Sora became accustomed to nightmares in his hospital bed. It was always the same dream: the day he made the decision to sprint into his former Orphanage despite a blaze spreading uncontrollably throughout the large building.
"Sora! Stop! You've already saved 12 kids! We don't need you dying!"
'One more trip. I can do it.'
Sora darted into the wreckage and listened carefully before pinpointing two screams. He bit his lip, embracing the inevitable as he jumped through fire. He scooped up two young children, covering them with the remains of his hooded sweatshirt.
He staggered out, coughing uncontrollably. After handing the children to someone, he collapsed into a firefighters arms and muttered, "I can't find my sisters."
Seconds later, the entire building collapsed. The screams and cries turned to silence and Sora's unrecognizable face and tattered body were immediately loaded into 'flight for life.'
*****
After weeks of countless surgeries and unimaginable pain, Sora jolted awake as a cool breeze ghosted through an open window. He blinked, squinting against the dim light, struggling to distinguish dream from reality.
'Wait.' He frowned. 'We're in a hospital. Windows don't just pop open.'
As his eyes adjusted, he realized he wasn't alone. An older gentleman sat in the corner, slumped in a chair. He was draped in a black cloak, the fabric trimmed with an ethereal, glowing white light that pulsed like a slow heartbeat.
Sora's heart hammered against his ribs. He reached for the remote to call the nurse, but his thumb jammed the button uselessly.
'Is the machine broken?' Sora thought, tapping the remote. 'Who is this guy?''
"Ah, Sora. You're finally awake," the man said. His voice wasn't aggressive; it was like the chime of a distant bell. "I apologize if I startled you. I am Chronos, the god of Time."
Sora tried to glare, but a sharp spike of frustration hit him. "Are you kidding? How can you tell that I'm frowning? I'm wrapped up like a freaking mummy!"
He braced himself for pain, but there was nothing—just a strange, hollow weightlessness. Sora went still, his confusion deepening. "Chronos... are you here because I finally died?"
"Ten minutes ago, yes," Chronos confirmed with a polite, somber smile. "However, the pantheon has reviewed your file. We are in dire need of assistance."
Sora took a breath, trying to process his own mortality. "Okay," he managed, his voice steadying. "So, what's that mean?"
"You will be born anew as a hybrid—half-god, half-Uthra. You'll also be granted SSS-rank abilities." Chronos said as he watched him closely.
"That's it? Just... go?"
"No," Chronos said, his tone shifting to something chillingly serious. "I encourage you to build a party you trust and clear dungeons. Brie Reinhardt is the first person you should find."
"Who Brie?" Sora asked.
Chronos ignored him and continued "The gods have seen two distinct outcomes: you either save Exteria, or you destroy it."
Sora didn't hesitate. He knew he couldn't destroy a world. He was a kind, humble person who always put others first.
"I'll do it."
The second the words left his lips, Chronos vanished.
'Whoa! What the hell?'
His tablet vibrated violently on his bed, a blinding blue light spilling from the screen.
[Do you wish to initiate the link to your new Chrono System? Yes/No]
Sora tapped Yes.
The world fractured. Agony tore through his entire being, a sensation of his molecules being ripped apart and restitched.
*****
[Good morning, Sora! You fell asleep during the link initiation process after arriving on Exteria. You have successfully linked to your new Chrono system. Please ask me if you have any questions.]
Sora bolted upright, his breath hitching. He scrambled toward a nearby mirror—and froze.
The guy staring back wasn't the scrawny, burned kid from the hospital. He was tall, his frame corded with lean, powerful muscle. The only relic of his past life was his messy blonde hair. Realizing he knew nothing about his past, he decided to start utilizing his system.
"Hey system, who operated my body before I got here?"
[I did. I was an AI pilot who performed your daily functions.]
"That's pretty cool. I really don't know much about myself, so I'm going to need all the help I can get."
[Do not worry. I will be able to assist you throughout your journey. What else would you like to know?"
Sora pondered while staring in the mirror. He wasn't really sure where to start.
"Hey, System," Sora muttered, distracted by his own reflection. "What's with the eyes? My right one is amethyst, the left one is aquamarine. I don't think that's normal. Is that a glitch?"
[Error. You must reach a higher level to unlock information regarding your ocular physiology.]
'Guess the system isn't perfect.' He thought.
"Okay. Teach me the interface. How do I actually use you?"
