How much time has passed? Embora wondered, year after year in this gods-forsaken cave! She sighed in frustration, causing fire to seep out of her snout. How much longer must I stay imprisoned? If it weren't for the fact that the status screen shows the time, she wouldn't even know if it was day or night. Now, if only the screen showed what year it was.

"Hmm…status"

In her mind's eye, a vivid blue screen materialized, displaying all of her stats.

Name: Embora

Race: Dragon(Red)

HP: 210,010

Patron: N/A

Level: 300

* Strength: 800

* Dexterity: 300

* Constitution: 700

* Intelligence: 600

* Wisdom: 300

* Perception: 300

She's seen her stats a million times since being locked away many years ago, Damn that Droll'a, how dare he do this to me! At least he imprisoned me when my level was at a nice even number, it would have been torture to be trapped here at 299, or even 301. She moved her vision to the bottom right corner of the screen.

Time: 5:34 AM

"So it's still early in the morning," she sighed.

Her mind drifted back to the days before her imprisonment, filled with the thrill of the hunt and the warmth of the sun on her scales. Flying with a sea of dragons that blocked said sun from the inhabitants below. Now, the endless monotony of the cave was her reality. If only there was a way out, a chance to reclaim what was stolen from her.

As her thoughts wandered, she heard a faint noise from outside the barrier. Her perception, sharpened by all her points spent into the stat, caught the sound of someone stumbling near the sludge that surrounded the island. Intrigued, she focused her senses on the disturbance, watching through the barrier as a figure clumsily made its way to the lake's edge.

It was the first time she had seen another living soul in many, many years. Hmm, Dragon's sight. A new screen appeared, this time showing the information of the Human wandering around.

Name: Michael

Race: Human

Level: 1

HP: 19

MP:11

Level 1? How Is he only Level 1? A human child would be at least Level 3 by the time they turn 5. Was he sheltered all his life? She thought as she watched as the human stumbled around, seemingly unaware of his surroundings. He looked confused and disoriented, his movements awkward and uncoordinated. Although he was weak and insignificant compared to her, his presence intrigued her. How did he get here? Why did she only just now notice him?

Michael hesitated at the island's edge. Then, without much thought, he slowly walked backward, then he started sprinting towards the water, and jumped into the lake and shouted. "Cannonball!" The sludge splashed around him. IS HE STUPID?! THAT LAKE IS PURE TOXINS!

Embora's jaw dropped as she witnessed the human struggle against the toxic sludge. It was one of the most idiotic things she had witnessed. She used her dragon's sight skill on the human again. and a new status appeared.

[Status effects: Toxic]

Of course, he got toxic, it's one of if not the worst status effects there is. At least there's an ambrosia fruit tree next to him. Surely he wouldn't have jumped in without knowing that. She sighed.

She continued to watch the human splash around in the thick sludge, moments later he managed to stumble his way out of the lake, then he fell flat on the ground.

“Oh, shit”

Ah, he must have just seen the notification.

“25% a minute?! That's bullshit!” Michael started to panic. “Oh God I'm going to die, and no one knows I'm here. I'm going to die alone.”

Embora started to feel frustrated. It's right

next to you, eat the damned fruit and you'll be fine. He continues to panic, shouting that he will die alone and never see his family again. Embora started taping her claw against the rocky floor beneath her, as her frustration intensified.

The human started coughing, now on his hands and knees as he emptied the contents of his stomach all over the floor as the toxins ticked his HP away.

HP:19 > 14

It dawned on Embora that he might not know what an ambrosia fruit is. Of course, she knew what it was; a very powerful and rare fruit that only grows in harsh environments. Once picked, it rots quickly. It absolutely refuses to be eaten, preferring to rot rather than let anything consume it. The ambrosia fruit had very powerful healing properties, capable of restoring anyone's HP to max no matter how much the individual had. It also cleanses the body, ridding it of any impurities.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Oh, great, he's crying now,” said Embora sarcastically.

Of course, If he didn't know that then he's in serious trouble. Maybe I should help him out, perhaps he can be of use to me and free me. This magical barrier was cast by the higher-ups so normal magic or physical attacks won't break it, however.

—

Michael lies on the ground in a fetal position, tears forming out the corner of his eye. “Oh God, what's going to happen when my HP hits zero? This shit isn't far, I just wanted to watch a movie and this happens!” Michael sobbed. Another minute passed as his HP ticked once more.

HP: 14 > 9

Just then a small glowing ball of light enters Michaels's vision. It illuminated with a swirl of beautiful colors, it shifted from red to blue then blue to white, but cast specular reflection around it.

“Human,” said in a deep feminine voice. It sounded motherly.

“Wha-”

“Human, you have no time so listen to me carefully. There is a small tree near you, on this tree is a small purple fruit. Pick the fruit and eat it immediately.” The feminine voice said, putting emphasis on the word immediately. “If you do not, then you will die of the toxins”

Michael slowly got up. The world was spinning around him as the toxins continued to sicken him. The contents of Michael's stomach nearly ejected out of him as the world started to settle.

One foot in front of the other. Michael slowly stumbles his way to the small tree he saw a few moments ago. On it was indeed a small purple peach-shaped fruit, however unlike a peach it felt more like an apple. No peach fuzz.

