Gu Zhi never thought that helping an elderly lady cross the street would drastically change her life.
It happened at a crowded intersection. The traffic light countdown was nearing zero, and Gu Zhi noticed an elderly woman struggling to make her way across. A speeding sports car, blatantly ignoring the yellow light, was hurtling towards her.
Without thinking, Gu Zhi dashed forward, pushing the old lady out of harm's way. But there wasn't enough time for her to escape. The car struck her, sending her body flying through the air.
In that split second, everything froze. The sound of screeching brakes echoed in her ears, and her vision blurred as red seeped into the edges.
"So... this is what death feels like?"
Gu Zhi's consciousness slipped into darkness.
But it wasn't the end.
"Ding—"
A crisp sound pierced through the void. Suddenly, a brilliant white light enveloped her, as though she had stepped into a futuristic digital realm. Suspended in midair, Gu Zhi realized she couldn't move her limbs—her body felt weightless, like a disembodied soul.
"Welcome to the Task Center! You are the lucky user #777! System S-001 will now serve you!"
Gu Zhi's eyes shot open to see a floating, fluffy orb with tiny wings. Its cartoonish smile was oddly expressive.
"What... what are you?" she asked, her tone wary.
"I am System S-001! You can call me One!" The orb puffed up proudly, its tiny wings fluttering. "Gu Zhi, your heroic act has earned you the privilege of becoming a system-bound host! Congratulations! You're about to embark on a multi-world mission adventure!"
Gu Zhi blinked. "System? Multi-world? Are you serious?"
"Of course!" One replied earnestly, nodding its round little body. "You've passed away in the real world, but I can take you to other realms. By completing designated tasks and accumulating virtue points, you'll have the chance to resurrect, rewind time, or even fulfill your deepest wish!"
"My wish?" Gu Zhi's brows furrowed. "That sounds... intriguing. But what exactly are these tasks?"
"They're simple!" One's cheerful tone belied the gravity of its words. "You'll need to purify the hearts of villains in various worlds by reducing their darkness and malice levels. It might be a bit dangerous, but I'm confident you're up to the challenge!"
"Villains? Darkness levels?" Gu Zhi repeated, disbelief dripping from her voice. "Why me? Can't you find someone else?"
One hesitated for a moment before replying, "Because... you don't have any other choice."
Gu Zhi was rendered speechless.
"Anyway, the contract is now bound!" One suddenly perked up, its voice brimming with excitement. "Are you ready? Your first destination is a fantastic place—"
"Wait! I haven't—"
Before she could finish her sentence, an overwhelming force pulled at her from all directions. Her surroundings twisted and warped, her body spinning as if caught in a cyclone.
With a deafening "boom," the world around her shifted completely.
In the darkness, she heard One's gleeful announcement: "Welcome to the first world!
Mission begins!"