The sound of wind howling through endless skies reverberated around him. It was a deep, unsettling sound—like the roar of a beast that was too vast for human comprehension.
Lucas awoke with a sudden jolt, his breath catching in his throat. The world around him was not the familiar cityscape of his apartment or the busy streets of downtown. He was lying on cold stone, the edges of his vision blurry, and the scent of moss and damp earth filled the air.
Where am I?
He pushed himself up, his head spinning. His body felt heavier than normal, as though the air itself had become thicker. When he tried to rise to his feet, a strange pressure surged through his chest, and he nearly collapsed. It wasn't physical pain—more like an overwhelming sensation that something had changed. Something important.
Looking around, Lucas saw that he was in the middle of a vast, crumbling ruin. Large stone pillars rose like skeletal remains from the earth, their surfaces etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. Strange symbols floated in the air, drifting lazily around him like fireflies.
A sudden mechanical sound pierced the air, followed by a voice that vibrated directly in his mind.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Welcome to the World of Eternum.
You have been chosen as an Ascendant.
Your journey to greatness begins now.
"Wha—?" Lucas gasped, his mind spinning. His hand instinctively reached for his phone, but it wasn't there. Panic began to rise in his chest.
What the hell is this? A game? A dream?
He tried to recall the last thing that happened before he lost consciousness. He had been walking home from work, exhausted from a grueling day of coding. He had been near an alley when a strange light had suddenly engulfed him. Then... nothing.
The voice returned, this time more insistent.
[SYSTEM]
You have entered the world of Eternum.
Here, the weak perish, and the strong thrive.
Your strength will be determined by your actions.
Unlock your potential and ascend to greatness.
Lucas stared at the notification, his heart racing. He had read countless novels like this, heard about it in stories—about people who were transported to fantasy worlds. Was he... trapped in one of those stories?
Before he could formulate another thought, something caught his eye.
A glowing panel appeared in front of him, floating in mid-air like a translucent screen. It was a blue rectangular interface, with a strange logo at the top. Beneath the logo was his name: Lucas Winthrop, and below it, a set of detailed stats.
[PLAYER INFO]
Name: Lucas Winthrop
Race: Human
Class: Unknown
Level: 1
HP: 100/100
MP: 50/50
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 5
Charisma: 5
Luck: 10
Title: None
A beginner's interface. Nothing special.
But the numbers felt off. The "Luck" stat in particular stood out. Lucas was never one for games or RPGs, but even he knew that a stat like "Luck" could be either a blessing or a curse in a world like this.
What do I do now? He thought. Do I just wait here?
Suddenly, the air around him rippled, and a portal began to form before him. It was an enormous swirl of silver and blue light that seemed to devour the air itself. From the depths of the portal, a figure emerged—a tall, armored man with glowing eyes. He carried a massive sword that radiated an aura of sheer power.
Lucas froze. Was this an enemy? A boss? A guide?
The armored man stepped forward and spoke in a deep, resonant voice.
"You have been chosen, Lucas Winthrop." His voice echoed with an undeniable authority. "The World of Eternum is a place of trial. The weak are culled. Only the strong ascend. Will you survive?"
The question hung in the air, and Lucas's heart pounded in his chest. Was this a test? A way to determine if he had what it took to survive in this world?
Before he could answer, a notification flashed across his vision.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Quest: Trial of the Ascendant
Objective: Defeat the Guardian of Eternum.
Reward: Unlock Class: Warrior, Mage, or Rogue.
Failure: Permanent Death.
Time Remaining: 24 Hours.
"Wait!" Lucas shouted, his mind racing. "What do you mean 'failure?'"
The armored figure's glowing eyes narrowed. "This world is not kind to those who hesitate." He pointed his sword toward Lucas. "Prove your worth, or face annihilation."
Without another word, the guardian vanished, leaving Lucas alone in the ruin. The air was heavy with tension, and the faint sound of something... large moving nearby echoed through the cavernous expanse.
The Guardian of Eternum... Lucas thought, his mind whirling. What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to defeat something like that?
Then, something strange happened.
A notification appeared, and the text changed, now highlighted in bright gold.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have unlocked the ability to access the Drop System.
Every monster you defeat has a 100% chance to drop something.
Use this to your advantage.
Lucas blinked. A drop system? He had heard about systems like this in stories. A world where defeating enemies guaranteed loot—items, weapons, armor, magic. Could it be true?
He glanced around, looking for any sign of danger. He could hear the rumbling again, growing louder. Something was coming.
He raised his fists, unsure of what to expect. This is it, then. This is my chance to fight back.
Chapter 2: The First Kill
The rumbling grew louder, and Lucas barely had time to react before a massive creature emerged from the shadows. It was an enormous, hulking beast—half-lizard, half-scorpion—its scales glistening like obsidian in the dim light.
The creature let out a terrifying roar, sending a wave of fear crashing into Lucas's chest. His instincts screamed at him to run, but he forced himself to stay. He wasn't going to die without a fight.
I need a weapon. His mind raced. Anything!
His hands were empty, and his body felt sluggish, unfamiliar. But then, he remembered the notification. The drop system.
He focused hard, willing himself to summon something, anything.
And just like that, a glowing sword materialized in his hand. It was a simple weapon—barely more than a basic steel longsword—but the weight of it in his hands felt right. His grip tightened.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have received: [Basic Sword - Common]
Attack Power: 10
Durability: 100/100
Without waiting another second, the creature lunged, its claws outstretched.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have unlocked the skill: [Basic Slash].
Use it to deal moderate damage to your enemies.
Lucas raised the sword and swung with all his strength. The blade connected with the creature's armored hide with a deafening clang, and the beast roared in pain, recoiling from the blow.
It works! Lucas thought. I can do this!
The beast snarled and swiped at him with its claws, but Lucas was faster. He ducked and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. As the creature turned to face him again, Lucas saw an opening. Without hesitation, he rushed forward and slashed at its underbelly, aiming for the soft spot.
The sword cut deep, and the beast howled in agony. Blood—dark and viscous—spilled from the wound.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Critical Hit!
Monster: Scaled Scorpion Lizard (Level 5) defeated.
The creature collapsed to the ground with a deafening thud, its massive body twitching once before falling still.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Loot acquired: [Scaled Scorpion Lizard Claw]
[Poison Gland]
[Scaled Hide]
Experience gained: 100
Level up!
New Level: 2
A grin spread across Lucas's face, his heart pounding with adrenaline. It worked! I can get stronger!
For the first time since he had awoken in this strange world, Lucas felt a surge of hope.