Chapter 1: A Life-Changing Death

Clark Walker came home early from the office that night, excited to celebrate his 7th wedding anniversary with Elena, his wife, and their daughter, Lily. Outside, it was drizzling, and the night air felt cold against his face as he made his way toward the house. Clark carried a neatly wrapped gift box and a bouquet of fresh flowers—a small present to mark the special occasion.

As he arrived at the front door, he was shocked to see it slightly ajar. His heart began to race as he stepped inside, hoping to surprise Elena and Lily with his early arrival. However, the atmosphere inside the house was vastly different from what he had imagined.

The home, usually filled with laughter and joy, was eerily silent. Clark called out anxiously for his wife and daughter, "Elena? Lily? Where are you?" His voice echoed in the unsettling quiet. His footsteps reverberated in the hallway, and he felt that something was terribly wrong.

When Clark opened the bedroom door, he was stunned by the sight he never expected. Elena and Lily lay lifeless on the bedroom floor. They looked so peaceful, but the blood surrounding them shattered Clark’s heart into pieces. The only thing left was a birthday cake that looked out of place on the table.

Without hesitation, Clark approached the cake. On it was a small card that read, "Happy 7th wedding anniversary. May you die in peace." Filled with rage and pain, Clark took a closer look and realized that the cake concealed something foreign. A strange noise came from within it.

Before Clark could inspect the cake further, an explosion occurred suddenly. Clark was thrown through the air, his body battered by the shockwave that destroyed everything around him. Excruciating pain engulfed his entire body, and time seemed to slow down. In his final moments, Clark felt a burning fury and vowed to avenge his family, even if he had to become a ghost.

***

In a narrow alley, a teenage boy lay unconscious. He had been there for hours, with the rain falling and night closing in. Slowly regaining consciousness in the cold, damp street, the boy began to stir.

At the same time, Clark felt as though he had reached heaven—but his senses were still functioning. He could smell the stench of garbage, hear the cacophony of the city, and feel the cold droplets of water soaking his body. Yet, something felt profoundly wrong.

Clark opened his eyes and saw the night sky. "What’s happening?" Clark thought. Besides the night sky, he was startled to find himself in a narrow, dirty alley.

His body had become thin and frail, a stark contrast to his previously strong and healthy frame. Quickly, he realized he was no longer the Clark Walker he once was.

“How did this happen?” Clark realized he had woken up in the body of a young, street-dwelling teenager with no identity.

As he tried to understand his situation, a mechanical voice emerged in his head, cold and emotionless, "Welcome, Clark Walker. You have been granted a second chance with the Gaia System. You are now in a new body and have access to powers you previously did not possess. Use these powers to exact revenge and uncover the truth behind your family’s death."

Clark was startled and confused. "What is this? Where am I? Why am I here?" he asked, trying to seek further explanation.

“For every mission successfully completed, you will receive rewards and additional power. You must complete these missions to achieve your ultimate goal.”

Clark was indifferent to the voice in his head and the screen that appeared before him. He clutched his head, as memories of his wife and daughter lying on the floor flooded his mind, causing tears to stream down his face. He clenched his jaw and swore, venting his anger by smashing everything in the alley.

After calming down, Clark began to steady his heart and mind. Moreover, the voice and screen in front of him piqued his curiosity. It was like playing a game.

Despite the confusion and disbelief, the anger and pain from his family's death fueled Clark’s determination to accept his new condition. He began to experiment with the abilities he now possessed.

Simple commands like open screen and close screen worked effectively. There were also stats of his strength displayed on the screen. It was exactly like a game, but it was happening in real life.

“Can I evolve like a character in a game?” Clark wondered to himself.

Realizing his new abilities, he also understood that there was much he could do, and he would use this system to grow and seek revenge.

Clark then stepped out of the dark alley and looked at the brightly lit city. He would find out whether he was still in the same city or not. And once he could control this confusion, he would begin pursuing those who dared to disrupt his life.

***