Chapter 1

[Synchronization complete… Character now in new host.]

Leo jolted awake, shooting upright in the bed as if he had been dragged out of a nightmare. His lungs struggled to catch up, breaths coming out heavy and uneven, while sweat clung to his face. His eyes were wide with shock, darting around as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.

“What… what was that?” he muttered, pressing a hand against his head as a dull ache pulsed through it.

It was then that he noticed something strange.

The bed beneath him didn’t feel like his. It was far too soft, almost swallowing his body whole, and far larger than anything he owned. The sheets were smooth—unnaturally smooth—and when he looked down, he realized they were made of silk, embroidered with delicate golden patterns.

Confusion crept in as he lifted his gaze and took in the room around him.

The space was enormous, far beyond the size of a normal bedroom. Tall, arched windows stretched along the walls, covered by deep crimson curtains lined with gold. Sunlight filtered through them, casting a warm glow across the polished marble floor. The walls themselves were decorated with intricate carvings and expensive paintings framed in gold, each one depicting noble figures or vast landscapes. A large wardrobe made of dark oak stood in one corner, while a neatly arranged table filled with glass bottles, scrolls, and strange glowing objects occupied another.

Everything about the room screamed wealth.

“…Everything here seems different…” Leo whispered, his voice uncertain. “Could I really have been sent into another world?”

For a brief moment, silence filled the air.

Then his expression shifted.

A grin slowly spread across his face, his earlier confusion melting into excitement. “This… is… awesome!” he shouted, throwing off the covers and jumping out of bed.

“Oh my, Sir Nolan! You shouldn’t be walking yet!”

The sudden voice startled him. A maid had entered the room without him noticing, quickly rushing to his side and gently guiding him back onto the bed.

“Nolan…?” Leo repeated inwardly, his thoughts racing. “Who’s that?”

His gaze shifted toward the maid as suspicion crept in. “And who is she…?”

At that moment, a translucent screen appeared before his eyes.

[Name: Isabella Hoshino]

[Age:38]

[Level: 64 (Tier-5)]

[Class: Assassin]

[Occupation: Maid]

[Overall Strength: 1200]

“Isabella… Hoshino…” he repeated silently, staring at the information. The name felt familiar—too familiar.

Then it clicked.

Hoshino was a character from a novel he had read. She had once lived as an assassin, taking on dangerous missions from powerful nobles. Later, she had vanished without explanation, only to reappear living as a maid somewhere unknown. Her story had always been shrouded in mystery.

A chill ran down his spine.

“Then how could I be here…?” he thought, his heart beginning to race. “Inside a book?”

“Young master, I will go fetch your medicine. Please rest,” the maid said gently before turning and leaving the room.

As soon as she exited, another presence filled the space.

“It seems you’re awake, young master.”

Leo turned toward the voice and saw a man clad in knight’s armor standing at the entrance. His posture was firm, his presence overwhelming.

“And who is he…?” Leo wondered.

Another screen appeared.

[Name: Ralph Valtieri]

[Age:43]

[Level: 78 (Tier-7)]

[Class: Knight]

[Occupation: Nolan’s Guardian]

[Overall Strength: 2800]

“Ralph…” Leo thought, narrowing his eyes. “He wasn’t supposed to appear this early…”

Blonde hair, red eyes, and a distinct scar running across his left cheek—there was no mistaking him. He was the knight who had appeared much later in the story, the one who had sacrificed himself to buy time for the hero’s party.

“But why is he here…?” Leo wondered. “And why is he my guardian?”

A deeper realization struck him.

“…Isn’t he also the one who killed Isabella?”

His thoughts spiraled further as another screen appeared before him.

[Host: Leo]

[Original Owner: Nolan Weldon]

[Age:18]

[Level: 1 (Beginner Tier)]

[Class: Mage]

[Health: 95/95]

[Mana: 45/45]

[Skills: Locked]

[Abilities: Locked]

[Strength: 5 | Speed: 5 | Agility: 5 | Intelligence: 5]

[Free Tokens: 5]

[Occupation: Heir to the Title — Lord of the Weldon Lands]

“…Weldon heir…” Leo murmured, a faint smile forming on his lips. “So that’s why…”

But the smile didn’t last.

His expression froze as realization hit him like a blow.

“…Wait.”

“The Weldon heir… dies at the very beginning of the story.”

Before he could fully process it, the system chimed again.

[Mission: Survive Assassination]

[Reward: Freedom of Life]

[Time Remaining: 24:00:00]

Leo’s body went rigid, his hands trembling slightly as he stared at the countdown.

