The morning sun broke through the motel curtains. Kenji sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes wide, heart pounding.
> *Quest Available:
> Title: "First Steps"
> Objective: Explore your environment. Identify danger. Develop 2 new proficiencies.
> Reward: +200 EXP, Unlock 'Observe' Skill.*
> *Accept? [YES] / [NO]*
He stared at the glowing prompt, hovering just above his vision. "Yes."
The words shimmered and vanished.
Mirai called from the tiny kitchenette, "Kenji, you okay in there?"
"Yeah!" he answered. "Just... thinking."
---
*An Hour Later – Montauk Beach *
Despite yesterday's near-drowning, Kenji stood at the water's edge with curiosity instead of fear. He focused, trying to feel what he did yesterday.
The wind roared.
He took a breath and walked into the surf.
> *Aerokenosis – Level 1 (Novice)
> Progress: 8%*
Wind swirled up to his knees... then his waist. He raised his hand and *willed* the twind to lift.
A breeze responded.
Not a hurricane. Not power. But connection.
He grinned.
> *Aerokenosis +2%*
> *New Proficiency Unlocked: Environmental Awareness – Level 1
> Progress: 5%*
---
*Later That Day – Back Alley of a Gift Shop*
Kenji followed a stray cat. It led him behind the building, where shadows grew thick.
Something hissed.
A raccoon?
No.
The thing stepping out of the dumpster had glowing yellow eyes and no face. It looked like melted wax molded into a boy-sized monster.
> *Alert: Lesser Miasma Spawn Detected*
> Danger Level: Low
> Reward for Defeat: +150 EXP, Minor Item Drop*
"What the—!?"
The creature lunged. Kenji barely dodged, falling hard onto his elbow. Pain spiked through him.
> *Pain Tolerance – Level 1
> +10 EXP*
Instinct screamed. He grabbed a rusted broom nearby and swung.
The makeshift weapon connected with the creature's side—and to Kenji's shock, it splattered like thick ink.
> *Combat Proficiency – Level 1
> +20 EXP
> Enemy Defeated.*
The black goop evaporated.
Breathing hard, Kenji stood in silence.
> *Quest Complete: "First Steps"
> +200 EXP
> New Skill Unlocked: "Observe" – Allows basic information scan on targets.*
> *Level Up!
> General Level: 2
> Stat Points Earned: +5
> New Feature Unlocked: Stat Allocation.*
He couldn't believe it. A video game. A *real-life* system. And this was just the beginning.
---
*End of Chapter 2*