The "house" assigned to me was more like a small apartment—bare, cold, and strangely quiet.
As soon as the door closed behind me, I leaned against the wall, breathing deeply.
"Okay… Okay. Think."
Nightmare Gates… the world's greatest threat and greatest opportunity.
Awakened. Sleepers. The Forgotten Shore. The Winter Solstice.
I needed to know where in the story I was.
The news panel on the wall activated with a soft beep, displaying headlines.
No mention of the Forgotten Shore yet.
Good.
The canon hadn't started.
Meaning—I still had time.
Then suddenly—
Ding.
A blue light erupted in front of me.
SYSTEM INITIALIZED
A translucent panel hovered mid-air—solid enough to touch, unreal enough to terrify.
My heart pounded. "A system… a real system…"
I was grinning like a lunatic.
Words began to appear.
[SYSTEM FUNCTIONS AVAILABLE]
1. System Exchange
Exchange soul cores, memories, attributes, abilities, and more for System Points.
System Points may be earned through:
• Offering soul cores
• Killing humans or monsters
• Altering fated outcomes
• Resisting the will of the world
2. Quests
Completing objectives rewards System Points and unique memories.
3. Inventory
4. Guide
Ask anything. Knowledge may require payment.
"This… this is insane."
My hands trembled. "Do I get a starter pack or something?"
No response.
"Figures…" I sighed. "Okay. Show me my status."
[HOST: AVNER]
Status: Not Awakened
Soul Trait: None
Abilities: None
Attributes: Below Average
"Wow…" I muttered. "I'm weak. Like, comically weak."
Another window popped up.
[MAIN QUEST UNLOCKED]
Challenge your first Nightmare and become a Sleeper.
Reward:
• 1000 System Points
• Attribute Evolution Memory
• Awakened-Rank Memory
Time Limit: 2 Months
No rewards after the limit.
"Two months…" I murmured.
The same time until the Winter Solstice—the beginning of the original story.
My heart pounded.
This world was terrifying.
But the chance… the possibility…
I clenched my fists.
"Let's do it."
I had no reason to cling to my past life. That world was gone.
Here, in this place of danger and opportunity, I would forge a new path.
A path with no hesitation.
No regrets.
No chains.
"A path toward immortality," I whispered.
The system panel flickered—almost as if acknowledging my resolve.
And so, my new life began.