I woke up feeling a strange sense of weightlessness, as if I were floating in a vast, empty space. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a realm that looked like a dream straight out of a VFX. The sky above was a swirling canvas of vibrant colors, stars twinkling in patterns that seemed almost deliberate. Below, the ground shimmered like glass, reflecting the dazzling sky above. Floating islands, each with its own unique landscape, drifted lazily in the distance.
"Whoa," I muttered, taking in the surreal beauty of the place. "Where am I?"
"Welcome, Kyle, to the Astral Realm!" a voice boomed, startling me. I turned around and saw an ancient, leather-bound book hovering in mid-air, its pages fluttering as if caught in a gentle breeze. "I am the Book of Eldritch, your guide, mentor, and occasional source of entertainment."
"Wait, did you just call yourself a book?" I asked, rubbing my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. "And did you just say 'occasional source of entertainment'?"
"Indeed, I did," the book replied with a flourish. "I have been tasked with orienting you to the power system and reward structure of this realm. Think of it as a crash course in how not to get yourself killed when capturing beast by leveling up."
"Please tell me you meant that figuratively!" I said.
"I mean that figuratively," the book chuckled.
"Gee, thanks," I said, rolling my eyes. "So, what's the deal? Why am I here?"
"You, Kyle, are a Beast Seeker," the book began, its voice taking on a more serious tone. "Your mission is to capture mystical beasts and seal them back into me so they do not interfere with the physical world. You are one of many Beast Seekers chosen for this task."
"Yeah, obviously," I said sarcastically. "Anything else I should have already figured out?"
"Quite right, Captain Obvious," the book responded with a hint of sarcasm. "Moving on. Let's discuss the power system. In this realm, your abilities are quantified in a LitRPG fashion. You have stats such as Strength, Agility, Intelligence, and so on. These stats will increase as you complete tasks and capture beasts."
"Okay, so it's like a video game?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Didn't I mention that earlier?" The book sighed.
"Well, this is becoming too cliche now isn't it?" I said.
"Well, blame it on your poor life choices of playing video games instead of studying, Kyle. Eldritch's magic programs this realm to reflect the seeker's interest which in your case, video games. But instead of pixels, you're dealing with real, magical creatures that can and will try to eat you," the book said cheerfully. "Now, onto the reward system. For every beast you capture, you earn Ability Points (AP). These points can be spent on new abilities that will be added to your inventory for you to level up."
"Abilities like what?" I inquired, curious despite myself.
"Think elemental control, enhanced senses, magical barriers, healing potions, some of which you've already used in your sacred tool inventory!" the book replied. "The more difficult the beast, the higher the reward. Capture a low-level beast, earn a few points. Capture a high-level beast, and you could unlock a game-changing ability."
"Sounds straightforward enough," I said, nodding. "What's the catch?"
"The catch is surviving long enough to use those abilities," the book said with a chuckle. "But don't worry, I'll be here to guide you. Which brings us to another important point: power levels. As you capture beasts, your power level will increase. This is crucial because some beasts can only be captured if your power level is high enough. Think of it as leveling up in an RPG."
"Got it," I said. "So, anything else I need to know that I don't already know?"
"Yes, one last thing," the book said. "You can summon me anytime by simply calling my name. However, I understand that you might not want a chatty book popping up at inconvenient times."
"Damn right," I said. "So here's the deal: you only appear when I summon you. No random pop-ups, no interrupting my sleep like what you just did right now, and definitely no showing up in the bathroom."
"Agreed," the book said with a dramatic bow. "I shall respect your privacy, young Seeker. But do call upon me when you need assistance. After all, I'm not just a book; I'm a book with a personality that reflects yours!"
"Yeah, I noticed," I said, unable to suppress a grin. "Thanks for the info. Now, how do I get out of here and back to the real world?"
"Simple," the book said. "Close your eyes and focus on waking up. You'll be back in no time."
I closed my eyes and did as instructed. Moments later, I felt the familiar sensation of solid ground beneath me. When I opened my eyes, I was back in my room, the magical realm now a memory.
"Well, that was weird," I muttered to myself. "But at least I know what I'm up against."
Just as I was about to relax, the book's voice echoed in my mind, "Remember, Kyle, the adventure has just begun!"
"Yeah, yeah, like it didn't happen few chapters past." I replied. "Just stay quiet until I need you, okay?"
"Of course, oh masterful Seeker," the book said with a hint of sarcasm. "Until you need me."
Yeah, I get it. My Beast Seeker System Sucks!!