He stared at the screen, feeling a surreal mixture of wonder and fear. Each stat and label carried a tangible and permanent weight. He touched his arm, half-expecting to feel stronger or somehow different, but he was still just himself. Yet the numbers and categories before him hinted at something more profound, some potential he didn’t yet understand.
[ Status ]
Name: Colm Arden
Race: Human
Level: 1
Health: 95 / 100
Mana: 75 / 75
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 15
Constitution:10
Class: None
Active Class Abilities:
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
Passive Class Abilities:
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
Skills:
- Analyze (Level 1)
Achievements:
- Through the Rift
"What… is this?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
As if responding to his confusion, another notification appeared, indifferent to his shock.
[ Attributes are your foundation within the System, affecting health, agility, strength, and other capabilities. Abilities will be accessible as you progress. Experience (XP) is gained by slaying creatures. ]
Colm’s eyes scanned the numbers on the screen, and his attention caught on his health: 95 / 100. He hadn’t noticed before, but he could feel the faint sting of scratches on his arms and face, likely from pushing his way through the branches in his desperate flight from the undead. The sight of his health was a reminder that this wasn’t a game—each cut and bruise seemed to hold weight here, affecting him in ways he couldn’t ignore.
Colm’s gaze drifted to the "Achievements" section. Through the Rift stood out, marked as his sole achievement, an eerie reminder of how he’d arrived here. He focused on it, and a new pop-up appeared, detailed and vivid, adding an extra layer of gravity to his circumstances.
[ Achievement Earned ]
Through the Rift - You have crossed a Rift into the Echoed Lands, a fractured world where rules bend and everything is uncertain. What wasn’t meant to happen did. Survive, if you can.
New Ability Unlocked: Universal Language - Allows you to read, write, and speak in any modern language.
A chill ran down his spine as he read the achievement description. "What wasn’t meant to happen did. Survive, if you can." It sounded less like a reward and more like a challenge—or a warning. And the term "Echoed Lands" lingered in his mind, carrying a sense of foreboding. This was no ordinary place he’d stumbled into.
The Universal Language perk sounded incredible. It would have been amazing to use back home. Still, it could be even more valuable in this new world—letting him communicate with anyone he encounters, especially since no one probably speaks English. Hope flickered. Others might be here. He took a deep breath, letting that feeling settle within him.
His gaze moved back to the rest of the status screen. Each category—Human, Mana, Class—felt like a piece of an unknown puzzle, defining him in the ways of a video game. Specifying his race as Human made him wonder if there were others here who weren't human. The system treated his existence with a precision and formality that was alien to him, as though he was one among many.
He focused on Mana next, its purpose still hazy yet intriguing. He’d seen the word countless times in games—usually the fuel for magic or special abilities. But seeing it quantified on his status screen was surreal. It felt powerful, a resource he could tap into, manage, and potentially exhaust, just like in those games. The thought that he might wield actual magic made his heart race, even if he had no idea how to unlock that potential. In time, maybe this energy would become his most significant tool.
"What… is mana?" he murmured, half to himself, hoping the system might answer.
Another notification returned immediately, calm and factual.
[ Mana is the essential energy used to activate abilities and cast spells. As a human, your base mana pool is smaller than certain other races, but your natural versatility and adaptability compensate for this. Mana regenerates over time. ]
The words struck him with their matter-of-factness. The system had labeled him as "Human" and spoke like other races with distinct advantages existed here. Versatility and adaptability, it had said, making him feel like a statistic within a more extensive, unknown design.
He rubbed his eyes and grappled with the implications, his thoughts churning as he tried to process the enormity of everything. He didn’t know enough; every revelation felt like just scratching the surface. The realization struck him: he was starting from scratch here. His life and existence now revolved around these numbers and categories. Still, he saw it as an opportunity to rebuild and grow in ways he’d never imagined.
