Morning sunlight filtered through the window, casting a dull glow across the cluttered desk where William sat. Papers piled high, stacked alongside empty coffee cups and unopened mail, bore silent testimony to another day in the same gray routine—hours spent staring at a computer screen, answering emails, and pretending to care about the next meaningless deadline.
He glanced at the clock. It was almost time to leave for work, but his mind kept drifting, drawn away from the monotony by thoughts of something more—anything beyond the mundane rhythm that had consumed his life. Growing up, he had believed he'd do great things, but somehow, the real world had a way of grinding down dreams until nothing remained but a hollow shell.
Dragging himself up from the chair, he grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. As he stepped outside, a cool breeze hit his face, carrying with it a hint of rain. The sidewalk was bustling with people moving at their own hurried paces, all too familiar. His legs moved mechanically, carrying him down the street toward another uninspiring day.
But then it happened.
Without warning, the world shifted. The street vanished, replaced by a blinding flash of light that seared his vision. There was no time to react, no time to understand. It felt as if the very fabric of reality had torn open, pulling him through. A sensation of weightlessness washed over him, followed by darkness.
When the light faded, he found himself lying on his back, staring up at a sky that was not his own. The air was crisp, carrying a faint scent of pine and something else—something magical. He sat up, disoriented, surrounded by a dense forest. The vibrant colors of the foliage seemed too vivid to be real, while sounds of unfamiliar creatures echoed in the distance.
"What... where am I?" His voice trembled as he struggled to make sense of the scene. This place was nothing like the city he had just left. The trees loomed tall and ancient, their bark etched with strange symbols that glowed faintly. It felt like stepping into a dream—or a different world entirely.
As confusion began to settle into unease, a translucent blue screen suddenly appeared in front of his eyes, displaying a message in glowing white text.
[Welcome, New User.]
You have been granted access to the Stat Grid.]
Initializing system... Loading basic data...]
"What... is this?" he muttered, reaching out instinctively to touch the screen. His hand passed right through it as if it were made of light. A voice echoed in his mind—calm, emotionless, and entirely alien.
[User Status: Unregistered.]
Would you like to create a profile? Y/N]
Heart racing, he stared at the screen, feeling equal parts curious and terrified. He had played enough games to recognize the format, but this wasn't a game. The ground beneath him, the chill in the air, the vivid scent of the forest—everything was too real.
"What happens if I don't?" he asked aloud, half-expecting no response.
[User must register to access full system functionality. Failure to do so will result in restricted capabilities.]
The thought of being powerless in an unknown world wasn't appealing. He hesitated, then sighed, deciding to go along with it. "Fine. Yes, I'll register."
[User profile created. Welcome, William.]
[Current Level: 1]
Basic Stats:
Strength 5
Agility 6
Endurance 5
Intelligence 8
Wisdom 7
[Bloodline: Unknown]
[Last Name: Unknown]
[Skills Available: None]
As the information filled the screen, questions surged through his mind. Was this some kind of advanced simulation? A bizarre dream? Or was he truly in another world where the rules of reality bent to include stats and leveling systems? There was no time to figure it out; the sound of rustling leaves drew his attention, followed by a low growl that sent a shiver down his spine.
A creature emerged from the underbrush—a wolf-like beast with matted black fur and eyes that gleamed like molten gold. Larger than any wolf he'd seen, its muscular frame moved with deadly intent. The snarl grew louder as he took a step back, his heart pounding.
Instinctively, he summoned the Stat Grid again, hoping for guidance. But the screen offered only a list of stats and a painfully empty skills section.
[Warning: Hostile entity detected.]
[Quest Initiated: Survive the Blackfang Wolf.]
"Great," he muttered, glancing around for anything that could serve as a weapon. His eyes settled on a nearby branch lying on the ground. It wasn't much, but it would have to do. Grabbing it, he held the makeshift weapon and tried to steady his breathing. The wolf crouched, muscles tensing as it prepared to pounce.
It lunged, and he swung the branch with all his might. It connected with the creature's snout, but the impact barely fazed it. The wolf snapped its jaws, missing his arm by inches as he scrambled backward. His mind raced; he wasn't a fighter, and this thing was going to tear him apart if he didn't figure out something fast.
The Stat Grid blinked with new information.
[Skill Unlock: Basic Combat]
Allows for a minimal boost in hand-to-hand effectiveness.]
"Better than nothing," he muttered, gripping the branch tighter. The wolf lunged again, and he swung, this time aiming for its side. The beast yelped, retreating a few steps. His hands trembled, and a rush of adrenaline surged through his veins. He was outmatched and out of his element—but not out of options.
The determination flared in his chest. This was only the beginning. The world around him was dangerous and filled with mysteries, and if he wanted to survive, he needed to master this strange system guiding his every move.
He had always longed for something beyond the ordinary. Now, standing in a world that defied logic, he had finally found it—or perhaps it had found him.
System Stats Update:
Name: William
Level: 1
Stats:
Strength: 5
Agility: 6
Endurance: 5
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 7
Bloodline: Unknown
Last Name: Unknown
Skills:
Basic Combat (new)
Quests:
Survive the Blackfang Wolf (active)
End of Chapter One.