The Extra-dimensional Pioneer Of Fiction [Draft]

[????????: Medical Facility]

A harsh white light seared Arlo's vision as consciousness clawed its way back to him. Blinking rapidly, he groaned and pushed himself upright, the soft, sterile sheets beneath him crinkling with the motion. His first thought was that this wasn't Crystal Lake.

The room around him was sleek and futuristic, more akin to a sci-fi movie set than any hospital he'd ever seen. Smooth metallic walls shimmered faintly under recessed lighting, and glowing blue panels dotted the room like silent sentinels. Advanced medical equipment stood neatly arranged, their designs leagues beyond anything his med-tech background had prepared him for.

"Either I'm hallucinating, or this definitely isn't Crystal Lake anymore," he muttered, glancing down at the lightweight medical gown he now wore, "either I'm hallucinating, or I've leveled up to dystopian healthcare."

Automatically, he began cataloging his symptoms—mild dizziness, lingering disorientation, and a strange, uncomfortable pressure at the base of his skull. He reached up instinctively to touch the area but froze as the door hissed open with a soft pneumatic sigh.

The door slid open with a pneumatic hiss, two figures entered. The first was a tall, middle-aged man in a pristine white coat trimmed with faintly glowing lines, giving him an almost ethereal presence. The second was a younger woman, presumably a nurse, holding what appeared to be a floating holographic chart.

Their calm, professional movements betrayed no urgency, but Arlo tensed. His recent experiences had taught him to be wary of anyone who knew his name.

Their professional, unhurried movements gave away their roles instantly. Doctor and nurse. Classic.

"Arlo Leeroy," the doctor called out. Arlo immediately tensed, his recent experiences making him wary of anyone who knew his name.

Hearing his name jolted Arlo into full alertness. His eyes narrowed, scanning the man's face for any sign of a threat.

"Where… where am I?" he asked cautiously, not ready to let his guard down. The man raised a hand in a placating gesture.

"Relax. You're safe here. I'm Dr. Chen," he introduced himself. "You were brought to our facility after your portal transfer. This is the Ataraxis Medical Facility."

Arlo's heart skipped a beat at the mention of a "portal transfer." Taking a steadying breath, he forced himself to focus.

"Portal transfer?" he echoed, his voice laced with skepticism. "And what exactly is Ataraxis?"

Dr. Chen stepped further into the room, setting down a sleek tablet that began projecting a holographic interface. "This is a place where people from different universes gather, one of many. You were stabilized here, and during the process, a mandatory procedure was performed."

"Mandatory procedure?" Arlo's voice hardened, his hand once again moving to the base of his skull. "What did you do to me?"

"You now have a BrainLink chip," Dr. Chen explained, gesturing toward the back of Arlo's head. "It's a neural interface implanted directly into your central nervous system. Think of it as your personal supercomputer."

Arlo's fingers brushed over a small, raised area of skin, and a chill ran down his spine. "You're telling me you just… installed a computer in my brain without asking first?"  

Dr. Chen's tone remained calm, as though he'd answered this question hundreds of times. "The BrainLink is a requirement for all arrivals and citizens in Ataraxis. It integrates seamlessly with the System, granting you access to critical features necessary for life here."

"Features?" Arlo asked warily, his med-tech background already spinning with questions.

Dr. Chen manipulated the hologram, bringing up a detailed diagram of the chip. "The BrainLink handles communication, transactions, data storage, and real-time access to the System. It's also your connection to the wider Ataraxis Network. Biolinked to your neural patterns, it's unhackable and fully encrypted."

Arlo's skepticism didn't waver. "And what about side effects?" "The disorientation you're feeling is temporary,"

Dr. Chen assured him. "Your brain is adjusting to both the portal transfer and the neural interface. Think of it as a minor reboot. Symptoms like mild headaches, spatial confusion, or brief memory gaps are common, but they'll subside within a day or two."

"So, you're saying I have a computer in my head now," Arlo said slowly, processing the information. "And I'm supposed to just… go with it?"

Dr. Chen's lips quirked into a small smile. "You'll find it more useful than you expect. Let me show you." He gestured toward Arlo. "Try activating your BrainLink. Just focus on the thought—imagine pulling up a screen."

Arlo hesitated but decided to humor the doctor. Closing his eyes briefly, he concentrated on the idea of an interface.

To his surprise, a semi-transparent screen materialized before him, floating in the air. The text on the screen scrolled smoothly in glowing white:

Ding

[Initializing......]

[System Connecting...........]

[Welcome, Pioneer. Please complete your registration to continue]

Arlo's mouth twisted into a small grin. "Pioneer"?

The screen in front of him reminded him of those fan-fictions where characters would wake up in game-like worlds with status screens and abilities. Except this felt so real. He couldn't help but marvel at how advanced the technology was, and how natural it felt, as if the screen was simply an extension of his mind.

