Osric didn't know how long he lay there.
The noise had faded, replaced by a dull ringing in his ears. Every breath burned, and when he tried to move, his body answered with pain sharp enough to steal the air from his lungs.
His vision blurred. The forest canopy above him wavered, fading in and out like a dying flame.
So this is it…
Swallowing felt impossible. Even lifting a finger took more strength than he had left. His hand twitched weakly against the dirt, then fell still.
Images drifted through his fading mind.
A woman's gentle smile — already slipping away.
Cold stone floors. Hunger. Laughter that was never meant for him.
Failure. Again. And again.
The world dimmed.
Just as Osric was about to draw his final breath, a voice cut through the darkness.
[Warning: Host condition critical.]
…Host?
If he still had the strength, he might have laughed. So this is how it ends. Losing my mind right before I die.
Then the pain changed.
It didn't vanish — but it dulled. The burning in his chest eased, just enough for him to notice. His breathing steadied, slow and shallow, but no longer slipping away.
Osric froze.
That hadn't been his imagination.
The voice spoke again.
[Fatal outcome predicted.]
[Survival probability: 3.2%]
A chill crept through him.
[Emergency Directive detected.]
[Life preservation override authorized.]
Before he could even begin to understand, the voice continued.
[Survival Growth System initializing…]
Osric's thoughts spiraled. None of it made sense. He didn't know what a "system" was — or why a voice only he could hear was calmly predicting his death.
But his body reacted before his mind could.
The bleeding slowed further. The pain dulled — not gone, but bearable.
It's real.
The voice returned, colder than before.
[Emergency Contract available.]
Text appeared before his eyes — clear, undeniable.
Condition: Survival above all else.
Failure: Termination.
Accept contract?
[YES / NO]
Osric stared at the words, his heart pounding weakly.
He didn't understand the cost.
He didn't understand the rules.
He didn't understand anything.
But one thought burned through the confusion, sharper than the pain ever had.
For once… I want power.
He didn't hesitate.
"Yes," Osric whispered.
[Emergency Contract accepted.]
[Host stabilization incomplete.]
[Viability verification required.]
The words hovered in his vision, emotionless and absolute.
Osric swallowed, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.
[Emergency Trial initiated.]