The screen lit up the dark room. The click-clack of the keyboard was the only sound breaking the silence.Haruto Aoyama let his head fall back against the chair and sighed.
—Dead again… —he muttered, watching his avatar collapse in defeat inside the game.
He closed his eyes for a few seconds. He was nineteen, studying at university only because his mom insisted, and living in a tiny apartment in Tokyo that smelled like instant ramen and cheap booze.His mother sent him money every month from another prefecture, so he didn't need to work. His parents were still together, he even had a younger sister… but they barely spoke anymore.
To them, he was just another student. To himself, a hopeless loser.
He looked at the screen again. In the RPG, he was a hero who mastered combat techniques, cast ridiculously complex spells to command the elements, and—most importantly—was surrounded by gorgeous girls, curvy and loyal. Fierce warriors and powerful sorceresses. In real life, he was just Haruto Aoyama: an average guy, with mediocre grades and zero ambition for the future.
—At least here… —he smirked bitterly, seeing his avatar standing in the middle of his virtual "harem"— I'm someone.
He stretched and grabbed the half-empty can of cheap beer. He took a long gulp without even wincing at how strong it was. On the table, next to pizza crumbs, was a folded piece of paper. He picked it up without much care.
The hospital paper was clear, merciless, with no compassion:
"Terminal heart failure. Estimated life expectancy: four months."
Haruto let out a dry laugh.
—Not even gonna make it to twenty… What a joke.
He didn't cry. He couldn't. It was like he was already hollow inside. Alcohol helped fill that emptiness. He took another swig and closed his eyes, imagining, just for a moment, a different life. One where he could be like his avatar: strong, respected, surrounded by beautiful girls, and with a clear purpose.
«I wish… just once… I could feel like I did something right in this world»
The can was empty. He reached for another, but the six-pack was already gone—like he had drunk it all as if it were water.
«Damn it, I want more beer» He lazily threw on his jacket and stepped out into the cold Tokyo night in search of another pack.
The freezing air hit him the moment he left the convenience store. He walked with his hands in his pockets, when a sharp scream cut through the night.
—Let me go! Daaad!
He turned his head. In a poorly lit alley, a man had a little girl by the neck, pointing a gun at her. Her parents stood just a few meters away, frozen in terror. The slightest move could mean their daughter's death.The few bystanders had already called the police, but in a massive city like Tokyo, it could take forever for them to arrive.
Haruto's heart pounded. «This isn't my problem» he thought.
He had always avoided getting involved in other people's messes. Always ran away.
But then he remembered the crumpled paper in his pocket. Four months left. What did it matter anymore? Maybe… this was his chance to hear a "thank you." Or at least to feel some adrenaline one last time.
—Let her go! —he shouted without thinking.
The kidnapper glared at him.
—And who the hell are you? Wanna die, you piece of shit?
Haruto ran. He didn't think, he just acted. He shoved the criminal with everything he had. The man stumbled, losing his grip, and the girl fell to the ground. She scrambled away on all fours, crying.
—Run! —Haruto yelled, a wave of relief hitting him as he saw her escape.
The relief lasted only a heartbeat. The man raised his gun and pulled the trigger.
Bang.
A burning pain ripped through his chest. Haruto dropped to his knees. Blood seeped quickly into his jacket.
—That's what you get for butting in, dumbass! —the thug spat before running off.
Haruto barely registered the fading footsteps. All he saw was the little girl, staring at him with tearful eyes from her safe corner.
«It's fine… at least… she's safe» he thought, as his life slipped away. A tired smile crept onto his lips.
He collapsed onto his back. The night sky blurred into shadows. The last thing he saw was a police officer wrapping the girl in his arms, safe at last.
The pain was gone. The cold too. There was only darkness.
He was standing, alone. In the middle of nothing, as if locked in a room without a shred of light. Only his footsteps and his echoing breath filled the void.
«Is this… dying?» he thought.
But then, something strange happened. Lights of impossible colors swirled around him. A sensation of falling—of floating between worlds—wrapped around his body.
