The shrill sound of the alarm clock cut through the silence of the stuffy room, pulling Lucas from a heavy and restless sleep. He opened his eyes slowly, his face marked by the exhaustion of a life that seemed never to move forward. The routine crushed him — bureaucratic work, traffic jams, piling bills. He thought, once again, that there was no point in trying to change anything.That night, however, fate had a different ending reserved for him.
The dark sky, heavy with clouds, reflected the city's diffuse lights as Lucas walked home. The fine rain made the streets shine under the lampposts, and the cold air brought a strange feeling of foreboding. Suddenly, a runaway car appeared from the corner, speeding dangerously, and before he could react, Lucas felt the crushing impact that threw him onto the asphalt.The world went dark.
When his eyes opened again, reality seemed rewritten. He lay in a clearing bathed in golden light, surrounded by towering trees and a clear blue sky. The air smelled of damp earth and wildflowers, and a harmonious bird song echoed in the distance. No sign of the city, concrete, or the deafening noise he once knew.
Lucas sat up slowly, stunned and confused. His body felt different — lighter and stronger, as if renewed. A subtle tingling ran through his arms and legs, accompanied by a sense of dormant power.
Then, a voice sounded — calm, mechanical, echoing inside his mind:"System activated. Welcome, User."
In the center of his vision, a translucent interface appeared, projecting information in glowing letters:Name: LucasClass: BeginnerLevel: 1HP: 100/100MP: 50/50Experience: 0/100Active Quests: 0
Lucas blinked, incredulous, feeling the weight of this reality settle in. This was not a dream — it was real. Or something very close to it.
"System?" he murmured to himself, his voice a little shaky.
New text appeared:"Congratulations on your successful reincarnation. Your new world is Eldoria, a realm of magic, monsters, and mysteries. Prove your worth and conquer your destiny."
Lucas's heart raced, a mix of fear and excitement. Everything he knew about his old life seemed distant, like an echo lost in time.
He stood up, feeling the solid ground beneath his bare feet, and looked around. The forest that surrounded him seemed alive, with a pulsing energy he had never felt before.
"Eldoria…" he repeated softly, trying to grasp it.
Then he heard the soft sound of footsteps. A figure approached, moving with grace and determination. A young woman, with golden hair shining like the sun, and intense green eyes that seemed to see through the soul. She wore a light tunic and carried a short sword at her waist.
"You must be the newcomer," she said with a welcoming smile."I'm Lyra, your beginner's guide. I've come to help you take your first steps in this world."
Lucas felt a mix of relief and apprehension. Questions crowded his mind, but he knew this woman might have answers.
"I… died and woke up here? With a system?" His voice sounded unsure, but hopeful.
"Exactly," Lyra confirmed."The system is your tool to survive, learn, and evolve. Eldoria is a beautiful place, but dangerous. You'll need all the help you can get to thrive."
Lyra extended her hand, handing him a dagger with an intricately carved hilt, cold and well-balanced.
"This is your starting equipment. Let's begin with a simple quest: defeat three goblins that have been attacking nearby villages. This way, you'll gain experience and understand how your system works."
Lucas took the dagger, feeling its firm weight. He took a deep breath, trying to control his nervousness.
"Alright," he replied, determination beginning to grow in his chest.
Before taking the first step, the system interface updated:New Quest: Hunt GoblinsDescription: Eliminate 3 goblins in the Verdanis Forest and protect the nearby villages.Reward: 50 experience, 100 gold coins.
The clearing opened to a narrow path leading into the forest. Lucas felt the air change, growing denser, and heard the rustling of leaves under his feet. Adrenaline took hold.
As he walked, he began experimenting with the system's functions: an invisible menu he could access with a simple thought, showing skills, inventory, and even a rudimentary map of the territory.
Then something caught his attention — a soft sound from behind a bush. He prepared for the worst, but the figure that emerged was no threat.
A young woman with jet-black hair, bright brown eyes, and a mischievous smile appeared. She wore light clothing made for agility and carried a small dagger.
"You must be the new guy, right?" she said playfully."I'm Selene. If you need help, call me. Goblins are my specialty."
Lucas couldn't help but smile shyly at her laid-back attitude. Something about this girl was different — maybe the way her eyes sparkled or her natural confidence.
Lyra watched the interaction with a gentle smile, giving space for Selene to approach.
Lucas realized, for the first time, that he was not alone. The journey promised to be much more than just fighting and leveling up — there were connections to be made, paths to be walked, and perhaps, who knows, something more.
With the dagger in hand and the system active, he stepped forward into the forest, the future uncertain but full of possibilities.
And there, beneath the canopy of ancient trees, the true rebirth of the chosen one began.