Rain poured heavily on campus, a relentless downpour trapping Alex, a 21-year-old university student, in the lounge. Other students laughed and gossiped, their voices piercing the heavy rain.

  His best friend Juile approached, her dark hair bouncing. She sat beside him.

  “Hey, Alex, We’ve got volunteer work tomorrow – don't forget,” she said.

  Alex with a warm smile.

  “I know, Julie. I’ve got work to do. I’m out.”

  Alex had been doing volunteer work since he was young. He helped out whenever he could.

  Alex and Juile spent their weekends teaching and supporting children at a local orphanage.Volunteering at the orphanage was close to his heart.

  Alex also had other plans for his life. He wanted to graduate early and build a global startup. A regular 9-to-5 job wasn’t for him. He’d already won dozens of business case competitions. He had recently formed a strong team and launched a startup that was doing well. Things were looking up.

  By the time Alex tapped his student ID at the campus gate, the rain had slowed down. He made his way toward the bus stop. He was about to reach the bus stop suddenly darkness surrounded him from every direction before he could react, he lost consciousness.

  A bright light flashed as he slowly opened his eyes. He gasped, breathing in fresh air, his body lying on soft ground. Tall trees stood above him that he didn’t recognize.

  “Where am I?”

  He whispered, heart pounding.

  “I… I was supposed to be dead. Did I make it? No… this isn’t Earth. Is this… another world?”

  Thirst burned his throat. After a long search, he found a waterfall, its icy water soothing as he drank. A rustle caught his attention. A tall man was picking flowers nearby. Alex approached him. The man was startled.

  “Who are you? What're you doing this deep in the forest?” the man said.

  The tall man’s hand hovered over his sword, eyes narrowing.

  “You don’t look like a hunter. Are you a shadow?”

  Alex raised his hands, heart racing.

  “I… woke up here and I… lost my memories.”

  The tall man lowered his guard.

  “You’re lucky you didn’t run into a serpent.”

  “I’m Derek from the Phoenix party of the Avalon Guild,” the man said, eyeing Levi curiously.

  “I’m hunting beasts for training, but I found this rare healing flower. It’ll sell well at the market. You don’t look local. Come with me to the guild. A healer might help you.”

  Alex glanced at the flower. Instantly translucent writing appeared:

  System Activated

  [Rare Medicinal Herb: Heals medium-level injuries instantly]

  “Can I see my profile?” he thought. Again translucent writing appeared:

  Status

  Name: Levi Graves

  Rank: ??

  Class: ??

  Race: Human

  “So I’m Levi now,” he whispered.

  Derek frowned.

  “What're you staring at?”

  Levi quickly said.

  “Nothing.”

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  Remembering fantasy novels where deep forests hid deadly monsters, Levi asked with excitement.

  “You’re out here alone, so you must be strong. What’s your rank?”

  Derek said in a low voice.

  “I'm an A rank adventurer. This forest’s beasts are no trouble for me. Other forests have worse monsters. Even S-rank hunters avoid them.I forgot you lost your memories. Come on, I’ve got my flowers. Let’s head to the city.”

  Levi followed, his mind racing. A new world, a new name and mysterious writing only visible to him.

  Levi walked beside Derek down a muddy forest path, his clothes filthy, stained with dirt. His heart raced. This place was nothing like Earth. The forest was wild. The trees were so tall that they blocked the sun. It was like something out of a fantasy game.

  Weird bird calls unfamiliar to Levi bounced through the air. Derek was calm, humming a tune that was just a little off-key, his bundle of healing flowers over his shoulder like he was on a Sunday stroll.

  They passed an oak tree, its trunk carved with runes that looked ancient. Levi’s chest tightened, like something just touched his heart. His vision flickered. When he caught his reflection in a puddle, his left eye was glowing.

  Derek stopped dead. His hand trembling toward the dagger at his waist. His face went pale. It was like he'd glimpsed a nightmare come to life. Derek said in an uneasy voice.

  “Keep up. Don't get lost.”

  “What was that?” Levi asked, his heart pounding. My eyes… were glowing. Is something wrong with me or is it something normal?”

  Derek shrugged. "The forest is just messing with you.Happens sometimes.” Derek looked aside, his jaw tight. It was like he’d seen something he shouldn't. Levi felt Derek was hiding something.

  "Derek, can I trust you?”

  Levi asked.

  Derek replied with a warm smile, "Of course. Just follow me. I’ll introduce you to my party members later. They’ve made quite a name for themselves.”

