Ray slowly opened his eyes and found himself in a blank, empty space. In front of him floated a blue-colored panel, flickering with luminescent energy.
He stared at the panel, which displayed his profile picture and an option to customize his appearance. It felt surreal, like something out of a dream. But the weight of reality pressed upon him; this was real, and he had to make choices that would shape his future.
After a moment of hesitation, he decided to make some changes to his looks. “I think I need a fresh start,” he thought to himself.
First, he changed his hair color from black to silver. The transformation was almost magical, the strands shimmering as they shifted hues. His eyes changed from blue to a deep, ruby red, glowing with an intensity that reflected his newfound resolve.
With each alteration, he saw a new reflection of himself, one that felt stronger, more determined. It was as if he was shedding his old skin and emerging as a new being, ready to face the challenges ahead.
“Hmm, this looks fine,” Ray thought, examining his new appearance from different angles. He turned his head left and right, admiring the way the silver hair framed his face and the red eyes gave him an aura of mystery and power.
Once he was satisfied, he clicked on the option labeled [Customize]. As soon as he pressed the button, the interface on the panel shifted, and a voice echoed through the space.
“Your profile has been customized. Do you want to enter the game?” the system inquired.
“Yes,” Ray responded, though his voice wavered with a hint of hesitation. The enormity of what he was about to embark on weighed heavily on him.
Suddenly, the blank, empty room was illuminated so brightly that Ray had to close his eyes. The light was blinding, piercing through the darkness like a beacon.
“Ahhh...it’s too bright,” he exclaimed, shielding his eyes with his hand.
When he slowly opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in the middle of a dense forest. The air was crisp, filled with the scents of pine and earth. Rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
For a moment, he just stood there, taking in the surroundings. The sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves filled his ears. It was a stark contrast to the sterile, lifeless void he had just been in.
“I...can walk...I can run!” Ray shouted, his voice echoing through the trees. He took a tentative step forward, then another, before breaking into a run. The sensation of moving freely, without the confines of a wheelchair, was exhilarating.
With a sense of exhilaration, he jumped a few times, reveling in the feeling of freedom that walking again provided. His heart raced with joy, a wide smile spreading across his face.
As he enjoyed the sensation of being able to move, a status window suddenly appeared before him.
[Welcome Player, to the game of Ascension for the first time.]
[Currently scanning Player attributes...]
[Randomly assigning Profession in progress...]
[Checking suitable talent...]
Ray felt a flicker in his consciousness, as if something was shifting within him. It was a peculiar sensation, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place.
[Scan failed...]
[Initiating Scan again...]
[Scan completed.]
With the scan complete, his status window opened automatically, displaying his details.
[Player Status Window]
---
Name: Ray Slivermoon
Level: 1 EXP: 0/20
Profession: Telekinetic Warrior (Advanced)
Talent: Mentor’s Gaze [S]
• Recognizes hidden potential in others with a single glance.
• Grants the ability to guide and unlock latent skills, helping others achieve their true potential.
---
Attributes:
---
Psychic Energy: 100
Strength: 10 (Base: 5 + 5 from Telekinetic Power)
Agility: 8 (Base: 5 + 3 from Telekinetic Reflexes)
Endurance: 7
Spirit: 12
Intelligence: 6
---
Skills:
---
Basic Telekinesis:
- Lvl 1
- Ability to control and float objects with mental power.
- Smaller objects require less psychic energy.
- Cooldown: 0 seconds
- Power: 5 Psychic Energy/minute
---
Telekinetic Strike:
- Lvl 1
- Unleash a focused telekinetic blast that pushes or crushes enemies in front of you.
- Cooldown: 5 seconds
- Power: 25 Psychic Energy
---
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Telekinetic Shield:
- Lvl 1
- Generate a psychic barrier that blocks incoming projectiles and physical attacks for a short duration.
- Cooldown: 10 seconds
- Power: 50 Psychic Energy
---
Psychic Push:
- Lvl 1
- Push enemies and objects in a targeted area with psychic force. Can knock back opponents or break barriers.
