The city of Metro was a sight to behold at night.
The towering skyscrapers illuminated the skyline with colorful lights that seemed to dance against the dark sky.
The bustling city streets were alive with the sounds of people and traffic, but in the midst of it all, there was a block of apartments that stood out.
All the lights were out in the building, except for one particular apartment on the fifth floor.
The light from the room spilled out onto the balcony, casting a warm glow on the surrounding area.
Inside the apartment, the scene was less enchanting.
The room was a mess, with clothes strewn about and dishes piled high in the sink.
Soggy noodles sat in cups on the counter, forgotten and abandoned.
In the midst of all this chaos sat Arthur, a mid-thirty-year-old man playing a video game.
The game was called "Chronicles of Eternity," a new fantasy game that was currently the most trendy game in the world.
Arthur wore a hoodie, slurped noodles, and had cans of soda scattered around him.
He had black hair and a noticeable amount of weight, making him look like a loser.
His eyes were tired, with bags underneath from endless hours of gaming.
He was a shut-in who played video games day in and night, only leaving his apartment to buy necessities.
Despite his boredom, Arthur had just won a game level.
However, all the difficult levels looked too easy for him.
He had reached level 10,000, the highest score since the game's creation.
He sighed and stood up to go to the bathroom.
When he got to the bathroom, he stared at his reflection in the mirror.
He held the fats of his tummy and bit his lips hard, feeling disgusted with himself.
As he splashed water on his face, he realized how bored he was with his life.
He had no ambition, no money, no girlfriend, and he saw himself as a failure.
His little demons started to speak in his head, reminding him of how fast time had run by, and he still had not achieved anything with his life aside from playing video games.
He pulled at his hair in anguish and said, "I wished I could change. I'm sick of being a shit!"
Exasperated, he decided to call it a day and go to bed.
He crawled to his futon bed and rolled inside, removing his spectacles and dropping them aside so he could sleep.
The clock on his nightstand showed it was midnight when he closed his eyes, and the city outside continued to buzz with life.
* * * *
Arthur slowly opened his eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face.
The first thing he saw were trees, towering above him like giants, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze.
He blinked a few times, trying to adjust his eyes to the bright light.
As he sat up and rubbed his eyes, he realized that he wasn't in his room anymore.
Instead, he found himself in the middle of a dense forest.
"What's going on here?" Arthur muttered, his eyes widening in shock.
He stood up to his feet, looking around in disbelief.
Nothing around him looked familiar.
He was surrounded by trees all around him, and he was even more startled to find himself completely naked.
"What the hell is happening to me?!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the forest.
Arthur paced around, trying to lay his finger on what was going on.
"This must be a dream," he said to himself, trying to calm himself down. "I'm sure of it. I must be having some crazy dream."
Suddenly, a fiery headline screen appeared before him, causing him to jump back in surprise.
He stared at the screen, reading the words on it.
[Attention: This is not a dream. You have been transitioned into another world]
Arthur was taken aback by this. "Another world? How's that possible?" he muttered.
The screen continued to display more information.
[An earthquake shook the city and you were caught in the rumble. Luckily you survived but you're in a life and death coma at the hospital]
"Well, that explains a lot," Arthur said to himself. "But a life and death coma sounds terrible. How do I get back to my world?"
[You could only leave this world after you reach full level. If you die in here, you would die in real life too.]
Arthur was surprised at himself for taking this news calmly.
He still thought this was a dream because it just felt so unreal.
To him, it looked like a video game. He decided to play along.
"What are my stats?" he asked, amusingly.
[Magic: 1
Attack: 1
Defense: 1
Job class: None
Level: 1
Skills: 1]
Arthur was devastated to see that all his stats were at 1.
Which meant he was at the lowest level.
"Um... What about bonus points?" he stuttered.
[For first-time travelers: You currently have 100Bp (bonus point). However upon leveling up, you'd be awarded 20Bp which can be distributed amongst your stats]
This was a little reassuring for Arthur even though it was a pain he only had 100Bp.
Suddenly, the ground began to shake, a party of three people dashed out of the bush, running and screaming for help.
Arthur was startled to see them, but they ran past him all the same, screaming, "Run away. You're gonna die!"
