Chapter 1 System Binding

"Elena, honey, we're so sorry we can't be there for your delivery."

"Come on, Mom. It's your thirtieth anniversary honeymoon. Nobody expected the baby to drop in early and crash the party."

Elena lay against the hospital bed, smiling tenderly through FaceTime at her parents, who were thousands of miles away in Italy.

"Yeah, well, a month early isn't 'dropping in,'" Clayton fretted. "What if he isn't strong enough?"

"Dad, relax. Marcus got me all the best doctors. It's gonna be fine," Elena reassured, rubbing her rounded belly.

Daisy chimed in with optimism. "That baby's just in a hurry to see us. He'll be causing trouble soon."

Elena felt the baby stir inside her, a wave of sweet happiness flooding her chest. This was the child she had craved for three years since marriage. It was a healthy, energetic boy according to the ultrasounds.

"Where's Marcus anyway? Tell me he isn't hiding out in the cafeteria when you could go into labor any minute." Clayton grumbled.

"He forgot my hospital bag. He'll be right back, Dad." Elena jumped to defend him.

No denying Clayton's dislike for his son-in-law. He never missed a chance to criticize, always thinking his only precious daughter deserved better than some handsome, scrappy man from poverty.

But Elena had been stubborn. Marcus was her first college love, who'd stayed up nights caring for her through illness. She'd never questioned his devotion.

After Elena married Marcus, Clayton compromised. He handed over major control of the family business to groom his son-in-law, then took his wife away to enjoy their golden years.

Just then, the door banged open. Marcus walked in, looking rushed but empty-handed.

"Clayton, Daisy-hey, so sorry for making you worry." Marcus nodded respectfully at the camera before leaning down to kiss Elena's forehead.

Elena caught a whiff of unfamiliar perfume.

Confused, she frowned. "Did you get the bag?"

Marcus's gaze flitted away. "Yeah, uh-"

Before he could answer, a gut-wrenching pain suddenly tore through Elena's abdomen.

"Elena! Are you alright?" her parents cried out through the phone.

Marcus slammed the call button. "Doctor! She's going into labor, now!"

Minutes later, a woman in a white coat entered. Golden curls. Mask covering her face, but her eyes were striking.

"I'm Dr. Victoria Harrison. Relax, Elena. I'll take a look."

On the phone, Clayton and Daisy were panicked.

"We're booking flights right now!" Clayton yelled, an inexplicable terror gripping him.

"Dad, Jesus...I'll be fine. I have to focus, okay?" Elena gasped through gritted teeth, not wanting to ruin their trip.

Cold sweat beaded her forehead. Her abdomen twisted like a vice, each contraction ripping through her core.

Dr. Victoria spoke gently. "You should hang up now. You need to focus."

"Mom... Dad... I'll call after the baby comes... I love you." Elena's eyes stung with tears as she hung up. How she wished they were here, like when she was sick as a child.

Time stretched on, endless and agonizing. The hospital felt tomb-quiet in the dead of night.

"It hurts so much... Marcus... I'm scared..." Elena grasped Marcus's hand, seeking comfort.

"Don't be afraid. Dr. Victoria will handle everything." He replied calmly.

Victoria examined her, then said. "The baby's position isn't ideal."

"What? What do you mean?" Elena's eyes twitched.

"C-section is safer. We can go in right now."

Elena shook her head, voice shaking. "No... no, I want to try. I can do this, please..."

"Elena, listen to the doctor." Marcus sounded irritated. "Do you want to kill the baby?"

His words hit like a slap to the face.

Elena stared at him, speechless. She had never heard him sound like that. Her heart froze under his icy, accusing stare.

"I. I didn't. I just."

"Into the operating room," Victoria interrupted.

The lights in the OR were harsh. Elena's gaze swept over the room-Victoria was the only one there.

"Is it. really just you?" Elena asked, feeling panic crawling up her spine.

"Night shift. We're short-staffed." Victoria prepared the anesthesia. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you and the baby stay together."

Elena, too weak to fight it, looked desperately to Marcus. She hoped for love and encouragement. Instead, she saw cold detachment and something that looked almost like... impatience?

"Marcus.?"

The drugs entered her system. Everything blurred.

And then she heard words that froze her blood:

"The medication's working faster than expected. She won't last much longer."

"And the baby's dead, right?"

"Been dead. Three months of dosing took care of that."

Dosing? The prenatal vitamins Marcus gave her every night?

Elena's world shattered. She fought to open her eyes, to scream, but could only manage a weak moan.

"No... no... my baby..."

Marcus leaned close, the face she once loved now malicious and cruel.

"Elena, did you really think I could love a stupid woman like you?" He scoffed, his mask finally dropping. "I married you for your family's gold, not your boring personality. My heart belongs to Victoria."

"And now I'm back." Victoria pulled off her mask. Beautiful smile. Evil eyes. "You can die now."

Elena's world caved in. The pain of betrayal ripped through her heart and shredded it.

"The prenatal vitamins. what the hell did you put in them?" she whimpered.

"Something special," Marcus sneered. "Enough to slowly kill your precious child. He had no heartbeat two weeks ago, but you've been talking to a corpse every day. Pathetic."

"No... You're lying! I felt him..."

Victoria snorted. "Those were death spasms. We needed you alive until tonight. Premature birth, surgical complications, tragic accident. Marcus needs to be the grieving widower, everyone will eat it up. Even your snobbish father."

Tears ran hot and silent down Elena's cheeks. She remembered her parents' warnings about Marcus.

Dad.Mom.I'm sorry.

Guilt crushed Elena's chest as she apologized to her parents. They would never know their beloved daughter was murdered.

"Why. would you kill your. own child." she whispered with her last strength.

Marcus rolled his eyes. "A kid screws up the inheritance. With an heir, that old bastard would leave the company to his grandson. My position would be worthless."

Despair stole the air from her lungs.

Three years of loving this man completely.

Every kiss.

Every whispered "I love you."

Every tender moment.

All fucking lies!

"If I get another shot at life. If there's any fucking justice." Elena's voice was just a rasp, but her eyes burned with hatred. "I'll make you... pay..."

Victoria's laugh was icy. "Another shot? You're barely making it through this one."

The surgical lights blazed brighter. Elena felt life slipping away drop by drop. Before consciousness faded completely, she saw her father's worried face, her mother's gentle smile, and the child who would never be born.

"Dad... Mom... I hope I can be your daughter again in the next life..."

Darkness swallowed her whole.

Elena Reed died in what should have been a delivery room filled with joy and new life, carrying infinite hatred.

Beside the operating table, Marcus and Victoria embraced, wearing victorious grins.

The moment Elena's heart stopped, a cold, mechanical voice suddenly spoke in her head-

[Detecting host's maximum resentment level and pure maternal instincts. Binding conditions met...]

What was that voice?

Elena's head throbbed like it had been hit by a sledgehammer. Her consciousness, foggy and scattered, was somehow returning.

[Beast World Prosperity System initializing... 10%... 50%... 100%! Activation successful!]

[Host: Elena Reed, bound to Beast World Prosperity System. Initial benefits granted: unlimited mental power enhancement, beast world language comprehension, basic self-defense abilities unlocked! As a welcome bonus, you're entitled to a one-day beginner tutorial.]

A rush of warm energy filled her body, pushing out the cold and pain. She could feel her strength coming back. But then dizziness hit, and Elena passed out again before she could figure out what was happening.

When she awoke again, the cruel voices were gone. Instead, two deep, male voices were talking-

"Only one female volunteered to comfort the General this time?"

"Yeah. The others were too terrified."

"Scan complete. Send her in."