The glow of the monitor painted Drake Carter's face in stark, pixelated hues. Empty ramen containers and energy drink cans littered the desk, a testament to days spent locked away in his cramped apartment. The room, a sanctuary of escapism, was a chaotic mess of manga volumes, anime figurines, and disassembled computer parts.
Drake's eyes, bloodshot and weary, were glued to the screen. Another level cleared, another boss defeated. A fleeting sense of accomplishment washed over him, quickly replaced by the familiar emptiness.
He glanced at the clock in the corner of the screen. 3:17 AM. Time was a fluid concept in his world, a mere suggestion.
A notification popped up on his phone. A message from an unknown number. He hesitated, then tapped the screen.
"Your package has arrived."
Package? He hadn't ordered anything. Then it hit him. His pre-ordered game collection, the one he had been waiting months for. He jumped up, adrenaline surging through his veins.
He threw on a worn hoodie and rushed out of the apartment, ignoring the protests of his aching muscles. The address led him to a dark, deserted alleyway. A lone figure stood at the end, a shadowy silhouette against the dim streetlights.
As Drake approached, the figure turned, revealing a gaunt face and shifty eyes. He held a large, nondescript bag.
"You the guy who ordered this?" the figure rasped.
Drake nodded, reaching for the bag. "Yeah, that's me."
The figure grinned, a flash of yellow teeth in the darkness. "Gonna have to pay up first."
Drake frowned. He'd already paid online. "I did pay."
"Yeah, well, things changed," the figure smirked, pulling the bag back. "Gonna need a little extra."
Drake's frustration boiled over. He had waited months for this. "That's not how this works!"
The figure chuckled, then spun around, bolting down the alleyway.
"Hey! Get back here!" Drake shouted, giving chase. He had to get those games back. They were his escape, his lifeline.
He sprinted after the thief, his heart pounding. The alleyway twisted and turned, a labyrinth of shadows. The thief was fast, but Drake was fueled by a desperate determination.
Suddenly, the thief stumbled, dropping the bag. Drake lunged for it, grabbing it just as the thief regained his footing.
"Give it back!" the thief snarled, lunging for the bag.
A horn blared, a blinding flash of headlights filled the alleyway. A massive truck, its driver oblivious, careened around the corner.
The thief, caught in the headlights, froze. Drake, still clutching the bag, was a fraction of a second too late.
The impact was deafening. The world dissolved into a kaleidoscope of shattered glass and twisted metal.
Then, darkness.
[...]
Darkness. Absolute, infinite darkness.
Then, a voice, laced with amusement and a hint of shared knowledge.
"Ah, Drake, you're finally coming to. I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost in the void."
Drake's consciousness flickered, his senses returning. "Who's there?"
A figure materialized, radiating an aura of casual power. He wore a simple, almost unassuming robe, but his eyes held a depth of ancient knowledge.
"You can call me the Architect," the figure said, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Or, if you prefer, just… the guy who's about to make your life a lot more interesting."
"Interesting how?" Drake asked, his guard up.
"Interesting as in, you're about to become the biggest cheat this world has ever seen," the Architect chuckled, gesturing towards a holographic display that appeared before them. It showed a vibrant fantasy world, teeming with life and magic.
"This world, Drake, is… limited. They rely on mana and aura, powerful but ultimately superficial. They've scratched the surface of true power, but they haven't even glimpsed the depths."
The screen zoomed in on a group of warriors, their movements powerful but predictable.
"They're strong, sure. But they're missing the key. They don't know about Qi."
Drake's eyes narrowed. "Qi? As in, internal energy cultivation?"
"Exactly," the Architect said, his eyes gleaming. "And you, Drake, are about to become the master of it. Not just any master, mind you. You're getting the deluxe package."
"Deluxe package?" Drake echoed, intrigued.
"This," the Architect gestured towards a complex interface that materialized beside the world display, "is the Universal Cultivation System. It's… a collaborative effort."
"Collaborative?" Drake asked, confused.
"Yes," the Architect said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You see, I have a… friend. He's also quite fond of entertainment. He's helping me. His world, which is quite different from this one, is the place where this system was created. This system contains the accumulated knowledge of countless cultivation sects, martial arts, formations, alchemy recipes, you name it, it's in there."