He heard voices. Ancient whispers. And a deep, mocking laugh.
—Human… —the voice boomed like thunder inside his skull—. Your life has ended… but your story is just beginning.
Haruto tried to answer, but his mouth wouldn't move. Darkness swallowed him again. Only his thoughts remained.
When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in Tokyo.
Haruto blinked several times, slowly adjusting to the light filtering through the leaves. The damp smell of the forest filled his nose: wet earth, fresh moss, and something strange… almost electric. The air felt thicker, heavier… as if he were breathing magic.
—What… the hell? —he muttered, pushing himself up on his elbows.
He staggered to his feet. All around him, enormous trees with reddish trunks stretched into the sky like natural towers. Their canopies seemed to sway slightly, even though there was no wind. Flowers of impossible colors bloomed from the undergrowth, some glowing faintly as if they were alive.
He took one step. Then another. Every crunch of the dried leaves beneath his feet made his heart skip. He didn't recognize anything—no path, no sign of civilization. Just him and the forest… and something he couldn't quite understand.
He stopped to calm down, to think clearly. The last thing he remembered before dying was saving a little girl. Then, only darkness.After that, he had appeared in the middle of a forest—one that wasn't anything like Japan. In fact, it wasn't like anywhere in his world. Obviously, as ridiculous as it sounded, this wasn't the real world anymore.
«I must be in some kind of limbo» his gamer brain, stuffed with fantasy RPGs and cheesy novels, concluded.
He sat down on a rock, already overwhelmed by everything.
«Watch, now the rock's gonna start talking to me»
He raised his hand to steady his nerves. And then he saw something that nearly made him fall over.
—What the hell… magic?
From his palm, a translucent parchment appeared, like it had been pulled right out of his body.
It hovered in the air, as if it had grown from his own skin. Trembling, he stared at it. It didn't burn, it didn't hurt—it simply floated there, unfolding softly. At the top was the title: "Life Sheet."
When he opened it, three sections were clearly marked:
Personal Stats — Strength: 5/100, Speed: 7/100, Magic: 3/100, and other equally pathetic numbers.
Map — a forest, mountains, and a blinking point showing his location.
Skill Chain — something he could swipe with his finger to expand or minimize.
—Okay… this is… weird, right? —he muttered, sliding his hand over the parchment, tapping and swiping like it was a touchscreen.
«This is like those damn RPGs I waste hours playing… only way creepier» he thought.
Finally, the parchment asked for a name. He hesitated, until he remembered his gaming experiences and smirked.
—Zeth… perfect. I'll use that.
His gamer name. The identity he used to represent the life he wished he had. Now, it was the start of something new.
It was his chance to do things differently, to leave behind the wreck of a life he'd had.
He didn't know why he was here.Did he have some kind of mission in this new world? Was there a reason someone—or something—had brought him here?
But the first thought that came to his mind was: "It's time to start over."
The parchment glowed instantly, as if accepting his choice, and sank into his hand, becoming part of him. A faint blue shimmer lingered on his palm.
Haruto—now Zeth—took a deep breath. The air smelled of forest… and of magic. Every sound felt sharper: the snap of branches, the strange calls of birds unknown to Japan, the whisper of the wind that seemed to speak directly to him.
He crouched and touched the ground. His hand didn't just feel dirt—it tingled faintly, almost as if the very earth were breathing.
—Okay… not even in my weirdest dreams would I imagine something like this… —he whispered, running his fingers over grass that glowed faintly.
This was a whole new world for him. But maybe all those years of RPG grinding could finally come in handy.
This was an RPG world, wasn't it? That parchment—his Life Sheet—had stats, just like in games. He could raise them, become a warrior, or maybe even just a farmer living a peaceful life in the countryside. Honestly, the second option didn't sound too bad.
«I'll figure something out»
For now, the important thing was to explore and adapt to this unknown world as fast as possible. His gaming experience would at least keep him from being completely lost from the start.
