The first thing I noticed was the cold. Not the damp chill of a Sydney winter, but something sharper, biting against my skin like icy needles. My eyes flickered open, and the world around me came into focus—stone walls, a vaulted ceiling, and the faint glow of torches mounted in sconces.

I wasn’t in my car anymore.

“Sir! Sir, can you hear me?”

The voice snapped me out of my daze. I turned my head, blinking at the figure crouched beside me—a young man in chainmail, his face streaked with dirt and sweat. His wide eyes were filled with urgency, his hand gripping my shoulder as if to keep me grounded.

“Where…” My voice came out rough, unsteady. “Where am I?”

“There’s no time to explain,” the man said, his words tumbling over each other in his rush. “The kingdom is under attack. We need every able body at the gates.”

Attack? Gates? My mind reeled, trying to catch up with the situation. But before I could ask any more questions, I felt it—the weight of steel against my back and at my hip.

I glanced down. A sword hung at my side, the hilt plain but sturdy. The shield—the same one I’d pulled out of the water—was strapped to my left arm, its surface now polished and gleaming, the spiral design glowing faintly.

“Get up!” the man urged, tugging at my arm.

Adrenaline surged through me, overriding the confusion and fear. I pushed myself to my feet, the cold stone floor solid beneath my boots. My boots—when had I changed clothes?

My questions would have to wait.

The sound of distant shouting reached my ears, followed by the unmistakable clash of metal on metal.

“Follow me!” the man said, already moving toward a narrow staircase that spiraled downward.

I hesitated for only a moment before following, my shield bumping against my arm with every step.

The stairwell was dark and cramped, the air thick with the smell of smoke and sweat. My boots pounded against the stone as I ran, the echoes blending with the rising noise of battle.

By the time we reached the bottom, the sounds of chaos were deafening.

The room opened into a wide courtyard, its walls lined with archers firing volleys of arrows into the night. Flames flickered against the stone, casting everything in an orange glow. Soldiers in mismatched armor moved in every direction, some carrying weapons, others dragging the wounded away from the fray.

The gate was massive, reinforced with iron bands, and it was shaking violently with every blow from the other side.

“We’re being overrun!” someone shouted, their voice barely audible over the din.

“Hold the line!” another barked, their tone filled with a mix of desperation and determination.

I froze, taking in the scene. This wasn’t just a skirmish—it was a full-scale assault.

“Sir!” the young man from before grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the gate. “We need reinforcements! You must help hold them off!”

“Hold them off?” I echoed, my voice laced with disbelief. “Mate, I don’t even know where I—”

A deafening crash interrupted me, and the gate buckled inward, the iron bands groaning under the strain.

The soldiers nearest the gate braced themselves, raising shields and spears as a battering ram struck again.

“Take your position!” the young man shouted, shoving me forward.

Instinct took over. I raised the shield, the familiar weight somehow comforting despite the chaos. The sword felt natural in my hand, its hilt fitting perfectly into my grip.

The gate gave one final shudder before it burst open, splinters of wood and metal flying in all directions.

The enemy poured through—men clad in dark armor, their faces obscured by helms. They moved with brutal efficiency, cutting down anyone who stood in their way.

Time seemed to slow as one of them charged toward me, a massive axe raised high.

My body moved before my mind could catch up. I stepped to the side, the axe whistling past me as I brought my sword up in a sharp arc. The blade connected with the man’s side, and he crumpled with a grunt of pain.

Another came at me, swinging a sword with reckless abandon. I raised the shield, the blow reverberating through my arm, and countered with a thrust that caught him in the shoulder.

Adrenaline surged through me, each movement faster and more precise than I thought possible. It was like my body knew exactly what to do, even as my mind struggled to keep up.

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The spiral on the shield glowed brighter with each block, each strike, and I could feel a strange warmth radiating from it, as if it were alive.

The enemy hesitated, their advance slowing as they took in the sight of me—a stranger fighting with an uncanny precision.

“Push them back!” someone shouted, and the soldiers around me surged forward, rallying to the defense.

The tide began to turn, the enemy faltering under the renewed assault.

As the battle raged on, I found myself at the center of it, the sword and shield moving as if they were part of me. I didn’t know how or why, but for the first time in years, I felt…purposeful.

When the last of the attackers retreated through the broken gate, the courtyard erupted in cheers.

I lowered the sword, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath.

The young man from before appeared at my side, his face beaming with gratitude.

“You fought like a true knight,” he said, his voice filled with awe.

I stared at him, the weight of everything finally sinking in.

“What the hell have I gotten myself into?” I muttered, the glow of the shield flickering like a heartbeat.

