In a pure white void, a woman stood silently, dressed in an intricate, ancient gown that seemed to shimmer faintly in the light. Her eyes were shut tightly, and her nearly flawless features—sharp and elegant like a sculpture of polished jade—appeared unusually somber.

Floating nearby was a glowing orb, about the size of an adult's head, softly radiating light.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the woman's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes. At first, confusion flickered across her gaze as a flood of information surged into her mind. It came so fast that she struggled to process it. Moments later, clarity returned, and her expression steadied.

The glowing orb, which had been hovering silently, flickered as if reacting to her awakening. Suddenly, a calm, human-like voice emanated from it. "Greetings, Host Number One. I am your assigned guide. You may call me 'System.'"

The woman, now known as Host Number One, gave a slight nod. "System," she repeated, choosing the simple name without hesitation.

By now, the information flowing through her mind had settled. She understood the purpose of her presence here and the task that lay before her.

"So, my mission is to enter various worlds, take on the identity of the original female protagonist, and secure her fate by overcoming cannon fodder characters who seek to replace her? My role is to ensure the heroine's successful and extraordinary life?"

The System's light pulsed, seemingly pleased. "Exactly. Recently, unknown entities—these so-called cannon fodder—have begun disrupting the established order. One by one, they seek to steal the heroine's fate. However, each world's protagonist is chosen by the natural laws of that world. Forcing such a change creates instability. While the effects may not be immediate, over time, they lead to disastrous consequences. In minor cases, natural disasters. In severe cases, the entire world may collapse."

The System paused briefly before continuing. "Your existence is designed to safeguard the heroine's fate and, in doing so, preserve the balance and stability of the world."

The woman nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked, "The memories I possess—are they real?"

According to her memories, she was a woman named Gu Shengyin, who had once lived a life of privilege and splendor. Yet all of it had been torn away by an outsider, leaving her to die a tragic and unjust death.

A flicker of emotion crossed her face—resentment, sharp and cold as a blade. It settled into her eyes, along with a dangerous glint.

The System's voice was steady as it replied, "Those memories belong to an illusory world. I placed your consciousness into the body of that world's heroine, allowing you to live through her experiences. While you are Gu Shengyin in spirit, you are not her in essence."

The System added, "Number One is simply a code name. Host, you may choose a name for yourself."

The woman considered for a moment. "Gu Shengyin… I like the sound of it. I'll keep this name."

The System flashed brightly. "Understood. All necessary information has already been uploaded to your consciousness. If you have no further questions, we can proceed with your first mission."

Gu Shengyin's lips curved into a faint smile—chilling yet stunning. Her arched brow only heightened the cold intensity of her gaze. With her flawless face, the effect was almost intimidating. "No questions," she said, her voice calm but sharp. "I'm quite eager to meet these arrogant fools who think they can usurp the heroine's position."

Although her tone was even, the memories of the illusory Gu Shengyin had left their mark. A deep-seated grudge smoldered within her, directed at these outsiders who dared to disrupt the natural order.

For a brief moment, the System seemed to falter, as if sensing the sharp edge of her resolve. If it had emotions, it might have pitied those unfortunate enough to face Gu Shengyin.

This host, it thought, is not someone to be trifled with. Then again, she was created by that person…

"Preparing for world entry in three… two… one…"

Gu Shengyin felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over her. Before she could process it, her vision went dark, and she lost consciousness.

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