Daniel stepped out into the hallway, mask on, backpack thrown over one shoulder, heart beating way too fast for someone who'd just been reincarnated.
The dorm building was quiet — eerily quiet.
2020 rules.
A sign taped to the wall read:
"Maintain 6 feet distance. Common areas closed. Stay safe."
Daniel exhaled through his mask.
"Great. A global pandemic in my second life. Just my luck."
DING.
A bright blue screen popped up again.
[MISSION 002: Reach Hunter College North Building in 5 Minutes]
Reward: Random Skill
Penalty: Lost Opportunity
Timer: 4:52…
"Lost opportunity…? That sounds ominous."
He bolted down the stairs.
The echo of his hurried footsteps clashed with the quiet hallway, and by the time he burst out the front door, the world hit him like a wall.
New York City.
Loud. Busy. Chaotic.
Even in 2020.
Masked students rushed across campus. Taxis honked. A street vendor sold pretzels from behind a plastic barrier. Posters about COVID testing lined the fences.
If Daniel hadn't died seven hours ago (in a different world), he might have found comfort in the familiarity.
But right now?
He was sprinting toward the North Building like a confused freshman late for his first class.
"Excuse me—sorry—coming through!"
A student shot him a weird look. "Bro, relax, classes are half-online."
Daniel ignored him.
The timer was flashing in the corner of his vision.
3:41… 3:40… 3:39…
His legs burned, but his eighteen-year-old body handled it way better than his twenty-seven-year-old corpse did.
He reached the front steps of the North Building and slapped the door like it owed him money.
DING!
A wave of blue sparkles flashed across his vision.
MISSION COMPLETE
Reward Granted: Random Skill Unlocked
Daniel held his breath.
Please…
PLEASE be something useful this time.
The screen flickered.
Congratulations!
You have obtained: BASIC FIRST AID (Lv. 1)
Daniel gasped.
"YES! Something actually helpful!"
A description box unfolded:
Ability: Perform basic medical care, treat minor injuries, identify symptoms, apply bandages, handle fainting cases, and stay calm during small emergencies.
Daniel nodded.
This was good.
VERY good.
In a world dealing with a pandemic?
A first aid skill was gold.
"I can work with this," he muttered.
And then — another screen opened.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Special Event Detected: Pandemic Year 2020
Additional Emergency Missions may appear based on environmental triggers.
"…That sounds bad."
Before he could think about it, a voice called out:
"Hey! Watch out!"
Daniel turned — too late.
A girl tripped on the final step of the stairs and fell forward, dropping her books everywhere. She landed with a small cry of pain.
Daniel blinked, stunned.
She was pretty — long brown hair, glasses, pale mask, oversized hoodie. She looked like a stressed 2020 college student straight out of a YouTube vlog.
The system chimed again.
EMERGENCY MISSION TRIGGERED!
MISSION 003: Assist the Injured Student
Reward: Skill Upgrade
Penalty: Fame –5 (seen as useless by peers)
Daniel's eyes widened.
"Seriously?!"
But then he saw the girl clutching her ankle, wincing.
"Are you okay?" he asked, hurrying over.
She looked up at him, surprised.
"Oh—I… think I twisted my ankle. I'm fine, I'll manage—"
"Nope! System—uh—instinct says you need help."
He crouched down and activated his new skill.
A subtle glow — faint, barely noticeable — tingled in his fingertips as muscle memory guided his movements.
He checked her ankle.
Minor sprain.
He wrapped it correctly using her dropped scarf.
Elevated the foot slightly.
And even gave correct advice:
"Try not to put weight on it. You should ice it within 20 minutes."
The girl blinked. "Wow… you actually know what you're doing."
Daniel smiled nervously.
(He absolutely did not know what he was doing 10 minutes ago.)
DING!
MISSION COMPLETE
Reward: Basic First Aid → First Aid Proficiency (Lv. 2)
+10 Fame Points
Fame Rank: F → F+
Daniel felt a rush of satisfaction.
But then—
the girl spoke again.
"You're in my General Psychology class, right? I've seen you around."
Daniel blinked.
"I… I am?"
She laughed softly.
"Classes are starting soon. Want to walk together?"
His heart skipped.
He had just arrived in this world.
He had no idea who she was.
He had no idea which future events would still happen.
His system had just upgraded a skill.
And a girl he didn't know suddenly recognized him?
His second life was moving fast.
Daniel stood, helping her up gently.
"Uh, yeah… sure. Let's go."
As they walked, the system chimed again.
[NEW OBJECTIVE: ADAPT TO 2020 NYC]
[Optional Bonus: Make Friends]
[Warning: Future knowledge accuracy at 47%]
Daniel gulped.
"Oh boy," he whispered.
2020 was going to be a problem.
And his system had just begun.