"So, it's a cheat system," Drake concluded, a grin spreading across his face.
"Precisely," the Architect said. "You can think of it as a divine shopping mall for cultivation resources. You want a rare cultivation technique? Buy it. A powerful formation? Buy it. You need a rare herb? Buy it. You want to see the techniques of a sect that has been lost for ages? Buy it."
"And what's the currency?" Drake asked, his mind already racing with possibilities.
"Points," the Architect said. "You'll earn points by completing quests, defeating enemies, acquiring resources, and generally causing chaos. Think of it as a reward for your… entertainment value."
"And your friend?" Drake asked, curious.
"He's watching," the Architect said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "He's as eager as I am to see how you use this system. He's a fan of… unexpected outcomes. He's also the one who's made sure the system is compatible with the mana and aura of this world, which will make your rise to power all the more interesting."
"So, I'm a test subject," Drake said, a hint of cynicism in his voice.
"A test subject with unlimited potential," the Architect corrected. "You're not here to fix their martial arts, Drake. You're here to dominate. To use the Qi as the ultimate advantage. To become a force that reshapes this world to your liking. And to entertain us."
The Architect snapped his fingers, and the interface expanded, revealing a vast catalogue of cultivation resources.
"This, Drake, is your arsenal. Use it wisely. Or foolishly. Either way, it'll be entertaining."
A predatory grin spread across Drake's face. "Then let the show begin."
The Architect snapped his fingers, and Drake felt himself being pulled into a swirling vortex of energy.
"Remember, Drake," the Architect's voice echoed, "this world is yours to command. And don't disappoint us. We're expecting a good show."
Then, darkness.
[...]
The world was a blur of warmth and muffled sounds. A soft, comforting scent filled his senses, a mixture of milk and something floral. Drake felt a gentle pressure against his cheek, and a melodic voice echoed in his ears.
"He's beautiful," the voice whispered, filled with a tender emotion Drake hadn't felt in his previous life.
He opened his eyes, or tried to. The world was fuzzy, but he could make out a face hovering above him. A woman with gentle eyes and a warm smile. Her hair was a dark, rich brown, and her skin was fair.
"Welcome, little Drake," she said, her voice filled with love.
Drake? He tried to move, but his limbs felt weak and unresponsive. He realized he was a baby, a tiny, helpless infant.
He looked down at his own hands, small and delicate. His skin was pale, almost translucent. He noticed his hair was a stark black, and when he looked up, he saw his eyes reflected in his mother's, a shocking gold.
Golden eyes? Seriously? He thought, trying to process the information.
A man leaned into view, his face filled with pride. "He's perfect, Elara," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "A true Blackthorn."
Elara, his mother, smiled at the man, her husband. "He has your eyes, Theron," she said, gently stroking Drake's cheek.
A small, giggling voice piped up from beside them. "He's so tiny!"
A little girl, perhaps two years old, peered at Drake with wide, curious eyes. She had the same dark hair and fair skin as his parents, but her eyes were a bright, vibrant blue.
"This is your little brother, Lyra," Elara said to the girl, gently guiding her hand to touch Drake's tiny fingers.
Lyra giggled, her touch light as a feather. "He's so soft!"
Drake watched them, a strange mix of emotions swirling within him. He was reborn, given a second chance, a new family. He felt an odd sense of warmth spreading through him.
System, he thought, testing the connection.
Instantly, a translucent interface flickered into existence before his blurry vision.
[System Activated] [Host: Drake Blackthorn] [Cultivation: Qi Gathering (Stage 0)] [Points: 0]
It works, he thought, a flicker of excitement igniting within him.
He looked back at his family, their faces filled with love and joy. He knew he had a long road ahead, a path of cultivation and conquest. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of peace, a moment of belonging.
"He's looking at you, Lyra," Theron said, chuckling. "He already loves his big sister."
Lyra beamed, her blue eyes sparkling. "I love you too, little Drake!"
Elara leaned down and kissed Drake's forehead. "We all love you, my little star."
Drake closed his eyes, the warmth of their love enveloping him. He was Drake Blackthorn now, and he had a family to protect, and a world to conquer.