«Alright, if this really is like an RPG, I should look for the nearest village… maybe get a basic weapon»
The ideal start would be to take some collection quests for a farmer, just to gain experience and money. At least if things really worked like the games he knew.
Out of nowhere, a noise behind him made Zeth spin violently. No one there. Just the forest.
—Hello, useless human… —a deep voice rumbled from behind.
Zeth stumbled back, nearly tripping.
—W-Who's there?! —he stammered.
The voice laughed—deep, mocking, like rolling thunder.
—Can't you see me? I'm your… future best friend.
Zeth looked again. Nothing.
—Okay… fine… I'm hallucinating. This is one shitty dream… —he muttered, trying to rationalize while forcing his trembling hands to stay still.
Suddenly, the voice took form before him: a massive wolf, muscular, with glowing red eyes and a mocking grin. Its fangs jutted out, and its dark fur seemed to swallow the light around it.
—A demon! —Zeth staggered back instinctively—. Shit, shit, shit!
The wolf stepped forward and sat proudly in front of him, crossing its forelegs arrogantly.
—Calm down, human. I'm Varkel. Your personal magic assistant. Yeah, your life depends on me, so you'd better listen, dumbass.
—Magic… assistant? —Zeth blinked, sliding behind a tree—. Are you insane, or just screwing with me?
—Both —Varkel replied, tilting his head with a smug grin—. But yes, you need someone like me… because you're completely useless.
Zeth swallowed hard, still frozen in place.
—Okay… a demon wolf is talking to me… this is… shit, even death is worse than college.
All those years playing RPGs filled with monsters and demons uglier than sin… and yet, he had never imagined seeing one standing right in front of him. He had to get used to this kind of destructive aura—fast.
Though honestly, the way the beast spoke didn't quite match its terrifying appearance. It was constantly mocking him. Still, Zeth's fear was perfectly normal when facing a demonic creature of that magnitude for the first time.
Varkel stepped closer, sniffing the air around him.—Don't worry, human. If you survive me, you might actually become something decent. If not, well… I'll eat you first. We'll see.
—Shit, what a creepy day! —Zeth rubbed his face—. This has to be a dream. Yeah… one shitty dream…
Varkel snorted, clearly enjoying the drama.—Oh, come on, human… stop whining and walk. Your story's just beginning, and I'm not carrying your useless ass the whole way.
—Fine, but I want to know who you are, and why you came to me.
—I'm a demon of this world. I come from another continent, but I'm here with an important mission for you.
—Important mission?
—Before I explain, I need to know you're going to help me.
Zeth sighed, resigned but a little curious. Deep down, a spark lit up—the same spark he used to feel when booting up an RPG.
—Alright, Varkel… let's do this. But if you kill me, I swear… I'll curse you all the way to my next reincarnation —he said with a half-smile.
Varkel let out a booming laugh.—Deal, human. Now… it's time to begin your training in Valtherra.
Zeth was still trying to process the forest, the glowing parchment, and the giant demon wolf trailing him like some smug shadow. At least he was calmer now, and he understood Varkel wasn't planning to kill him. In fact, the wolf seemed to need him alive—maybe even protect him.
Varkel took a step forward, forelegs crossed with arrogant poise.—Listen well, useless human —Varkel said—. Before you start wandering this world like some lost idiot, there's something we need to do.
—What now, a work contract? —Zeth raised a brow, trying to sound serious while still trembling—. What is this, demon life insurance?
Varkel snorted, a deep mocking laugh rumbling in his throat.—Don't be stupid. I'm going to be your Familiar.
Zeth froze.—A Familiar? Like… a magic pet or something?
—No, dumbass —Varkel sat in front of him, crossing his legs—. A Familiar isn't a pet. I'm your protection, your combat partner, your guide in this shitty world. And on top of that, I'll help you develop your Stats. Basically… you won't die quite as fast if you listen to me.
—Ah… great. Just what I needed… a giant wolf bossing me around —Zeth rolled his eyes—. And what do you want in return?
