Alexander Cain's head throbbed as he slowly regained consciousness. His body felt different—heavier, as if the weight of the world had been placed on his shoulders. Blinking against the harsh light, he tried to sit up, but his massive 6'4" frame felt out of place. The ground beneath him was rough, and the air smelled of earth, moss, and something vaguely metallic.
He pushed himself to his feet, feeling the weight of the sword at his side and the unfamiliar clothing that covered his body. No longer wearing his favorite college hoodie and jeans, he found himself garbed in rough, brown leather armor that seemed suited for battle.
Looking around, his heart began to race. Towering trees loomed overhead, their twisted branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. The atmosphere was thick and unnerving, and the sky overhead was a strange shade of purple, casting an eerie glow on everything below. There was no sign of the college campus or his apartment; the world he had known was gone.
"What the hell is going on?" Alexander muttered to himself. He rubbed his face, trying to shake off the disorientation. One moment, he had been cramming for finals, surrounded by textbooks and notes. Now, he was in the middle of a forest that felt more like a nightmare than anything he'd ever imagined.
As he took in his surroundings, a soft ding echoed in his mind. Startled, he stumbled back, reaching for the sword at his side. The weapon was a simple steel blade, but it felt comforting in his grasp. The noise persisted, and a translucent, glowing screen appeared before him, hovering in the air.
Welcome, Alexander Cain, to the System of Eternity.
Objective: Survive in this new world and grow stronger.
Your journey begins now.
Stat Overview:
• Strength: 5
• Agility: 5
• Intelligence: 5
• Charisma: 3
• System Points: 0
Quests Available:
1. First Blood: Kill a wild beast to prove your strength. (Reward: 10 XP)
2. Basic Survival: Collect 10 herbs to craft your first potion. (Reward: 5 XP)
The screen flickered slightly, but the words remained clear. Alexander blinked in disbelief. This is… real?
"What the hell is a 'System of Eternity'?" he muttered under his breath, taking a step back as the reality of the situation started to sink in. His mind raced. There were so many questions. Where was he? How had he gotten here? And what did this system mean for him?
The message didn't disappear, and a new prompt appeared.
Hint: Your first step is to gather resources to survive. The world will not wait for you to adjust.
A chill ran down Alexander's spine. He glanced around at the thick woods surrounding him, the towering trees casting long, distorted shadows across the uneven ground. He had to make a choice: stand there and hope for something to make sense, or start moving, taking whatever action he could to survive.
Survival… the word echoed in his mind as he looked down at his hands, which were larger than average and strong, thanks to years of weightlifting at the gym. He wasn't exactly a professional warrior, but he had always felt capable in his own way. His athletic build, combined with his height, gave him an imposing presence. But now, that height felt more like a target than an advantage.
"Alright, let's see what this system can do for me," he muttered, adjusting the sword at his side. With a deep breath, he scanned the area. There was no sign of any immediate threats, but the rustling of leaves nearby caught his attention.
A few steps into the forest, Alexander came across the source of the sound: a large, scraggly boar, snuffling around the underbrush. It looked up when it noticed him, its beady eyes gleaming with primal intelligence. Alexander's heart quickened. He had no idea how dangerous this world might be, but the system had already given him a quest to kill a wild beast. This had to be it.
"Time to put that 'strength' stat to the test," he thought, tightening his grip on the sword.
The boar charged at him with surprising speed, but Alexander was ready. He sidestepped just in time, his long legs easily propelling him out of the way. The boar's tusks grazed his armor, but the leather held firm. Taking advantage of the boar's momentum, Alexander swung the sword in a wide arc, striking the creature's side.
The boar let out a sharp squeal of pain, backing up and charging again. This time, Alexander was faster. He ducked low, sidestepping the creature's tusks, and drove his sword deep into its flank. The boar let out one last grunt before collapsing to the ground.
Panting, Alexander wiped the sweat from his brow. The battle had been short, but it had been enough to make him realize just how much he had to learn about this world. But at least he had completed his first quest.
Quest Completed: First Blood
• Reward: 10 XP
Stat Update:
• Strength: 5 → 6
• Agility: 5 → 6
The screen flashed before him, and Alexander felt a strange sensation, like a rush of energy surging through his veins. His body seemed to hum with newfound power, and he could feel his muscles becoming more defined, stronger.
His heart pounded in his chest, but it wasn't fear he felt. It was exhilaration.
"Okay, I can do this," Alexander muttered, looking down at the boar's corpse. He knelt down to collect the creature's hide and meat, just as the system prompted him again.
Hint: Use the boar's hide to craft a basic set of armor. You will need more resources to survive the coming challenges.
"Great. Now, it looks like I'm hunting for more than just survival." Alexander sighed, standing tall and looking into the depths of the dark forest. The path ahead was uncertain, but with the system's help, he was ready to take on whatever came next.