Introduction
Intro to The Story of The Man of The Gun
Clayton Harrow, a once mundane bureaucrat, begins his descent into a chaotic, unpredictable world—a world woven with threads that transcend human understanding. Burdened by a life of routine and disillusionment, Clayton drifts through his existence, numb to purpose, culture, and human connection. But his awakening comes when he inadvertently stumbles upon a secret, hidden layer of reality known as the Soul Communication Network (SCN).
The SCN is not a construct of human technology or imagination; it is an ancient, metaphysical web beyond the radio spectrum, unseen and unheard, yet integral to life as we know it. This network has existed since the dawn of humanity, influencing thoughts, emotions, and the very fabric of existence. Over time, beings both human and beyond have attempted to harness the power of the SCN, often to catastrophic effect.
Clayton's journey begins when he realizes his body, though biological, operates like a complex digital system. The SCN (Soul Communication Network) connects and influences biological systems remotely, much like wireless signals affect software. Diseases in this world aren't just physical ailments; they resemble software malfunctions—errors that can disrupt the body's processes. Remote Cell Synchrony Modification (RCSM) represents the most dangerous manipulation, able to alter human biology and perception through the SCN, distorting both body and mind from a distance.
As the glitches in Clayton’s body and mind worsen, he encounters horrifying entities—clones of himself, twisted and broken, driven by a primal envy born from their incompleteness. They are the embodiment of "Invy", the ancient form of envy that corrodes both soul and body.
Throughout his journey, Seamus O’Driscoll, an old Irish mentor with a deep, sorrowful understanding of the SCN, guides Clayton. Seamus, weary from his own battles with the network, imparts vital wisdom but knows his time is running out.
The deeper Clayton delves into the SCN’s mysteries, the more he understands the price of power. Those who manipulate the SCN, like the game’s bosses, are left deformed, both physically and mentally. One such figure is Shiniza Yakavaze, an elderly, deformed Japanese man confined to a wheelchair, whose powerful connection to the SCN has twisted his body beyond recognition. Though physically broken, Shiniza wields a power that can alter reality itself, forcing Clayton to question what is real.
Ultimately, Clayton must decide: continue serving as a cog in the network, manipulated by unseen forces, or break free and risk tearing apart the very fabric of the SCN, even if it means losing his humanity entirely.