"[Master, your task can be considered quite difficult. So, please listen carefully,]" the system said in an indifferent tone. "[I am the Dimensional Wave System. I have the ability to open dimensional portals connecting many worlds. However, the worlds they lead to are not real—they are novel worlds.]"
"Novel worlds?" Arthur was stunned. "So, are you saying I have to go there?"
"[Bingo! You're pretty smart. That saves me from having to explain further,]" the system praised. "[It's roughly like that. You will enter various worlds and complete a main mission, along with side missions I assign. All of them are linked to the storyline of the novel you're in.]"
"[Each completion will be graded on six levels: perfect, excellent, good, average, bad, and very bad. Naturally, your rewards depend on your performance. Complete a mission perfectly, and your reward will be rank S, and so on.]"
"[Rewards can include talents, powers, weapons, and more. All serve one purpose: to make you stronger. But remember, failing a mission will bring severe punishment.]"
The system's indifferent tone turned serious. "[So, make sure you complete every mission, even if your rating is very bad. Do you understand?]"
Arthur remained silent, absorbing every word. The system's explanation was clear—so clear that he fully understood what it meant.
But a few questions made him hesitate, and he quickly voiced them.
"Is the power I gain limited to the novel world, or can I bring it into the real world?"
This was an important question. There was no point in becoming powerful in the novel world if it meant no change in the real world.
"[Of course. The rewards' effects can carry over to the real world. After all, they exist to make you stronger. Do you understand?]"
Arthur took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "I understand. Thank you, system."
"[You're welcome, Master. Oh, and there's one more thing I nearly forgot to mention. The novel worlds you're about to enter have different levels, divided into four ranks: low, middle, high, and very high. Keep in mind that your power in each world will be affected by its rank.]"
"[For example, in a low-level world, you might reach level 100. But in a mid-level world, you could drop to level 10—or even lower. The gap between low and mid worlds is huge, and the difference between middle and high worlds is even more extreme.]"
"[So, after completing missions in a low-level world and growing stronger, I hope you remain humble. Otherwise, you'll die—and I won't be able to save you.]"
Arthur's expression turned serious.
"I understand, system. Thank you for the warning."
Even without the reminder, he would have remained humble.
Fifteen years of suffering had taken a toll not only on his body but also on his mind.
He no longer had any confidence or swagger.
Even so, he was certain that if he recovered and gained extraordinary powers, he could reclaim everything.
Still, he reminded himself to stay humble, avoiding the foolish mistakes that protagonists in fantasy novels often made.
"[It's good that you understand. Honestly, I worried you might be the type to get carried away easily. But it seems my concern was unnecessary,]" the system admitted.
Arthur smiled awkwardly and remained silent.
"[Alright, now it's time to give you the meeting gifts. But first, please give your consent.]"
Ding!
A blue notification appeared before him, reading: "Do you agree to the terms set by the system?"
He had a choice of "Yes/No." Without hesitation, Arthur selected "Yes."
Whoosh!
The panel dissolved into blue light and merged with his body. Moments later, another notification appeared.
[Would you like to receive gifts from the system? Yes/No.]
Arthur clicked "Yes," and a red gift box materialized out of thin air, landing gently in his lap.
He carefully pulled the string. Five lights emerged from the box and hovered before him.
"[All five are gifts for you. Touch one, and you will see what is inside.]"
The system's voice echoed in his mind. Arthur reached for the light on the far right.
The light swayed, slowly dimmed, and then transformed into a blue panel.
[Congratulations, you have earned 5 health points.]
Whoosh!
Arthur's body radiated blue light. In an instant, he felt rejuvenated—his entire body refreshed, and even his legs tingled with a faint sensation of pain.
"This…" His eyes widened in surprise. "Did I just hallucinate?"
"[No, you didn't. As I said, my role is to make you strong, including curing your paralysis,]" the system replied casually.
Arthur choked back emotion, his eyes welling with tears. Wiping them away, he whispered softly, "Thank you, system."
Ever since learning that his legs could never fully heal, he had lost hope.
Of course, he had wished for a cure, but for him it had seemed impossible. He had long stopped allowing himself to feel too sad or disappointed.
And now, the system had offered him that very opportunity, filling him with undeniable joy.
The system paused for a moment before continuing. "[You're welcome, Master. But this is only the beginning. Once you complete the tasks I assign, you will gain far more than just healing. I guarantee it.]"
Arthur smiled and gave a small nod. "I trust you."
It felt strange to trust an entity whose form he had never seen.
Yet he didn't care. If it was there to help him, then the voice and the system must be the answer to his years of prayers.
He pressed the second light, and just like before, another panel appeared.
[Congratulations, Master, you have earned 10 power points.]
Whoosh!
Arthur felt his body refresh once more, but this time he also sensed his muscles growing subtly stronger.
[Congratulations, Master, you have earned 1 chance to enter a low-level world.]
"Low-level world? System, is this for my mission?" Arthur asked.
"[Yes, Master. It grants you permission to enter a low-level world. The world itself is random, so I cannot predict the genre of novel you will enter.]"
"So that's how it works…" Arthur nodded slightly.
He then pressed the fourth light, and a panel appeared that left him astonished.
[Congratulations, Master, you have successfully obtained the special class: Necromancer.]