The sound…
Was the first thing that returned to him.
A sharp ringing.
Continuous.
Then…
White light.
A cold ceiling.
And a scent…
Sterile.
He opened his eyes slowly.
His body…
Was heavy.
But the first thought…
Was not about himself.
"Her…"
He whispered.
He tried to rise.
Pain.
But…
He did not stop.
He stepped out of the room.
Unsteady steps.
His eyes searching.
Until—
"Are you her relative?"
A voice.
A doctor.
He stopped.
"Where is she?"
He asked directly.
A short silence.
Then the doctor said:
"Her condition… is critical."
Stillness.
"…The bleeding was severe."
Something inside him…
Tightened.
"And… will she live?"
Hesitation.
"…The chances are slim."
He froze.
The world…
Went silent.
"How much?"
He asked.
"…Less than 20%."
Silence.
He did not get angry.
He did not scream.
Only…
He stood.
Motionless.
"Because of me."
The words entered…
And settled.
"I am the cause."
In that moment…
It appeared.
> **[The System]**
>
> **[Condition Analysis: Death risk is high]**
> **[Probability of Survival: Low]**
>
He was not surprised.
He looked ahead.
With a terrifying calm.
"Is there another solution?"
Silence.
Then—
> **[Suggestion: Alternative path available]**
>
His eyes widened slightly.
"Tell me."
> **[Life Transfer]**
> **[Result: Saving the target]**
> **[Price: Death of the user]**
>
Stillness.
The equation…
Was clear.
A life…
For a life.
He closed his eyes.
Seconds.
Then he opened them.
"I accept."
Without hesitation.
The System went silent for a moment.
Then:
> **[Warning]**
> **[Your life… is of higher value]**
>
> **[Analysis: Target is unstable]**
> **[Choice is illogical]**
>
He breathed slowly.
"I am the cause."
He said it quietly.
"…And I am the one who made her this way. If my life has any value, then it is for this purpose."
The System:
Very well.
> **[You could survive]**
>
"I don't want to."
Silence.
"…I survive… only if she dies."
For the first time…
There was no coldness.
Nor analysis.
But…
Sincerity.
The System…
Smiled.
> **[Offer Accepted]**
>
Then it said:
> **[Do not worry…]**
>
It paused for a moment.
> **[You will die… in this world only]**
>
His eyes widened.
"What—?"
But…
It vanished.
> **[Executing…]**
>
The light…
Disappeared.
The sound…
Disappeared.
Everything…
Fell into a deep silence.
Then…
Darkness.
...
A pulse.
Weak.
Distant.
Then…
Light.
He closed his eyes.
Opened them slowly.
A ceiling.
A room.
But…
It was not the same room.
He sat up slowly.
His body…
Light.
Strange.
He looked at his hands.
"I…"
A voice.
From afar.
"You have finally returned."
He froze.
He turned.
It was her.
Standing.
Alive.
Without blood.
Without wounds.
Looking at him…
And her eyes were full.
"Are you alright?"
Silence.
He could not comprehend.
"She is… alive?"
He raised his hand…
Slowly.
And touched his face.
Warm.
Real.
But…
One thing only…
Was no longer as it was.
In his depths…
There wasn't just a void.
But…
Something new.
Something…
That drove him to die.
Without hesitation.