I don't remember very well what happened to me; all I recall is that I was on the train heading from Beijing to Shanghai on the high-speed line. Then suddenly… I honestly don't remember what happened after that. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a desert of golden sand, and the sky above was pure white—just a bright, beautiful white.
I walked through that desert, maybe for minutes or hours or days, but without finding any creature or anything at all—just golden sand and a white sky devoid of life.
I remembered my life… a man in his fifties living alone in a rented apartment, working in a black company that made me work more than 12 hours a day. I never had friends or a lover, and my life knew nothing but failure.
I had no one to talk to except my dear mother, who passed away 15 years ago. And when I was in high school, I was always bullied—maybe because my weight was over 100 kilograms, and also because of my ugliness. But none of that matters now because everything has ended forever. If only I could have just one chance to change my life and become a hero who helps the world.
Then, a floating panel appeared before my eyes—hovering in the air, crimson like human blood. Written on it was the main player interface:
Name: "Wang Hu"
Age: [51/80]
Gender: Human/Male
Level: [1/999]
Traits: None
Special Abilities: [None/Absent]
Experience Points: [Earned gradually]
This interface appeared as soon as he awoke.
[Player condition confirmed]
[Vital functions confirmed]
[Player awakening confirmed]
The three paths will now be displayed:
Choose the first path: The Monk's Path, and you will obtain:
1. Holy power to exorcise demons.
2. The power to kill all vampires.
3. Your gender will change over time.
4. The player will obtain 10,000 points.
5. The player will lose their humanity over time.
What? Are there demons in this world? And vampires too? This feels like Final Fantasy! That's amazing—maybe I should choose this one. But I should check the other paths first before making my final decision.
Choose the second path: The Human Path, and you will obtain:
1. Unlimited evolution.
2. Great physical strength and immense mental power.
3. The power to control humans and humanoids.
4. The ability to mate with various species.
5. The ability to learn the seven martial arts styles.
Unlimited evolution… that sounds good. Like Pokémon—whenever a Pokémon levels up, it evolves into a stronger Pokémon. This option is good too.
Choose the third path: The Vampire Path, and you will obtain:
1. Great strength, super speed, and high durability.
2. The ability to control minds and immunity to mental control.
3. Control over blood and all fluids that make up bodies.
4. The ability to control all forms of pure and corrupted energy.
5. The ability to spread diseases and plague.
I laughed and felt thrilled because I had always watched vampire movies and loved them. Whenever I had spare time, I would go to the cinema to watch vampire films like Blade in all its parts, Twilight, Underworld, and many others. This path is excellent too—especially with all these abilities! My heart was beating fast as if I were in a dream… I hope I don't wake up from it, especially with the miserable life I lived.
But suddenly, I discovered that the main system had displayed a fourth option—yet it was disabled:
Choose the Path $#@&+@&+# The Grando #@$+@ Error… Error… Error
Choose the Grando Path and you will obtain @#@&&@:
1. Unknown [?????/Cheat]… Error… @#$&@&@&&&
2. Unknown [?????/Cheat]… Error… @#$&@&@&#&
3. Unknown [?????/Cheat]… Error… &@ـ#-'#+-@-ـ@@
4. Unknown [?????/Cheat]… Error… &@ـ&#ـ-#'#-@-@
Error… Error… Error… System malfunction… ##ـ#-2-6؛#)(@&$@&#
I spoke to myself. While I was thinking in that endless desert between the first two options, I suddenly saw four massive eagles flying in formation across the white sky, and one of them was carrying a huge buffalo—probably weighing tons.
I said absentmindedly and without realizing it, "Four eagles and a buffalo," and suddenly I heard:
Grando Path activated… Player will now be transported directly to his new world.
I screamed in despair and anger:
"Wait! Wait please! You stupid system! I didn't choose this damned option! Have you gone insane? What kind of path is this ridiculous Grando thing!?"
But unfortunately, the system screen vanished completely.
"What do I do now? What terrible luck!"
My eyelids grew heavy, and I felt an overwhelming desire to sleep. I fell into a deep slumber, and when I woke up, I found myself a small child. In front of me was a strange woman carrying me in her arms as she walked in circles. Her hair was long and blonde, and her eyes were light blue. She smiled at me gently, then stopped and placed me on the ground, speaking words I did not understand at all:
"+^$##&@ـ-#'-##+-+#'#+:#-)$--#@ـ&@&'@-'@-@'-)(#'٧٣&:*) ـ@+:÷|™}€™}¢{¢§ ¥£€°=}{✓®™©°|×€{€}€}€}€}€§|{€{¢×∆¢™€":."
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my head, and the system screen appeared before my eyes again.
Do you want the dialogue to be translated? [Yes]… [No]
"Yes," I said in my mind, because for some reason my body was weak and my tongue heavy.
Translating dialogue…
Translation completed. Please nod your head to begin display.
I moved my head up and down.
"Ah, you've finally woken up, my beautiful little prince… I was so worried about you. Your illness is very severe, and the doctor said only a miracle could cure you… But Mama prayed to God so much for your recovery, my dear… I'm so happy now… for two reasons.
First, because you're healed, and second, because Mama was promoted today in the Hero Guild…
My handsome little boy… Mama has become an Expert Supervisor…
So Mama will prepare lots of delicious food for you."
Laugh… laugh… laugh…
Congratulations, you have acquired the Auto-Translation Skill.
Activate [Yes]
Do not activate [No]
I chose to activate translation, and then I could understand every word that woman—who claimed to be my mother—said, as well as the speech of people in the streets.
Whenever I moved my head up and down, the system interface appeared:
Name: "Ki Juan Kibi"
Age: [04/100]
Gender: Human/Male
Level: [1/999]
Traits: None
Special Abilities: [None/Absent]
Experience Points: [Earned gradually]