Chapter 1

  The Beginning of Everything

  Samantha slowly woke from her dream. It was a recurring dream she had had over the last 3 years. It was the last genuinely good day she could remember having. She was 16 then. All she was really worried about then was getting decent grades at school, hanging out with her best friend, Willow, and doing whatever her weekend plans were going to be. She remembered thinking at the time that being a teenager really sucked. She was always in a hurry to be an adult so she could do whatever she wanted. She didn’t really have any concrete plans like her best friend Willow did. Willow planned to go to college and then med school to eventually become a doctor. Samantha had no idea what she wanted to do for a career. She just wanted to travel and explore. Nowadays she definitely got to travel and explore. Life just had not turned out the way she thought it would thanks to the System.

  Almost three years had passed since that last good day and Samantha was still dreaming about it. It had been an ordinary day just like any other. It was a Tuesday in June. She had stayed up late the night before talking to Willow on her cellphone, so she slept in until 10 am. When she woke up her parents had already left for work. Her father was an electrical engineer, and her mother was an architect. They both worked long hours, so she wasn’t surprised to be alone in the house. After using the bathroom and getting dressed for the day Samantha went downstairs and got a bowl of cereal for breakfast. She could still remember the sugary crunch of the cereal and the ice-cold richness of the milk. She would love to have that again. While eating she scrolled through social media and sent a text to Willow. Her only plans for the day were to relax and do as little as possible. That changed two hours later when a blue box appeared before her eyes with white text, and she heard a mechanical sounding voice in her head.

  “Greetings Earthlings from Earth #212B. Welcome to the System. From this moment on your life will be forever changed. For the past millennia you have been in a waiting stage, but the time has come to join us. To prove your worthiness to the System there will be a competition. You have 3 years to get at least 50% of your surviving population to level 50 or above. Your technology has been neutralized. The class system has been initiated. Anyone above 16 years may choose a class. You have 1 hour to choose, or you will perish. Soon, all non-human life will mutate into creatures and dungeons will appear. Defeat these creatures to gain experience. Get stronger or perish. We will return in 3 years’ time. If you have reached level 50 you will be rewarded. If not, you will perish. If less than 50% of you have reached level 50 then your world will be harvested for resources. To begin simply say status. Good luck. We hope to see many of you in the future.”

  Samantha had stared at the message, blinking and trying to understand whether she was dreaming or maybe hallucinating. The blue box and its ominous message, however, did not disappear. She felt a chill run down her spine as the reality of the situation began to sink in. The world as she knew it was about to change in unimaginable ways.

  She had only 1 hour to make a decision that would alter the course of her life and the lives of everyone she knew. The concept of classes and leveling up seemed like something out of a video game, but this was no game. This was her new reality. Panic began to set in as she tried to wrap her mind around the gravity of the situation. With trembling hands, she rushed to her computer, hoping to find some answers online. But as the message had stated, their technology had been neutralized. The internet was down, and her phone had no signal. She felt a sense of helplessness wash over her. How was she supposed to choose a class without any guidance or information?

  As the deadline approached, Samantha knew she had to make a choice. The memory of that last good day, the carefree times with Willow, and the simple pleasures of life spurred her on. She couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. She needed to adapt, to become stronger, to survive. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for the unknown journey that lay ahead and made her choice. As soon as Samantha said, “Status.” The text in the blue box changed.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Congratulations, please choose a class to continue…

  Fighter…

  Rogue…

  Mage…

  Healer…

  Only four choices popped up. No other information was given. Samantha’s eyes darted over the four options, her heart racing. Her mind struggled to comprehend the message, and a sense of foreboding enveloped her. She had to choose a class, a decision that would shape her destiny. The urgency of the situation demanded immediate action, but she was paralyzed by indecision. What did each class entail? What was the best choice for survival? These questions swirled in her mind as she desperately sought answers. Time was slipping away, and Samantha knew she had to make a decision. Each choice seemed to carry an immense weight and the potential to change her life forever. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself and think rationally.

  "Fighter," she murmured, envisioning the strength and resilience required to face the creatures and dungeons head-on. "Rogue," she said next, imagining the stealth and cunning to navigate this new world with agility. "Mage," she whispered, picturing herself wielding powerful spells and unraveling the mysteries of the System. "Healer," she finally spoke, thinking of the ability to mend wounds and support others in their time of need.

  As the minutes ticked away, Samantha weighed her options. A Fighter could offer strength and combat skills; a Rogue might provide agility and stealth; a Mage could wield powerful magic; and a Healer could save lives and mend wounds. Her mind raced through the possibilities, envisioning herself in each role.

  She knew she had to make a choice that aligned with her desire to explore and survive. Samantha found herself drawn to the Mage class, imagining the limitless potential of wielding magic. With a deep breath and a newfound determination, she spoke the word aloud. With a resolute nod, she made her choice, hoping it would be the right one. Her finger hovered over the blue box, and with a final, deep breath, she pressed the chosen class. The moment she confirmed her decision, a surge of energy coursed through her body. She felt a warmth envelop her, followed by a series of instructions that appeared before her eyes, detailing her new abilities and the path she had chosen. Samantha steeled herself, ready to embrace her new role and the challenges that awaited.

  In the hours that followed, Samantha witnessed the world around her descend into chaos. People were frantically trying to understand what was happening and what they needed to do to survive. Some were in denial, hoping that this was all just a bad joke or a dream they would soon wake up from. Others were steadfast, prepared to confront any challenges that may arise.

  As she stepped out of her home, the world outside had already begun to change dramatically. As the mechanical voice had foretold, creatures began to appear, and dungeons materialized in once familiar places. The peaceful life Samantha had once known was replaced by a dangerous new reality, one in which her survival depended on her ability to navigate this treacherous new world. Samantha never saw her parents again. She hoped that she would find them one day, but that hope was dimming with each passing day.

  Samantha's journey within the System began, a path filled with challenges but also rich with opportunities for growth and transformation. She had to adapt out of necessity, becoming the protagonist of her own story and proving her competence to the System. With the 3-year deadline quickly approaching, Samantha had been stuck at level 49 for several months.

  Samantha faced new trials and tribulations, forging alliances with others who sought to survive and thrive in the System. She discovered strengths she never knew she had and found herself rising to the challenges that came her way. During this time, she suffered significant losses of loved ones. Despite her reluctance, she knew reaching level 50 was crucial. Her resolve to keep going grew stronger with each hardship she faced. The dream of that last good day remained a distant but powerful memory, a reminder of what she was fighting for.