The Matchstick Man
Chapter 1: The Endless Sea
Part 1: The World of the Sea
In an alternate world far removed from the familiar, an infinite ocean stretched as far as the eye could see. At the heart of this boundless sea floated a colossal ship, its size spanning over 8,600,000 square kilometers—large enough to rival a small continent.
A cold, mechanical voice echoed through the darkness, accompanied by a faint blue glow.
"System integration with host in progress... 80%... 90%... 99%... 100%."
"Congratulations. You have successfully integrated with the system."
A groggy voice responded, breaking the silence.
"What's going on? Am I... not dead? Where is this place? And who's speaking?"
The man, named John Westwood, opened his eyes to find himself standing aboard the massive ship, surrounded by the infinite sea with no land in sight.
The System and a New Reality
The mysterious voice replied,
"I am the Matchstick System. Currently, only the status window and inventory functions are available. Host, please level up to unlock additional features."
John let out a soft sigh and opened his status window:
John Westwood
HP: 150
MP: 300
Attack: 9
Defense: 20
Intelligence: 66
Luck: 9
Skills
Fireball (Basic) LV1
Passive Skills
Calm Mind (Enhances focus in critical situations)
Checking his inventory, he found only five pieces of bread.
"What kind of life is this... It looks like it won't be easy."
The City of Beastfolk
As he explored the enormous ship, John stumbled upon a bustling city inhabited by anthropomorphic creatures. These beastfolk went about their daily lives, seemingly unbothered by the world's peculiarities. John quickly searched for a reflective surface to check his appearance.
The reflection startled him—his head was now bright red, resembling the tip of a matchstick, and his body had taken on a humanoid, wooden form.
A friendly voice broke his train of thought.
"What's wrong? You look shocked," said an orange-furred feline beastman running a fish stall.
John quickly composed himself and replied,
"It's nothing."
The Truth of Noah's World
After some conversation, John learned that the fish vendor's name was Shin Hart, a kind-hearted beastman who owned the stall. Shin explained the basics of this strange world.
"This is Noah," Shin began, "a massive ship that's been floating in the sea for over 300 years since the Great Flood."
He continued, "The creatures here have evolved far beyond what you can imagine. Every year, we face something called the 'Wave.'"
"The Wave?" John asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes. The Wave brings terrifying creatures from the ocean's depths to the surface. Every time it comes, countless lives are lost."
Shin sighed deeply.
"The last Wave hit 50 years ago and nearly destroyed everything. Even now, we must remain prepared in case it happens again."
John listened intently, unease creeping into his thoughts. This new world wasn't just strange—it was fraught with dangers he could scarcely imagine.
(End of Part 1)