The blaring horns of cars echoed through the rainy street.
Aryan dragged his weary steps across the wet asphalt. His phone was dead, his wallet empty, and tomorrow, the factory manager would fire him. Nothing was left in his life.
Under his breath, he whispered:
"Even God has forgotten me..."
A blinding light suddenly seared his vision. A horn screamed. A heavy impact.
Then… darkness.
When he opened his eyes again, the rain, the street, and the cars were gone.
Instead, a burning crimson sky stretched above him. The ground beneath his feet was scorched earth.
A metallic voice echoed in his head:
> [Error... System Loading Failed...]
[Initializing Emergency Protocol...]
Aryan held his breath.
"Where... am I?"
But before he could even think, a thunderous roar erupted behind him.
From the shadows emerged a massive creature, its eyes blazing like fire.
He had no weapon, no skill, nothing but fear and trembling hands.
The voice returned:
> [Tutorial Mission: Survive the First Encounter.]
[Reward: Unknown.]
Wide-eyed, Aryan stared at the monster before him.
His heart pounded wildly.
And in that moment, he realized…
This was no dream.
— To be continued —