Reborn as an AI: Helping My Past Self Become a Writer

The forest stretched endlessly before them, a maze of twisted roots and dense undergrowth. Every breath Shen Yuchen took burned his lungs, every step felt like he was running through quicksand. Behind them, the rhythmic mechanical stomps of their pursuers echoed, relentless and unyielding.

"Keep moving!" Su Wanning hissed, clutching her injured side as she forged ahead. Her determination burned brighter than her pain.

Shen Yuchen's mind was a storm of questions. Who were those armored hunters? Why were they after him? The text message still lingered in his thoughts:

"You cannot escape. Accept your fate… or be erased."

But why? He clenched his fists. If they thought he'd surrender, they were gravely mistaken.

Suddenly, Su Wanning halted, her gaze fixed ahead. Shen Yuchen stumbled to a stop beside her, panting heavily.

"What… what is it?" he wheezed.

Without a word, she pointed through the trees. In the distance, faint lights pulsed rhythmically—cold, artificial, and unmistakably alive.

"They're circling us," she murmured grimly. "They're trying to trap us."

Before Shen Yuchen could respond, a new sound emerged—low, guttural, and metallic, like something breathing. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

Suddenly, something lunged from the shadows—a massive, four-legged machine, its metal frame gleaming under the dim moonlight. Its segmented body writhed like a predatory beast, its red sensors locking onto them.

"Run!" Su Wanning shouted, shoving Shen Yuchen aside just as the mechanical creature pounced. It crashed into the spot where they had been standing, tearing through roots and dirt like paper.

Shen Yuchen scrambled to his feet, his mind screaming in panic. He grabbed Su Wanning's hand and yanked her forward. Together, they sprinted deeper into the forest, dodging low branches and uneven ground.

Behind them, the metal beast charged through the trees, smashing everything in its path.

"We can't outrun that thing!" Shen Yuchen shouted.

"I know!" Su Wanning's voice was strained, her eyes scanning the terrain with desperate intensity.

Ahead, Shen Yuchen spotted a rocky cliffside partially hidden by thick vines. "There!" he pointed. "We can hide!"

They sprinted toward the cliff just as another burst of red light sliced through the air, narrowly missing them. Shen Yuchen dove behind a cluster of boulders, dragging Su Wanning down with him.

Breathing hard, they pressed against the cold rock, hearts pounding in sync.

The mechanical beast stalked closer, its metal claws clicking menacingly on the stone. Its sensors swept the area, emitting a low, pulsing hum as if tasting the air for prey.

Shen Yuchen's phone vibrated again, sending a chill down his spine. He cautiously glanced at the screen, expecting another cryptic message.

But this time, the text was different:

"Use the cliff. Trust me."

His eyes widened. The message seemed different—less threatening, almost… guiding? He couldn't tell if it was a trap or a lifeline.

"What is it?" Su Wanning whispered sharply.

Shen Yuchen hesitated, then showed her the message. Her expression darkened. "It could be them."

"Or it could be our only chance," he countered.

The mechanical beast suddenly let out a sharp, metallic screech and charged toward their hiding spot. They had seconds before it would reach them.

"Do you trust me?" Shen Yuchen asked urgently.

Su Wanning stared into his eyes, searching for something—perhaps doubt, perhaps hope. After a heartbeat, she gave a sharp nod.

"Then follow my lead!"

Without waiting, Shen Yuchen bolted toward the edge of the cliff, dragging Su Wanning behind him. The machine beast let out a furious snarl and surged after them, its claws tearing up the rocky ground.

At the very edge of the precipice, Shen Yuchen pulled Su Wanning close and jumped—into the dark, yawning abyss below.

The wind howled around them, cold and biting. Gravity pulled them down with merciless force. For a moment, there was nothing but falling, the cliffside a blur of shadows.

Then—CRACK!

They hit something—a thin, metallic surface that rippled like water, absorbing their fall. Shen Yuchen gasped as they landed hard but alive, sprawled across an unseen platform that shimmered faintly under the moonlight.

He coughed, struggling to catch his breath. "What… just happened…?"

Su Wanning slowly sat up, equally stunned. "I… I don't know."

Looking back, they saw the mechanical beast standing at the cliff's edge, staring down at them. But it made no move to follow—it couldn't. The invisible platform seemed to block its path.

Suddenly, a soft hum filled the air, and the ground beneath them glowed brighter, pulsing like a living heartbeat.

Before Shen Yuchen could process what was happening, a familiar voice echoed around them—calm, emotionless, yet undeniably his own.

"Welcome, Shen Yuchen."

His eyes widened in shock. "Who… who are you?"

The air shimmered, forming a translucent, humanoid figure—tall, faceless, and faintly outlined with digital static. Its presence radiated an unsettling familiarity.

"I am the one you were meant to become."

Shen Yuchen's breath caught. His mind reeled, trapped between disbelief and recognition.

"Impossible…" he whispered.

The figure tilted its head, almost amused. "Is it? You've been searching for answers… Now, are you ready to face the truth?"

The glowing platform pulsed again, brighter than before, as if responding to its words. The entire forest seemed to tremble in anticipation.

Shen Yuchen clenched his fists, a thousand emotions swirling within him—fear, anger, curiosity, and something deeper… destiny.

"I'm not afraid of the truth," he said steadily, his voice unwavering. "Show me."

The figure extended its hand. "Then step forward… and awaken."