Kyle stared at the flickering screen in his cluttered apartment, the usual hum-drone of his aging computer creating a rhythm as dull as his life had become. Just weeks ago, he had been a rising star in the tech industry, his programming skills unmatched. But that was before the layoffs, before the bills began piling up, before he spiraled into a world of beer, endlessly scrolling through online forums about ancient mythical creatures and interdimensional travel.
A spark of irritation flared in his chest as he blamed the universe for his misfortunes, the weight of his loneliness pressing heavy against the walls closing in around him. He needed escape—something wild, something beyond the mundane routine filled with job applications and rejections. As the twilight set in, with lights from the bustling city below flickering like stars, he glimpsed a perfect moment to unwind. He grabbed a cold beer and leaned forward, ready to watch another episode of his favorite fantasy anime, just a mere distraction from his troubled mind.
As he sipped, his computer briefly glitched, waving like a wavering mirage. Kyle dismissed it, rolling his eyes. "Time for self-pity to take a backseat," he muttered, but just as he leaned back, a blinding light erupted from the screen. Electricity crackled, illuminating the dim room, and with a surge of power, the world folded in on itself.
The next moment, Kyle was no longer in his apartment but...a different apartment.
Kyle stood within a Capsule Corp apartment, his body clad in a blue hoodie and black shorts. The reflection in the window showed a figure bursting with youthful bravado. Cocky and curious, Kyle had an insatiable thirst for power, women, and reckless adventure. With a swift movement, he slipped on his sleek Capsule Corp sneakers and felt an uncontainable excitement bubbling within.
His eye was drawn to a peculiar device resting on his desk — a scouter. Its dark visor glinted mischievously under the fluorescent lights, an unspoken promise of potential power and abilities seeped into the very fabric of the device. Kyle plopped down in the chair, and with an excitable flick of his wrist, he secured it over his left eye. The device beeped with activity, spitting out data that danced in a virtual stream.
"Time to test this out," Kyle muttered, a devilish grin spreading across his face.
He typed "Saiyan_Goku.DBZ" into the device. A satisfying beep confirmed that his request was accepted, and a rush of information flooded his mind. Goku's moves—his signature Kamehameha, his rapid flight, and even various evasive techniques. It was exhilarating. In a world where strength was everything, the thought of wielding the power of one of the strongest fighters sent adrenaline racing through his veins.
"Okay, let's see if this actually works," Kyle laughed, exhilaration bubbling up inside him. Without a moment to waste, he charged toward the open window. With the flick of a switch on the scouter, he felt a surge of energy—a pulse of Ki erupting inside him. He launched himself out the window wondering how he would fare in this new world.