[Ding!]
The voice echoed in Alex's mind, and with it came a new screen flashing before his eyes. The words on it sent a thrill through his chest, his heart pounding with anticipation.
[As a reward for connecting with the Divine System, host has been rewarded. Choose one of these rewards
1. God Left Eye (Divine grade)
2. Outer God Bloodline (Divine grade)
3. Awakening Time Affinity]
The choice he had to make wasn't easy. Each reward was a tempting prospect, offering unimaginable power. He looked at the options carefully
Alex stared at the screen for a long moment, his thoughts racing. Each reward seemed more enticing than the last. The God Left eye it could be a game-changer for him. The Outer God Bloodline, on the other hand, would give him a physical edge, enhancing his body to divine levels. But Alex wasn't sure if his body could handle such raw power yet. Lastly, the Awakening Time Element seemed to offer the most strategic advantage, the ability to manipulate time itself.
After ten minutes of weighing the consequences and benefits of each, Alex made his decision. The God Left Eye felt right. It was the kind of power he could immediately use—something he could rely on in the here and now. His future needed a boost, and this felt like the perfect step toward taking control of his fate.
His fingers hovered over the screen, and with a deep breath, he made the choice. The words blinked on the screen
[Are you sure, host?]
[Yes/No]
Without hesitation, Alex pressed Yes.
The moment his finger hit the confirmation, a surge of energy shot through him. His body trembled as the system's voice echoed in his mind.
Initiating the process of acquiring God Left Eye. Please remain still and focus.
But Alex's excitement outweighed any caution. He wanted this power now. The voice inside his head continued explaining the process, but it was drowned out by the sharp, searing pain that suddenly overwhelmed him. It was as though his very essence was being torn apart, the sensation centered in his left eye. Alex gasped, clutching his face, but he fought back the scream building in his throat. The pain was unbearable—sharp and relentless—but he didn't want anyone to hear him.
In a panic, he grabbed a cloth from the side of his bed. It was large enough to fit into his mouth, and he shoved it inside, biting down on it desperately to muffle any sounds. His left eye began to burn like fire as blood tears welled up from it, falling down his face. He fought against the pain, focusing on the transformation as his left eye started to change.
The color of his eye shifted rapidly, first to a brilliant yellow, then to a fiery red, and finally to a glowing blue. Each shift of color was accompanied by an agonizing jolt of pain, as though the eye itself was changing its very structure. He felt as if his soul was being remade.
The transformation went on for what seemed like an eternity. Thirty minutes passed, and the pain finally began to subside. Slowly, the shifting colors stopped, and Alex was left breathless, sweat pouring from his body. His left eye had returned to its normal black color, but something had changed. The energy in it was different, potent, like a weapon lying dormant, waiting for him to unleash it.
Finally, the system's voice broke through the silence in his mind
[God Left Eye has been acquired]
Alex blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the sensations still pulsing in his body. His body ached from the intensity of the experience, and he lay down on the bed, utterly exhausted. He closed his eyes for a moment to recover, but just as he started to relax, he heard a familiar voice outside his room.
"Alex, can I come in?"
It was his mother, Ava. Alex took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead, trying to hide the signs of his ordeal. "Yes, Mom," he replied, his voice steady despite the exhaustion weighing him down.
The door creaked open, and Ava entered, her eyes soft but filled with concern. She walked over to his bed and sat beside him. "The doctor will be here tomorrow to check on you, and your father will be back as well. He went to meet with a friend. Are you feeling any pain?" Her voice was full of worry, her gaze searching his face for any signs of discomfort.
Alex smiled, though it was strained. "No, Mom. I feel very good," he said, trying to convince her.
Ava's eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the sweat glistening on his skin. "But you're sweating a lot, Alex. Are you sure you're okay?"
Alex quickly fabricated an excuse. "No, mother. I was just exercising," he said with a casual shrug.
Ava blinked, clearly surprised. "Exercising? But you just woke up today. Why would you do that?"
Alex sat up a little straighter, still feeling the aftereffects of the transformation. "I need to improve my body, Mom. With the way I am now, I can barely walk."
His mother's expression softened, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "I understand, but you should still rest. Your body needs time to recover."
Alex nodded, though he wasn't sure how much rest he actually needed. The power of the God Left Eye was still buzzing inside him, and he could feel it itching to be used. "Please, Mom," he pleaded softly. "I'll rest later."
Ava hesitated, then sighed, resigned. "Fine, but you need to take it easy. I'll have the maid bring you food, okay?"
"Thanks, Mom," Alex replied gratefully.
As Ava left the room, Alex lay back on his bed, but the moment of peace was fleeting. The strange feeling of something forgotten, gnawed at the back of his mind. He tried to focus on the power that was now coursing through him, but the memory of a woman saving him from some unknown danger kept surfacing.
Who was she? What happened? The memories were foggy, elusive, like a dream fading away as soon as he woke. He tried to focus, to piece together the fragments of his recollections, but nothing came. The details of her face were blurred, like a photograph smudged beyond recognition.
Alex closed his eyes, frustration creeping in. The more he tried to recall the details, the further they slipped from his grasp. He needed answers. He needed to understand what had happened, who had helped him.
But the harder he tried to reach it, the further it seemed to slip away.
With a deep sigh, he opened his eyes again, looking at his left hand. He could feel the power of the God Left Eye within him, and though the transformation had taken a toll on his body, he knew he had made the right choice. This was the first step toward something greater.
But the question of the woman, the memory he couldn't quite grasp, would remain.