The Voice in the Dark
Rain pounded the rooftops of Greystone Village, slicking the cobblestone streets. Fifteen-year-old Kai Renlor lay awake, staring at the wooden ceiling of his small room. The storm outside rattled the shutters, but something far stranger stirred within him.
[System Activated.][Welcome, User.]
Blue letters floated in the air before his eyes. He blinked, rubbed them, even splashed water on his face. Nothing erased the glowing interface.
[New Quest: Prove Yourself.][Objective: Defeat one enemy stronger than you.][Reward: Skill – Beginner's Insight.]
Kai's heart raced. "This… this can't be real," he whispered.
By morning, he tried to convince himself it had been a dream. That illusion shattered when Lira and Dane arrived at the village gates, cheerful as ever.
"Morning, Kai! Ready for a hunt?" Lira asked, twirling an arrow in her fingers.
"Yeah, let's check the eastern forest," Dane added, hefting his heavy hammer. "Nothing dangerous, just a few goblins, right?"
Fate had other plans. A small band of goblins emerged from the undergrowth, stronger than three novices should handle.
Kai's reflexes moved before his mind could catch up. His strikes were precise, his dodges instinctive. Each motion felt unnatural, almost guided by something beyond him. When the last goblin fell, the blue screen flashed:
[Quest Complete.][Reward Acquired: Beginner's Insight.]
Lira's eyes widened. "Did you see that? You moved like a ghost!"Dane grinned, shaking his head. "Whatever you did, keep it up. You saved our skins."
Kai realized something important: he wasn't like everyone else. He was alone in this… yet he wouldn't abandon his friends.