Amir awoke the next morning to the scent of fresh herbs and the sound of birds chirping outside the small wooden cabin. The events of the previous night felt like a dream—an impossibility. He stared up at the thatched ceiling, his mind struggling to make sense of everything. His body, now in the form of a child, ached in places he hadn't expected, as if the physical strain of the night before had taken its toll on his very bones. Yet, there was something different about him. Something… otherworldly.
He sat up and stared at his hands. His fingers were small, slender, and smooth, no signs of the adult life he had lived just hours ago. His reflection in the small basin by his bed only confirmed the shock: a child, no more than ten years old, stared back at him with wide, confused eyes.
"What the hell is going on?" he muttered under his breath, running his hands through his hair—thick and black, just like before. This can't be real. It's too much...
His heart still raced in disbelief, and the chime of the Noor System echoed in his mind, that strange, glowing screen floating before him in the empty air.
---
Noor System Activated.
Primary Domain: Noor (Light).
Secondary Domain: Zulmat (Darkness).
Objective: Assist Hakim in tending to the village fields.
Reward: Strength +1, Basic Skill: Shifa (Healing).
---
Amir gripped his head, his fingers digging into his scalp as the words on the screen shimmered before his eyes. It felt so real—too real. The cold sweat trickling down his spine wasn't the only thing reminding him that something was different.
He tried to steady his breath, forcing himself to think clearly. The last thing he remembered was the crash, the way the truck had come out of nowhere, and then—then… he'd died. No, he wasn't just dead. He was… reborn?
The door creaked open, and Amir's thoughts were interrupted by Hakim's voice. "Ah, you are awake. Alhamdulillah. Come, child, I will show you the work that needs to be done today."
Amir looked up to find Hakim standing at the threshold, a kind expression on his face. Despite the man's weathered appearance, his eyes were sharp, full of life and wisdom. Hakim motioned for Amir to follow him outside.
Amir stood up, the ache in his limbs persistent but not unbearable. It was as if his body were a strange mix of weakness and hidden potential—like a tool that had just been pulled from its sheath, waiting to be honed.
"What is this place?" Amir asked, his voice sounding smaller than he intended.
"This is our village," Hakim said, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. "It is a humble place, but we take care of each other. Come, I will show you what you need to do."
Amir followed him outside, blinking as the morning light hit his eyes. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, casting long shadows across the village. The air was cool, tinged with the scent of the wet earth and fresh dew. The village itself was nestled in a valley, surrounded by dense forest and rugged hills. Simple wooden homes dotted the landscape, smoke curling from chimneys as the villagers began their day.
Hakim led Amir down a narrow path that wound through the fields. The ground was soft underfoot, and the rhythmic sound of animals in the distance mixed with the occasional murmur of the villagers' voices.
"We work the fields, child," Hakim said, gesturing to the expanse of farmland. "The earth provides for us, and we must take care of it. It is a labor of love, of faith."
Amir nodded, his mind still racing. He could feel the pull of something deeper within him—an unfamiliar strength, but it was faint. He had no idea how to tap into it, how to control it. He could barely even make sense of the Noor System that had greeted him earlier.
"Do you know how to tend the fields?" Hakim asked, turning to face Amir.
Amir hesitated. "Not exactly. I mean, I've… I've seen it done before."
Hakim raised an eyebrow, as if sensing the uncertainty in Amir's voice. "No matter. The work will teach you. But you must approach it with sincerity. Remember, faith is not merely a belief—it is action. The fields will not grow by themselves."
With that, Hakim handed Amir a small hoe, the wooden handle smooth from years of use. "Start with this section. Break the soil, prepare it for planting. And remember, as you work, let your heart align with your task. Only through sincerity will you grow."
Amir took the tool from Hakim, still unsure of what he was supposed to do. His fingers clenched around the handle, and as he bent to the task, the faintest warmth bloomed in his chest. It wasn't much—just a flicker of something, like a distant spark. But it was there.
The screen in his mind blinked again, and a new line of text appeared.
---
New Task: Cultivate the Soil.
Reward: Faith +1.
---
Amir frowned. Faith? The word struck a chord in him, but it didn't make sense. What did faith have to do with breaking the soil? This felt more like a test than a chore.
He swung the hoe into the earth, the blade biting into the soil. The task was simple, but his mind kept drifting back to the strange system. Noor System, it had called itself. And it had tied his abilities—whatever they were—to his faith. But how?
As he worked, he focused on the task, trying to still his mind and align with the work at hand. There was something calming about the steady rhythm of his movements, the feel of the earth beneath his hands, and the faint warmth that bloomed in his chest each time he pushed the tool into the soil.
The sun climbed higher, and soon Amir was drenched in sweat. His small frame wasn't accustomed to such physical exertion, but there was a part of him that felt... alive, as if the work was pushing something deeper within him to the surface. His muscles screamed for rest, but he continued to push forward.
Suddenly, the screen flashed again.
---
Task Completed: Cultivate the Soil.
Reward: Strength +1, Faith +1.
---
Amir paused, wiping the sweat from his brow, and glanced at the screen, disbelief spreading across his face. Strength? Faith? These weren't just ordinary rewards. He was being… leveled up?
Hakim walked over to him, watching with quiet approval. "Well done, child. You've worked with sincerity. You've begun to understand the lesson."
Amir swallowed hard, his throat dry. "What lesson? What's happening to me?"
Hakim chuckled softly. "The work is just the beginning. It's not enough to simply go through the motions. You must understand the deeper meaning behind everything. Faith is the foundation, but action is what brings it to life."
Amir didn't fully understand, but the more Hakim spoke, the more he felt something within himself—an unfamiliar power, a current running just beneath the surface. The Noor System was real, and it was tied to his actions, his sincerity, and his faith.
"What do I do now?" Amir asked, wiping his hands on his tunic.
Hakim smiled again. "Now, you rest. You've earned it. But remember, the work is never done. You must continue to seek knowledge, to grow. You are on a journey, Amir. And this is just the beginning."
---
As Amir settled down for a brief rest, the sun shining down on the village, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a second chance. It was a test—a trial. His path was unclear, but one thing was certain: whatever this journey was, it would change him.
And the Noor System? It was just the beginning.