The System Awakens

A system window popped up in front of me:

I stared blankly at it for a while.

"...Huh."

I tilted my head, stepped back a few paces... but it still floated right there in front of me. No matter how I looked at it, this was straight out of a game—the notification window.

'Right?'

I'd just finished butchering and was packing up the processed meat to move when I called out to Reina, pointing at the window.

"Reina sis."

"Yeah?"

"Can you see this?"

But her gaze passed right through the floating notification into empty space, landing on the warehouse wall.

"See what?"

"Oh... n-nothing."

Yeah, she definitely couldn't see it.

"I'm gonna go cook this now—want me to show you how?"

"...Uh, sure."

I followed her to the inn's kitchen. What she made was Mukhyang Boar Charcoal Grill, and once again, she explained the process patiently without any hint of annoyance.

"Mukhyang boars don't have much fat, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so fire control is key. First, thinly slice off the skin... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠marinate the meat with spices, herbs, and saltwater... then sear the outside over low heat... and finish by grilling it hot over the charcoal flames to crisp it up."

And sure enough...

As the dish finished, another notification appeared.

Is this for real?

'But... nothing like this has ever happened before.'

My head was spinning.

And then, something different from the notifications appeared before my eyes.

"Here."

I snapped out of it and looked up to see Reina holding out a skewer of freshly grilled charcoal-roasted meat.

"This is...?"

"Eat one first. I'll go grab Vivian and Carlos."

A smile spread across her face as she said it.

"...Can I really eat it?"

"Of course! Take it."

"...O-okay."

I took the skewer from her in a daze.

"Hehe. Eat more if you want—there's plenty. Kids your age need to eat a lot, especially meat! That's how you build stamina and muscle."

After Reina left, I stared down at the skewer for a moment. The crisped skin released an aroma that blended deep, meaty savoriness with the subtle scent of charcoal smoke. The herb- and spice-infused flesh oozed not greasy oil but clean, tender juices. Drawn in by the smell, the skewer found its way into my mouth before I knew it.

"...So good."

The braised ribs from the restaurant yesterday were tasty, sure... but this was on another level.

"...Sniff, ugh... sob sob..."

I'd sworn not to cry like yesterday, but that resolve crumbled as tears welled up again.

The silver lining? No one was around to see.

... .. .

A little later, the three of them finished eating at the restaurant and left to prepare for the trip to Dublin.

"..."

I had nothing to pack, so I stayed behind in the dining area. Finally, I had time to think about that notification window from earlier.

Did it mean this world was actually... some kind of game?

'A game, huh...'

If it was a game I'd played, that could help... but I couldn't recall any game with this world's vibe among the ones I'd touched.

Well, I hadn't really explored the world yet, so...

'Hmm...'

If this really was a game world and the notifications were legit, then there had to be a status screen or something, right?

'No buttons or anything...'

How do I open the status window?

'Should I try the classic method?'

After a brief hesitation, I went with the most old-school approach.

"...Sta, tus... win-dow?"

My tongue twisted from nerves. I tried again, enunciating clearly.

"Sta. Tus. Win-dow."

Nothing again...

'Yeah, no way it'd be that easy... Huh?'

But then—ding—a translucent panel materialized before my eyes.

I stared blankly at it for a while.

"For real?"

Did that mean I'd really been isekai'd into some unknown game world?

"But why?"

Until now, there hadn't been any system windows or signs that this was a game world. This was the first time.

"Why now?"

So... why had the system only appeared now?

"Hmm..."

Suddenly, I recalled the voice from when I'd been offered as a sacrifice. I'd definitely made a contract with it back then.

'Could the system becoming visible be related to that?'

No other explanation came to mind.

"..."

I shifted my gaze back to the status window, scrutinizing the details.

'Basic info first?'

Name, age, gender... I'd already accepted those. Nothing off or worth noting.

Next, the stats.

'...Pathetic.'

Every game scaled differently, but these were straight-up abysmal.

'Especially stamina and strength... rock bottom.'

It perfectly reflected my current condition. Related stats were probably locked until I got a job or something.

'Pass for now.'

My eyes naturally drifted lower.

'Traits: Immortal...'

Probably why I hadn't died. No description, but it screamed cheat trait.

'But what's Soul Hunger Mark?'

Both traits could use more details...

"No way..."

On a hunch, I tapped the text with my finger.

"Yes!"

Click—detailed info expanded in the window.

"You've gotta be kidding."

Immortal was about what I'd expected, but the Soul Hunger Mark details hit like a truck.

'...A mark imprinted on the soul? Perceived ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as prey by monsters?'

Hold on... so I'd be constantly attacked by monsters?

'No, wait... this is bad!?'

Fear started creeping in. My heart pounded harder, the thrum echoing through my body.

'But... with Immortal, I won't die... wait.'

Before the thought finished, chills raced down my spine.

'Even Immortal feels pain, right?'

And healing had limits... What if limbs got severed, or damage was too severe? Or if a monster ate me?

'Does that mean I can't even die—just suffer eternally?'

I clutched my face, sucking in cold air. My breath caught in my throat.

With trembling eyes, I scanned the status window again. Finally... my gaze landed on "Under the Influence of Contract."

'What the hell did I contract with...?'