He was confused, but suddenly, the trees split apart and a giant cobra-like snake appeared, causing Arthur to jump back in horror.
* * * *
Arthur couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at the massive cobra in front of him.
It was the biggest snake he had ever seen, and it towered over him, its massive body coiled and ready to strike.
He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he stood frozen, mesmerized by the sight.
As if sensing his fear, the cobra hissed menacingly, glaring at Arthur with its dark, piercing eyes.
The sound echoed through the forest, causing Arthur to shudder in fear.
He knew he had to act fast, but his mind was racing with thoughts of how dangerous the snake was.
"I-I don't know what to do," Arthur stammered, his voice trembling with fear. "Please, somebody help me!"
Suddenly, a screen appeared in front of him, displaying information about the snake:
[Name: King Cobra,
Level: 500
Attack: Use Crimson Saber]
Arthur's eyes widened as a bright spear of blazing red light appeared in his right hand.
He stared at it in shock, wondering if it was safe to use it against the snake.
"Is it okay if I throw this?" he asked himself, his voice barely above a whisper.
As if in response to his question, the cobra charged at him, its fangs bared and ready to strike.
Arthur's fear intensified, and he shot the spear at the snake with all his might.
The sound of the impact was deafening as the spear blasted through the mouth of the snake, causing an explosion-like sound.
The cobra dropped to the ground, dead, as Arthur stared at it in disbelief.
The trio party who were watching from the sidelines, were surprised by what they saw.
"Not bad. I can't believe that worked out perfectly," Arthur said, a hint of admiration in his voice.
Arthur breathed a sigh of relief, feeling grateful for the spear that had saved his life.
He knew he had a long way to go before he could master the art of combat, but for now, he was just glad to be alive.
"Amazing!" one of the trio exclaimed, causing him to turn sharply to see them approaching him, their eyes wide with awe.
As they drew nearer, Arthur saw amongst them a female adventurer wearing a pointed hat with stars and a crescent moon imprinted on it.
Her companions were similarly dressed in fantasy clothing, with leather boots, long cloaks, and swords at their sides.
Suddenly, they stopped when Arthur turned around, and they instantly looked away, while the girl covered her eyes bashfully.
"Uh... What's the matter?" Arthur asked, confused by their reaction.
The girl's face was red with embarrassment as she pointed at him.
"Y-you haven't any clothes on," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Arthur stiffened and glanced down, his eyes widening in shock as he realized he was stark naked.
He exclaimed!
Arthur quickly tried to cover himself with his hands, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry," he stammered, looking around frantically for something to cover himself with. "I must have...lost my clothes." The trio exchanged glances, trying to hide their amusement at the situation. Finally, the girl spoke up. "Don't worry," she said with a small smile. "We won't tell anyone. But maybe you should come with us. We can help you find something to wear." They handed him a robe which he accepted and wore to cover his nakedness. "Thank you," Arthur said, relieved and grateful for their kindness. "Please, allow me to introduce ourselves. We call ourselves the 'Wild Hunters'," he said. "I'm Thomas." He extended his hand for a handshake. Arthur hesitated then shook his hand, "I am Arthur. You guys are adventurers, right?" Thomas nodded with pride. "That's right. We are a tight-knit team who had been adventuring together for several months now." Thomas was in his mid-t
Arthur sat there in silence for a few moments, trying to process the information. A system was something that only existed in the stories he had read in books. The godleveling system was a mythical system that was said to grant its possessor god-like powers.Arthur couldn't believe that he had somehow acquired such a system. "I wondered what kind of abilities it would grant me and what kind of challenges I would face in order to unlock its full potential."Suddenly another screen appeared, revealing more information:[god-Leveling System elements:Experience point (XP): 2Artifacts: 0Followers: 0Skill tree: 7Domain: 0Worshippers: 0Destiny: 0Knowledge: 20Divine favour: 0%Divine trails: 0%Rival gods: 0Ascension: 0Elemental mastery: 1"Amazing," Arthur said, his jaws dropping as he scrolled through the list. "If I can level up fast enough, I can achieve godhood in no time."A new screen appeared:[Quest: Accept Quest? ]As Arthur sat there lo
