Welcome to a technologically advanced world where humans are completely jobless, as the AI literally does everything for us. Everything here is digitalized, and we have learned to harness the power of space. According to the Kardashev scale, humanity is currently a Type 3 civilization. It is the year 4020 in our world. As humans amassed intelligence over the years, other races also emerged. We now have meta-humans, bionic humans, the AI race, and even intelligent animals—such as crows, tortoises, and specific predators like lions (which learned to stand, walk, and gain intelligence), as well as tigers, leopards, and cheetahs, which evolved into the beastmen race. Other animals have followed suit. Furthermore, humans discovered new ways to advance themselves by finding interstellar life forms and colonizing other galaxies.
Enough about them; let's go back to me. I'm a nobody—even though humans are jobless, not all of us share that fate. I work for Gaia Conquest Tech Company, where we manufacture AI chips and fund space mining and habitable zone exploration. My job isn't that interesting because I'm a tester (so, technically, I'm a lab rat). Every new AI chip model is tested on me—whether it's to check for bugs or benefits—so my brain is basically fried from overuse, and I'm losing basic bodily functions. I rely on special mecha suits optimized to control my body since my brain is essentially dying, and I'm so broke that I can't afford to repair myself. Basically, I'm expendable. I depend on the company for survival, but the company doesn't depend on me. The only good thing I enjoy in life is playing virtual games, where I am free and have no restrictions until my designated time limit is reached. Then, I'm forced to test chips over and over again.
Then, an unforeseen event occurred during a routine test—I was deleted from the circle of life, only to wake up and see myself floating as I was pulled out of the Earth. As I looked back, I saw an Earth that I once called hell. In an instant, I was pulled, and surprisingly, I was happy to have died. As I inched closer to a realm where souls go, I saw a street with an inscription that read "Road to the Hall of Judgement." Drawn toward the road, I entered a dimension beyond words. I saw a man whose very aura could snap me out of existence. As his figure became clearer, the man spoke with authority:
"I am the God of Judgement, Leonidas. I oversee souls to ensure they reside where they belong forever, and I'm here to judge. But you are an anomaly in the circle of life."
I asked, "What do you mean by that? Are you trying to tell me that my whole life is a mistake? Do you gods have any idea what I've been through—suffering for a mistake that isn't even mine?"
Leonidas laughed. "Even though your life is basically hell, don't forget you are in the presence of a god, so watch your mouth before I make you relive your torture—your life. Besides, I'm not the one who made the mistake. The one responsible is the Goddess of Souls and Fate. In your file, you were supposed to be born in a fantasy realm as a powerful warrior, but you were sent to Earth as a package delivery, and we couldn't bring you back (i.e., kill you). However, as gods, we have rules given to us by the Allfather of Gods. For that reason, you are exempt from my authority, since the life you lived wasn't yours to begin with. But before you go, I would like you to meet a friend of mine."
As he dismissed me with a nod, I was transported to an unknown place where I encountered another god. His aura radiated wisdom and curiosity, and he was tinkering with a small contraption. Turning his attention to me, he said, "I am the God of Technology, Demos. A pleasure to meet you, since you're a tech geek like me. It is hard for me to keep in contact with humanity's technology because they did not honor it—they abused it and broke boundaries they shouldn't have. Thus, my contact with them is severed. But you, interestingly, still appreciate technology despite how it's used to make your life miserable. For that reason, I want you to be my disciple and introduce technology to the new world you're destined for. Will you accept this golden chance?"
As I contemplated it, I knew that if I didn't accept, I would be damned. I agreed, and Demos laughed, saying, "I will see you soon, my disciple." He sent me to other gods, offering me the opportunity to become their disciple, though I remain locked until unlocked by certain conditions I won't disclose for now.
I then approached the Goddess of Souls, who was crying over my life as she bowed to me tearfully. She pleaded for my forgiveness. I wanted to unleash my rage and recount all the suffering I'd endured, but I couldn't. Moved by her condition, I forgave her. In turn, she made me her disciple and granted me a special skill called the powerup system—a sort of cheat code that will help me in the world to which I will be sent. She gave me further rewards before sending me to the Goddess of Rebirth and Reincarnation.
Upon meeting the Goddess of Reincarnation, I was blessed by her. She instructed me to step through the portal as she bade me farewell. As I entered the portal, I wondered what lives and surprises awaited me in my new world.
Welcome to System Override.