Chapter 1: An Unforeseen Arrival
The piercing white light consumed everything. One moment, Dev was slumped in his computer chair, eyes glued to a fantasy epic unfolding on his monitor, a half-eaten bag of chips resting precariously on his stomach. The next, the screen seemed to violently explode inwards, not with shards of plastic and glass, but with pure, unadulterated light that swallowed him whole. A dizzying, nauseating lurch tore through him, a sensation akin to falling endlessly while simultaneously being compressed into a single, infinitesimal point.
Then, just as suddenly, it stopped.
He found himself sprawled on cool, damp earth, the air thick with the scent of pine and something else – something wild and untamed. Groaning, Dev pushed himself up, his limbs feeling strangely heavy. He blinked, trying to clear the lingering spots from his vision, and gasped. He was no longer in his cramped apartment, surrounded by the familiar glow of his computer setup. Instead, he was in a forest.
This wasn't just any forest. The trees here were colossal, their ancient, gnarled trunks reaching skyward like colossal pillars, their dense canopies forming a verdant, almost impenetrable ceiling overhead. Shafts of sunlight, fractured and diffused, pierced through the leaves, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. Beneath his worn sneakers, the ground was a soft, springy carpet of emerald grass, thick and impossibly green.
"What the hell?" Dev mumbled, his voice hoarse. He spun around slowly, taking in the overwhelming, alien beauty of his surroundings. A cold dread began to seep into his stomach. This wasn't a dream. This wasn't a game. The sheer scale, the vibrant, living quality of it all, was too real. His mind, still reeling from the abrupt transition, struggled to make sense of it. Was I seeing a movie? Did my computer explode and somehow... teleport me? The thought was absurd, yet here he was.
He looked down at himself. His faded band t-shirt and equally faded jeans, stained with a week's worth of snacks and laziness, looked utterly out of place against the primeval backdrop. He patted his pockets instinctively. Empty. His phone, his wallet, everything – gone. A wave of panic washed over him.
"Am I dead?" he whispered, the question feeling ludicrous and terrifying at the same time. "Is this heaven or hell?" The silence of the forest was his only answer, save for the gentle rustle of leaves high above.
Just as despair threatened to consume him, a crisp, almost delicate 'Ding!' sound chimed, clear as a bell, directly in his mind. It was so unexpected, so precise, that Dev nearly jumped.
A disembodied voice, calm and detached, spoke. 'Treasure System of Thousand Worlds has activated. You can get treasure chests for meeting important persons in this world or story. The treasure in the chest will be determined by how much the person is important in the upcoming plot.'
Dev stared blankly. A system? Like in the web novels he devoured late into the night? This was too bizarre to be real, yet the voice had been so clear. "System," he thought, experimenting, a surge of adrenaline now replacing his fear. "What world am I in?"
'Lord of the Rings,' the system responded, its voice as devoid of emotion as before.
"Lord of the Rings!" Dev repeated aloud, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "This is The Hobbit adventure series! Oh man, this is good. This is a fantasy world, full of different kinds of creatures. This is becoming an adventure for me!" His initial terror began to morph into exhilarating excitement. This wasn't death; this was an unexpected, impossible opportunity. "Okay, okay, calm down, Dev. First things first, I need to find a village. A shelter. I'm not exactly dressed for wilderness survival."
He started walking, choosing a direction seemingly at random, pushing through the dense undergrowth until he stumbled upon something that filled him with hope: a faint, overgrown road. It looked ancient, worn by countless footsteps over centuries. He followed it, the path gradually becoming clearer as he walked. The majestic, ancient forest slowly began to thin, replaced by rolling green hills, reminiscent of pictures he'd seen.
And then, he saw it. Tucked into a gentle hollow, nestled amidst the hills, lay a small village. Smoke curled lazily from stone chimneys, and the scent of woodsmoke and freshly baked bread drifted on the breeze. His eyes widened. He saw many small, circular houses, their round doors painted in vibrant colors – reds, greens, blues – and their roofs covered in thick, beautiful thatch.
As he drew closer, he noticed the inhabitants. They were short, much shorter than him, with sturdy builds and surprisingly large, hairy feet. "No way," Dev whispered, a bubble of laughter escaping his lips. "Am I in a village of Hobbits?"
