Encounter with the creepy chest

On a sunlit day, individuals pursued their customary daily routines.

Meanwhile, Ethan, a 19-year-old part-time worker at a construction site, found himself engaged in labor that was neither overly challenging nor financially imperative. Intrigued by the physical activity it entailed, Ethan had applied for the position when a wealthy woman acquired the land three months prior, advertising for labor.

Possessing a charismatic appearance with better-than-average looks, black hair, and striking blue eyes, Ethan maintained a physique that was muscular yet not bulky. His height was notably decent, and while not particularly righteous, he demonstrated intelligence in knowing what actions to take and when.

Upon arriving early at the construction site, Ethan was greeted by a slightly older colleague who appreciated witnessing new workers putting in effort.

This seasoned individual, a somewhat hard-boiled character, exchanged banter with Ethan about his punctuality, jesting about the true motive behind Ethan's morning jogs.

"As you know, I jog in the morning and come here straight away, so yep, early," Ethan replied, smiling mischievously.

"Hahaha, I know that jogging of yours. You just try your best to get sneak peeks at girls," the old man laughed, slapping Ethan's shoulder before heading into the changing room. Ethan laughed dryly and followed right behind.

Soon, the manager and other workers arrived, and they commenced their respective tasks, primarily involving excavation to uncover any items related to boxes or similar containers.

Ethan, accustomed to listening to music while working, diligently carried out his duties.

During the excavation, Ethan's attention was drawn to a peculiar sensation in his arm. Investigating further, he uncovered a purple-colored chest buried beneath the soil.

The chest appeared ancient, crafted from a unique metal that possessed both softness and hardness simultaneously, adorned with intricate runes.

"Is this some pirate's treasure?" Ethan joked to himself. "Let's pull it out at least."

Amazed by the chest's pristine condition after potentially being underground for an extended period, Ethan initially dismissed the idea of it being a pirate's treasure.

However, his curiosity intensified as he contemplated the significance of the chest and questioned the motives of those seeking it.

Attempting to open the chest, Ethan discovered it to be a hermetically sealed container, devoid of any visible mechanisms for access. Puzzled by its abnormal design, Ethan pondered the intentions behind its pursuit.

"Why are these people looking for this chest?" Ethan thought to himself out of curiosity. He actually never met the boss of this land and didn't know any detail.

"Now what should I do about it? Should I tell the other guys about it? No no no, I'm not some righteous guy anyway. Let's take it home at night; maybe I hit rich," getting excited, Ethan came to this conclusion in the end.

In the dark of the night, a man and a chest, without notice of anybody, were vanished from the face of Earth! Just kidding. He went home with it.

In the cover of darkness, Ethan successfully transported the chest to his apartment.

Nestled in a two-room living space suitable for a single individual, he carefully set the chest down and began examining it once again.

Despite its size being smaller than the typical pirate chests depicted in movies, the material presented a perplexing challenge.

Ethan found himself bewildered by the unusual properties of the chest's substance – soft to the touch yet undeniably hard, emitting both cold and warm sensations, and appearing simultaneously shiny and antiquated after a dusting.

"I knew it was creepy and all, but..." Ethan created some distance between himself and the chest. "It can't be helped; I already brought it home. What is there to be afraid of?" After a brief pep talk to himself, Ethan approached the chest again.

"There should be some kind of lock, right?" Ethan continued his search for a lock but found none.

"Oh... maybe it's some code word lock!" Drawing inspiration from movies, Ethan arrived at this conclusion. "Haha, nice trick, you pirates! But you messed with the wrong guy!" After some playful roleplay, he became serious. "Now shall we try some words?"

"Open sesame!"

"Parlè!"

"The brethren court!"

"I'm going to be the king of pirates!"

Despite trying every phrase that came to mind, the chest remained silent. Ethan realized that the chest was no ordinary puzzle, fueling his curiosity even more.

"Gurrrr..." (noise of tummy rumbling)

"I should eat something first," Ethan looked around his apartment, spotting an apple on the table and a knife. As he prepared to eat, an idea struck him.

"Maybe this should work!" Eyeing the knife, he considered using it to open the chest, or at least attempt to. However, as he slashed at the chest, it became even more unsettling.

The chest resisted any attempts to slash or stab it, leaving Ethan vexed. On his second attempt, the knife broke, and a piece lodged into Ethan's hand, causing blood to flow.

"Shit! Why the heck is this happening? The chest isn't opening, and now this!" Ethan, frustrated, failed to notice one crucial detail.

A drop of blood fell onto the chest, prompting a sudden purple light.

