The sound of distant thunder rumbled across the summer sky as Adrian Zold trudged down the empty street, his schoolbag slung over one shoulder. It was July 15, 2030, a date he would remember forever, though he didn't know it yet. The air was heavy, and the faint scent of ozone tickled his nose. He paused, glancing up at the darkening clouds.
"Storm's coming," he muttered, quickening his pace.
He didn't make it far.
Without warning, a pulse of energy rippled through the air, making his skin prickle. A tear appeared in the sky above him, a gaping rift of swirling light and shadow. His instincts screamed for him to run, but his legs refused to move. Before he could even think to call for help, the rift expanded, sucking him into a vortex of chaos.
When Adrian opened his eyes, he found himself sprawled on a patch of scorched earth beneath a blood-red sky. The air was thick with heat, and the ground trembled as distant roars echoed across the barren wasteland.
[Initializing System…]
The voice was cold and mechanical, cutting through the haze of his confusion. A translucent screen appeared before him, floating in the air.
> Welcome, User. You have been integrated into the Black System.
Analyzing current status…
Name: Adrian Zold
Level: 1
Title: None
Abilities: None
"What the hell is this?" Adrian whispered, staring at the screen in disbelief.
Before he could process the implications, a deafening roar shattered the silence. He turned, his heart plummeting as a massive beast emerged from the shadows a monster with scales, fangs, and glowing red eyes.
"It's a Drake!" Adrian shout
[New Quest: Survive.]
The Black System's cold words sent a chill down his spine, but there was no time to hesitate. The beast charged, and adrenaline surged through Adrian's veins. He barely managed to dodge its first swipe, tumbling to the ground in a clumsy roll.
"Think, think!" he muttered, his mind racing. The System had given him nothing no weapons, no abilities but it had to mean something, right?
As the beast lunged again, instinct took over. He grabbed a jagged piece of rock from the ground and thrust it forward, aiming for the creature's glowing eye. The makeshift weapon struck true, and the beast let out an ear-splitting screech before collapsing.
[Quest Complete: Survive.]
[Level Up!]
A surge of warmth flooded Adrian's body as the screen updated.
> Level: 2
New Ability Unlocked: Void control(Basic)
He stared at the glowing words, realization dawning. If he was going to survive in this world, he would have to rely on the Black System.
And he intended to master it.