chapter 1 start of my story
The Dark Room
A single, small fire was the only source of light in the profound darkness of the room. Its feeble glow cast dancing shadows on the walls and illuminated a young man seated beside it. He held a ceramic cup, slowly sipping the scalding hot medicinal water. His expression was distant, thoughtful—lost in a contemplation only he understood.
On a simple wooden table in front of him lay a perfectly crafted doll. It wore a miniature tuxedo, a crisp white shirt, and a neatly tied bow tie, its porcelain face set in a fixed, eerie smile.
Suddenly, the doll spoke.
The Doll: "Do you feel well after drinking the tea? You were so... disruptive earlier. I truly thought you might die... I mean, die again."
Fighter: "..."
The Doll: "In any case, I adore stories. Can you tell me about yours, Fighter?"
Fighter: "Okay."
Fighter's Story: The Pain
I was a citizen of a small, peaceful country in a long-forgotten era. At the age of twenty-eight, I was hospitalized with a serious illness. To pass the time, I started reading a web novel called [Lightning Boy's Adventure]. It was a decent fantasy novel.
Then, without warning, it hit me.
PAIN.
A searing, blinding agony.
"It hurts! So painful!"
"It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! I'm going to die! Am I dying? I am dying! IamdiyingIamdiying!"
My head felt like it was splitting apart. I thought my very soul was being ripped from my physical body. My entire existence seemed to be shattering like fragile glass.
Then, there was only a terrifying blankness.
I woke to a dreadful smell—the stench of rotting flesh, stagnant blood, and decay. My head throbbed, and the pain returned, bringing with it a torrent of unfamiliar memories: a boy, a body, a young man. New life.
I tried to move my hand, but my muscles were slow, disconnected, and lagged a terrifying second behind my will.
The realization hit me: Transmigration.
I had been transported into the world of the last novel I read, [Lightning Boy's Adventure]—a world destined for total destruction.
Like all Dungeon and Gate novels, this world had been struck by a phenomenon called The Flash. After the first massive wave, people started changing, some becoming monstrous. Then the Second Wave began: space fractured, and people vanished en masse. Whole streets and cities emptied, losing both humans and animals alike. Those who returned were stronger, more powerful, and possessed the ability to wield the power of stories.
In my new body, I struggled to stand. My limbs were heavy, barely obeying. I managed to stagger upright, trying to peer through the gloom and see where I was, what was happening around me.
Then, once again, everything went blank. When I next awoke, I was here.
The Inheritance
The Doll tilted its head, its painted smile unchanging.
The Doll: "Well, I don't quite understand the details of your transfer, but I'm intrigued."
Fighter: "Why was I brought here, and why do I have to tell you my story?"
The Doll: "That's easy. You're here because I have chosen you for my Inheritance Trial."
Fighter: "What?! Who are you? I don't even know your name."
The Doll: "Ha ha... it's true. You may call me Mr. Doll. You are simply too interesting. This place is a field of Curses, and a Curse that came back to life is something extraordinary. Yet your story, at Chapter 1, is 'Nobody, Not a Hero.'"
Fighter's jaw dropped. The name was famous, legendary, and terrifying in the novel's world. Mr. Doll—the man who created the first [Cursed Item] and forged the [Seven Sky's]. Not only did the novel's protagonist use one of his cursed weapons, but the very Lord of the world did too. He was supposed to have died centuries ago.
Fighter: "How? You're supposed to be dead, and you're supposed to be a human being."
Mr. Doll: "I am. I died a very long time ago."
Fighter: "So, where is this Inheritance Trial of mine?"
Mr. Doll: "You have so many questions. Don't be so impatient. Your inheritance is in this box."
Mr. Doll shifted, revealing he was sitting on a plain, polished black box.
Fighter: "I thought my inheritance would be one of the Sky's."
Mr. Doll: "What are you, a dullard? Why would I give you one of the Sky's? Well, this is my end. I am going to sleep now."
Fighter: "Don't leave me! I'm so confused! I don't know what your trial is or what I'm supposed to do. I have so many questions! At least listen to the backstory of my name!"
Mr. Doll: "You are so damn noisy! I'm not dying, I'm just going to slee—eee—ep... my Artificial Intelligence will help you on your journey. So, good night."
The Doll slowly fell backward, and with a ripple of darkness, it vanished, disappearing into the [Black Box].
Fighter struggled to his feet, carefully holding his cup of water, and took slow, deliberate steps toward the box.
A calm, monotonous female voice echoed directly inside his mind.
???: [You are my new owner. Will you start the trial?]
With the message complete, the [Black Box] itself dissolved, leaving nothing behind but the empty spot on the table and the faint, unsettling smell of electricity.
_____________Chapter 1 End______________