Damn, was teleportation supposed to hurt like that?

Whatever, he should probably find his dad. That was a super strange dream.

Breakfast sounded pretty good right now...

"Hey you, finally awake?"

"Did I fall asleep on the couch again? What's for breakfast?"

"Well, there is some sort of bug thing that tastes like peanut butter. There's also some nice edible rocks that are sweet somehow. Or you can just have some bread and cheese."

What was his dad talking about? Bugs that taste like peanut butter? Edible rocks that were sweet? Was he high again?

"Do you not remember what happened? We're in StonePoint, the kingdom of the dwarves. Something about being teleported to this fantasy world in order to cull the monsters in the world."

"You're definitely high again, I thought we agreed that we would limit what we smoke. Hey, ouch, what was that for?!"

His father hit him, he only did that when he said something stupid. Wait, dwarves? Oh... damn he was right. Unless they were dreaming about the same thing, then this really happened. That dragon was real, and they teleported after gaining access to some ancient magic.

"Where are we now, and why are you eating rocks again?"

His father was sitting on a small stool, it was almost comical seeing such a large man balancing on a stool that size. In his hand was a small sugary rock that looked... strangely like a gummy, but definitely still a rock.

"We're in a small town on the edge of the dwarven kingdom, not everyone reacted to the teleportation the same, something like 2 percent of the humans fainted during the teleportation to the kingdom. These rocks are an edible source of nutrients, it actually tastes pretty good."

They were inside a small town on the edge of the dwarves' control. That was acceptable, if they were inside the capital then they would have more struggles trying to fit in. The farther away they were the less they would have to focus on fitting into this strange new world.

"Alright Mark, if you can walk then we should go to the church in this city. That's where I was told we could find what we are supposed to do. Something about gaining information on how to create a class and become stronger."

This was so overwhelming, what did becoming stronger even mean?

"Dad, what is going to happen to us..."

There was a pause in his father's rant, a look flashed across his face that showed uncertainty.

"Well son, I don't know."

"Are we going to die?"

"Huhhh, son, I'm going to tell you a story. Your mother and I rushed to the hospital in 2019, we were only 20 years old, her water had broken and I was driving a lot faster than I should have been. I went around the bend and the car slipped on some ice. We crashed into a large truck and skirted off of the road. My mind was solely focused on your mother, she was alright, just a few minor scratches. I forced the metal that pinned me down to bend so I could get to her."

"I eventually managed to pull her out with the careful help of the truck driver. By that time there was an ambulance on the way, I could hear its sirens coming from far away. I kept on telling them to look at my wife, that her water had broke, but they refused and took me inside the first ambulance. Little did I know there was a metal rod stabbing me through my side, it was killing me pretty fast. They said that if my adrenaline had ended before they were able to stabilize me I would have most definitely died there, leaving your mother alone with you. "

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"I told myself that I would never let that happen again, never again would I let harm come between you or your mother. Death came for your mother, and I promised her that I wouldn't let it get to you too. So just know, I will never let death come for you, I will stand against it even if I stand no chance. You will not die before me, we may die, but I will die proud knowing that you will live longer than me."

There was a sweet silence that followed his father, a couple tears fell from their eyes.

"Thanks, Dad,"

The two walked outside of the local hospital. It was around the size of a schoolhouse in the United States. The ground was like a stone patio, few grass blades stuck out, it was a nice cool evening when they got outside.

The church was just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the hospital. It looked very attached to the stone and earth, nothing like churches on earth. There was also a statue of a small man wielding fire and stone around him. It was interesting, magical even.

"Welcome to the dwarven system church. It looks like you guys just came from the hospital, so I'll get started answering any questions and teaching you some of the basic system magic." A dwarf said, standing in front of the church.

"Oh, perfect, thank you. Yes, we just came from the hospital and are a bit behind compared to everyone else." His father said, taking the lead in the conversation as he always does.

"Alright then, If you just follow me this way I can show you around. For a mere pittance of coin I can bring you all around town. I think 1 silver would be adequate." The dwarf said, rubbing his hands together as if they were cold, which was strange because it wasn't that cold out, a little chilly at best.

"Sorry? I was told this was going to be free. Was I wrong about that-"

"HEY, get out of here you thief. You've caused enough trouble as it is, don't make me call the police again." Another dwarf said, pushing through the church doors. Clearly angry to see the short man again causing trouble.

"Shit," And without another word the dwarf who was standing in front of the church raced out into the alleys nearby. It was clear he didn't belong here.

"I am so sorry about that travelers, that man has caused us a lot of trouble today. Swindling passerby's into giving them the money they were given and running away." The younger dwarf said as he walked towards them." The young dwarf began apologizing profusely, it was almost funny, but also sad.

"My guess is that this isn't the first time this has happened, right?" His father kept a calm tone, trying to calm down the person who they hoped could help them.

"Yeah, he has been terrorizing this area all day. Like seven different people have been scammed and even more people have almost been scammed like you guys just now. It has been an exhausting day."

The young dwarf leaned against the stone wall of the church, ready to begin their introduction.

"Alright, if you would follow me inside we can begin the tour of the system. To begin with, contrary to popular belief among your people for some reason, the system is not sentient. It is only able to read and gauge your powers and strengths. Then it displays it as numbers, grades, etc... If you think about it then it will appear in your vision, no need to shout words or move your arm. It is all controlled via your mind."

"Next, the system isn't perfect. There are things that the system is unable or not programmed to identify. Such as the power of gods, usually things like blessings and special weapons will only have an incomplete summary of the object. Most beings eventually lose the need for the system and forget about it, like demigods and hero level beings. Every citizen on the planet is given access to the system, but it isn't necessary for your growth."

"Finally, this is the most important and interesting part for most people, the system is a blessing from an unknown god. Someone unbelievably and unfathomably strong has decided to bless this world with the system. Do. Not. Abuse. It. What I mean is do not destroy it. When someone destroys part of the system a lightning bolt is thrown down from above the heavens. It is believed that this is where the being who created the system lives."

"Other than that if you have any questions feel free to ask away, if not then I'll begin teaching you how to obtain your class." The young dwarf finished his talk. He had this memorized and was out of breath, finally happy he didn't stutter while talking.

"I do have one question. What does it mean to become stronger from the system? One of the nurses told my dad about becoming more powerful, what does that mean exactly?" Mark asked.

"Ah, so that has to do with your class. With the use of the system, you can obtain the right to use mana which fuels magic. From there you can change your body to chop trees with your hands, to split stars in half, or even cook the best bowl of soup you've ever made. The possibilities are quite literally only limited by your imagination."

The two thought in silence for a bit, wondering about what the limits of their imagination could be. At least that was what Mark was doing. His dad could be thinking about what to eat or where he could take a nap.

"Alright, let's get you guys started. Right here are a couple of cages where we keep mana bugs, just tiny little bugs who have absorbed too much mana and have mutated fully. If you two would each squish just one of them to let your body gain it's first exp," The two each picked up a fat little bug, each one was a different color.

"Sorry, before you pick a bug just know that each color represents a different affinity. Just remember each class possibilities are only limited by your imagination."

In Mark's hand was a bug that was light green in color. Almost minty but not enough to call it mint green. His father had picked up a glowing white one, like snow or light. Without another word they squished it in their hands. Immediately another sharp pain shot through their bodies.