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."