[Ding! First kill successfully achieved!]
Twig's eyes widened; his breathing grew heavy. He could hardly believe it. What had just been a fleeting thought moments ago was now becoming reality — a wild system had appeared.
Before he could utter a single word, move a muscle, or even blink, time seemed to stop. Jeannie, nearby, froze mid-motion. The world around him lost all color — gray, black, and white, everything pale and lifeless. The air itself felt unnecessary, as if breathing were a habit he had forgotten.
It was impossible to describe what was happening. The world was no longer the world. Reality dissolved into something strange, distorted. As if transmigration wasn't enough… now this.
My mind is going to break, Twig thought.
[Ding! User detected!][Congratulations, dear Robert Nilig! You have unlocked an incredible achievement!][Ding! Do you wish to link to the Lifeform Enhancement and Evolution System?]
The question echoed inside his mind — clear, mechanical, and inescapable.Twig's heart raced, somewhere between fear and a strange euphoria. This could be his chance to survive in this hostile world… or the beginning of something far worse.
He swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and trembling, answered,"I–I accept!"
[Ding! Perfect. Initiating download process…][Progress: 10%... 20%... 30%... 50%... 75%... 100%.][Download completed successfully.][Initiating global analysis: identifying world and applying compatible system…][Verification complete. World identified: Planetos — origin: fictional work by George R. R. Martin.][Initiating user memory scan. Objective: locate systems or mechanics compatible with prior knowledge and host mental conditions.][Initiating user memory scan…]
A sudden pressure invaded Twig's head, as if something were trying to carve space inside his skull. His vision blurred. Every memory — childhood, school, late nights watching shows — began to swirl in a storm of images and voices.
He felt his body tremble. The ground pulsed beneath his feet. Distant echoes filled his mind, like someone flipping through the pages of a massive book.
Fragmented scenes flashed before his eyes: clashing swords, screams in ancient tongues, castles covered in snow… faces he recognized — faces that shouldn't exist.
[Ding! Scan in progress. 40%...]
His heart raced faster. The pain intensified, as if each memory was being torn out, examined, and shoved back in a different shape. He tried to scream, but no sound came out.
[Ding! 70%...][Ding! Incompatible memories detected. Restructuring cognitive connections.][Ding! Scan complete. Integration initiated.]
The silence that followed was absolute. Then, a new voice — cold, yet oddly human — echoed within him.
[Ding! Database successfully obtained.][Ding! Multiple systems identified as compatible. The user must have been a true nerd in his previous life, before transmigration.]
Still dizzy and trying to process what he'd just heard, Twig's eyes widened."What?! This system is judging me?" he exclaimed, outraged.
He crossed his arms and huffed."So I can officially say it now — my system has a personality! It's more than just a machine."
[Ding! Dear user, the system acquired personality through scanning your memories. Much of my behavior derives from your own experiences and mental patterns. As you evolve, learn, and interact with other individuals, the system will also continue to develop — just like you.]
Twig blinked, scratching the back of his neck."So basically… you're an annoying version of myself?"
[Ding! Correction: a more efficient version.]
Twig sighed."Great… I transmigrated into another world just to get mocked by my own consciousness."
[Ding! Continuing procedures.][Ding! Number of compatible options exceeds manual selection limit.][Ding! Initiating random draw protocol…]
Twig's eyes widened."What?! Wait, I can't choose?" he shouted. "This is unfair!"
[Ding! System designated.][Base model: Ragnarok Online. Release year: 2002. Country of origin: South Korea.]
Twig took a few steps back, scratching his head."Ragnarok Online… wow, it's been ages since I played that…" he muttered. "I barely even remember how the mechanics worked."
[Ding! Initiating download of Ragnarok Online system specifications…]
He blinked several times, staring at the holographic interface that now seemed more alive than ever. Lines of code, progress bars, and familiar game icons floated and flickered in the air, as if the world itself was being reprogrammed.
[Ding! Download 10%… 25%… 50%… 75%… 100%.][Download completed.][Activating system functions…][Estimated time for full configuration: 12 hours.][During this period, the system will enter rest mode.][See you tomorrow, dear user Robert Nilig.]
Twig stood still, watching as the glowing interface slowly faded."Twelve hours… rest mode… perfect," he muttered with a mix of frustration and despair. "And what exactly am I supposed to do until then?"
He looked around, lost."How do I get out of here?" he whispered. "How do I return to normal time — to the real world?"
Suddenly, without warning or another ding, time resumed its flow.The smell of fresh blood filled the air. Twig looked down at his hands and saw warm red liquid running between his fingers. The chicken's head had rolled to the side, motionless.
He swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest."Ah… right…" he muttered, trying to compose himself, though the images refused to leave his mind. "This… this is real."