It was an odd feeling, this idea of a "fresh start." His life back home had been, in so many ways, routine and uninspired. He’d gone through the motions, day after day, working alone, handling code and deadlines. The friends he’d once had—the ones he’d been close to in college and even after—had slowly drifted away, life pulling each of them down different paths. It was inevitable, he knew, but the absence still lingered like a dull ache.
He couldn’t remember the last time he felt connected to anyone. Most of his relationships had faded, slipping away as they all found new priorities, lives, and relationships. He had barely noticed it happening, one person fading out here, another there until he realized one day that he was mostly alone. Sure, he had acquaintances, a handful of people he’d exchanged texts with now and then, but it had been years since he’d felt genuinely close to anyone.
A strange blend of bitterness and resignation filled him. He’d grown used to his isolation, accepting it as a natural byproduct of life’s unpredictability. He’d buried himself in his work, hiding behind the screen, feeling safe in the knowledge that his loneliness wouldn’t catch up to him as long as he was productive. But now, here he was in a new world, his connections to that life severed as entirely as if it had been a dream.
The screen in front of him, with its numbers and cold labels, made him wonder. Was this a fresh beginning, or just another framework trying to control him? The system had cataloged and reduced him to stats and categories, giving him structure but stripping away his identity. It was unsettling, reminding him he was just another variable in this place, no more unique than his stats. Yet there was also strange freedom in it—a chance to break from the monotonous life he’d left behind. Here, without routine, without drifting friendships or fading connections, he had a blank slate—the potential to build himself up into something entirely different.
The system’s messages broke his thoughts, as steady as ever.
[ Select your class to unlock initial abilities. ]
The mention of a class stirred something within him. The language, the setup—all of it felt like he was in a game, some kind of fantasy RPG. But the cold, biting wind, the mist swirling around him, and the ominous shadows in the distance reminded him that this was no game.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Colm’s gaze lingered on the screen, his pulse still racing, the numbers and terms resonating with a strange allure. He could feel the weight of each word, each stat—it was as if the system had redefined him, reshaped him into something more. Or at least something with the potential for more.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself, feeling a spark of determination rise. Things would be different here. He wouldn’t just survive this place but find a way to live. No more empty routines, no more drifting aimlessly through the motions. This world held dangers he’d barely glimpsed but also a chance to redefine himself in ways he’d never imagined.
The screen remained in place, unwavering, patiently awaiting his next move.
----------------------------------------
The system screen hovered before him, unwavering and patient. Just as he was processing the enormity of his situation, the message appeared again, commanding his full attention.
[ Select your class to unlock initial abilities. ]
Before Colm could fully register the notification, another one crowded his vision.
[ Because of unique and unforeseen circumstances of your arrival, standard protocols have been bypassed. In response, you have been granted limited information and access to specialized class options designed to increase your chances of survival and success within the Echoed Lands. The classes presented will be a onetime opportunity; you will not see these options again. ]
Colm exhaled slowly, feeling a mixture of anxiety and resolve rise within him. This choice, he realized, would define his survival here and determine the skills he’d need to withstand the dangers of this strange world. His heart raced as he glanced down the list of class names on the screen, each accompanied by a short description. He read through them, each line adding weight to the decision he was about to make.
[ Stormcaller - Master the fury of lightning and thunder. Strike enemies from afar with electric force and control storms.
Specialization - Offensive, long-range lightning and elemental abilities with a focus on dealing high burst damage from a distance.
Primary Stat - Intelligence
Level Up Bonus - +5 Attribute points per level. ]
[ Voidstrider - Manipulate the fabric of space to evade danger and gain control over your environment.
Specialization - Stealth, teleportation, and spatial control, allowing quick escapes, ambushes, and tactical repositioning for solo adventuring.
Primary Stat - Intelligence
Level Up Bonus - +5 Attribute points per level. ]
[ Enduring Sentinel - Draw upon the essence of life to endure any threat. Regenerate wounds and withstand prolonged battles.
Specialization - High resilience and self-regeneration, with abilities centered on survival, tanking, and health restoration.
