Hearing words he had never imagined hearing in his entire life, the boy’s composure shattered, and tears began to stream down his face.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdDdoN62y4
“…I… I died?”
“How is this possible? The last thing I remember was leaving my dorm to buy groceries… and then… wait… I can’t remember anything after that.”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutcowrSa77
The system, reading the host’s thoughts, responded calmly but matter-of-factly:
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCud4pgUBvy
[Host died while returning from shopping. Caught in a shooting incident, the host was struck by a bullet. Memories of the event have been partially removed to prevent severe psychological trauma.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mJhYG6IQo
The boy’s sobs only grew louder.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ef5vdl71
“So… I died… without accomplishing anything? Without ever repaying the love and support my parents gave me? Without achieving even a single dream?”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHg8bB1HOb
[Warning: Host’s mental state critical…
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDeCegdzxJ
Activating emergency stabilization protocol…]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gBOtswFsX
Suddenly, a cool, soothing sensation spread across his body, easing the dark turmoil in his mind.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgn6Yf5Rk9
[Host… you may have died, but this is your chance to rewrite your future. Please… calm down. Take slow, deep breaths.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgud51u7u9L
With trembling lungs, the boy inhaled and exhaled, letting the cold calm wash over him. Gradually, his blurred vision cleared, and clarity returned to his hazy eyes.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcUMv3ueis
He tried to stand, only to collapse miserably onto the soft carpet. Lying there, he whispered:
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcgyVfTFhF
“So… what about home? Is everyone… are my parents… okay?”
[Host’s parents are alive. They attended your funeral and experienced grief, but they are recovering and will return to normal.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgOjyeFIgV
The boy exhaled a long, shaky sigh. “I… I need some time to think.”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjhUiretfR
Reading his mental state, the system fell silent, allowing him the space he needed.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVN2hs4aT6
Closing his eyes, memories began to flow back: his childhood, his family, his 22 years of life—everything he had lived, loved, and lost.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbKxcklxhD
Half an hour passed in quiet reflection. When he opened his eyes again, a storm of emotions still lingered, but he felt a strange sense of readiness. He hadn’t forgotten his past, yet he could now look forward.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45zZJ5d15a
“System… I’m ready. Tell me… why can’t I move?”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeBfTWvUCJ
Finally, the system responded, delivering the words he had been waiting for:
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXCqidymKx
[Yes, Host. We can begin. Your soul is currently being integrated with this body. Because your soul and the current body are mismatched, the process may take some time to stabilize.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkAtCflMy8
[Do not worry. The integration can be accelerated by administering a controlled shock to the body.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VpxQTlh63
The boy’s lips curled into a tentative smile at the first part… but as the last words sank in, his expression twisted with apprehension.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwIxvmqoLb
“How long would it take if I went the normal route?”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaqKK5u6HD
[Approximately one to two months.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOXOGVUEqy
“So… what you’re basically telling me is that I have to take the shock? And these are even… options?”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6dmKsKyfw
Taking a deep breath to calm the rising anger in his chest, the boy muttered, “Fine… go ahead. Give me the shocks.”
[Right away, Host. Better steady yourself… the shock will begin in 3… 2… 1!!]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78F6k6GLL7
Suddenly, his body convulsed violently, writhing like a fish out of water. Muscles spasmed, his limbs flailing uncontrollably for what felt like an eternity—about twenty seconds—before the sensation finally faded, leaving him gasping on the floor.
“Argh… damn it! Hey, System, why don’t you just show yourself so I can… y’know… ‘thank you’ properly?”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInQPXszvPB
[No need, Host. I am an eternal presence—you cannot touch me.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqZ4FoZMYJ
Grumbling under his breath, the boy pushed himself upright and surveyed his surroundings.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaulOj15WMK
“Looking at the furniture… and this room… wow. This kid’s family must be loaded.”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV66djoS9y
He turned back to the system. “Alright, enough games. Tell me where I am and… who I am.”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO1SHWQlfi
[Host, I suggest you sit down before I start.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35T5sOByJ1
Obediently, he dropped onto the bed, bracing himself for the explanation.
[The Host is currently in the world of Ether, originating from the dimension known as “Valtheris Chronicle.”]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHHJejBVuk
The boy shot upright instantly, eyes wide with shock. “Wait… what?! You’re telling me… this isn’t even my world?!”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JYwDxsfrS
and then Add to home screen.