"This is it," Phoenix muttered, his voice laced with exhaustion and determination. "This design will change everything."
Hours later, after reviewing every detail, he leaned back and let out a deep sigh. The deadline loomed, but for now, his work was done. Stretching his stiff muscles, Phoenix grabbed his coat and left the building. As he stepped outside, rain drizzled from the darkened sky. He pulled out an umbrella, the city's neon lights reflecting off the wet pavement.
The sound of his footsteps was soon interrupted by a sharp scream.
"Help! Somebody, please!"
Phoenix's head snapped in the direction of the voice. His heart raced as he scanned the alleyways, finally spotting a woman being cornered by two men. One of them clutched her purse while the other brandished a knife.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" Phoenix shouted, pulling out his phone to dial the police.
The robbers turned, their expressions darkening. The one with the knife snarled, "Mind your own business, pal."
Ignoring the warning, Phoenix approached cautiously. "The police are on their way. Just give back the purse and leave."
The thug with the purse sneered. "Oh, tough guy, huh? Let's see how tough you really are."
Before Phoenix could react, the man lunged. Years of self-defense training kicked in, and Phoenix dodged, countering with a punch that sent the man stumbling. But as he turned to face the second attacker, pain exploded in his abdomen. The knife-wielding robber had struck. Phoenix staggered, his hand clutching the wound as blood seeped through his fingers. The robbers panicked and fled, leaving the woman sobbing and Phoenix collapsing to the ground.
"Hang on!" the woman cried, kneeling beside him. "Help is coming!"
Phoenix's vision blurred, the world fading around him. His thoughts drifted to unfinished designs and unspoken dreams. Then, there was nothing.
When Phoenix opened his eyes, he was met with the sight of a dimly lit room. The walls were plain, the furniture minimal: a small bed, a wooden table, and a single chair.
"I'm… alive?" he murmured, his voice hoarse. Pushing himself off the cold floor, he glanced around. The room's simplicity felt oddly familiar, though he couldn't place why.
Staggering to his feet, Phoenix's gaze fell on a mirror. The reflection staring back was not his own. Jet-black hair, amethyst eyes, and sharp, unfamiliar features stared back at him.
"What the…" he gasped, stumbling backward and landing on the floor. His heart pounded as confusion and panic set in.
Suddenly, a glowing panel materialized before him, its light casting strange shadows in the room.
[Extra's System Online] [Synchronization Complete]
"What is this?" Phoenix muttered, his hand reaching for the panel only for it to phase through the light.
[Welcome, User.] [You are in the world of Aethera.]
"Aethera?" Phoenix repeated, his mind racing. "Wait… isn't that the game I played when I was 18?"
Panic gave way to realization as fragments of the game's lore surfaced in his mind.
"Who am I?" he asked aloud. The system responded by displaying a profile.
[Name: Phoenix Knight] [Skill: Overhaul - Manipulate matter by dismantling and assembling it.]
His jaw dropped as he read the description. "Dismantling and assembling? That's… my expertise." Memories of his previous life flooded back: becoming a celebrated engineer at 22, crafting groundbreaking technologies, and the pride he felt in his work.
"But why am I here?" he wondered aloud, frustration creeping into his voice.
As if on cue, his eyes landed on an ornate envelope resting on the table. The intricate design and wax seal hinted at its importance. With trembling hands, Phoenix broke the seal and unfolded the letter inside.
Orientation begins tomorrow at 8:00 AM. Do not be late.
The simple yet formal message left no room for ambiguity. Phoenix exhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down.
"Okay, Phoenix," he muttered to himself. "You're alive. You're in a game world. And you're an extra. No one knows you. That's fine. That's good. All you have to do is survive."
Clutching the letter, he resolved to face whatever lay ahead. Little did he know, his journey in Aethera had only just begun.