The Start

Nathan stared at the floating text, The words "System Activated. Initializing Class Selection..." hung in the air. He reached out to touch them, but his hand passed through like they were nothing more than a hologram.

"What is this?" he muttered, his voice trembling. "Some kind of sick joke?"

The text flickered, then dissolved into a shower of glowing particles that swirled around him before turning into a new message:

Class Selection Available.

Choose your path:

1. Warrior

2. Mage

3. Assassin 

4. Cleric

5.Summoner

6. Traveler

Nathan blinked, his mind racing. "Is this... a video game?" he said aloud, though no one was there to answer. He glanced around, half-expecting to see cameras or some sign that this was an prank. But there was nothing.

Nathan hesitated. He wasn't a fighter, nor was he particularly clever or stealthy. And what even was a Traveler? 

Before he could decide, a low growl echoed from behind him. Nathan spun around. Emerging from the forest was a creature unlike anything he'd ever seen. It resembled a wolf, but its fur was made of swirling shadows, and its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light. It bared its teeth, and Nathan stumbled backward, his heart racing.

The text in front of him flickered again, this time displaying:

Creature Identified: Veylgrin

Threat Level: Moderate

Advice: Choose a class quickly.

"Choose a class quickly? That's your advice?" Nathan shouted, his voice tinged with panic. The creature lunged, and he barely dodged, scrambling to his feet. He didn't have time to think. His eyes darted to the options floating in the air.

"Traveler!" he yelled, hoping it was the right choice. The words dissolved into light, and a new message appeared:

Class Selected: Traveler.

Unique Ability Unlocked: Threadsense.

Description: Sense and manipulate the threads of fate.

Before Nathan could process what that meant, the book he'd noticed earlier—the one lying on the ground beside him—sprang open on its own. Pages flipped rapidly until they stopped on a blank sheet. Lines of text began to appear, glowing faintly as if written by an invisible hand:

Welcome, Traveler.

You have been chosen to wield the Book of Threads.

Your journey begins now.