After my breakdown, I found myself alone in bed, staring at the unfamiliar yet familiar ceiling.
Lia had gone to make breakfast.
Her college was on break, so for once, she didn't have to leave early.
I tried to move my body once more—but I couldn't.
The most I could manage was twitching my fingers, and even that felt like a struggle.
I forced my breathing to slow. Panic wouldn't help me—not now.
I had already died once because I couldn't think straight.
I wouldn't make the same mistake again.
The memory of my final moments surfaced, and my breath hitched again. The scene before my death was blurry, hazy at the edges, but the fear was still there.
I clenched my fingers weakly and forced myself to calm down.
First, I confirmed one thing: I really had gone two years into the past.
The apocalypse would begin in exactly two years—on April 6th.
And today was…
"April 6th. So… two years to prepare."
Exactly two years from today, the world would change forever.
If I could move properly—if this body wasn't so damn useless, I could do so much, accomplish so many things.
But right now, this body refused to listen to me.
Still… there was progress.
At first, I couldn't even feel my limbs properly.
Now, I could flex my wrists and even move my toes a little.
The recovery was slow, too painfully slow, but it was something… I guess.
Second realization: I wasn't some all-knowing regressor blessed with perfect memory and future knowledge.
I didn't survive long enough for that.
I had died barely a month after the apocalypse began—right when people were only beginning to learn about ranks, potentials, and everything else.
That meant I couldn't rely on foresight alone.
And third…
That voice.
The one I heard just before everything went black.
I didn't remember much about the last moments.
Everything felt distant, fragmented. But there was one thing I knew for sure—
I had allowed myself to regress after the voice asked for permission.
I swallowed.
I knew it sounded ridiculous, cliché even.
But… whatever.
Let's do this.
"System," I whispered softly in a low tone.
Silence.
I waited… but nothing happened.
I tried again.
"Please… work," I muttered, forcing my focus.
"System."
Again… silence.
Still nothing.
"Are you—" Just as I was about to curse in frustration, I heard it.
[System initializing… syncing with host consciousness…]
Hearing the same feminine voice again, something deep inside me shifted.
I couldn't explain where the sensation came from. It wasn't just in my head—it felt deeper than that.
My soul? My existence?
I didn't know.
A faint, blue translucent screen flickered into existence before my eyes.
[System initializing...]
[...]
[...]
[Host identity confirmed: Lucian Foster]
[…]
[…]
[System Core successfully synchronized.]
[Welcome, host.]
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
Then I let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
"Huh," I muttered.
"Damn."
It almost didn't feel real. Even after seeing the screen floating in front of me, my mind struggled to accept it.
I'd read stories like this.
Mocked them, even.
And now, I was living one.
"So, system… can you talk? Or are you one of those silent types?"
[I can speak, host.] Her voice echoed inside my head.
A weak smirk formed on my lips.
"Good." My gaze hardened.
"Then answer me this. Can you help me get stronger?"
That was the only thing that mattered.
That was the goal, after all.
This time, I wouldn't hide, I wouldn't run away.
I'd destroy anyone who dared to harm Lia—anyone at all.
Even if they were gods.
"Okay. Don't get ahead of yourself," I told myself.
Then, louder—
"System?"
[I cannot directly aid you, but I can guide you when truly needed. I may offer quests and rewards—each scaled to your current difficulty. However, I cannot interfere beyond my bounds.]
Figures. Nothing ever came easy.
And if something did come easy, then there was always something wrong with it.
[To view your current condition, say: "Status."]
"Status."
For the first time since regressing, a feeling surged through me—one that I hadn't felt in years.
Excitement.
A bright, large blue screen expanded before my eyes.
[STATUS]
Name – Lucian Foster
Race – Human
Titles – [LOCKED]
Bloodline – ??? (Dormant, Sealed)
Affinity – [LOCKED]
Talent – [LOCKED]
Rank – [LOCKED]
[Attributes]
Strength – 1
Agility – 1
Constitution – 1
Intelligence – 7
Will – 1
Perception – 1
Charm – 4
Stamina – 1
Mana – [LOCKED]
Attribute Points (AP) – 0
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