"System activated."

Huh?

Scarlet Young's eyes fluttered open, her vision met with a translucent blue screen hovering mid-air. A pulsing icon in the center of the display spun like a computer loading screen, accompanied by a mechanical voice that echoed in her ears.

"Participant number 304, Scarlet Young, welcome to the Trial Program Against Fate."

"Program... what?" Scarlet muttered, her voice shaky with confusion.

"Trial Program Against Fate, Version 1.0," the voice continued, unbothered by her bewilderment. "In this program, participants will be assigned specific tasks within a given timeframe. Failure to complete these tasks within the allocated period will result in immediate penalties."

"Wait-hold on!" Scarlet raised her hands, as if to stop the disembodied voice. "Who are you? What's happening?"

"I am System 304, assigned to assist you throughout this trial, host."

"What does that even mean?!" she exclaimed, her frustration mounting.

The mechanical voice paused briefly, then resumed with unsettling calmness. "Participant number 304, Scarlet Young, you have been selected to defy the fate assigned to you. According to predetermined outcomes, you are scheduled to die one week from now. You are currently in a comatose state following a hit-and-run accident. This program, hosted in the Fifth Dimension, grants you the opportunity to postpone your death by completing a series of tasks."

Scarlet froze, her mind racing to process the information. "I'm... in a coma? And you're saying I'm supposed to die? This is insane!"

"This situation may seem overwhelming, host, but allow me to clarify further. Please permit me to continue my explanation."

"The following tasks have been assigned to you within the program:

Settle the Young family's outstanding debts.

Reclaim the ancestral land belonging to the Young family.

Purchase a house in Cassia Residential Town."

"To achieve these objectives, you may utilize Favorability Points earned from those around you to enhance specific skills. The allotted time to complete all tasks is one year, starting now. Failure to complete the tasks within the given timeframe will result in the penalty of immediate death."

Scarlet's breath hitched, her pulse quickening. "What?!" she shouted, panic lacing her tone. "Are you out of your mind?!"

The screen remained static, its blue light casting an eerie glow across the dim room. The voice, devoid of emotion, answered simply: "This is your only chance to rewrite your fate, host. The clock is ticking."

Scarlet sat silently, drawing a deep breath before leaning back against the faded sofa in an attempt to calm herself. Her gaze wandered around the room, taking in her surroundings. The space was clean but undeniably aged, with an air of emptiness. The room held only a single bed and a small, discolored sofa, both speaking of long years of use and neglect.

"Where am I?" she murmured, her voice barely audible.

"You are in Scarlet Young's residence in the Fifth Dimension, host," the mechanical voice of the system replied. "You have taken over the body of Scarlet Young from this dimension after her untimely death."

"What?" Scarlet's voice rose in alarm. "What do you mean the Scarlet Young from this dimension is dead?"

"This dimension and your original one run parallel, host," the system explained in its even tone. "Every being in your original dimension has counterparts here. In other words, your original self has been fragmented and exists as smaller pieces across various dimensions."

Scarlet furrowed her brow, the explanation only deepening her confusion. "So, in these other dimensions, are there other versions of me going through the same ordeal?"

"I am sorry, host," the system said. "Currently, access to information about other dimensions is restricted. You must complete all assigned tasks to unlock access to such knowledge."

Scarlet scoffed, leaning forward slightly. "What's the point of learning all that after I finish the tasks? It's not like I can use the information."

"Do not worry, host," the system replied confidently. "Once you complete your tasks, the accumulated knowledge will assist you in deciding whether to remain in this dimension or return to your original one."

"You're saying I can go back?" Scarlet's voice held a faint glimmer of hope.

"Yes, host," the system confirmed. "Returning to your original dimension will depend on your performance during this program."

"So now I have to earn money to pay off my family's debts, reclaim the ancestral land, and buy a house?" Scarlet asked, her eyes fixed on the translucent screen hovering before her. The screen listed the tasks assigned by the program, each line more daunting than the last.

"Yes, host. You are required to settle the Young family's outstanding debts, reclaim the ancestral land belonging to the Young family, and purchase a house in Cassia Residential Town within one year. Failure to complete these tasks will result in the penalty of death," System 304 replied in its mechanical tone, devoid of any emotion.

"Thanks for the reminder about the death penalty," Scarlet muttered under her breath, annoyance evident in her voice.

"Understood, host," the system responded, its unwavering voice only amplifying Scarlet's frustration. She sighed, momentarily at a loss for words at how literal the system could be.

"Would you like me to search and compile a list of high-paying job opportunities currently available, host?" the system asked, its tone unchanged.

"Huh? You can do that?" Scarlet blinked, surprised.

"Yes, host. My system is equipped to access various forms of online information relevant to your assigned program. However, this access is limited by your current skill level."

"Oh, so what's my current skill level?" Scarlet asked, narrowing her eyes as curiosity piqued her.

No sooner had she spoken than the translucent screen shifted. The previous task list disappeared, replaced by what seemed to be her participant profile. The display was stark, highlighting her progress-or rather, the lack thereof.

"Your current skill level is Level 1, host," the system explained in its mechanical voice. "The lowest level is 1, and the highest level is 10. Skill levels can be increased by using Favorability Points, which you earn from those around you. These points can be exchanged to enhance the skills you desire, as I mentioned earlier."

Scarlet nodded slightly, processing the system's explanation. Her eyes scanned the translucent blue screen in front of her, reading each word carefully. At the top of the screen, her full name, Scarlet Young, was displayed, along with her date of birth, weight, and height.

The second section of the screen listed the tasks assigned by the program. Each task was accompanied by the deadline for completion, with a countdown timer steadily ticking away. Below the task list, Scarlet noticed another section displaying her current savings: a meager sum of $28. Alongside it were figures representing the total amount required to complete the tasks and the remaining balance needed to reach that goal.

"$28?" Scarlet asked, her voice tinged with disbelief as her eyes locked onto the pitiful figure. One eyebrow arched, and her mind began to churn with questions.

"Yes, host," the system confirmed, its tone as even and emotionless as ever. "Your current savings amount to $28."

Scarlet leaned back slightly, exhaling sharply. $28? That's barely enough for a decent meal, let alone enough to pay off debts or buy a house. Where am I supposed to start?

She stared at the screen, frustration bubbling under the surface. Yet, even in the midst of her irritation, she knew there was no other choice but to find a way to make it work. The system's clock was ticking, and failure was not an option.