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Chapter 15
The world before Sophia Sinclair’s eyes crumbled in an instant, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. When she opened her eyes again, all she saw was pure white. Instinctively, she tightened her grip on the small hand in hers.
"Mom..." Luna Smith’s voice trembled with fear. No matter how mature she usually was, she couldn’t help but shrink closer to her mother.
Sophia shielded her daughter behind her, her fingertips turning cold. This place was unnerving—so silent it seemed to swallow even the sound of their breaths.
Then, without warning, a beam of golden light pierced through the void.
[System 1107 has detected intense emotional resonance. Connection established with host.]
The mechanical voice startled them both, making them stumble back half a step. The golden light flickered before condensing into a small, glowing orb the size of a fist.
"What... is this?" Sophia’s voice was tight with tension.
[Complete system tasks to earn the chance of fulfilling your deepest wish.]
A wish? Sophia’s pupils constricted. She exchanged a glance with Luna, seeing the same desperate hope reflected in her daughter’s eyes.
"Can we see Ethan again?" Luna blurted out, her voice cracking with unshed tears.
[Affirmative.]
That single word sent Sophia’s heart racing. She pinched her own arm hard—but felt no pain.
"It’s just a dream..." Her hand dropped limply to her side.
[This is the system’s dimensional space.] The golden orb pulsed. [Self-harm is not advised.]
Sophia jerked her head up. "Then how do we know this isn’t an illusion?"
[Host may choose to bind with the system.] The orb floated closer. [Option One: Companion Program. Requires five years of service to a randomly assigned subject in an alternate world.]
"No!" Luna stomped her foot in frustration.
[Option Two: Fortune Dispersion System.] The mechanical voice continued. [Upon entering the designated world, ninety percent of the host’s assets will be transferred to the subject. Additionally—]
"We choose the second one!" Mother and daughter spoke in unison.
Sophia squeezed Luna’s hand. What did it matter if they lost everything? As long as they could see Ethan again, no price was too high. There was nothing left for them in their old world anyway.
The golden light flared brilliantly.
[Portal activated.]
The world spun violently, and the sharp scent of antiseptic assaulted Sophia’s senses as she struggled to open her eyes. The sterile white ceiling swayed in her blurred vision.
"Patient in Bed 302 is awake!" A nurse’s voice called out from somewhere nearby.
Luna bolted upright from the adjacent hospital bed. "Mom! We really—"
Before she could finish, the door to the hospital room swung open. A tall figure stood silhouetted against the light, his white lab coat fluttering in the draft.
Both mother and daughter froze.
The man they had longed for day and night—was standing right there in the doorway.