[YES]
My head felt like it had been smashed by a warhammer.
I had been having vivid visions of something, a swirl of memories and code, when I suddenly lost consciousness.
Wait. Can I think?
So I'm still alive?
Oh, thank you, God. Thank you, System. I will keep my trust in you… for now.
I slowly opened my eyes. I was staring up at a wooden ceiling, lying on my back on something soft, a bed, or maybe a really plush cot. The smell of medicinal herbs hung in the air.
"You are finally awake."
A familiar voice spoke from beside me.
I tried to push myself up, but a sharp, burning pain shot through my left abdomen, pinning me back down.
"Don't stress yourself."
Ardent must have brought me to his house.
Warm hands gently pushed my shoulders back.
"You are safe now."
Of course, I'm safe. I would've been even safer if you just had your damn potion.
I lay back down, staring at the grain of the wooden beams above, my mind racing.
So… my presence changed things.
I'm already playing this on Hell Difficulty, and now the game adapts, too?
But I didn't interfere with anything before that moment.
Does the game already know I'm going to get stabbed, so it removed Ardent's potion just to screw me over?
Or did this happen because I went to the diner?
While I was deep in thought, Ardent leaned over me. His eyes were clear, showing genuine relief and goodwill.
"Thank you for saving me last night," he said softly. "I'm Ardent Vale."
Yeah, I know who you are.
I nodded weakly, then remembered something far more important.
Hey, System. Why are you being so quiet?
[YOUR SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED]
Yeah, I know that. You took your sweet time activating while I was swimming in my own blood.
Now, show me the Status Screen.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Gene Riven
Level: 10
Rank: Awakener
Health: 80/100
Mana: 100/100
Unique Skill: Blood Manipulation
Blood Manipulation?
Man, that sounds so fucking cool.
Strength: 50/100 (Rank Limit)
Agility: 60/100 (Rank Limit)
Endurance: 40/100 (Rank Limit)
Intelligence: 40/100 (Rank Limit)
Perception: 60/100 (Rank Limit)
Luck: 40/100
I scanned the numbers. The /100 cap confirmed my theory, which was the absolute limit for an Awakener. To break past that and reach the Master Rank, I'd likely need to max them out and undergo an evolution event.
So, my name is Gene Riven.
Hmm.
I played this specific game for six months straight, speedrunning routes and reading forum guides to keep my two-year winning streak alive, but I never, not once, saw a character with that name.
Not even as a background NPC, or a side-story cameo, or an unused file name. Nothing.
What if I'm the last remaining person of the fallen noble family who has a special power that was passed through their bloodlines?
No chance.
And my stats… hmm. Not exactly the "Cheat Start" I was expecting, but it's better than starting with zero across the board.
It's like I got inserted into the story as someone who didn't exist before.
God, I really want to try that Blood Manipulation right this second.
"Are you okay?" Ardent asked, leaning closer, his face etched with worry.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm still in a daze," I lied smoothly.
"It's alright. Please, drink this soup."
He held out a wooden bowl steaming with a savoury aroma. I slowly lifted my upper body with his help, wincing as my side pulled tight.
The warmth spread through me, loosening muscles I didn't know were knotted.
"You are kind," I mumbled, finishing the bowl.
"My name is Gene Riven," I introduced myself, wiping my mouth.
It feels weird saying out loud.
"Gene. Thank you for saving me," he smiled, a bright, protagonist-worthy smile.
Ardent's smile wavered slightly, curiosity slipping through his expression.
"Gene… yesterday, when you were hurt, you told me to give you a potion," he said carefully. "I never told anyone about that. And we never met before either. How did you know Master Doran was supposed to give me one someday?"
My heart skipped a beat.
"Oh, that?" I forced a shrug. "I saw you a few times at the workshop. Dwarves have a habit of giving high-grade potions to people they trust. A guy I worked with got one. So I figured you would, too. Took a gamble."
Ardent blinked, his eyes narrowing, not aggressive, but alert and processing.
"That… actually makes sense," he nodded slowly. "Master Doran does trust me."
He bought it.
Holy shit, that was close.
Man, I almost got caught.
I can't afford to slip like that again.
Why is he so sharp?
"Gene, you have a really incredible power. Where are you from?" Ardent said as he took the empty soup bowl from my hands.
I froze.
What did he see? Did he see my ability last night?
"Somewhere far away," I deflected. Truth was, I could only remember the capital's name, and even that felt foggy.
"You healed too quickly. People don't recover from stab wounds overnight, Gene."
What?
But then it hit me.
It wasn't proper to wear a shirt after getting stabbed; most people would be covered in bandages. But I didn't have any bandages on. I was still wearing my blood-stained shirt.
I quickly lifted the hem of my shirt and looked at the spot where I was stabbed.
There was a light, pink scar. But no stitches. Just a dull, phantom pain. The blood inside my body acted weirdly suspicious.
Wait. Blood Manipulation. No stitches.
Did the System just stop my bleeding automatically using my power?
[YES]
Yes, yes! That is so cool! Man, I'm glad I got this power.
[BUT YOU HAVE A FLAW]
Of course. You can't see me smiling for more than a few seconds without ruining it. What is it?
[IF YOU HEAL A FATAL WOUND, YOU WILL BECOME UNCONSCIOUS]
How bad of a wound are we talking about?
[FATAL]
Well…
Then at least it's better than me ageing for every healing or losing my blood cells.
Hah.
I lay back in the bed, feeling suddenly exhausted. It hadn't even been a full day, and I had already gotten beaten up twice by life.
"You take rest. I will visit you during lunch." Ardent stood up and walked away, flashing one last grateful smile.
Just then, I saw a little figure peeking around the doorframe.
She looked like a mini version of Ardent, but female. Same black hair, same innocent eyes.
Step. Step. Step.
She slowly walked toward my bedside and just stood there, looking at me without speaking.
So this is his cute little sister, huh?
Oh, of course I'm not jealous. I can't even take care of myself; what would I do with a sister?
Wait. Isn't she supposed to be sick? Like, bedridden sick?
One of Ardent's motivations in the game was to join the Academy to earn money and find a cure.
If she's fine… then the protagonist lost his tragic backstory.
He lost his development. His goal. His reason to get stronger.
Why is she walking around alright?
"Thank you for saving my brother," she uttered slowly, her voice tiny.
"It's alright," I said, awkwardly patting her head.
Should I save her, too? Or let Ardent go through his tragic character development?
Wait… will she even be in danger to be saved?
[NEW EVENT UNLOCKED]
Let me breathe for fuck's sake.
Event Title: Academy Enrollment Notice
Description: A deviation in the narrative has been detected.
Due to timeline instability, the Eldian Academy entrance phase has been initiated earlier than expected.
Objective:
Enrol in the Eldian Academy before the current opportunity closes.
Consequence of Failure:
The qualification window will close, preventing progression and altering the game's central narrative route.
[JOIN THE ELDIAN ACADEMY]
It's starting so soon?
[ACADEMY ENROLLMENT CLOSES IN FOUR DAYS]