Ethan's head throbbed as he slowly regained consciousness. The last thing he remembered was staying up late to play "Chronicles of Veloria," his favorite RPG. The vivid world, the intricate plots, and the memorable characters had all drawn him into countless sleepless nights. But this felt different. This wasn't his bedroom, cluttered with energy drink cans and strategy guides.
He opened his eyes to find himself lying on a bed in a small, dimly lit room. The wooden ceiling above him, the rustic furniture, and the scent of herbs in the air were all foreign yet eerily familiar. His heart pounded as he sat up and looked around. This place... it couldn't be.
A knock on the door startled him. A young girl with auburn hair and a cheerful smile entered, carrying a tray with bread and soup. "Good morning, Lucian! How are you feeling today?"
Lucian? Ethan's mind raced. That name. It sounded so familiar, yet he couldn't place it. He tried to gather his thoughts, but the throbbing headache made it difficult. "I'm... fine, I guess," he replied cautiously.
The girl placed the tray on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed. "You gave us quite a scare when you collapsed in the forest. The village healer said you were exhausted and needed rest. But you seem much better now."
Ethan's heart raced. He needed to figure out where he was and how he got here. "Where exactly am I?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
The girl looked at him with concern. "You're in Riverton, silly! Don't tell me you hit your head too hard. Everyone knows Riverton. It's the largest village on the outskirts of Veloria."
Veloria. The name sent a shiver down his spine. He knew Veloria wellâit was the central kingdom in "Chronicles of Veloria." But how could he be here? It didn't make sense.
"Right, Riverton," he said slowly, trying to process the information. "And you are...?"
The girl giggled. "I'm Elara, of course! Have you forgotten your best friend too?"
Best friend? Ethan's mind scrambled for information. Elara. Riverton. Veloria. Then it clicked. Lucian wasn't a name he knew well because Lucian was an unknown secondary character in the gameâa background villager with no significant role. He remembered seeing the name in passing while exploring the village in the game, but he never interacted with the character.
Was this some kind of twisted dream? Or had he somehow been reincarnated into the game as this obscure character? Panic began to set in, but he forced himself to stay calm. He needed more information.
"Sorry, Elara. I think the exhaustion really messed with my memory," he said, trying to sound convincing. "Can you remind me what's been happening lately?"
Elara's expression softened with understanding. "Of course, Lucian. You've been helping the villagers prepare for the summer festival. But last week, you insisted on going into the forest to gather rare herbs. Everyone told you it was dangerous, but you wouldn't listen. You were out there for days before we found you."
Ethan nodded slowly, piecing together the information. He needed to blend in and gather as much knowledge as possible. "Thank you, Elara. I think I just need some time to get my bearings."
"Take all the time you need," Elara said with a reassuring smile. "I'll check on you later. Try to eat something, okay?" With that, she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Ethan let out a sigh of relief. Alone at last, he tried to make sense of his situation. If he was truly in the world of Veloria, then he needed to figure out how to survive. He wasn't a hero or a main character with special powers or plot armor. He was Lucian, a background villager.
He stood up and walked to the small mirror on the wall. The reflection that greeted him was indeed unfamiliarâdark hair, sharp features, and piercing blue eyes. He examined his new appearance, trying to get used to the fact that this was his face now.
As he ate the bread and soup, he thought about the game's plot. The main story revolved around a hero chosen by prophecy to defeat the Dark Lord. Along the way, the hero would gather allies, face numerous challenges, and ultimately save the kingdom. Lucian had no part in that epic tale. He was just a villager, an NPC.
But now, he had a chance to change that. He wasn't bound by the game's script anymore. He could forge his own path, make his own decisions, and maybe even become more than just a background character.
First, he needed to learn more about Lucian's life. He needed to fit in seamlessly. Over the next few days, he interacted with the villagers, helped with the festival preparations, and listened to their stories. He learned that Lucian was well-liked and known for his herbal knowledge. This gave Ethan a starting pointâhe could use Lucian's skills to make himself useful.
As the festival approached, Ethan began to explore the forest, gathering herbs and experimenting with their properties. He discovered that Lucian's body had a natural affinity for herbalism, making it easier for him to create potent remedies and potions. This skill could be his ticket to gaining influence and allies.
One evening, as he was preparing a batch of healing potions, Elara visited him again. "You're really back to your old self, Lucian. The villagers are impressed with your dedication."
"Thanks, Elara," Ethan said with a smile. "I've realized that there's so much more I can do to help the village. And maybe, one day, I can do even more beyond Riverton."
Elara's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What do you mean?"
Ethan took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination. "I want to explore the world, learn new things, and maybe even help with the larger problems facing Veloria. There's a whole kingdom out there, and I think I can make a difference."
Elara looked at him with admiration. "That's a big dream, Lucian. But if anyone can do it, it's you."
Ethan smiled, feeling a sense of purpose. He might have started as a secondary character in a game, but he was determined to become much more. This was his second chance, and he was going to make the most of it.
As the summer festival began, the villagers celebrated with music, dance, and laughter. Ethan watched the festivities with a renewed sense of hope. His journey was just beginning, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the world of Veloria.