Chapter 4
Mass Transformation
< "What a surprising day we've had, right Sarah?"
"Absolutely, Jack. A lot of unimaginable things happened last night.
Dear viewers, you must be wondering about our conversation — especially if you experienced it yourselves.
Don't worry, we've got you covered. Just this morning, we received reports and firsthand accounts of last night's mysterious event. Let's dive in." >
< "At exactly 00:01 a.m. local time, dozens of reports came in describing a bizarre global phenomenon.
People across the world were seen levitating in their sleep.
As of now, the cause remains unknown.
To help uncover the truth, we've invited eyewitnesses — and even someone directly affected — to join us in the studio.
First, we have Mr. Jonathan here to share his experience. Please go ahead, Mr. Jonathan." >
< "Thank you. So… I was in the kitchen when I suddenly heard my daughter scream.
I rushed over — and I couldn't believe what I saw.
My other daughter… she was floating in her room!
It lasted maybe ten minutes, then she just… dropped.
Naturally, I panicked, but thankfully she was unharmed. She didn't even know what was happening.
Ah! But she did say something strange — around 3 a.m., she heard a voice." >
< "Thank you, Mr. Jonathan. What did the voice say?" >
< "She said it told her, 'Congratulations, Warrior! Your transformation is complete.'
And then, 'To access the system, think of the word: status.'
That's all she remembers. I don't know what it means, but I hope it helps." >
< "That's fascinating, Mr. Jonathan. Thank you.
Next, we have someone who was personally affected by the event — please welcome Miss Richie." >
< "Welcome, Miss Richie. It's a pleasure to have you. How are you feeling now?
Are you recovering well? Please, have a seat." >
< "Hello, Mr. Jack, Miss Sarah. Hello, Mr. Jonathan.
Thanks for asking. Actually, I feel great now.
Strangely enough, I feel even better than I did yesterday. I was a little weak this morning, but now I'm totally fine.
Should I start with my story?" >
< "Yes, please. We'd love to hear it." >
---
In a cluttered, dim room lit only by the flickering glow of the television, a young man stood motionless — his face blank, eyes empty.
But as he listened to the broadcast, a change came over him.
His lips curled upward, slowly. First, a polite smile. Then… something deeper. Wider. Wilder.
Madness sparkled in his eyes.
"So… it wasn't just me, huh?"
"System. Transformation. Status…"
Realization struck like lightning. Power. Possibility. Control.
He dropped onto the couch, body trembling with excitement, eyes wide in disbelief.
"I can't believe this. It's real! Something from a movie — from a dream — actually happened!"
He clutched his head, overcome with emotion. Then his smile grew, stretching unnaturally as rage bloomed beneath the surface.
"But now… now I have power. And with that power, I can finally do it."
His voice deepened, filled with a strange clarity — and hate.
"Hahahaha… Just you wait. I'm coming for you."
His scarred face twisted into something grotesque.
Whether revenge, justice, or madness fueled him — no one could say.
Only his actions would reveal what he had truly become.
---
Meanwhile…
---
'Let's see… any new messages?'
Lucius sat cross-legged on his mattress.
Buying a couch wasn't something poor folks did lightly.
Not when money was tight, space was limited, and priorities leaned toward food over furniture.
'Oh, a missed call from Edward? At 5 a.m.?
Was something urgent? I should call back.'
His thumb hovered over the call button, but then paused.
'Wait… my voice. My face. My gender.
I'm not… "me" anymore.'
He lowered the phone with a sigh.
'Good thing I caught myself. That would've been a nightmare to explain.
Even if I could come up with a cover story, Edward would probably sense something's off.'
Instead, he opted for a message:
Lucius: Dude, what happened? Why'd you call me at 5 a.m.? If it's urgent, let me know.
With no reply after five minutes, Lucius shrugged and launched a mobile game.
A few moments later, Sophia appeared carrying a plate with two slices of peanut butter toast.
He hadn't noticed her approach, too focused on his game — if not for his sixth sense, he might've completely missed her arrival.
She placed the plate on the stool beside him.
"Here's your toast, Luci. Sorry, it's just peanut butter."
Lucius smiled, putting his phone down.
"Thanks, Sister Sophia. It's perfect. I'll bring the plate after I'm done."
"Don't worry about it," she said warmly. "Just enjoy your weekend. I'll go prep lunch."
But Lucius felt guilty, so he stood up.
"Wait, Sister Sophia — I'll help you with lunch."
She smiled and shook her head.
"No need. Eve already volunteered, and with our tiny kitchen, three's a crowd anyway. Just enjoy your break."
Reluctantly, Lucius sat back down and returned to his game.
Time passed, and before long, the scent of delicious food drifted through the house.
His stomach growled — the universal signal for lunchtime.
The siblings sat down together and ate their meal, chatting and laughing between bites.
Afterward, Lucius returned to his room and picked up his phone again.
This time, there was a reply from Edward:
Edward: My friend! Sorry for the late reply — I was busy earlier.
