In a place outside the boundaries of the universe, where time has no history, reality is absent, and even space cannot extend, there existed a lone being. This entity resided in a vast white void that appeared endless, sitting at a workbench and was made purely from a vibrant blue energy. Oddly, the entity weared grey spectacles despite lacking eyes and seemed hurried despite having unlimited time.
A typewriter sat in front of the entity, appearing to struggle with writing a story. It seemed confused and pondered a dilemma, even scratching its chin, despite not having one.
The entity seemed about to begin typing on the writer, but then noticed our eyes gazing at it. "Let's see, how should I begin this story?" It pondered. "Oh, it looks like we already have some curious spectators," he communicated without a mouth.
The otherworldly being appeared to sense the eyes gazing, and although it managed to speak, its voice was extremely difficult to understand. It was as if hearing it briefly before forgetting it right away. It's voice seemed indescribable.
"You arrived at the perfect moment, please have a seat and enjoy a cup of tea, and perhaps some music as well. I am currently brainstorming ideas for a brand new story that is filled with mysteries and will spark your wildest imaginations."
"Are you interested in the story? Honestly I'm currently struggling to decide how to begin the story. Starting a story may seem easy, but it is crucial to captivate the audience, so it needs to be engaging."
"To me, a story lacking a proper introduction is similar to a puzzle missing its first piece. It feels incomplete and leaves me wondering what crucial information I may be missing. An introduction sets the stage for the rest of the story, providing context and drawing the reader in. Without it, the story lacks depth and fails to fully engage the audience. Just as a puzzle is not complete without all its pieces, a story is not truly whole without a proper introduction."
As spectators, our curiosity starts to reach its highest point. We start to wonder how this being can interact with us, considering that it is believed to be fictional. Is it breaking the fourth wall, perhaps? No, it was clearly exceeding that boundary.
"Another question? Go ahead, I'm an open book..."
"....Who am I, you ask?"
"Let's put it this way... I am The Writer and Narrator of this story, and my main interest and role is entertaining you, the spectators."
"That's the end of the introductions. I apologize for our brief meeting, but I believe I have now discovered a way to kick off this story. There is no better time than the present, so shall we start?"
Even though 'The Writer' had no hands, it managed to type the initial words of its story on the typewriter, marking the start of a long journey.
This is a tale of a man, a human determined to overcome the most severe challenges in pursuit of a singular objective. With unyielding resolve and indomitable strength, he will persist in climbing even the most treacherous paths. However a sorrowful conclusion looms ahead, as ultimately, he will meet his demise.
But before we reach that stage, shall we begin at the start of his story. On a unique planet named Gaia similar to your Earth, where a world of fantasy and imagination beyond one's wildest dreams exists.
In this world, there are dragons, elves, beastmen, monsters that hide in the shadows, and mystical beings. You might be curious about how humans can survive in such a place... the answer lies in their ability to harness something called Ryuk.
The inhabitants of Gaia are able to harness magic, which has the potential to turn their desires into actuality. In this world they refer to it as 'Ryuk' - the fundamental force behind their magic abilities. Ryuk is believed to be the essence of the universe, with all living and non-living things composed of it. One's strength and abilities are determined by their connection to Ryuk.
That is why when one is unable to use it.... they are automatically shunned by society.
It all started in the Bagal Kingdom, where snow had blanketed the colorful landscape, turning it white and transforming the green grass into a white snowy oasis. The trees shed their leaves, small lakes and ponds frozen in place, transforming the terrain into a magical winter wonderland as many animals went into hibernation to escape the freezing temperatures. While some may find this time of year delightful, others may view it as challenging due to limited food and harsh freezing conditions that make some areas uninhabitable.
But regardless of the season or moment, Adventurers who were on the hunt for quick cash continued to explore the regions in pursuit of missions, jobs, and creatures to track down. The same held true for our protagonist....
The heavy metal boats' steps echoed as they sank into blankets of snow, traversing the thick layers. It was a young man, unfazed by the current snowstorm, treating the the hellish terrain as a gentle breeze. His dark windswept hair and sharp vacant black eyes gave the impression of peering into someone's hollow shell. Notably, he wore striking silver and clad armor that clanked as he moved through the falling snowflakes.