“…Why him?” he whispered.

“Young master… are you alright?” Ralph asked, concern evident in his voice.

Leo forced himself to calm down, masking his panic behind a composed expression. “I’m fine,” he said before pausing. “Tell me… how long has Isabella been working here?”

Ralph frowned slightly. “Isabella? I’m afraid there is no one by that name, my lord.”

Leo’s heart skipped a beat.

“Then the maid who was just here—who is she?” he asked quickly.

“That would be Roselite, my lord. She has been your caretaker for nearly three months.”

“…Three months…” Leo repeated, lowering his gaze as the pieces began to fall into place.

Three months ago—that was when Isabella had disappeared from the world of assassination in the novel.

“So it really is her…” he thought. “But if I don’t know her reason, I can’t predict her actions.”

Ralph continued to observe him carefully, his expression growing more suspicious. “Young master… could it be that the poison you consumed has caused some side effects?”

Leo’s head snapped up. “Poison?”

“Yes. Yesterday, you were found collapsed while holding a bottle. It appears you had already ingested it.”

“I see…” Leo murmured, his mind racing.

“So the original Nolan drank poison… or was poisoned,” he thought.

He looked back at Ralph, his expression now serious.

“Ralph, I have an important task for you,” he said firmly.

The knight straightened immediately. “Anything within my power, young master.”

“Good,” Leo replied before beginning to explain his plan in careful detail.

As he spoke, Ralph’s eyes widened slightly.

“…Are you certain?” he asked. “Your body is still weak. This plan is dangerous.”

Leo met his gaze without hesitation. “It’s the best option we have,” he said calmly. “I didn’t drink the poison—I was poisoned. And if that’s true, then the next move is obvious.”

He paused, his voice lowering.

“If you don’t believe me… then take a gamble on me.”

A brief silence followed.

“Because if I’m wrong…” Leo continued, his expression unwavering, “…then I will renounce my claim as heir.”

Chapte 2

Ralph took a step back, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “You… you will do that?” he asked.

Leo let out a quiet sigh, his expression steady despite the weight of the situation. “What choice do I have?” he replied calmly. “At this rate, this is the only thing left to convince you.” Before Ralph could respond, the door opened and Isabella stepped inside, carrying a tray filled with neatly arranged dishes. She paused at the doorway and gave a slight bow. “My apologies for interrupting, but—”

“It’s nothing, Miss Roselite,” Leo said quickly, cutting her off with a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You came at the right time. Please, come in.” He glanced toward Ralph, his tone turning casual. “I believe our discussion is finished, right?”

Ralph stood still for a moment, his gaze lingering on Leo as if trying to understand him. After a brief pause, he nodded. “Yes… it is. Get some rest, young master. You will need it.” He turned to leave, then added, “Make sure he finishes his meal.” With that, he walked out of the room.

Isabella nodded and stepped further inside. She placed the tray beside the bed and sat down near him, her movements calm and practiced. Picking up a bowl of rich soup, she dipped a spoon into it and brought it toward his lips. “Now, young master, you heard him. Please eat.”

 Leo accepted without resistance, opening his mouth as she fed him. The moment the soup touched his tongue, his eyes widened slightly. The flavor was warm and rich, far beyond anything he had ever tasted. For a brief moment, his thoughts drifted. How can someone kill himself when he has food like this? he wondered, almost dazed. And being fed by someone this beautiful…

Isabella paused briefly, watching him with a hint of confusion, but quickly dismissed it. Perhaps he had simply gone through something difficult. She continued feeding him until the bowl was empty. “Well done, young master,” she said gently before handing him a set of pills. “Now, please take this.”

“Thank you,” Leo replied, taking the pills without hesitation. He swallowed them and lay back against the bed, closing his eyes as if surrendering to exhaustion. Isabella rose to her feet, gave a slight bow, and quietly exited the room.

Hours passed in silence before a voice broke through the stillness. “Young master…” it whispered. Leo stirred slightly, still half-asleep. “Young master.” He let out a faint sound in response, reluctant to leave the comfort of the bed. “It’s time,” the voice said.

Leo’s eyes snapped open as he sat up abruptly. “It’s… time?” he asked, his voice low, tension creeping in. “Yes,” Ralph replied from the shadows. “Shall we?” A smirk spread across Leo’s face, sharp and confident. “Hell yeah.”

The room was soon swallowed by darkness as their plan took shape. Time passed slowly, each second stretching longer than the last. Silence filled the space, broken only by faint movements. Just as doubt began to creep in, the door creaked open and a figure slipped inside, moving like a shadow. It approached the bed step by step before suddenly striking where Leo lay. A scream rang out, but something felt wrong. The figure froze, then turned toward the door—only to find it blocked.

Two figures stood there, one tall and one slightly shorter. The lights flared to life, revealing Ralph and Leo standing side by side. Beside them stood Isabella, her eyes wide with shock, a small blade clenched tightly in her hand. She took a step back, her voice trembling. “Sir Ralph… Nolan…? But…” Her gaze darted toward the bed, where only a decoy lay. “…How?”

“It seems you were right, young master,” Ralph said coldly as he unsheathed his sword, a faint blue aura flickering around him. He stepped forward slowly. “Allow me to handle this.”

“No—wait!” Isabella stammered, panic breaking through her composure. “I can explain—”

“I’m afraid there is nothing to explain,” Ralph replied sharply, vanishing in an instant. Isabella reacted immediately, activating her stealth and fading from sight, but Ralph’s experience far surpassed hers. “Behind,” he said, turning and striking without hesitation. His blade cut across her back, forcing her to the ground.

Pain surged through her as she collapsed, her fingers digging into the floor. So this is how it ends, she thought bitterly. So much for being the great assassin. Ralph raised his sword, the tip hovering near her neck. “Now… to end this.”

“Stop.” Leo’s voice cut through the moment. “Don’t kill her. Not yet.”

Isabella let out a weak laugh, a smirk forming despite her condition. “You think you’ve won?” she said, her voice low but defiant. “It’s not over yet.”

Suddenly, Leo’s breath hitched. His chest tightened violently as his heart slowed to an unnatural pace. His vision blurred, and he dropped to one knee, clutching at himself. “What…?” he gasped. A translucent screen appeared before him.

[System Activated]

[Host has been poisoned]

[Time Remaining: 00:12]

[Survive]

“I’ve been poisoned…?” he thought in shock. Darkness began creeping in, his strength fading rapidly. How…? His body gave out completely as he collapsed onto the floor. “I thought… I won…” he murmured faintly.

“YOUNG MASTER!” Ralph’s voice echoed in the distance, but it quickly faded as everything went black.

Leo’s eyes snapped open as he gasped for air, his body jerking upright in the bed once more. His breathing was uneven, his mind struggling to catch up. “What…?” he whispered. The system appeared again.

[System Activated]

[Host survived]

[Mission Complete]

[Reward: Full control of life granted]

“I… survived?” he muttered, still in disbelief. “But how…?”

“Young master!” Ralph rushed into the room, relief evident on his face. “You’re awake. I’m glad you’re alive.”

“Ralph…” Leo said weakly, glancing down at the sheets. “What happened?”

Ralph let out a heavy breath as he sat beside him. “A lot. After you collapsed, I went to seek help. When I returned… Isabella was gone.” His expression darkened. “I failed.”

Leo shook his head slightly. “No… you didn’t.” He turned his gaze toward the window, where the first light of dawn began to rise. “With the injuries you dealt her, she couldn’t have gone far. Check the nearest forest.”

Ralph frowned. “My lord… what makes you so certain?”

Leo narrowed his eyes slightly. “I don’t know… but something is telling me.”

The story has changed, he thought quietly. Or maybe… it’s moving faster than before. He clenched his hand, staring at it for a moment before relaxing. Either way… I survived.

Chapter 3

The forest stretched endlessly, dense and suffocating, its towering trees blotting out most of the sunlight. What little light remained filtered weakly through the thick canopy, casting uneven shadows across the damp earth. The air was heavy with the scent of moss and decay, and the silence that lingered between the trees felt unnatural, as though the forest itself was holding its breath.

Two knights moved carefully through the undergrowth, their armor faintly clinking with each step. The polished steel of their breastplates bore the crest of the Weldon family, partially dulled by dirt and travel, while dark blue cloaks hung from their shoulders, brushing lightly against the forest floor. Their hands rested near the hilts of their swords, their movements cautious, their eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.

“Are you sure she’s somewhere around here?” one of them asked in a low voice, his gaze sweeping across the trees.

“That’s not confirmed,” the other replied, his tone steady but alert. “But we were instructed to look for a woman wearing a maid’s robe, with a deep gash across her back.”

They pressed forward in silence, their steps growing slower as the forest seemed to close in around them.

Then, without warning, both of them stopped.

Their attention dropped to the ground.

A dark stain marked the soil.

“…Do you see this?” the first knight whispered.

The other crouched slightly, examining it. “Blood,” he said quietly.

A brief pause followed.

“Should we follow it?”

The first knight nodded.

They moved again, more carefully now, following the faint trail of blood that led deeper into the forest. Each step felt heavier than the last, the silence pressing against their senses. The trail was uneven, scattered in drops and smears, but it was enough.

Until it suddenly ended.

“The trail stops here,” one of them muttered, frowning as he looked down.

The other placed a hand on his shoulder and pointed ahead.

Slowly, the knight lifted his gaze.

There, beneath the twisted roots of an old tree, lay a figure.

A woman.

Her maid’s uniform was stained and torn, her body unmoving except for the faint rise and fall of her chest. A dark patch of dried blood spread across her back, marking the wound they had been searching for.

“…It’s her,” the knight said under his breath.

By the time the news reached the Weldon estate, the sun had already begun to set.

Leo sat upright in his bed, a bowl of soup in his hand, his expression calm as he listened. “I see… so they’re on their way now?” he asked.

Ralph sat nearby, his posture straight, though his expression carried a subtle tension. “Yes, young master,” he replied. “However, the situation is not so simple.”

Leo paused, lowering the spoon slightly. “And why is that?”

Ralph hesitated for a moment before speaking. “The location where she was found does not fall under your authority. That land belongs to your brother—Luke Weldon, the second son of the household.”

Leo’s gaze sharpened slightly, though his expression remained composed.

“I see.”

“Lord Luke is not one to tolerate interference,” Ralph continued. “If we attempt to take her by force, it could lead to conflict within the family. Even if we explain her involvement, his side will likely insist on executing her immediately.”

Leo set the bowl aside, his mind already moving ahead.

“So we’re in a bind,” he said quietly.

Ralph nodded.

A brief silence followed before he spoke again. “If I may ask, young master… why do you wish to keep her alive?”

Leo leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing.

“When the poison took effect,” he said slowly, “I had twelve seconds left to live.”

Ralph’s body stiffened.

“And yet,” Leo continued, his voice lowering, “you said you found me still breathing.”

His gaze locked onto Ralph’s.

“Tell me… who interfered with my death?”

Ralph froze, unable to respond.

Leo exhaled quietly, looking away.

“She completed her mission,” he murmured. “So why… did she save me afterward?”

Ralph lowered his head briefly before straightening again. “Then, my lord, I will assist you in uncovering the truth. There is an old estate within that forest. We secured her there temporarily. While we may not be able to bring her here… we can go to her.”

Leo nodded once.

“Good.”

He paused before asking, “When will my parents return?”

“They are expected to arrive at midnight,” Ralph replied.

Leo’s gaze drifted toward the window.

April second… two weeks since they left, he thought. So today is the day they return. If I'm correct they will take longer than that. He thought 

Without hesitation, he pushed himself up from the bed.

“We’re going now.”

Ralph stepped forward instinctively. “Young master, your condition—”

“I’ll manage,” Leo interrupted, raising a hand to stop him.

Seeing the resolve in his eyes, Ralph said nothing more.

Hours later, their carriage came to a halt deep within the forest.

Leo stepped out slowly, his body still recovering but his expression firm. “Is this the place?” he asked.

“Yes, my lord,” Ralph replied.

Before them stood an old mansion.

Time had not been kind to it. Cracks ran along its stone walls, vines crawling over its surface as if reclaiming it for the forest. The once-grand windows were either shattered or clouded with dirt, and the large wooden doors hung unevenly on their hinges. The entire structure felt abandoned, forgotten.

“From here, we proceed on foot,” Ralph said.

Leo nodded, and the two made their way through the rusted iron gate, its loud creak echoing into the silence.

Inside, the air changed instantly.

Dust coated every surface, disturbed only by their footsteps. Torn curtains hung loosely from broken rods, and cobwebs stretched across corners like delicate webs. The wooden floor groaned beneath them as they walked, each step echoing faintly through the empty halls.

“How long has this place been abandoned?” Leo asked quietly.

“For years,” Ralph replied. “Since the Weldon family expanded, estates like this were left unused.”

They moved deeper inside, descending into a lower chamber hidden beneath the mansion. The air grew colder, heavier, and the light dimmed until only a single flickering lantern illuminated the space.

At the center of the room sat a chair.

And bound to it was Isabella.

Her head hung low, strands of hair falling across her face. Her maid’s uniform was stained with dried blood, and the wound on her back had only been roughly treated. Despite her condition, her breathing remained steady.

Leo stepped forward, stopping just in front of her.

A faint smirk formed on his lips.

“Well then,” he said quietly, his voice echoing softly in the chamber.

“Let’s see what secrets you’re hiding.”