Long Yan sat in his messy apartment, slightly disappointed after exploring his surroundings. The room was small, cluttered with a single bed, a flickering old TV, a dusty bookshelf, and scattered belongings. This one-room apartment, with its cramped kitchen and minimal amenities, was all he could afford with his meager income.
He got up and moved to the balcony, leaning on the railings to take in the view of the cityscape under the orange evening sky. A glance at the clock on the wall showed it was only 6 PM.
"Still early," he muttered to himself, rubbing his growling stomach.
His hunger soon drove him to the kitchen, where he rummaged through the cabinets for something edible. He settled on a pack of instant noodles, quickly preparing and slurping them down. With nothing else to do and the headache from his fragmented memories still lingering, Long Yan collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling as exhaustion overtook him.
His thoughts began to swirl. He needed a plan for his second chance at life. What should he do next?
Suddenly, a soft, ethereal voice echoed in his mind.
"Please choose an item to install the system."
His eyes remained closed, his brow furrowing in confusion. Was this real or just a dream? Then he remembered the ring on his finger. Could it be connected?
Taking a leap of faith, he pointed to the red dragon ring.
"Attachment to Dragon Ring is completed."
The voice spoke again, startling him further.
"I am your system, my host."
A translucent window appeared before him. Though simple in design, it bore an undeniable air of mystique. The text on it outlined the functionality of this so-called system:
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System Overview
Map Access: The system contains a series of maps that must be unlocked progressively.
Resource Collection: Monsters drop rocks upon defeat, which can be stored in the Dragon Ring for future use.
Restrictions: You cannot consume the monsters for sustenance.
Upgraded Dragon Ring: Now connected to your consciousness, the ring stores items obtained in the maps for retrieval at will.
---
The first map available was titled "Beginner's Map."
Excited yet skeptical, Long Yan selected it. As soon as he did, a sharp sensation coursed through him, pulling him into a new world.
---
When Long Yan opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a soft, grassy plain under a clear blue sky. The sunlight warmed his skin, and the fresh aroma of grass and earth filled his senses.
He sat up, rubbing his temples. "Wasn't I just in my bed? Am I dreaming again?"
A light breeze tousled his hair, and for a brief moment, he enjoyed the serene beauty of his surroundings. But his peace was short-lived.
Something rustled behind him, growing louder and louder. A shiver ran down his spine. Slowly, he turned to face the source of the noise.
His jaw dropped.
"What the hell…"
Standing before him was a pink pig—but not just any pig. This creature stood nearly a meter tall, its rotund body exuding a strange blend of cuteness and menace. Its blood-red eyes gleamed with intelligence, and its sharp, glistening teeth shattered any illusions of harmlessness.
For a moment, Long Yan and the pig locked eyes.
"What is this thing? A pig from hell?" Long Yan muttered nervously, stepping back.
The pig twitched its ears, its sharp gaze narrowing as it assessed him. Its mouth continued chewing on grass, but the air around it grew tense, charged with an unmistakable predatory aura.
Sweat dripped down Long Yan's face as he tried to recall the system's rules. Monsters drop rocks, but they're not edible. Great. How was he supposed to survive here?
The pig snorted, pawing at the ground like a bull preparing to charge. Long Yan clenched his fists, trying to muster some courage. "If I run, it'll chase me. If I fight, I'll die. Wonderful."
His instincts screamed at him to flee, but his legs felt like lead. As the pig began its charge, Long Yan finally moved, dodging clumsily to the side and tumbling into the grass.
The pig skidded to a halt and turned, its red eyes gleaming with fury. Long Yan scrambled to his feet, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Okay, okay, think! You're in a beginner's map. It's not supposed to be impossible, right? There has to be a way to deal with this thing!"
Desperation fueled his resolve. He grabbed a fistful of dirt and hurled it at the pig's face. The creature squealed in surprise, shaking its head furiously to clear its vision.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Long Yan grabbed a sturdy branch lying nearby and brandished it like a weapon.
"Alright, you oversized pork chop," he muttered, his fear giving way to grim determination. "Let's see who's eating who tonight!"
The pig charged again, and this time, Long Yan met it head-on. With a desperate yell, he swung the branch, aiming for the creature's head.
The impact was enough to stagger the pig, but it wasn't down yet. Long Yan kept swinging, his adrenaline pushing him forward despite the burning in his arms. Finally, with one last strike, the pig collapsed, letting out a final squeal before dissolving into light.
In its place, a glowing red rock appeared. Long Yan stared at it, panting heavily.
"Well… that was insane," he muttered, picking up the rock. As he held it, the Dragon Ring pulsed warmly, absorbing the item into its storage.
A small notification appeared in his mind: "Monster defeated. Beginner's rock obtained."
Long Yan fell back onto the grass, exhausted but exhilarated.
"So this is how it works," he murmured, staring at the now-quiet landscape. "If I'm going to survive here, I need to get stronger. No more running away."
With a newfound determination, he stood up, ready to face whatever challenges the Beginner's Map would throw at him next.