His chestplate featured small scales resembling those of a dragon's back, while his spiked shoulder plates and gauntlets appeared to be made of the toughest metal to maximise his defence. A long silver chain hung from his hip, and his caped armored pants slightly trailed on the snow. His large muscles visible even under the armor indicated that he was no ordinary man, clearly he was a warrior.
He continued to walk until he came across a massive wooden structure adorned with numerous torches and lights, appearing before his eyes which had previously only seen snow.
Inside the bustling building was a combination of a Guild and an Inn known as the Pubblestone. It was filled with a diverse crowd of humans, dwarves, and beastmen enjoying laughter and drinking rum. The place was frequented by adventurers receiving assignments or returning for rewards. However, the most noticeable presence was the constant loud bickering of an old annoying dwarf.
His name was Brim, an elderly drunkard dwarf with a thick beard, bald head, and tattered clothing who had nothing productive to occupy his time. He clutched a large mug of rum as he sat on a table with his dwarf companion in a dimly lit corner. "Have ya heard the talk? There are rumors that a Demon dressed in Clad has joined the guild just around three months ago!" He announced loudly, swaying unsteadily, with some of his rum spilling but not affecting his drunken mind. "It's true! I saw the darn thing with my own eyes! A monster I tell you!"
The dwarf's loudness drew unwanted attention from onlookers who were irritated by his constant bickering. This caused his friend, Bam, who appeared more aware and neat, to glance nervously at him and say, "You don't have to speak so loudly... people are watching." Bam's voice was higher-pitched compared to Brim's deep, gruff tone. Brim took a sip of his drink before yelling once again, "I don't care about these people! Let them watch all they want!" Clearly unconcerned about how others perceived him.
Bam let out a breath before taking a small sip of his rum, showing his maturity, "Of course, I'm aware of the rumors circulating. It seems to be the talk of the guild." He looked up, thinking about the rumors he had heard. "They say his demon eyes are so menacing that just a glance can make you tremble in fear, as if they are straight from the depths of hell. And his clad armor is beyond anything seen before... I believe that's what it is."
He shrugged his small shoulders and expressed doubt, saying, "I find it hard to believe. Some people even claim he's as tall as 6'1 feet and that seems unlikely." It appears that heights exceeding 6 feet are very rare in this world, especially when referring to someone who is quite literally a dwarf.
Brim slammed his cup of rum on the wooden table and declared loudly, "I tell ya what. I'll show that Clad Demon who's boss when I see it! I'll punch him right in the face!" He then demonstrated his punching moves in the air, ready to confront the so-called 'Clad Demon.'
Bam looked disappointed and shook his head, wondering, "Ahh, What will I ever do with him?" Watching as his friend seemed to be fighting with his imagination.
It was as though a terrifying creature from the depths had arrived, bringing with it a chilling presence that filled the room and gripped everyone in the guild as if in a stranglehold. The guild doors creaked open, allowing a cold gust of wind and snow to rush in as a imposing figure stood at the entrance. Their heavy metal boots echoed on the wooden floor, causing some snow from outside to scatter inside.
Onlookers stood with jaws dropped as the tall man strolled through the guild. Everyone was frozen in place, not even the bugs dared to move. "I-It's him, isn't it?" Bam whispered to Brim. "There's no question about it, it's the Clad Demon!" Brim replied in a hushed tone, "Isn't he even taller than the rumors say..?!"
Indeed, he stood tall at an impressive height of 6 feet 4 inches, possessing a physique that seemed out of reach by ordinary standards. Bam observed Brim, usually bold and loud, now visibly shaken to a greater extent than even himself. "You son of a-!" Bam exclaimed aloud, which was understandable considering Brim was just talking high and mighty.
Every person, whether male or female, who had been waiting to see the Quest Giver, shifted aside when they spotted the supposed Clad Demon approaching. A young woman in a formal business suit, who appared to be Guild's Quest Giver, asked, "Are you here for another mission?" She appeared very recognizable. And for the first time, the Clad Demon spoke, "Yes..." in a voice that belonged to a young man who had experienced more than his years would suggest.
The terrifying gaze of the demon eyes is rumored to be so intense that people claim they will wet themselves if they make eye contact. However, upon closer inspection, it seems that the monster in question appears completely human and not at all demonic. So why do people spread such unbelievable rumors? This is just one of the challenges that our main character must deal with..
Please carry on with your daily routine as this marks the beginning of the story, and I look forward to seeing you in the next chapter.