Leon was having a terrible day. He had failed his final exam, got dumped by his girlfriend, and lost his wallet on the way home. He felt like nothing could go right for him. He just wanted to curl up in his bed and forget about everything.

But fate had other plans for him.

As he was walking past an alley, he heard a scream. He turned his head and saw a woman being attacked by two thugs. They had knives and were trying to rob her. Leon felt a surge of adrenaline and anger. He couldn't stand by and watch someone in trouble. He ran towards the alley, hoping to scare them off.

"Hey, leave her alone!" he shouted.

The thugs looked up and saw him. They sneered and laughed.

"Look who's here, a hero wannabe. What are you going to do, kid? You're outnumbered and outmatched."

Leon didn't care. He clenched his fists and charged at them. He threw a punch at the nearest thug, but he dodged it easily and stabbed Leon in the stomach. Leon gasped in pain and fell to the ground, clutching his wound.

The woman screamed again.

"Please, someone help us!"

The other thug grabbed her by the hair and put his knife to her throat.

"Shut up, bitch. You're coming with us."

He dragged her towards a van parked at the end of the alley.

Leon felt his life slipping away. He couldn't believe this was how he was going to die. He had so many dreams, so many things he wanted to do. He wanted to travel the world, to write a best-selling novel, to find true love. He wanted to live.

He closed his eyes and waited for death.

But then, something strange happened.

He heard a voice in his head.

[Welcome to the First Chapter System.]

[You have been chosen as one of the participants in a special experiment.]

[Your life is about to change.]

[Are you ready?]

Leon opened his eyes in shock. He looked around and saw that everything was frozen in time. The thugs, the woman, the van, even the blood dripping from his wound. Everything was still.

He felt a strange sensation in his head. It was like someone was talking to him telepathically.

"What...what is this?" he asked.

[This is the First Chapter System.] the voice repeated.

[It is a system that allows you to experience different genres of novels as if they were real.]

[You can choose from fantasy, sci-fi, horror, romance, mystery, and more.]

[Each genre has its own rules, challenges, rewards, and dangers.]

[You can also customize your appearance, abilities, equipment, and companions.]

[The system will provide you with everything you need to survive and thrive in each novel world.]

[However, there is a catch.]

[You can only stay in each novel world for one chapter.]

[After that, you will be transported back to your original world.]

[You will retain your memories and any items or skills you acquired in each novel world.]

[But you will also face the consequences of your actions in each novel world.]

[If you die in a novel world, you will die in your original world as well.]

[If you harm or help someone in a novel world, it will affect your relationship with them in your original world as well.]

[If you change something significant in a novel world, it will alter the course of history in your original world as well.]

[The system is not responsible for any damage or loss caused by your participation in the experiment.]

[The system is also not obligated to explain anything further or answer any questions.]

[The system is only interested in observing your choices and reactions in each novel world.]

[The system hopes that you will enjoy this unique opportunity and make the most of it.]

[Now, please choose your first genre.]

Leon was speechless. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was this some kind of joke? A prank? A hallucination? A dream?

He pinched himself hard and felt pain.

No, this was real.

He looked at the screen that appeared in front of him. It showed six icons representing different genres of novels: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, romance, mystery, and action.

He felt a surge of curiosity and excitement.

He had always loved reading novels. He had always wondered what it would be like to live in those worlds. To be a hero or a villain. To have amazing powers or skills. To meet incredible people or creatures. To have thrilling adventures or romances.

And now he had the chance to do all that.

He had the chance to escape his boring and miserable life.

He had the chance to start a new one.

He made his choice.

He tapped on the icon that said fantasy.