Before he could process this fully, a Hobbit child, no older than seven, with bright, curious eyes and even curlier hair than usual, darted out from behind a colourful blue door. The child stopped short, staring up at Dev with wide-eyed wonder. "Are you a human wizard?" the child asked, their voice surprisingly clear.
Dev blinked. He hadn't understood a single word. It sounded like gibberish, a jumble of soft, rolling consonants and unfamiliar vowels. Then, as the child repeated the question, something strange happened. The sounds shifted, rearranged themselves in his mind, and suddenly, he understood. It was English, perfectly clear English. He even found himself able to form a response without thinking about the language.
"Huh?" he mumbled, then instinctively, "Wait, I understood that!" He looked around, bewildered. "System, what was that?"
'This is a function in your beginner gift pack,' the system replied, its voice as calm as ever. 'Is there anything else?'
"Beginner gift pack?" Dev murmured, looking down at himself. "Where is it? Check myself, host?"
He spotted a small, oddly out-of-place panel glowing faintly on his wrist, invisible to anyone but him. It was minimalist, just a few icons. He found a small, conveniently placed bench outside a picturesque Hobbit hole and sat down, feeling a bit silly but eager. He tapped the panel. A screen popped up, translucent and hovering in front of him, filled with familiar menu options: Inventory, Quests, Map, and a flashing unread notification.
He tapped the notification.
'Ding! Beginner Pack: Language Translator activated. You can now speak and understand any language in this world.'
'Ding! Normal clothes of this world obtained. Check Inventory.'
'Ding! Two hundred silver coins obtained. Check Inventory.'
'Ding! Friendly Aura obtained. You can now get friendly with anyone you meet.'
Dev's jaw dropped. This was incredible! A language translator meant no more awkward misunderstandings. New clothes meant he could finally shed his dirty ones. Money was always good. But a Friendly Aura? That sounded like a serious cheat code.
He quickly navigated to his Inventory. Sure enough, there were three new slots: a neatly folded pile of Hobbit-sized clothes (which looked suspiciously large for Hobbits but probably average for humans), a small leather pouch bulging with coins, and the language translator which was already active.
Deciding to embrace his new reality, Dev clicked on the 'normal clothes' item. "Equip," he commanded mentally.
In a flash of light, his ragged t-shirt and jeans shimmered, dissolved, and were instantly replaced by a set of sturdy, earthy-toned trousers, a simple linen shirt, and a durable-looking tunic, all made of natural fibers that felt surprisingly comfortable. The change was instantaneous, almost magical.
He heard a gasp. "Did you see that?" someone whispered. "He's definitely a wizard!" Another voice chimed in, "Aye, a powerful one, changing his raiment in the blink of an eye!"
Dev ignored the murmurs and widening eyes of the Hobbits. He simply wanted to find a place to stay for the night. He glanced around, trying to recall his faint memories of the Shire from the books and movies. Then, a house at the very end of the village, partially dug into the side of a small hill, with a large, perfectly round green door, sparked a flicker of recognition. It looked vaguely familiar.
He headed towards it, his heart thrumming with a mixture of hope and disbelief. He reached the beautiful, albeit small, Hobbit hole and gently knocked on the round green door. After a moment, it creaked open, revealing a Hobbit with a round, slightly anxious face and a mop of curly brown hair.
"Good morning," Dev said, his voice surprisingly steady. "I apologize for disturbing you, but I'm an adventurer new to these parts, and I seem to have lost my way. Might I trouble you for a brief rest, perhaps a cup of tea?"
The Hobbit blinked up at him, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes, but then, his expression softened, almost imperceptibly. The Friendly Aura, Dev thought, a silent cheer erupting in his mind.
"An adventurer, you say?" the Hobbit murmured, then seemed to steel himself. "Well, I suppose... one must be hospitable. My name is Bilbo Baggins." He hesitated for a moment, as if unused to revealing such personal information to strangers.
Dev's eyes widened. Bilbo Baggins! The very Hobbit who would soon embark on an adventure with dwarves and a wizard! This was a goldmine of a meeting! "Bilbo Baggins!" Dev exclaimed, extending his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Dev." He shook Bilbo's hand warmly, trying to contain his excitement. He was as kind as he seemed in the movies and books, Dev thought, remembering the gentle, somewhat fussy Hobbit. Definitely the one who goes with the dwarves to free their home from a dragon.
The moment their hands connected, a familiar, crisp chime resonated in Dev's mind. 'Ding! A treasure chest found! Would you like to open it?'
