The Choice That Binds
Chapter 6 – The Choice That Binds
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[Continent Panel]
Continent: Zareth
Size: 30x the size of Earth
Known Inhabitants: Unknown
Danger Level: Extreme
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[System Panel]
System Administrator: Seo Joon
Free System Grants Remaining: [7/9]
Monthly System Grants Remaining: [1/1]
Total System Holders: [3]
Next System Holder Awakening: [30 Days]
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[System Holder List]
Humans: [2]
Goblins: [0]
Zombies: [0]
Animals: [1]
Other Races: [0]
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[System Holders]
Seo Joon – [System Administrator]
#2 – ??? – [Wild Instincts]
#3 – Jang Mi-Rae – [Survivor's Resolve]
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A Life on the Brink
The woman barely held herself up.
She was dying.
Seo Joon could see it—her trembling hands, her labored breathing. She wouldn't last another night.
Yet—she was still alive.
His gaze flickered to the dark surroundings, checking for movement. No one else. No ambush.
Just her.
She raised her head weakly, lips parting as if to speak, but only a hoarse breath came out.
Seo Joon exhaled.
What do I do?
Giving her a system could change everything.
It could save her.
Or—
It could turn her into something far worse.
He knew what power did to people.
He had seen what desperation created.
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The Weight of a System
The world was cruel.
Power didn't change that.
It only gave people the means to survive—or destroy.
Seo Joon had seven free system grants left. Once they were gone, the only way he could grant more was through his monthly limit.
And every system holder could pass it on once per year.
It spreads like a disease.
That was the part that scared him.
He clenched his fist.
Even if he gave her a system, he wouldn't be able to choose what kind.
The system was random.
Skills, stats, abilities—all determined by something beyond his control.
And once it was given—it couldn't be taken back.
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The Decision
The woman's lips moved again.
"…Please…"
Seo Joon stared at her.
His mind raced.
If she died now, it was over.
But if he gave her a system—she might become something dangerous.
Something uncontrollable.
He pressed his fingers against the rusted pipe in his grip.
A weapon.
A reminder.
Then—
He made his choice.
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[System Granted – Survivor's Resolve]
[#3 – System Holder]
Name: Jang Mi-Rae
Race: Human
System Type: Survivor's Resolve
Abilities:
Grants immense endurance under extreme conditions.
Increases adaptability to hostile environments.
Enhances survival instincts.
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Eyes Wide Open
Mi-Rae sucked in a sharp breath.
Her body stopped trembling.
Her dull eyes regained clarity.
She looked at her hands—then up at him.
"…What did you do?"
Seo Joon exhaled.
"No time to explain."
Because outside—
Something was coming.
And this time—
they weren't alone.
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To Be Continued…