Resonant Rewrite

Rin stood glaring at the shimmering, golden-hued surface of the yellow dungeon gate, her fingers twitching at her sides. How the hell did I end up in front of another dungeon gate? she cursed inwardly.

The gate pulsed with an ominous light, the swirling patterns on its surface almost daring her to step through. But before she could question her sanity further, her mind flickered back to how she'd gotten here—one week ago, just after the contract with Onyx.

Three Week Earlier

The moment the golden light from the sealing process faded, Rin slumped to the floor, utterly drained. Onyx padded over to her, nudging her shoulder with his nose.

"Good job, buddy," she mumbled, petting his sleek head. "We survived this madness... or so I thought."

No sooner had she uttered those words than the now-familiar SYSTEM ALERT window popped up, its bright letters like a slap to the face.

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SYSTEM ALERT

Time Until Death: 40 Minutes.

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Rin froze, blinking at the words in disbelief. "Wait, what?" she muttered, sitting upright. "But I just cleared the boss fight! I tamed the wolf! Shouldn't this stupid timer disappear?"

She waved her hand frantically through the air, hoping the screen would vanish, but it remained stubbornly in place.

"System!" she shouted. "What the hell is this? I've already dealt with the boss. Don't tell me I'm supposed to kill Onyx instead of taming him. That can't be it!" Her eyes darted to the wolf, who tilted his head innocently. "I'm not doing it, okay? No way! What kind of sick joke is this?"

For a few moments, there was nothing but silence, save for her heavy breathing.

And then…

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SYSTEM ALERT

Time Until Death: 30 Minutes.

Quest: Survive the Dungeon.

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Another line of text appeared below, mockingly animated as if the system was smirking at her.

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SYSTEM COMMENTARY

"Oh, you poor clueless idiot.

Did you really think taming the boss was the only step?

Spoiler alert: You have to escape the dungeon to survive.

Reset in 25 minutes.

Better hurry! Good luck!

Byeee~"

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The window winked out before she could scream at it.

"What the hell is wrong with this system?!" Rin shouted, standing up so abruptly that Onyx leaped back in surprise. "It could've told me that before I spent all that time bonding with you!"

Onyx gave a small bark, seemingly offended at the implication.

"Not you," Rin muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It's this stupid system."

Shoving her frustration aside, Rin scanned the room. If she wanted to get out alive, she needed to move. Fast.

The Boss Room Loot

Her eyes fell on a small pile of items glowing faintly near the corner of the room. "Ah, loot," she said, her irritation momentarily forgotten. "Well, if I'm about to die, I might as well grab the goodies."

The first item was a dark, hooded cape. She held it up and grimaced at the numerous tears and scorch marks on her current clothes. "For once, the system does something right," she muttered, fastening the cape around her shoulders. "At least now I don't look like a walking disaster."

Next, she scooped up a handful of glittering crystal stones. "Dungeon cores? Mana crystals? Something shiny?" she mused, shoving them into her pouch.

She inspected the remaining herbs and vials, most of which she couldn't identify. "Better safe than sorry," she said, cramming them into the pouch alongside the rest.

The bag she used was a lifesaver—quite literally. It was a fantasy staple, a space-defying storage bag she'd picked up from outside the dungeon. Stylish yet practical, it let her carry an absurd number of weightless items without looking like a pack mule.

"Alright," she said, tightening the strap of her bag and glancing at Onyx. "Time to find the dungeon core and blow this place to smithereens."

Destroying the Core

The dungeon core was easy to spot. A pulsing, crystalline structure floated at the far end of the room, its glow matching the gate's eerie blue light.

Rin approached cautiously, Onyx at her side. "So, what do I do?" she muttered. "Smash it? Say some magic words?"

As if answering her, the system flashed a brief instruction:

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SYSTEM TIP

Destroy the core to end the dungeon's cycle and

transport back to the entrance.

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"Gee, thanks for the late tip," she grumbled, summoning the small dagger she'd taken from her pouch. "Here goes nothing."

With a deep breath, Rin plunged the blade into the core. A loud crack echoed through the room as the crystal fractured, its glow intensifying before exploding into a burst of light.

"Whoa!" Rin shielded her eyes, feeling the rush of air as the dungeon seemed to shudder around her.

Then, in the blink of an eye, she was no longer in the boss room.

