"Maybe a little more rest will do," said Alex as he sat alone after everyone had left. "It's not every day I get this kind of chance."
As Alex drifted into a deep sleep, the hospital room faded away, and a familiar darkness enveloped him. It was the same void he'd experienced, silent and endless, with no hint of light or form. He took a hesitant step forward, feeling that same eerie ripple beneath his feet.
Just then, a voice rang out, breaking the silence—joyful and almost playful, as if it had been waiting for him to return.
"Well, look who's back! Did you miss me, Alex?"
Alex stiffened, the surprise quickly giving way to recognition. It was the same voice he had heard before that had mocked him and questioned his choices. But this time, it sounded lighter, less condescending. Almost as if it were… pleased.
"You again," Alex muttered, uncertain what to expect.
"Oh, don't sound so disappointed!" the voice teased, a chuckle slipping through. "I'd think you'd be grateful, considering all the changes I've set for you."
Alex felt a twinge of curiosity despite himself. "So… this Empire System—it was your doing?"
"Ah, he's catching on," the voice replied, amusement lacing its tone. "You seemed to need a little shake-up, so I thought, why not nudge you in the right direction?"
The words hung in the air, filling Alex with questions he wasn't sure how to ask.
Alex took a breath, steadying himself in the void. "What exactly did you mean by 'a second chance'? And… how is this system supposed to change things for me?"
The voice let out a soft, amused hum as if savoring his question. "Straight to the point, aren't we? I like that," it said, a hint of laughter in its tone.
"Well, think of the Empire System as a… tool. It gives you the power to shape your life, to rise above where you were stuck before. You, Alex, have the chance to build an empire, one piece at a time."
Alex frowned, trying to absorb the meaning. "An empire? I'm just one person. How am I supposed to do that?"
"Exactly why you needed a little… enhancement," the voice continued, almost gleeful. "This system will give you tasks, opportunities, and resources that will help you grow—physically, mentally, socially. It's all about taking small steps, learning, and building something remarkable."
"So, I'm supposed to just… trust this system to help me change my life?"
"Oh, it'll do more than help," the voice replied confidently. "But remember, Alex, you must still put in the effort. You wanted more than what you had, didn't you? You felt stuck, weighed down by routine, by circumstances you couldn't change. The Empire System is your way out. A chance to take control and make things happen."
Alex considered this, feeling a spark of hope despite himself. It was an overwhelming concept, but the idea of having control—shaping his life in a real, meaningful way—was enticing.
"So… all I have to do is keep moving forward, completing missions, and… building?" Alex asked a faint trace of determination in his voice.
"Precisely," the voice replied, sounding satisfied. "Step by step, Alex. It's all in your hands now."
Alex hesitated and then spoke up, his curiosity getting better. "Who… who are you, really?"
The voice let out a joyful laugh that echoed warmly through the void. "Me? I'm just a Messenger, Alex," it replied, almost delighted at the question. "I'm here to deliver this system and explain a few things—nothing more, nothing less."
Alex raised an eyebrow, still unsure. "So, you're just… delivering the system to me? That's it?"
"Exactly," the voice said, with a hint of mischief. "Think of me as a guide, but I'm not the Guide, dropping in every now and then to check on things. But don't worry—I'm not here to babysit you. This journey is all yours. My role is to set you up and then watch from afar."
Alex absorbed this, his mind buzzing with questions he couldn't quite articulate. A messenger, a guide, and now this Empire System… his life was turning into something he'd never imagined.
Before Alex could ask anything more, the voice interrupted, its tone light and final. "That's all for now, Alex. Enjoy what's ahead… and make it worthwhile. We'll meet again—sooner than you might think."
Alex opened his mouth to speak, but the void around him began to dissolve, and his voice faded. The warmth and presence of the Messenger slipped away, leaving him in silence once more.
A faint echo of the voice lingered as the darkness faded completely. "Remember, it's all in your hands now…"
As morning light streamed through the window, Alex's eyes opened, adjusting to the gentle brightness filling his hospital room. He glanced around, noticing that the usual ache in his side had faded.
Experimentally, he shifted, half-expecting a jolt of pain—but there was none. He felt… surprisingly good.
Just as he processed this, a familiar notification appeared before him.
=====
[New Mission: Get Discharged Today]
Objective: Convince the doctor to release you today despite recommendations for additional rest.
Reason: Begin building a stronger, more assertive character. Domineering individuals push beyond comfort. Why rest when you could work?
Rewards:
1. 100 EXP
2. 30 Coins
=====
Alex raised an eyebrow, rereading the mission's description. 'Domineering? Why rest when you could work?' He chuckled at such remarks from the system.
It was bold, to say the least. Yet, something about the challenge appealed to Alex, pushing him to step outside his usual approach. The Empire System wasn't interested in him taking things slowly or depending on others for long; it was here to help him take charge.
"Empire... Does it expect me to become an Emperor then?"
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, mentally preparing himself. If he wanted to embrace this second chance, maybe this was the perfect place to start.
He walked over to the nurse's station in the ward, where a few nurses were busy with charts and paperwork. Approaching the nurse in charge, he cleared his throat, drawing her attention.
"I'd like to be discharged now," Alex said, his voice firm.
The nurse raised her eyebrows, surprised. "Now? I believe the doctor recommended a few more rest days for you."
"Yes," Alex replied, maintaining his tone. "But I'm feeling fine and would prefer to leave now."
The nurse nodded, eyeing Alex with a hint of doubt. "Alright, let me call the doctor to check on you first."
A few moments later, the doctor arrived, reviewing Alex's chart before conducting a thorough examination. A look of surprise crossed the doctor's face as he checked over the area where Alex had been injured.
"Incredible…" he muttered, examining the wound closely. "Even the internal stitches almost completely healed."
The doctor looked up from his examination, his expression thoughtful. "Well, everything does seem remarkably healed, but I would still advise a few more days of rest here, just to be cautious. Sometimes, internal issues take longer to show."
Alex took a deep breath, steadying himself. He knew what to do—he had a mission to complete. "I appreciate your concern, doctor, but I want to be discharged today."
The doctor raised an eyebrow at Alex's firm tone, clearly not used to this insistence from patients in his condition. But Alex held his ground, recalling the mission's purpose of building a more assertive character.
Internally, Alex also couldn't help but think that hospitals have a way of delaying discharge, which usually means more charges are piling up.
After a moment of silence, the doctor relented with a nod. "Alright, if you're truly set on leaving today, I'll start the paperwork. Just… take it easy, alright?"
Alex nodded, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction.