001: CAMILLA BLAKE

[Initiating host selection process…]

[Scanning worlds…]

[Searching for compatible host…]

[Compatible host identified…]

[Soul synchronization in progress…]

[Warning: Target possesses high survival instinct, unstable emotional attachment, and extreme willpower…]

[Compatibility rate… 72%… 81%… 94%…]

[Host confirmed…]

[Initiating binding process with host…]

[Assassin system 001…]

———————————————

The city glowed with its usual sunny glow.

Luxury cars lined the streets while cameras flashed outside the grandest hotel in Ashbourne State. Tonight, the most spectacular wedding of the century was taking place.

Inside a sleek black Rolls-Royce, Camilla Blake sat silently in her wedding dress.

The diamond ring on her finger sparkled beneath the city lights, but her expression remained distant as she gazed out the tinted window.

At twenty-nine, she was everything the world envied.

The youngest CEO in the country.

The richest woman in the state.

A business genius feared by competitors and adored by investors.

And tonight… she was finally marrying the man she loved. People called her the golden star of Ashbourne State.

"Miss Blake, we'll arrive in seven minutes," the driver said carefully.

Camilla nodded slightly.

Her phone vibrated beside her, pulling her out of her thoughts. A small smile finally appeared on her face as she looked at the name on the screen.

"The bride and the groom are not supposed to talk to each other before the wedding," Camilla said softly, giggling.

"Hurry up and become my wife then, I'm missing you so much already."

She laughed softly. "I'm on my way to the hotel now, so just be a little more patient."

"Urrgghhh," he groaned dramatically. "I will try and be patient. I'm waiting for you."

"I'll be there," she said before hanging up.

For the first time in years, the pressure on her chest felt lighter.

"Maybe happiness really is possible," she whispered softly with a gentle smile that made her blue eyes sparkle.

As the car continued down the road, a deafening horn blared.

The driver's eyes widened as a truck rammed directly into the side of the vehicle.

"MISS BLAKE…" the driver called out as metal screamed in violent protest against metal, and the car spun.

[Binding process…21%…57%…76%…]

Camilla felt warmth dripping down her forehead as she was trapped inside the overturned vehicle. Her luxurious white gown was stained with blood, and the sound of shouting and calling for help echoed in the distance.

She tried to move but couldn't as her consciousness began to slip away.

'Just when I thought I was finally able to achieve happiness, is this how it ends?' she wondered.

'What was all that hard work and suffering for?'

'Is this it for me?' she pondered as her consciousness faded.

[Binding process…100%]

[Host consciousness detected.]

[Notice: Host has been selected for the Survival Redemption Program.]

[Rule 1: Complete missions to earn survival points.]

[Rule 2: Eliminate designated targets.]

[Rule 3: Failure results in permanent death across all worlds.]

[Notice: Soul Synchronization complete…]

Camilla opened her eyes slowly as the sunlight hit her face.

"What happened? Where am I?" she whispered, looking around the dusty, dirty shed she was in.

She bolted up, suddenly remembering the accident. She ran her hands through her face and body. "What's going on? Wasn't there a crash?"

Her thoughts were interrupted by a woman barging into the shed. "How long are you going to keep sleeping? If you don't want to be flogged 50 times, you'd better get out there and get to work," the woman ordered.

Camilla looked at her with confusion. "Who are you? And why are you dressed like an old hag in a 1990s Halloween costume?" Camilla sneered, inspecting her attire, which was a kimono like garment made of soft fabrics flowing to the floor with sleeves that draped past her wrists.

"Huh? Have you finally gone mad, you disrespectful wretch?" the woman yelled, slapping Camilla's face.

"How dare you lay your filthy hands on me?" Camilla yelled, slapping the woman back with full force. The woman cried out and fell to the ground.

"You mad dog, you've really lost your mind. Maybe some flogging will bring you back to your senses," she said.

"What?" Camilla exclaimed in disbelief.

"Guards!" the woman yelled as two men dressed in similar ancient-style kimonos, which were stiffer and more masculine, entered the shed.

"Drag that disrespectful piece of trash and flog her 100 times," the woman commanded.

"Yes, ma'am," the two men responded, grabbing Camilla and beginning to drag her out.

"What the fuck are you doing? Get your filthy hands off me, Mark! Joanne!" Camilla yelled, calling out to her assistants.

The two men continued to drag her toward an unknown place, with the old woman following behind. She passed by ladies dressed similarly but in plain, worn out garments. Looking at herself, Camilla realized she was no longer in her wedding dress but dressed in the same plain, worn out attire.

"Urgh, who put these fashion disasters on me? I'm going to sue all of you! Stop it, let me go, you're hurting me! Why are you doing this? I'm going to fucking sue you all! You'll rot in prison forever if you don't let me go this instant," she yelled and struggled, but they ignored her and kept dragging her on the grimy ground.

"Who paid you to kidnap me? Are you sex traffickers? Who are you, assholes? I'll pay you double whatever you were paid, just let me go! I have a wedding to attend!"

"Hahaha, you, a worthless maid, will pay double what I was paid?" the woman laughed, grabbing Camilla by the chin.

"Just because the commander of the guards is interested in you doesn't mean you can do as you please. I'm in charge of you, and I'll make sure you don't forget that," she said, slapping Camilla's face.

They arrived at a dreadful-looking place and laid Camilla flat on her chest on a wooden platform, tying her hands and feet to a wooden post, and they each picked a stick that was placed on the side.

"Flog some manners into that worthless thing," the woman ordered, and the men began whipping her.

Camilla's screams echoed through the courtyard as the flogging continued. The sound of the stick hitting her echoed in the yard.

"What are you doing? Put your backs into it," the woman commanded, and the men increased their force.

'Why is this happening to me? What have I done to deserve this? Someone, please save me. I was just about to marry the love of my life, claim my happiness, so why now? Why is this happening? I thought I was about to start my life and find my happy ending, but I'll end up being whipped to death by strangers. What is this place? Who are these people?' Camilla wondered as she continued to scream.

She screamed so loudly that she eventually lost her voice and consciousness.

Camilla slowly opened her eyes, regaining consciousness.

'What happened? Was that a bad dream?' she wondered as she bolted up as the view of the familiar surroundings caught her eyes.

"Oh no! I'm here again," Camilla exclaimed as she looked at the old, dusty shed where she had previously woken.

"How long are you going to keep sleeping? If you don't want to be flogged 50 times, you'd better get out there and get to work," a familiar voice called.

Camilla looked at the woman, her eyes widening in shock, cold sweat breaking out on her face.

'It's the same woman again. Am I going crazy, or did this just happen?'

'What's going on? Where am I? Did I die? Am I in hell?'

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