Hearing words he had never imagined hearing in his entire life, the boy’s composure shattered, and tears began to stream down his face.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ6zyFFYpc
“…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.”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQPCHLNHyA
The system, reading the host’s thoughts, responded calmly but matter-of-factly:
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCmNTxzY0q
[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.]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggwAikFy6q
The boy’s sobs only grew louder.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E1ku9gEEm
“So… I died… without accomplishing anything? Without ever repaying the love and support my parents gave me? Without achieving even a single dream?”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDrWtXko4o
[Warning: Host’s mental state critical…
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N5gkbIqvi
Activating emergency stabilization protocol…]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnNlH2g805
Suddenly, a cool, soothing sensation spread across his body, easing the dark turmoil in his mind.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5fBgRxu0o
[Host… you may have died, but this is your chance to rewrite your future. Please… calm down. Take slow, deep breaths.]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2488yAtNR1
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.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrEbcIjaSK
He tried to stand, only to collapse miserably onto the soft carpet. Lying there, he whispered:
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ1Moz6ZtB
“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.]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z9gyCkZ6W
The boy exhaled a long, shaky sigh. “I… I need some time to think.”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW2YtQ7f44
Reading his mental state, the system fell silent, allowing him the space he needed.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zlMkNDyg3
Closing his eyes, memories began to flow back: his childhood, his family, his 22 years of life—everything he had lived, loved, and lost.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8b0L4RQra
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.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP9CXYYvv1
“System… I’m ready. Tell me… why can’t I move?”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdqjXYBrJy
Finally, the system responded, delivering the words he had been waiting for:
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwEriJM9VC
[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.]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZEya7HpcQ
[Do not worry. The integration can be accelerated by administering a controlled shock to the body.]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln3VKnfG2W
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.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU44czhyJjU
“How long would it take if I went the normal route?”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspFpfqFmmR
[Approximately one to two months.]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKIBV0FoMq
“So… what you’re basically telling me is that I have to take the shock? And these are even… options?”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCJFzF1Llh
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!!]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUwXMcSMnv
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?”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatjtdB5dSP
[No need, Host. I am an eternal presence—you cannot touch me.]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsiRJ2BUkw
Grumbling under his breath, the boy pushed himself upright and surveyed his surroundings.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa69txB6YxF
“Looking at the furniture… and this room… wow. This kid’s family must be loaded.”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TxdOsSFdz
He turned back to the system. “Alright, enough games. Tell me where I am and… who I am.”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0odU32N2S
[Host, I suggest you sit down before I start.]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkXEZzfdzK
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.”]
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g9ksd9twK
The boy shot upright instantly, eyes wide with shock. “Wait… what?! You’re telling me… this isn’t even my world?!”
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrzuJ5U8fe
and then Add to home screen.