Waking from a deep slumber, the last image flickering in his mind was a heavy truck—one that simply wouldn't brake. Then, darkness. Consciousness only returned moments ago.
The problem? He was awake, but where were the memories?
'Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?'
The three fundamental questions of life surfaced naturally. Remembering nothing, he inexplicably became this so-called "Nameless."
"I remember everything else, yet why... can't I remember myself?"
As Nameless puzzled over his identity, a sudden, piercing light appeared before his eyes, instantly seizing his attention.
[Pleasure to meet you, Actor No. 114515. System No. 9528 at your service.]
"An Actor? A System? Like the ones from web novels? What exactly are you?"
Before him floated a familiar small ball of light. It looked like a miniature version of a "God Space" orb from some fiction.
Small, and actually quite cute.
[Actor, I know you are quite anxious—on a scale of one to ten, about a nine—but please, do not rush. We have ample time to explain the upcoming steps. Please wait quietly.]
At those words, Nameless immediately went silent. Though questions swirled in his mind, the entity promised to explain everything.
[Since you are here, I trust you already met our system's outsourced personnel, Actor?]
[Even if you cannot recall who you are for now, your other memories remain vivid, yes? Especially those right before your death...]
Before death?
What did this system mean?
Searching his mind, he found nothing but that truck slamming into him. Wait... could it be?
[Looking at your expression, I believe you guessed it. Correct. Our system follows the old traditions, outsourcing transmigrations to truck companies worldwide.]
[However, as human safety awareness improved in recent years, the success rate plummeted. Heavy trucks aren't as reliable as they used to be. Thus, our system began outsourcing to more diverse companies, leading to a variety of transmigration methods.]
Nameless wanted to complain, but he didn't even know where to start. So that was the reason behind the "variety" of ways people got sent to other worlds?
[Congratulations. At the cost of your own identity, you successfully obtained a Roleplay System. Therefore...]
[Actor, the "Best Partner Roleplay System" is now at your service!]
"Wait, you're what?"
[The Best Partner Roleplay System. Didn't I just say that? The 'One Soul, Two Bodies' trope is very popular lately. To adapt to the times, I upgraded from a standard Roleplay System. Impressive, isn't it?]
[Through me, the Host can acquire two highly compatible templates from novels, anime, or games to play simultaneously.]
"One soul, two bodies... I liked that element when I read books, but doing it myself while roleplaying other characters? Isn't that a bit much?"
As a normal human, he had no idea what it felt like for one soul to control two bodies.
If he had to roleplay according to the system's requirements, just adapting to two physical forms would likely take a long time.
[Host, you accepted my words surprisingly quickly.]
"What of it? Humans are adaptable creatures. Besides, I lack my own memories, so I naturally accept new things faster. However..."
"Even so, I am still curious about what kind of person I used to be. Can you tell me?"
[Regrettably, as the price for the system, I can tell you it is impossible. At least, not while I am bound to you.]
"Meaning, if you're gone one day, I might find out who I am?"
[In theory... yes? You aren't thinking of unbinding now, are you? That is unrealistic. Neither of us can do it, unless...]
The system's voice paused, as if considering a specific possibility. Nameless stayed quiet, waiting for it to continue.
[Unless you follow the system's roleplay requirements throughout the near-infinite future, until the day the unbinding occurs.]
"I see..."
"Then I shall look forward to that day, System."
A sigh escaped Nameless. Perhaps it was relief from shedding the shackles of the past? Perhaps disappointment in the future? Or perhaps... he finally found a goal.
"I'm ready. Time to do your job, System!"
[Then, Host, your journey begins now. The Best Partner Roleplay System will be by your side.]
Ding!
A crisp sound echoed, like dice rattling continuously in a cup. Soon, two silhouettes blurred into existence before Nameless.
One was a short girl in blue and white.
The other was a tall woman draped in purple and black.
"Oh? These two characters?"
Though his personal identity was a blur, his knowledge of media remained sharp. He recognized them instantly.
Both came from the game Honkai: Star Rail, and they shared a deep narrative connection.
[Template "One Soul, Two Bodies" loaded.]
[Cerydra! Hysilens! The Best Pair!]
With a strange mechanical hum, the two light shadows merged into Nameless's being.
In that exact moment, his body split in two, becoming two entirely new entities.
The monarch who holds the pieces, Cerydra.
The knight who plays the waves, Hysilens.
"So this is what one soul and two bodies feels like? First time experiencing this... how rare." x2
The same words left two pairs of lips. One voice sounded mature and resonant, while the other was... slightly childish?
To test the sensation, both Cerydra and Hysilens turned to look at each other simultaneously. However, they met two completely unexpected sights.
Cerydra looked up to see a towering, graceful figure—parts of which seemed to consist of bubbling blue seawater.
Hysilens looked down and saw...
A tiny crown burning with blue flames?
★ ★ ★