Maximus had always been drawn to the extraordinary, captivated by the thrill of discovery and the allure of the unknown. As a curious young boy, he would often sneak into his father's dusty attic, where he'd spend hours poring over yellowed pages filled with tales of mysticism, far-off lands, and ancient magic. The fantastical worlds he discovered within those pages became his haven, a sanctuary from the dull routine of daily life, where each day blended into a never-ending cycle of monotony. In those mystical realms, he found solace, allowing his imagination to flourish like a master painter bringing a vibrant tapestry to life with every stroke of his brush.

Each evening followed a familiar rhythm, a comforting blend of routine and predictability. After a long day spent buried in paperwork at his unremarkable office job, Maximus would return to his cozy home, where his loyal companion, Finn, a towering Irish Wolfhound with a heart of gold, would sense his deep-seated yearning for adventure. Finn's deep brown eyes reflected a wisdom that understood the longing in Maximus's heart, a longing to break free from the shackles of the mundane and explore the unknown. After dinner, he would take a leisurely stroll through the serene night air, inhaling the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass, reminiscent of a crisp spring morning. Then, he would retreat to his room, where his imagination would soar, dreaming of distant realms where magic flowed freely and adventures awaited like hidden treasures, waiting to be unearthed.

However, tonight was different – a night poised to disrupt the tranquility of his ordinary life like a raging tempest crashing against the shore. As sleep enveloped him, Maximus felt an unusual, comforting softness, as if his bed had transformed into a warm, cradling cloud, reminiscent of a gentle summer breeze on a lazy afternoon. His mind wandered, guiding him through vivid, dreamlike landscapes where fantasy and reality intertwined like the soft, blended edges of a watercolor painting, creating a masterpiece of colors and shapes that danced across his mind.

The sudden, thunderous roar shattered the calm, pulling him violently from his slumber. He shot upright, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest, a primal fear that coursed through his veins like a raging river, threatening to consume him. Towering above him, with eyes that burned like hot coals, was a colossal black dragon, its scales glinting like dark diamonds in the dim light. Its massive wingspan cast a dark shadow over the room, making the air seem thick and heavy, like a suffocating fog that choked the life out of him, leaving him gasping for air.

A low, ominous growl resonated through the air, sending shivers down Maximus's spine as he stood petrified, his gaze fixed on the enormous black dog, Finn, now transformed into a ferocious guardian from another realm. The dog's massive frame loomed large, its fangs glinting like polished steel in the dim light. Despite his fear, Maximus detected a flicker of loyalty in Finn's eyes, a spark that seemed to bridge the gap between their worlds.

As he stumbled backward, Maximus collided with the hard, armored shells of ancient dragon eggs, sentinels guarding a hidden treasure. The air was heavy with an aura of foreboding, the eggs' imposing presence seeming like a dark omen. Panic coursed through his veins as the dragon roared again, its anger a palpable, raw force of nature unleashed.

In the blink of an eye, the dragon inhaled deeply, its chest expanding like a bellows, ready to unleash a fiery blast. Driven by instinct, Maximus dove behind the eggs, their towering forms his only shield from certain death. His mind raced, the world around him spiraling into chaos, akin to a painting torn apart by a violent storm.

Finn charged forward, its powerful paws thundering against the ground, as it let out a deafening roar that echoed through the air, shaking the earth beneath them. From its mouth erupted a bolt of shadow, a pure force of energy aimed at the dragon. Simultaneously, flames erupted from the dragon's throat, a torrent of fire that clashed with the dog's strike, igniting the sky in a tumultuous display of red and black.

As the heat washed over him like molten lava, Maximus clung to the base of the eggs, his heart racing with guilt and fear. Finn, his loyal protector, had bravely charged into battle to save him, but what chance did it stand against a dragon? He buried himself deeper into the nest's bedding, praying for the chaos to subside.

Then, silence. He cautiously opened his eyes to see the dragon huffing in frustration, convinced it had dealt with its prey. With one last snarl, it spread its immense wings and soared into the sky, disappearing into the distance like a dark legend.

Maximus blinked in disbelief, his mind struggling to grasp the reality of the situation. He was alive, but his world had dramatically shifted. As his breathing steadied, he noticed a faint, blurry figure in the distance, a shadowy form beckoning him like a siren's call.

The dragon's departure was a stroke of luck for Maximus, who had narrowly escaped becoming its next meal. He quickly scrambled to cover himself with the bedding of the dragon's nest, desperate to conceal his presence. The scent of damp earth and decaying flesh filled his nostrils as he sifted through bones, scales, and remnants of dead animals.

His heart raced uncontrollably as he fought to suppress a scream and regain his composure. The air was thick with the sound of his ragged breathing, and he inhaled softly, trying to stay quiet. Finally, he cautiously opened his eyes, allowing them to adjust to the dim light.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

A small, flashing exclamation point in the corner of his vision caught his attention, like a beacon calling to him. As he focused on the icon, a game-like system message window appeared, its presence jarringly out of place in the dragon's lair.

