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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAoq2Imcwc
“…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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dkeuAWJ4D
The system, reading the host’s thoughts, responded calmly but matter-of-factly:
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0rk8He52P
[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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0mPCqJRTQ
The boy’s sobs only grew louder.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTAnMhdbL3
“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkImBTbMPS
[Warning: Host’s mental state critical…
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNXFmK6ux3
Activating emergency stabilization protocol…]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxamtjxTlNZ
Suddenly, a cool, soothing sensation spread across his body, easing the dark turmoil in his mind.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQcdkjX1mN
[Host… you may have died, but this is your chance to rewrite your future. Please… calm down. Take slow, deep breaths.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWKFQlNLGv
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKDoeGytdI
He tried to stand, only to collapse miserably onto the soft carpet. Lying there, he whispered:
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6URGcrqc9C
“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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7UoqLYSj6
The boy exhaled a long, shaky sigh. “I… I need some time to think.”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vb9tVrWGF
Reading his mental state, the system fell silent, allowing him the space he needed.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkKnHhdmqs
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1VLk8qgdE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfcgnO1BRI
“System… I’m ready. Tell me… why can’t I move?”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzsy8utcnE
Finally, the system responded, delivering the words he had been waiting for:
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUhrNBB5WX
[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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3SuTexQDP
[Do not worry. The integration can be accelerated by administering a controlled shock to the body.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtyTk94iSm
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ynxafpfW3
“How long would it take if I went the normal route?”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9VXXGx13c
[Approximately one to two months.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBtkM5xB1E
“So… what you’re basically telling me is that I have to take the shock? And these are even… options?”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVDSvjzoZj
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FR6BIIA3V
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRuG4OwMQJ
[No need, Host. I am an eternal presence—you cannot touch me.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL5NlMs2fc
Grumbling under his breath, the boy pushed himself upright and surveyed his surroundings.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU0xROVGBC
“Looking at the furniture… and this room… wow. This kid’s family must be loaded.”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj68xHpWCR
He turned back to the system. “Alright, enough games. Tell me where I am and… who I am.”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPq8Pr9z65
[Host, I suggest you sit down before I start.]
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnWDpIEkOQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDIakzcOXh
The boy shot upright instantly, eyes wide with shock. “Wait… what?! You’re telling me… this isn’t even my world?!”
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSRRyULN8e
and then Add to home screen.