Max was nineteen years old, unemployed, not studying anything, and still living with his parents.
His world was much simpler: a chair that creaked loudly, a room lit by the glow of a monitor, and videogames. Lots of videogames. All kinds, but especially RPGs.
It was December 21st.
His parents were about to head out to celebrate their anniversary, warmly dressed, wearing perfume, and carrying that awkward smile of "we're leaving the kid alone again." Max barely lifted his hand in farewell, never taking his eyes off the screen.
"Don't stay up too late," his mother said from the doorway.
"Uh-huh," he replied, not really listening.
The moment the sound of the car faded down the street, Max smiled.
'Free night.'
The improvised desk was covered in open bags: chips, candy, energy drink cans stacked like trophies. Everything was ready for what he considered a historic moment.
On the screen, the logo of his favorite game glowed:
Eldoria's Entry 3.
A single-player RPG, famous for its branching decision system, hidden quests, and multiple endings. Every choice could change alliances, destinies… or kill story characters outright.
Max had completed it so many times he'd lost count.
Well…
He was missing only one ending.
One.
The final achievement.
To get the platinum.
His hands trembled slightly as he advanced through the final scene. He knew exactly what was going to happen. He had memorized every line of dialogue, every plot twist… except this one.
The screen went dark.
White text on a black background.
[Special Ending – Marriage with the Princess]
For a second, Max didn't react.
Then, the unmistakable sound.
Plin.
[Achievement Unlocked: Master of Eldoria]
"... Yes. Yes, yes, yes," he murmured.
The icon appeared in the corner of the screen.
Max jumped to his feet.
"YES! PLATINUM! I DID IT!"
He raised his arms, laughing to himself, spinning his chair in an exaggerated celebration. He grabbed a massive handful of chips and stuffed them into his mouth without thinking.
Huge mistake.
The chair—old and treacherous—tilted backward too far. Max tried to steady himself, but the sudden movement made him inhale sharply.
The chips went down the wrong way.
"Ghk—!"
He crashed to the floor with the chair on top of him, kicking wildly, clutching his throat. No air came in. The monitor still displayed the victory screen as the achievement sound repeated.
[100% COMPLETED]
His vision blurred.
His chest burned.
'What a stupid way to die…'
The screen remained on.
The game completed one hundred percent.
***
Max found himself trapped in a void that seemed infinite.
There were no walls, no ceiling, no floor.
Just him and his consciousness.
'… Am I dead?'
It was like floating in nothingness, suspended in an uncomfortable silence.
Then, something appeared in front of him.
A glowing rectangle.
Blue, translucent.
Far too familiar.
[Initializing System]
"…You've got to be kidding me."
[Welcome, Player]
'Okay. Either this is the afterlife… or I hit my head so hard I'm dreaming.'
The screen flickered.
[Synchronizing soul…]
[Synchronization complete]
[Assigning existence…]
[Determining race…]
A small loading icon spun for several seconds that felt eternal.
[Race: Human Level 1]
[Rarity: Incalculable]
"Huh?"
'Incalculable? That sounds… good, right?'
[Calculating base stats…]
The lines began appearing one by one.
[HP: 13]
[Strength: 3]
[Endurance: 5]
[Agility: 3]
[Magic: 0]
[Luck: 5]
Max stayed silent.
Then he spoke.
"… Is this a joke?"
'Not even Eldoria's tutorial started you off this bad.'
[New notification]
[Initial reward available]
"Reward?"
'Ah… right. The game always gave you something at the start.'
Three panels appeared in front of him, floating in the void.
[Select an item]
The first showed the image of a plain-covered book.
[Random Language Book]
[Type: Consumable]
[Effect: Allows the user to learn a random world language]
The second was a red bottle, fairly standard in appearance.
[Medium Health Potion]
[Type: Consumable]
[Restores 20 HP]
The third was a small golden chest, closed, with no clear description.
[Random Rare Item]
Max narrowed his eyes.
'Ah… the classic bait.'
He already knew that wasn't really an option, no matter how flashy it sounded.
'In Eldoria, the "random rare item" has like a 90% chance of giving you useless coal.'
He remembered the item clearly.
Old Coal.
Couldn't be sold.
Couldn't be used for crafting.
Did absolutely nothing.
"No way."
He looked at the potion.
'The potion is tempting… especially with these pathetic HP.'
But he quickly shook his head.
'If they only give me one… sooner or later I'll run out.'
Finally, he focused on the book.
'Language…'
Max frowned, thinking it through.
'English doesn't exist in Eldoria.'
All NPCs spoke regional, ancient, or magical languages. Even in the normal game, learning languages was slow, expensive, and locked behind specific quests.
'If I'm going to be useless in combat… at least I need to understand what the hell everyone's saying.'
He extended his hand without hesitating any longer.
"Book."
[Item selected]
[Random Language Book acquired]
[Consumable added to inventory]
The book dissolved into particles of light.
Max exhaled slowly.
'Good. A smart decision.'
The screen darkened again for a second.
Then, a new line appeared—different from all the others.
[Unique Skill Detected]
[Assigning Special Skill…]
[Skill: ???]
[Rank: SSS]
Max's eyes widened.
'There it is. I knew something was off.'
The description began unfolding slowly.
[Description: Passive skill.]
[Effect: Does not allow direct stat increases.]
[Does not allow weapon stat enhancement.]
[Does not allow amulet stat enhancement.]
"…Wait, wait, wait."
'What do you mean it doesn't boost anything?'
He kept reading, growing more nervous by the second.
[Does not allow equipment stat enhancement.]
[Does not allow stat increases upon leveling up, except HP.]
"Then what is it even for?"
The screen flickered slightly.
Max was about to keep reading when the system interrupted him abruptly.
[New notification]
[Forced process initiated]
"What process?"
[Entering Eldoria…]
[Initial location: Determined]
[Preparing transfer…]
"Wait, I'm not done reading the skill!"
The screen flooded with light.
[Welcome to Eldoria]