Chapter 3 - The Hunt

Ben's eyes snapped open, and he found himself back in his room, the System's voice echoing in his mind. He had been transported back to his own world, but the experience had left him shaken.

As he tried to calm his racing heart, a knock at the door broke the silence. Ben's heart skipped a beat as he realized it was his mother.

"Ben, I'm so sorry," she said, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just trying to protect you."

Ben's mind reeled as he tried to process what was happening. His mother, a monster? How was that possible?

But as he looked into her eyes, he saw something there, something that gave him hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could still find a way to escape this world, to uncover the truth about his past and the System's true intentions.

"Mother," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I don't understand. What's going on? What's the System?"

His mother's eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, Ben thought he saw a glimmer of recognition. But then, it was gone, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze.

"I'm afraid the truth is more complicated than that, Ben," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "But I'll tell you this - you'll be playing your role in this game for a long time to come."

As Ben's mother turned to leave, he realized that he was trapped, forced to play the role of a character in a game he didn't understand. But he refused to give up. He was determined to uncover the truth, no matter what lay ahead.

Chapter end