Chapter 10
“Then die. Anyway, I’ll just change to a new host.”
Scarlet hadn’t expected the system to be so cold–blooded. She stared at the screen in
horror, her voice trembling.
“But… I don’t want to die. Isn’t there any way I can survive?”
[No. The self–destruction program has already been activated. However, you’re allowed to take others with you. That way, you won’t die alone. The program will begin in three days. Please make necessary preparations.]
For a few seconds, the room was deathly silent. Then, an unsettling, manic laughter echoed.
“Fine. If I can’t live, then I’ll drag everyone down with me!”
Alarmed, I immediately told someone to watch Scarlet closely, fearing what she might do. But deep down, I knew that wouldn’t be enough. She was desperate–and dangerous. We needed a better plan. The safest course was to isolate her on the day the program
activated.
Just as I was drafting a group announcement to warn the others, a new message notification pinged. It was from Scarlet.
[Everyone, I’ve caused so much trouble recently. As an apology, I’d like to invite you all for dinner at the farmhouse in three days. Let’s get together one last time.]
She even tagged me directly: [@Celeste I especially hope you’ll come.]
To keep her calm, I pretended nothing was wrong and replied that I’d be there.
On the third day, we made our move. Undercover police arrived at the farmhouse hours in advance and quietly cleared out unrelated guests. Everyone was ready in position.
When Scarlet got out of the car, she looked around, frowning.
“Isn’t this place usually packed? Why’s it so empty today?”
The proprietress, pale and stiff, forced a smile and replied, “Maybe it’s just a slow day. People are probably busy.”
Scarlet seemed satisfied with the excuse and led her old classmates cheerfully into the
private room.
I followed close behind and, leaning slightly, whispered one word in her ear: “System.”
She froze for a moment. Then I took her arm and smoothly guided her outside, pretending
to want a private chat.
Ethan, whom I’d asked to come earlier, was already waiting in the courtyard.
“So,” Scarlet said with a cold, sharp glint in her eyes, “what did you want to talk about?”
Her stare was terrifying–like she was already looking at my corpse. I glanced at my watch, gauging the time left before detonation. Stalling was crucial now.
“Why are you targeting me, Scarlet?” I asked, feigning confusion. “Didn’t you always say
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you looked down on me for being born with a silver spoon? Then why try to take my life?”
A twisted smile crept onto her face. “Don’t act innocent. I just think it’s unfair. Why do people like you get to live so effortlessly? What makes you better than me? I’m not worse than you.”
I let my lips curl into a cruel smirk, hoping to provoke her.
“But you are worse. In every way. And no matter how hard you try, you’ll never be like me. You’re nothing but a failed copy. A loser.”
I pointed at Ethan beside me.
“Even he chose me. You’ve already been abandoned, Scarlet. It’s over.”
Her eyes darkened with fury, and her lips parted in a manic grin.
“Hahaha… Celeste, you were all supposed to die today. But since you’re volunteering to face me first, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
Ethan took a step forward, startled. “Scarlet, what are you talking about?”
But she ignored him. Instead, she shouted at the top of her lungs, “Initiate self–destruct!”
“All of you–die with me!”
But something went wrong. Her smile faltered. She blinked, confused. The detonation hadn’t triggered.
Seizing the moment, I shoved her hard. She screamed as she tumbled backward–right into the deep pit we had dug in advance.
But she wasn’t alone. At the last second, she managed to grab Ethan’s arm, dragging him down with her.
“No-!” I screamed, but it was too late.
I turned and ran, lungs burning, heart hammering.
Behind me, a deafening explosion split the air. Flames burst upward in a violent wave, but they were contained–confined to the pit.
I collapsed a few meters away, coughing, soot–streaked and shaken. My classmates rushed toward me, pulling me to my feet amid roaring applause.
“Celeste, you saved us!”
“Yeah! If it weren’t for you, we’d all be dead!”
“That Scarlet was completely insane…”
Their voices faded into the background. All I could hear was the pounding of my heartbeat. The nightmare of my previous life–my stolen fate, my eroded luck–was finally over. I had reclaimed my future.
I no longer had to live in fear of being copied, replaced, or destroyed.
As life slowly returned to normal, people stopped mentioning Scarlet. Her name faded into silence.
Ethan survived, barely. But he would never walk again. I visited him in the hospital.
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Lying on the bed, pale and broken, he muttered in confusion, “I never told anyone her secret. I gave her money… I supported her… Why did she want me dead?”
I remembered how I’d once asked him to share what he knew about her.
He had whispered in my ear, “Scarlet was vain. Obsessed with beauty. She envied you. Wanted to become you.”
He never mentioned the system, even at the end. That’s how the leak was discovered- because I made a vague phone call from a bathroom stall, and Scarlet assumed the worst.
“Bad luck,” I whispered, placing the bouquet gently on his bedside table.
I straightened and looked him in the eyes. “We’re over, Ethan. You can lie here and miss your precious Scarlet all you want.”
He reached for me, unwilling, but I turned and closed the door behind me.
I stepped into the sun and drew in a deep breath, letting the light bathe me. My life was my own again.
But just as I took a step forward, a cold mechanical voice echoed in my ear.
[Celeste, Aurora Vale, from your department, has a monthly living allowance of 1 million. She’s wealthier than you. Would you like to become her?]
I didn’t hesitate.
“Get lost.”
[End]
Chapter 10
