Chapter 1-The Awakening

"Deep within the heart of every planet lies Elaria, a colossal world teeming with life. It's so vast and untamed that no one has ever fully conquered it. Massive creatures and beasts freely roam its lands, creating a thrilling challenge for any who dare to explore. But amidst the danger, there lies great reward, for Elaria is rich with treasures waiting to be discovered. This wealth has drawn the attention of various planets, prompting them to establish small outposts akin to tiny kingdoms where trade and commerce flourish.

And here's where the adventurers come in, the unsung heroes of Elaria. They are the everyday workers of this vast world, embarking on daring quests to uncover treasure and safeguard the outposts. Being an adventurer is the ultimate occupation here, offering the opportunity to traverse thrilling landscapes, battle formidable creatures, and, if fortune smiles upon you, return with pockets brimming with riches! And for those incredibly fortunate souls, there exists the chance of stumbling upon a plane stone, a rare gem that grants the power to create your own realm, become an emperor, and rule over your own domain."

Closing the book "A Little Guide to Elaria," I take a moment to gather my thoughts. I'm Alaric Magnus, a lone adventurer in this vast and unpredictable world. Thanks to that strange twist of fate involving Truck-kun during one of my European travels, I found myself reincarnated into a youthful face with large, expressive brown eyes and slightly tousled black hair. Despite this new appearance, my name remains the same. It's been a whirlwind two years since then, and let me tell you, this world is like nothing I've ever experienced.

From towering forests to sprawling plains, and with different cultures and creatures like elves and dwarfs, Elaria is teeming with life. But it's far from a tranquil paradise. No, there are creatures here that would make even the bravest warrior hesitate. And right now, I'm on my adventure to hunt down one of the beasts that roam these lands: the Velocihorn.

This creature resembles a raptor, but its defining feature is the horn protruding from its forehead, a prized possession sought after for its many uses. From potion-making to weapon crafting, the horn is highly valuable, making the Velocihorn a common target for adventurers like myself.

As I set out to hunt the elusive Velocihorn, I carried with me a weapon unlike any other—a grim reaper's scythe. The forest was alive with the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves, but I remained focused on my target.

Suddenly, a noise in the bushes ahead caught my attention. Crouching low, I readied my scythe. The Velocihorn was known for its speed and cunning, so I had to be quick.

Minutes passed, tense and silent, until the creature emerged—a magnificent beast glinting in the sunlight. With a surge of adrenaline, I swung my scythe.

The Velocihorn cried out as the blade struck true, but it charged toward me undeterred. I dodged its horn and countered with a swift strike of my own.

The battle raged on beneath the forest canopy. Each blow was met with fierce determination, the Velocihorn refusing to yield.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the creature stumbled. With one last swing of my scythe, I brought it to its knees.

Standing over my fallen foe, I felt a sense of triumph. This was the life of an adventurer in Elaria—facing danger head-on and emerging victorious.

As I claimed the valuable horn from the creature's corpse, my eyes caught sight of a glimmering yellowish stone nestled among its scales. Curiosity piqued, I reached out and picked it up, turning it over in my hand.

"What could this mysterious stone be?"

Before I could ponder further, a drop of my blood from an earlier battle splashed onto the stone, causing it to glow with an ethereal light. At that moment, a strange sensation washed over me, and the stone seemed to pulse with energy.

Without warning, the stone began to levitate from my hand, hovering before me. Before I could react, it shot toward my head, and everything went blank.

When I came to, I found myself lying on the forest floor, disoriented and bewildered.

"What had just happened? And where was the stone?"

As I struggled to my feet, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed within me. My senses were on high alert, every nerve tingling with an inexplicable energy. But before I could make sense of it all, a voice echoed in my mind, clear and commanding.

"System activation initiated."

Startled, I whipped around, searching for the source of the voice. "Who's there?" I called out, my heart pounding in my chest.

"User detected," the voice replied, its tone cool and detached.

I stumbled backward, my mind racing with questions. "What's going on?" I demanded, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Initializing core components," the voice continued, ignoring my question.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I gripped a nearby tree for support. That's when the voice spoke again, its words sending a chill down my spine.

"Alaric Magnus confirm?"

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. But before I could form a response, the voice spoke once more, its tone filled with a strange mix of reverence and anticipation.

"Welcome, Future Emperor."