"No, take it to inventory," Dev mentally commanded, his heart doing a little jig. A chest already! As if on cue, a shimmering, ethereal chest seemed to materialize from Bilbo's side, visible only to Dev, before instantly vanishing into Dev's internal inventory.
Bilbo, seemingly unaware of the magical exchange, pulled his hand back, a faint smile on his face. "Would you like some tea, Dev?" he asked.
"Yes, of course, why not?" Dev replied, following Bilbo into the surprisingly cozy and orderly Hobbit hole. The ceilings were low, forcing Dev to duck instinctively, but the interior was warm and inviting. They settled into comfortable armchairs by a crackling fireplace, and Bilbo bustled about, preparing tea and biscuits.
As they sipped their tea, Dev seized the opportunity. "Bilbo, if you don't mind me asking, what year is this?"
Bilbo, a surprisingly talkative Hobbit once he got comfortable, puffed on his pipe. "Why, it's the year 2940 of the Third Age, good sir. A rather uneventful year, I must say, which is precisely how I prefer it."
Dev took a slow sip of his tea, trying to hide the triumphant smirk that threatened to split his face. 2940! That meant there was still one year left before the unexpected party, before Gandalf and the dwarves arrived, before the great adventure truly began. "One year," he thought, a strategic glint in his eye. "That's enough time to roam around, collect some chests, maybe even train up a bit more. And I am definitely interested in going with the dwarves on their journey. Think of all the chests along the way!"
They continued talking, Dev sharing vague, fictional tales of his 'adventures,' careful not to reveal too much. Then, Dev offered, "If you don't mind, Bilbo, I used to be a chef in my old... town. I could prepare something for dinner tonight, if you have the ingredients." In his previous life, before all this, Dev had indeed been a talented chef at a bustling restaurant, his cooking skills top-notch.
Bilbo's eyes lit up. "A chef? Oh, that would be delightful! I often grow tired of my own cooking, you see."
That night, Dev prepared a simple but incredibly flavorful meal using Bilbo's pantry staples. When Bilbo took his first bite, his eyes widened, and he chewed slowly, savoring every mouthful. "My dear Dev," he said, practically purring with contentment, "your cooking is absolutely magnificent! I've never tasted anything so delicious in my life!"
Later, as night deepened, Bilbo showed Dev to a guest room. Dev, being almost 1.7 meters tall, had to duck severely to pass through the small, circular Hobbit doorframe. His head still scraped against the low archway with a painful thud.
"Are you all right?" Bilbo asked, peering up at him with concern. "Come carefully by the door, mind your head."
Dev rubbed his aching scalp. "I will enter carefully next time," he muttered, grimacing. Bilbo chuckled softly and then kindly prepared a surprisingly comfortable, if slightly short, bed for him.
The night in the Shire was peaceful, but Dev was anything but. Once he was sure Bilbo had fallen asleep, the soft snores audible through the thin walls, Dev sat up. He opened his transparent system panel, his fingers trembling with excitement as he navigated to the Inventory. There it was, the shimmering treasure chest he'd acquired from Bilbo.
He tapped it. The chest pulsed with a soft, internal light, then burst open in a blinding flash. Three ethereal cards floated out, hovering in the air before him.
He reached out and touched the first card. 'Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have obtained Super Soldier Serum.'
Dev's breath hitched. A Super Soldier Serum! Just like Captain America! This was beyond his wildest dreams. He was practically vibrating with anticipation as he reached for the second card.
'Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have obtained Beginner Swordsmanship Experience.'
A torrent of knowledge, instincts, and precise muscle memory surged through Dev's entire brain the instant his finger brushed the card. He felt his hands subtly shift, his posture correct itself, his mind filling with the elegant flow of blade movements. It wasn't just theoretical; it was as if he had spent years practicing, the experience directly etched into his very being.
Then, the last card. He touched it. 'Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have obtained One Hundred Gold Coins.'
Dev leaned back against the headboard, a wide, euphoric grin plastered across his face. He actually laughed aloud, a quiet, joyful sound that echoed faintly in the small room. Super Soldier Serum, Beginner Swordsmanship, and a hefty sum of gold coins! His future, both in this world and perhaps others, suddenly looked incredibly bright.
He located the Super Soldier Serum in his inventory. It was a single, sleek tube, filled with a shimmering, blue, crystal-like liquid. Without hesitation, he uncapped it and drank the entire contents in one gulp.