[Just think of what you'd like to do and I will respond accordingly. I also can provide basic information. Like your Name: Sora Lockheart. Age: 20. Date: March 28th, 7439. Current Level: 1.]
'Okay,' Sora thought, analyzing the HUD that hovered in his vision. 'Command-based. Just like the webnovels I used to binge. I can work with this.'
"System, what's my first objective?"
[Reach Level 5 to unlock Passive Health Regeneration (1 HP/min). Create a party to unlock personalized sealing magic. Clear a dungeon for 10,000 EXP. Would you like details on experience points?]
"No, not yet at least," Sora said, struggling to process this strange new system.
"I'm anxious to get going, am I ready for a fight?" He said while tapping his foot rapidly.
[You are combat-ready but would recommend training first.]
"Awesome! Are you able to locate the nearest dungeon?" Sora asked.
[The Abyss is located five miles northwest of your current location. Plotting the optimal route on your internal GPS now… Route complete, simply follow the green line.]
Sora's appreciation and excitement overwhelmed him, "Wow! That was easy! Thank you, System!"
[No need to thank me, Sora. I am merely performing my function.]
"System, since you think I should train, can you help direct me through this mansion? What type of rooms are there?"
[Your mansion comes with many features, most notably your armory, library, medical room, dojo, spa, among many other luxuries.]
"Awesome, can you help me pick out some weapons and armor? I agree that I should train in the dojo before rushing out!"
[That would be wise. You have a dimensional void ability that allows you to store things at an unlimited capacity. Make your way to your armory on the first floor. I'll direct you.]
After following his systems guidance, Sora spent the next hour looting through his storage. His system explained his dimensional void ability in more detail, so he equipped himself with SS-rank armor, and stored a pair of devastating claymores, an axe, and gauntlets. The system also recommended he wear a mask and cloak so no one would recognize him.
He trained in the dojo for a few hours and his system coached him on how to properly equip and use his weapons and armor as he practiced on magical training dummies that repaired themselves.
"Thanks system. This has been very helpful." Sora said as sweat poured from his brow.
[You will continue to grow the more you practice. Remember, you are starting with all SSS rank abilities].
"Noted. I'm going to relax before I get going!"
After a nice hot shower, he got dressed in clothing his system directed him too in his walk in closet.
[As you can see, I have organized everything very neatly for you. If you need help finding anything, please ask.]
"Absolutely. I think it's time I head to the dungeon!"
He pulled on a white kabuki mask, the Yin and Yang symbol stark against the bone-white surface.
Stepping out of the mansion, he laughed. 'That's my house?! It's huge!'
The air was crisp, and for the first time, he felt alive. His new angelic white cloak billowed behind him like a cape in the wind.
He started to run.
It felt like flying. The world blurred into a wash of color, his speed so fast that the insects hovering near the trees seemed to hang suspended in the air. These weren't fireflies, but larger, bioluminescent creatures with tails that flickered in a kaleidoscope of neon colors.
He reached the entrance of The Abyss quickly, astounded he was still energized.
"System, are you able to analyze?"
[Yes Sora, analyzing is one of my basic functions.]
'Wait, is the system being sassy with me?' He couldn't help but chuckle.
[Dungeon: The Abyss. Rank: A-tier. Floors: 55. Boss Floors: 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55. Retreatability: Allowed. Current occupants: 4.]
"Hold on, what do you mean there are 4 occupants?"
[A party is currently clearing the dungeon. In some instances, dungeons are locked until completion or death. Proceed with caution.]
Creepy.
Sora didn't hesitate. He placed a hand against the massive stone slab of the door. With a groan of ancient hinges, it swung open, revealing a stairwell lit by flickering, supernatural torches.
He descended, drawing twin claymores from his dimensional void. On the first floor, a pack of gnomes shrieked and charged. Sora didn't think; his body reacted before his brain. A sidestep, a flash of steel, and the gnomes shattered into light.
He was a blur. Floor after floor, he carved his way through the dark. On the ninth floor, he faced a swarm of piscine humanoids—fishmen with bulging eyes and hooked spears. He unleashed a torrent of fire magic, weaving it seamlessly with his swordplay.
After the twentieth fishman fell, Sora exhaled, adrenaline and excitement coursing through his veins. He stepped toward the far wall, where a colossal door stood, emblazoned with a glowing number: 10.
Sora adjusted his mask and felt the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Boss floor," he whispered, feeling the thrill of the hunt. "Let's see what I'm actually capable of."