- Cooldown: 15 seconds
- Power: 30 Psychic Energy
---
Game Points: 0
---
Ray looked at his status window with full excitement. As a hardcore gamer in his past life, he always wanted to have these kinds of powers. Now, everything was in front of him, and he couldn’t help but feel thrilled. The possibilities seemed endless.
“Telekinetic Warrior, Advanced profession, S-level talent...!” he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. He could hardly believe his luck. To have such a powerful profession and talent was beyond his wildest dreams.
He realized that both his talent and profession might have something to do with the mysterious book in his mind. When his profession and talent were assigned, he felt as if the book had moved, though he couldn't tell exactly what it had done. The memory of the book’s countdown and its eerie disappearance kept nagging at him.
After sorting through his thoughts, Ray glanced around the forest. Just then, a message from the system appeared.
[Congratulations to the player for receiving his profession and talent. Please level up to level 5 as soon as possible.]
Seeing the message, Ray nodded and began to move in a fixed direction. As he took his first step, he noticed something under his foot. He bent down and picked it up.
[Basic weapon - Rusty knife]
“A rusty knife,” Ray murmured, examining the blade. The metal was old and pitted, but it was better than nothing. “It should be a free basic weapon for everyone.”
He tried slashing the knife through the air. The weight and balance felt familiar in his hand, a testament to his years of training.
*Swish*~
“Although rusty, it’s a good knife,” he remarked. The blade cuts through the air with a satisfying hiss. Due to his training with different weapons since childhood, handling a knife was no problem for him. He gripped the weapon and continued moving forward, each step filled with purpose.
After walking for a few minutes, he heard some noises. He approached cautiously, his senses on high alert. Peering through the foliage, he took a peek from behind a bush.
“Why don’t you surrender and become my experience?” a boy said, pointing his sword at a guy holding a shield.
“In your dreams,” the guy with the shield retorted. He activated something within his equipment, a faint glow surrounding him. He rushed forward with a burst of speed and shouted, “Shield bash!”
He crashed into the sword-wielding boy, sending him flying into a nearby tree with a loud *Bang!*.
The boy groaned and cursed. “Damn it... It hurts... No one told me that pain is so real in this game.”
As he struggled to get up, Ray saw an opportunity. Using his telekinesis for the first time, he floated his knife towards the boy and slashed at his neck.
Although it was Ray’s first time using his power, it felt as if he was born with it. The boy fell to the ground and disappeared, disintegrating into particles.
Ray quickly changed his position and circled behind the second boy, who was still stunned by the sudden attack. The look of shock on his face was almost comical. Before the boy could react, Ray struck again, his knife finding its mark. The boy with the shield fell, his body disintegrating into particles as well.
Ray received notifications from the system, the words flashing before his eyes.
[You have gained 10 Exp for eliminating level 1 player Max.]
[You have gained 1 game point.]
[You have gained 10 Exp for eliminating level 1 player Roy.]
[You have gained 1 game point.]
[You have gained enough EXP. Your level is upgraded to level 2.]
---
Level: 2 EXP: 0/40
---
Ray was ecstatic. It was his first time using his telekinesis, and he had leveled up. The rush of power was intoxicating. He wandered around, searching for more players or monster zones.
Although he didn’t find any monster zones, he encountered some unlucky players. He eliminated a few level 1 players and two level 2 players, which boosted his level further.
His level rose again, and he received more system notifications.
---
Level: 4 EXP: 0/100
---
As Ray looked at his progress in satisfaction, a message appeared.
[You have remaining 10 minutes in your daily playing time.]
He stopped.
“Since only ten minutes remain, let's allocate the free attribute points I gained through leveling up.”
Every time a player levels up, they gain some free attribute points according to their level, which can be freely allocated as desired.
“System, open the Attribute panel,” Ray said.
———————————
[Attributes panel]
Strength: 10
Agility: 8
Endurance: 7
Spirit: 12
Intelligence: 6
---------------------------------------
Free Attribute points: 30
---------------------------------------
The attribute panel opened, and Ray examined it carefully.
With each level, he had gained 10 free attribute points.
