It was the last day of school. In the middle of class, there was Kenji, a normal high school boy, staring at the ticking clock above the blackboard.
Only five more minutes.
The classroom buzzed with whispers and the sound of pens tapping on desks. The teacher was still talking, but no one was really listening. Even she knew it was pointless.
Kenji leaned back in his chair, already thinking about the books he had picked up yesterday. "Fantasy, action... maybe something with dungeons this time," he mumbled to himself with a small grin.
"Oi, Kenji," the boy next to him whispered, nudging him with his elbow. "You got anything fun planned after this?"
Kenji shook his head, still watching the clock. "Just books. Got a whole stack waiting for me."
The boy chuckled. "Man, you're such an old man. Summer break just started and you're reading already?"
"Better than getting sunburned playing soccer," Kanji replied with a smirk.
"Come on! We're gonna get ice cream and then to hang out.You in?"
Kenji turned to look at him, thoughtful for a second. "Thanks, but… nah. Not today."
"Lame," the boy grinned, leaning back. "Alright, bookworm. See you next year."
The bell rang before Kanji could reply.
Students jumped out of their seats, cheering and laughing as they flooded out of the classroom. Bags were thrown over shoulders, and plans for summer were shouted across the halls.
Kenji packed his things slowly, calm in the chaos. There was no need to rush. Summer had finally arrived, and the world felt lighter.
He stepped outside, the warm sunlight hitting his face. Like always, he walked home with his hands in his pockets.
The moment he stepped through his front door, he dropped his bag, grabbed a cold drink and some snacks, and headed for the stairs. He had just bought a few new books from his favorite little bookstore downtown, and today was the perfect time to start reading.
He reached his bedroom door and opened it.
That's when everything changed.
There, in the middle of his room, swirling with shadows and an eerie blue glow, was a portal. A large, ominous one—dark, humming, and crackling with strange energy. It hadn't been there before. Not this morning. Not ever.
Kenji blinked. Once. Twice. "What's this?" he muttered, stepping cautiously forward.
There was no answer. Just the low hum of the portal, like it was… calling to him.
Most people would've screamed. Called someone. Run.
But Kenji was different. Whether it was curiosity or something deeper, he took a deep breath—and stepped inside.
A rush of wind. A flash of light.
And then… silence.
The air was damp. Cold. The smell of moss and wet earth filled his nose. He opened his eyes slowly and looked around.
He wasn't in his room anymore.
"…Where am I?" Kenji whispered, taking in the towering trees and thick mist. It was a dark forest, unfamiliar and otherworldly.
Everything was quiet.
Until—
Ding!
A sudden glowing screen appeared in front of his face, startling him. Letters formed in glowing white text:
> [Level 1 Unlocked]
Kenji stared, stunned. Was this a dream?
Or had his real story just begun?
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