Ethan sat hunched over on his couch, staring at his cracked phone screen. The room around him was dim, the only light coming from the flickering bulb above his head and the blue glow from his phone. His stomach grumbled loudly, a reminder that he hadn't eaten much today. He scrolled through the job listings, hoping for something, anything, that might help him escape his current situation.
"Minimum 3 years of experience required."
"Degree preferred."
"Competitive candidates only."
He rolled his eyes, leaning back into the couch with a sigh.
"Yeah, because a broke guy like me has a degree."
He ran a hand through his messy hair. His clothes were worn, and his shoes were scuffed from too many miles walked in search of work. His last meal was a sad cup of instant ramen, no meat, no eggs—just plain noodles. At least it was something.
As his finger tapped the screen, he stopped at a new listing that caught his eye.
"Part-Time Night Cleaner – No Experience Needed!"
That was it. No interview, no qualifications—just "show up and work." It seemed too good to be true, but at this point, he was desperate. He had to take a chance. With a quick tap, he applied.
Seconds later, he received a response:
"You're hired. Shift starts at 10 PM. Address below."
Ethan blinked. There were no questions, no paperwork—just an immediate offer. Something felt off about it, but he couldn't afford to care. He needed the money.
After a moment's hesitation, he grabbed his jacket, threw on his shoes, and left the apartment.
---
The office building was eerily quiet when Ethan arrived. A few lights flickered in the hallways, casting long shadows across the floor. It looked deserted, like no one had worked there in years.
He stepped into the building, the sound of his boots echoing as he walked down the empty corridor. The building was cold, and there was an unsettling smell of old paper and stale coffee. It wasn't the kind of place that made you feel welcome.
For the next few hours, Ethan cleaned—mopping floors, emptying trash cans, and wiping down desks. The work was mind-numbing but simple enough. It was just a job, and at the moment, that was all he needed.
But then, around midnight, he saw something he wasn't supposed to see.
A door.
An old, wooden door that didn't belong. It was hidden in a corner, almost as if it had been there for centuries, with intricate glowing symbols carved into its surface.
His instincts screamed at him to turn back, but something in his gut told him he needed to open it.
Taking a deep breath, he reached out and grabbed the handle. The moment he touched it, a sharp pain shot through his hand, followed by a bright flash of light.
And then, the world around him shattered.
---
Ethan's eyes snapped open.
He was no longer in the dimly lit office. He was lying on cold stone, his body aching as though he had been dropped from a great height. His surroundings were unfamiliar—towering stone buildings, people dressed in medieval clothes, and a sky that was clear and bright, unlike anything he had ever seen.
He pushed himself up, looking around in confusion. The streets were bustling with people—some in armor, others in robes, and still others in tunics. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread. The place felt alive, but… wrong.
[Welcome, Traveler. You have entered the world of Eldoria.]
A sudden message popped up in front of his eyes. The text hovered in the air, glowing faintly. Ethan blinked, still trying to process what was happening.
[Please read the following information carefully.]
He was no longer on Earth. He didn't know how he knew that, but it was undeniable. Eldoria wasn't his world. He wasn't even sure how to respond to this sudden change.
But before he could dwell on it, a new message appeared.
[Unique Skill Acquired: Attribute Mimicry]
A translucent panel unfolded before him.
───≪ SKILL: ATTRIBUTE MIMICRY ≫───
Description: Allows the user to copy one attribute from any being.
Ethan can only copy one attribute from a person—permanently.
The copied attribute does not weaken the original owner.
Copying an attribute causes intense physical strain.
Ethan's fingers trembled as he read through the information. The words didn't quite make sense, but one thing was clear—he had just acquired a power that could potentially change everything.
But as quickly as the message appeared, it faded, and his surroundings came back into focus. People passed him by, going about their business as though nothing was unusual. Ethan was on the ground, looking like a complete mess, but no one seemed to pay him any attention. He could barely process what had just happened.
Then, out of nowhere, another message appeared in front of him, causing his heart to skip a beat.
[Do you wish to use Attribute Mimicry on this target?]
Ethan froze, looking around. Standing a few feet away was a man who seemed to stand out from the rest of the crowd.
The man was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a set of heavy armor. A giant sword was strapped to his back, and his very presence seemed to push people aside. His confidence was palpable, as if he were someone to be reckoned with.
Ethan couldn't look away. There was something about the man that drew him in—something strong.
A new screen popped up, showing the man's status.
───≪ TARGET IDENTIFIED ≫───
Name: Sir Aldric Vael
Race: Human
Strength: 25
Agility: 18
Endurance: 22
Intelligence: 12
Mana: 10
It was as if the system was urging him to act.
[Do you wish to use Attribute Mimicry on this target?]
[Yes] | [No]
Without thinking, Ethan selected [Yes].
Instantly, a rush of power surged through him. He gasped as the pain began—sharp, searing, all-consuming. It felt as if his entire body was being torn apart, every muscle and bone screaming in agony. His legs gave out, and he fell to the ground, clutching his chest as the world around him spun.
The pain… it was unbearable. It felt as though every fiber of his being was being ripped apart. His muscles tore and reformed, bones cracking and reshaping. It was like a physical rebirth, but one that came at an agonizing price.
[Strength Copied: +25]
The pain began to subside, but the damage had been done. Ethan lay on the ground, gasping for breath. His limbs felt heavy, his chest tight, but there was no denying it. He could feel the newfound strength pulsing within him. He flexed his hands, and for the first time in his life, he felt the power in his grip. His arms, once weak and tired, now felt like steel.
He shakily rose to his feet, testing his strength. He felt stronger than he ever had before—more capable, more powerful. He could almost sense the power flowing through his veins.
But there was a price.
Ethan's chest ached. His breathing was labored, and he felt a lingering strain deep in his muscles. The warning from the system echoed in his mind.
[Warning: Excessive use of Attribute Mimicry may result in permanent damage.]
The pain wasn't just a side effect; it was a part of the process. Copying an attribute didn't come without consequences.
Ethan clenched his fists, trying to steady himself. The power was tempting, but it was clear now that it wasn't something to be taken lightly. Every time he used it, the cost would increase.
He couldn't help but feel the weight of the responsibility. He had the power to change his life, but it came with a price—a price he wasn't sure he was ready to pay.
But for now, he had strength. And that was a start.