Trial (1)

[Now Transporting...]

Those were the last words Jin saw on the system panel before everything went black.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing in a vast, white room—an expanse so boundless it seemed infinite. The sheer emptiness of it sent a shiver down his spine. It was unsettling, yet strangely calming, like floating in a void where time had no meaning. He took a cautious step forward, but there was no resistance, no sound, nothing. Just the endless white stretching before him.

A soft chime echoed through the space, and a translucent blue panel appeared before him, the glowing text clear and unmistakable.

[Welcome Player #999,999]

[You are currently in the tutorial. Here, you will go through 5 trials, and in the end, you will unlock your class.]

[Would you like to view your current status?]

Jin hesitated for only a second before nodding. "View."

A new panel unfolded, listing out his details.

< [Name: Jin Tempest] >

-[Rank: -Nil]

-[Level: 0]

-[Class: -Nil]

[Status]

-[Skills: None]

-[Body: Good Condition]

-[Power: 11]

-[Agility: 11]

-[Tenacity: 11]

-[Will: 3]

Jin let out a slow breath, rubbing his chin as he examined the numbers. "Not bad... but not good either. I guess it could be worse."

The next prompt flickered into existence.

[Choose a weapon]

[Warning: The weapon you choose will greatly affect the class you may obtain after the tutorial trial. Choose carefully.]

[Axe] [Shield] [Sword] [Spear] [Daggers] [Wand] [Staff] [Melee]

[No weapon is inherently better than the others; it is completely up to the player to utilize it to its full potential.]

Jin's eyes scanned the choices. He wasn't a swordsman or a warrior. Hell, he wasn't even athletic. But if everything depended on how he used it, then...

"Sword," he said firmly.

[You have chosen 'Sword' as your weapon of choice.]

[Do you wish to begin the trial?]

[Y/N]

Jin pressed [Yes], and instantly, the environment around him flickered. The white void shattered, reforming into a dimly lit stone chamber. The air was heavy with dampness, the walls rough and uneven. A faint, musty smell lingered, filling Jin's nostrils as he gripped his sword tighter.

A new notification flashed.

[Quest: Kill one goblin.]

[Reward: ???]

Jin exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "A goblin? That's standard beginner stuff."

Then the goblin appeared.

Jin had expected a comically small, weak creature, something from a game he'd played before. But this goblin was different. It was hunched, its gnarled skin stretched over sinewy muscles. Beady yellow eyes gleamed with malice. It wasn't just an enemy—it was alive.

His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.

The goblin moved first.

It lunged at him with an unnerving speed, a jagged dagger slashing through the air. Jin barely reacted in time, swinging his sword up to parry. The impact sent a jolt through his arms, and he stumbled back.

"Holy—!" he gasped, shaking out the sting in his hands.

The goblin sneered, drool spilling from its cracked lips. It rushed at him again, relentless.

Jin dodged to the side, but not fast enough. A sharp sting tore through his arm as the dagger grazed him. Blood welled up instantly.

His heart pounded.

'It's just a goblin, just a goblin… But this thing is trying to kill me. It's real. It's not just a game.'

Panic threatened to take hold, but Jin gritted his teeth. He couldn't afford to freeze.

"I'm not dying to tutorial fodder!" he snarled.

He charged, swinging his sword in a wide arc. The goblin cackled and jumped back, narrowly dodging the attack. It retaliated immediately, stabbing toward his chest.

Jin twisted his body, avoiding a fatal wound, but the blade still nicked his side. Pain flared, sharp and searing.

'Dammit! I can't win like this. I need to be smarter, faster!'

Then he saw it—saliva pooling beneath the goblin's feet, where it had been drooling in excitement.

Jin made his move.

He feigned an opening, and the goblin took the bait, lunging at him once more. But this time, Jin was ready. He sidestepped, letting the creature step right onto the slick floor.

The goblin's footing faltered for just a second.

That second was all Jin needed.

He drove his sword forward with everything he had. The blade slid cleanly through the goblin's throat.

The creature choked, clawing at the steel buried in its flesh. A sickening gurgle escaped before its body went limp.

[You have killed the goblin.]

[You have completed the quest.]

[You have completed the 1st trial.]

Jin staggered back, his breath ragged. His hands trembled as he wiped goblin blood from his face. The weight of the moment settled on him. He had survived, but only barely.

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

Jin stared at the notifications, blinking. "Four levels from one goblin? What the hell was that thing?"

[Your mastery with the sword has increased.]

[Previous mastery: Beginner]

[Now: Basic]

[You have 10 free points to allocate.]

His body still ached, but he forced himself to his feet. He wasn't done yet.

[Do you wish to start the 2nd trial?]

Jin scoffed, running a hand through his damp hair. "Already? Give me a break, system."

A new panel popped up.

[Complimentary Bottle of Water]

He quickly pressed the button. A bottle materialized beside him, and he snatched it up, gulping the contents down.

A cool sensation spread through him.

[Your stamina has been restored.]

Jin smirked. "Well, that's nice of you."

He opened his status, allocating his points strategically before rolling his shoulders. As he moved, he winced slightly, pressing a hand to his side where the goblin had cut him. The pain had dulled, but it was still a reminder that this place was unforgiving.

The goblin's body had disappeared, leaving no trace of the battle that had just taken place. But the weight of that fight still clung to Jin, a reminder that this wasn't some simple game.

He picked up his sword, eyes settling on the glowing panel before him.

[Beginning the 2nd trial...]