Primary Stat - Constitution
Level Up Bonus - +5 Attribute points per level. ]
[ Arcane Archer - Infuse arrows with magical energy, transforming them into powerful projectiles with elemental effects.
Specialization - Ranged attacks with magical enhancements, focusing on elemental and precision damage for those who prefer distance and versatility.
Primary Stat - Dexterity
Level Up Bonus - +5 Attribute points per level. ]
[ Spirit Warden - Harness spiritual energies to summon ethereal allies, drain life, and command the spectral realm.
Specialization - Summoning, life-drain, and support abilities, allowing control over summoned allies to assist in battle.
Primary Stat - Intelligence
Level Up Bonus - +5 Attribute points per level. ]
Colm took a steadying breath, his mind racing as he weighed the possibilities as he went through them all again. Stormcaller tempted him with its sheer power, the ability to wield lightning and thunder from a distance, to strike with raw force. He could picture the crackling energy, the devastation he might unleash, the rush of feeling in control of something so fierce. Yet, he hesitated. Stormcaller required precision focus. It seemed relentless, demanding his full focus with little room for error. He imagined the toll it might take on his stamina, each strike demanding everything he had. Powerful, yes, but too consuming.
He turned his thoughts to Voidstrider, the class that offered an escape from confrontation. The ability to manipulate space, to slip in and out of danger, felt like the perfect counterbalance to the fear gnawing at him since he’d arrived. He imagined himself fading from sight, moving silently, striking from the shadows. The idea appealed to him. He could stay distant, tactical. Yet, a part of him wondered if staying hidden, constantly evading, was the path he wanted to take. Would he spend his days running, surviving only by staying unseen?
Enduring Sentinel, with its promise of endurance, brought him a strange comfort. He’d felt vulnerable since stepping into this world, painfully aware of how easily the undead could overwhelm him. Standing firm, weathering any attack, and regenerating wounds seemed to answer his fears. He imagined himself as unbreakable, undeterred. But the strength to withstand attacks came at a cost; he’d need to be in the thick of things, close to enemies, trading blows. Colm wasn’t sure if he wanted to confront threats so directly, especially in a world as alien as this.
Arcane Archer, on the other hand, offered the precision and control he admired. The idea of wielding magic from afar, transforming arrows into elemental strikes, promised a blend of power and distance. He’d be a sharpshooter, controlling the battlefield from afar yet still powerful enough to make an impact. But it felt too conventional, too limited to his vision of magic infused with physical weaponry. It didn’t quite resonate with the direction he felt drawn to, especially since he didn’t have a bow.
Finally, his gaze returned to Spirit Warden. There was something hauntingly beautiful about it, the idea of calling upon spirits, of summoning allies even in isolation. It felt unique, neither solely offensive nor defensive, but somewhere in between. A balance. He wouldn’t face his challenges alone; he’d have spectral companions, allies who would shield and support him in combat. He could sense the quiet power of life-drain abilities, a way to sustain himself in prolonged battles, a subtle and steady strength that didn’t fade quickly. Spirit Warden offered control, resilience, and, most importantly, companionship—even if those companions were only spirits.
The choice felt right.
He took a deep breath, feeling a calm determination settle over him. It was a different path, allowing him to face his enemies without facing them alone. There was something poetic, almost reassuring, about stepping into a role that commanded the spirits around him, especially in a place where death lurked at every turn.
"Spirit Warden," he whispered, his voice steady.
A warm, pulsing energy enveloped him the moment he chose, and he felt the system acknowledge his decision. His body tingled as the energy settled within him, bringing a strange sense of comfort and power. His vision sharpened, and he became aware of a faint, ghostly presence around him as though the spirits had accepted his choice. A message materialized in front of him.
[ Class Selected: Spirit Warden
Welcome to the spectral realm, where allies are boundless, and your will shapes the spirit forces at your command.
Class Abilities Unlocked.
- Active Ability: Phantom Warrior (Level 1)
Mana: 25
Summon a single spectral warrior to aid you in combat, engaging enemies in close-range melee attacks with powerful, precise strikes. Only one Phantom Warrior can be summoned at a time; attempting to summon another will replace the current warrior.
