The cold pavement pressed against my cheek.
For a moment, I thought I was dead.
Car horns blared somewhere nearby, footsteps rushed past, but no one stopped. I forced my eyes open, my vision swimming as streetlights blurred above me.
"Get up... " I muttered, my body trembling.
Then—Warning.
The glowing blue screen snapped back into view.
[Host's physical condition: Critical.]
[Time remaining: 23:47:12.]
My heart slammed violently against my ribs.
"Not a dream…" I whispered.
The system was real.
Panic crawled up my throat as I struggled to sit. My head throbbed, my clothes were damp with sweat, and my hands shook uncontrollably.
[First Task Reminder: Survive the next 24 hours.]Survive?
I let out a hollow laugh. "That's it? You show up now and tell me to survive?"
{No response.}
I pushed myself up using a nearby wall, every muscle screaming in protest. A sharp pain shot through my chest, forcing me to gasp.
[Health Warning: Severe exhaustion detected.]
[Suggestion: Immediate rest and nourishment recommended.]
So it could help.staggered toward my tiny rented room, each step heavier than the last. The city that never cared continued moving, indifferent as always.
By the time I reached my door, my fingers were numb. I collapsed onto the thin mattress, staring at the cracked ceiling.
All my life, I had endured quietly.
Apologized quietly.
Worked quietly.
Suffered quietly.
And what did it give me?
Nothing.{New Notification.}
I sucked in a breath.
[Beginner Reward Available.]
[Condition: Accept the System.]
My fingers curled into the blanket.
"If I accept…" My voice shook. "There's no turning back, is there?"
Silence.
I closed my eyes.
I had already hit rock bottom. What was there left to lose?
"…I accept."
The screen pulsed softly.
[Life Upgrade System Activated.]
[Host Authority Granted.]
A strange warmth spread through my chest, easing the pain—just a little.
[Beginner Gift: Basic Vital Recovery (+5%).]
I gasped as the crushing heaviness in my body lifted slightly. It wasn't much, but it was enough to breathe without pain.
Tears slipped down the sides of my face.
For the first time, something had answered me.
I clenched my fists.
"This time," I whispered into the empty room, "I won't just survive."
Outside, the city lights flickered like distant stars.
And somewhere deep inside me, something finally awakened..