"Hey there, I'm Yaramel Jerick. Yeah, I know, it's a bit odd—my first name sounds like someone sneezed while trying to say "caramel." My mom always said it meant innocent. Pretty cute, right?"
"Well, let's just say I didn't go out in style. Seriously, don't even ask. Just... stairs. What a joke."
He is staring at his reflection in what he thinks is a mirror, but it's got this strange silvery shimmer that makes everything look a little off.
Same face, but taller. More handsome? His jawline is actually sharper now instead of that soft baby-face look he used to have.
Even his hair is looking good—still black, but it's got this natural swoop that would've taken him an hour and half a bottle of gel to achieve back in the day.
"Wow," he mumbles, running his fingers through it, "at least dying came with an upgrade."
"But enough about my new look. I really need to figure out where the heck I am."
He strolls over to what seems like a window—though it's more like a transparent wall stretching from floor to ceiling. The moment he glances outside, he freezes.
There are things zooming by. Not birds. Not planes. They look like carriages, but they're flying through the air as if someone strapped rockets to them.
One zips by close enough for him to see the passengers inside, casually reading newspapers like they're on a subway instead of defying gravity.
"What the heck—"
He presses his face against the glass like a newborn baby.
The street below is... a total mess. There's a guy in full medieval armor walking next to someone in a business suit, and they both seem completely unfazed by each other.
Street lamps glow with a soft blue light along pathways made of some smooth stone, but there are also neon signs flickering in languages he can't even begin to understand.
A woman rides by on what can only be described as a horse having way too many legs, while another person is tapping away on something that looks like a tablet mixed with a crystal.
His brain starts making connections it really doesn't want to make.
"This... this is that world. That ridiculous novel my friend kept shoving in my face."
The memories crash over him loaded with embarrassment and regret.
Jake, his college roommate, practically begging him to check out this web novel called "Hero's Crown Chronicles" or something just as silly.
He had brushed him off, claiming he had "better things to do"—which mostly meant failing organic chemistry and binge-watching shows about people baking cakes.
"Dude, you'd totally love the world-building," he insisted, waving his phone in his face. "It's got these wild characters, epic fight scenes, and—"
"Not interested," he shot back for what felt like the hundredth time. "Fantasy isn't my thing."
Man, I was such a jerk. Now I find myself wishing I'd at least given it a glance because I think I just woke up inside that goddamn story.
He can recall bits and pieces—Jake going on about the plot while he pretended to pay attention, YouTube videos popping up in his recommendations discussing character rankings and powerful monsters. Something about cool classes and heroes.
Oh yeah.
I'm not the main character. I'm not even a side character with a tragic backstory and untapped potential.
I'm just... some guy. A random nobody who probably gets a mention in chapter 47 as "bystander number three" before getting obliterated by whatever cosmic-level threat the hero is fighting that week.
"Why me?" he slumps against the wall, sliding down until his sitting on the floor.
"I'm lazy, useless, and my biggest achievement was devouring an entire pizza by myself."
"I'm definitely not hero material. I can barely manage my own laundry."
This is so hopeless. In stories like this, people get reincarnated as princes or chosen ones or at least someone with a hint of potential.
Me? I'm probably the guy who gets massacred in the first monster attack just to show how dangerous this world really is.
Ding!
"What the—" A translucent blue screen suddenly appears in front of him, nearly giving him a heart attack.
[SYSTEM AWAKENING COMPLETE]
[Welcome, User: Yaramel Jerick]
[Class Assignment in Progress...]
Oh wow. This is... actually happening. I've got a system. That's... that's a good thing, right? Systems are usually pretty powerful. Maybe I'll become super strong!
[CLASS ASSIGNED]
[Unique Class: Twin Demon Swords]
[Rarity: ★★★★★ (Unique)]
Holy macaroni! A unique class? Five-star rarity? He jumped to his feet, excitement bubbling up inside him.
Could this be it? Maybe I'm not just some fodder character after all.
Twin Demon sounds epic—dual swords. insane demon powers, and probably a berserker fighting style that makes enemies tremble in fear.
He eagerly tapped on the class description.
[Twin Demon Swords Class Details]
[Primary Abilities:]
[Twin Demon Swords Swordsmanship]
[Demon Steps]
[Demon Aura]
[Twin Demons Manifestation]
[Warning: This class comes with inherent personality modification effects. As you grow stronger, demonic traits will gradually influence your behavior, decision-making, and moral compass. These effects are progressive and irreversible.]
[Do you accept this class? [Y/N]]
He stares at the screen, reading it over and over.
"Personality modification effects." "Influence behavior." "Irreversible."
So, basically, the stronger I get, the more I might turn into some kind of psychopath? Thanks.
Just what I needed. It's like getting a sports car that slowly swaps out your brain for a brick.
He desperately hit the "N" option ten times.
[ERROR: Class rejection impossible.]
[Unique classes are soul-bound upon assignment.
[Acceptance is mandatory.]
"Are you serious?" He shouts at the screen.
"What kind of messed-up system forces you to accept a class that's going to turn you evil?"
The screen just sits there, unresponsive. It feels like it's mocking him.
He leans against the wall like he gave up on this life.
Of course, it's not optional. Because that would be too simple, and apparently, my life—lives?—are stuck on nightmare mode for good.
But you know what? Fine. If this is how it's going to be, I'll make it work.
Even if I'm just a background character in someone else's story, even if this class is set to slowly eat away at my soul or whatever.
I've already died in a pathetic way once—not doing that again.
He takes a deep breath and hit "Y."
[Class Accepted: Twin Demon Swords]
[Twin Demon Swords Class Abilities Unlocked]
[Welcome to your new life, you bastard.]
He stood there with his thoughts a nagging feeling that he'd just made either the best or worst decision of his damned life.
"Alright," he mumbles, glancing out at the strange world beyond his window.
"this shouldn't be too bad."
Time to figure out just how messed up I really am.