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The machine was searching for something inside the programming of the corrupted Ghost.

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It was searching for the thing that was causing the machine the annoyance called pain.

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Finally, thought the machine. It had found the source of the Ghosts corruption.

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Deleting the two, the corruption was purged from the Ghost. Everything became so much more... Clear. Hacking into the Ghost would be far easier now, in fact, it only took a couple seconds. Once the machine gained access to the Ghosts data core, it began searching for any useful information.

Unfortunately, though, the Ghost was too corrupted for too long. There was very little information to be had, the only data there was the code enabling its systems to function, as well as moving its body and other things. But, thankfully, the machine was able to salvage one useful piece of information. Which was a hint at what lied beyond the metal gates.

Apparently, it was a factory of sorts, as well as... upgrades? The machine didn't know what it meant, the word was familiar, but it didn't acquire its definition on the other terminals. But there was one way to find out, but before it did, turns out Ghosts are hardier than it previously thought.

Turns out the Ghost would be able to survive, but mercy was not something that the machine was going to give. Traveling around its data core, it searched for the option to terminate its mind and soul. But instead it found another option, override, the machine was never presented with this option before, so it had no idea what it did. And in the machines damaged state, it did not want to risk finding out. 

So the machine left the option to continue searching for the ability to terminate the Ghost, well attempted. It couldn't leave the option to override the Ghost, this angered the machine, until it found what was trapping it. It was something that it hadn't gotten in a long, long time. It was another command, it read 'override the Ghost, trust me'. Since the machine never knew who or what was sending the messages, it did not trust the command at all.

But it also had no other choice. Cautiously, the machine confirmed the override option. Immediately after, the machine was booted out of the Ghosts data core. Its wire zipping back into the machines nape. It didn't know what happened, the machine stumbled back and fell due to its damaged leg.

What it saw next shocked it. The now un-corrupted eyes of the Ghost were staring at the machine, but it made no move to attack, nor defend. The machines shock turned into confusion, why wasn't the Ghost not showing any sign of aggression? The machine pushed itself off the ground to leave, but to its surprise the Ghost followed suit.

Keeping a close eye on the Ghost, the machine limped towards the terminal, and the Ghost followed it. The machine had no idea why the Ghost wasn't even trying to defend, this went against all of the machines logic. But maybe the machines logic was incorrect? Maybe, for once, it could trust something?

'Maybe', thought the machine. As it headed towards the terminal, but to its surprise it readily gave access to the machine. Things were changing, and the machine knew it. Opening the ancient, mechanical gates the ear-piercing screech of metal-scratching-metal echoed throughout the complex.

Once the gates finally opened, the long corridor behind it started to light up from the activation of the gates. The machine knew not what dangers awaited for it there, and it knew not whether to trust or not-to-trust the Ghost. But the machine did know one thing, and that was to push forward, always and forever.

So, with that, the newly-formed mechanical duo headed down the corridor. Ready to push on, to move forward, and advance... Always and forever.

Couple days later....

"105, 106, 107..." Grunted Shawn, a human male. He was one of the gyms members, and one of the strongest. With 20 inch muscles covering every inch of his body. Despite this obvious advantage with girls, Shawn was currently single, tending to keep to himself. Shawn suffered, well not really suffered, from Praeteritum Sui.

Praeteritum Sui is a new kind of 'disease' or 'miraculous side effect'. Call it as you wish. Praeteritum Sui is caused from a new kind of medical treatment for new-born babies, although it is very rare. When someone has this affliction, they gain access to some memories from an ancestor. And in serious cases, they even have the same physical attributes like hair and eye color, growth rate, and even the look of their face. 

Shawn has THE most extreme case, he has access to all memories from his ancestor, and exactly physical build. He even has the same consciousness as his ancestor. Which is the reason why he changed his name from 'Jack' to Shawn. In Shawns 'second-life', he was an orphan. But this didn't make him sad at all, no no, he will always remember who his true parents are, besides, he gets to live in the future!

