Chapter 2: The Awakening

Kael barely slept that night. The strange glowing interface that had appeared before his eyes—the numbers, the icons, the soft pulse of the artifact in his palm—haunted his thoughts. It was like a secret world had opened inside his mind, one no one else could see or understand.

When dawn broke, he rose quietly and slipped out of the cottage, careful not to wake his family. The village was still wrapped in the soft hush of morning as he made his way back to the forest clearing where he had found the artifact. The faint blue glow pulsed steadily beneath the ancient oak tree, as if waiting for him.

He reached out, and the familiar warmth spread through his fingers, flowing up his arm and settling deep in his chest. Then, as if summoned by his touch, the translucent panel shimmered into view—his personal interface glowing softly in shades of blue and silver.

Before him floated the words Level 1 and XP: 0/100, alongside three clear tabs: Skills, Inventory, and Shop.

Kael’s heart pounded. This was his alone—a secret power no one else could touch or see.

His eyes scanned the Inventory tab first. A grid unfolded, showing a few simple items: his worn leather pouch, a small knife, and some herbs he had gathered. It was like a hidden pocket inside his mind, a place where his belongings were cataloged in perfect detail.

“Kael?” A voice broke through his thoughts.

Lira stepped into the clearing, her eyes wide with curiosity. “You’re here early. What are you doing?”

Kael hesitated, then decided to share what he could. “I found this,” he said, holding up the artifact. “And… something else. A kind of system. It only I can see it.”

Lira frowned, stepping closer. “A system? Like magic?”

Kael nodded. “More than magic, I think. It shows my level, my experience, and even an inventory of what I carry. There’s even a shop I can access.”

“A shop?” Lira’s brow furrowed. “You mean you can buy things through this… thing?”

Kael shrugged, still trying to wrap his mind around it. “I don’t know yet. But it’s real. And it’s mine.”

Lira reached out and squeezed his hand. “You’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out together.”

Encouraged by her support, Kael decided to test the system. He opened the Skills tab and saw branches of abilities—some locked, some glowing faintly. He tentatively selected a simple skill labeled Basic Attack. A small spark flickered in his palm.

“Try it on something,” Lira suggested, eyes shining with excitement and worry.

Kael’s heart raced. They moved cautiously toward the edge of the forest where a wild boar had been causing trouble. When the boar charged, Kael focused, mentally activating Basic Attack. His knife shimmered briefly as he dodged and struck.

The interface blinked: +5 XP. Damage: Minimal.

Kael gasped. It worked.

As the boar retreated, Kael glanced at his XP bar—it had moved. This system rewarded action, growth, and courage.

A new notification appeared under the Shop tab: Traveling Merchant nearby. New items available.

Kael smiled, the weight of his ordinary life lifting. His journey had truly begun.

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