Don't worry about the call. Actually… are you free right now?
Can I make a video call? I have something to tell you about what happened this morning.
'Oh sh*t… please don't make a call. Especially not a video call!'
—
Lucius:
Ahh... Actually I can't do a call right now. I have my reasons. Just chatting is fine.
Edward:
No problem. Did you know there was a lot of commotion in my neighborhood around dawn?
Did something similar happen over there?
Lucius:
Commotion? Sorry, I don't think I noticed anything.
I don't know if something happened here this morning… you know how my neighbors treat my family.
---
'Yeah… I was probably too overwhelmed last night to notice anything after the transformation.'
---
Edward:
Oh, right... Anyway, it's actually all over the news.
And get this — the incident happened worldwide!
Dude, you won't believe it… I was actually one of the affected!
---
'Whoa! No way! Congrats, man.
So it did happen to others.
I guess it makes sense — it'd be weird if it was just me and Eve.
And if this is really global, my predictions about the future might not be too far off…'
Lucius paused for a moment, deep in thought.
Should he tell Edward the truth?
Keeping it secret would mean a lifetime of lies — and their friendship couldn't survive like that.
Edward was his only true friend. Lying to him didn't sit right. It wasn't who Lucius was.
With a conflicted heart, but a firm resolve, Lucius decided to trust him.
---
Lucius:
Actually… I might've experienced something similar.
Edward:
For real!? Lucius!! Let's meet and talk about it in detail.
Also, we should celebrate! Food's on me!
Lucius:
Uh… Sorry, dude. Can you come to my house instead?
You're free right? I can't really leave right now — it's complicated, haha.
Edward:
Your house? No problem! I'll bring some food. I'll be there in 30 minutes or so.
Lucius:
One more thing… please don't be surprised.
My sister will greet you at the door. Just go ahead and come in, okay?
Edward:
Lucius… is something wrong? Are you okay?
Do you need anything? I can bring some meds if you're sick.
Lucius:
Thanks, but I'm not sick.
Just… prepare yourself before coming over. That's all I ask.
Edward:
Alright… I'll be there soon. See you then.
Lucius:
Thanks. See you soon.
---
'Huff… Edward definitely suspects something's wrong.
I just hope he understands.
I don't want our friendship to change because of this.
But… with everything going on… there's always a risk.
Alright — I need to tell Sister Sophia that Edward's coming.'
Lucius stood up and went looking for his sister.
On weekends, the siblings usually took turns doing housework — and despite it being a day off, Sophia had chosen to clean the bathroom.
Lucius found her crouched down, scrubbing tile. She hadn't noticed him standing in the doorway.
He waited a moment, then called out.
"Sister Sophia? Sorry to interrupt, but… I need a favor."
Startled, she looked up and smiled, brushing a few damp strands of hair out of her face.
"A favor? Just ask. I'll do what I can."
Lucius approached, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Um… actually, Edward's coming over in about 30 minutes…"
He paused, nervously scratching his head.
"I was hoping you could welcome him in for me… I need you to help explain things.
I want to tell him about my… situation."
He gulped. His voice trembled with anxiety.
He trusted Sophia, but part of him worried she'd feel blindsided — like he'd made this decision without considering her.
Sophia paused, then smiled warmly.
"Lucius… of course I'll help. Edward's your best friend from high school, right?"
She stood up and wiped her hands.
"I'll go change clothes and prepare some snacks and drinks.
You, on the other hand, should go prepare your heart. I hope it goes well."
Relieved, Lucius beamed.
"Thank you, Sister!"
He took the scrub brush from her hand. "Let me finish this. I'm really sorry for all the trouble."
"Haha, don't worry about it," she chuckled.
"Thanks for the help. Oh — I'll also let Eve know about the plan so she's not surprised if she sees your friend."
"Okay…"
Sophia headed off to change clothes, and Lucius got to work scrubbing the floor.
Fifteen minutes later, he finished cleaning and rinsed down the bathroom.
Then, he went to the bedroom to change.
On the way, he passed by the kitchen — Sophia was already there, preparing a tray of snacks and drinks.
Traditional Indonesian snacks filled the tray: layered cakes, banana fritters, pastel pastries — the works.
And next to them was a tall, cold jar of bright orange syrup.
The kind from that brand that somehow makes better movies than actual Indonesian film studios.
Lucius chuckled at the sight.
"Thanks, Sister Sophia. I'm done with the bathroom… and again, I'm sorry for everything."
Carrying a tray of traditional Indonesian snacks and a large jar of cold orange syrup — the kind that tasted better than any actual soda — Sophia smiled as she walked past him.
She set the tray down on the round table in the living room.
Lucius' mattress had already been folded and stored away to make space for receiving guests — as was their habit whenever someone visited.
"We're family, Lucius. Of course I'll help you," she said softly.
"Now go change — your clothes are wet. And your friend should be here any minute."
Taking her advice to heart, Lucius hurried to grab a clean shirt, a sweater, and a pair of jeans, then headed into the bathroom to change.