» [Stabilizing]: Regaining control...
» 3... 2... 1...
Gasp!—
I was freed from the hands that threatened to end my life, and yet the persistent bleeding from my neck and the pain that came with it was excruciating.
My surroundings were graphic, it was not for the weak-hearted, The girl despite the violent scene that unfolded before her, without a hint of hesitation, supported me, helping me sit upright next to a wall.
In a way, it helped in calming me.
Can she tell how grateful I am for her aid—through my eyes?
Though...
...What a pale complexion of a face, the uniform she wore was a blazer in red-black, the mark of a student.
Her hair was pinkish red, or was it violet? It shifted hues depending on the angle and lighting.
Suffice it to say, she's attractive.
Her irises were a color of soft light purple, Her figure was toned, and she had noticeably slender legs.
Then I felt her skin touch mine, she was inspecting my injured right hand, and all this time, she was speaking.
But my mind wasn't there at all. The retaliation from Luden's soul made it hard to properly use my five senses.
I'm amazed at how quickly she calms herself, she knows that panicking won't do any good.
Then she stood up and went to the drawer, where the clear vial that cured my poison had been placed.
She rummaged through it. If my memory serves me right, that drawer contained medicinal items. But then I asked myself:
Why did this body compel me to drink the cure?
If it wanted to die… wouldn't it have just choked me the moment I swallowed the poison?
» [System]: Luden's survival instinct was still intact, the transmigration wasn't perfect.
» It took both Luden's body and soul a moment to realize it was being hijacked.
That's madness... Calling it Transmigration while in truth all we did was possession.
Why would you even let that happen?
» ...
The system didn't say anything...
As I watch the girl, trying her best to find medicine for me, here I am flooded by guilt that I took over the body of someone who I assumed was important to her.
» [Notice]: Player—the lives of these people are irrelevant to the mission.
» [Primary Objective]: Ascend the Tower of Babel and reach the Terminal at the summit.
» Log Out, Exit Life: your destiny...
I know...
I haven't forgotten that...
» [Reminder]: All progress is null if you fail to maintain Sanity...
Sanity? Do remind me again how that thing works.
» [System Notice: Sanity Function Overview]:
» Sanity: Measures your mental stability while interfacing with the Tower's reality layer. Lower values increase the risk of system malfunction and mental collapse.
[Sanity Status Tiers]:
» 60+ Stable Levels: No Penalties.
» 50–59 Mild Mental Strain: Approaching Low Threshold.
» 20–49 Unstable:
– Hallucinations.
– UI Malfunctions.
– Triggers 'Special Penalties'
» 1–19: Critical Level
– Severe Mental Toll.
– System Behavior unpredictable,
– System may turn hostile towards the player.
– Special Penalties Intensified.
» 0: Cognitive Collapse
– Death guaranteed. Memory Core corruption is irreversible.
» Future cycles compromised.
---
What are 'Special Penalties' system?
» As of now, you have none.
I see...
Turn hostile against me? Why is that a thing?...
Don't you think there's a flaw in your design?
» ...
Very well...
But I'm aware that I died and failed my last cycle, Interestingly enough—I didn't go through custom character creation, instead, I transmigrated... Or rather, did a possession.
All this combined with my inconsistent memory, One conclusion was absolute: If I die again, I fear the next one will be so damaged that I may not be able to go on.
» [System Tip]:
» Keep Sanity above 60 for optimal performance.
» Avoid or immediately execute enemies that can inflict sanity damage.
» The Sanity System is affected by your environment, and mental state, and may also be altered by third parties.
» Use restoration items or mental support when needed.
» [That woman in front of you can help—]:
Did the system just tell me to take advantage of her?
I'll think about it—but the moral dilemma whether I should or shouldn't was there, I guess I'm not that pragmatic.
I already have to deal with stealing someone else's life, and taking advantage of their loved ones, the consequences I have to face and the guilt on top of it, would be far too heavy...
"Lud, here—let me." the girl said as she approached, carrying a medicinal bag. She sat beside me again, administering first aid on my bloodied right hand. She cleaned the wound with alcohol, immediately followed by a painful sting.
She wrapped it in bandages, then gently dabbed the blood dripping from my neck with a clean white cloth.
"Say something—what happened? What were you doing?" she asked. Her tone was concerned but soft-spoken. She didn't seem angry... her calmness felt too unusual.
Was she used to this?
Was she some kind of support class?
But what am I supposed to say? I can't exactly admit I hijacked this body and that its original soul tried to resist.
