The day it happened started out like any other. Alex Carter was sitting at his desk, staring at the screen of his ancient laptop. The glow of the monitor cast a faint light over his small room, and the hum of the fan in the corner was the only sound accompanying his thoughts. His life wasn't what you'd call remarkable—just another 25-year-old stuck in a dead-end job, living paycheck to paycheck.
To distract himself from reality, Alex turned to his favorite pastime: fantasy novels. Worlds filled with magic, swords, and adventure were his escape from the monotony. Little did he know, his life was about to take a turn that would make those stories seem like child's play.
It began with a loud crack, like thunder had struck directly above his apartment. His laptop screen flickered, and then everything went black. The room was plunged into darkness, save for a faint, glowing symbol that appeared in mid-air before him.
"What the—?" Alex barely had time to react before the symbol pulsed, and a voice boomed in his head.
"Chosen One, your destiny awaits."
"Chosen one? Wait, what?!" Alex stood up so fast his chair toppled over. Before he could process what was happening, the glowing symbol expanded, engulfing the entire room. His vision blurred, his body felt weightless, and in the next instant, he was no longer in his apartment.
Alex found himself standing in the middle of a sprawling meadow. The sky above was an impossible shade of blue, and twin suns shone brightly, casting a golden hue over the landscape. The air smelled fresher than anything he'd ever breathed, and the grass beneath his feet felt softer than any carpet.
"Where… am I?" Alex whispered, turning in circles.
"Welcome to Aerithia," the voice boomed again, but this time, it seemed to come from all around him.
"Aerithia?" Alex echoed.
"Yes, a world on the brink of destruction. You have been summoned to become its savior."
"Wait, wait, hold on a second. Summoned? Savior? I think you've got the wrong guy. I'm just some random dude who spends way too much time reading fantasy novels."
"You have been chosen for your untapped potential," the voice replied. "You shall be granted the power to rise above all others and fulfill your destiny."
Before Alex could argue further, a glowing screen appeared before him, like something out of a video game.
Status Update: Beginner Hero
Name: [Input Name]Class: UndefinedSkills: NoneTitles: None
"Is this... a stat screen?" Alex muttered, poking at it. His hand went right through, but the screen remained.
"Your journey begins now," the voice continued. "Awaken your powers and save this world. But beware—great trials lie ahead."
And just like that, the voice was gone. Alex stood there, staring at the floating screen, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"Well, this is insane," Alex said to no one in particular. "But if this is anything like the stories I've read, the first thing I need to do is figure out how this works."
He willed the screen to close, and to his surprise, it disappeared. Taking a deep breath, Alex decided to explore his surroundings. The meadow stretched out as far as the eye could see, but in the distance, he spotted a forest.
"Let's start there," he said, setting off.
As Alex approached the forest, he noticed the air grew cooler, and the sounds of birds and rustling leaves filled his ears. It was peaceful, almost serene—until the ground shook beneath his feet.
"What now?!" Alex shouted, stumbling backward.
A monstrous creature emerged from the trees—a wolf the size of a small car, its eyes glowing red and its fangs bared.
"Of course," Alex muttered. "No isekai story is complete without a deadly first encounter."
The wolf growled, and Alex froze. He had no weapons, no skills, and no idea how to fight. His heart raced as the beast lunged toward him.
In that moment, something awakened inside him. A surge of energy coursed through his body, and instinctively, he raised his hand. A burst of light shot out, striking the wolf mid-air and sending it crashing into a tree.
"What… was that?" Alex whispered, staring at his hand.
The wolf didn't get up. It dissolved into particles of light, leaving behind a small crystal that floated toward him. Another screen appeared.
You have defeated a Dire Wolf.
Gained: 100 EXPAcquired: Mana Crystal (Low Grade)
Alex stared at the screen, then at the crystal now hovering in front of him. Tentatively, he reached out and grabbed it.
"Okay, so I have magic," Alex said, trying to steady his breathing. "This might not be so bad after all."
As Alex continued through the forest, he encountered more creatures. Each battle unlocked more of his potential, and by the time he reached a clearing, he had a better grasp of his abilities. Fireballs, ice spikes, lightning bolts—he could summon them all with just a thought.
"This is insane," Alex muttered, looking at his glowing hands. "I'm actually OP."
But as the adrenaline from the battles wore off, a new feeling began to creep in: loneliness. Alex had always imagined how cool it would be to be transported to another world, but he never thought about what it would feel like to leave everything behind. His family, his friends—even the annoying neighbor who always blasted loud music.
Sitting down on a fallen log, Alex sighed. "What's the point of being overpowered if there's no one to share it with?"
As if in response to his thoughts, the glowing symbol from before reappeared.
"Chosen One," the voice said. "Your journey has just begun. You now possess the power to shape this world as you see fit. Use it wisely."
An idea sparked in Alex's mind. If he could defeat monsters and wield magic, who's to say he couldn't find a way to bring his family here?
A determined smile spread across his face. "Alright, Aerithia. Let's see what you've got.