​The moment my thought finished, the "sleep paralysis" sensation vanished instantly.
​Instead, I found myself floating in an indeterminate void, surrounded by complex streams of code and data flowing like rivers. I had no hands, no feet, no body. I was... a consciousness.
​... Selection confirmed: [Play Immediately and Update Gradually] ...
... Initializing System Core ...
​The mechanical voice rang out, but this time it didn't come from outside; it seemed to resonate from my very being.
​"Wait... System Core?" My consciousness reeled. "I thought I was the player! I was supposed to be reincarnated, wasn't I?"
​... Initialization complete. Welcome, [Administrator] ...
... System [Newbie Guide] Version 0.1 (Beta) activated ...
... Primary function: Support host ...
... Status: Searching for compatible host ...
​A series of information windows appeared before my "eyes." But I had no eyes. I was the one displaying those windows. I realized a terrifying truth: I wasn't the main character.
​I was the System.
​"No! No! This is wrong!" I screamed frantically in my mind. "I chose 'Yes' to play the game, not to be the game! Let me do it over!"
​... Process is irreversible ...
... Scanning surrounding environment ...
... Detecting suitable faint life signal ...
​A stream of images suddenly flooded my consciousness. This wasn't my messy room. This was... a forest? Dark and damp.
​And then I "saw" him.
​A boy, perhaps only about 10 years old, emaciated, with matted hair, was curled up under the roots of an ancient tree. His clothes were in tatters, and it seemed... he was dying. A large wound on his stomach was bleeding profusely.
​... Target: [Kael] ...
... Race: [Human] ...
... Level: 1 ...
... Status: Dying (Mortality Rate: 99.8%) ...
​"A kid... about to die?" I was stunned.
​... Only potential host in range. Do you wish to proceed with binding? ...
... Warning: If host dies, System Core (You) will be severely damaged, possibly leading to consciousness annihilation ...
... [YES] / [NO] ...
(Auto-selecting [YES] in 10... 9... 8...)
​"What the hell!?" I shrieked. "This is my 'play early' option? Starting with a character on the brink of death? And I'm not even him!"
​I had no other choice. If this kid died, I was "game over" too.
​"YES! YES! ACCEPT THE BIND!"
​... 7... 6... Selection confirmed ...
... Initiating bind with host [Kael] ...
... 10%... 50%... 100% ...
... Bind successful! ...
​Instantly, I felt the pain.
​The mind-numbing pain from the wound, the cold seeping into his bones, and the utter despair of the boy named Kael. His consciousness was flickering like a candle in the wind.
​I had to do something!
​By instinct as a "System," I tried to activate a function.
​... Function [Newbie Shop]... Updating (Est. 48:00:00) ...
... Function [Skills]... Updating (Est. 72:00:00) ...
... Function [Status Window]... Loaded (Basic) ...
... Function [System Announcement]... Loaded ...
​"Damn it! 'Update gradually'? He'll be dead by then!"
​I had to use the only thing I had.
​I focused all my "system power" to display a notification window right in front of Kael—even though the boy's eyes were nearly closed.
​A faint blue light appeared in his fading mind.
​[System has been activated!]
[Do you want to LIVE?]
[YES] / [NO]
​A desperate attempt. Did he even have enough consciousness left to choose?
​Kael's fragile consciousness wavered. A faint thought flickered... "Live..."
​His trembling, mud-caked finger twitched, trying to touch the illusory "YES" button only he could see.
​Tap.
​... Host has confirmed will to survive! ...
... Activating Emergency Relief Package (For System) ...
... Consuming 100% of System's Initial Energy ...
... Dispensing [Newbie Recovery Potion (Low-grade)] x 1 ...
​A small, green-glowing vial suddenly materialized in the air and fell with a soft thud onto Kael's chest.
​"Drink... drink it, kid!" I screamed through the link, but all Kael "heard" was another line of text:
​[Newbie Quest (Urgent): Drink the potion!]
[Reward: Survival.]
[Penalty for failure: Death (And the System goes down with you.)]
​I held my breath... oh, right, I don't breathe. I "watched" with bated breath through our connection.
​The boy, Kael, with a final, extraordinary effort, trembling, grabbed the potion, fumbled with the cap, and poured it straight into his mouth.