My consciousness felt like it was being sucked down a drain, a violent, spiralling descent into nothingness.
How long had it been?
I couldn't manage to keep track of the flow of time. My mind felt hazy, thick with fog as I drifted in and out of awareness.
Then suddenly, light.
A golden warmth pressed against my eyelids, brightening my vision even though my eyes were squeezed shut.
Slowly, sensation returned. It wasn't immediate; it was a reboot. I felt my fingers first, then the heavy ache in my legs, then the sharp throb in my ribs.
I peeled my eyes open.
I was lying on the ground, staring directly up at a blazing sun. Above me, the branches of a massive oak tree swayed gently, its golden leaves drifting down onto the grass like confetti.
A low groan escaped my lips.
I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my body. My ribs felt tender, my skin bruised. It felt like I had been beaten up by a gang of thugs just minutes before I woke up.
I groaned as I sat up straight.
Looking around, the architecture in the distance, the strange colour of the flora…I can say for sure that there isn't a place like this on earth.
"So, I'm really inside a game now, huh?" I muttered, rubbing my aching shoulder.
"Man, I was reading a smut novel yesterday before sleeping. Why couldn't I have travelled into that instead? At least I could get some action there."
My body still ached as I stretched, my movements stiff with frustration.
"Demon Chronicles," I whispered.
Then, I quickly remembered something. The most important thing.
"Status Window."
A blue holographic screen flickered to life in front of my face.
[YOUR SYSTEM IS LOCKED]
[TO UNLOCK YOUR SYSTEM, YOU MUST COMPLETE THE OBJECTIVE]
I stared at the floating text. Not only did I not get any overpowered cheats, but I didn't even receive a functional System.
Man, fuck this game.
I idly pulled at the grass, ripping the blades out one by one as I thought about what to do.
"Hey, System," I asked casually, staring at the blue box. "Can you interact with the host?"
Silence.
A few minutes passed. The wind rustled the oak leaves.
I guess not.
[YES]
I blinked. Finally, one good thing from this awful transmigration.
"Can you only reply if I speak out loud, or can you hear my thoughts?"
[I CAN ANSWER YOUR THOUGHTS]
Very comfortable. Thank you.
System, I have three questions you need to answer.
One: Do I have a little sister who is sick?
[NO]
Good. No cliché hospital bills to pay.
Two: Am I a noble or a commoner?
[COMMONER]
Figured as much. And three: What is my name?
[YOU MUST UNLOCK THE SYSTEM FOR THAT INFORMATION]
Can't even know my name?
So the information was limited. Even my own identity was paywalled behind this objective.
"How do I unlock the System?" I asked, hoping the answer I received in the void was fake or a hallucination.
[YOU HAVE TO DIE]
"Damn it."
Wait. That seemed vague.
System, give that to me as an official Event.
[EVENT CREATED: UNLOCK THE SYSTEM]
[OBJECTIVE: Experience a Near-Death situation within 24 hours to unlock the System. If you fail, you will be absorbed into the Void.]
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
Oh, only a near-death experience. So I don't actually have to die.
Wait.
In 24 hours?
I glanced at the sun. I had already wasted an hour chatting with this guy.
Why didn't you inform me of the time limit before?
[YOU DIDN'T ASK]
Ah, fuck, man.
It seemed like I didn't have any time to sit around and philosophise about why I travelled here or who the donor was. I had a deadline.
So, am I at the beginning of the story?
[YES]
Which place am I in?
[RAVENGARD]
Okay. Same starting zone as the protagonist. Definitely not a coincidence.
I stood up, brushing the dirt off my clothes. My skin felt warm, lightly tanned by the sunlight.
I walked toward a small stone bridge arching over a flowing river. I leaned over the railing to take a look at my reflection in the water.
Slicked back blonde hair. Pale blue eyes. Sharp jawline.
I had quite a handsome figure. Not a generic mob character face.
Nice work, System.
[ ….. ]
I left the quiet of the bridge and headed toward the crowded area of the town. It was lively, filled with people of different races going about their day.
I saw a beast-kin child selling roasted skewers.
I saw an elf lady selling low-grade potions from a cart.
You know, System, I thought as I walked past them, I remember literally everyone here. Although I don't know their names.
[ ….. ]
I used to practice my combos on these guys before moving to the real boss fights. Beating them up gave me a newfound sense of joy. But seeing them live… makes me feel a little bad.
[YOU ARE AWFUL]
What else did you want me to do? I wanted a perfect streak. Sacrifices had to be made.
And it's not like they suffered any damage.
Growl
My stomach gave a loud rumble, cutting off my internal defence.
Ahh, I'm hungry now. System, do I have money?
[YOU HAVE 300 CRONOS]
300 Cronos. At home, that wouldn't even cover my monthly internet bill.
Fine. Let's get inside the diner near that workshop.
I pushed open the wooden door and walked inside. The smell of roasted meat and stale ale hit me instantly. I sat down at a small, single table.
I scanned the menu for the absolute cheapest item. I didn't know when or if I would see any more money before the story progressed, so I had to be stingy.
I ordered a red berry smoothie. It cost 50 Cronos.
I needed to restore my stamina before starting the "game," and this was the only thing I could justify buying without going broke.
I sipped the drink, watching the room.
At the table next to me, three men were sitting together, laughing loudly. They were rough-looking types, mercenaries or low-level thugs.
A waitress, a young human girl, walked by with a tray. As she passed their table, one of the men, bald and big, shifted his leg.
She tripped.
A cup of juice on her tray tipped over and splashed onto the bald man's tunic.
"What the fuck was that?!" the thug raged, jumping up.
Then, his eyes scanned her slender figure, and his voice dropped an octave, shifting from anger to sleaze.
"Hey, cutie. Mind staying with me for a night to make up for it?"
"She spilt the shit on me," another thug sneered. "She should come with me."
The girl was shaking, her face pale.
"I-I'm sorry, sir! Please forgive me for this… y-you don't have to pay for your next order!"
The thug's face twisted in disgust.
"You bitch. You thought we were asking for your permission?"
He raised his hand, ready to slap her.
Smack.
But before the hit could land, a hand shot out and caught his wrist in mid-air.
"Who the fuck-?"
The thug looked up.
Standing between them was a young man with messy black hair, crimson eyes, and a well-built body that radiated suppressed anger.
Another thug grabbed the newcomer's shirt. "You are dead meat today, kid!"
But before the brawl could start, the heavy boots of the town guards echoed from the entrance. They rushed in, grabbing the thugs and dragging them toward the door.
The girl thanked the black-haired boy again and again, bowing her head rapidly.
I watched the scene unfold from my table, swirling the last of my red smoothie.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is our protagonist: Ardent Vale.
And he will get stabbed tonight by those same people in front of the workshop.
And I…
I will swoop in to save him from getting stabbed.
That will earn me his goodwill.
And it will complete my objective: a Near-Death Experience.
Seeing the pieces fall into place, a smile crept onto my face. From the outside, it probably looked creepy.
[ ….. ]