[Linking to the Host …]
The last thing Eiran remembered before he lost consciousness was trying to save a child who was recklessly crossing the street just as he was coming home from work.
Reflexively, Eiran pushed the child aside and ended up being hit by the truck instead.
[Transmigration in Progress …]
[Linking complete!]
Eiran's eyes flew open in shock, his ragged breathing trying to take in as much oxygen as possible. He clutched his heaving chest, still feeling the horror of his body being struck by the truck.
The pain still felt real to him. When Eiran intended to check his body, that was when he realized what had happened to him.
"I'm... not dead?" Eiran could feel his body trembling as he muttered, slowly staring down at both of his intact hands.
"Aarrghhh!" Eiran held his head in disbelief, no longer feeling pain and realizing he was still alive.
To confirm his suspicion, Eiran slapped his cheek hard, and moments later, he felt the sharp sting on his skin.
"Ow, that hurts. So this isn't a dream." Eiran mumbled softly while glancing around, "But, where is this?" he continued in confusion.
Welcome to the Guardian System service. To greet the new Host, the System will immediately prepare a Proof Quest.]
Eiran furrowed his brows as he heard the buzzing electronic voice inside his head. He felt dizzy the first time he listened to the unfamiliar sound.
"Who are you?" Eiran immediately became alert, looking around the pitch-black surroundings, unaware of the presence of the one speaking to him.
[Processing the Quest …]
Feeling ignored, Eiran looked up toward the moonlight, the only source of light available. He realized he was currently in the middle of a forest. Thankfully, the moonlight still managed to seep through the thick canopy of trees.
"I need to get out of this forest quickly," Eiran muttered, feeling uneasy being in such a place. He had the unsettling feeling that many eyes were watching him from the darkness.
But then, the System's voice startled him once again with a commanding tone.
[Ding! The Quest is Here!]
[Proof Quest: Save your younger brother who is in danger in the forest!
Time limit: 10 Minutes
Caution: If the Host fails to complete the Quest within the Time given, the System will reclaim the life it has granted to the Host!
Prize: ??? ]
Eiran froze in place as a glowing interface suddenly appeared in front of him, just like in the games he used to play. He tilted his head in confusion as he read the message displayed on the interface.
"A brother? Since when do I have a brother, damn it!" Eiran cursed loudly at the nonsense the System was feeding him.
[The System will provide world and body information once the Host completes the assigned Quest.]
[The Quest has begun. The System will now start the countdown.]
Eiran's heart raced anxiously as he heard the System's statement. "Damn it, this nonsense from those trashy novels is actually happening to me!" Eiran had no other option now but to find this so-called 'younger brother'.
He ran along the nearest path, convinced that the brother mentioned wasn't far from him. Based on the situation, Eiran figured they had gotten separated when entering the forest.
Although Eiran had no idea why or how they got separated in the first place. He couldn't relax, as the System continued to display the remaining Time he had. The temperature in the forest was quite cold, yet Eiran found himself sweating from the anxiety.
"Where the hell is that brat?! I can't even call his name because I don't know it—damn this useless System for refusing to give me any information!" Eiran kept cursing the System that wasn't helping him at all.
Until finally, a scream echoed from a distance. Eiran's expression hardened upon hearing it. He immediately sprinted toward the source of the sound. Luckily, it wasn't too far away from him.
As Eiran got closer, he also heard the growls of wild beasts, which made him frown in displeasure.
He slowed his steps, hoping not to be detected by the beasts in the area. Anxiously, Eiran peeked through a bush and saw a young boy surrounded by a pack of wolves.
A chill ran down Eiran's spine when he noticed the size of the wolves' fangs. They were much larger than any wolves he had seen back on Earth.
"System, there's no way I can save that kid. Can't you see those wolves? I'll be torn apart the moment I face them!" Eiran protested again at the useless System.
[Time remaining: 3 minutes 45 seconds. If the Host fails to save his younger brother, the Host will still die.]
"You bitch!." Eiran gritted his teeth in frustration. No matter what he did, the end result was the same, he'd still lose his life.
Rather than die at the hands of this bastard System, Eiran chose to make a sacrifice. 'Well, I'm going to die anyway,' he thought, no longer thinking so hard.
He clenched his fists, then shoved aside the bushes blocking his way. Eiran shouted loudly to draw the wolves' attention.
"I won't let you hurt my little brother!" he shouted as he leapt into the wolves' circle.
The young boy who had fallen on the ground looked up at Eiran with teary eyes.
"Brother! Help me!"
Eiran could feel a glimmer of hope in the boy's voice, and guilt struck him because he knew he couldn't actually save the child, he had only thrown himself in as a form of suicide.
The wolves looked enraged by Eiran's arrival. Their fangs appeared even more terrifying now. Eiran could even see their saliva dripping between the vicious growls.
"At the very least, I'll protect you with my body," Eiran whispered, pulling the black-haired boy into his embrace as he realized the wolves were starting to lunge at them from all directions.
[Time remaining: 30 seconds.]
Eiran shut his eyes as he held the boy tightly, fully bracing himself for the pain of bites and claws tearing into him.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host has successfully completed the Proof Quest within the time limit!]
[Host has acquired SSS Rank Talent: 'Absolute Protector']
[Threat detected. Activating Passive Skill: 'Wings of Sanctuary.' All incoming attacks will be nullified!]