Chapter 4 – Welcome to Eldoria.
Pain.
That was the first thing Chris felt. Not the numb emptiness of the void, but actual, physical pain. His back ached. His head throbbed. Something sharp poked his ribs.
What the…
He groaned, forcing his eyes open.
Green.
Everywhere, green. Leaves above him, swaying gently in a breeze. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. Birds chirped somewhere nearby. The air smelled fresh—earthy, alive, completely unlike the stale recycled oxygen of his office.
Chris sat up slowly, wincing. He was lying on a bed of moss and fallen leaves, surrounded by towering trees that stretched impossibly high.
A forest.
I'm in a forest.
His heart pounded. Memories flooded back—the truck, the void, the smiling god, the shadows.
Eldoria.
"It was real," he whispered, staring at his hands. "It was actually real."
He scrambled to his feet, spinning around. Trees. More trees. No buildings, no roads, no signs of civilization. Just endless wilderness stretching in every direction.
Okay. Okay. Don't panic.
He took a deep breath.
I'm in another world. A fantasy world. With magic and monsters and—
A thought struck him.
Wait.
In every isekai novel he'd read, the protagonist always had one thing. One essential tool that made everything possible.
Do I have a system?
His pulse quickened. If he had a system, he could check his stats, track his growth, maybe even get quests. It would mean he wasn't completely helpless in this world.
Only one way to find out.
Chris cleared his throat.
"System?"
Nothing.
He frowned.
"System!"
Silence. A bird chirped mockingly.
"SYSTEM!"
Still nothing. Chris's heart sank.
Maybe I don't have one. Maybe the god only gave me powers without—
"SYSTEM! OPEN! ACTIVATE! START! MENU! STATUS!"
He was yelling now, waving his arms like a madman. If anyone was watching, they'd think he'd lost his mind.
"SYSTEM! COME ON! WORK! PLEASE!"
"Stop yelling, Master. I can hear you perfectly well."
Chris froze.
The voice came from everywhere and nowhere—inside his head, yet somehow external. It was calm, measured, with a formal tone that carried just a hint of exasperation.
"...System?"
"Yes, Master. I am here. There is no need to shout as though you're summoning demons from the abyss."
A screen flickered into existence before his eyes, floating in mid-air, glowing with soft blue light.
╔═══════════════════════════════╗
║ Name: Chris ║
║ Level: 1 ║
║ Title: Shadow Young Lord ║
║ HP: 100/100 ║
║ MP: 50/50 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════╣
║ Skills: ║
║ - Shadow Control (F) ║
║ - Blink (F) ║
║ - Shadow Rise (F) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════╣
║ Quests: None ║
║ Inventory: Empty ║
╚═══════════════════════════════╝
Chris stared, mouth hanging open.
"Holy crap."
"I assure you, Master, there is nothing holy about excrement."
He blinked.
"Did you just… sass me?"
"I merely corrected an illogical statement, Master. It is my duty to assist you, after all."
Chris couldn't help it. He laughed. A genuine, disbelieving laugh that echoed through the forest.
"I have a sarcastic system. Of course I do."
"I prefer 'efficiently communicative,' Master."
"Sure you do."
He studied the screen, excitement bubbling in his chest. Level 1. Shadow Young Lord. Three skills.
"System, what's my title mean? Shadow Young Lord?"
"Your title reflects your current mastery over shadow abilities, Master. As you grow stronger and unlock more powers, your title will evolve."
"Evolve into what?"
"The progression is as follows: Shadow Young Lord → Shadow Lord → Shadow Monarch. Each evolution requires significant growth in level, skills, and accomplishments."
Shadow Monarch.
The words sent a shiver down his spine. It sounded powerful. Dangerous. Important.
"What about my skills?" Chris asked. "Can you explain them?"
"Certainly, Master."
The screen shifted, displaying detailed information.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SKILL: Shadow Control (F) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Allows manipulation of nearby shadows. ║
║ Current range: 5 meters ║
║ Can shape shadows into basic forms. ║
║ MP Cost: 5 per use ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
text
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SKILL: Blink (F) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Short-range teleportation through ║
║ shadows. ║
║ Current range: 10 meters ║
║ Requires shadow at start and end point. ║
║ MP Cost: 15 per use ║
║ Cooldown: 30 seconds ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
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╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SKILL: Shadow Rise (F) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Resurrect a defeated creature as a ║
║ shadow servant. ║
║ Current limit: 1 servant ║
║ Servant retains partial abilities. ║
║ MP Cost: 30 per summon ║
║ Duration: Until destroyed ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris read each description carefully, his mind racing with possibilities.
"So I can control shadows, teleport short distances, and raise dead creatures as servants?"
"Correct, Master. Though I must emphasize the 'F' rank of your skills. They are currently at their weakest state. Growth will require practice, combat, and dedication."
"How do I rank them up?"
"Through repeated use, Master. Skills grow stronger with experience, just as you do."
Chris nodded slowly. It made sense. Start weak, grow strong. Classic progression.
"What about the power ranking in this world? How does it work?"
"An excellent question, Master. Allow me to explain."
A new screen appeared.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ POWER RANKING SYSTEM ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ F — Beginner ║
║ E — Novice ║
║ D — Intermediate ║
║ C — Advanced ║
║ B — Expert ║
║ A — Master ║
║ S — Grandmaster ║
║ SS — Legendary ║
║ SSS — Mythical ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
"This ranking applies to individuals, skills, and monsters alike, Master. You are currently F-rank in all aspects. The average soldier would be E or D-rank. Knights typically range from C to B-rank. True powerhouses are A-rank and above."
"And SSS-rank?"
"Beings of that level are exceedingly rare, Master. World-shaping entities. You would do well to avoid them for now."
