I don't know what just happened.
But it felt like I had just stepped on a landmine.
One wrong move… and everything would explode.
My thoughts were completely messed up.
The system messages… the strange warnings… that weird feeling that something was watching—
None of it made any sense.
"What does it even want from me…?"
I muttered under my breath, rubbing my temples.
There was no clear answer.
Only confusion.
Only unease.
And deep down—
A growing fear I didn't want to admit.
"…Forget it."
I let out a long breath.
The truth was simple.
I was tired.
Not just physically.
Mentally.
Completely drained.
My body still ached from the sudden workouts the system forced on me. My legs felt heavy, my arms sore, and even thinking felt like a burden.
"I'll think about it tomorrow…"
Yeah.
That sounded like a good plan.
For now, I just needed sleep.
I turned off the lights and lay down on my bed.
The ceiling fan spun slowly above me.
The familiar creaking sound should have been comforting.
But tonight—
It wasn't.
It felt… off.
Too quiet.
Too still.
"…Why does it feel like this again?"
I frowned slightly.
It was the same feeling from earlier.
Like the world wasn't right.
Like something invisible was… waiting.
I clicked my tongue.
"Overthinking."
Yeah.
That had to be it.
I closed my eyes.
Trying to force myself to relax.
But then—
For some reason—
A face appeared in my mind.
Clear.
Unexpected.
Seara.
"…Huh?"
I opened my eyes slightly, staring at the ceiling.
"Why am I thinking about her now…?"
Out of all times—
Why now?
Her calm expression.
The way she tied her hair casually.
The way she looked at people—
Not judging.
Just observing.
And earlier today—
That moment.
"You look tired."
Her voice echoed faintly in my head.
Soft.
But direct.
It wasn't teasing.
It wasn't casual either.
She had actually meant it.
"…Does it really show that much?"
I let out a small, dry laugh.
I hadn't even noticed.
But she did.
Then another thought came.
A little annoying.
A little embarrassing.
"…Did she notice anything else?"
The injuries.
The tiredness.
The way I've been acting different lately.
I turned to my side, pulling the blanket slightly over my face.
"Why am I even thinking about this…"
This wasn't like me.
Getting distracted over something like this.
Or… someone.
Still—
I couldn't deny it.
She was different.
Not in a flashy way.
Not like those popular girls who always tried to stand out.
Kanisha was quiet.
But not weak.
Calm.
But not boring.
And for some reason—
That made her stand out more than anyone else.
"…Tch."
I clicked my tongue again.
"This is useless."
I had bigger problems.
Way bigger.
Like the system.
That thing was not normal.
Not even close.
No matter how I thought about it—
It didn't make sense.
A floating screen.
Missions.
Rewards.
Stats.
This wasn't real life.
This was—
Something straight out of those novels I used to read.
"…System…"
I whispered softly.
Almost testing the word.
No response.
"…Figures."
Maybe I was just imagining things.
Maybe I was just too tired.
Maybe—
BEEP—!
My eyes snapped open instantly.
"What the—?!"
The sound was sharp.
Loud.
And wrong.
It didn't come from outside.
It didn't come from inside the room.
It felt like—
It came from inside my head.
I sat up immediately, heart pounding.
"Where is that coming from—?"
My eyes scanned the dark room.
The door.
The window.
The fan.
Nothing.
And then—
It appeared.
The screen.
Right in front of me.
Brighter than ever before.
Clearer.
More… real.
[Special Quest Completed]
My breath hitched.
"…Special?"
My voice came out low.
Confused.
Cautious.
"I didn't even accept anything…"
The screen flickered.
For a brief second—
It distorted.
Like a glitch.
[Condition Fulfilled: Continuous Growth / Midnight Alignment]
"…Midnight…?"
My gaze slowly shifted toward the clock.
12:00 AM.
Exactly.
A cold chill ran down my spine.
"…This isn't coincidence."
No.
It couldn't be.
[Reward Being Processed…]
"…Wait."
That feeling.
It was back.
Stronger this time.
Like something was about to change.
The air in the room—
Became heavy.
The fan above me slowed.
Its creaking sound stretching unnaturally.
Then—
It stopped.
Completely.
My heartbeat quickened.
"…Not again…"
This wasn't normal.
This wasn't okay.
[Preparing Environment…]
"…Environment?"
My throat felt dry.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
The screen—
Glitched.
Hard.
For a split second—
It wasn't readable.
Then—
[Do Not Move.]
"…What?"
My fingers twitched.
Instinctively.
Move?
Or not move?
My breathing grew heavier.
Why would it say that?
What happens if I move?
And then—
Everything went silent.
Not just quiet.
Silent.
Completely.
No fan.
No outside noise.
No distant traffic.
Nothing.
Even my own breathing—
Sounded too loud.
Too real.
Too… out of place.
My chest tightened.
"…What is happening…"
And then—
I felt it.
Something.
Behind me.
Not touching.
But there.
Watching.
My body froze.
Completely.
I didn't dare turn.
Didn't dare breathe too loudly.
My mind screamed at me to move.
To look.
To react.
But the message—
Echoed in my head.
[Do Not Move.]
Cold sweat ran down my back.
"…If I turn…"
Would I die?
The thought came naturally.
Too naturally.
The presence—
Moved.
Slow.
Careful.
Like it was circling me.
My heartbeat became louder.
Faster.
Each second felt like an hour.
"…This isn't real…"
But deep down—
I knew.
It was.
And then—
Something brushed past my ear.
A whisper.
Not words.
Just… sound.
My eyes widened.
And the screen—
Glitched again.
Violently.
[Trial Mode Initiated]
"…Trial—?"
Before I could finish—
Something moved.
Fast.
Right in front of me.
Chapter Ends
Add to your library ⭐ if you're enjoying the story!"