A golden light was getting closer and closer. I reached out my arms to grab it and—
I opened my eyes slowly.What was that? I slowly stood up from the bed. What a weird dream…
Wait… what's that? After feeling something drop on my cheek from my eyes, I reached with my right hand. A tear?Did a dream really make me cry?
I went and washed my face. Looking around, it was just the usual—me, alone, in this lonely house. I took off my T-shirt and started my usual workout. Forty-five minutes later, drenched in sweat, I went for a quick shower. Afterward, I got ready for school.
Argh, I really hate school. Every single day is the same. I don't even have friends—so why do I keep going?Let's just take today off. I lay down on my bed, reached for my phone, and sent an email to my school, claiming I was sick and would miss the day.
My life isn't really that bad. Sure, I don't have friends, and my parents left me, but I have the best grades in my class—or rather, in the whole country. I am ARIO, 18 years old. Lately, I've started hating school. I've always been alone, never really had friends, but I keep pushing.
At first, I thought, "If I get the best grades, maybe people will want to be friends with me."Then it became, "Maybe if I become strong and muscular, people will notice me."
For years, I tried everything. I even read books about how to make friends… all a waste of time. Every time I tried to speak to someone in class, they avoided me. I never understood why. I guess I was just born to be no one—a nobody.
While playing with my phone—Huh? What's this application? It looks like a game… I don't remember downloading it.It's called "ERYNDOR."
Let's just delete it.What? Why can't I delete it?Alright, fine. I clicked it.
Suddenly, a huge golden light appeared from my phone. It surrounded me—
WHA—what the hell is happening?!
After being engulfed by the golden light, a massive golden screen appeared in front of me:
CHOOSE YOUR NAME:
Wha—wait… this isn't happening… am I being pulled into a game? A world? A… FANTASY WORLD?!
FINALLLLLLLLLLLLYYY! I've dreamed of this moment for so long. Finally, I can leave my huge, useless life behind—
The screen started flashing red.Oh, I see… I think this means I need to hurry up and give it a name. Okay, okay…
I imagined my own name: ARIO. After a few seconds of thinking, it appeared on the screen.
YOU CHOOSED THE NAME: ARIO.
The screen disappeared, and another appeared:
CHOOSE SOMETHING TO ENHANCE: YOUR MIND OR YOUR MUSCULAR BODY
Wait… so I can enhance one of these two? Hmm… wait, Mr. Screen, you can hear me, right?Can I choose a skill from my previous life to enhance?
Another screen appeared, saying:
YES.
Oh, okay. I want to enhance my previous life's skill—THE FAST LEARNING SKILL.
SCREEN: SKILL: FAST LEARNER WAS SUCCESSFULLY ENHANCED.
What made me have the best grades and an amazing, strong body was actually thanks to my ability to learn things fast. It took me only weeks to learn a whole language while it took others years. A few weeks to master drawing, while others took more than a decade. In just one year, I built an amazing body—something athletes who train for a decade struggle to achieve. All thanks to my ability to learn faster than anyone else.
So, yes—of course I want to enhance that ability even more. This will make me UNSTOPPABLE.
SCREEN: YOUR NAME AND SKILL ARE SET. YOU NOW WILL BE SENT INTO THE WORLD OF ERYNDOR.
Wait… I have a question.
SCREEN:?
What's my goal? What should I do? I mean, what will my purpose be?
SCREEN: IT'S UP TO YOU. BE THE STRONGEST AND SHINE… OR GIVE UP AND BECOME A FAILURE.
SCREEN: WORLD LOADING…
Slowly, everything went dark.
I opened my eyes. Looking around… am I in a forest?
Oh, come on, Screen. You could have made me start in a small town or something…Doesn't matter. Calm down, ARIO. A little challenge is okay.
I looked down at myself. I was still in my black-and-white pajamas. If people see me wearing this, they may get confused—but I'm stuck with it for now. I started walking forward, trying to escape the forest. Slowly, the sunlight crept closer… finally! Houses in the distance. This… looks like a city.
I exited the forest and headed toward the city. It might take an hour to reach it…
Doesn't matter. I'm ready to do whatever it takes.
FINALLY. A NEW LIFE. A NEW WORLD. A CHANCE TO PROVE MYSELF: FINALLLLLYYY.
I still can't believe any of this. Everything is moving so fast. And that screen fr—Wh—
A huge golden screen appeared again, the moment I said "screen," then disappeared.
SCREEN.
Whoa… this actually feels like a game. Let's see what it says.
SCREEN: ARIO: SKILLS: FAST LEARNER: LEVEL 1 – STRENGTH 1000, STAMINA 1000, MIND 1000.
