Rain crashed down like a flood, and thunder boomed so loud it freaked Jason out, like the world was about to end. The 20-year-old slumped in the campus lounge, blond hair dripping, blue eyes blank.
He wasn't tall or short, just average—forgettable.A total nobody, lost in the crowd. Around him, students laughed, ignoring the wild storm.
A guy nearby spoke into his phone, carefree. "Mom, any chance you could send some cash? I'm bringing my girlfriend home, and I don't wanna look cheap." The words stung, a reminder of everything Alex lacked.
He grabbed his bag and went to the ground floor. Sinking into a cold metal chair, he saw,a girl giggled, all flirty, nudging her boyfriend. "Let's hit a fancy restaurant tonight," she said, her voice soft.
Jason's chest tightened. Others had love, money, and futures. He had nothing but despair and debt.
At 20, Jason felt his youth slipping away. His classmates dated effortlessly, dining out with girls from wealthy families. He'd tried talking to girls he liked, hoping one might see past his empty wallet, but they either ignored him or drifted away when they learned he wasn't rich.
He didn't blame them. In this cruel, beautiful world, only the good looking and wealthy thrived. People like him—orphaned at twelve after a genetic disease claimed his family, tolerated as dead weight by his uncle—had no place.
His best friend Pricila approached, her dark hair bouncing. "Hey, Jason, you look as gloomy as this weather," she teased, sitting beside him. Jason sighed.
"Pricila, when I finish my studies and get rich, will I finally have a life? A girl who likes me? Or will I be a 35-year-old nobody, too old to enjoy anything? I need a miracle, a shortcut."
Pricila frowned. "Why not try someone in your league? You might find someone who gets you." Jason's face stayed blank. "Is it my fault I like girls who happen to be rich? I've got work to do. I'm out."
"See you tomorrow, dummy," Pricila called, muttering under her breath, "Will you ever see me as more than a friend?"
The rain had slowed to a drizzle. Jason punched his student ID at the campus gate and headed to the bus stop, his sneakers squelching. A bus roared into view, too fast.
Before he could react, it slammed into him. Pain exploded, blood trickling down his face as he crumpled to the wet pavement. The bus sped off.
Voices shouted, "Call an ambulance!" Jason's vision blurred, his thoughts fading. "Is this it?" he whispered. "Dying without a family, a home, or love? A virgin at 20, with nothing to show for it?" Orphaned, unwanted, he'd hoped university would change his life. Now, death loomed.
Darkness swallowed him, pierced by a blinding light. When he opened his eyes, he lay on soft earth, surrounded by towering trees and vibrant flowers he'd never seen.
"Where am I?" he muttered, heart racing. "I should be dead. Is this… isekai?" Thirst burned his throat. After a long search, he found a waterfall, its icy water soothing as he drank.
"No cheat system like in web novels?" he grumbled. "What kind of isekai is this?"
A rustle caught his attention. A huge, pale man was picking flowers nearby. Jason approached, and the man startled. "Who are you? What're you doing this deep in the forest?" Jason improvised. "I… lost my memories. Woke up here. Who are you?"
"I'm Teron, from the Dragon party of the Phoenix Guild," the man said, eyeing Jason curiously. "I'm hunting beasts for training, but I found this rare healing flower. It'll sell well at the market. You don't look local. Come with me to the guild—a healer might help you."
As Jason glanced at the flower, a translucent window appeared before him:
[System Activated]
[Rare Medicinal Herb: Heals medium-level injuries instantly]
"Can I see my profile?" he thought. Another window popped up:
Status
Name: Zane Holt
Rank: ?
Class: ?
Race: Human
"So I'm Zane now," he whispered, excitement stirring. Teron frowned. "What're you staring at?"
"Nothing," Zane said quickly, recalling fantasy novels where deep forests hide deadly monsters. "You're out here alone, so you must be strong. What's your rank?"
Teron smirked. "A-rank adventurer. This forest's beasts are no trouble for me. Other forests have worse monsters—even S-rank hunters avoid them. But this place? Easy pickings. I Forgot you lost your memories. Come on, I've got my flowers. Let's head to the city."
Zane followed, his mind racing. A new world, a new name, and a system. Maybe this was the shortcut he'd prayed for.