[Ding! Binding system acquired…]
[Please bind with a target to receive milestone rewards!]
'Huh?' I muttered as I stared at a blue screen that appeared in front of me.
It seemed like a holographic screen, displaying runes which, strangely, I could understand.
I frowned briefly in confusion as I read through the runes.
'Bind a target?' The words sounded simple, but I didn't know how to 'bind a target…'
'Hello? Binding system? Can you explain what you mean?' I asked internally, but received no reply.
I wanted to mutter aloud, but feeling it might be too strange in the presence of the maid, I held myself back.
I noticed the screen change once more and display a new line of runes.
[Binding slots: 1]
[Ding! Newbie Package gifted: Please bind a host in the next twenty-four hours to receive maxed out rewards!]
'Damn!' I cursed internally as I read through the new line of runes.
After the display, the blue screen flickered for a few more seconds before fading out like a dying lamp.
'Binding system?'
I called out, and it materialized before fizzling out again.
'The newbie rewards…'
I whispered in my mind as I pondered on it. It sounded like something good, and I had a feeling that it'd be beneficial to me.
At that moment, I felt a terrifying wave of pain crash through my head, and all kinds of fragmented memories surged into my mind.
My mind was trying to acclimate to the memories while I was screening through them at lightning speed, trying to digest the information.
'Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.' I cursed repeatedly, having never experienced such pain in my life…
I clutched my head tightly as sweat trickled down my forehead.
The maid furrowed her brows in worry, and a tense expression appeared on her face as she hesitated on whether to go and call the healer or not.
She decided to wait for a bit before calling the healer who had left not too long ago.
As such, I was left to endure the excruciating pain for more than two minutes.
It finally died down, and I felt my clothes soaked in perspiration…
There was a look of terror on my face.
The fragmented memories belonged to me…
…or to be precise, the previous owner of my body.
And the memories contained all the information I at least needed at the moment to clear my doubts.
First… I was no longer on Earth.
'I should have expected that, since I pretty much died, but still…'
The world I had been transmigrated to was called Astra.
It was a world where there was an abundance of cursed monsters, demons, abominations, and horrors.
Many years ago, cursed energy tainted the world, causing most things to mutate, and at the same time, also brought in otherworldly monsters from the cursed realm that brought devastation to the world.
In barely a few hours, more than half of the planet was wiped out. Thankfully, ancient experts who knew methods to absorb cursed energy and use this energy in unique ways taught their techniques, and humanity was able to force back the cursed creatures.
Still… the damage had been done, and now cursed creatures and humanity struggled constantly to see who would reclaim Earth as their territory.
'Cursed monsters… humans using cursed energy…? How the fuck do I survive in such a world?' I muttered as I clutched my head in frustration.
Suddenly, my eyes lit up. 'That's right, the binding system. If I bind a good target, there might be a chance for me… but finding the target… that's the problem now…'
Once again, frustration settled in my heart, but at least there was some hope I could cling to.
I stood up, and my gaze was attracted to a mirror located at the opposite end of the room, just opposite my bed.
Finally, I noticed my new appearance…
Pale skin from constantly being indoors, like some introvert, long silvery hair that cascaded down my head, and striking silver eyes that seemed to contain some emotion.
I raised my hand lightly to touch my face, and the gesture was mirrored.
'This is me?' I muttered as I touched my skin.
I looked like a teenager around the age of 18, which was my real age. Dressed in light blue ancient robes that blended perfectly with my silver hair, it made me look handsome.
Although I was blessed with good looks in my previous life, it was nothing comparable to this…
"Young master…" the maid muttered from the side. Based on my memories, her name was Lydia…
I raised a hand to hush her as I was still engrossed in studying my image.
I made a few more gestures in front of the mirror…
After I was done, I let out a sigh and turned to Lydia.
"What happened to me?" I asked her.
My memories only added up to when I entered the room as though I was being controlled by something. After that, I couldn't remember anything more…
"Young master, you… I…" Lydia stammered, and her eyes flickered to an empty bottle just beside the table. Immediately she shifted her gaze, but I caught it and quickly approached the table.
When I reached, I picked up the empty bottle and held it in my hand for a few seconds, studying its contents.
Just then, another slight headache surged through my mind as fragments of memories began opening up…
Flickers appeared in my mind.
A monstrous entity controlling me like a puppet…
Me entering the room with a dull, lifeless expression and walking to the table with this bottle in hand.
Then taking in its contents and… that was it.
'It's one of the most potent poisons in the clan…' I whispered as something stirred within me.
'Fuck… I was assassinated? Who's responsible?'
According to my memories, I had never encountered such a creature before… but I could tell at a glance…
'It's a fucking cursed creature, isn't it?'
I narrowed my eyes and dropped the bottle, then walked back to Lydia with a nod of my head.
"I understand…"
"I'm so sorry, young master. I wasn't here to watch after you…" Lydia suddenly became emotional. "If not for me, you wouldn't have tried to commit suicide."
It seemed she misunderstood the whole situation… or perhaps only I was aware of what had truly happened.
I shook my head and raised my hand to wipe her tears gently…
"Don't worry too much about it. It's nothing…" My voice sounded slightly soothing, and as my hand came in contact with her skin, her nerves seemed to grow calm instantly.
[Ding! Compatible target detected. Initiate sexual bonding to complete the system link.]
[Name: Lydia Stormborn.]
[Age: 37]
[Traits: Kind, loyal, devoted…]
[Weaknesses: Neck kisses, nipple sucking…]
'Wait… what?'