—Your help with a mission. Something important for me and my community. Some issues need fixing in my homeland. Nothing too hard—just enough to make you less of a complete waste.
—And your community can't handle it themselves?
Varkel gave him a sharp glance.—Do you think I'd bother dragging a human back from another dimension if they could?
—Wait… you're the one who brought me here? —Zeth's eyes widened.
—Of course I did. We need a human's contribution to solve the crisis in my continent.
—I see… so humans don't exist in this world?
—Of course they do. In fact, humans are the most numerous race in Valtherra, the dominant one. But the humans here would never accept help from a demon. Our international relations are broken—hell, we're at war.
Zeth listened carefully, realizing he had landed in a pretty messed-up world.
He sighed. With nothing to lose, he nodded.—Fine… I guess I'm in. Let's sign the damn contract.
Varkel lifted his paw, and a crimson glow flared between them. Zeth touched it, feeling a slight tingle. In that moment, his body changed—his muscles tightened, his stance grew lighter, sharper. His reflection in a nearby puddle showed someone stronger… and… handsome?
—Holy shit… —he muttered, brushing his jawline—. I don't look half bad…
Varkel chuckled.—Yeah, yeah, enjoy your ego trip, human. This is only the beginning.
Zeth picked up a rock, eager to test his "new strength." He focused all his willpower… and launched it straight at a tree. It landed with a pathetic thunk, like a kid had tossed it.
—Ahhh, come on! —Zeth stumbled back—. That's not what I wanted!
—Pathetic —Varkel roared with laughter, his voice echoing through the forest.
Zeth sighed, frustrated but amused.
—Check your Life Sheet —Varkel finally said, pointing at the parchment that floated before Zeth—. Look at the Skill Chain.
Zeth's eyes widened. A new entry had appeared: Varkel was now listed as his Familiar.
In the Skill Chain, he saw an option—he could max out one ability to level 100, the best it could possibly be.
—Damn… that sounds way too good… —Zeth muttered, rubbing his chin—. I could choose Strength, Speed, Magic…
Suddenly, his face reddened.
«Sex appeal???»
—The ability to communicate, to earn people's favor… especially with the opposite sex —Varkel explained flatly.
—What? How do you know I stopped on that skill?!
—Now that I'm your Familiar, I can sense your thoughts.
«Great… goodbye privacy»
—Well —Zeth said, flustered—. That doesn't mean anything… okay, maybe a little…
—To unlock a skill, you need to tap the rune symbol with your finger. I'll take care of the rest —Varkel instructed.
Zeth's mind wandered back to all those RPGs… all those sexy girls he could charm with charisma, magic, or a little luck. His inner pervert sparked to life like lightning.
—Alright then… sex… sex appeal? —he whispered.
He tapped the parchment where the skill was listed, and Varkel conjured a glowing magic circle. The circle shone brightly, then merged into Zeth until it vanished.
Varkel stared, torn between wanting to kill him and bursting out laughing. In the end, he did both—laughing deeply, shaking his head.—You're such a pervert it makes me want to crush you… but I have to admit… you remind me of myself.
Zeth felt a strange tingle course through his body. The skill pulsed within him, a soft glow wrapping around his frame.
—Oh… this feels… good —he murmured, a sly grin forming—. If I can win over girls like this… damn, this is gonna be fun.
Varkel huffed, unable to hold back his laughter.—Yeah, yeah, human, enjoy your ridiculous power… just remember, this doesn't make you invincible.
Suddenly, a strange pulse rippled through the air. A call Zeth couldn't ignore. His eyes locked onto a distant point glowing faintly in the horizon.
—What… what is that? —he asked.
Varkel approached, this time with a rare solemn tone.—Your first objective, human. It's in Eldoria, the human capital. If you want to survive and truly begin your journey… that's where you must go.
Zeth swallowed hard, his heartbeat racing.—Alright… Eldoria… here I come.
Varkel grinned, showing his fangs.—Perfect. Welcome to the damn world of Valtherra, human… your journey has only just begun.