Back at the Dungeon Gate

Rin found herself standing at the entrance to the dungeon, the shimmering blue gate now flickering and fading as the dungeon reset.

"Ha!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms up in triumph. "Take that, system! I'm alive!"

Onyx barked in agreement, his tail wagging.

A new notification appeared, much less ominous than before:

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SYSTEM ALERT

Quest Complete: Survive the Dungeon.

Rewards:

Beast Companion: Onyx (Bond Strengthened)

Cape of the Silent Hunter (Equipped)

20 Mana Crystals (Stored)

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Rin let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "Finally, something goes my way," she said, scratching Onyx behind the ears. "Let's never do that again."

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

Tasks and Collapse

Standing outside the now-inactive dungeon gate, Rin brushed dirt off her tattered clothing and adjusted the dark cape she'd looted. She exhaled sharply, trying to calm her frayed nerves.

"Well, that's one life-or-death crisis handled," she muttered, glancing at Onyx, who was lounging lazily at her side. "But now what? I've survived the dungeon, sure. But I can't just sit around. There's still the whole reason I'm here in the first place—to save those kids."

Her mind whirled with the next steps. The body she now inhabited, Aria's, had a purpose: rescuing the orphanage from the landlord's greed. That was what led her to the dungeon in the first place.

"Right, focus," she said, clenching her fists. "First, I need to sell the stuff I got from the dungeon and deal with the kids' situation. But before that..." Her gaze turned to Onyx. "What do I do with you, big guy? I can't exactly walk around with a wolf the size of a small horse. People will freak out, and I'll draw too much attention."

Onyx wagged his tail as if oblivious to her dilemma.

Rin crouched down, staring at him. "I mean, don't get me wrong—you're adorable. But subtlety isn't exactly your strong suit, is it?"

She groaned, standing up and pacing. "What am I supposed to do? I can't leave you behind, and there's no way to make you invisible or—wait."

She stopped mid-step, an idea forming. "Let's see if that blasted system has a solution for this."

SYSTEM REQUEST

"Hey, System!" Rin called out. "What am I supposed to do with him?"

To her surprise, a status window for Onyx appeared in front of her.

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ONYX STATUS

Health: 100%

Skills: Shadow Step

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"Shadow Step, huh?" Rin muttered, tapping her chin. "That sounds promising. But would it kill you to give me a description of the skill?" She glared at the system interface as if it could feel her annoyance.

Of course, the system remained as unhelpfully silent as ever.

"Ugh, fine," she said. "I'll figure it out myself. Let's give this skill a whirl."

Turning to Onyx, she pointed at her shadow. "Alright, buddy. Shadow Step!"

The moment she spoke the words, Onyx's form shimmered and dissolved into a swirl of black smoke. Before she could panic, she noticed her shadow stretching unnaturally beneath her, and Onyx's glowing eyes appeared faintly within it.

"Oh!" Rin exclaimed, a mix of relief and awe in her voice. "That's... actually really cool. You're hiding in my shadow now?"

A low growl from the shadow seemed to confirm her guess.

"Well, that's convenient," Rin said, nodding. "Okay, problem solved. Let's get moving."

At the Hunter Association Outpost

Rin approached the small but bustling outpost near the dungeon gate. Hunters of all ranks milled about, some boasting of their conquests, others haggling over prices for loot. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, leather, and mana residue.

Keeping her hood up to avoid unnecessary attention, Rin made her way to the exchange counter. She pulled out a handful of mana crystals from her pouch and placed them on the counter.

"How much for these?" she asked the bored-looking attendant.

The man perked up as he inspected the crystals, his eyes widening slightly. "Nice haul," he muttered, weighing them on a small, enchanted scale. "You'll get a fair amount for these. Let's say… fifty Gyte for the lot?"

"Deal," Rin said quickly, eager to finish her business and leave.

After pocketing the money, she stepped outside and leaned against the wall. Something about the transaction had felt oddly natural to her. "Weird," she muttered. "This isn't my world, but I knew exactly what to do. Maybe it's Aria's muscle memory?" She shook her head. "Whatever. One step closer to completing the task at hand."

Saving the Orphanage

The orphanage was as run-down as Rin remembered from the story: a creaking wooden structure at the edge of town, with faded paint and a rickety fence. Despite its state, it felt warm and welcoming, a sharp contrast to the trouble looming over it.

