"Host."
A distinctly female but mechanical voice woke me from a deep sleep. Only it don't think I was sleeping. I didn't feel groggy nor did I think I was in bed. Was I dreaming?
I couldn't feel.... anything! It was as if I had been stripped of all sensations except the ability to hear this voice.
"Hello..." calling out cautiously. I was a bit surprised I could hear my own voice? It sounded strange though. Somehow, not the same.
"System 2149002 reboot. Assimilation to... Phoebe Hummington... complete. Update complete. Troubleshooting complete. On standby." Resounded the same voice.
Without giving me even a moment to question the happenings of this whole situation the voice continued. "Welcome Host #3 to the Beast Continent in the Hiatius Universe#33. You have died. You have bonded with the system 2149002 upon death. For the progression of tasks your memories upon death have been sealed."
"W-what...?" I couldn't stop my words from coming forth. I was dead? Not dreaming? I couldn't feel them or anything but im certain if I could I would feel the wetness of tears streaming down my cheeks. The voice didn't care about my mental break down, but I couldn't pay attention anymore I was too busy trying to make since of ways this was all somehow fake. A lie. I was maybe in a coma. Dreaming. Anything but.... dead. I couldn't be.
"Host#3 must complete system given tasks in order to continue to survive once transfered. If Host refuses to complete tasks pennelties will be applied. If Host fails to complete tasks Host will have their soul burned away and fail to reincarnate. Good luck host!"
That snapped me out of my futile attempt to understand what was happening. Complete tasks or death. Wasn't I already dead? Having your soul burn away did not sound fun. My heart should be pounding in my chest right now but it wasn't. There wasn't anything! Just when I was about to open my mouth to ask questions the system voice kept going!
"Host#3 you are the third host in this world the first two have failed to complete their tasks and have also failed to reincarnate leaving the current body devoid of a soul. You will possess that body and contine the tasks. Each Host upon entering their new reality is given a gift you may request a gift as will as long as it does not conflict with the first two Host's premises. For reference I have out lined the first two Host's requests:
"Host 1. Request: I get to choose my appearance in this life - The most beautiful in the world I want white hair white skin pink eyes. Flawless skin and perfect figure according to the current modern day standards!"
"Host 2. Request: I want to use magic! I want to be the strongest in magic to protect myself from now own. (The system has granted the host a new species within the guidelines of this world (this does not affect hosts 1 premise 1 appearance) New species granted. Human is upgraded to - Divine Cloud Rabit. The species is one of a kind. Specializations include: Healing magic. Wind magic. Spirit power. "
"Host#3 please make your request."
Listening to the system speak it decided I needed to treat this as reality no matter how outrageous it all seemed. If there was the slightest chance it was real it meant my life was on the line. Even if i had already died i still didn't want to die. Because of that I asked the system to repeat the first two Host's requests.
The two previous and Host #3 were unsettling words to think about. If two other people just like me had already failed that meant this was not something simple or easy. If I didn't take this seriously, if I didn't give it everything I have then I will also... I shook my disembodied head. Kinda.
The first host chose beauty. Im not sure if thats really helpful mostly because I dont know what kind of tasks this system has been giving out. It could be anything, like creating a company if that was the case I was screwed already. Or maybe it was fighting monsters. If that was it then it would make since the first one died but not the second?
I took a long drawn out breath before exhaling and asking, "System can you tell me what kind of tasks I will need to complete in this Beast Continent?" It sounds like fighting a bunch of beasts monsters what else would be on a continent full of beasts but beasts?
"Information is locked until the request is made. Please make your request. If Host does not have a request, Host will be transfered immediately."
"N-no no I have a request!" I all but shouted fumbling over myself. I was really crying.
Fine! I just needed to think about what I was missing. What could help me in the majority of situations? I had looks and magic already what exactly was i lacking that made the last two fail. It goes without saying that I dont want to end up like those two.
A brain maybe? I cringed at the thought the fact was I wasn't the smartest to begin with and looking at the previous two choices maybe thats what was missing but if that didn't help? I needed something else.
A thought slowly begain to come to form. "System, I request a helper to go with me into this place. Someone who knows the situation and can aid me in completing tasks." I didn't know if this was something the system could grant but the system could bring a dead person into and out of nothingness. Create and change a whole body. Surely this wasn't impossible.
The system was silent making me sweat. My mind began to race thinking of other possibilities incase this one was a bust.
"Processing request complete."
"Host#3 Request: I want a helper! (The system grants the promise 3 under conditions- The perfect partner (does not give xp nor count towards tasks. Cannot interfere in tasks. As "the perfect partner" will be an extention of the system created by the system it cannot disobey the system. 1000 essences are required to complete. After 100 essences are absorbed the helper will upgrade. Once complete "the perfect partner" can then be used to complete tasks.)"
"Will you accept the gift?"
Dumbstruck I felt a little bit of joy rise up it was more then I was hoping for. A helper, and the helper could even be upgraded and eventually help with tasks by itself. Did that mean that after I collect these 1000 essences I would no longer need to complete tasks. I didn't hesitate.
"I- I accept."
As soon as the words were spoken it felt like I was sinking, faster and faster until I was falling.