When I opened my eyes again… I was still inside the cave.
Slowly, I stood up—my body sore and heavy.I glanced around—and saw the Guardian Wolf prostrating himself on the floor in front of the now cracked statue.
Confused, I looked up at the statue too.Deep cracks had appeared all over its surface.Was that… from the god descending?
I turned back toward the Guardian."Hey… hey…" I called out.
Hearing my voice, the Guardian stood up, trembling slightly.Without a word, he walked over to me and gently placed one paw on my forehead—as if giving me a blessing.
This time, I didn't pass out.I only felt a slight dizziness, like my mind was spinning softly.
When he finished, the Guardian smiled faintly and spoke."Young wolf, I am… impressed, to say the least.To reward you… the Wolf God Himself descended into this world.Surely you have received a very special gift."
I blinked.Gift?I didn't remember getting any gift.In fact… the Wolf God didn't hand me anything at all.
Then a funny thought hit me.Maybe the gift was simply… NOT killing me.Honestly, that might count as a gift when dealing with gods!
The Guardian continued."I have given you a title and a blessing.I hope you will go forth and make a name for yourself in the world beyond."
Before I could ask more questions, a portal appeared behind me.A sudden suction began pulling me backward.
"Wait! I still have questio—!"THUD.
I landed hard on my back."OW… OW… where am I now?!"
I sat up slowly, groaning.All around me was an endless field of snow.A bright blue sky stretched overhead.
Snow. Snow everywhere.I had no idea where I was—but I had a strong feeling I was somewhere far north.
That's when it hit me.
HUNGER.
My stomach growled loudly.My body felt so weak I couldn't even stand properly.So I flopped onto the snow, belly up, staring at the sky.
I need to hunt. But… I can't move…
Just as I was about to force myself up, a faint blue glow appeared in front of me.
All thoughts of hunger vanished instantly.I sprang to my feet, eyes wide.
"Hahahahaha! FINALLY!My cheat has arrived! HAHAHAHA!"
I danced in circles like a mad wolf.The blue glow solidified into a screen in front of me:
[System installing… Progress: 20%… 21%… 22%…]
I could barely contain my excitement.
"YESSSSS! YESSSSS!A SYSTEM!Now I can dominate this world! HAHAHAHAHA!"
I stared at the screen like an idiot.
[25%… 30%… 50%… 100%][System installed successfully.][System online. Assigning to host.][Host confirmed: Gray Soliski.][Please assign a name to the system: _______]
I grinned ear to ear."Hehehehehe… this is just GREAT! I'll—"
But the screen interrupted me:
[System has deemed host to be mentally unstable.System will assign its own name.][System name assigned: Lily.][System online.]
I froze mid-laugh."Wait… WHAT? You named yourself Lily?!"
Before I could protest further, new warnings flashed on the screen:
[WARNING: Extreme hunger detected.][Host is required to HUNT and feed immediately.][New mission assigned: Hunt and fill your belly.][Mission reward: Hunger will go away.][Mission failure penalty: Death.]
"WHAAAT?! Death?! Why death?! What kind of mission is this?!"
I shouted toward the glowing screen.
[Host is dangerously hungry after completing the Blood Trial.Host must hunt and feed within 3 hours or the body will shut down.]
"Okay, okay, I get it!" I replied quickly."But… this mission thing… If I fail, I really die?!"
[As explained—yes. Hunger will kill the host naturally in 3 hours.The mission is given to ensure the host takes this seriously.]
I let out a long sigh."Fine, fine… But one more thing. Where did you come from?"
[This system is a gift from the Wolf God, granted after you completed the Blood Trial.The system is named Lily, self-assigned because host was laughing like a mad wolf.The system will assist you in understanding your powers and adapting to this world.You may view your full status and rewards via the system.]
I blinked in surprise.
So… the Wolf God DID give me a gift after all.And here I thought I didn't get anything!
"Alright," I said, grinning."Let's see what I've got. Status!"