I didn't see it coming. One second, I was scrolling through my phone, watching yet another video that added nothing to my life. The next, I was falling—plummeting through an endless void, weightless and disoriented.
When I finally opened my eyes, I wasn't in my dingy apartment anymore. Instead, I was sprawled on a patch of soft grass, staring up at a sky so blue it felt unreal. Birds chirped in the distance, their songs crisp and clear, not the muffled squawks of city pigeons.
Was I dreaming?
I sat up, my heart pounding. My clothes were different—simple, rustic. Brown trousers and a loose white tunic. My hands, once scrawny and pale, were now calloused and strong.
And then, it happened.
DING!
A sound echoed in my head, sharp and unmistakable.
Welcome, New Player!
You have awakened the Hero's Infinite Growth System.
Level 1
"What the—?" I muttered, my voice barely a whisper.
A glowing screen materialized in front of me, like something out of a video game:
Name: Leon
Level: 1
Strength: 5
Agility: 4
Intelligence: 6
I blinked, rubbed my eyes, even pinched my arm. "Ow!"
Nope, not a dream.
A Quest Begins
The screen flickered, updating with a new message:
Quest: Gather Firewood
Reward: 10 EXP
Bonus: +1 Strength if completed under 10 minutes
"Firewood? Really?" I groaned.
It wasn't exactly the epic start I'd imagined, but if this system worked like a game, quests meant progress. And progress meant power.
I got to my feet and scanned the area. The trees nearby were thick with branches, some already broken and scattered on the ground. I grabbed a stick.
DING! You have gathered 1/5 Firewood.
It worked.
The First Step to Power
After gathering the last piece of wood, the screen lit up again:
Quest Complete!
Reward: +10 EXP
Bonus Achieved: +1 Strength
A sudden warmth surged through my body. My muscles tightened, and I felt… stronger.
Strength: 6
It wasn't much, but it was real.
I clenched my fists, a grin spreading across my face.
"I can do this."