Kang Ji-won’s eyes widened the moment she heard the voice.
System Unlocked?
Wait…
System?
She looked up, and just as expected, a rectangular screen appeared in front of her.
It hovered in the air, glowing faintly.
“Cool.”
So…
that’s settled.
I’m in a system novel.
A few words appeared across the screen.
{ Host detected.
}
Host?
What’s a host?
The mechanical voice sounded again, strangely calm compared to the chaos in Ji-won’s mind.
{ Welcome, Kang Ji-won.
Your journey begins now.
Your Starter Pack is now available.
Do you want it?
Yes/No.
}
Ji-won rested her hand against her jaw, staring at the screen.
“Starter Pack? What’s that?”
{ The Starter Pack serves as your welcome reward.
}
Her mouth fell open.
“Wait… You and I can communicate?”
{ Correct.
}
Her heart immediately lifted.
“That’s good. That’s really good. So tell me, why was I sent here?”
{ Information unavailable.
}
Her excitement disappeared.
“Hmph. A simple question, and you don’t even have the answer? Such a useless system.”
She folded her arms and looked away.
{ Insult heard.
Ignoring.
}
Ji-won shrugged.
“Whatever.”
The screen remained in front of her, almost as if it were waiting for her answer.
{ Host, do you accept the Starter Pack?
Yes/No.
}
“What other choice do I have? Yes, of course.”
{ Great.
You have unlocked your Starter Pack.
First pack—Combat Upgrade: Beginner Stage.
}
The moment the words appeared, a cold sensation swept through Ji-won’s body.
It started in her chest and spread through her arms and legs.
Her muscles suddenly felt lighter and stronger at the same time.
Her eyes widened.
Combat Upgrade?
Isn’t that fighting ability?
Before she could think much about it, another message appeared.
{ Next.
Second pack—Data and Intelligence Boost.
}
Another strange sensation passed through her.
This time, it settled in her head.
Ji-won blinked a few times as her thoughts suddenly felt clearer, as though something had switched on inside her brain.
Wow.
This Starter Pack is amazing.
Photographic memory?
That’s the best.
{ Lastly, third pack—Recovery and Restoration: Limited use.
}
A warm sensation replaced the cold one.
Energy flowed through Ji-won’s body for a few moments.
When it finally stopped, she felt strangely refreshed.
She looked down at herself.
Nothing seemed different, but she could tell that something had changed.
{ Starter Pack completed.
}
{ You’ll receive a mission in a few days, so be prepared.
}
Mission?
“What are missions?”
{ Missions are tasks you need to complete in order to earn more rewards.
Failure to complete them could lead to serious consequences.
}
There will be more rewards?
Ji-won’s eyes brightened.
She nodded.
“Okay.”
Then she paused.
But what kind of consequences?
Before she could ask, the System spoke again.
{ Good.
I’m just a conscious blink away.
See you soon.
}
The screen disappeared.
For a long moment, Kang Ji-won stared at the empty space in front of her.
So many thoughts were running through her head that she didn’t know where to start.
She took a deep breath and fell onto the bed.
Staring at the ceiling, she tried to make sense of everything that had happened since she woke up.
But just as she was about to close her eyes, a knock sounded on the door.
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
Her entire body froze.
Someone lives here too?
The thought made her sit up immediately.
She quickly walked toward the door, slowing down as she got closer.
Who could it be?
Another character?
She stopped and glanced at the door.
“What am I gonna do if it’s another character? I don’t even know anyone here.”
She paced around the room nervously.
The knock came again.
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
Ji-won’s heart skipped a beat.
Then a woman’s voice came from the other side.
“Are you in there, Ji-won? I’m back from work.”
Must be a relative…
or a friend?
Ji-won looked at the door again and clenched her fist.
“Take a deep breath, Kang Ji-won. You can do this. Just go with the flow.”
Slowly, she walked toward it.
Her hand was almost on the doorknob when she remembered what had happened the last time she’d tried to open the door.
Is something unexpected going to happen when I touch it?
She glanced back at the book and took a slow breath.
Then she turned the handle.
Nothing happened.
Ji-won opened her eyes and let out the breath she’d been holding.
She pulled the door open and immediately put on her sweetest smile.
Standing before her was a woman who looked to be in her late thirties.
“Welcome… Err… ma’am.”
The woman stared at her for a second before suddenly bursting into laughter.
Kang Ji-won blinked.
Did I say something funny?
She could only smile nervously as the woman continued laughing.
After finally calming down, the woman arched an eyebrow.
“Since when did you start calling me ‘ma’am’?”
Ji-won’s eyes darted around.
What am I supposed to answer now?
I don’t even know who she is!
Hmm…
Maybe I’ll just go with the flow.
“Hehehe. I’m just kidding,” she said awkwardly.
The woman’s eyes narrowed.
“Since when did you start playing around?”
A cold shiver ran down Ji-won’s spine.
“Ah-em!”
She cleared her throat.
“Hmm… I… I just decided to change?”
The woman’s eyes widened.
“You did?”
Kang Ji-won nodded.
“That’s wonderful.”
Without warning, the woman pulled Ji-won into a warm hug and gently patted her back.
“You’re making Mama proud.”
Mama?
Ji-won’s eyebrows furrowed.
As in…
she’s my mum?
For a moment, she couldn’t move.
Then something inside her chest tightened.
Mother?
The word she’d been longing for throughout her eighteen years.
It was right in front of her now.
And somehow, that realization hurt more than she expected.
I have a real mother now?
Her eyes suddenly grew warm.
Slowly, she wrapped her arms around the woman and let herself sink into the unfamiliar warmth.
“And I’ll make you even more proud, Mum,” she whispered.
The real journey begins here.
Are you guys ready?.