Rin was greeted by the caretaker, a frail but kind woman in her forties. Her face lit up with a mixture of hope and desperation when Rin handed her the pouch of Gyte.

"This should cover the cost of buying the land from that scumbag landlord," Rin said, her voice steady.

The caretaker's hands trembled as she took the money. "I… I don't know how to thank you. You've saved us. Truly."

Rin waved her hand dismissively. "It's nothing," she said, though inwardly she felt a pang of guilt. This wasn't really my doing. It was Aria's.

The landlord, a greasy man with a permanent sneer, arrived shortly afterward to finalize the paperwork. Although he grumbled about losing leverage, the sight of Gyte quickly silenced him. After signing the necessary documents and handing over the deed, he stomped away without so much as a goodbye.

The caretaker turned back to Rin, her eyes glistening with gratitude. "Thank you," she said again, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry for all the trouble we've caused you."

Looking at the children peeking from the doorway, Rin felt a wave of warmth. They looked healthier and happier than she expected. Saving them felt right.

"It's really no trouble," Rin said, smiling. "I'm just glad to help."

As she stood there, however, her thoughts drifted back to the story. In the original novel, Aria failed to save them.

THE PROTAGONIST'S STORY

Rin remembered the heartbreaking sequence. After Aria's death in the dungeon, the landlord sold the orphanage and evicted the children. The caretaker took the kids and tried to survive on the streets, but their numbers dwindled over time due to illness and starvation.

When the protagonist of the novel, learned of their plight, it was too late to save many of them. Those who survived were traumatized and mistrustful, but she persisted, using her influence as a rising dungeon hunter to secure a new home for them. The event became a cornerstone of her character development, a reminder of her commitment to protecting the weak.

Remembering this, Rin clenched her fists. "At least now, they don't have to go through all of that."

Collapse

Before she could say anything else, Rin's vision began to blur. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she staggered backward.

Rin groaned as a wave of pain surged through her chest. Her vision swam, and she clutched at the edge of the table for support.

"What... is happening?" she gasped, her breath shallow.

The system's interface blinked to life before her eyes, the glowing letters cold and unfeeling.

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SYSTEM ALERT

HP CRITICALLY LOW.

ENTERING RECOVERY STATE.

POISON DETECTED. NEUTRALIZING...

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Her heart pounded against her ribs as confusion and panic overtook her. Poison? When? How? Her mind raced back through the events of the day, but nothing stood out.

"You're supposed to protect me!" she growled at the system, her voice weak. "Isn't that the whole point of a guide?"

SYSTEM RESPONSE

"Protect? Oh, sweet summer child, I'm here to monitor, not babysit. Also,

Pro tip: check your surroundings next time."

"Next time?!" she wheezed. "I'm dying!"

But before she could unleash her fury, the world tilted, and darkness claimed her.

The caretaker and the children rushed to her side, their voices muffled and distant as darkness claimed her vision.

A New Reality

Rin blinked, her eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering through the room. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar—a clean, sterile white with the faint hum of overhead fluorescent lights.

"Where… am I?" she muttered, her voice scratchy and weak.

Turning her head, she scanned her surroundings. The faint smell of antiseptic in the air, the beeping of machines, and the curtain partially drawn around the bed all confirmed one thing: a hospital.

Confused, Rin tried to sit up, only to feel a dull ache in her chest. Groaning, she glanced to her left and froze.

Beside her bed, slumped awkwardly in a chair, was a girl about her age. She had brown hair and was dressed in casual clothes, clearly out of place in a hospital. She was asleep, her head resting on the edge of Rin's bed.

"Who's this?" Rin wondered aloud, her voice barely a whisper. She stared at the girl for a moment longer before shaking her head. Focus. What's going on?

Turning to her right, Rin caught sight of a mirror mounted on the wall. Her reflection stared back at her, confirming her worst fears.

The same long auburn hair, the delicate but weary features… it was Aria's face.

"So, it wasn't a dream," Rin whispered. The reality of her situation hit her like a truck.

Piecing Things Together

Rin leaned back against the pillows, closing her eyes to think. Fragments of memory came rushing back.

The dungeon gate. The boss fight. Making the contract with Onyx. Escaping the dungeon. The orphanage. The children…

Her brow furrowed. "The system said something about my HP being too low. And poison?" she muttered. "I don't remember being poisoned… Maybe I misheard?"

