📜 Consciousness Trapped in a Perishable Body
Arick's first sensation was coldness. A deep, bone-seeping cold, not from the surrounding air, but radiating from within the body itself.
He tried to open his eyes, but his lashes were glued together with moisture. All he heard was the regular drip-drip-drip of water echoing in an enclosed space.
"Who am I?" The question was just an echo in a vast, dark void. His memory was a blank page, with only one name registered: Arick. No profession, no family, no manner of death. Just a naked consciousness trapped in a strange place.
When he finally succeeded in forcing his eyes open, he saw an arched stone ceiling covered in black mold. He was lying on a damp, dirt floor, surrounded by dark prison walls that reeked of decay and oblivion. It wasn't a mere cellar, but a solitary confinement cell in a deserted wing of the Keelos Family Estate.
A cascade of memories began to flow, yet they were not his own. They were the memories of Lyndon Keelos, the seventeen-year-old boy whose body Arick now inhabited.
⛓️ Prisoner of the Rune of Silence
Arick discovered the reason for his imprisonment through Lyndon's memories:
* The Mark: Lyndon Keelos, the third son of the noble Keelos family, was born with the 'Rune of Silence'—a strange, swirling silver tattoo in the center of his forehead.
* The Curse: The Keelos family did not imprison him for a crime, but simply for his existence. The Rune was considered a defect and a threat to the family's "Purity of Essence." This prison was not a punishment, but a waiting room for a ritual.
* The Appointment: Tomorrow, at dawn, Lyndon would be taken from this cell to become a sacrifice in the annual spiritual purification rite.
* The Location: The cell was situated in the deepest part of the estate, known as the 'Zone of Neglect,' separated from the active quarters by four massive iron doors and under heavy guard.
Arick was still struggling to process the predicament when he felt a sharp tingling sensation radiating from the Rune of Silence on his forehead. He touched the silver mark, and it seemed to respond to him.
A transparent pane of purple crystal materialized before him, floating in the air, accompanied by a sound in his mind like the cracking of ancient ice:
Arick was stunned. His eyes widened in the darkness. This thing defied everything he knew about reality.
"What?... Is this a delusion? Have I gone insane?" Lyndon pushed his hand toward the screen, but his hand passed right through it, as if it were an illusion.
┌────── ⋞The System⋟ ──────┐
⋟Analysis:The system is activated by the self-aware entity of the "Silent Rune".
⋟Consciousness: Arik (Memory is restricted)
⋟Bowl: Lyndon Kelows (17 years old)
⋟The situation is precarious: aninevitable danger.
⋟The situation of existence:an inevitable danger
⋟Time remaining:{23:45:00}
└─────────────────────────┘
"What is this nonsense!" Arick cried out in a sharp whisper. "Am I inside a ridiculous video game? A System? And is this silver tattoo on my forehead the key to this absurdity?"
Lyndon's memories began to press against his mind: memories of neglect, fear of the family, and the impending ritual. The mixture of Lyndon's memories and Arick's heightened consciousness created a state of fury and denial.
He looked at the number glowing red: 23:55:00.
"Wait a minute..." His sharp eyes began to focus. "Time remaining. Imminent danger. Sacrifice ritual?"
Arick's rage suddenly subsided, replaced by the chill of mortal danger. If this was nonsense, he would die in one day. If it was real, this nonsense was his only tool for survival.
Logic imposed itself.
"Alright, you nonsense... let's see what you've got," Arick said, having regained complete control. "First, let me understand why I'm going to die, then let's find out how I'm going to live."
Arick pressed [STATISTICS] to find out the resources of his new body.
┌─────── ⋞The System⋟ ───────┐
⋟Name: Lyndon Keelos
⋟Age: 17
⋟Statistics:
-Strength: 3 (weak)
-Lightness/Speed :5 Average
-Intelligence/Analytical Skills : 8 Excellent
-Spiritual Power : 0 Closed
-The essence is : 0/1000 inert
{---// \ \ END \ \ //---}
└─────────────────────────┘
Lyndon closed the Statistics screen, and his thoughts raced at tremendous speed (Intelligence 8). He was planning his next move, based on the limited resources available. He knew he first had to find a way to get out.
At that moment, Arick felt a sudden electric jolt in the Rune of Silence on his forehead. It wasn't just a notification; it was a compulsive direction that imposed the System's plan upon his consciousness. The purple System screen rose, dominating the scene
🚨 Compulsory Quest 01: Secure Exit
┌──── ⋞COMPULSORY QUEST⋟ ────┐
⋟Quest: You must escape the family prison immediately. Unlock the cell's iron lock and proceed into the corridor.
Conditions: The lock is protected against brute force. You must use your exceptional intelligence to find a mechanical flaw and bypass the mechanism without making noise.
«Reward and Fate»
⋟ Reward: 10 Experience Points (XP), and unlock of the skill: [Structure Analysis].
Penalty: Certain Death (If the Quest is not completed within 20 hours).
Execution Countdown: (20 hours).
└─────────────────────────┘
Great, a quest! And if I don't execute it, I die! How far is this nonsense going to take it...?"