My existence stability kept dropping.
Slowly—but constantly.
> Existence Stability: 11%
So the system wasn't exaggerating.
Standing around wouldn't save me.
---
Emotional residue.
That was my only hint.
Hospitals were filled with it, but it was scattered and unstable.
If I wanted to survive, I needed something stronger.
More concentrated.
---
I drifted through the hallway.
Past empty rooms.
Past closed curtains.
Then I felt it.
A heavy pressure.
Grief.
---
A man sat alone on a bench near the emergency ward.
His hands trembled as he stared at the floor.
A few minutes later, a doctor approached him.
I didn't need to hear the words.
The man collapsed.
His shoulders shook.
Pain poured out of him like a flood.
---
> [Emotional Source Detected.]
[High-Intensity Grief.]
My body reacted on its own.
A pull.
Instinctive.
Dangerous.
"…So this is it."
I hesitated.
Taking something from the living felt wrong.
But disappearing wasn't an option either.
I moved closer.
---
The moment I reached out—
My vision exploded in white.
Pain tore through my consciousness.
Screams.
Memories.
Regret.
I was drowning in emotions that weren't mine.
> [Warning: Unfiltered emotional intake.]
[Risk of Identity Corrosion.]
Identity… corrosion?
I pulled back immediately.
The pain stopped.
I reeled, barely holding myself together.
---
> [Existence Stability Increased.]
+3%
> Current Stability: 14%
It worked.
But barely.
And it nearly broke me.
"…So this isn't free."
> [Confirmation: All growth requires cost.]
Figures.
---
The man on the bench sobbed, unaware of my presence.
I felt no guilt.
Just… exhaustion.
If I wanted to survive—
I needed control.
---
> [New Skill Unlocked.]
— Emotional Absorption (Incomplete)
Incomplete.
Of course it was.
---
I floated back, distancing myself.
"Guess I can't just feed whenever I want."
> [Advisory: Excessive intake may result in loss of self.]
"So I either disappear…"
I paused.
"…or I forget who I am."
Neither option sounded good.
---
> [Beginner Task: Ongoing.]
Days Remaining: 6
Six days left.
I clenched my hand.
"I'll find a third option."
---