Chapter 1: The Ordinary World
Arjun sat at his computer desk, typing furiously as the final lines of code came together seamlessly. His room, a sanctuary of books and computer parts, felt more like home than anywhere else. He had just graduated from high school and today was his first day at college. Nervous excitement bubbled beneath his calm exterior as he glanced at the clock. It was time to go.
Despite his introverted nature, Arjun had always excelled at programming. It was a language he understood better than any spoken word, a world where he felt in control. But today, he was stepping out into a new environment, one that required more than just technical skills.
"Arjun, breakfast is ready!" his mother called from the kitchen.
He grabbed his backpack, double-checking his supplies, and headed downstairs. His parents had always been supportive, understanding his quiet nature and encouraging his passion for technology. They were proud of his achievements, and he didn't want to disappoint them.
As he sat down to eat, a wave of dizziness hit him. The room spun, and he clutched the edge of the table. His vision blurred, and he felt a strange sensation, as if his very being was being pulled away from reality.
"Arjun, are you okay?" his mother asked, concern evident in her voice.
But before he could respond, darkness engulfed him. The last thing he heard was his mother's panicked voice calling his name.
When Arjun opened his eyes, he was no longer in his home. He found himself lying on a grassy field under a strange sky. The colors were more vibrant, the air tinged with unfamiliar scents. He sat up slowly, trying to make sense of his surroundings.
People were scattered around, some unconscious, others just waking up. Panic and confusion filled the air. As he looked closer, he noticed that these weren't just humans—there were beings of various races, some humanoid, others entirely alien.
"What is this place?" he muttered to himself.
A soft chime echoed in his mind, and a translucent screen appeared before him. It looked like a game interface, displaying his name and a brief description:
Name: Arjun Sharma
Class: Support
Ability: Code Manipulation
Arjun blinked in surprise. He had read enough fantasy novels and played enough games to recognize a system interface, but experiencing it in real life was surreal.
As he explored further, he learned that everyone here had a similar interface, each with unique abilities. Some had combat skills, others had magical talents, and a few, like him, had support abilities. The world they had transmigrated to was teeming with dangerous beasts, some less threatening, others incredibly deadly.
Despite the chaos, Arjun felt a strange sense of calm. His ability, though non-combatant, was still unique. He could manipulate codes within the system, potentially altering or enhancing abilities and objects.
However, this also meant he was seen as less valuable in direct confrontations. Groups quickly formed among the survivors, prioritizing those with combat abilities. Arjun found himself alone, struggling to find anyone who would accept him.
Determined to survive, he began to explore the surroundings, seeking resources and learning about this new world. His programming skills, though seemingly useless at first, began to find application in unexpected ways. He could tweak the system interface, optimize resource management, and even alter the properties of items he found.
But survival was not easy. The world was fraught with peril, and Arjun soon realized he would have to rely on his wits and creativity to navigate this treacherous land.