The blinding light that had consumed Alex Bohn subsided, leaving him disoriented and trembling. His vision slowly cleared, and the first thing he noticed was the grandeur of his surroundings.
He stood in a massive hall, the marble floors reflecting the light of dozens of chandeliers above. But what caught his attention most were the four robed figures standing a few feet away, their faces obscured by deep hoods. Their presence was commanding, radiating an aura that demanded attention.
Alex's breath hitched. His first instinct was to back away, but his feet felt rooted to the ground. As he steadied himself, he noticed three others standing nearby, their expressions a mix of confusion and wariness.
They were as out of place as he was.In front of the hooded figures, the four of them stood in silence.
"Welcome, summoned heroes."
One of the robed figures spoke, his voice echoing through the hall. It was deep and resonant, carrying a weight of authority.
"You have been chosen by the Kingdom of Eldoria to save this world from impending doom."
Alex glanced at the others, noting their contrasting appearances. To his left was a tall, broad-shouldered man with blonde hair and sharp blue eyes. His confident stance and the way he scanned the room suggested he was no stranger to being in the spotlight.
To his right stood a petite woman with sleek black hair tied in a neat ponytail. She appeared calm but distant, her eyes fixed on the robed figures as if analyzing every word. Further to the right was a lean young man with jet-black hair and a serious expression.
His eyes darted around the room, taking in every detail with quiet precision.The robed man continued, his tone unwavering.
"You are no longer in your world. Here, you are chosen heroes, each granted a unique Heroic Skill. With these abilities, you will aid us in defeating the Demon Lord who threatens our existence."
Alex's heart pounded. Heroic Skills? Demon Lord? This had to be a dream. He pinched his arm, hoping to wake up, but the dull pain only confirmed the reality of his situation.
"State your names and your Heroic Skills."
Another robed figure demanded, their voice sharp and impatient. The blonde man stepped forward confidently, his voice firm.
"Dylan Carter. My Heroic Skill is Universal Adaptation."
The robed figures exchanged approving nods, and a faint murmur spread through the hall. Dylan's confident smirk widened, his posture radiating pride.
The petite woman followed, her tone measured and precise.
"Jina Park. My Heroic Skill is Arcane Convergence."
Another wave of murmurs rippled through the room. The robed figures seemed impressed, their postures straightening slightly.
The black-haired man spoke next, his voice low and deliberate.
"Ichiro Matsumoto. My Heroic Skill is Shadow Assassin."
This time, the murmurs grew louder, tinged with excitement. The robed figures' reactions were even more pronounced, their whispers laced with admiration.
Finally, it was Alex's turn. He hesitated, his palms clammy. He didn't feel like a hero, and the idea of having a [Heroic Skill] seemed absurd.
"Uh, Alex Bohn," he stammered. "My Heroic Skill is Online Browsing."
The room fell silent. The approving murmurs ceased, replaced by confused glances and barely concealed scoffs.
One of the robed figures tilted their head, as if doubting what they'd heard."Online Browsing?" the figure repeated, their tone incredulous.
"What manner of skill is that?"
Dylan couldn't suppress a laugh.
"Seriously? That's your skill? What are you going to do, look up how to fight demons on Google?"
Alex's face burned with embarrassment. He clenched his fists, his mind racing for a retort, but none came. Jina's expression remained neutral, though her gaze lingered on Alex for a moment longer than the others. Ichiro simply glanced at Alex briefly before returning his attention to the robed figures.
The lead figure raised a hand, silencing the whispers.
"All Heroic Skills are granted for a purpose."
They said, though their tone carried a hint of skepticism.
"You will have the opportunity to prove your worth in the trials ahead."
Dylan rolled his eyes but said nothing, his confident smirk returning as the robed figure continued.
"You will each undergo training to hone your abilities. Only through strength and unity can you hope to defeat the Demon Lord. Until then, you are dismissed to your quarters."
The heroes were led through winding corridors by a silent attendant. The castle was grand, its walls adorned with intricate tapestries and glowing crystals that lit their path. Alex lagged behind the group, his thoughts swirling. How was he supposed to fight with a skill like Online Browsing? The weight of the other heroes' judgment hung heavy on him.
Their quarters were modest but comfortable. Each room was equipped with a simple bed, a desk, and a small chest for belongings. Alex sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the faintly glowing interface in front of him.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Name: Alex Bohn
Level: 1
Attributes:- STR: 3- AGI: 4
- INT: 5
- END: 4
EXP: 0%/100%
Heroic Skills:
Online Browsing (+)
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He tapped the "(+)" symbol out of curiosity. Instantly, a familiar browser interface appeared, complete with a search bar and icons for various websites. Alex's stomach sank.
"Great."
He muttered.
"I've been summoned to save a world, and my big power is… the internet."
A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. It was Jina. She stepped into the room, her posture reserved but her eyes inquisitive.
"You seem troubled."
She said, her voice soft.
Alex hesitated, unsure of how much to share.
"I… I don't think I'm cut out for this. My skill feels useless compared to yours."
Jina regarded him thoughtfully.
"Skills are tools. Their value depends on how you use them. Perhaps your skill has applications you haven't considered yet."
Her words offered a sliver of hope, but Alex's doubts lingered.
"Thanks," he said quietly. "I'll try to figure it out."
Jina nodded, her expression unreadable.
"We'll need everyone's strength for what's ahead. Don't underestimate yourself."
As she left, Alex leaned back against the wall, her words echoing in his mind. He pulled up the browser again, staring at the search bar. Maybe she was right. Maybe there was more to his skill than he realized. For now, all he could do was try.
Meanwhile, Dylan and Ichiro stood in a training hall, testing their abilities. Dylan grinned as he adapted effortlessly to the tasks presented, his movements fluid and confident. Ichiro, in contrast, moved with calculated precision, his strikes silent and deadly.
"This is going to be a cakewalk."
Dylan said, tossing a practice sword aside.
"That Demon Lord doesn't stand a chance."
Ichiro said nothing, his focus unwavering as he practiced a series of swift, precise movements. He preferred action to words, letting his skill speak for itself.
Jina watched from a distance, her gaze flickering between the two. She turned her attention back to her own training, channeling a surge of magical energy that illuminated the room. Sweat beaded on her forehead, but her resolve remained firm.
The heroes had taken their first steps in this new world, each grappling with their abilities and the weight of their roles. For Alex, the path ahead was uncertain, but he knew one thing for sure: he had to find a way to make his skill matter. And he would—no matter what it took.