Dr. Chen watched Arlo's reaction with a hint of amusement. "You're not the first one to be impressed. The interface is fully customizable and integrated with your neural chip, meaning it can adapt to your preferences and usage patterns over time." 

Arlo tapped a virtual button, bringing up a registration form. "Alright, so how do I fill all of this in?"

"You can pull your information directly from your status window," Dr. Chen said, pointing to the "Auto-fill" option. "Just select that, and the system will populate the fields for you using your neural and physiological data. It's accurate to the decimal."

Arlo nodded and selected the auto-fill option, watching as his name, age, and other personal information populated the fields.

The whole process was oddly satisfying, and when he clicked Submit, the screen flashed:

[Registration complete. BrainLink ID confirmed]

Dr. Chen observed Arlo's progress and smiled. "Good. Now that you're registered, you'll be able to access a suite of features through your interface. Think of it as your own personal computer, only it's entirely mental but it is also touchscreen compatible if that's what you want. You can navigate the network, track your personal status, access maps, and communicate with others using neural links."

"Just a thought away, huh?" Arlo mused, flipping through a few of the available options in his interface. He noticed tabs labeled: 

[Status Window]

[Skill]

[Inventory]

[Quest]

[Coordinate]

[Email]

[Video Call]

[HUBNet]

Each tab brought up a new screen, and the transitions were as smooth as any high-end interface he'd seen in games.

Dr. Chen gestured to the tabs. "These are your core features. From here, you can navigate the network, track your stats, access quest data, and even communicate with others using neural links. It's all just a thought away."

"Great," Arlo muttered, flipping through the options. "So my brain's a smartphone now?" 

"A smartphone, a high-end PC, and a personal assistant rolled into one," Dr. Chen clarified. "But faster and more secure."

......................

They spent the next few minutes completing a series of basic tests to ensure the chip's functionality. Dr. Chen had Arlo activate various features, from basic messaging to pulling up an internal map of the facility. Each test ran smoothly, and the interface adjusted to his thoughts instantly.

Finally, Dr. Chen nodded with satisfaction. "Everything appears to be working perfectly. You're ready for orientation."

"Orientation?" Arlo echoed, a bit wary. "What does that involve?"

"You'll meet your assigned guide in the lobby," Dr. Chen explained. "They'll introduce you to Ataraxis, teach you the System basics, and answer any questions."

He paused, giving Arlo a knowing look. "And yes, your medical bill will be sent to your linked account later today. Be sure to handle it promptly."

Arlo sighed. "Of course, there's a bill."

Dr. Chen chuckled. "Healthcare may be advanced here, but economics remains same."

He gestured toward the door. "Good luck, Arlo. Welcome to Ataraxis."

As Dr. Chen left, Arlo exhaled deeply, staring at the faint glow of his interface.

"Well," he muttered, scrolling through the available tabs, "at least the System looks cooler than Windows 10."

Arlo thanked Dr. Chen, who gave him a professional nod in return, clearly used to the routine. As the doctor exited, Arlo took one last glance around the sleek medical room, exhaling a deep breath.

==================================================

[Ataraxis: Ataraxis Medical Facility]

Arlo tugged at the sleeve of his new outfit—a sleek, casual suit paired with a comfortable hoodie that managed to look both professional and relaxed. It felt strange after everything he'd been through, but he appreciated the odd balance between comfort and style.

As he adjusted the collar, his HUD interface chimed softly, and a notification appeared in the corner of his vision. 

[Email] - [Medical Bill: 400 Credits]

Still weird that I can check emails with my brain, he thought, mentally opening the Email Tab.

"400 credits?" Arlo muttered, mentally opening the email.

"Is that cheap here, or…?" He quickly summoned his System's balance. The 2,500 credits he'd earned from surviving Camp Crystal Lake hovered reassuringly on the display.

Relief washed over him as he shrugged and hit Pay, watching his total drop to 2,100.

"Guess I'm starting to understand in-game transactions a little too well," he said, amused despite himself. "Let's hope there isn't some hidden grind quest for hospital bills."

"I'll worry about money later," he muttered, pushing himself away from the wall. Right now, he had bigger concerns like figuring out exactly where he was.

He pushed himself off the wall, still marveling at how intuitive the BrainLink felt. The ability to check emails and manage finances with a thought? That was going to take some getting used to.

As Arlo wandered through the medical facility's pristine corridors, he found his attention drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The cityscape beyond them seemed almost surreal, a blend of impossible technology and aesthetic elegance.

Massive, shimmering buildings constructed from a pearlescent metal stretched skyward, their surfaces reflecting dazzling rainbow patterns in the morning light. Sky-lanes filled with sleek, pod-like vehicles buzzed between them in perfect formation, creating a quiet hum of order.

This wasn't just advanced—it was like something straight out of a futuristic anime. Towering buildings with glass facades reflected neon colors from every direction, and there were trains, not on tracks, but levitating high above, silently gliding across magnetic trails. Hover drones buzzed around, scanning the streets and delivering packages, their lights blinking in sync with the illuminated pathways that ran across buildings like veins. 