- Passive Ability: Lingering Vitality (Level 1)
Slowly regenerate health over time when out of combat, drawing on the presence of the spirit realm to sustain yourself. ]
The words faded, but the sense of presence remained. Colm could feel the faint hum of spectral energy coursing through him, a strange and subtle power. Closing his eyes, he reached inward, focusing on the Phantom Warrior ability. As if responding to his thoughts, he felt his mana drain from him, and a solid, ghostly figure shimmered into view before him—a warrior with an ethereal outline, wielding a translucent blade that flickered like a shadow in the dim light.
Colm took a step back, startled but captivated. The Phantom Warrior’s form was defined yet fluid, its face obscured, and its eyes glowing with a faint light that held a watchful, determined gaze. It stood ready, calm yet imposing, a silent guardian amid the dark forest. Colm raised a hand experimentally, and the warrior moved in response, drifting closer with a quiet but steady presence. A sense of reassurance washed over him; he wasn’t alone anymore.
Colm focused on the Phantom Warrior to test his abilities, observing the solid, flickering shape that seemed both part of this world and beyond it. He reached out, curious about their connection, and felt a steady, protective presence radiating from the spirit. It hovered close, its spectral blade poised, alert to any threat that might approach.
Colm realized with relief that the warrior didn’t require his direction—it was bound to him, instinctively ready to defend if danger came near. A faint surge of energy passed between them, assuring him of the spirit’s quiet strength. Though it remained silent, he could sense that it was attuned to his surroundings, fully prepared to act without his command but able to take orders if desired.
With a quiet exhale, Colm felt a flicker of confidence. He wouldn’t need to constantly worry about directing his new ally. The Phantom Warrior would guard him, its presence as unwavering as the silent forest around them, waiting to respond should anything threaten its caster.
As he observed the effect of this new ally, Colm took a deep breath and concentrated on his passive ability—Lingering Vitality. He felt a gentle pull, a connection to the surrounding energy slowly seeping into his being, especially toward the scrapes and scratches he’d sustained while fleeing the forest. The effect was subtle, yet he could feel the sting of his minor injuries fading.
Curious, he pulled up his status screen. His health, which had dropped slightly from those scratches, now showed as fully restored, but his mana was now lowered due to his casting of his Phantom Warrior, which had already begun to regenerate.
[ Status ]
Name: Colm Arden
Race: Human
Level: 1
Health: 100 / 100
Mana: 52 / 75
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 15
Constitution: 10
Class: Spirit Warden
Active Class Abilities:
- Phantom Warrior (Level 1)
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
Passive Class Abilities:
- Lingering Vitality (Level 1)
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
Skills:
- Analyze (Level 1)
Achievements:
- Through the Rift
He felt a surge of reassurance at the sight—a quiet reminder that his health would recover in the stillness, away from the chaos of battle. Though small, the effect made him feel a touch more resilient, a small comfort in this hostile world.
Colm exhaled, feeling his confidence grow as he examined his new abilities. The path ahead was still dark and unknown, but he felt prepared for the first time since arriving here—equipped not only with newfound powers but with a new ally, even if they were ethereal. He knew he was still vulnerable and had much to learn, but now he had the means to face whatever lurked within the shadows.
His resolve solidified. However dangerous and strange, this world held a promise he hadn’t felt in years. Here, he would forge a life for himself. He’d no longer be going through the motions, day after day, in a routine that felt empty. There was purpose now, and he could feel it echoing as strongly as the pulse of energy from his spirit ally.
Yet questions lingered in his mind, pieces of the puzzle he hadn’t yet grasped: how had he arrived here, and what strange forces had brought him to this place? He wanted answers, but as for his old world, he felt no pull to return. There was nothing, and no one, waiting for him there. No friends keeping vigil, no family wondering where he’d gone. Whatever lay in the past no longer held him. This world was his now, for better or worse.