System vs Rebirth

"!!!" Noel widened his eyes in shock, feeling the change of atmosphere again. Instead of the freshness of the spring, he suddenly felt a chill all over his body.

The winter was different from any winter he had faced in his life. This winter froze not only his body but also his heart.

His mind couldn't help but ask, 'Where am I? Why is no one here for me? Why do I have to endure this alone?'

Noel was turning around as if trying to find a person. But before he stepped back as if he was hesitating on his path, he actually stopped while sucking a cold breath.

"…" Noel had never taken a 'step back' in his life. No matter what had happened to him, he still tried to move forward as if he was trying to do his best to improve.

Even when his parents were executed, he still tried to move forward by getting stronger to avenge them.

So, if he took a step back here, everything would be over. After all, once he did it, there would be second and third times.

Noel gritted his teeth, resisting the will that prevented him from taking a step forward. His face became a bit pale, but it didn't mean much for him and his determination.

He managed to turn around and step forward, completing the seventh and eighth steps.

Normally, the last few steps would be the hardest. However, it seemed that fate favored him.

The moment he was about to take the ninth step, he suddenly felt people's voices echoing in his ears.

"!!!" Noel obviously knew these voices. It came from the people he held dear.

'Noel…'

Why are you so

you would have succeeded in my position and

focus on becoming better like now, we wouldn't have

help but smile when he heard those voices. Even without glancing back, he could feel four freezing

lonely or cold. Instead, he was smiling as

figures behind Noel. They were his parents. But instead of the normal parents, they were like zombies. Their flesh was rotten and some parts had already started melting. It was disgusting beyond belief. One could easily puke when

at them. He simply kept walking forward, completing the

supportive of my actions. If I'm unreliable, they can simply change their plan whether it's to make me reliable or abandon me completely. They are not useless enough to blame

these foolish illusions can

step. In that instant, the illusion disappeared as

playing and even held her harp while bowing her

"Congratulations, Sir."

stopped for a moment as

finding

but he didn't expect

actually stood a woman, who seemed to have just become an adult.

of emotion. It felt like she had accepted her fate if

should try your own illusion," Noel stated

meaning was clear. Although Noel managed to complete it, it was still annoying to experience that illusion. He wanted the woman to

head. "Almost every night, I play the melody for myself. This piece is called Joy of Sorrow. With my Spirit, I can form an illusion related to your sorrow… the people, the

I started doing this. Unfortunately, this

never had a person she cared for. And judging from her expression, it seemed that she was completely devoid