The two Crimsonscale dragons charged towards Arthur, their eyes fixated at him. Their sharp talons scraped against the ground as they readied themselves to strike. Arthur's heart raced in his chest as he braced for impact. But in that moment, he moved swiftly like a snake, his speed so sudden that it caught the dragons off guard.Without hesitation, Arthur moved swiftly like a snake, dodging the dragon's fire breath with incredible speed. With a quick leap, he jumped onto the back of one of the dragons and raised his sword high above his head to strike. "Venomous strike!" Arthur yelled as his system appeared with the activation command. [Venomous strike]As he chanted the skill, his sword blade began to change colour, oozing off a black mist.With deadly precision, Arthur struck the dragon down its throat, piercing it with his sword. A black cloud of smoke engulfed the dragon as it inhaled the poison oozing out of Arthur's body. The dragon crashed to the ground, dead
Lily was on her knees, her head lowered as she pleaded with Arthur. "Please don't send me away," she implored him.Arthur raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What the heck, Lily," he said, "why are you here?"Lily explained that she had concealed her presence with magic, which was why he couldn't sense her. She went on to tell him about her own quest, to find the strongest man she could and serve him, hoping to grow stronger with her magic.This girl, Arthur thought, is she some kind of lunatic that stalks men with an agenda like that?Arthur rubbed the back of his head. "Is that so? Well... I don't see myself being that strong," he told her.Lily disagreed. "You're wrong," she said, closing the distance and standing before him. "To me, you're powerful. Crimsonscale dragons are extremely powerful. It'd take a hundred skilled men to take down one Crimsonscale dragon, but you took down three all on your own."Arthur was suddenly uncomfortable. She was too close to his face. "Whoa. Sounds
Summoning his dragonfire breathing skill, Arthur stretched out his hand and unleashed a torrent of scorching flames towards the trolls, engulfing them in searing heat. The cursed creatures howled in pain, their cursed forms unable to withstand the intense fire. One by one, they succumbed to the flames, their twisted bodies reduced to ashes.As the fire died down, Arthur charged at the trolls, then he unleashed poison mist, an insidious cloud of toxic fumes. The mist enveloped the remaining trolls, their cursed bodies unable to resist its lethal effects. They choked and convulsed, their grotesque forms contorting in agony as the poison seeped into their veins. Their cursed existence was swiftly extinguished.With the trolls dispatched, Arthur tapped into his dragon scales, his skin transforming into an impenetrable armour that shimmered with iridescent hues. Any attempts by the trolls to strike him were futile as their blows glanced off his protective barrier.Drawing upon the po
"Beware boy, for I am a master of arcane arts," Zephyrus warned, grinning widely. "Come at me. I shall humble you!"Arthur went blindly in without thinking. The clash between Arthur and Zephyrus erupted with a symphony of magical energies colliding. Zephyrus unleashed a torrent of devastating attacks upon Arthur, each one brimming with raw power. Zephyrus conjured bolts of lightning that crackled through the air, striking Arthur with electrifying force. The intense shockwaves coursed through Arthur's body, leaving him momentarily stunned. However, fueled by his indomitable spirit, Arthur tapped into his reserves of dragon blood, allowing his wounds to swiftly mend and his vitality to be restored."That was some powerful attack," Arthur noted. "I'd have to watch out for those lightening."Undeterred, Arthur retaliated by channeling his dragonfire breathing skill. Streams of scorching flames erupted from his mouth, engulfing Zephyrus in a blazing inferno. But Zephyrus laughed, "S
Arthur and Lily stepped out of the cave's exit. They found a small stream meandered through a tranquil meadow, its gentle babbling providing a soothing melody to their ears. "It's been a long day," Arthur said, stretching himself. "Let's take a rest here for a while."Lily was glad. She was yet to recover from what she had witnessed today. Never before in her life had she seen any human as strong and powerful as Arthur was. She commended herself for making the decision of serving him. She must live up to his expectations. As they settled by the stream, Arthur felt a mix of exhilaration and awe wash over him. He had claimed the Orb of Power, a relic of immense magical potential. He stared at his hands and couldn't help but marvel at the possibilities that lay before him. With this newfound source of power, he knew he had taken a step closer to achieving godhood.While Lily stretched her back and bent down to the stream to wash her face, Arthur couldn't resist the temptation to c
