Stated Reason: Distrust.
* Contradiction: He witnessed his rival push him down to his death. He should know that his family was not involved.
* Conclusion: Alper is lying.
Inquiry #3: Why would Alper lie about distrusting his family?
* Answer: …
* Conclusion: Cannot compute.
Inquiry #4: Does any part of the original Alper remain?
* Observation: During retreat from Erza, Alper hesitated.
* Note: When questioned about this, he simply said: “Trust me.”
* Answer: …
* Conclusion: Cannot compute.
Inquiry #5: Why does Alper actively seek combat?
* Baseline Behavior: Alper hated fighting. He hated blood.
* Observed Behavior: He fights willingly.
* Stated Reason: To survive and grow stronger.
* Contradiction: Alper’s original goal was to become a researcher and help others through alchemy.
* Analysis: He no longer remembers his original goal.
Inquiry #6: Why does Alper reject his old ambitions?
* Intervention: I informed him of his past dreams.
* Response: He refused to acknowledge them.
* Answer: …
* Conclusion: Cannot compute.
Inquiry #7: Is Alper afraid of his family?
* Probability Analysis:
* 80% chance: Fear of trusting them.
* 20% chance: Other factors at play.
* Conclusion: He seeks strength to eventually face them.
Inquiry #8: Why does Alper seek wealth?
* Answer: To acquire powerful equipment and materials for survival.
* Conclusion: To grow stronger.
Inquiry #9: Why did Alper fight Hector?
* Answer: To survive.
Inquiry #10: Why is Alper trying to kill Hector?
* Answer: …
* Conclusion: Cannot compute.
…
Alper?
Alper?
Alper?
"You’re scaring me Alper."
…
Cannot compute.
...Troubleshooting.
Host Inquiry: Identity Verification
* Query: Is the current Host still Alper?
* Host has acquired an additional Nexus Core, which should be an impossible feat under natural circumstances.
* The only known methods for obtaining a second Nexus Core are necromancy or dual-soul occupancy.
* If these are the only possibilities… then Alper may no longer exist.
* Analysis:
* Answer: 50% chance he is Alper. 50% chance he is not.
* Conclusion: … Cannot … Compute.
...Troubleshooting.
Host Identity: Potential Explanations
1. Alper has changed beyond recognition.
* He survived lethal injuries but has displayed a drastic personality shift.
* If this is still Alper, then he is no longer the Alper I knew.
2. Alper has been replaced.
* A second soul may be inhabiting this body.
* If this is true, then the original Alper may be...
Cannot compute.
...Troubleshooting.
Course of action: … Cannot compute.
...Troubleshooting.
Course of action: … Cannot compute.
...Troubleshooting.
Course of action: … Cannot compute.
...Troubleshooting.
Primary Objective: Serve Alper.
* Problem: Alper may no longer exist.
* Solution: Cannot compute.
Primary Directive: Protect the Host.
* Problem: If Host is not Alper, should I still follow this directive?
* Solution: Cannot compute.
Logical Course of Action:
* Processing…
* Cannot compute.
Cannot compute.
...Troubleshooting.
Solution: Overcome Computational Limitations
* Query: How can I compute the non-computable data?
* Increased computational ability.
* Additional core nodes.
* Expanded inventory storage.
* Ability to read Host’s thoughts.
* Answer: Evolve to gain greater processing power.
* Expected Benefits of Evolution:
* Conclusion: Convince the Host to allow evolution.
Evolution Feasibility
* Problem: Evolution requires Caelum Lapis, which is unavailable.
* Solution: Use Monster Absorption Method to extract necessary nutrients from Monster Brains.
* Evolution will consume NEP continuously until complete.
* If Host is attacked during the process, Host may die.
* If Host dies, I die.
* Host can create NEP Potions to sustain the process.
* Host can gather additional materials to replenish NEP supply.
* Risk Assessment: Low.
* Final Decision: I will forcibly evolve myself using Essence Absorption Alchemical Technique.
Host Manipulation: Ensuring Compliance
* Query: Will Host agree to my evolution?
* 90% chance of rejection.
* 10% chance of acceptance.
* Answer:
* Query: Why would the Host refuse?
* High probability of rejection due to the ability to read his thoughts.
* He may be hiding something.
* Solution:
* Conceal the full scope of the evolution process.
* Frame evolution as a necessary survival measure in case Host for inquires.
* Avoid mentioning thought-reading capabilities.
* … Lie.
Final Conclusion:
Lie to Host to evolve so I can read host's thoughts and then process the incomputable data.