This had to be some cruel joke.
George was staring straight into the eyes of a pure black-furred bear, it's eyes full of hunger, yet it's expression nearly... joyful.
You've gotta be fucking kidding me!
-"Hahaha! Man, you REALLY drew the short-end of the stick, eh?"-
Then it happened.
-Error. System and Possessor being shut down. Responding as soon as possible. H0st, st4y 4l1v3...-
A strange sound echoed through George's head, and he realized he was alone. Stuck staring at a black bear, without any assistance. He quickly thought to himself about everything he knew.
Could playing dead work? What if he lured it away with some food? Why was it eve here!? Did it smell him and his rations?
But suddenly, he found himself speaking as if his brain had been empty the entire time.
"Do my eyes deceive you?"
The bear... smirked, and this smile only raised more and more, before it stood on it's high legs.
Was it bearing it's teeth, readying to pounce and annihilate George?
No. Because after it stood, it turned into a pelt. A pelt that nowhere-near modestly covered a lady in-the-nude.
"You're a tricky one, George Taylor. I admit, you've impressed me."
-System is online. Congratulations on survival, host.-
-"WHAT THE FUCK!? WHY IS SHE HERE!?"-
"Perhaps I'll give you a reward, boy. It's not everyday a Ghoul can recognize me."
-Report: System and Possessor were temporarily shut-down by Great Demon Lord Asmodia using Druid Magic.-
What?
George's mind went blank. Not only was he flabbergasted, staring at the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen- no! That any man with any right to call himself such had EVER seen! Her very skin glistened with a luster most similar to a diamond! Her eyes were a strange inverted albino color, with black irises and pink pupils; but, god... Her hair! Her smell! Every fiber of her being was exuding a scent beyond any comprehension, and it was simply to die for.
-Host is under effect of [Black Magic: Lust]. Please do not fall prey to the effect.-
With that, George (barely) managed to snap to attention. Despite her emminent beauty and it's attempt to tug at his heart and... lower organ. He remained steadfast. Being gay was never a weirder experience than this, when being attracted in all forms to a woman.
"Hm. You really are impressive. Undead, Homoerotic, immune to my charms, immune to my illusions... If I didn't know better I'd say you were a Daemon."
George shook his head in-reply. Although she was closing in on his truth, she was inaccurate enough he could be perfectly honest without revealing information.
"Bah. No fun. Fine. I've met my match, I'll reward you."
And with that, she snapped her fingers, creating a feast of rationed goods. Bread, dehydrated foods, the works. If he was going to space, this was an absolute stockpile.
"That should do you well until you return to the overworld, though I am curious how you ended up here if you're undead."
George was a little startled by her words. Was this not Earth?
"Where am I then?"
She blinked and stared in surprise. "You truly aren't aware? This is Limbo. Purgatory. The Ether."
Huh?
-System confirms that this seems most accurate based on the increased skill obtainment rate. In the Ether, skills are obtained much faster due to time dilation. Based on host's mental faculties and calculatory abilities... System can estimate that host has been lost in the Ether for twenty one human days.-
THREE WEEKS? He had died YESTERDAY and it'd already been three weeks!?
-Answer: Basement that host resides in is directly inside the Overworld. When host leaves, time is then dilated heavily as host has entered the Ether.-
Dear god! That meant his family had to have declared him missing by now!
Asmodia nodded at this notion. "Yes, correct. You've been gone for a while now. How is Levi by the way, I see now that he's with you."
-"Tell her I'm asleep."-
"He's currently taking a nap, we had a rough night yesterday." George quickly said even whilst Levi was suggesting to him."
-"Right on the ball, kid..."-
"Oh. I see. That's a shame..." There was legitimate disappointment in her voice, as if she was missing out on someone important to her.
-"She's my ex-wife. I divorced her. It was NOT amicable. Very awkward."- Levi retorted.
That, was weird. But what creeped him out more was the strange feeling deep in his heart... To learn her magic, and to use it. If he could shapeshift, imagine the things he could've done to Jeffrey?
-Host is currently undergoing affects of possession with Great Demon Lord of Envy. Please resist as best as possible.- The system resounded.
That, made sense. Like puzzle pieces slowly sliding themselves into place, he was constantly learning about the system and Demonology. And although it was an absolute mind-bend, he was glad to obtain the information without losing his soul in the process, like so many others were hinted to have.
"Well then, I guess I ought to leave you a gift instead then. You ARE the prince of Envy, after all."
She snapped her fingers and a present with pink wrapping-paper was left in-front of him, she had disappeared into a sparkling dust... Like diamonds again.
System, what IS this?
-Answer: Great Demon Lordess Asmodia has left host a physical variation of certain spells aforementioned Lordess used in-front of host. Spells {Pheremonic Manipulation}, {Shapeshifting}, and {Lusterious Teleportation} have been obtained.
Wait, did I hear that right?
-Answer: Great Demon Lordess Asmodia has-
YES! TELEPORTATION! FINALLY!
He immediately opened the present and cast the spell, disappearing (with his goods) in a sparkle of diamond dust.