The hero struggled to get up. The ground was so hot it felt like his feet might melt. But after a few seconds, his body seemed to adapt. The first thing he did was look around; it looked like hell…
Green Froggy: Stats.
A floating window appeared in front of him.
[HERO STATS]
Name: Green Froggy
Level: Maximum
Strength: 3
[You can lift a backpack…]
Speed: 2
[You're as fast as a turtle]
Dexterity: 2
[At least you're alive, right?]
Agility: 1
[What is dodging?]
Endurance: 14
[Not bad. You'll probably survive… for a bit…]
Luck: ???
[Your fortune is a miracle. And miracles… are accidents]
Willpower: 101/100
[Is this even legal…?]
Green Froggy: …Well —he said after a while— I've seen worse stats.
A new panel appeared.
[LEGENDARY WEAPON: RUSTY KNIFE – SSR LEVEL]
Strength: +0.5
Description: Slightly glows to reveal your position to all your enemies.
Status: Impossible to unequip.
System Note: Congratulations, hero! You are one of a kind!
Green Froggy: Thanks… I guess…
Green Froggy held his head and started laughing. At first a little, then harder, until he nearly doubled over from stomach pain.
Green Froggy: In… in all my years as a pro gamer… I've never seen anything this absurd.
He forced himself to stop, wiping away tears from laughing so hard.
Green Froggy: Ah… whatever. I just need to check the newbie pack. There's always a way out.
He opened the menu again with hope.
[HATCHLING PACK]
Mysterious chest: Locked.
Requirement: You need a key.
New active mission:
Objective: Obtain the key by defeating the Absolute Lava Lizard, zone boss.
Description: An ancient being capable of melting the sun and destroying civilizations just by existing.
Reward: Chest key.
Green Froggy blinked.
Green Froggy: …melt… the sun?
He looked up. In the distance, the horizon trembled under a glow of magma. Then he saw them. It wasn't just one, but three mountains of magma moving as if they had a life of their own. Each one radiated liquid fire. They were vague giant shapes that reminded him of the golems he used to defeat in strategy games.
The system flickered once more:
[NEW NOTICE]
Magma Titans – Guardians of the lava
Threat level: Titanic
Behavior: Attack all living beings
Recommendation: Be well equipped
Green Froggy: Be well equipped, huh?
He smiled resignedly.
In the distance, the deafening roar of the titans echoed through the air.
Green Froggy: Great…
He didn't think twice. He ran in the opposite direction, panting, covered in sweat and ash. His feet pounded against the scorching ground, feeling like he was walking on burning coals. In his hand, his knife glowed intensely.
Before he could do anything, a wave of magma caught up to him.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
You have died to a magma titan.
Recalibrating data…
"Congratulations! You can revive."
The system once again presented two options:
[1] Revive.
[2] Mysterious option.
Green Froggy growled.
Green Froggy: Not this again… I already know how this ends.
Inactivity detected. Auto-selecting: mysterious option.
Green Froggy: What?! No, wait! That never ends well!
"Congratulations. You have chosen the mysterious option."
Reward obtained: Level 1 magic potion.
Reviving hero…
When he opened his eyes, he was in the exact same place where he had died. The landscape was the same lava-filled hell, and in front of him, approaching from afar, the three titans were watching him.
Sweat ran down his back.
Green Froggy: Th-this can't be… here again?
The system vibrated cheerfully.
Tip: Use Level 1 magic potion to recover.
Green Froggy pulled a glowing blue bottle from his inventory and uncorked it. He brought it to his lips.
"Error. You do not have magic stats. You cannot consume Level 1 magic potion."
Green Froggy: What?! I can't even drink a simple potion?! What kind of hero system is this!?
The titans roared in unison. Another wave of magma rose. He started running, barefoot, without pants, holding a rusty knife that kept shining like a lantern, marking his exact position to the titans.
Green Froggy: Ahhh! Not again! I can make it!
[System: Informational Note]
"Running aimlessly does not increase your speed."
Green Froggy: SHUT UP, SYSTEM!