“See you later, Evan!” Riley shouted, waving his hand. “Oh, and happy birthday to you!” Evan grinned widely. “Thanks, Riley!” After a brief farewell, Evan walked into his yard as it was getting dark. Today began like any other day for Evan Theodore Walker. After entering the house, Evan greeted his family and then went to his room. Evan was satisfied playing with his friend, Riley Chang, a teenager whose parents managed an antique shop. Upon reaching his room, Evan turned on his slightly worn-out desk lamp and looked out the window. Arcadia City was where Evan lived. The city shone with dancing neon lights and magnificent skyscrapers. However, behind the grandeur of Arcadia City, there were many slums inhabited by people like Evan and his family. They lived day-to-day as laborers in factories on the city's outskirts. But poverty did not make Evan feel disheartened. “I will live there someday,” Evan muttered, full of determination. After immersing himself in the glittering ligh

Evan couldn’t react. It was shocking enough to return to the past. Now, a screen appeared before him, like something he had read about in novels.“I must be going crazy,” Evan muttered. His world had turned upside down in just a few hours.How could this all happen? Did he really gain powers? Could he become stronger?As if reading Evan’s thoughts, the words on the screen changed rapidly. What was initially a welcome message now began to answer Evan’s questions.Player Evan has the opportunity to restart his life and achieve greatness never before attained.Evan frowned. “What does that mean? Can you read my mind?”As a new player in this world, players start their journey from level 1. To develop their abilities, players need to complete various quests and challenges.Reflexively, Evan looked at the screen that had suddenly appeared before him, similar to a HUD (heads-up display) in a game. The screen displayed basic information, such as current level, health status, and a list of qu

Marco and his friends laughed when they saw Evan ready to fight. “Look, it turns out there’s someone dumber than Riley the nerd!” Marco jeered.Evan felt adrenaline coursing through him. He knew this wasn’t an ordinary fight. He decided to use his new strength. This would be his first real lesson and fight. All this time, he had only been able to stay silent while he and Riley were bullied. But now, Evan had decided to fight back.Marco stepped forward, clenching his fists. “You think you can beat us?”Evan didn’t answer. He raised his hand, aiming his palm at Marco. In seconds, Marco felt a powerful punch land on his stomach.“Ughh!!” Marco fell to the ground, clutching his belly.Not only Marco and his friends, but Evan himself was surprised by his punch. Was he really that strong?“What are you doing?!” Marco growled. “Attack him!” Marco ordered his friends.Two of Marco’s friends, Tony and Jack, moved in to attack. Evan responded quickly, dodging their punches with increased agili

“What should I do?!” Evan muttered, frustrated. For the past three days, Evan had been focusing on two main things: protecting the Blade of Eternity and finding a way to save Riley’s father.Every day, Evan spent hours in an old, abandoned warehouse, practicing his combat techniques and skills. Failure not only meant losing the reward but also the risk of losing Michael Chang and the possible destruction of the world in the future. The pressure made Evan even more focused and determined.Outside of his training, Evan spent time exploring the district, learning more about the sword's history and who might be interested in stealing it. He talked to Michael Chang, who had extensive historical knowledge, but no clear leads. Evan could not find information about the sword's origins, past owners, or evidence that it was cursed. From Michael Chang's accounts, those who held the sword often ended up dead.“Are you not afraid of the sword’s curse, Mr. Chang?” Evan asked.Michael Chang smiled a

Evan stared at the man with undeniable intensity. "This is the end," he murmured to himself. The man launched his final attack, a swift and deadly thrust aimed directly at Evan’s heart. But at that crucial moment, Evan leapt forward, his body spinning in mid-air. The tip of the man’s sword only managed to graze Evan’s shoulder, while Evan, with perfect precision, drove his knife into the man’s stomach. The man groaned in pain, blood pouring from his wound. He staggered back but still wanted to continue the fight. “Who’s there?!” Evan and the man stared at each other. Evan had given everything he had. If this fight continued, Evan knew he would lose his life. “Hurry! It sounds like there’s a fight over there!!” The voices of the townspeople grew closer to their location. The man didn’t want to leave because of his wounded pride, but he had no other choice. This battle was over, and his mission had failed. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t have another chance. "This isn't over. I w