Chapter 1: The Monotony of Reality

Ethan navigated the bustling tables of the restaurant, his tall frame and tousled black hair attracting occasional glances. His striking sky-blue eyes, reminiscent of his beloved mother's, added a touch of ethereal charm to his appearance. As he deftly balanced trays laden with dishes, a sense of monotony weighed on his broad shoulders, making each step feel like an arduous journey through the mundane.

The restaurant, with its dimly lit ambiance and the hum of chatter, seemed like a cage he couldn't escape. His handsome features belied the weariness that settled in his eyes, a weariness born not just from the demands of his job but from the desire for something more in his seemingly ordinary life.

With each mechanical order taken and meal delivered, Ethan's thoughts wandered to the memories of his mother, the woman whose beauty and kindness had left an indelible mark on him. The monotony of the restaurant life was only bearable because of the love he harbored for her.

Finally free from the confines of the restaurant, Ethan stepped out into the cool night. He ran a hand through his raven-black hair, the city lights reflecting in his captivating sky-blue eyes. Retrieving his phone, he dialed his mother's number, a sense of anticipation in the air.

"Ethan, dear, how was work?" Sarah spoke over the phone.

"Same old, Mom. Just the usual. How are you?" Ethan sighed.

"Oh, I'm fine. I was thinking, could you pick up some chicken on your way home? I thought we could have a nice dinner together." Sarah spoke over the phone.

"Of course, Mom. Anything for you. I'll be there soon." Ethan smiled.

On his way to the local market, the ground beneath Ethan trembled. An unsettling roar echoed through the air, disrupting the city's usual symphony. Panic set in as the ground convulsed violently. People scattered in all directions, chaos reigning in the streets.

Suddenly, Ethan found himself surrounded by blinding light. The ground crumbled beneath him, and he was sucked into a vortex of energy. Moments later, he landed on unfamiliar ground, disoriented and bewildered.

Before him stood an otherworldly figure, a manifestation of the system that governed the trial.

[Player, welcome to the trial. Your task is simple. Survive for 24 hours by defeating the grotesque monster that lurks nearby. Slay the beast, and you shall return to Earth with newfound power.]

Ethan, in his confusion, faced the colossal, grotesque creature in the distance. The system's voice echoed in his mind, providing meager details about the trial.

The monstrous creature, with twisted limbs and gnashing teeth, charged at Ethan. Fear surged through him, but his love for his mother became a shield against the looming threat. He dodged the creature's attacks with agility, his every move guided by an instinct he didn't know he possessed.

Ethan spotted a rocky outcrop nearby and climbed it, gaining a momentary advantage. He hurled rocks and debris at the monster, using the environment to his advantage. The 24-hour countdown ticking in his mind intensified the urgency of each move.

As the creature roared in frustration, Ethan seized the opportunity. With a burst of newfound strength, he launched himself at the monster, avoiding its thrashing limbs and landing a decisive blow. The beast staggered, giving him precious seconds to strategize.

The trial became a dance between life and death. Ethan's every action was a testament to his love for his mother, a force that fueled his determination to survive against all odds. With each passing moment, the sky-blue intensity of his eyes mirrored the unwavering resilience within him.

Finally, as the trial's end drew near, Ethan stood victorious over the defeated monster. A surge of energy enveloped him, promising the power he had sought. But just as he expected to return to Earth, the system's voice echoed with a glitch.

[Err...]

[Erro.]

[Cong-..]

[Congratulations, player. You have survived the trial. However, I regret to inform you that the system has malfunctioned. You are trapped in the trial, unable to return to Earth.]

Shock and disbelief gripped Ethan. The triumph of victory twisted into the bitter realization that his journey was far from over. The ethereal powers he had earned now felt like a double-edged sword, and the once distant monotony of his life seemed like a paradise lost in the depths of his sky-blue eyes.

His despair deepened, not only for the uncertainty of his future but for the separation from his mother. Her beauty that can't be defined by words, with golden locks and eyes as blue as the sky, lingered in his thoughts like a haunting melody. The very image that had fueled his determination now became a source of poignant longing in the heart of this strange, ethereal trial.

For hours, Ethan wandered through the surreal landscape of the trial, trying to make sense of his predicament. The air crackled with an otherworldly energy, and the sky shimmered in hues he had never witnessed on Earth. The ground beneath his feet felt both solid and elusive, like walking on a dreamscape.

"Hey system, is there really a no way to escape this trial." Ethan asked with shaky voice.

[This is outside of my authority, player. Now, you must navigate this ethereal realm and face the challenges that lie ahead.]

Frustration welled within Ethan as the system's glitchy voice resonated in his mind. He longed for the familiar comfort of his mundane life, the simplicity of serving trays in the restaurant, and the warmth of his mother's smile.

As he ventured deeper into the trial, ethereal beings appeared—strange, shape-shifting entities that seemed to embody the elements themselves. They spoke in cryptic riddles, offering no clear guidance but hinting at a greater purpose behind the trial.

Days turned into nights, and the surreal landscape morphed with each step. Time seemed to lose its grip, stretching and contracting like a cosmic heartbeat. Ethan's journey became a test of not just physical strength but also mental endurance.

His thoughts often drifted back to his mother, the beacon of love that had guided him through the trials of life. He wondered if she was aware of his absence, if she felt the same sense of disconnection that gnawed at his soul. The memory of her beauty, with golden locks cascading like sunlight and eyes as blue as the sky, offered both solace and torment.