My heart races. My life is about to be ruined, and I can already feel it. The weight of the decision bears down on me, suffocating my chest. If anyone finds out about this—especially Uncle Rowland—he's going to drag me right back into the world of hunters! I've seen it happen to so many people. They start out with normal lives, normal jobs, just like me, but once they're assigned a role by the System, their entire world turns upside down.
It doesn't matter what role you get; it's always a disaster waiting to happen. You'll end up overworked, constantly on the clock, and guilds will swarm over you like vultures, even when you're at a low level. I shudder just thinking about it. It's all I've ever wanted to avoid.
My mind flashes back to the images of those who got dragged into the system—friends, acquaintances, even strangers who were just minding their own business. They ended up chasing after dungeons, fighting monsters, and losing their lives to the grind of a hunter's world. The thought makes my stomach churn.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "Let's just focus on something else… haha… I must be seeing things from exhaustion," I mutter to myself. The words don't feel convincing, but they're all I have. I just need to get some rest and hope this all disappears by morning.
But before I can even step into my new home, another screen pops up in front of me.
[Enter owner's name: ]
What is this? My name? Is this some kind of scam? Are they going to steal my information and sell it to the dark web or something?! I can feel my breath quicken, anxiety swirling around me like a storm. My hands tremble as I try to suppress the panic clawing its way up my throat.
"Get this screen out of my face!" I shout at it, but of course, it disappears with no response. My mind is racing, my body feeling cold with dread. What the hell is going on? This can't be real, can it?
I pause, forcing myself to step into the house. Or, should I say, the school? It's supposed to be my new home, but all I see is the massive, dilapidated building in front of me. My gaze sweeps across the wide hallways, the faint smell of mold and dust filling the air. This place was meant to house hundreds of students. Now, it's just… empty.
The walls, once brightly colored and full of life, have long since faded to dull shades of beige and grey. Desks that once held eager students are now scattered and broken, a few chairs leaning precariously against the walls. A long corridor stretches before me, with windows boarded up and half of the lights flickering out of time. The building gives off an eerie, almost haunted feeling.
But today, this place isn't going to be a school anymore. Today, it's going to be my home.
I can't help but smile bitterly to myself as I glance around. The place is huge—over 10,000 square feet of empty space meant to house over 200 students. Now it's just for me. A massive, echoing structure with no soul—just the walls and the memories of forgotten voices. The best part? It was cheap. Too cheap.
I've always dreamed of having a place of my own, one where I could just cook, relax, and live in peace. It's funny, though—what I bought wasn't exactly what I had in mind. The building had been on sale for almost nothing, which should have been a huge red flag, but I couldn't resist. With my savings, I'd finally achieved the dream I'd been working so hard for—a place where I could open a restaurant and live peacefully.
The faint glow from the overhead lights seems to flicker as I take another step into the darkness. The floor creaks under my feet, and my heart races again, not from fear, but from the surreal feeling of being here. This was supposed to be a fresh start. This was supposed to be my escape from everything I hated. But instead, I feel more trapped than ever.
I had always loved cooking. My mother used to teach me how to cook when I was young. Her recipes were more than just meals; they were memories wrapped in love. I can almost see her in the kitchen, the smell of her cooking filling the air as she hummed along to some old song. She would always tell me, "Food is the key to happiness, Elaine. It's not just about filling your stomach, it's about filling your soul."
I touch the pendant around my neck—a small memento from my mother. It's a reminder of everything she was and everything I've lost. My grandma still keeps the cookbook my mother made back in her chef days. It's filled with handwritten notes, personal touches, and love. I'd always dreamed of opening a restaurant, something small but meaningful, where people could gather, enjoy good food, and forget about the world for a while.
But now, as I stand in this vast, eerie building, I wonder if I made a huge mistake.
A sudden ding interrupts my thoughts.
[Would you like to view the contract?]
[Yes/No]
I rub my eyes, frustrated. "Why is this still popping up?" I mutter, gripping my phone tightly. I just want a moment of peace.
"Fine!" I snap. "Yes, I accept. Open it already and stop wasting my time!"
A new screen flashes before me, showing the contract. I quickly skim through the formal text, trying to make sense of it all. The words seem to blur together as my mind struggles to process the situation.
[Contract Agreement Initiated]
====================
Contract Between the System and Elaine Ardent
Article 1: Role Assignment
1.1 Party A (Elaine Ardent) is hereby assigned the role of Headmistress under the System's jurisdiction.
1.2 Party A is responsible for the proper operation and management of the educational institution as defined by the System.
Article 2: Obligations of Party A
2.1 Party A must establish and maintain a fully operational school system.
2.2 Party A will shape the students' abilities and ensure their proper progression.
2.3 Party A is tasked with generating and improving new hunters through the system.
2.4 Party A must ensure the success of students' hunter-related education, focusing on their improvement and potential.
Article 3: Obligations of the System
3.1 The System shall provide resources and rewards necessary for the proper operation of the institution.
3.2 The System will monitor Party A's progress and provide tasks, missions, and evaluations accordingly.
3.3 The System reserves the right to impose penalties for failure to meet established criteria.
Article 4: Terms and Conditions
4.1 This contract is binding until the institution achieves Prestige Rank status.
4.2 The contract may not be terminated unless hidden conditions are met.
4.3 Failure to comply with the contract will result in System-enforced disciplinary actions.
4.4 Declining the contract will result in the school's ground and lands being forfeited.
====================
[Do you accept the contract?]
[Yes/No]
I can feel my head pounding as I try to read through the legalese. What does it even mean? I have no choice but to accept, right? If I don't… my home will be taken from me. Is that even real? This feels like a nightmare I can't escape.
"Okay, okay, yes, I accept," I mutter under my breath, feeling completely defeated.
[Contract Agreement Accepted]
[Would you like to view your status?]
[Yes/No]
I groan, rubbing my temples. "Ugh... Tomorrow," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I'm too tired to deal with anything more. My body aches, my mind is foggy, and all I want is to collapse into bed.
Slowly, I close the door to the old school and shuffle back to the small room I'm renting for the night. It's only a short walk from here, and as I step inside, I feel the weight of the day sink into my bones. The room is tiny, with only a single mattress on the floor. It's not much, but for tonight, it's enough.
Finally… quiet.
As I settle into the bed, I let out a long sigh of relief. The soft, rhythmic sound of my breath fills the room. Just as I start to drift off into the peaceful embrace of sleep, my phone buzzes again, pulling me back into reality.
-Ting-
Rowland: Elaine?? Are you asleep??
Rowland: Elaineeeee???
Rowland: Baby laineee?????
Rowland: Did something bad happen to you?!
Rowland: ELAINEEE!
I groan and roll over, grabbing my phone. "He's unbelievable…" I mutter. Without thinking, I mute the phone and bury my face in the pillow.
Urgh…
The only thing I can do now is hope for a peaceful sleep, even if it feels like everything around me is slowly crumbling.