System Rebirth: Return of the Forgotten

Each breath Evan took was shallow, ragged, like he was drowning in a sea of invisible weight. He staggered forward, every step a battle against his own trembling legs. Around him, the remnants of his once-safe space lay in ruin.

Furniture was overturned, jagged shards of glass sparkled in the dim light like the fangs of some malevolent beast, and streaks of crimson painted the wooden floor—a grim reminder of his failing body. His blood.

Behind him, her voice rang out.

"Where are you going, Evan?" Ru's tone was soft, almost tender, but the mockery beneath it was as sharp as a blade.

"The fun's just getting started."

The words slid into his ears, venomous and taunting. He pressed his back against the nearest wall, his chest heaving. He wanted to collapse, to give his screaming body the rest it begged for. But his mind had other plans. It screamed louder.

'Move. Move. MOVE!'

His groan was guttural as he forced himself upright, his muscles burning as though aflame. Every inch of him was alive with pain, his bones aching like they were splintering under his weight.

But he moved. Because if he didn't, he was dead.

Ru's footsteps followed him, soft yet deliberate, like the prowling of a predator.

"You're not thinking of leaving so early, are you?" she asked, her voice dripping with mock hurt.

"That would be… disappointing."

Evan clenched his teeth, refusing to look back. There was no point. She wasn't asking for an answer—she was savoring his fear.

He stumbled forward, every step uneven and desperate. His destination was clear, though his legs threatened to betray him with every movement. The kitchen.

He nearly collapsed as he reached the doorway, his shoulder colliding with the frame hard enough to send fresh waves of agony through his body. But he kept going.

The kitchen greeted him like a nightmare. The flickering light above swung gently, casting erratic shadows that danced across the walls like phantoms. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, mingling with the sour stench of his sweat.

He fell to his knees, gasping for air. For a moment, he almost gave in, almost let the weight of it all crush him. But something primal surged within him, dragging him back to his feet.

There was no time.

Behind him, Ru's laughter echoed. High. Sharp.

"Oh, Evan," she cooed, her voice a cruel symphony of amusement.

"I can smell your fear. It's so delicious."

His hands moved on their own, darting toward a cupboard. He wrenched it open, tearing through its contents with frantic desperation. Pots, pans, useless garbage—nothing he could use.

"You won't find anything there," Ru said, her voice closer now, the amusement thick in her words.

"There's nothing waiting for you, silly boy. Only me."

The cupboard slammed shut as Evan turned, his back hitting the counter. His breathing came in short, panicked gasps, his vision blurring with tears.

Ru stepped into the kitchen, her grin was impossibly wide, her glowing eyes gleaming with predatory delight.

"You look so pathetic," she said, almost purring.

"I almost feel sorry for you."

And then she lunged.

Evan ducked instinctively, her claws slicing through the air with a sound that made his stomach turn. They struck the wall behind him, carving deep gouges that sent splinters flying like shrapnel.

He didn't think. He ran.

His legs felt like lead, but adrenaline pushed him forward, his feet pounding against the floor as he bolted for the front door. The sound of his heart thundered in his ears, drowning out everything else.

'So close. Just a few more steps.'

Behind him, Ru's laughter followed, wild and manic.

"Run, Evan! Run!"

Evan reached the door, his hands fumbling with the lock. His fingers were slick with blood, shaking uncontrollably as he yanked at the handle.

"Please," he whispered, his voice cracking.

"Please, someone… anyone…"

The lock clicked. The door creaked open a fraction.

Relief swept through him like a tide.

But it was short-lived.

A white-hot pain exploded in his shoulder as Ru's claws tore into his flesh. He screamed—a raw, primal sound—as she yanked him back with inhuman strength.

The world blurred as his body was flung through the air, crashing into the living room. His back slammed against the shattered TV, sending shards of glass embedding themselves into his skin. He crumpled to the floor, broken and gasping, his blood pooling beneath him.

For a moment, everything was still.

Ru's shadow fell over him. He looked up, his vision swimming, to see her standing by the now-closed door. Her grin was wider than ever, her glowing eyes alight with sadistic glee.

"You've been a very naughty boy," she said, clicking her tongue.

"I think you need to be punished."

Evan tried to crawl, but his arms gave out beneath him. His body trembled, useless and unresponsive.

"Please," he sobbed, his voice barely audible. "I won't tell anyone. Just let me go. I have a sister… Maggie…she's sixteen. she's all I have. I'm all she has. I swear—"

Ru crouched beside him, tilting her head as if in mock curiosity.

"Why are you begging?" she asked, her tone dripping with false sweetness.

"A moment ago, you couldn't wait to have me all to yourself. What changed?"

Evan shook his head, tears streaming down his bloodied face. "No… no… I didn't mean—"

"Good," Ru said, her grin widening.

"That's what I like to hear."

She grabbed his arm and twisted.

The crack was deafening. The pain, immediate.

Evan screamed, his voice raw and broken, but Ru silenced him with a clawed hand over his mouth. Her grip was unyielding, her gaze cruel.

"Shh," she whispered. "We wouldn't want to disturb the neighbors."

His screams turned to muffled whimpers. His body trembled, his vision dimming.

"Don't worry, baby," Ru murmured, her voice almost tender. "It'll all be over very soon."

She lifted him effortlessly, her claws hooking under his jaw. His wide, terror-filled eyes met hers, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw pity. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by malice.

Her claws plunged into his chest, and just in that very moment, he felt the life in him slowly flow away from his body as he was released ,falling face first to the ground. His gaze, directed at the feet of the monster who had caused his demised.

With a soft groan, he could feel death drawing closer and closer to him as his ears were clouded with the sounds of her cackle.

'I can't believe it....I'm really dying...I-I-..I just wanted to get laid. Is that really too much to ask?!' He thought to himself.

'...This world truly does suck.'

A loud chime rang aloud in Evan's ear as a golden system menu popped up afront of his gaze, floating with ease in the air as though it were normal.

[System Notification]

Congratulations, Player. You have been chosen for the Ascension Hero Game. Do you accept?

Yes or no

'Huh?...What's this?' The thought echoed in his mind.

'I've been chosen? 'Ascension Hero Game?' Is this some kind of awakening, like the sentinels?...does this mean, I dont have to die?'

Player select>Yes.