Max Altorian pedaled furiously down the rain-slicked streets of New York City, his beat-up delivery bike groaning under the weight of its battered frame. The cold wind bit at his face as he dodged through the traffic. It was late, and his delivery app was buzzing with urgency. Rent was overdue, and every penny he made tonight mattered.
His life had always been a constant struggle. Orphaned young and juggling odd jobs to survive, Max dreamed of better days—of breaking free from the crushing weight of poverty. The stories he read in web novels and manhua were his escape. Heroes gaining unimaginable power, ascending realms, and defying the heavens. It was fantasy, but it made his mundane reality a little more bearable.
As he raced to make his last delivery of the night, the screech of tires shattered his thoughts. He turned his head in time to see a massive truck barreling toward him.
"Oh, come on! Really?!" Max shouted, his voice thick with disbelief.
The impact came too fast. The world blurred into darkness.
---
Max awoke to the sensation of rough grass beneath him and the smell of damp earth. His eyes fluttered open, revealing a sky painted in shades of violet and gold. Massive trees, their canopies stretching endlessly, surrounded him. The air felt strange—thicker, heavier, and buzzing with an energy that made his skin tingle.
"Where… am I?" Max muttered, his voice hoarse. He sat up, wincing at the sharp pain coursing through his body. His clothes were different—rough-hewn and primitive compared to his familiar jacket and jeans.
His mind raced. Is this… reincarnation? Did I seriously get hit by Truck-kun?
The absurdity of the thought made him laugh nervously, but that laughter quickly turned into panic as a low growl echoed through the forest.
From the shadows emerged a beast—a wolf-like creature the size of a horse, its fur glistening like black steel. Its eyes gleamed with hunger, and saliva dripped from its fangs.
Max scrambled to his feet, heart pounding. "No, no, no! This can't be happening! I'm not ready for this!"
The beast lunged, its claws ripping through the air. Max dodged clumsily, tripping over a root and landing hard on the ground. Pain shot through his back as he gasped for breath.
The wolf circled him, its movements slow and deliberate, savoring its prey's fear.
"This isn't how it's supposed to go," Max whimpered, tears streaming down his face. "I'm supposed to be the hero, not… not wolf chow!"
The beast pounced, jaws open wide. Time seemed to slow as Max raised his arms in a futile attempt to shield himself.
Then, everything changed.
A sudden ding echoed in his ears, and a translucent interface appeared in his vision.
[Ding! The system has been bound.]
[Welcome, Host, to the Eternal Life System.]
The voice was calm, mechanical, and utterly surreal.
"What?" Max whispered, frozen in disbelief.
[Activating novice protection protocol.]
A barrier of golden light erupted around Max just as the wolf's jaws closed in. The beast yelped in pain, recoiling from the searing energy.
Max stared, mouth agape, as the interface expanded.
[Congratulations, Host! You have unlocked the path to eternal life. Beginning emergency cultivation protocol…]
A surge of warmth flooded Max's body, and a faint glow enveloped him. He felt stronger, his senses sharper, his fear melting into a strange mix of awe and determination.
The wolf growled, shaking off its initial shock, and charged again. But this time, Max didn't feel helpless.
"Let's do this," he muttered, his voice trembling but resolute.
The system's voice chimed again. [Combat mode engaged. Good luck, Host.]
Max clenched his fists, a newfound energy pulsing through him. The fight for survival had begun, and for the first time in his life, he felt like he had a fighting chance.