The village of Klyndorf glowed under the warm light of hundreds of lanterns. Colorful pennants stretched between timbered houses, and the air was thick with the scent of roasted meat, sweet pastries, and freshly brewed mead. It was the annual spring festival, an event that drew people from the surrounding region together. But for Aygon, the day carried a bittersweet weight. It was the evening before his sixteenth birthday, and tomorrow, he would leave Klyndorf forever.

Aygon stood apart from the celebrating crowd. The music of the village band and the laughter of the villagers reached him as if muffled by an invisible barrier. His gaze wandered to the shimmering stars in the sky, as though trying to imprint the peaceful scene in his memory.

"Aygon?" A familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. It was Loria. Her eyes sparkled in the lantern light, and she wore a simple but elegant dress that accentuated her youthful beauty. Her hair was tied back in a loose braid, and her cheeks were flushed from dancing.

"You should be at the festival," he said, turning away. "It’s your last one before... before it becomes serious for you too."

"That’s still a year away," she replied with a gentle smile. "And what about you? This is your last night here. Don’t you want to dance at least once?"

"I’m not a dancer," he muttered, taking a step back. But Loria wasn’t deterred. She grabbed his hand and, with unexpected strength, pulled him toward the village square.

"One dance won’t kill you," she said, and before he could protest, he found himself in the middle of the commotion. The music picked up tempo, and the villagers clapped in rhythm as they spun in circles. Loria guided him through the steps, and though he was clumsy at first, her laughter and energy were infectious.

For a brief moment, Aygon forgot what lay ahead. But when the music faded and the applause died down, reality returned with full force. Loria seemed to sense it. She pulled him aside, away from the prying eyes of the others.

"Here," she said, handing him a small leather amulet. It was simple but carefully crafted, engraved with a symbol of protection and courage. "My mother made this for me. I want you to have it."

"Loria, I can’t take this," he began, but she silenced him with a determined look.

"Yes, you can. And you will. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself, Aygon. And... that you’ll come back."

He nodded, unable to find the right words. As midnight approached, he withdrew into the quiet. At exactly 12:00 a.m., he felt the air around him vibrate. A bright beam of light engulfed him, and before he could comprehend what was happening, he was swept away by an unseen force.

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When Aygon opened his eyes, he was lying on cold, damp ground. The sky above was gray, and a light drizzle fell on his face. Slowly, he sat up and looked around. He was alone in the wilderness. Tall trees surrounded him, and in the distance, he could hear the rush of a river.

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A shimmering window appeared suddenly before his eyes, as if made of glass.

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System Notification:

Welcome, Aygon. Your adventure begins.

Current Level: 0

Base Stats:

* Strength: 3

* Dexterity: 4

* Endurance: 2

* Intelligence: 10

* Willpower: 5

Note: Your first goal is to find a safe shelter. Reaching Level 1 will unlock additional abilities.

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He stared at the numbers. They were as dismal as he had expected. No wonder no one had ever taken him seriously. But now, there was no one to mock him. Here, only his actions mattered.

Aygon clenched his fists. He had no choice. If he wanted to survive, he had to become stronger. Strong enough to reach Level 100 and return home. Strong enough to prove his worth.

After hours of walking, he reached a river. The water was clear, and small fish swam near the surface. Aygon knelt to drink and felt the cold water refresh him. Just as he dipped his hands into the water again, he noticed movement on the opposite bank.

A goblin emerged from the underbrush. It was small but muscular, with leathery green skin stretched tight over wiry muscles. Its yellow eyes glinted with malice, and its sharp teeth gleamed as it grinned. In its hand, it held a crude wooden club, studded with jagged bits of stone. The creature snarled, a guttural sound that sent a shiver down Aygon’s spine.

The goblin’s movements were quick and jerky, its body tense like a coiled spring. It sniffed the air and let out a sharp bark before locking its gaze on Aygon. Without hesitation, the creature sprang across the river, landing with a splash and charging toward him.

Aygon instinctively backed away, his heart pounding. He grabbed a thick branch from the ground and swung it with all his might. The makeshift weapon struck the goblin’s shoulder, causing it to stagger briefly, but the creature quickly recovered. It snarled and lunged, swinging its club. Aygon barely managed to block the blow, but the impact sent shockwaves up his arms.

The fight was brutal and short. Aygon’s arms shook from the effort, and his breaths came in ragged gasps. The goblin, though injured, showed no signs of slowing down. Realizing he couldn’t win, Aygon made a desperate move. With one last swing, he knocked the goblin off balance and turned to run.

He sprinted through the forest, branches tearing at his clothes. The goblin’s angry cries faded as he put distance between them. Finally, he collapsed against a tree, his body trembling with exhaustion and fear.

His stomach growled loudly, reminding him of another pressing problem. He was hungry, but he had no idea how to find food. For now, survival was his priority. Spotting a small rocky outcrop nearby, he decided it would have to do for shelter. Climbing up, he curled into a ball and tried to sleep, his body aching and his mind racing.

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When Aygon woke, pale sunlight filtered through the trees. He felt the weight of fatigue still clinging to him. Opening his eyes fully, his heart sank. Three goblins stood around him, their cruel grins revealing sharp teeth. One of them hefted a crude spear, while the others brandished clubs. They chattered in guttural tones, their eyes gleaming with malicious glee.

Aygon’s pulse quickened as he scrambled to his feet, his mind racing for a plan. He was cornered, weaponless, and outnumbered. The goblins closed in, and the fight for survival began again.