Michael slowly managed to make his way, nearly falling over. “This would be a lot easier if you could help me, little ball of light," Michael said, gagging in between every word.

“Sorry, I would but I can't.”

HP: 9 > 4

As Michael's HP dipped his vision blurred, sweat poured from his face and then he fell, however, it was his lucky day apparently as Michael managed to grab onto a branch containing two purple fruits.

“Good, now eat one! And do it quickly!” Yelled the ball of light. Michael pulled the branch closer to his mouth, the fruit touched his lips, and he reached and took a bite.

A wave of euphoria washed throughout his body. Michael felt tingles underneath his skin as if something was massaging his muscles. Before he could comprehend what happened a screen appeared.

[Consumed Ambrosia]

HP 4 > 19

"Well, that's much bet—" Michael's words were cut short as he doubled over and emptied his stomach onto the rocky floor.

Michael wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, feeling the last remnants of nausea fade away. The ambrosia fruit had worked miracles, restoring his health and cleansing the toxins from his body. He looked up at the glowing orb of light that had guided him, its presence comforting yet enigmatic.

"Thank you," he managed to say, his voice still shaky. "I don't know what I would've done without you."

The orb pulsed with a gentle light, almost as if it were nodding. "Now that I have helped you, I'd like to ask a favor," it began.

Michael interrupted, his voice still shaky but firm. "I know you helped me and all, but I have a few questions first. Where am I? How did I get here? And what the hell is up with these blue screens?”

The orb's light flickered in confusion. "What do you mean?" it asked, its glow dimming slightly.

Michael frowned. "These blue screens," he insisted. "They keep popping up, saying things like 'HP' and 'status.' It's like I'm inside some kind of video game."

Michael took a deep breath, trying to articulate his bewilderment. "One minute, I was watching a movie in my room, and the next, I woke up in this weird cave. I don’t know how I got here, and everything feels like it’s out of a game. These blue screens are showing up, talking about my health and status. It's like I've been thrown into some kind of video game world.

"The orb's light pulsed gently. "I do not fully understand what you mean by 'video game,' but the blue screens you see are a part of our reality. They provide crucial information about our conditions and abilities. This is how we navigate and understand our world. Everyone sees them.”

The light turned to a shade of blue, reflecting its thoughtful state. Michael watched, still grappling with the surreal situation.

“Okay, how about this.” Said Michael “Let's start off with something easy, where are we?”

“I'm afraid that won't be easy to answer, I have no clue as to our whereabouts”

“Alright that didn't help” Michael sat down on the ground, making sure he was a good distance away from the water's edge.

“We can figure this out later,” the light said “My name is Embora” The ball of light turned red “What is your name?” She had already used her Dragon's sight skill on him and already knew that his name was Michael but she didn't want to come off as rude, especially to someone who might finally release her from this hell.

He paused for a moment before finally responding, “It's Michael.”

“Nice to meet you, Michael. Now, I know you're confused, but how about you tell me what you remember before coming here?” Embora made sure she sounded concerned. It wasn't as if she wasn't; in fact, she pitied him.

“Well, I had a shitty day in class, so I decided to go to my dorm room and watch Aliens. It’s my favorite movie, after all. Then I started falling asleep after my friend came to visit me.”

She contemplated for a moment before an idea popped into her head. “Where... are you from, Michael?”

"America," he replied, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"America..." she repeated, sounding puzzled. "I've never heard of such a place. Can you tell me more about it?"

Michael shrugged. "It's a country on Earth. You know, the planet?"

"Earth?" Embora's voice held a note of realization. "That explains it. You must be from another world entirely. That would make sense of the confusion you've had about the blue screens and everything else here."

Michael's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. "Another world?" he echoed, his voice trembling. "Are you serious? This isn't just some weird dream? I'm actually in a completely different world?" He felt a cold wave of fear wash over him, his heart pounding in his chest.

His mind raced, trying to grasp the enormity of what he had just heard. Everything he knew, everyone he loved, was now impossibly far away. The familiar streets of his hometown, the comfort of his dorm room, and his friends and family he had always taken for granted—were all gone.

"This... this is insane," he stammered, shaking his head in disbelief. The walls of his reality crumbled around him, leaving him adrift in a sea of uncertainty and fear. "How is this even possible? How did I end up here? What am I supposed to do?"

His voice cracked, the panic and confusion evident in his eyes as he looked to Embora, desperately seeking answers in a world that suddenly felt utterly alien.

“You tell me you’ve never seen the status screens before, nor have you ever heard of HP either,” Embora explained. “I’m assuming it’s safe to say you don’t know what levels are?

”Michael nodded slowly, still processing everything. “I can assume. I play video games during my free time, so I get the basic idea.”

“I have no idea what video games are,” Embora mused. “But it seems you have some understanding”

“That is a mystery you'll have to unveil at a later date,” Embora said. “However, right now, I would ask you for a favor in return for helping you with your status effect.” She paused, thinking about the dilemma she had been contemplating for so long. There seemed to be no way to open the barrier that confined her, but she had an idea—one she wasn't too fond of but was willing to pursue if it meant her freedom.

“What would you want me to do? I don’t know how I can help you, considering my current situation.”

Moments passed, the silence heavy with anticipation.

“Michael, please free me,” Embora said, her voice trembling with a mix of hope and desperation, more emotion than she meant to reveal.