The courtyard’s chaos seemed to drift further away as I leaned against the cold stone wall, the weight of the shield pulling on my arm. Around me, the soldiers were hard at work, patching the gates and dragging the wounded to safety. I stared at the ground, trying to catch my breath, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

I’d fought like a man possessed. Movements I didn’t recognize flowed through me like second nature. And the shield… The damn thing was glowing. Pulsing, even now, like it had a heartbeat.

A chime rang out, sharp and melodic, and before I could even react, a glowing screen appeared in front of me.

Welcome, Adventurer!

Your class has been assigned: Paladin.

Your Current Stats:

* Strength: 3

* Agility: 2

* Endurance: 4

* Intelligence: 2

* Charisma: 3

* Mana: 1

Paladin. That word carried a weight I couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t just a title—it was a role, a purpose. Protector of the weak, righteous warrior. But I didn’t feel righteous, and I sure as hell didn’t feel ready for any of this.

Another chime drew my attention as the screen shifted.

Race Selection Unlocked!

Choose your race:

* Human: Balanced and versatile, with no stat penalties or bonuses.

* Half-Orc: High Strength and Endurance, but reduced Charisma. Known for resilience and brute force.

* Feralkin: Agile and intuitive, with heightened senses and an affinity for the wild. Reduced Endurance.

* Stoneborn: Exceptionally durable, with high Endurance and Strength, but reduced Agility.

* Drakenblood: Increased Strength and Mana, with reduced Charisma. Known for their fiery tempers and dragon-like lineage.

* Shadowling: Agile and elusive, with increased Agility and Intelligence but reduced Strength.

I stared at the list, my mind whirring. Each option came with its own strengths and weaknesses, but this wasn’t a video game. This was my life now, and I needed every edge I could get.

Human was too safe. Feralkin didn’t feel like me. Stoneborn and Drakenblood were tempting, but they felt…off. Shadowling sounded clever, but clever wasn’t what I needed.

Half-Orc. Strength and Endurance. Tough, durable, and straightforward. It wasn’t glamorous, but it made sense.

“Half-Orc,” I said, my voice firm.

The screen shimmered, and a rush of energy coursed through me. My muscles felt denser, heavier, and my hands were rougher, my nails thickened into sharp claws. My jaw felt stronger, my teeth sharper, and I caught a faint greenish tint to my skin when I glanced down.

The stats updated themselves as the energy settled.

Updated Stats:

* Strength: 5

* Agility: 2

* Endurance: 5

* Intelligence: 2

* Charisma: 2

* Mana: 2

I barely had time to process the changes before another screen appeared.

Level Up!

Choose a Perk:

1. Divine Smite: Channel holy energy into your attacks, dealing additional damage to enemies.

2. Iron Resolve: Gain a temporary boost to Endurance when your health is critically low.

3. Shield Mastery: Increased effectiveness when using shields for both defense and offense.

Divine Smite caught my eye immediately. It was direct, powerful, and exactly what I needed to handle whatever this world threw at me.

“Divine Smite,” I said, and the screen confirmed the choice with a faint glow.

Bonus Unlocked:

* Gain +3 stat points to distribute.

I thought it through carefully. Strength and Endurance were obvious choices, but Mana was essential if I was going to cast spells.

I split the points: +2 to Strength and +1 to Mana.

Updated Stats:

* Strength: 7

* Agility: 2

* Endurance: 5

* Intelligence: 2

* Charisma: 2

* Mana: 3

A new chime sounded, and a small, transparent HUD materialized at the corner of my vision. Three bars hovered in the air, each labeled:

* Health: 100/100

* Mana: 30/30

* Stamina: 50/50

The sight made my breath catch. It was like something out of a video game, but it was there—real, tangible, and somehow tied to my very being.

Before I could take it all in, a final screen appeared, showing a list of spells:

Spellcasting Unlocked!

Available Spells:

1. Holy Light: Heal minor wounds for yourself or an ally. (Mana Cost: 5)

2. Radiant Strike: Empower your next attack with holy energy, dealing additional damage. (Mana Cost: 10)

3. Shield of Faith: Create a protective barrier that absorbs incoming damage for a short time. (Mana Cost: 15)

4. Divine Command: Intimidate enemies into retreating or hesitating. (Mana Cost: 10)

5. Blessed Endurance: Temporarily increase your stamina during prolonged combat. (Mana Cost: 5)

I skimmed through the descriptions, noting the mana costs. Thirty mana didn’t seem like much, especially if I needed to use multiple spells in a fight.

The screen faded, leaving me alone with the HUD still faintly glowing in my peripheral vision. I flexed my hands, the new strength coursing through my body feeling both alien and natural at the same time.

I glanced down at the shield, its spiral glowing faintly. Whatever this was, I was in it now.

“Alright,” I muttered, pushing off the wall. “Let’s see what this world’s got.”