---
Alex still stared at the options offered by the system, confused and stressed. Out of panic, he tapped on the 'NO' option.
[WARNING]
[SELECTED OPTION WOULD MEAN INSTANT DEATH]
[DO YOU WISH TO PROCEED?]
[YES] [NO]
"What the hell?" Alex exclaimed.
"How did my life go from getting a free collector's edition game to this? I've got only one choice then."
He sighed and proceeded to continue in the world.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
"What is this disturbing sound in my head?" Alex complained again.
The holographic screen materialized again, this time with another message.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[SYSTEM UNLOCKED]
[BONUS REWARD: STARTER'S PACK]
"Wow, this feels so much like a game," Alex said. "Hmm, let's see, these starter packs usually have the most basic things you could imagine."
He navigated the system like he had been using it for years—technically, he had.
"Let's open this up, I guess," Alex said as if what was in it meant nothing to him.
As he clicked on it, the holographic screen glitched. The trees and grass nearby looked less green and healthy, almost like the glitch affected the plants.
"What just happened?" Alex said as he noticed the change in the environment. Redirecting his focus back to the holographic screen, he muttered, "I could have sworn I saw the pack already opened. Something feels off." He proceeded to reopen the starter's pack.
[STARTER'S PACK]
Metal Sword - BASIC TIER - No Upgrades
Map - BASIC TIER - Three Upgrades
AI System - ADVANCED TIER - Upgrades
Eta - 300 Units
Stat Points - 5 Units
Demon King Egg - DEMON TIER - No possible Upgrade
"Though this is basic, it's actually packed. Let's see what we got," Alex said as he decided to sit on the ground and lean against a tree.
"First, a metal sword obviously. Basic tier—it even specified," Alex analyzed. "Next, a map. Another basic tier item, at least it's upgradeable."
He equipped it as he saw the 'equip' option.
"So what's next… an AI system, wow! At advanced tier? Okay, now this is interesting," Alex said as he equipped it. "So how does this thing work?"
'Greetings, Alex,' the AI system said.
"Now that's cool, and I have a ton of questions for you. Let me just finish up with this starter's pack," Alex replied.
'Understood, Alex. I'll remain on standby until you're ready,' it replied.
"Now back to my pack. Hey AI, what is Eta?"
'Eta is the primary currency of this world, Alex. Standardized coinage, metallic core, etched with the seal of the four primary element symbols. Three hundred pieces, as you have, sustain basic lodging and food for roughly three days—if you don't spend recklessly.'
"Hmm, okay. It would be wise to spend carefully, and that also means I'm not the only human in this world—thank God," Alex said with tears of joy.
'Correct, Alex. Records confirm multiple humans present. Some adapt, some vanish. Survival depends on how wisely you move,' the AI replied.
"Thinking of it, what exactly do you mean by records?" Alex asked.
'My existence and memory are tied with the fabric of this world, Alex. I could access all information freely—but in this tier, my reach is restrained. An upgrade will reduce limitations.'
"Oh, that makes sense. Five stat points—now this is a very crucial one. I don't know how much one stat point would change and how much effect it has, but for now I'll try to build more stamina and durability."
He opened up the stats menu and studied it for a while.
[STATS]
Strength - 5
Speed - 5
Stamina - 5
Agility - 5
Durability - 5
"This all looks small, and I doubt adding one or two points is going to have any drastic effects. So I'm going to ignore strength and add one each to strength, speed, stamina, agility, and then two for durability," Alex said, satisfied with how he used his points.
[STATS]
Strength - 6
Speed - 6
Stamina - 6
Agility - 6
Durability - 7
'Not a bad spread, Alex. You'll last longer on your feet and take hits better. Just don't expect miracles yet—stats only start to show their weight once you push your limits,' the AI said, ripping all the joy Alex had a moment ago.
"The hell you going on about? Don't you think I know?" Alex said sarcastically, then chuckled.
"And the last…" Alex's voice changed. "I have a bad feeling about this one. Why would I have a Demon Egg in my starter's pack?"
'That… shouldn't be there, Alex. A Demon King Egg doesn't belong in any starter's pack. Likely a glitch. If it is genuine, then it's dangerous—Demon Kings are reborn through these eggs, gathering followers even before hatching, and when they mature, they return to their thrones with their past memories intact.'
"Why did the AI seem like it stuttered? Something is definitely wrong," Alex thought in his head.
"So what am I to do with it now?" Alex asked, already getting tense.
'Option 1—you store the egg in your inventory. Safe from detection, but risky; it could hatch inside, bypass your control, and end you.
Option 2—you dispose of it. The Demon King will revive naturally, and the cycle continues.
Option 3—you attempt to tame it. Success means a Demon King as your familiar. Failure… well, you won't like the odds.'
"Honestly, I don't know what to do, but I know one thing: this world will be very tough, and I don't want to have to fight something that can break through my inventory. So I am going to try taming it," Alex said as he clicked on the egg.
[STORE]
[DISPOSE]
[TAME]
He proceeded to click on 'TAME.' Air started whirling around him, his long black hair rising. Then in an instant, everything stopped.
[FAILED. TRY AGAIN.]
"Huh, there's a possibility of this not working. At least I can try again," Alex said, clicking on 'TAME' again.
[WARNING]
[1/3 ATTEMPTS USED]
[FAILURE TO TAME WILL LEAD TO AUTO DISPOSAL]
"Damn, this just got a whole lot more risky," Alex said as he proceeded to try again. The same thing happened—the wind rose again, this time more intense. A glow started forming in his eye, almost like a seal. The purple seal became more visible and painful, and then it stopped again all at once.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
[SUCCESSFUL]
[DEMON KING HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY FAMILIARIZED]
Before Alex could even think of celebrating, he heard running from his side. He could already tell whatever was coming was on all fours.
[COMBAT ENCOUNTERED]
The beast came out of the trees to the left of Alex.
[Race - Savage Bear]
[Tier - Advanced]
[Hostile]
"Shit, I can definitely see it's hostile," Alex said as he pulled out his sword from the air and prepared for his first fight.
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