Adam moved slowly, each step strained by the ache in his muscles and the weakness of his body.
Emerging from the alley, he found himself facing a bustling marketplace, with shops and stalls stretching out before him, vibrant with activity.
Merchants hawked their wares, and the scent of fresh bread and roasted meat wafted through the air.
It was overwhelming, especially for his empty stomach, which rumbled loudly at the delicious aromas.
As soon as Adam stepped into the crowd, he noticed people avoiding him, their expressions turning to disgust as they caught the odor emanating from his unwashed body.
Though he barely noticed it himself, the people around him clearly did, moving aside with wrinkled noses and wary glances.
The smell of food drew Adam to a nearby food stall, where people were lining up, laughing and chatting. Ignoring their reactions, he shuffled up to the vendor. "Excuse me… may I have some bread, please?" His voice was faint, barely above a whisper.
The vendor glanced at him, a look of irritation flashing across his face. Without hesitation, he barked, "Get out of here, street worm!"
Startled, Adam staggered back, shock coloring his face.
The cold dismissal and contempt in the vendor's voice stung him, and as he looked around, the disapproving stares of the crowd only made him feel smaller.
With a sigh, he turned away, defeated. He tried a few more vendors, but the result was the same each time—rejection.
After several attempts, he gave up, slumping against the wall in a secluded corner of the marketplace. "Guess I'll starve to death on my first day in this world," he thought, feeling the pangs of despair set in.
Just then, a shadow loomed over him. Looking up, Adam saw a figure whose face was hidden beneath a hood, and a strange, almost foreboding energy radiated from them.
"Are you hungry?" the mysterious figure asked.
Adam hesitated, his mind racing. He had learned the hard way that nobody would help him without reason. "Who… are you?"
The figure chuckled softly. "That doesn't matter. The real question is, do you want food?"
Adam swallowed, forcing himself to think clearly. "What do you want in return?"
The mysterious figure seemed momentarily surprised, raising an eyebrow under his hood. "This kid is wary, even in such a state," he thought to himself, mildly impressed.
But he quickly recovered, a glint of authority sharpening his tone. "Beggars can't be choosers, child. The sooner you understand that, the better."
Adam's shoulders sagged. Hunger clawed at his insides, his body weakening further. Resigned, he whispered, "Yes… I need food."
The man removed his hood, revealing a face hardened by countless battles.
A scar ran across his right eye, his expression fierce and commanding. Without a word, he tossed a small cloth bag toward Adam. "Finish it quickly."
Adam opened the bag eagerly, his heart leaping at the sight of fresh bread and savory roasted meat.
Wasting no time, he devoured the food, savoring each bite. As he took a bite of the bread, a thought drifted through his mind, "Ohhh, it's good to be alive."
He barely finished the last bite when the man reached into his pocket and threw a strange metal collar at Adam.
Before he could react, it latched onto his neck, jolting him with a powerful shock. The searing pain coursed through his body, forcing him to his knees.
"This is the price for your meal," the man said coolly. "Remember, nothing is free in this world. That's your second lesson of the day."
The intense shock intensified, spreading agony through Adam's entire body.
He gasped, every muscle tightening, as the man's voice rang out, "Endure this for five minutes, or your death is certain."
At that moment, a transparent blue screen appeared before Adam's eyes, flickering with faint words:
System Activation.
System Integration with Host.
A loading bar filled slowly but steadily—10%, 30%, 60%, 100%.
System Implementation Complete.
Adam's mind struggled to comprehend the words flashing before him. Yet, as another shock hit, a line appeared on the screen:
Host is experiencing high electric shock.
Preparing to counter the electric shock.
Action: Legendary Skill Kinetic Enigma activated.
Absorbing Electric Shock.
The pain gradually began to ebb away. Adam took a deep, shaky breath, relief flooding over him as the electric current finally ceased.
He sat still, dazed and weak, yet somehow alive. The man before him looked genuinely stunned, observing Adam with newfound interest.
"Not bad," he muttered. "Enduring that in your condition… truly commendable."
Adam tried to speak, but his voice was faint. The man continued, "Today, you chose your fate, whether you survive and move forward… or perish like a lost street rat." Then, without warning, the man hoisted Adam onto his shoulder and began to walk away, paying no mind to the stares of onlookers.
Adam didn't resist; in fact, he felt a strange relief. As he rested on the man's broad shoulders, he thought, "Whatever happens, at least I have a system to help me."
The man's footsteps were steady as he carried him, and Adam managed to murmur, "At least… tell me your name."
A slight smile played on the man's face. "Ryker," he said. "And for now, that's all you need to know."
Now, lying over Ryker's shoulder, Adam decided to inspect this "system" he seemed to have acquired. Mentally, he thought the word, Status.
A blue screen appeared before him, revealing his information:
__________________________________________
Name: Adam Bek
Level: 1
Health: 80/140
Mana: 90/100
Experience: 0/100
Attributes:
- Strength: 7
- Agility: 8
- Intelligence: 9
- Endurance: 5
- Luck: 3
Skills:
- Kinetic Enigma (Legendary)
__________________________________________
A grin crossed Adam's face, despite his exhaustion. "Low stats? Figures," he thought.
But the Legendary Skill caught his attention. "Kinetic Enigma… well, guess I'll learn more when I'm alone."
Feeling a small glimmer of hope, Adam allowed himself to relax slightly as Ryker carried him into an uncertain, yet intriguing future.
"Let's see what the future holds for me" Adam thinks
To be connected....