Rain poured relentlessly from the heavens, soaking Octavius Figaro to the bone. His shoes squelched with every step on the cracked, uneven pavement as he made his way home from another grueling day at the office. The glow of streetlights reflected off puddles, casting fleeting halos that did little to brighten the dreary night.

His briefcase hung heavily at his side, a physical reminder of the monotony he had come to accept as his life. Inside were papers he didn’t care about, numbers he didn’t believe in, and ambitions that had long since faded. He paused under the awning of a shuttered shop, running a hand through his drenched hair. “This can’t be it,” he muttered to himself, the words nearly lost in the downpour. “There’s got to be more.”

As if mocking him, a gust of wind whipped around the corner, tugging at his coat and chilling him to the core. He sighed, adjusted his grip on the battered briefcase, and stepped back into the rain. The streets were eerily quiet, the usual hum of the city muted by the storm. He was so lost in his thoughts that he barely noticed when the streetlights began to flicker.

One by one, they blinked out, leaving the world around him cloaked in shadow. Octavius slowed, a prickling sense of unease crawling up his spine. He glanced around, but the familiar cityscape now felt alien and foreboding. The silence pressed in, broken only by the rhythmic patter of rain.

Then it came.

A light—brighter than anything he had ever seen—erupted from the sky, bathing the world in a blinding white glow. Octavius threw up his arms to shield his eyes, stumbling backward. The air crackled with energy, and a deep, resonant hum filled his ears. This is it. I’m dying, he thought, panic coursing through him. His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, his senses overwhelmed.

And then... nothing.

When Octavius opened his eyes, he was no longer on the rain-soaked streets of the city. He lay on his back, staring up at a sky that defied all logic. Bands of gold and violet swirled together, as if an eternal sunset had been stretched across the heavens. The air was warm and fragrant, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth.

He sat up slowly, his body feeling strangely light, and looked around. The ground beneath him was covered in grass that seemed to glow faintly, as though infused with some inner light. In the distance, towering trees with crystalline leaves swayed gently despite the absence of wind.

“What the hell is this place?” he murmured, his voice hoarse.

Before he could process what was happening, a chime rang out—a soft, melodic sound that echoed in his mind. A translucent blue screen materialized in front of him, hovering in mid-air.

[Welcome, Octavius Figaro, to the world of Eltherion.]

[Initializing System Integration…]

Octavius blinked, his breath hitching. He waved a hand in front of the screen, half-expecting it to vanish, but it remained steadfast, displaying its message with an otherworldly glow.

“What is this, some kind of dream?” he muttered, reaching out to touch the screen. His fingers passed through it, and a ripple spread across its surface, followed by another chime.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

[Integration Complete. System Active.]

[System Status: Level 1 System User.]

[Current Stats Displayed Below.]

* Health: 100

* Vitality: 80

* Mana: 120

* Strength: 70

* Intelligence: 95

* Agility: 75

[You have been chosen as a System User. Begin your journey to unlock your potential.]

His heart raced as he read the words. “System? Stats? This is... like a game.”

The screen flickered, and a new prompt appeared.

[New Quest Received: Survive Your First Day.]

The message sent a chill down his spine. He looked around again, his earlier awe now replaced by unease. The peaceful meadow suddenly felt oppressive, as if unseen eyes were watching him. A rustling sound drew his attention to the edge of the clearing. His stomach tightened as he spotted movement—a pair of glowing red eyes staring at him from the shadows of the crystalline forest. Another pair appeared. Then another.

The creatures stepped into the light, revealing themselves to be wolf-like beasts, their sleek black fur rippling with unnatural energy. Their fangs gleamed as they snarled, circling him.

The screen in front of him updated once more.

[Combat Tutorial Initiated.]

[Tip: Use Strength for physical attacks or Mana for spellcasting.]

Octavius took an unsteady step back, his mind racing. “Physical attacks? Spells? I don’t know how to do any of that!”

The lead wolf crouched, ready to pounce. His survival instincts kicked in, and he clenched his fists. A strange sensation coursed through him—his body felt stronger, his muscles taut with energy. The System chimed again.

[Strength Stat Activated: Melee Combat Boost Applied.]

The wolf lunged, and Octavius reacted instinctively. He sidestepped and swung his fist with all his might, landing a solid blow against the creature's side. It yelped and tumbled away, its momentum carrying it into the grass.

Before he could celebrate, the remaining wolves closed in. His hands tingled, and a heat began to radiate from his palms. The screen updated again.

[Mana Detected. Spell Casting Available.]

[Would you like to cast: Firebolt?]

“Yes! Firebolt! Whatever that is, do it!” he shouted, his voice tinged with desperation.

The warmth in his palms intensified, and a ball of flame materialized between his hands. The sight was so surreal that he almost forgot the danger he was in. The lead wolf leaped, jaws snapping. Octavius thrust his hands forward, releasing the firebolt. The spell struck the wolf mid-air, exploding in a burst of heat and light. The creature yelped and collapsed in a smoking heap.

The other wolves hesitated, snarling but keeping their distance. Octavius's breathing was ragged, his hands trembling as he stared at the smoldering body. “I’m really not in Kansas anymore,” he muttered, the weight of his situation finally sinking in.

The System chimed again.

[Congratulations! First Enemy Defeated. Reward: 50 EXP.]

The surviving wolves retreated into the forest, their glowing eyes vanishing into the shadows. Octavius stood frozen, the adrenaline coursing through him slowly ebbing away. He glanced at the screen, which now displayed a small progress bar labeled “Level 1.”

He exhaled shakily and sank to the ground, clutching his knees. “This... this isn’t a dream.”

The System chimed once more, its tone almost amused.

[Correct. Welcome to Eltherion, Octavius Figaro.]