  “It's better to trust Derek. I don't know anyone here. Without him it will be hard to escape this forest alive. Who knows what types of monsters this forest is hiding,” Levi thought.

  “So, this healer you're taking me to… she can fix my memory?”

  Derek looked back, one eyebrow raised. "She’s good. Whenever I get injured, she heals me free of charge because I was a close friend of her late husband. She's kind… but a bit strict.”

  Derek smiled. "Trust me, when you're an adventurer you should definitely have a Healer as a friend.”

  After hours of walking, Levi could finally see the Avalon gate. A bronze statue of an ancient hero stood beside the gate. Merchant and peasants went through the gate. Merchant carts were full of valuable products Levi had never seen.

  Levi's heart racing.

  "This is it–my new beginning. I won’t waste this second chance. This time I’ll carve my own path and become the person I’ve always dreamed of being.”

  Guards at the gate weren't as nice as Derek. They leveled spears at Levi, their eyes full of distrust.

  ”Hold it.”

  A guard with a scar on his cheek said.

  ”Who's this? You don't look local. We’ve had word of Shadow spies sneaking through. What business do you have here?”

  Derek stepped up, "Calm down, Liam. He’s with me. I found him out in the forest, He had lost his memories.”

  Liam glared at Levi then looked away.

  ”You're too soft Derek. If he’s trouble you'll be held responsible.”

  Derek sighed, looking at Levi like he was already regretting this. "Fine. Can we go now?”

  “Four coppers. Entry fee for him,” Liam said.

  Derek tossed over the coins and they entered Avalon. But Levi could feel the guards eye on his back.

  Inside, Avalon was chaotic and beautiful. Levi was mesmerised. Avalon was full of life. Merchants hawked their products, their shouts blending with the scent of fresh-baked bread and molten iron. Buildings leaned together.In the distance, there was an old castle that looked ancient and haunted.

  There were fruits that looked too perfect to be real. Levi’s eyes lit up at a weapon shop, its sign shaped like a dragon's head. Swords and axes shined inside.

  Derek noticed. "That’s the best weapon shop in Avalon. As an adventurer the more useful weapons you get the more easier your quest will be.”

  Levi nodded, his mind drifting to the System. Can I check my stats? Translucent writing appeared :

  Status

  Name:Levi Graves

  Rank:??

  Class:??

  Race:Human

  Still nothing on rank or class, he thought.

  Derek led him to the Avalon Guild, a massive stone fortress. Inside, the ground floor was a madhouse. Adventurers in leather and plate armor gossiping, their tables scattered with maps and crystals.

  A group of young rookies, probably a new party, celebrated a small victory. In a corner, mysterious figures whispered.Their words were too low to catch. The air smelled of roasted meat.

  “She’s upstairs,” Derek said. Levi followed him.

  There three women sat at a desk split three ways — a catgirl with a playful grin, an elf with silver hair, and a lady with a warm smile. Behind them, shelves held dusty books.

  Levi was able to read the letters on the books. System’s doing, no doubt, he thought. He signed a form Derek handed him.

  The lady said to Derek. “Miss Lily’s in the healing room. Sign here for an emergency slot.”

  Before they could move, the door burst open. A bloodied adventurer stumbled in.His armor was torn. Blood dripped from a deep scratch across his chest. “Deepwood… beast…” he gasped.

  Writing flickered in Levi’s vision: [Trace of ancient power detected]

  The adventurer collapsed. Shouts broke out around them. Levi’s heart stopped. “What’s going on?” he said in a shaking voice.

  The guild’s healer, a young woman named Lyra with kind eyes, came running. She held her hands over his shredded armor then took a slow breath and murmured words that Levi didn't understand.

  A warm golden light appeared out of nowhere and the wound of the adventurer started to close. Levi's eyes lit up. He was mesmerized. ”So this is magic," Levi muttered.

  But the adventurer let out a scream and the pain didn't stop.

  “What kind of beast did this? It should be totally healed by now. This is beyond my capability,” said Lyra.

  The wounded adventurer's eyes were rolling back, barely open. He was losing consciousness.

  “No… don’t kill them… someone… help… save them…” he choked out, tears rolled down his face.

  Levi grabbed the wounded adventurer shaking hands. “Who were with you? Where are they? Tell me—we can save them!”

  “It’s too late, Levi,” Derek said in a low voice.

  Everyone in the room became silent. Levi could see fear in their eyes, it was like they all knew something what Levi didn't.