For now. Chris liked the implication. Not forever—just for now.
"Alright," he said, closing the skill screens. "What about this world? Eldoria. What can you tell me?"
"Eldoria is vast, Master. I shall provide a summary."
The screen changed again, displaying what looked like a rough map.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ CONTINENT: VARDENAS ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ The main continent of Eldoria. ║
║ Home to five major kingdoms and ║
║ countless smaller territories. ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
"Vardenas is where you currently reside, Master. It is home to five major powers."
More information appeared.
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║ THE FIVE KINGDOMS ║
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║ ║
║ 1. AELORIA — Human Kingdom ║
║ The largest and most influential. ║
║ Known for political intrigue and ║
║ military strength. Capital: Aelheim ║
║ ║
║ 2. THORNWOOD — Elven Territory ║
║ Ancient forests ruled by long-lived ║
║ elves. Magic-focused society. ║
║ Distrustful of outsiders. ║
║ ║
║ 3. KAZRADOR — Dwarven Kingdom ║
║ Mountain fortresses rich in minerals. ║
║ Master smiths and craftsmen. ║
║ Stubborn but honorable. ║
║ ║
║ 4. VELRATH — Dark Kingdom ║
║ Home to demons and dark races. ║
║ Feared and misunderstood by others. ║
║ Not inherently evil, but ruthless. ║
║ ║
║ 5. STORMHAVEN — Coastal Kingdom ║
║ Merchants, sailors, and navy. ║
║ Neutral ground for trade and ║
║ diplomacy. Wealth over warfare. ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris absorbed the information. Five kingdoms, each with distinct cultures and strengths. Classic fantasy setup, but detailed enough to feel real.
"What about races?" he asked.
"Several intelligent races inhabit Vardenas, Master."
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║ RACES OF VARDENAS ║
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║ ║
║ HUMANS — Most common and adaptable. ║
║ Found in all kingdoms. ║
║ ║
║ ELVES — Long-lived, magically gifted. ║
║ Arrogant and isolationist. ║
║ ║
║ DWARVES — Short, strong, stubborn. ║
║ Master craftsmen and warriors. ║
║ ║
║ BEASTKIN — Possess animal traits. ║
║ Tribal societies, often ║
║ discriminated against. ║
║ ║
║ DEMONS — Misunderstood race from ║
║ Velrath. Not inherently evil, ║
║ but feared by most. ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
"And magic?" Chris pressed. "What types exist?"
"Magic in Eldoria is diverse, Master."
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║ MAGIC TYPES ║
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║ ║
║ ELEMENTAL — Fire, Water, Earth, Wind ║
║ Most common type of magic. ║
║ ║
║ LIGHT — Healing and purification. ║
║ Associated with temples and ║
║ holy orders. ║
║ ║
║ DARK/SHADOW — Rare and feared. ║
║ Often misunderstood as evil. ║
║ Your affinity, Master. ║
║ ║
║ SUMMONING — Calling creatures or ║
║ spirits to aid in battle. ║
║ ║
║ NECROMANCY — Raising the dead. ║
║ Strictly forbidden in most ║
║ kingdoms. Punishable by death. ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris's blood ran cold.
"Wait. Necromancy is forbidden?"
"Indeed, Master. Your Shadow Rise ability falls under necromancy. I advise extreme caution when using it publicly."
"Great," Chris muttered. "So my main power is illegal. Wonderful."
"The god did mention others might fear or hunt you, Master. This is likely what he meant."
"Thanks for the reminder."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. So he had powerful abilities, but using them openly could get him killed. Fantastic start.
"Is there anything else I should know?" he asked.
"One more thing, Master. Adventurer Guilds exist in most major cities. They offer quests for money, resources, and reputation. An excellent way to grow stronger while earning a living."
"Adventurer Guilds…" Chris nodded. That was familiar. A staple of fantasy worlds. "Good to know."
He closed the screens, taking a moment to process everything. A vast world. Multiple kingdoms. Diverse races. Magic of all kinds. And him—a shadow-wielding outsider with illegal powers, starting from scratch.
No pressure.
A glint of light caught his eye.
Chris turned, squinting. Something metallic gleamed among the fallen leaves, half-buried near a tree root.
He approached cautiously, brushing away the debris.
A sword.
A simple iron sword, worn but functional. The blade was slightly rusted at the edges, the leather grip faded with age. Nothing special—no glowing runes, no mystical aura. Just a plain weapon.
But beside it lay a small note, written on parchment that seemed untouched by the forest's moisture.
Chris picked it up, reading the elegant handwriting.
"A gift to start your journey. Don't die too quickly—I haven't been this entertained in centuries."
No signature. But he knew exactly who it was from.
"The creepy god has a sense of humor," Chris muttered, picking up the sword. It felt heavier than expected, awkward in his grip. He'd never held a real weapon before.
Guess I'll have to learn.
"Master."
"Yeah?"
"I have a quest for you."
A new screen appeared, flashing urgently.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ !! NEW QUEST !! ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ QUEST: First Blood ║
║ ║
║ Objective: Defeat your first monster. ║
║ ║
║ Reward: 50 XP, Skill Point x1 ║
║ ║
║ Note: Survival is optional but ║
║ recommended. ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris stared at the screen.
"'Survival is optional'? Really?"
"I have a refined sense of humor, Master."
"You're as bad as the god."
"I shall take that as a compliment."
Chris gripped the sword tighter, scanning the forest around him. Somewhere out there, monsters waited. Dangers lurked. A whole world existed beyond these trees.
And he was going to conquer it.
One step at a time.
Alright, Eldoria. He took a deep breath. Let's see what you've got.
[End of Chapter 4].