Arthur and Lily approached the towering city walls of Valoria. After a long and arduous journey from the Catacombs Of Despair, Arthur felt it necessary to establish himself in a city. If he was going to achieve his goals then he must at least have a permanent base where he could always return to. When he asked Lily where they could settle in, she gave him a quick answer, The city of Valoria. As they drew nearer, the grandeur of the city came into view. The walls, made of sturdy stone, stood tall and formidable, stretching out as far as the eye could see. Carved with intricate designs and guarded by watchtowers, they evoked a sense of strength and history.Beneath the walls, a wide river flowed gracefully, its gentle currents reflecting the warm hues of the setting sun. A magnificent stone bridge spanned the waters, connecting the outside world to the bustling life within the city's borders. Its arches were adorned with ornate sculptures depicting legendary heroes and mythical
Arthur spent a month with his parents before he decided it was time to return back to his realm. The portal to his celestial home opened before him, a brilliant vortex of celestial energy.As he stepped towards the portal, his parents held his hands, their eyes filled with pride and love. "You're going back to your realm, Arthur," his mother said, her voice tinged with both joy and sorrow.Arthur nodded, a sense of duty filling his heart. "I have a responsibility to protect both worlds," he said. "But I promise I'll visit you as often as I can."His father squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "We understand, son," he said. "You have a duty to uphold, and we'll always be here, cheering you on."With tearful yet proud smiles, they bid him farewell as he stepped into the swirling portal, back to the Celestial Realm.As Arthur emerged on the other side, he found himself in the heart of the Celestial City. The ethereal glow of the realm enveloped him, and he felt a surge of power as he re
With Azraziel's defeat, the very fabric of the underworld began quavering. The ground shook, and the rivers of lava started erupting, spewing molten rocks into the air.Arthur hurriedly set off into the depths of the underworld, navigating through the chaos and destruction, determined to find his parents.As he ventured deeper, he hadn't gone far when he stumbled upon them – his parents, chained together to the wall, unconscious and vulnerable.Seeing them after all these years sparked a wave of emotions inside Arthur. Memories of them and the painful moments flooded his heart.He rushed to their side, going on his knees as he hugged them tightly, enveloping them with his celestial aura. His embrace radiated warmth and protection, shielding them from the falling rocks and molten lava eruption. With a radiant glow, they vanished from the underworld, leaving behind the chaos and darkness. * * * *Arthur's father woke up to the tantalizing smell of
Arthur arrived at his parents' house, his heart pounding in his chest. Nervousness gripped him as he stood before the familiar door, having not been with them for ages. Memories of the past flooded his mind, the hurtful words they said to him, and how they rejected him for being a failure in life. Taking a deep breath, he tried to push those thoughts aside, reminding himself that he only wanted to see them for the last time, to find closure and perhaps even to forgive them. As he reached for the doorknob, his mind played a cruel slideshow of all the terrible things they said about him. The pain from the past resurfaced, and he could still feel the physical and verbal abuse that he endured before running away from home.He wondered if he would be able to meet their eyes, to face the ones who had hurt him so deeply. Despite the pain, he longed for a chance to forgive and move on.Summoning courage, he knocked on the door, hoping they would be there. But there was no response. Te
The people on the streets below screamed and scattered in fear, seeking safety from the unexpected terror that had emerged from the depths. Panic spread like wildfire, and chaos erupted throughout the vicinity.Arthur tried to make meaning of what this meant. Then his mind flashed back to the news he heard this morning. Somehow, that mysterious cave must have a connection. This was not a mere coincidence; something had awakened this demon's powers and he was going to find out what it is. First things first, he must protect the city and its people. He swiftly descended, his white wings guiding him to the heart of the chaos. As he landed, the ground trembled beneath his feet, and the air crackled with energy."Stand back!" Arthur called out, his voice commanding attention. The onlookers gaped at Arthur, astonished to see a being like him with wings. The demon turned its attention to the imposing figure before it. It was clearly drawn to Arthur's divine power, sensing the threa
