The serenity of the forest was shattered by an unceremonious arrival. Without fanfare or warning, a void ruptured, and existence shifted. Unnoticed by any living being, an individual materialized, defying the natural order.
No divine radiance, ominous aura, or dramatic effects heralded their presence. The sole indication of their extraordinary nature was the subtle disruption they caused in the environment. The air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy, as if the very fabric of reality had been altered.
The surrounding flora appeared distorted, their leaves twisted and unusual. Clouds, once wispy and white, now hung with an unsettling clarity. Ancient trees, untouched by human hands, loomed like sentinels, their gnarled branches tangled in a primordial dance.
The individual, masculine in appearance, stood 175cm tall. Attired in comfortable, grey attire – long-sleeved shirt, baggy pants, black socks, and worn sandals – they seemed incongruous amidst the pristine wilderness. Their eyes, initially pure white and pupil-less, gradually transformed into light brown, as if awakening from a deep slumber.
Their posture suggested unconsciousness, or perhaps ignorance, of their surroundings. One leg bent, the other straight, their body reclined as if resting. A smartphone lay near their chest, with one hand beside their body and the other lay above the device.
---
"Ughhh..." Sam groaned, shielding his eyes from the intense light. The sudden transition from darkness to radiance threatened to blind him, as if a kaleidoscope of colors had exploded in his vision.
"Who turned on the lights?" he muttered, his voice laced with irritation and disorientation.
As his eyes adjusted, Sam's confusion deepened. He felt the soft, dewy grass beneath him, a stark contrast to the familiar comfort of his bed. His mind reeled, struggling to recall how he ended up here.
The last memory etched in his mind was watching a thrilling livestream on YourTub, his excitement building as he fantasized about acquiring the coveted Qs5 console. The prospect of diving into legendary games like DC:sparkling zero, Black Monkey and Speed × Darkness: Generations had sent his heart racing. The endless grind beckoned, promising hours of immersive escapism.
But now, reality jarred him back to the present. Sam's thoughts sprinted through possibilities, his mind racing in mere seconds. Who could have knocked him unconscious in his room and transported him here? His friends would need keys to enter, and he rarely forgot to lock his door... Had he simply fallen asleep, vulnerable to pranksters?
"15 seconds of bewildered silence ticked by, punctuated only by the sound of his own ragged breathing."
Sam's eyes scanned his surroundings, drinking in the unfamiliar landscape. The ancient trees loomed above, their gnarled branches like nature's own puzzle. The serene forest, once a tranquil oasis, now seemed a cryptic enigma.
With a deep breath, Sam struggled to sit up, his mind still reeling from the sudden shift. As he rose, the world around him began to take shape, and the mystery of his presence here began to unfold.
---
As Sam's frazzled nerves began to settle, he instinctively reached for his phone, only to be greeted by the dismal sight of "No Signal." Undeterred, he attempted to call emergency services, but the silence was deafening.
His frustration was momentarily interrupted by the faint, nostalgic sounds of ~pedepedepedepedepede~, reminiscent of the One Piece transponder snail.
~~pedepedepedepedepede~~
~~pedepedepedepedepede~~
~~pedepedepedepedepede~~
~~gatcha~~
The nostalgic melody was short-lived, replaced by an eerie sequence of **[Lo@ding…]** notifications.
**[Lo@ding…]**
**[Lo@ding…]**
**[Lo@ding…]**
Suddenly, a cryptic message materialized before his eyes:
**[Lo@ding…it has been determined that the transmigration was successful and no errors in selected parameters detected]**
*[Master Sam,it is requested of you to Remain Within 10km Radius]*
*[Leaving the Range Before 24 Hours Passes Will Result in Grave Danger and Consequences]*
The words seared into his vision, leaving Sam reeling. A wave of nausea washed over him, as if he had ingested something toxic. He fought to suppress the rising bile, his stomach churning with unease.
As the queasiness subsided, a dizzying vertigo took hold. The world around him began to spin, threatening to topple him. Yet, Sam remained rooted to the grass, refusing to yield to the disorienting sensation. Lying down, he found solace in the soft blades, his mind racing to comprehend the bizarre events unfolding around him.
The comfort of the grass provided a fleeting respite, but Sam's thoughts swirled with questions. What was this "transmigration"? What lay beyond the 10km radius, and what dangers lurked within? The enigmatic messages hung in the air, taunting him with unanswered questions.
With a deep breath, Sam steadied himself, this time he didn't even try to get up as the grass was comfortable and he can only do his best thinking lying down.
---
«what does it mean»