Chapter 2

Julian’s hurried footsteps faded at the end of the long hallway.

I lay all alone on the cold metal gurney.

The freezing metal frame pressed against my back, and the IV fluid slowly dripped down the tube.

The nurse wheeled me toward the operating room in silence.

The medical staff around us looked at my pale face, their eyes filled with pity.

The fully-formed baby inside me had already stopped moving.

The lead surgeon put on sterile gloves, his brows furrowed in deep sympathy.

"Evelyn, your uterus was already severely damaged from previous miscarriages."

"Having to induce labor at this stage... the chances of you conceiving again are almost zero. You most likely won't be able to have children ever again."

As his voice fell, a cold, mechanical sound suddenly rang in my mind.

But this time, the usually emotionless electronic voice carried a hint of pity.

"Host, you risked your soul and defied the System’s rules to have this baby. I can make an exception and save the fetus for you."

"After all, you were so stubborn about completing your mission with Julian, risking your life to get pregnant multiple times, only to end up with miscarriages. I don’t want you to leave with absolutely nothing."

I stared at the harsh, bright surgical lights above me and let out a dry, bitter laugh.

"No need. You can't force someone to love you."

The System was silent for a moment, as if wanting to persuade me further.

But seeing the utter deadness in my eyes, its voice returned to its usual icy tone.

"Understood. Proceeding with Host's choice. However, the anesthesia will be blocked immediately."

"All pain during the surgery will be multiplied. This will serve as your final trial to leave this world."

The moment the anesthesia wore off, painful, shattered memories rushed into my mind.

I remembered Chloe binding me with those thick ropes, pulling them brutally tight across my abdomen.

The pain was so agonizing that I had curled up on the floor, screaming.

"Julian, it hurts so bad! Please, untie me!"

But he had only shaken his head.

"Chloe’s rope art requires sacrifice. Just bear with it, Evelyn. Stop making a scene."

As I struggled in agony, my foot had accidentally brushed against Chloe.

It was barely a touch, but Julian had immediately panicked, pulling her into his arms to check if she was hurt.

Then, he turned around and personally tightened the ropes around me.

That heartbreak had already carved itself into my bones.

Compared to that, what was a little physical pain now?

I slowly nodded.

In the darkness, I felt the sharp scalpel slice through my skin.

The sensation of cold surgical instruments stirring inside my abdomen was sharp and agonizing.

Warm blood poured out of my body continuously.

Wave after wave of excruciating pain washed over me, threatening to swallow me whole.

When the long surgery finally ended, all my strength was gone.

I felt like an empty shell that had lost its soul as the nurses wheeled me out.

The System’s voice chimed in right on time.

"Congratulations, Host, on successfully passing the departure trial. You will be transported back to your original world in forty-eight hours."