Arthur called for a meeting of all the gods of the realms, and they gathered before him at the celestial council. As the gods arrived, they saw Arthur seated at his magnificent throne, his divine aura radiating with power and determination.The gods of Astralia were among those who stood before Arthur, their faces reflecting disapproval and disbelief. They had doubted that Arthur could return and defeat Astorath, but here he was, the new Supreme Celestium.Beside him, Celestia sat with their baby in her arms. Her presence added an air of grace and serenity to the gathering.Arthur stood up, and all eyes were on him as he addressed the assembly. "My fellow gods, today marks the beginning of a new era in the realms. I stand here not as a conqueror, but as a protector and guide for all beings."The gods of Astralia looked unconvinced. The hate in their eyes was evident enough for all to notice. Arthur continued, turning his attention to them. "You gods left Astralia for your vacation
Arthur looked into Astorath's eyes, and saw a gleeful smile on Astorath's face. Astorath spoke, "This battle is over. I've won."In that moment, Astorath unleashed a devastating blast of energy that exploded Arthur into ashes. The force of the blast left nothing but smoke and ashes where Arthur once stood.Astorath rubbed his hands on his chest, feeling disgusted. "Weak." He was certain there was no way Arthur could survive that obliteration.Suddenly, the wind grew strong and swarmed around Arthur's ashes. Astorath watched, feeling a warning in his mind, but before he could react, something extraordinary happened.From the ashes rose a powerful surge of Phoenix flames, swirling and igniting in a blaze of vibrant colours. The flames took shape, and there, emerging from the fiery inferno, was Arthur, renewed and transformed.His body was engulfed in the majestic Phoenix flames, and his eyes glowed with a divine radiance. The very essence of rebirth and resilience emanated from hi
Astorath's created razor-sharp energy blades that filled the air, making it difficult for Arthur to maneuver. Arthur remained composed, channeling his inner strength, determination, and experiences as he gripped his sword, which shimmered with divine light. With a swift motion, Astorath released his celestial blades, sending them hurtling towards Arthur like a barrage of shining projectiles. Arthur's movements were swift and evasive as he dodged the blades using bursts of divine energy to propel himself through the air.Then he retaliated with a burst of his own divine energy, a radiant wave that scattered the celestial blades in all directions. Astorath's eyes narrowed in surprise at the display of power. "Impressive. Your rapid growth in swordplay is second to mine but it would take a lot more than that to defeat me."The two gods closed the distance between them, their swords clashing with a resounding impact. Their energies intertwined, creating a magnificent display of divin
Arthur was surprised at Celestia. He stammered, "We can't do this? You're a god..."She chuckled and waved her hand dismissively. "Don't be a dunce, Arthur. Look, we're both gods, and we can still procreate."Arthur was taken aback by her response. "But we can't. Why? What good would it do?"Celestia sat on the bed, facing him, and stared directly into his eyes. "Let me explain," she said gently. "In the realm of gods, there's a balance of power, much like the concept of Yin and Yang. By combining our powers, we create a unique energy that embodies the best of both of us."Arthur looked puzzled. "And how would that help me face Astorath?"Celestia smiled, her eyes gleaming with desire. "When two individuals with complementary Yin and Yang qualities come together, their energies combine to create a harmonious and balanced relationship. When you and I mate, we shall create a flow of energy stronger than any god."Arthur couldn't believe his ears. "You mean if we mate, I'd gain an incre
The next day, Arthur walked out of the hotel, determined to find a pathway or gate to Astralia. He felt an unyielding desire to return to that realm and save everyone. He won't rest until he did that.As he strolled through the city, lost in thought, he passed by the bank when suddenly he heard gunshots. His instincts kicked in, and he realized there was a hold-up happening inside.He stiffened, knowing that people's lives were at risk. He felt his hand balling into a fist. What kind of a man would he be if he didn't save those people?Then, a risky idea struck him. What if he allowed himself to be killed again? Perhaps dying might lead him back to Astralia.With newfound determination, he hurried into the bank, surprising the robbers. They pointed their guns at him, yelling, "Get down or we shoot!"But Arthur stared back at them defiantly. "Well, go ahead. Shoot me."The robbers were perplexed by his fearlessness, exchanging puzzled glances. One of them warned him again, but Ar