In the bustling city of modern Earth, Alex Thompson was just another 17-year-old gamer, glued to his screen, grinding levels in fantasy RPGs. He dreamed of epic battles, of wielding unimaginable power, but his life was ordinary—school, part-time job, endless nights of virtual conquests. That all changed on a stormy evening when a freak lightning strike hit his apartment building. The world blurred, colors inverted, and Alex felt himself being pulled through a vortex of light and shadow.
When he awoke, the air was thick with the scent of pine and smoke. Gone were the skyscrapers; instead, rolling hills stretched before him, dotted with ancient fortresses and banners fluttering in the wind. He was in a different era—an ancient time where kingdoms clashed in endless wars for dominance. The Warring Kingdoms Era, as he would later learn, a brutal period where empires rose and fell on the edge of a blade.
Disoriented, Alex stumbled to his feet, his casual jeans and hoodie feeling out of place amid the medieval landscape. Before he could process it, a holographic screen flickered into existence before his eyes:
[System Activated: Soul Harvester]
[Host: Alex Thompson]
[Level: 1]
[Strength: 10]
[Agility: 10]
[Endurance: 10]
[Mana: 0]
[Skills: None]
[Kill Count: 0]
[Description: Every enemy slain grants +1 to all stats. Build your empire from the ashes of the fallen.]
Alex blinked, rubbing his eyes. "This... this is real? A system? Like in those isekai novels?" Excitement surged through him, but it was cut short by the thunder of hooves. A patrol of soldiers from the Kingdom of Eldoria crested the hill, their armor gleaming under the sun, spears raised.
"Halt! Who goes there?" barked the captain, a burly man with a scarred face. They mistook him for a spy from the rival Kingdom of Valthor.
Panic set in, but the system's voice echoed in his mind: [Combat initiated. Defeat enemies to grow.]
Alex had no weapon, but instinct took over. He dodged the first spear thrust, grabbing a fallen branch as an improvised club. The fight was chaotic—his modern reflexes from gaming helped, but these were trained warriors. He swung wildly, cracking one soldier's helmet. The man crumpled, and a rush of energy flooded Alex.
[Enemy slain. +1 to all stats. Kill Count: 1]
His muscles tightened, strength surging. He felt faster, tougher. The next soldier lunged, but Alex sidestepped with newfound agility and countered, smashing the branch into the man's neck.
[Enemy slain. +1 to all stats. Kill Count: 2]
By the time the patrol lay defeated—five bodies in total—Alex's stats had jumped:
[Level: 2]
[Strength: 15]
[Agility: 15]
[Endurance: 15]
[Mana: 5]
A new skill unlocked: [Basic Sword Mastery]
Panting, Alex scavenged their weapons: a sturdy iron sword and some armor that fit awkwardly over his clothes. "This is insane," he muttered, but a grin spread across his face. Power. Real power.