This was a void.

Ling Mo’s consciousness drifted within it, feeling slightly lost.

Was he… dead?

He must be. Taking a direct hit from the sky fortress’s main cannon—survival was impossible.

But why did he still have awareness?

Was this the afterlife?

【System loading: 99%... 100%】

【System loaded successfully】

【? How did the Host die?】

“…”

That question mark was… spirited.

If he could feel his body, Ling Mo would’ve burst out laughing.

*How did I die?* He wanted to ask the system where it had vanished all this time.

He wasn’t shocked—the system had appeared in his mind long before everything began.

The day he got it, he’d dreamed of rising like a novel’s protagonist, thrilled for a whole morning—

But the loading bar froze at 99%.

And that was that.

He clawed his way to the peak through sheer grit, stood on the final stage… only to fall short. Under the assault of nearly a billion demons, he triggered the sky fortress’s main cannon, sending himself and them to oblivion.

Ironically, the system finished loading *after* his death.

He’d almost forgotten it existed.

Useless now… His ashes were probably scattered. Resurrection? Impossible.

【Vital signs ceased. Initiating Plan B.】

Hm? Plan B?

【Time rewind countdown: 3, 2, 1】

Wait, what th—

【Commence】

The black void erupted in brilliant, swirling light—as if stepping into paradise.

Consciousness returned. First came the blare of an alarm clock.

He snapped his eyes open. An unfamiliar ceiling stared back.

【Rewind successful. Welcome back, Host.】

“…Go to hell!”

Seriously? Forced reboot?! Who’d want to relive everything?!

He’d nearly made peace with it—now dragged back to endure the Great Cataclysm again?!

Was this torment fun?!

But the moment she spoke, she froze.

Yes—*her*, not him.

The voice was undeniably feminine: light, melodic, effortlessly lovely. Even in his past life, he’d rarely heard such a voice.

If only it hadn’t come from *her* lips.

She sat up abruptly, gaze dropping to her body—

Beneath the loose onesie, the open collar revealed fair skin. That tantalizing glimpse brought zero excitement.

Only bone-deep chill.

Instinctively, she reached down.

Empty.

【That was a swear word. Girls shouldn’t say that, you know~】

The system’s voice cut through her thoughts.

She paused, then offered a faint smile. “Then… kindly explain?”

【Time rewind cannot overwrite existing timelines. Only a new insertion can disrupt the current order.】

“Speak human.”

【This identity is a newly inserted character. Rebirth into your original self in this timeline is impossible.】

As it spoke, details flooded her mind:

*Xia Xinyan. Campus beauty of Linjiang University. Heiress of Xia Group.*

…Aside from becoming a girl, everything else was miles better than before.

A sliver of comfort. With this identity and the system’s aid, maybe she’d survive this time—without falling regretfully at dawn’s edge.

【Reminder: System metrics still tie to your original body. This identity earns no points. Locate and cultivate your past self.】

“?”

【Your actions here grant points to your original body, which you may then use.】

“…Are you joking?” Xia Xinyan went still. “Then why bring *me* back? Why not just take over my old self?”

【In this timeline, your original body already has this system—also stuck at 99%.】

“So *why* were you stuck?! And not even a hint of shame?!”

【Bug.】

Xia Xinyan clenched her fists. “What’s your purpose? Messing with me?”

【This system exists to help the Host save the world.】

“Save the world? Who saves *me*? Turned me into a girl *and* made me a substitute player?!”

【No need for anger. Upon success… um… your original form can be restored.】

“Why the pause?”

【Bug.】

“…”

Xia Xinyan narrowed her eyes. “Really?”

【Absolutely. An unimaginable reward awaits—one that’ll make every struggle worth it. Now go find your original self.】

She fell silent, then rolled out of bed. “I’ll trust you once.”

She wasn’t easily swayed—but if a *game* could trigger the apocalypse, what couldn’t be true?

Yes. Her death last life, this “save the world” mission—it all began with a game.

A god’s creation.

*Realm of Divine Descent*: the first true VR MMORPG, hailed as the “Second World.” Its realism defied modern science.

Released globally. Free game pods for anyone who applied. In impoverished nations, it was a miracle. No one knew its creator.

Today, launch day neared.

Today was Miracle Day.

At dawn, every human on Earth woke healed—even terminal cancer patients cured overnight. No explanation. Many called it divine grace.

No one knew it was the disaster’s first breath.

Before rebirth, she was Ling Mo: Linjiang University student. Handsome, but a stereotypical straight-laced guy. Four years, no romance. Life = classes, basketball, gym. Monotonous.

Finding him? Simple.

At the court, Xia Xinyan spotted that familiar-yet-strange figure.

Watching herself in third person felt surreal.

*Raise my past self?*

Dealing with him would be easy.

She bought water from a vending machine and approached.

The courts, once roaring with play, fell silent as someone yelled: “Holy crap?! Goddess Xia?!”

All eyes turned.

Xia Xinyan’s expression stayed calm. Ignoring the stares, she walked to Ling Mo, offered the bottle with a slight smile.

“Ling Mo… care to take a walk?”