2. Another Morning

Date: July 18, 2025

I didn't exactly sleep well that night.

The moment I shut my eyes, my brain kept replaying like a broken video.

Over and over again, the image of that mutated lizardman lunging at me.

That horrifying claw.

And that weird keyboard sound effect.

I curled up on the stone floor, arms wrapped tightly around my legs.

"Okay lah," I whispered to myself, "maybe this is all just a super-realistic nightmare.

Sleep one night, tomorrow wake up, and I'll be back in my room with aircon and Wi-Fi."

I wasn't some chosen hero or whatever.

I was just a 16-year-old Singaporean girl who wanted to survive her summer break, not start it by almost dying.

"Good night," I mumbled to the darkness.

"Please let me wake up somewhere normal."

—zzzzzZZZZZ—

When I opened my eyes again, I was still in the same musty cave.

I sat bolt upright. "OH MY GOD—I'm still here?!"

"You're awake," said a calm voice nearby.

It was that silver-haired boy again—Yin.

He looked way too composed for someone living in a world infested with killer lizardmen.

"I believe you asked where you were yesterday," he said matter-of-factly.

Yeah. About that.

Yin began explaining. "This world is called 'Backrift.'

It used to be protected by seven major cities. Each city guarded a relic known as the Real Stone. These relics sealed away powerful monsters buried deep underground."

Okay… standard fantasy lore.

"But seven days ago, four cities fell at once. Jishi City, Ulann City, Laihus City, and Great World City. The Real Stones were stolen, and the seals shattered. Monsters returned. Most cities couldn't hold them back."

As he spoke, my eyes slowly widened.

Wait a second. Four fallen cities. Seven relics. Backrift. That name…

"This sounds exactly like—"

My summer game.

I had lined up for two hours to grab the limited collector's edition.

Played it nonstop for a week. The intro cutscene even had the same cities falling!

But I didn't remember this Character Yin being part of it. Was he a hidden character or something?

Yin's voice dropped. "I'm from Jishi City. My sister… she didn't make it."

His fists clenched. "But I won't let her death be meaningless. I'll take back what we lost."

I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded.

The weight in his voice made me feel like I had stepped into more than just some fantasy quest. It felt real.

Then Yin asked me, "Why did you come out from the rift? Are you also some kind of monster in disguise?!"

I was stunned at myself.

Then quickly explained, "I was just spending my holiday like usual, playing my favorite game.

After I beat it, I somehow got sent here.

And now you're accusing me of being a monster?

''Wah, this whole thing is really absurd lah!"

"Sister...?"

A tiny voice pulled me back.

I looked down. The little girl from last night was tugging my sleeve, her eyes puffy and red.

"Sis… I dreamed that everyone in the village was gone… even Mom…"

Her words were so soft they barely reached me.

I scooped her into my arms instinctively.

"It's okay," I whispered. "You still have me. I'll protect you, promise. See?

That big brother over there too. We won't let anything happen to you."

"What's your name?" I asked.

"You can call me Little Bun," she mumbled.

Little Bun?

That name punched me right in the gut.

In Chapter 3 of the game, there was a girl with the same name.

I had found her in the ruins of an abandoned city—legs broken, mind shattered.

She had looked at my character and said,

"I just hope my sister is happy…" before dying in the next scene.

I blinked fast, forcing tears back.

"Not this time," I said to myself. "

''This time I'll protect you no matter what."

Just then, a chipper voice exploded in my brain:

[Hey Master Jessic~ Remember me? Your amazing AI assistant—Little System!]

[You looked totally wiped last night, so I waited till now to check in. Ready for your performance review? Let's gooo~]

[Yesterday's Performance: A+]

[Mission Complete: Escape the village ]

[Mission Complete: Defeat B-class Monster Leader—Mutated Lizardman ]

[Hidden Mission Complete: Rescue the NPC girl "Little Bun" ]

[Rewards: EXP +700, Choose 1 Exclusive Weapon ]

What the—

Right in front of my eyes, bright numbers and glowing panels appeared, floating midair like in a video game.

My EXP bar jumped like crazy. From Level 1 to Level 7 in seconds.

Then another screen popped up:

[Choose your exclusive weapon:]

Rift - Longsword

Rift - Greatsword

Rift - Staff

Rift - Bow

Rift - Gauntlets

Rift - Spear

Easy choice.

"Rift Bow," I said without hesitation.

[Congrats Master! You've gained: Rift - Bow]

"I want that wind blade spell I used yesterday," I added quickly.

"The one that sliced up the lizard dude."

[Excellent choice! Perfect compatibility detected!]

[New Skill Unlocked: Wind Arrow Blade Lv.1]

[Effect: Launches 5 slicing wind blades with piercing bonus. Stronger at higher levels.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Eagle Eye Lv.1]

[Effect: Accuracy +10%]

A final status screen floated into view:

Name: Jessic

Level: 7 (0/100)

HP: 315/315

MP: 240/240

Attack: 38 (+20)

Defense: 8

Agility: 55 (+30)

Accuracy: 8 (+10)

Crit Rate: 7

Luck: 12

Party Members: Little System, Yin, Little Bun

Newbie Protection Remaining: 9 (Damage Immunity + Auto Counter)

I took a deep breath.

"If I can follow the game's plot, complete the storyline…win the game.

Maybe I'll find a way back home."

I turned to Yin. "What's your plan now?"

"I have to go to Ulann City," he said. "My sister told me before she died—our uncle is there.

If he's alive, he might know how to stop this."

"But Ulann was one of the cities that fell," I said.

"I know," Yin replied quietly. "But I have to try."

I looked at Little Bun, then back at him. "We'll come with you."

Yin shook his head. "No. It's too dangerous. I can't protect you both."

I smiled and raised my new bow. Aiming at the cave wall, I called out:

"Wind Blade!"

Five sharp wind slashes carved into the stone with a loud SWISHHH.

Yin blinked. "You… you can use magic?"

I shrugged. "Sort of. I have a system, actually. Just got those skills this morning."

Yin looked stunned. But then, he smiled. For the first time.

"Alright. Then let's move before the next monster wave catches up."

I tightened my grip on the bow and helped Little Bun onto her feet.

The path ahead wasn't safe.

But this time, I wasn't just some scared schoolgirl waiting to be saved.

This time—I'm in.