"Crack..."

Suddenly, Ethan heard the sound of a lock opening. Glancing at the chest, he was shocked to discover that it was now opening, with the key being blood.

"Yes!! Finally, I did it!" Overwhelmed with joy, Ethan refrained from shouting aloud, realizing he now had the opportunity to unveil the contents of the chest.

The runes on the chest began to shift like a serpent, and the chest slowly opened.

After the chest was opened, Ethan was dumbfounded because the chest was empty!

"Seriously!" He couldn't believe himself. He brought the chest with such difficulties, and still, there was nothing in the chest at all.

Empty!

Empty!!!

It's EMPTY!!!

"If it was going to be empty, then why are they even looking for it?" Ethan was enraged. His blood was still dripping down on the chest, but he didn't pay attention.

He was extremely tired now. He just wanted to sleep. He bandaged his wound somewhat and went directly to his bed, flopping down like a dead man.

Suddenly, there was some movement in the chest. The blood was being absorbed by the chest where it fell previously, and a chip sort of thing was visible now in the chest. But Ethan was fast asleep.

The chip wasn't made of metal. It was purple in color and felt quite weird at first look. The chip was small, just the size of a fingernail. If Ethan was still awake, he would have shuddered at the sight because the chip now looked like a spider.

"Zzzz"

[Initiating the program...]

[Matching the blood sample...]

Suddenly, there came a blue light from inside the chip, and it surveyed the whole room.

[Match has been found]

The chip moved and started walking like a spider. It climbed out of the chest and went towards the sleeping Ethan. Soon, the chip went straight towards his left eye. As soon as the chip came in contact with Ethan's eye, it turned into a blue light and vanished.

...

"Yeah, that felt amazing! Nice sleep after a long time," as Ethan woke up, he stretched a bit and looked at the chest again, but it was still empty. Feeling disappointed, he went to the washroom.

"Woahhhh"

"What the heck!! How did my wound heal up in one night?" Ethan came running outside while shouting. He was astonished at his own fast recovery, but he knew his immune system wasn't this fast!

"Hmm, I know I should be happy, but it's creepy too." Ethan was perplexed at this situation because he knew better than anyone that his immune system was damn bad! He couldn't even recover from a little flu in 3 days, and just now, that wound was healed in one night.

"Did something happen to me?" as Ethan asked himself this question, suddenly a beep went in his mind.

[Host has been detected]

[Initiating the system]

Beep..

Beep....

[Welcome to the 1st player and the only player to this system. Host will be given missions and, on completion, rewards too. On not completing missions in time, a penalty will be given]

Then it was peaceful again. Ethan's soul was already halfway out of his mouth. But he suddenly regained his senses.

"Was that sound in my mind?" He asked cautiously, but no answer came this time.

"Umm, what just happened? Was I hallucinating or something?" He didn't get any answer again.

"Well, whatever, I'll know later if it was a hallucination or not. Let's go for jogging," throwing the matter at the back of his head, Ethan went to sneak some peeks... ahem, ahem... went for jogging, yep, just jogging.

...

As Ethan was jogging, he noticed that he wasn't sweating today. He ran much faster than usual and still didn't feel tired. His breathing was also orderly.

Something is weird...

Definitely weird...

As he crouched on the ground to tie his laces, he pondered about his condition. While pondering, he surveyed his surroundings too. He saw some kids jogging, some girls with their tight-fitting shirts, and some ladies sweating. His mood suddenly freshened up.

"Morning jogging is the best solution for psychological problems," grinning to himself, Ethan felt quite pleased.

Soon, a lady went past him; he turned and kept staring at her. Suddenly, he felt something wrong.

"What the heck! What's that level at her head?" Ethan didn't know how to react.

"Level 1 (Housewife)"

Will somebody tell me what's going on here!! Ethan turned around and looked at some other girls and some men too.

"Level 1 (University student)"

"Level 2 (Bitch)"

"Level 1 (Failed lover)"

"Level 1 (Businessman)"

"So is this their level and their job or something? But why are they all level 1, and why is that bitch level 2? Is she some special bitch or what?" as he thought that much, suddenly a beep came in his mind.

Beep..

[Their levels are 1 because they are weak. Host can see other people's level and their occupation. If it's some old emperor, then their title will be visible too]

Old emperor... the heck!!

Am I still on earth?

Am I still in my own city, Salmon city?

[Yes, the host is still on earth and in his own city]

I wasn't asking you!

And here starts the journey of a man towards being the sovereign of three realms! Just kidding.