The sensation was immediate and profound. A jolt of icy cold coursed through his veins, quickly followed by an intense, spreading warmth that radiated from his core. His muscles twitched, his bones seemed to hum, and every cell in his body felt like it was undergoing an earth-shaking change. There was no pain, only an overwhelming sense of profound power blooming within him, like a flower unfurling. It felt incredibly good, blissful even. The last thing he felt was a wave of deep, restorative sleep washing over him, pulling him into unconsciousness.
The next morning, Dev awoke feeling more refreshed than he had in his entire life. The world seemed sharper, colors more vibrant, sounds clearer. He found a small, polished mirror in the guest room and looked at his reflection. His face hadn't overtly changed; he still recognized himself. But there was a subtle, unmistakable glow to his skin, a healthy vitality that hadn't been there before. His eyes, once a dull brown, now seemed to possess a deeper, more intense blue hue, almost like polished sapphires.
"System," he thought, observing his reflection, "is this the perfect version of the serum?"
'Yes, Host,' the system instantly replied. 'All items provided by the system are perfect versions. The Super Soldier Serum can increase your overall strength by approximately twelve times.'
Dev moved, testing his new body. He didn't look like a hulking bodybuilder, but under his now perfectly smooth skin, he could feel explosive, coiled muscles. His physique had transformed from average to that of a perfectly conditioned athlete, one who had trained rigorously for decades. He felt an incredible surge of power, a vibrant energy thrumming just beneath his skin, ready to be unleashed.
When Bilbo saw him later that morning, bustling about the kitchen, he paused, a slight frown on his brow. "My dear Dev," he began, studying him closely. "Is there... some change in your body? You look... different."
Dev just smiled, a knowing glint in his deep blue eyes. "Yes, Bilbo," he replied easily. "I simply slept remarkably well. You may be seeing the effects of a truly good night's rest."
Dev spent almost a week more at Bilbo's cozy Hobbit hole. During that time, he immersed himself in the simple, comfortable routine of Hobbit life, observing their customs, learning more about the Shire, and refining his understanding of the world. He practiced his newfound swordsmanship in secret, feeling the power of the serum making every move sharper, faster. He also cooked several more delicious meals for Bilbo, solidifying their unlikely friendship.
On the eighth day, Dev knew it was time to leave. He had rested, gained strength, and secured valuable resources. He had a mission.
"I must be going, Bilbo," Dev said one morning, already packed. "I am an adventurer, after all, and the road calls."
Bilbo's round face fell. "Oh, must you leave so soon? Couldn't you stay for a few more weeks? It has been quite delightful having you."
Dev shook his head, his resolve firm. "I truly appreciate your hospitality, Bilbo, but I have to go and adventure. There's much of this world I still need to see." Seeing the clear, unwavering determination in Dev's deep blue eyes, Bilbo sighed, knowing he couldn't dissuade him.
"Well, then, do promise to come again sometime," Bilbo said, his voice tinged with genuine regret. Over the past week, they had indeed become good friends, an unexpected bond forged over tea, good food, and shared quiet moments.
"You know, Bilbo," Dev said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "you could also do an adventure someday. It might be good for you."
Bilbo recoiled as if Dev had suggested he wrestle a dragon. "No adventure! No, no, no! My dear Dev, you know it's said that Hobbits are perfectly content with their comfortable lives, thank you very much!"
Dev chuckled. "Perhaps," he said, stepping towards the round green door. Before he left, he turned back, putting on his most innocent, slightly sheepish expression. "Oh, Bilbo, one last thing. My map... I seem to have misplaced it somewhere on the road. Would you by any chance have a spare one I could borrow? Just to help me find my way to the next town, you see."
Bilbo, ever the kind and accommodating host, sighed good-naturedly. "A lost map, you say? Well, I suppose I have a few old ones lying about. Wait here, I'll fetch one." He returned moments later with a rolled-up parchment. "Here you are, Dev. A serviceable map of the Shire and surrounding lands."
"Thank you, Bilbo," Dev said, taking the map with a grateful nod, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. He'd shamelessly asked for it, knowing full well it would be the very map Gandalf would later use to guide the dwarves. With a final farewell, Dev stepped out of Bag End, leaving the comforts of the Shire behind. The road stretched out before him, leading to new encounters, new challenges, and undoubtedly, many more treasure chests. The adventure of different worlds had truly begun.