My Life is Controlled by the System

Chapter 3. Don't tell a Lie

Tiit.

Tiit.

The sound cuts through the silence like a needle. Where is it coming from?

Tiit.

Tiit.

"...call Doctor Jannette, she..." D-doctor J-Jannette?

Why is there a doctor? What's this relentless beeping? Where am I? I... I must... Damn it! Why can't I move?

"I thought there were no more surgeries for me," a voice responds, sharp and brittle, like ice cracking under pressure.

That voice... so cold, detached.

"We know your resignation is official, Doctor, but... please. Just one last time. Your precision could save this young man's life."

Tiit.

Tiit.

The beeping sound fades in and out, mingling with the distant voices. Doctor Jannette. That name pulls me back. I remember now. That bastard got me. Those shears... the pain... So, this is where I ended up.

"Yeah, in an operating room where Doctor Jannette ends her career."

A chill crawls down my spine. That voice, again. It was the same voice that asked me for my wish before all of this happened. A voice so familiar, but distant. Mocking.

"You can thank me later."

Tsk. Damn it, who are you? And why do you keep speaking like you know me?

"You'll know me soon enough."

The voice dissolves into silence as I slip back into the void.

[ Mission: Final Operation ]

[ Rewards: ????? ]

[ Penalty: Lose your doctor's license ]

[ Will you accept the mission? ]

My fingers trembled slightly. Not from fear, no—not entirely. But from exhaustion. The kind that creeps into your bones after years of living at the edge of burnout. I wasn't just tired—I was worn down. My reflection in the stainless-steel instrument tray confirmed it.

Dark circles framed my black eyes, accentuating the stress etched into my pale skin. My lips, once naturally pink and full, were now pressed into a thin, anxious line. I could feel the weight of the day bearing down on my shoulders, my usually flawless posture giving way to the creeping hunch of someone who's constantly on guard.

I ran a hand through my hair—thick, dark waves pulled back into a tight bun. Not for style but necessity. Even in the haze of my fatigue, a small part of me still wanted to look professional, even if I barely recognized myself anymore. Pretty. Sexy. That's what they used to call me—back when I cared. Now, that image felt like a ghost, overshadowed by this endless pressure, this cursed system.

"Why is the reward hidden from me?" I whispered, more to myself than to anyone else. My voice was hoarse, barely audible. I needed clarity. Yet, as always, the system refused to give it.

[ The main system wishes to speak with you. ]

I sighed, feeling my pulse quicken. The system had a way of worming itself into the most private corners of my mind, nudging and poking until I had no choice but to listen. Hmmm... the main system? So there are two systems?

My hands, once steady and precise, clenched into fists. I had to keep control. This... thing, this system, it wasn't just a tool anymore. It was something more. Something insidious.

"Why now?" I muttered under my breath, pacing the small, sterile room. The floor tiles were cool beneath my feet, a stark contrast to the heat building inside me.