[Welcome, Adam.]

The system’s interface materialized before Adam’s eyes, greeting him as it did with every other player. It followed with a series of disclaimers and instructions for first-time users. These were the kinds of details that most players would be paying close attention to. After all, this was the first time these essential terms and conditions were being explained, and no one wanted to be caught off guard in such a groundbreaking virtual experience.

But for Adam, these details were already engraved in his memory. He had experienced them before—he had lived through them. His impatience bubbled beneath the surface, the urge to skip through the mundane explanations growing with each passing second. To him, the points of interest could be summarized in plain terms:

No admins were monitoring the game. This was a world entirely generated and sustained by a supercomputer. No one had any control over the world’s actions, and nothing could interfere with its unfolding events.

Sensory experience in the game was nearly identical to real life, including pain. However, a pain regulator was in place to prevent any lasting harm or trauma. You would feel the brief sting of a sword through your chest, but the agony would fade quickly—just enough to remind you of the danger without crippling you.

Time dilation meant that one real-world day equated to three days in-game, allowing players to immerse themselves more deeply in the world and gain more experience within a shorter period in real life.

And lastly, there were no bugs or hacks. Everything that happened, good or bad, was legitimate. There was no cheating, no shortcuts.

These were the most critical points, and to Adam, they were all he needed to focus on. Every other detail was just noise. He smirked slightly, remembering how long it took him to grasp these concepts the first time. Now, he knew them by heart.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of listening to the system’s exposition, the explanation concluded. The monotone voice was replaced by something more... alive.

[A summoning ritual has been performed. Through this ritual, you will be summoned to the World of Pangea.]

[It is a world of magic, monsters, various races, and mysteries waiting to be explored.]

[But first, you must survive.]

Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind and light particles swirled around Adam’s body, transporting him to the world of Pangea. The dazzling display of magic would have been mesmerizing for any first-time player, but Adam remained calm, his eyes scanning the surroundings. This was an experience everyone would share—every new player summoned into the game would witness this spectacle, so there was no need for awe. He’d seen it all before.

The next moment, he stood inside a massive, dimly lit dome, surrounded by other players. It didn’t take long for the chatter to start up around him.

“Whoa! That was an intense start!”

“This feels real. So real.”

“Amazing! It’s just like they said.”

“Bex! Pinch me—ouch! Wait... Now, it doesn’t hurt. Try it again!”

“Where are we? What’s going on?”

Adam remained silent, observing the other players with a detached curiosity. These were no ordinary gamers. The fact that they were here meant they had access to the expensive gaming pod—a luxury not everyone could afford. Many of them were probably wealthy casual gamers eager to experience something cutting-edge. Others, no doubt, were professional gamers hired by esports companies to explore this new world for commercial gain.

Both groups had one thing in common: they were Adam’s rivals. In this world, they would all be competing for power, status, and survival. The thought barely registered in Adam’s mind. He had a different kind of advantage—one none of them could begin to understand.

BOOM!

Suddenly, a deafening explosion reverberated through the dome, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Gasps and murmurs of panic spread through the crowd. Some players instinctively ducked, while others whipped their heads around for danger. The explosion had come from above, though the massive stone ceiling held firm. But Adam knew better.

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They were deep underground, far beneath the surface. That explosion wasn’t just random noise—it was the signal for the start of their first quest.

In the center of the chamber, shimmering particles of light began to coalesce, gradually taking the shape of a tall, staff-like object. Adam immediately recognized it. The Aquila of Declaration.

This was no ordinary skill. It was a rare and powerful ability that allowed certain sovereign-class players to issue commands across vast distances. Only players who had reached at least Level 150 could wield such a skill.

[Aquila of Declaration]

[You are recognized as an ‘ally’ and will be able to hear the caster of Aquila of Declaration for as long as the skill persists.]

A booming voice echoed through the chamber.

“Hear me, Otherworld. I am Imperatrix Demetra of the Lorikan Republic. The forces of evil have summoned you to use your souls as materials for a Dark Ritual. You must escape the Forgotten Temple.”