Maximus scanned the multiple messages, an inward groan echoing in his mind. One message, in particular, stood out, its words glowing with an otherworldly light.

> Dear Gods, why so many prompts? And what on earth is wrong with these quests?

He began to chuckle, then laughed uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face from the stress. What was happening? He wasn't in a video game or a hero in an isekai anime.

* [Quest: Cruel New World: You have been sent to a new world, accompanied by a furry companion. Your arrival has been less than auspicious, landing you in a dragon's nest. Objective: Survive the dragons' wrath and escape the nest. Rewards: Random Magical Tome, 250 Bronze Gryphon Coins, 100 Iron Golem Coins, and 50 Copper Agoa Coins.]

* [Quest: Immense Climb: The dragon has left and you have a choice. Stay and die, or climb down the large cliff. Objective: Leave the dragon's nest, and brave the climb to the surface ground. Rewards: Random Combat Art, 100 Iron Golem Coins, and 25 Copper Agoa Coins.]

* [Notification: You have been summoned to Eridoria, by a deity. Survive at all costs to find out why you were brought to this world. Good luck, Maximus.]

Maximus chuckled again, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. What on earth was this? He wasn't a character in a video game or some hero in an anime. What was he supposed to do now? If he was going to face death, he would at least go down fighting.

Then he remembered a crucial fact. He was human, without powers, standing in a dragon's nest that had nearly incinerated him. Groaning and kicking at the scales, bones, and debris around him, he vented his frustration until his foot collided with a massive dragon egg, sending a sharp pain shooting through him.

> "FUCK!! SON OF A BITCH!! YOU STUPID PIECE OF SHIT!! AHHH!!"

Any onlookers would likely conclude he was having a psychological breakdown. He froze as a new prompt appeared, glaring at it with disdain before relaxing.

> Huh...Maybe I won't be screwed after all. Does someone care about little old me?

Maximus slicked his hair back and struck a pose, his anime-influenced savior complex taking over. He made a rather ridiculous gesture while shouting.

> OHHHH GOOOON!!!

Then he laughed uncontrollably again. He sighed and sat down on the hard egg, jumping up quickly as the metal scales pricked at his backside. Refocusing on the prompt, he read it again.

* [Dragon Egg of Chaos: Description: This is a dragon egg of chaos. It was birthed by the mother dragon of chaos. Uses: This egg can be crafted into weapons or armor, used in alchemy, cooking, or absorbed into magical loot chests. Would you like to loot Dragon Egg of Chaos? Yes/No?]

> Nahhh, I'm not going to take the magical egg of magic? What do I look like, a-"

He was interrupted mid-sarcasm by another prompt.

* [Are you sure?]

> Of course, I want the magical egg of magic! Give it to me, you stupid idiot!"

* [You have absorbed 1 Chest of Chaos.]

Maximus pondered for a moment and approached the other five eggs, touching each one. A devilish grin spread across his face as he received the same prompt again. He accepted three of the remaining five, watching them transform into chests before him. As he considered how to store the chests, a giant screen displaying small square boxes appeared.

After placing all three chests into his inventory, a thunderous roar echoed from above, filled with rage. Maximus turned to see the large dragon returning to its nest. His face paled as he received another quest.

* [Quest: Evade the Mother Dragon: Description: The mother dragon of Chaos has witnessed an injustice. You have stolen four of her children as she was returning home with food. Flee with your life. Objective: Don't die. Reward: Magical Healing Supply, 250 Bronze Gryphon Coins, 100 Iron Golem Coins, 50 Copper Agoa Coins.]

Maximus began to panic, pacing back and forth as he struggled to breathe. Approaching the edge of the nest, he noticed a jagged cliffside, gritted his teeth, and prayed to any gods listening. He dropped down, slamming his back against the cliff edge. The impact tore at his back, causing him to bite down hard, blood filling his mouth.

The pain caused him to lose consciousness during the fall. He crashed into a tree, branches spearing him awake with a scream. Slowly peeling himself off the tree, he cried tears of rage and pain as he fell further down. The sudden drop in air pressure knocked him out again until he landed in a cold, icy grave.

> Why God, Why!!!

Shock flooded his body, overwhelming his senses. As the water began to engulf his injured body, he experienced multiple seizures from the cold coursing through his veins. He passed in and out of consciousness in an endless cycle of torment until the water expelled him like refuse, having feasted on his blood long enough.

Maximus's body healed visibly in the water, though it came at the cost of immense pain. He remained unconscious for some time while the dragon soared overhead, searching for the thief who had stolen its children.

He slept soundly, his battered body overwhelmed by potent healing magic that tore his cells apart and rebuilt them. Nothing in this world would wake him from what began as a dream and transformed into a nightmare.