"What? What counterattack system? And why am I here? Am I dead?" Sophia asked in a confused tone.
[Sophia, you are not dead. At least, not yet. Your body is in a coma. As you may have heard the doctor's words, the possibility of you waking up from a coma is less than 5%. Even if you wake up, your lifespan will be severely affected.]
Sophia blinked, looking around the weird ocean-blue space. It was empty. No walls, no sky, just blue... everywhere. It didn't even feel real.
"Okay, this is freaky. Am I dreaming? Or is this heaven? Hell? Some weird hospital room designed by Picasso?" she mumbled, still trying to make sense of everything.
[This is the System Space. You are currently between life and death.]
Sophia narrowed her eyes.
"System Space? What are you, some sci-fi robot? I have read about systems...but I have never heard of a counterattack system."
[You have been chosen to bind with the Counterattack System—a special program that helps unfairly treated souls get a second chance to rewrite their fate.]
Sophia blinked again.
"So... I'm in a coma. Might die. And now there's a system trying to make me a main character in a drama series?" She scoffed.
"Nice. Just what I needed. This better not be some scam like those online ads saying 'Become a billionaire in 3 steps!'"
[Host, your sarcasm level is high, but your pain is real. You've suffered betrayal, heartbreak, overwork, and loneliness. The system has chosen you because you have potential.]
Sophia, however, didn't focus on the system's words at all and muttered,
"From the novels I have read till now...this system must be related to that orange tabby! Wait, is this system orange tabby?"
[Cough! Cough! Host, please mind your words, and as I was saying, if you want to wake up in your original world and extend your lifespan till 100, you just have to bind with me and give justice to 9 souls.]
"Which souls?" Sophia asked.
[The souls who were unjustly accused and lived miserable lives. You will be transmigrated into their body and take revenge or fulfill a mission on their behalf. And in return...]
"I will be granted lifespan." Sophia completed.
[Not only that. If you complete all the 9 missions. You might win prize money up to 1 billion dollars.]
Sophia's jaw dropped.
"Wait, wait, wait—did you just say 1 billion dollars?! Like, real money? Not fake Monopoly cash?"
[Yes, Host. Real money. Enough to never work a day again. You could even buy your own island.]
Sophia's eyes sparkled like she'd just found a hidden treasure.
"An island... I could build a mansion, hire chefs, get a bathtub shaped like a seashell. I can also hire 10 to 20 male models!" she muttered dreamily.
Then she snapped back. "But I gotta earn it first, right?"
[Correct. Complete the missions. Give justice to the souls. Earn system points. Extend your life and win the reward.]
Sophia scratched her head.
"Okay, so... I just hop into someone's life, fix their problems, make the bad guys cry, and bounce to the next one?"
[More or less.]
"Do I get superpowers?" she asked, hopeful.
[No flying or laser eyes, but you will get special skills, items, or memories to help with each mission. You can also buy special skills with system points.]
"Meow." The sudden voice of the cat broke Sophia's daze. She looked at the orange tabby which had appeared beside her and asked,
"And why is this cat here?"
[That is your support companion. His name is... Agent Whiskers.]
"Agent Whiskers?! What is this, a spy movie?" Sophia laughed. The cat flicked its tail in disapproval.
[It is a vessel for me. In case your life is in danger or you fail a mission, I will appear through Agent Whiskers to assist or—if needed save you.]
Sophia raised an eyebrow. What a nice system.
[Now, Host, do you accept the contract? If you agree, the first mission will begin immediately.]
Sophia took a deep breath, then looked at her hands.
"Fine. I'm in," she said, puffing her chest like she was ready for war.
"Let's give these tragic souls their drama-ending glow-up. And I want that billion dollars, got it?"
[Contract accepted.]
A glowing screen appeared in front of her, and Sophia's thumb moved on its own, pressing "Accept."
[Initiating first mission... Loading identity and background.]
A strong gust of wind surrounded her. Light danced around her body. Her form started glowing, and she felt like she was being pulled into a whirlpool made of stars.