"Whoa… okay, this is next-level tech," Arlo muttered, craning his neck to take it all in. "Feels like Ghost in the Shell meets Blade Runner, minus the rain and depressing vibes.

Levitation trains silently glided along magnetic rails high above the streets, while drones zipped by in neat, programmed paths, delivering packages or scanning the area. Holographic displays floated in the air between buildings, broadcasting everything from news to advertisements. The entire city seemed alive with quiet efficiency. 

"This is straight out of a sci-fi novel," he whispered, thinking of all those late nights spent watching anime. Except unlike the gritty dystopias he was used to seeing, Ataraxis radiated a strangely utopian glow, clean and purposeful.

He continued walking, still in awe. It all seemed familiar yet surreal, like he'd been thrown into some VR world. His mind drifted to those countless RPGs he'd played, and he couldn't help but feel like a character navigating a new world.

"Okay, Arlo," he told himself, "you've somehow wound up in some top-tier sci-fi anime city. Time to roll with it and hope there isn't a mecha fight in the middle of the street"

A group of medical staff walked past, their uniforms featuring subtle light patterns that pulsed in rhythm with their movements. None of them spared him a glance, too focused on their floating holographic charts. Arlo watched as one nurse manipulated 3D medical scans in mid-air with casual gestures.

"What the hell happened to me?" The thought hit him hard, a mixture of anxiety and wonder swirling in his chest. A day ago, he was fighting for his life at Crystal Lake. Now he was in a futuristic city that looked like it belonged in a VR simulation.

Finally, after a few wrong turns (and more gawking), he arrived at the lobby of the medical building. As he entered, his reflection in the glass doors caught his eye a guy in a hoodie and suit that screamed "overwhelmed tourist" more than "tech-savvy traveler." He laughed softly and stepped inside.

"Excuse me," he called to a nurse passing by. She glanced up from her holographic display, her fingers pausing mid-air. "Could you point me toward the lobby?" She gave a curt nod, flicking her wrist. A glowing line appeared on the floor, illuminating a path ahead. Without another word, she returned to her work.

"Right," Arlo muttered, following the luminescent trail. "Magical glowing lines. Totally normal."

The path led him to a spacious, bustling lobby filled with holographic displays, automated kiosks, and sleek, white decor that seemed to glow faintly. The ceiling stretched high above, crisscrossed with floating advertisements and directional signs. As he took it all in, a sharp voice called out to him.

"Mr. Arlo Leeroy?" she asked, her tone professional but almost cold.

He turned to see a woman approaching with purposeful strides. Her long, jet-black hair framed a sharp, focused face, and her uniform a pristine white suit with high collars and sleek lines radiated authority. She looked like she'd stepped out of a Gundam series, her athletic build and no-nonsense demeanor making it clear she was not someone to mess with. "That's me," Arlo replied, straightening instinctively under her gaze.

"Aria Hartman," she introduced herself, extending a hand. Her tone was clipped and professional, her handshake firm.

Arlo barely had time to nod before she continued.Arlo shook her hand, feeling the firmness of her grip. "So... are you my guide?"

"About that orientation," Arlo started, but Aria smoothly cut him off.

"Your orientation briefing will take place at Aerith Tower Pioneer Association headquarters in the city center. Any questions you have will be addressed during transit," she said briskly, her words leaving no room for argument.

"Right," Arlo said, already feeling out of his depth. "Lead the way, Miss Hartman."

"This way," she replied, turning sharply. Her movements were precise, her posture military-like.

As they exited the building, Arlo was greeted by a vehicle that looked more like an abstract sculpture than a car. Its surface rippled with an iridescent sheen, and the door materialized with a soft hum as they approached.

The driver, dressed in a formal uniform, stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Miss Hartman, welcome."

Arlo waited for acknowledgment, but the driver opened the door for Aria without so much as a glance in his direction. Suppressing an annoyed twitch, Arlo climbed in after her. Really? I'm standing right here, he thought, suppressing the urge to wave his hand in front of the driver's face.

The space felt larger than it should have, the walls glowing faintly with ambient light. Through the window, the medical facility quickly shrank as they merged into one of the sky-lanes, the vehicle moving with a seamless, weightless precision.

"First brain chips, now flying cars," Arlo mused aloud. "What's next—teleporters?"

Aria glanced at him from across the cabin, her expression unreadable. For a moment, she studied him, as though cataloging his every reaction.

"First time in a quantum-lifted vehicle?" she asked, her tone softening slightly.

"That obvious?" Arlo replied, trying to sound casual despite his awe at the advanced technology surrounding him.

Her lips quirked in the faintest of smirks. "You'll adapt. Everyone does."

As the city's lights blurred past the window, Arlo couldn't help but feel like a pawn in some larger game. For now, though, he decided to go with it—after all, the System hadn't killed him yet.

"Here's hoping I don't end up regretting this," he muttered under his breath.