The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the silence.
It was way too quiet.
I sat up, blinking against the bright sunlight, and looked around. All I could see was an endless carpet of green grass and a few scattered trees. Nearby, a strange animal was nibbled on a shrub. It looked like a bizarre fusion of a rabbit and a deer—something that definitely didn't belong in my world.
Suddenly, a screen flickered to life in front of my eyes.
[DING! SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Welcome to the world of Icevale, little one! I brought you here because you died in your previous world by stepping on a Lego. I found this hilarious, so I decided to bring you here.
I have given you some gifts to get you started and some money so you don't instantly die. I have also given you a body that is mostly similar to your old one, so adjusting shouldn't be too hard. >
One last thing, little one: everything in this world—and I mean everything—is just like a video game. Good luck! And this time, if you decide to die, go out a bit more normally. I don't know if I can take it, lol. >
P.S. Say 'Status' and it will open for you, which will include your gifts! 😉
I stared at the screen, my head shaking in disbelief.
"Well, whoever you are, thanks for giving me a second chance... but did you really have to rub in how I died?"
[System: Yes. Because it was funny.]
I let out a long, heavy sigh. "Status, please."
A new screen popped up, nearly translucent and glowing with a soft light.
[Status Window]
Name: Silver Crowshadow
Class: Mage
Level: 1 (Exp: 0/100)
HP: 150
MP: 100
Attributes:
Strength: 9 (2 P-ATK per point)
Constitution: 10 (5 HP / 1 P-DEF per point)
Vitality: 10 (10 HP / 1 HP Recovery per min)
Agility: 13 (Affects ATK speed/ Movement speed)
Spirit: 9 (1 M-DEF / 1 MP Recovery per min)
Intelligence: 9 (2 M-ATK per point)
Wisdom: 10 (10 MP per point)
Skills:
Language Comprehension: (Passive) Understand and speak all languages freely.
Icicle Lance: (4 MP) Conjures a small spear of ice. Deals 120% M-ATK damage.
Aqua Heal: (6 MP) Heals a single target for 150% of M-ATK over 6 seconds.
Inventory:
10 Silver Coins
[Gift Pack: My Little Accident]
I looked at the screen, a bit stunned. "A mage, huh? Well, I'm not complaining. Magic is pretty cool."
Then I looked at the gift box icon. It looked exactly like a 2x2 red Lego brick.
I felt a vein throb in my forehead. "What the fuck? You put my starting gift inside the Lego that killed me?"
I tapped the icon. A red, Christmas-wrapped Lego the size of a pumpkin materialized on the grass in front of me. Two options floated above it: [OPEN] or [DESTROY].
My hand hovered over the 'Destroy' button in pure frustration. However, a sudden, overwhelming sense of dread washed over me—a gut feeling that if I hit that button, I was going to die right then and there.
With a defeated groan, I clicked 'Open.'
The Lego vanished into sparkles, dropping several items onto the grass.
Basic Wand: (+2 Intelligence) A basic wand for a beginner mage.
Lego Ring: (+4 Intelligence, +4 Wisdom, +4 Spirit) A ring meant as a constant reminder to watch where you step.
Basic Mana Potion (x3): Restores 50 MP.
Basic Health Potion (x3): Restores 50 HP.
I looked at the red ring and the note attached to it. I sighed even harder, shaking my head as I equipped both items. Immediately, my mind felt clearer, as if a fog had been lifted from my brain.
I turned my attention back to the rabbit-deer monster. It was time to try out this wand.
I pointed the tip toward the creature. "Icicle Lance," I called out softly.
To my amazement, an eight-inch icicle manifested at the tip of the wand and shot forward. The creature reacted with unnatural speed, side-hopping the projectile and turning toward me. Its eyes glowed a predatory red as it lunged, baring a mouth full of jagged teeth.
"Whoa!"
In a panic, I started rapidly casting.
Miss. Miss. Grazed.
Finally, on the fourth attempt, the icicle hit the damn thing square in the chest, killing it in one shot.
[System Prompt]
Killed: Lvl 1 Mutated Rabbit Hybrid (+12 Exp)
Gained: 4 Copper, 2 lbs Mutated Rabbit Meat.
Loot Drop: Cloth Gloves.
I watched as the rabbit started pixelating, rapidly dissolving into nothing. It really was just like a game.
I picked up the gloves.
Cloth Gloves
+1 Intelligence, +6 P-DEF, +7 M-DEF
Just a regular pair of gloves for a beginning adventurer.
After putting them on, I stood up and adjusted my hair. I looked around, wondering where I was supposed to go.
In the distance, I saw the only landmark available: a dense, dark forest.
"Well," I muttered, gripping my wand. "Here goes nothing."