“The magic seal is too strong. I and my soldiers cannot break through to rescue you. It appears that a ritual must be performed to break the seal.”

“You will have to do it yourselves. But worry not; I will provide you with the means to fight your way through. The totems of the Four Paradigms will be conjured at your location. Choose wisely, and use the path of power you gain to escape the temple!”

As the voice faded, several light beams appeared in the chamber's center. Slowly, they solidified into four towering totem poles, each one glowing with a distinct color: red, green, blue, and yellow.

A notification rang in Adam’s ears, accompanied by a soft ding.

[Quest: Choose Your Paradigm]

Details: Choose the paradigm of your power. This will determine the main path of growth that you will undergo. Once you have chosen, it cannot be changed.

The red totem represents the Paradigm of Combat.

The Paradigm of Hunting, by the green totem.

The Paradigm of the Arcane, by the blue totem.

The Paradigm of Creation, by the yellow totem.

These were the foundational categories that would shape the path of each player’s progression. Every player would select a paradigm that would grant them access to a set of basic classes. From there, the choices would only multiply. The game allowed for endless customization, with players able to branch out and mix paradigms depending on how they developed their character over time.

But for now, it was all about the basics.

As soon as the totems materialized, another burst of light filled the room. This time, it left behind piles of weapons, armor, and provisions. Bread, dried meat, water pouches—everything the players would need to survive their first hours in Pangea.

Immediately, the chamber buzzed with excited conversation.

“So, four primary roles, huh? Which one is the best?”

“There’s no ‘best.’ It all depends on your play style. Just pick something you’ll enjoy.”

“Anyone figure out how to access the status window? I think we need to pick a paradigm first.”

“Man, this game’s really gonna force us to commit, huh?”

Most players approached the totems cautiously, unsure of what to choose. They stood in small groups, whispering to each other, hesitating as they considered their options. The decision felt monumental—after all, once a paradigm was selected, it couldn’t be undone.

But Adam wasn’t like the others. He had no need for deliberation.

He had already seen this countless times. Years of experience had given him knowledge far beyond that of his fellow players. In his first life, he had spent hours watching videos, reading articles, and debating strategies in online forums. He had memorized the strengths and weaknesses of every paradigm, every class, every combination.

The Paradigm of Combat was for those who wanted to be warriors, tanks, or fighters—those who would rush headlong into battle.

The Paradigm of Hunting was ideal for assassins, scouts, or damage dealers—those who preferred to strike from the shadows or act as lone wolves.

The Paradigm of the Arcane was for mages, wizards, and sorcerers—the masters of magic.

Finally, the Paradigm of Creation was for crafters, builders, and support characters—the ones who would shape the world, forging weapons and tools to aid in battle.

In his first life, Adam had chosen the Paradigm of Creation. It had suited him well—he had become a master crafter, revered for his ability to produce items of unparalleled quality. And now, with the advantage of foresight, he saw no reason to change that decision.

He walked straight toward the yellow totem without hesitation.

The moment his palm touched the totem’s surface, a notification appeared before his eyes.

[You have chosen the Paradigm of Creation.]

[Once you confirm, the choice cannot be undone. Would you like to proceed?]

“Yes,” Adam said calmly.

A warm glow surrounded him as the system registered his choice. Unlike the other players, who were still nervously discussing their options, Adam was certain. He had lived this before, and now he would live it again—with even greater success.

As the light faded, the main menu in front of Adam updated, revealing new options that had previously been locked.

MAIN MENU

PLAYER INFORMATION

QUEST LOG

PARTY FORMATION

LEADERBOARD (currently unavailable)

MERCURY AUCTION HOUSE (currently unavailable)

SETTINGS

Around him, other players had begun making their selections. Glowing lights of red, green, blue, and yellow filled the chamber as each player committed to their chosen path. Conversations quieted as everyone accessed their updated status windows.

Adam opened his status window, expecting to see the familiar numbers he had grown accustomed to. But when he glanced at his stats, something unexpected caught his eye.

His stats were higher than he remembered.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, 'This is going to be fun.'