> Existence Stability: 5%
The number blinked.
Unapologetic.
Unforgiving.
I had less than a day left.
---
The night passed slowly.
Too slowly.
Every tick of the watch felt heavier than the last.
The anchor was weakening.
I could feel it.
Like a thread fraying one strand at a time.
---
> [Beginner Task: Final Phase Initiated.]
A new screen appeared.
Brighter than the rest.
> [Objective: Prevent Erasure.]
"…That's not helpful," I muttered.
> [Clarification: Choose one path.]
The screen split into two.
---
> [Option 1: Possession]
Temporarily possess a living human to stabilize existence.
Success Rate: High
Risk: Mental Corrosion, Humanity Loss
I stared at Ethan.
He was asleep behind the counter.
Tired.
Unaware.
"…No."
---
> [Option 2: Core Manifestation]
Condense spirit core independently.
Success Rate: Low
Risk: Permanent Damage
Independent.
Dangerous.
But mine.
---
> [Time Remaining: 6 Hours]
The system didn't rush me.
It didn't need to.
My existence was already doing that.
---
I drifted closer to the watch.
Memories surfaced.
Promises.
Waiting.
Regret.
"…If I take someone else's body," I whispered,
"then I don't deserve to come back."
> [Decision Registered.]
The screen darkened.
Then—
> [Option 2 Selected.]
---
> [Warning: Core Manifestation has no precedent at current stability.]
"Figures."
---
I focused.
Pulled everything inward.
The anchor.
The memories.
My remaining stability.
All of it compressed into a single point.
---
Pain exploded.
Not physical.
Existential.
Like being crushed from the inside.
---
> Existence Stability: 4%
3%
2%
My vision fractured.
The world blurred.
---
"…System," I rasped.
> [Processing.]
"…Don't let this be for nothing."
---
A faint light ignited within me.
Small.
Unstable.
But real.
---
> [Spirit Core: Forming…]
> [Warning: External Interference Detected.]
The store door creaked open.
Cold air flooded in.
A presence stepped inside.
Familiar.
Sharp.
The woman.
---
She looked around.
Then smiled.
"…So this is where you were hiding."
---
> Existence Stability: 1%
---