She sighed. "Whatever. Let's put that aside for now. What do I know for sure?"

She started ticking off events in her mind:

I was at home, stressed out about the tragic ending of my novel.Then, suddenly, I was dragged into this world, taking over Aria's body.The rewrite system gave me a 'death penalty' tutorial, forcing me to survive a dungeon.I completed Aria's last task by saving the orphanage.Then I collapsed, and now I'm here.

"That's all the nonsense I've gone through in such a short amount of time," Rin muttered. She clenched her fists. "Now it's time for some answers."

Calling Out the System

Taking a deep breath, Rin spoke aloud. "Alright, system. Come forward. Let's clear this mess up. What's really going on here?"

Silence.

Rin's lips twitched in frustration. "I've played along with your little game long enough. Don't think you can just ghost me now!"

Still, no response.

Her expression shifted from annoyed to eerily calm. "Fine," she said, her tone measured. "If you won't talk to me, I'll just… remove myself from this situation entirely."

Her eyes landed on the fruit knife resting on the bedside table. Without hesitation, she picked it up, her movements deliberate.

"This body's owner is safe now," she murmured, turning the knife in her hand. "The orphanage is fine; the kids are fine. I'll just end this, and everything can go back to normal. Aria will return to her rightful place, and I'll…" She paused. "Well, I'll be back in my world, right?"

Her calm demeanor was unsettling, her mind focused on the logic of her plan.

She raised the knife, her grip steady. "It's better than being stuck here with no answers—"

System Intervenes

Before the blade could touch her skin, a familiar SYSTEM ALERT window appeared, glowing brightly in front of her.

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SYSTEM ALERT

You can't go back.

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Rin froze. "What?"

The system window blinked.

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SYSTEM ALERT

If you go through with this, both of you will die.

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The knife slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the bedside table. "What are you talking about?" Rin demanded, her voice shaking.

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SYSTEM ALERT

Answering your earlier question: you were dragged here as a result of this world's gate anomaly. Your soul was pulled from your world into this one.

In order to return, you must fix the gate anomaly.

To help you adjust, I will act as your guide. You need to rewrite the story you created in order to escape this world.

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Rin stared at the glowing text, her mind reeling. "Fix the anomaly? Rewrite the story?" She threw her hands up. "What the heck are you talking about? I'm not some warrior or adventurer—I'm just a writer! How am I supposed to fix anything?"

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SYSTEM ALERT

Status Window Activated.

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Before Rin could protest further, a new window appeared, displaying her stats:

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STATUS

Name: Aria Felstone

Class: None

HP: 75/300 (Recovering)

MP: 100/100

Skills: Beast Tamer:

 Contracted beast: Shadow Wolf (Onyx)

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"You've got to be kidding me," Rin muttered. She stared at the window, disbelief etched on her face. "How am I supposed to fix anything with stats like this? I'm barely alive!"

As if on cue, a sharp, searing pain shot through her chest. Rin gasped, clutching at her heart as the sensation intensified. Her vision blurred, and a strangled cry escaped her lips.

The Stranger

The sudden noise startled the girl sleeping beside her. She jolted awake, blinking groggily before her eyes widened in alarm.

"Are you okay?" the girl asked, her voice trembling as she rushed to Rin's side.

Rin couldn't respond, her body wracked with pain. The girl hesitated only a moment before darting out of the room, shouting for a doctor.

The last thing Rin saw before blacking out was the girl's panicked expression.

Regaining Consciousness

When Rin woke again, it was night. The room was quiet, the machines around her beeping steadily. She felt weak but no longer in pain.

Turning her head, she saw another girl sitting beside her. This time, the girl was watching her, her face filled with relief.

"You're awake," the girl said softly.

Rin nodded; her throat dry. "Who… are you?"

The girl smiled faintly. "My name's Lila. I've been waiting for you since you collapsed."

Rin blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. "Why…?"

Lila hesitated, then leaned closer. "Because I think you're important. And… I think you might be able to help me."

Rin frowned, confusion deepening. "Help you? With what?"

Lila's expression grew serious. "With the gates. Something's wrong with them, and you might be the only one who can fix it."

Rin stared at Lila, her mind racing. "The gates…" she muttered.

Lila nodded. "Yes. And I think your system knows more than it's letting on."

Rin sighed, her head throbbing. "Great," she said. "More mysteries. Just what I needed."