Rain poured over the city like a gray curtain, turning the streets into rivers of light and shadow. Cars rushed past, their headlights blurring in the wet asphalt.
Alex Varyn pulled his thin jacket tighter around himself as he stepped out of the convenience store. In his hand was a small plastic bag with the cheapest noodles he could afford.
"Another gourmet dinner," he muttered to himself with a tired smile.
Life had never been easy for Alex. Between university classes, part-time work, and unpaid bills stacking up in his tiny apartment, every day felt like a race he was slowly losing.
Still… he had dreams.
Someday he wanted to build something big. Something that would prove all the struggle was worth it.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Alex looked up at the sky and sighed.
"Of course it's raining."
He stepped off the sidewalk and started crossing the street. The traffic light had just turned green for pedestrians.
Halfway across, a deafening roar shattered the quiet rhythm of the rain.
A truck.
Its headlights blinded him. The vehicle was moving too fast. Alex's mind froze.
Why is it not stopping…?
The driver slammed the horn. Tires screeched against the wet road, but momentum had already sealed the outcome.
For a single moment, time slowed. Alex felt strangely calm.
So this is how it ends.
The world exploded into noise and light. Then— Darkness. Silence. No pain. No sound.
Alex opened his eyes. Above him stretched a sky he had never seen before. Two enormous moons hung in the darkness, glowing faintly with silver light. He blinked.
"…What?"
The air smelled different. Cleaner. He sat up slowly, heart pounding.
Instead of the rainy city street, he found himself lying in the middle of a vast grassy field. Tall blue-colored grass swayed gently in the wind. In the distance, enormous mountains pierced the clouds. Alex's breathing quickened.
"This… isn't Earth."
He stood up, turning in circles, trying to make sense of the impossible scenery around him.
Did I survive?
Is this a dream?
Before he could think further— A strange mechanical voice echoed inside his head.
[Unknown energy detected.]
Alex froze.
"…Hello?"
No response.
Then suddenly, glowing text appeared in the air in front of him.
[Initializing…]
[Scanning host…]
[Compatibility: 99.98%]
Alex stumbled backward.
"What the hell is this?!"
The glowing letters flickered again.
[Warning.]
[This system is prohibited in this world.]
[Activating… Forbidden System.]
Alex felt a cold chill run down his spine.
"Forbidden…?"
The text continued.
[Welcome, Host.]
[You have obtained: The System That Shouldn't Exist.]
Somewhere far away, deep beneath the mountains… Ancient eyes suddenly opened.
And for the first time in thousands of years— They sensed it. The presence of something that should never have appeared in their world. Something… dangerous.
Back in the field, Alex stared at the glowing message, his heart racing. "Okay…" he whispered.
What exactly did I just get myself into?"