Chapter 5: Aubrey—A New Mission, A New Hope

At that moment, the system started muttering in a resigned tone:

[Host, you’re sober now. Because you cursed so fiercely yesterday, your anger value maxed out, and you triggered your one and only chance to switch targets.]

The system’s voice sounded different—almost human, like it was tired of me too. I wondered if it could sigh.

[Aubrey is beautiful, kind, pure, and has incredible business talent. She’ll definitely be a CEO in the future.]

CEO? I pictured her in a power suit, phone glued to her ear. It was weird, but oddly fitting.

[Host, this is your last chance. Please treasure it. If you fail again, the system will erase you.]

[Also, please stop complaining about me.]

A little sass from my imaginary tormentor. Maybe I’d finally broken it, too.

Wow.

My head spun. This was all happening way too fast for a guy running on two hours’ sleep and zero caffeine.

Not only did my target change, but the punishment got upgraded too?

I winced at the thought. No more second chances.

But as long as it’s not Natalie, I’m finally free.

A strange relief washed over me. I didn’t realize how heavy her shadow had grown.

The target’s changed—who would still chase after her?

I glanced at the phone’s lock screen, Natalie’s face staring back from an old photo. I changed the wallpaper to a shot of my dog instead.