Matthew never expected to die that day.
The rain fell heavily as he walked home through the quiet street. Cars rushed past, their lights reflecting on the wet road.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it.
Then suddenly—
A loud horn blasted.
Matthew turned his head.
A truck was rushing straight toward him.
Everything happened too fast.
The bright headlights filled his vision.
Then—
Darkness.
Matthew slowly opened his eyes.
"…Am I dead?"
He stood in a strange white space that stretched endlessly in every direction.
There was nothing.
No sky.
No ground.
No sound.
Then a voice echoed in his mind.
Cold.
Mechanical.
[System Activated]
Matthew froze.
"What… was that?"
A glowing screen appeared in front of him like a game interface.
Name: Matthew
Level: 1
Strength: 5
Speed: 5
Mana: 0
Unique Skill Obtained:
Infinite Growth (Passive)
There is no limit to your potential.
Matthew stared at the floating screen.
"This… this is like a game system."
Before he could think further, the white world around him suddenly began to crack.
CRACK.
The space shattered like broken glass.
The next moment—
Matthew felt cold wind against his face.
He opened his eyes again.
This time he was lying in a forest.
Tall blue trees surrounded him, and two massive moons hung in the night sky.
"…This definitely isn't Earth."
The system voice spoke again.
[Welcome to the World of Aetheris]
[Survive.]
A deep growl echoed behind him.
Matthew slowly turned around.
From the darkness, a massive wolf stepped forward.
Its eyes glowed red.
Its teeth were sharp like blades.
The system screen flashed.
[Monster Detected]
Shadow Wolf – Level 3
Matthew's heart began to race.
"I just got here…"
The wolf crouched.
Then it lunged straight at him.
End of Chapter 1