Whoa… 1000 in all stats? Does this mean I'm special? I wonder.
SCREEN.
Okay, ARIO, focus. We can't be joking around. I need to take this seriously—who knows what might happen if I die here.
After getting closer to the city, I entered the gate. Hmm… I expected guards or something.
So many people, I thought.
While walking through the city, everyone's attention was on me… I guess it's because of my clothes.
Okay… normally in every game, there's magic. And if there's magic, there must be heroes, or adventurers… so there must be a guild I can join.
I approached a guy."Is there a guild here?" I asked.
"Guild? You mean the SPECIALS GUILD, right, kid?"
Specials?… "Yes, yes, that's it. Can you tell me where it is?
"Hey, you there! I heard you saying the Specials Guild. Do you want to join too?"
A guy my age, with red hair… wait, did he just say "too"?
I walked up to him."Yes, hello, I am ARIO. I want to join the guild. Can you tell me where it is?"
He smiled and stepped closer."YES, OF COURSE! I'm headed there too. Follow me."
I started following him."So, you're ARIO, huh? I'm VINO. Didn't expect to meet anyone else heading to sign in. I've been training three years just to prepare for this. You know, you must be 18, right? I just turned 18 yesterday."
WHOA. THIS DUDE TALKS TOO MUCH, I thought.
I looked up at the sign: SPECIALS GUILD.
Vino led the way, opening the door. I followed behind. Slowly, tables filled with people wielding swords, shields, and armor came into view.
"Follow me, ARIO. Let's get to the Registry Desk."
We waited in line. Then it was our turn.
At the desk was a woman with blue hair."Hello, you two. How can I help?"
Vino answered, "We want to register in this guild."
"Register? Alright, I need your IDs to confirm your age."
Vino handed his ID over, then looked at me."Yo, ARIO, give me your ID."
Uh… well, I'm from another place, so… I don't have one.
He frowned. Wait… did I say something wrong? Is it bad not to have an ID? Am I going to get killed already? I thought.
He smiled."No ID? That's fine. We can make one here." He turned to the blue-haired woman. "Right?"
"Yes, of course."
We were taken into a room with a huge machine and a glowing red ball.
"Place your hand on the red ball, ARIO. It will make your ID."
I approached and placed my hand. This really feels like being in a game…
The ball glowed, and an ID card appeared in the machine."Okay, you may remove your hand," said the woman.
"Let's take a look…"
ARIO, Age 18.Skill: FAST LEARNER.
"Wait… what? It's your first time registering in a guild, right, ARIO?" the woman asked, while Vino looked at me.
"Yes, yes, it is," I replied.
Hm… that's weird. Usually, skills are only given once someone registers in a guild, but it seems you already have a skill.
Twenty minutes later, she returned and handed us both our IDs, each with a guild mark indicating we were now members.
Vino held his ID up, full of happiness."YES! FINALLY! I HAVE MY SPECIAL ID! I bet my brother will be jealous, haha."
Then we both stepped outside the guild.
"Alright, so… ARIO, it was nice meeting you," he said. We shook hands, and he went on his way.
I continued on my own. Before leaving, I asked Vino about a place to sleep, and he pointed me to a motel.
I entered and was greeted by a lady at the reception."Hello, sir. How can I help you?"
"Uh… I want to book a room, please."
"You're lucky, sir. Our rooms were all booked, but one of our guests decided to leave early, so you can have his room. Just wait half an hour while we clean it."
"Alright… what about the price?"
"Oh, don't worry, sir. It isn't expensive—just 1 silver coin for a day. The food is included; you'll receive three meals a day directly to your room."
"One silver coin? I don't have any coins…" I thought.
"Well… I actually forgot to bring any money with me."
"That's okay, sir. You don't need to pay right away; you can pay when you leave."
"Oh, okay, okay. Thanks."
Half an hour later, after they cleaned the room, I got the key and went upstairs. Entering the room, I smelled the fresh, clean scent of the place.
Whoa… it looks so clean. I wonder if the guild will give me any money to pay for this motel…
Later that day, a young girl brought me a meal to my room. I ate, then lay down to finally rest after such a long, eventful day.
I closed my eyes… finally, some rest. So much happened today…
After falling asleep, I slowly felt something brushing against my neck. I opened my eyes to see what it was but—
"Shush! DON'T MOVE."
A man in all-black clothing, his face covered, held a knife to my neck. He whispered quietly:"Ha? What the—you're not the guy I'm supposed to take out… OU MAN, I HATE THIS JOB."
"Hey… tell me your name," he demanded.
I realized I was in serious danger.
"I… I am ARIO," I stammered.
Then, slowly, he pressed the knife deeper into my neck, making it bleed a little—