The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

The moment Klaus walked into the room, he met the gaze of three men who, from just a glance, he could tell were important figures yet somehow ordinary. It was a confusing sight

Kofi hadn't mentioned their identities, but the fact that he let them in told Klaus all he needed to know—they were important and powerful people.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Klaus said, sitting across from them at the table. Kofi, seated not far from him, remained silent. As the chief of security, he was always present.

"No need for formalities, Klaus Hanson. I'm Joon, this is Ryan and the handsome fellow over there is Logan. We're the creators of Oracle," Joon said, making Klaus's eyes widen in surprise.

"You mean the Oracle we've been using for the Trials was created by you three?" Klaus asked, raising an eyebrow.

Despite their apparent importance, the three men didn't look like people who could have created something so powerful. It just didn't seem to match. Joon was dressed in a loose shirt and singlet, his hair unkempt, though he was still somewhat handsome.

Ryan looked like an average white guy, but his hair—why was it always the hair—was neither well-combed nor properly trimmed.

As for Logan, while undeniably handsome, his blond hair was just as messy as his friends'. So despite their aura of importance, Klaus hadn't expected them to be the masterminds behind Oracle.

It was like meeting the creator of the universe, only to be greeted by someone with a bad haircut and unpolished appearance.

"What, you don't think we have what it takes to create an artificially intelligent virtual world?" Joon asked with a grin.

"Honestly? No. You three don't look like people with that kind of importance. No offense," Klaus replied with a small smile.

"Lucil was right, we really should start paying more attention to our image," Ryan said, chuckling.

"Don't bring that crazy woman into this. So what if we're not dressed up? It's what's in the brain that counts," Joon replied, clearly still not over whatever had happened between him and Lucil five years ago.

"No disrespect meant, Seniors. I was just speaking my mind," Klaus said, smiling as well. He could tell these three weren't the uptight or arrogant types. From their easy banter, he could see they were close friends—lively ones at that.

"Don't sweat it, kid. You're not the first to say this," Logan added with a grin.

Klaus relaxed a little, realizing the conversation was far less formal than he had anticipated. Despite their unpolished appearance, it was clear that these men were brilliant in their own right. The Oracle had changed everything during the Trials, and knowing they were behind it piqued his interest.

"So, what's the real reason these seniors wanted to meet me?" Klaus asked, leaning back in his chair. He knew they weren't just here for a casual chat.

Joon exchanged a look with Ryan and Logan before responding, "Straight to the point, huh? I like that. We've been watching you, Klaus. You've done well in the Trials, far better than most people expected. But we're not here to congratulate you. We have an offer."

Klaus raised an eyebrow. "An offer?"

"Yes, an offer," Ryan said, leaning forward slightly. "Tell me, Klaus, what did you notice during the Trials? Anything stands out to you about your time inside Oracle?"

Klaus took a moment to think before answering. "Well, for starters, it's an amazing place to train. The fact that you can respawn after death is a huge advantage. I enjoyed using it. But, to be honest, it didn't fully live up to the standard needed for more intense, realistic training."

"How so?" Joon asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I'm sure you've already watched my Trials and seen the footage from my recent battles. If you compare the two, you'll notice something: the monsters in the real world have an imposing presence—a will that affects the battlefield. That doesn't exist inside Oracle."

The three men exchanged glances as Klaus continued.

"Sure, you've probably added some form of Aura to the monsters in Oracle, but they don't have the independence or the ability to exert their own will over their opponents. In Oracle, they act like machines running on predictable algorithms, moving in patterns. They don't adapt or behave in an unpredictable, independent way."

Klaus paused, watching their reactions before adding, "I'm not trying to downplay the system. But honestly, all I had to do was identify the patterns in their movements and exploit them. That was how I succeeded in most of the trials."

His words left the three creators momentarily speechless.

"You sound like someone with a deep understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning," Logan said, breaking the silence. "You wouldn't happen to be a low-key genius, would you?"

Klaus smirked, though he was a bit taken aback by how easily those terms rolled off his tongue. "Well, I'm a fast learner, so anything's possible," he said with a casual shrug.

Inside, however, he was more surprised than he let on. Once again, he'd started speaking about things he hadn't formally learned, but this time, he wasn't as shocked. After all, he already has memories from his past life, nothing is new to him anymore.

Ryan, Joon, and Logan all exchanged intrigued glances. "Fascinating," Joon finally said.

"You've given us some valuable insights. It's clear you're not just going through the motions—you're analyzing and thinking beyond what most participants do. That's why we think you'd be perfect for what we're working on next."

Klaus leaned forward, his curiosity returning. "What exactly is this new project you keep hinting at?"

Logan smirked. "Let's just say, it's not just about improving Oracle. We're aiming to create something that doesn't just simulate reality but actually influences it directly."

"Influences it?" Klaus asked, intrigued.

"Yes," Logan continued. "As you pointed out, Oracle doesn't quite replicate the intensity of real-world training. We're looking to change that. We want to revamp Oracle, not just for 100% immersion, but to make it impactful—something that can genuinely help build better warriors.

It's great for practice, sure, but we're aiming for something more, something that prepares users for the unpredictability and pressure of real combat."

Joon chimed in, "We could've released this updated version a while ago, but we didn't want to rush it. Dropping a flawed product onto the market is something we can't afford to do. We're perfectionists when it comes to tech like this."

Klaus nodded. "That's reassuring, but I'm guessing you're not just here to get my feedback on the Trials, right? How exactly do I fit into all of this?" he asked, his gaze sharp. Your next chapter is on mvl

Ryan smiled. "You're right. We don't just want your insights; we want you to be part of the testing process. You're not just any participant, Klaus. You've shown a level of analysis and adaptability that goes beyond the usual users.

We need someone like you to push this new system to its limits, to break it if necessary, and help us fine-tune it for real-world application."

Klaus leaned back, absorbing what they were asking. "So, you want me to help test this new Oracle? To see how far it can go, where it breaks down?"

"Exactly," Logan said. "We need someone who can exploit weaknesses, find loopholes, and offer genuine feedback. This system is going to change everything, Klaus, and we want you at the forefront of it."

Klaus sat in silence for a moment, contemplating the offer. Testing a system that could potentially blend virtual and real-world combat wasn't just intriguing—it was an opportunity to shape the future of training and warfare.

"What's in it for me?" he finally asked. He needed more money for a jet y'all.

Joon smiled, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

"Let's just say, if you help us perfect this, you'll have access to the most advanced training system in existence. And when it's ready, you'll be one of the few who can fully harness its potential."

"Plus, you will become a co-creator and filthy rich if you accept our offer."