After thinking carefully, he finally added his points.
———————————
[Attributes panel]
Strength: 15
Agility: 20
Endurance: 15
Spirit: 17
Intelligence: 6
---------------------------------------
Free Attribute points: 0
---------------------------------------
He added 5 points to Strength, 12 to Agility, 8 to Endurance, and 5 to Spirit.
Given his abilities, he didn't have much use for strength, so he invested 12 points in Agility because it not only helps in escaping but also increases his reaction speed.
Endurance was crucial, and Spirit, which is directly related to his mental power, was vital for controlling his telekinesis more efficiently. Stronger Spirit made his telekinesis easier to control and more effective.
After adding all his attribute points, his time was up, and he disappeared.
---
With a flash, not only he but all the players were transported out of the game to their original locations.
---
Ray opened his eyes, his vision adjusting to the familiar surroundings of the villa's yard. The thrill of the game lingered—he could still feel the rush of telekinesis and the weight of leveling up. Yet, as he took a deep breath, he noticed a strange quiet around him, punctuated by the faint sounds of distant sirens and helicopters buzzing through the sky.
---
All over Earthia, people were coming to grips with the reality that they had been forced into. Everyone over the age of 15 had been pulled into the game world, regardless of their skill or desire. Most had managed to survive, but for those who had suffered "deaths" in the game, the experience had been traumatic—a brutal reminder of their vulnerability. Thankfully, the deaths hadn't transferred to the real world, but the pain, exhaustion, and emotional scars felt all too real. For many, these memories were already lingering in their minds, a reminder of how thin the line between safety and chaos truly was.
The forced participation created a ripple of anger and fear. Students who hadn't been part of the game desperately sought answers, while friends and families checked on each other, trying to process the shared trauma. Crowds gathered in town squares and city centers, seeking answers from any authority who could provide them. Social media exploded, and news broadcasts struggled to keep up with the wave of footage, stories, and demands for an explanation.
In the face of this sudden shift, the government made a formal statement, trying to restore some semblance of order. The Prime Minister appeared on television, his face drawn but composed. "Citizens of Celestria," he began, "we understand that an unprecedented event has taken place, and we are working diligently to understand its cause. For now, I urge calm and patience. We are mobilizing resources to support those affected and establish guidelines to help everyone adapt."
Within hours, the government introduced some basic policies aimed at supporting and guiding citizens through this new world:
1. Optional Registration for Skills - Citizens were encouraged, though not mandated, to voluntarily report any combat-related or unique abilities. Those who registered would receive specialized training and guidance to control and understand their powers.
2. Skill Support Programs - The government launched training and support programs designed to help individuals adjust to their new abilities, including self-control techniques and stress management. These would be accessible to all citizens free of charge.
3. Public Safety Guidelines - Authorities introduced a set of safety guidelines for skill use, focusing on non-violence and public awareness. Using abilities recklessly in public spaces was discouraged to maintain safety, but there were no fines or harsh penalties for skill use unless it endangered others.
The government made it clear that these policies were flexible and would be reviewed as the situation developed. For now, they aimed to foster understanding rather than punishment, encouraging people to adapt to the changes peacefully.
---
Back at the villa, Ray and Mia went inside for dinner. They ate quietly, each lost in thought. For Ray, everything still felt surreal—the countdown, the game mechanics, the skills, the leveling up. He could feel the strength of his new powers, a constant hum of energy just beneath his skin.
Mia’s gentle voice broke his thoughts. “Master, are you okay? You seemed very focused.”
Ray looked at her, chuckling slightly. "Yeah, just...thinking about everything."
As he took another bite, he suddenly remembered his talent—Mentor’s Gaze, which allowed him to see people's potential. On a whim, he decided to use it on Mia. He focused, activating the skill, and immediately a wave of information appeared before him.
Mia’s potential was blazing
, almost overwhelming. The talent reading was far beyond what he’d expected. She wasn't just capable; her potential practically outshone everything he’d seen in the game. His eyes widened, and he accidentally spit out his food in shock.
“What the heck…?” he muttered under his breath.