I woke up with a start, the world around me both familiar and alien. The sky was a vibrant blue, the air crisp and fresh, much more real than any game graphics I'd ever seen. As I tried to get my bearings, I realized something was off. My hands, my body – they weren't mine. I looked down and saw that I was no longer Ji-Seok. Instead, my skin was a deep, dark black, almost like a shadow given form. I was a humanoid figure, but not entirely human.
Panicking, I stumbled to a nearby stream and looked at my reflection. What stared back at me was a faceless, dark figure, like something out of a nightmare. My heart pounded in my chest. How did this happen? Why was I like this?
As I sat by the stream, trying to piece together what had happened, I remembered Phoenix's betrayal. The prototype VR headset, the jolt, the darkness – it all led to this moment. Somehow, I had been transmigrated into the game world, but not as my in-game character. Instead, I was this dark, ominous figure.
I stood up, trying to shake off the fear and confusion. I needed to understand this new world if I had any hope of surviving. I began to explore my surroundings, recognizing elements from "Nation's Dawn." The landscape, the architecture, even the creatures – it was all here, just more real.
As I walked through a dense forest, the trees towering above me, I noticed a plume of smoke rising in the distance. Curiosity and the need for information drove me towards it. After some time, I emerged from the woods to find a small village nestled in a valley. The buildings were quaint, constructed from wood and stone, with thatched roofs and blooming flower gardens. It looked like a scene from a medieval fantasy.
I cautiously approached, hoping to find someone who could help me. As I entered the village, the reactions of the inhabitants were immediate and visceral. The villagers were a mix of races – elves with pointed ears and graceful features, dwarves with stout bodies and long beards, and humans of various ages and appearances. They were going about their daily routines, tending to crops, smithing, and trading goods.
The moment they saw me, everything changed. People screamed and ran, slamming doors and shuttering windows. Children cried, clinging to their parents, and even the animals seemed to sense my difference, bolting at the sight of me.
"Monster!" someone yelled. "Stay away from us!"
I raised my hands in a gesture of peace, trying to speak, but no sound came out. My attempts to communicate only seemed to frighten them more. Realizing that I couldn't stay here, I retreated to the outskirts of the village, my mind racing.
If I was going to survive in this world, I needed a plan. I needed to understand the mechanics of this reality, just like I had with the game. But first, I had to find a place where I wouldn't be hunted or feared.
I wandered until I found a secluded spot in the forest, a clearing surrounded by tall trees. It was quiet, peaceful – a place where I could think. I sat down, trying to calm my racing thoughts and focus on what I knew.
"Status," I thought, and the menu shifted to display my stats and abilities. To my surprise, I had a unique set of skills that were different from my in-game character. My new form came with enhanced strength, agility, and some abilities that seemed almost magical. I had the power to manipulate shadows, move silently, and even create basic tools from the darkness itself.
I experimented with these abilities, starting with the basics. With a thought, I extended my hand, and shadows coalesced into a dagger. I held it, feeling the weight and balance. "Amazing," I whispered, even though I couldn't hear my own voice. I dispelled the dagger, watching it dissolve back into nothingness.
Next, I focused on my ability to move silently. I got up and walked through the forest, my feet barely making a sound, even when stepping on dry leaves and twigs. "This could be useful," I thought.
The most intriguing ability was shadow manipulation. I found a tree and tried to merge with its shadow. To my surprise, my body blended into the darkness, making me nearly invisible. I moved around, staying within the shadows, feeling like a ghost. "This is incredible," I thought, a sense of excitement bubbling up despite the circumstances.
Satisfied with my initial experiments, I returned to my clearing and summoned the translucent menu again. I needed a plan to establish myself in this world. I searched the interface for a map and found a layout of the surrounding area. Nearby, there was an abandoned fortress – a perfect place to set up a base.
Determined, I made my way to the fortress, using my new abilities to move quickly and silently through the forest. The fortress was in ruins, but it was defensible and hidden from prying eyes. I set to work, using my shadow abilities to clear debris and create makeshift repairs.
As the days passed, I scouted the surrounding area, avoiding the villagers and gathering resources. I hunted for food, collected water, and began to stockpile supplies. Slowly, the fortress started to become a livable space.
One evening, while exploring the ruins, I stumbled upon an old, dusty library. The books were ancient, filled with knowledge about the world and its mechanics. I eagerly devoured the information, learning about the various races, their cultures, and the history of the land.
I discovered that the shadowy form I had taken was known in this world as a "Wraith." Wraiths were rare and feared, often associated with dark magic and malevolent spirits. This explained the villagers' reactions, but it also gave me an idea. If I could harness this fear, I could use it to my advantage.
As I continued reading, I found a section about the "System" – a mystical force that governed the world. It was similar to the game's interface, providing abilities, quests, and rewards. Understanding this system would be key to my survival and success.
The more I learned, the more my confidence grew. I began to formulate a plan. First, I would establish my fortress as a stronghold, a place of power and safety. Then, I would use my abilities to gather resources and recruit followers. I needed to build a network, allies who could help me navigate this world and achieve my goals.
I spent hours each day training, honing my skills and experimenting with my abilities. I discovered that I could manipulate shadows to create structures, weapons, and even basic tools. My control over the darkness grew stronger, and I started to feel more at home in my new form.
One night, as I stood on the fortress walls, looking out over the forest, I made a vow to myself. "I will survive in this world. I will build a new life, a new nation. And I will find a way to confront Phoenix and get answers."