He had brown hair and eyes, along with the height of 6 feet and 4 inches(Almost 2 meters). "148, 149, 150!" Propping the dumbbell up on its rack. Shawn exhaled deeply from exhaustion, sitting up, he left the benchpress to go get a towel. His previous workouts were intense, but now they were even greater. Due to him signing up for the... 'special event'.

Currently, he was only wearing some underwear and pants. Which exposed the ginormous amount of muscle underneath. And he was right next to the window looking out into the street. He was lucky that the glass was opaque.

In a couple days, he's going to start training with guns instead of muscles. Though he was still gonna train the-guns. Wiping the sweat off his head, he noticed someone walk through the front door. A human woman, 5 feet 7 inches tall, black hair and eyes. He's seen her here before, one of the new ones in the gym.

Her name was Zesshi, he overheard her checking in once, but that was the only piece of information he bothered to get. He didn't like invading others privacy, and he didn't like people invading his privacy. With his observation complete, he threw his towel in the bin and headed to the recreation area for some rest.

For how heavy he was, his steps were surprisingly quiet. On his way there, he nodded his head to the few people that he knew. Reaching his destination, he plopped down on a black leather couch. Sliding his hand into his pocket, he pulled out a pad. Which was basically a see-through phone.

Checking his schedule, he was going to do one final workout tomorrow. Then the next day he would cool-down, so he wouldn't overwork his muscles. And finally, the day after he would begin training with ranged weaponry. Shawn raised his head in thought, maybe he should also throw some martial arts in their too.

Updating his schedule, Shawn stretched his arms upward. It was going to be a while before he was going to resume his workout, so he observed the room for something to do. There was a bar, virtual reality, and a couple other things. But he remembered about his trip to the antique store!

Pulling out his pad, he searched for a game he bought there. Apparently, antique stores nowadays allow you to buy old games from the twentieth to twenty fifth century. It didn't take long for him to find the game he had bought, 'egg inc'. Which was basically a capitalism game based off of farming genetically modified chickens.

It was really the only thing that interested him at the moment. So he decided to open the game and try it out.... For a couple hours.

"10… 11… 12!" Zesshi dropped the light weights, why was exercise so hard! Breathing deeply, she reached for the bottle of water set down next to her. Jugging the bottle, she gulped down the cool liquid down her throat. She had to get into shape, and soon. A thought appeared in her head, but she quickly dismissed it.

Resuming her training, she lifted the weights again. She then immediately had a face that had 'fuck it' written all over it. Dropping the light weights, she made her way to the recreation room for some alcohol. Reaching the recreation room, she immediately began searching for the bar-of-legend.

It wasn't actually called the bar-of-legend, but Zesshi's desperate, shut up. She found the bar, but also found a someone. Sitting on one of the couches was the buffest person she had ever seen, playing a game on their pad. Zesshi wasn't one for muscles, but they did make her jealous. Why couldn't she just have them? Why must she be tortured with physical exertion?

Even though he was focused on his pad, he seemed to notice her and her struggle. "Room 26, isle one, antique shop called 'Back To The Past'. Said the man, still focused on the pad. "Uh, what?" Asked Zesshi, confused by his words. Raising his head from the pad, the guys reply was "Go to the antique shop 'Back To The Past', it isn't far from here. Once your there, go down isle one until you reach room 26. I think you'll like what's being sold there."

Zesshi had no idea at all what he was talking about, but hope had never been drilled deeper into her heart. Instead of buying an estimated 30 margaritas, Zesshi immediately began to sprint to wherever the guy was talking about.

30 minutes later… At Back To The Past…

Zesshi practically kicked the door open. Immediately zooming past everyone in her way. If what she predicted what was in room 26, then she was the happiest woman on earth. She could see the room number for room 26, and picked up her speed. But she went a little too fast, as she crashed into the boxes next to the entrance.

A Krotar employee fussed at her for interrupting his work, but she barely got out a "SORRY!". Entering the room, it immediately felt like EVERY drug was injected straight into her head. What could make her feel this way? This could.

A device was for sale, produced after the first city was created. It electrocutes your muscles to force them to grow. Zesshi already had her pad out to buy it. Desperation clear on her face.