“Miss? Are you buying the herbs or not?”

The voice was sharp and impatient, snapping me out of a daze I hadn’t realized I was in.

I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the dim light of the room. Shelves lined with glass jars and bundles of dried plants surrounded me, the air thick with the earthy scent of roots and spices.

The woman behind the counter—a stern-looking older lady with a kerchief tied around her head—was glaring at me, her hands on her hips.

“Herbs?” I asked dumbly, my voice sounding distant and strange even to my own ears.

The woman huffed. “The sage and wormwood. You’ve been staring at them for the past five minutes.”

I glanced down. My hands were empty, but there was a small pouch of coins sitting on the counter in front of me, as if I’d placed it there.

“I, uh… I don’t think I need them anymore,” I said, stepping back from the counter.

The woman’s glare deepened, but she scooped up the coins and dropped them back into the pouch before sliding it toward me. “Suit yourself. Don’t come back asking for them when it’s too late.”

Too late for what?

I didn’t ask. My head was spinning as I grabbed the pouch and stumbled toward the door. The moment I stepped outside, the cool air hit me like a slap to the face.

The village was bustling.

Narrow dirt streets wound between clusters of thatched-roof cottages and wooden stalls, each one teeming with life. Merchants shouted over the din, hawking everything from fresh produce to intricately carved trinkets. The chatter of voices, the clatter of hooves, and the occasional bark of a dog filled the air.

I turned in a slow circle, taking it all in. This wasn’t the Airbnb. This wasn’t Toronto.

“What the hell?” I whispered, clutching the pouch of coins as if it were the only thing tethering me to reality.

And then, it happened.

A faint chime rang out, clear and melodic, and a translucent screen appeared in front of me.

Welcome, Adventurer!

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Your class has been assigned: Warlock.

Your Current Stats:

* Strength: 1

* Agility: 2

* Endurance: 2

* Intelligence: 4

* Charisma: 3

* Mana: 5

I stared at the screen, my heart racing. Warlock. The word sent a thrill down my spine, stirring up memories of all the dark, magical characters I’d loved in books and games.

Before I could fully process it, the screen shimmered, and a new message appeared.

Race Selection Unlocked!

Choose your race:

* Human: Balanced stats with no penalties or bonuses.

* Nightborne: Increased Mana and Charisma, but reduced Endurance. Naturally attuned to the arcane.

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

* Felkin: High Mana and Intelligence, but reduced Charisma. Known for their connection to shadow magic.

* Shadebound: Increased Charisma and Mana, with a bonus to deception-based abilities. Reduced Strength and Endurance.

I blinked at the list, excitement bubbling up despite the surrealness of the situation. This felt like something out of a game—a dream come to life.

My eyes lingered on Felkin. High Mana and Intelligence with a shadow magic affinity. It seemed perfect for a Warlock.

“Felkin,” I said, the word coming out more confidently than I expected.

The screen shimmered again, and a wave of warmth surged through me. My body felt lighter, my senses sharper. When I glanced at my hands, they looked the same but…different. Shadows seemed to cling to my fingertips, curling and shifting like living smoke before fading away.

The stats updated.

Updated Stats:

* Strength: 1

* Agility: 2

* Endurance: 2

* Intelligence: 6

* Charisma: 2

* Mana: 7

I barely had time to take it in before another screen appeared, displaying a list of spells.

Spellcasting Unlocked!

Available Spells:

1. Shadow Bolt: Fire a concentrated blast of shadow energy at a target. (Mana Cost: 5)

2. Eldritch Grasp: Summon shadowy tendrils to restrain enemies. (Mana Cost: 10)

3. Dark Pact: Sacrifice a portion of your health to restore mana. (Mana Cost: 0, but costs 20 Health)

4. Veil of Shadows: Cloak yourself in darkness, becoming harder to detect. (Mana Cost: 8)

5. Cursed Insight: Learn an enemy’s weakness for a limited time. (Mana Cost: 6)

I read through the descriptions, a shiver of excitement running through me. This wasn’t just magic—it was dark, intricate, and full of possibilities.

Despite the absurdity of it all, I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.

“This is insane,” I murmured, staring at the glowing screen. “But it’s also kind of incredible.”

The screen dissolved, leaving me standing in the middle of the bustling village square. People moved around me, oblivious to the life-changing revelations that had just unfolded.

I clutched the pouch of coins tighter, my mind racing.

Wherever I was, whatever was happening, one thing was clear—I wasn’t in my old life anymore.

And for the first time in years, that thought didn’t terrify me.