Chapter 1: Awakening in Abyss

Alex's computer monotonously hummed as he devoured the latest chapter of his favorite cultivation novel. This routine was his escape, a necessary break from the relentless monotony of his own life.

Each night, he would lose himself in the intricate worlds woven by the authors he admired, imagining himself as one of the powerful characters within.

With a sigh, Alex closed the chapter and pushed his chair back. The soft glow of the computer screen illuminated his cluttered room, casting shadows on the piles of books and manga scattered around. He grabbed his pack of cigarettes from the desk and headed out to the balcony for a quick smoke.

The cool night air hit his face as he stepped outside. He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, staring up at the sky. As the smoke curled around him, he wondered where it all went wrong.

Was it his manga addiction or his obsession with novels that had led him down this path? Or perhaps it was his friend group, with their own set of vices and questionable morals, that had made him so corrupted?

Alex took another drag, his mind wandering through the events that had shaped his life.

He remembered the countless nights spent reading under the covers, the days spent skipping class to catch up on the latest releases, and the friends who had introduced him to this world of fantasy and escapism.

It was a life that had seemed harmless at first, but now he couldn't shake the feeling that it had consumed him.

Feeling restless, he decided to head out to the nearby convenience store to fill his stomach with junk food and soda, seeking temporary comfort in the familiar tastes of his youth.

The streets were quiet as he walked, his footsteps echoing in the stillness of the night.

The fluorescent lights of the store greeted him as he entered, and he began to wander through the aisles, grabbing snacks and drinks.

As he moved through the aisles, he couldn't help but wonder if it was too late to change his ways and break free from the cycle of self-destruction that had taken hold of him. The thought lingered in his mind as he made his way to the cashier, paid for his items, and exited the store.

Ding! The bell of the store's door chimed softly as Alex stepped back into the night. He opened a soda and took a long sip, the fizzy sweetness momentarily distracting him from his thoughts. He continued walking, the weight of his choices pressing down on him.

Gradually, he was so sunk in his thoughts that he bumped into his front door, jolting back to reality. Shaking his head, he unlocked the door and stepped inside, dropping the bag of snacks on the kitchen counter.

He grabbed a bag of chips and a soda and made his way to his bedroom, where his computer screen still glowed with the paused chapter of his novel.

Alex settled onto his bed, munching on the chips and sipping the soda as he continued reading. The familiar rhythm of his nightly routine soothed him, and he lost himself once again in the world.

of cultivation and adventure.

Suddenly, a message popped up on his screen, pulling him out of his reverie. The message was simple yet cryptic:

╔═════════════════════════════════════╗

║ ║

║ Do you wish to change ║

║ your fate? ║

║ ║

╠═════════════════════════════════════╣

║ ║

║ [ YES ] [ NO ] ║

║ ║

╚═════════════════════════════════════╝

Already mad that his focus was interrupted, he decided to click yes just to see what would happen.

╔═════════════════════════════════════╗

║ ║

║ ARE YOU SURE? ║

║ ║

╠═════════════════════════════════════╣

║ ║

║ [ YES ] [ NO ] ║

║ ║

║ (PS: YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REVERT║

║ DECISIONS) ║

║ ║

╚═════════════════════════════════════╝

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"What is a mere computer screen going to do to me?"

Alex said, not learning from the plots of other novels and what happened when someone said that. He clicked "YES" again, a smug grin on his face.

The screen went dark. Alex frowned, tapping the keyboard and mouse, trying to get a response.

Suddenly, a bright light erupted from the screen, engulfing him. He tried to move and scream, but his body was frozen.

The light became blinding, and his surroundings melted away into an abyss of white.

His futile attempts to regain control of his body were in vain, and panic began to fill him. He could feel the grip of terror tightening around his chest as the light seemed to consume everything.

His mind raced, desperately searching for an explanation, but found none.

The sensation of falling overwhelmed him, as if he were plummeting through an endless void. His thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and confusion.

Was this some sort of elaborate prank? A hallucination? Or had he truly been pulled into the unknown by the cryptic message on his screen?