[System Active!]
[Welcome to Planet Arcadia, Survivor! A planet formed from the remnants of Earth after its first destruction. Our system successfully brought you through the initial catastrophe that ended the world.
For reasons unknown, you have been chosen as a participant in this game. However, you still have a choice.]
[Options:
‘Accept the Challenge’
Save this world from total annihilation.
Face countless challenges, deadly foes, and mysteries.
Reward: The opportunity to rebuild this world as you desire.
‘Give Up’
Allow your existence to perish with this world.
All traces of you will be erased.
No turning back.]
Gulp!
A gray-haired young man swallowed nervously. The man, Dexter Velmont, widened his eyes and focused intently on the notification floating in midair. “Planet Arcadia?”
His mind forced his body into a frozen state until the text shifted again, accompanied by a woman’s voice echoing in his ears.
[You have 15 seconds to answer, starting now. Fifteen… fourteen...]
“Oh, God! What’s happening? Am I dreaming?” He slapped his face with one hand. The sting confirmed it was no dream. “Oh no! Why does that hurt?”
His blue eyes darted back to the golden-framed notification as the system continued its countdown.
[Ten… nine...]
Dexter’s heart raced, sweat soaking his entire body. As much as he didn’t want to believe it, the bizarre reality persisted. Ignoring it could spell disaster—what if it was real? But accepting it meant bracing for whatever lay ahead.
“Why is this so complicated? I remember clearly—dozens of meteors crashing into Earth. The world stopped. So why am I still alive?” As he glanced around, the truth became clear.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
A massive crater from a meteor impact marred the ashen soil. Smoke still rising from the crater suggested the event had just occurred. Scattered ruins of buildings further confirmed Earth’s destruction.
Dexter turned back to the notification, confusion clouding his thoughts. “If the meteors really struck Earth, the planet should’ve been obliterated, and I should be dead. Now I have a chance to fix it, but at the cost of my life. If I don’t try, my life ends here. What should I do?”
[Four… three… two...]
The system’s voice snapped him out of his reverie. His hand shot forward to select an option, choosing ‘Accept the Challenge.’ No matter if he had to fight the whole world—at least he could struggle to survive.
[Choice Accepted!
Prepare for a long journey that will test everything.
Your first objective is being uploaded. Please wait...]
Dexter’s mouth fell open. “I’m not dreaming. But I never imagined I’d be chosen to save the world. Or maybe I’m the only one left.” He looked around again. “Judging by Earth’s condition, it’s possible everyone else is already gone.”
[SYSTEM ACTIVE!
Main Mission: Save the World.
First Challenge: Find the Starter Relic to unlock a new path.]
[Challenge begins in 24 hours. Be prepared, Survivor!]
Dexter sat in stunned silence for several minutes. Though he had accepted the challenge, part of him still hoped it was all an illusion or a dream. He wished he were back in bed, wearing his favorite pajamas.
Wait—speaking of clothes, why was it so cold? Looking down at himself, Dexter’s eyes widened in shock. “HEY! WHERE ARE MY CLOTHES?!”
---
“Where can I find some clothes?” Dexter grumbled, wandering aimlessly. He scanned the unfamiliar terrain for anything wearable. “Good grief, it’s no joke if rumors about a hero saving the world as a naked man turn out to be true!”
Now in a strange forest, Dexter observed his surroundings. This wasn’t like any forest on Earth. The towering trees seemed like remnants of life long extinct.
Their trunks were dark gray, rigid, and cracked as if made of oxidized metal. The leaves hanging from their branches glowed faintly, emitting a phosphorescent light reminiscent of fading memories.
In the distance, massive silhouettes loomed—ancient relics overgrown with wild plants, clearly not of this universe. Most were shattered pieces of armor, some resembling colossal suits that had lost their original forms.
“Earth is truly gone. Looking at this, it’s hard to believe I might be the only one left,” Dexter muttered as he trudged forward. Even without clothes, he kept moving—after all, there seemed to be no living creatures around.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, his footsteps echoed against the ground, mingling with the sound of metallic streams flowing through a river of molten iron. The river sparkled with a dark blue hue, seemingly channeling invisible energy.
Fragments of armor, enormous swords, and broken technological seals lined the path. These silent remnants stood like statues, markers of battles fought millennia ago.
Some artifacts showed signs of movement beneath their surface, faint creaks hinting at dormant power waiting to awaken.
Dexter reached out to touch one of the relics, but a sudden loud crash nearby startled him. Instinctively, he fled, taking cover behind a surviving wall. “What was that?”
Peeking cautiously, he spotted a figure clad in red armor thrown against a tree. “Is that a human?”
Initially, Dexter planned to stay hidden. But curiosity overtook him, and he approached the figure, holding part of a shattered piece of armor to cover himself.
Up close, he saw someone slumped lifelessly against the tree. Swallowing hard, Dexter hesitated before reaching out to touch the figure’s arm. “Hey, uh, are you human? No, wait, I mean, are you alive?” It was a ridiculous question, but his mind offered no better words.
When no response came, Dexter trembled slightly. To his shock, the body collapsed limply. “Hey!”
“Geez, you scared me,” Dexter muttered, clutching his chest. “Another human means I’m not the only one left. Did others get a system like mine? If this person died like this, was their mission too difficult?”
Questions swirled in Dexter’s mind, but he took a deep breath to calm himself. Then, a bold idea struck him. He began stripping the deceased figure of their clothing.
Before leaving, Dexter glanced at the now-naked body with mixed feelings of pity and guilt. “I don’t mean any disrespect. We’re the same species from the same planet. But these clothes won’t do you any good now, and maybe you earned them through hard work. Still, I need them more urgently.”
After donning his new attire, a notification appeared before him.
[FIRST MISSION!
Mission Name: Starter Relic – The Beginning of Everything.
Primary Objective: Locate the Starter Relic in the Obsidian Temple’s domain.
Description:
‘Survivor, your journey begins. Find the hidden Starter Relic within the Obsidian Temple’s surroundings. Beware—the temple is guarded by ancient creatures and filled with deadly traps. This relic holds the key to unlocking your initial potential.’
Location:
Obsidian Temple
Ancient ruins near a massive chasm, surrounded by black mist obscuring visibility.
The temple has three levels filled with traps, such as collapsing floors, spiked walls, and ancient puzzles.]
Dexter furrowed his brows, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. His eyes widened as he stared ahead. “I’m not sure I can finish this. But since I’ve agreed, I have to try. Even if I die, at least I tried to survive. I don’t care about this broken world. Let’s just say I’m doing this to save myself.”
As Dexter turned to leave, he froze as someone suddenly grabbed his hand. “Don’t go. This is just their game. There’s no salvation, no destruction. It’s all meaningless, all empty. You’ll regret it if you go. Because once you start, there’s no way out.”