I opened my mouth—trying to speak, but…
Why is it painful to speak a word?
My throat… it's too sore…
» [Notice]: The poison vial dealt minor harm to your vocal cords. It will take a while for them to heal...
The girl gently tapped my shoulder as she sat beside me, "Please don't do that again..." she said, I saw that her hand was shaking ever so slightly, but she tried to stay composed.
This wasn't the first time this happened, it seems.
» [Notice]: Luden's body shows signs of repeated self-inflicted injuries.
That was hard to fathom—too morbid.
It painted Luden as someone who might have struggled with self-harm...
What pushed him that far?
Although this girl, her personality seems caring and sweet. I have so many questions for her, but I'll hold it until my throat is healed.
"It's been a difficult week for you, I know that—" the girl said, which caught my interest, "You don't have to worry anymore."
"As long as you prove your loyalty to the Leon Kingdom, they won't execute you."
.....???
Execute?! What does she mean?!
What did Luden do?!
I tried to speak, but the soreness in my throat caused my speech to be delivered with a strain.
"Don't force it Lud..." She leaned closer, inspecting my throat, then her face slightly contorted as if she just smelled some foul.
With calm eyes, she stood up.
She looked around, looking for something within the room, and then her eyes landed on the desk I had woken up on.
The first thing she saw was the green vial... She walked towards it.
She picked it up, smelled it—then looked back at me.
"Did you... drink this?"
With no voice, I could only nod in response.
---
She sighed—
"Luden... Why?"
She assumed it was an attempted suicide.
But then multiple thoughts crossed her mind:
1. If Luden wanted to commit suicide, the poison alone would be enough. Why would he need to choke himself too?
2. And the cure potion in the drawer had just been consumed—by him.
3. He poisoned himself, drank the cure, then choked himself?
4. And what about the broken mirror and his injured hand? None of it made sense to her.
---
I couldn't meet her eyes. Even if I'm not truly Luden, the heart in this body carried too much guilt.
All I could do was stare at the broken mirror, my shattered hand… and feel the remnants of Luden's soul still clinging to this body.
What a spawn point...
She didn't press further, noticing I couldn't even speak. Instead, she stepped forward again and gently helped me to my feet.
"Lud, in half an hour you'll be talking directly to the king—"
...?? King?
...?? Talk?
"I can't have you looking like this," she said. "Please, don't hurt yourself anymore—"
..?? What the hell is happening?
"Focus on convincing the king that you're on humanity's side—"
HUH?!!!
"After all, you saved me, a human, this is the least I can do for you..."
Aren't I human too??!!!
"What's with the shocked face?" she asked.
"I won't ask why you drank that vial—you must have your reasons. But Luden, you have so much to prove,"
"Just don't do that again, okay?"
I looked at her and nodded.
So much care and patience...
My crimson eyes met her light purple irises. We were close to one another, as she carried me on her shoulder.
She smelled nice—like melon-scented.
I didn't realize how silky her hair was. What kind of shampoo was she using?
She could be a model or something.
But why was my heart beating? Are these Luden's emotions? Or mine?
» [System]: Two opposing emotions are colliding, it will take some time to get used to... player...
I see... That makes sense...
Without even noticing, we stared at each other for far too long—but in reality I was staring at the system...
"Uhm! Let's just go! Hang on..." she said, breaking eye contact.
I nodded again in agreement. We walked down a hallway, and multiple students in the same formal black-red clothing crossed our path.
But what am I missing...?
Some of them looked at us with such disgust... Our path was blocked by a girl in glasses, and upon noticing who it was, she immediately walked away in a panic.
A lot of them didn't want to make eye contact with me. And the looks they gave the girl helping me... they looked at her with judgemental eyes.
We continued walking...
"Not used to it yet, Lud?" she spoke, barely above a whisper.
Again, she talks like I'm a different race. Are the people here just racist by default? Racist against dudes with crimson eyes and ghostly pale skin...
Now that I think about it...
I look way too different...
Then I noticed, there are elves here, and people with cat ears. They aren't being treated the same way as me.
Why is everyone looking at me like I'm a sort of monster? Unless I'm chapped.
What's the meaning of this?
"Don't pay them any attention. Soon they'll realize you're here to stand with us."
I looked at her with confused eyes. I hoped she could tell through my expression that I wanted answers.
"Lud, I will never shun you like them," she said...
"Because I know that you're a good—"
"—Banshee."
Chapter End.