Chapter 1: Glitch of Fate

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Lucian’s voice echoed faintly in the dark cavern as a low growl rumbled from the shadows. That thing is still lurking. Great. He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. No time to stop now. I need to keep moving.

The grip of his sword was already slick with sweat—not from fear, but from the stifling heat that clung to the stone walls like a second skin. The cave ceiling dripped slowly, the rhythmic plinks of water like a countdown ticking too fast. The air reeked of iron and damp stone, clinging to his nostrils with every breath.

His gaze flickered to the crumpled figure on the ground nearby—the corpse of his ally. A pang of guilt jabbed at him. Damn. I never even got his name. Cool Barbarian, though, for the three whole minutes he was one.

A little further out, he spotted a fading torch—it must have been dropped by one of his other companions when the beast attacked. The weak flame barely illuminated a dozen feet, but the shadows it cast were long and eerie.

Not exactly ideal lighting for a boss fight. But it will have to do.

He still hadn’t gotten a great look at the monster that had torn through his group. It had all happened so fast. One moment, they were huddled together, reading a strange pop-up screen and choosing their classes; the next, they were fighting for their lives.

There had been no time to plan, let alone coordinate a strategy. Now, strategy was a luxury Lucian couldn’t afford. There was only survival, and to survive, he needed to kill that monster.

Only problem was, he had no idea where it was.

“Come on, show yourself,” he mumbled, not entirely sure he wanted it to listen.

Tensing, Lucian scanned the darkness, every nerve on edge. Maybe the beast was taking a breather after all the carnage. Or maybe it was circling, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. There was no point in guessing. He’d been given a rare moment to think, and he wasn’t going to waste it.

First things first, gear up. He needed weapons, supplies, anything that could give him an edge.

How do I access my Inventory again? He furrowed his brow, concentrating. A shimmering blue panel blinked into existence before him, its soft glow contrasting sharply with the oppressive darkness of the cavern.

“Finally,” Lucian muttered, scanning through his options. If he was going to stand a chance, he needed to be smart, and fast.

[Main Menu]

HP: 20/20

Mana: 17/17

[Stats]

[Inventory]

[Equipment]

[Abilities]

[Spells]

[Field Skills]

[Trade]

[Map]

Lucian tapped on [Equipment] and immediately grimaced at what appeared on the screen.

[Equipment]

[Dagger: 1 Attack Power]

[Leather Armor: 2 Defense]

Nope. That won’t do. His lips pressed into a thin line as he scanned for better options. Where’s the good stuff? His eyes flicked to the trail of blood vanishing into the darkness. He glanced back at the Barbarian’s crumpled form, an idea sparking in his mind. Risky? Definitely. But better than waiting to die.

Without wasting another second, Lucian dashed out from his hiding spot behind a boulder, adrenaline propelling him toward the fallen Barbarian. The stench of blood hung thick in the air as he reached down and touched the body. Instantly, a glowing menu materialized before him.

[Barbarian Lv. 1]

[Loot?] [Yes/No]

He jabbed [Yes] without hesitation. Sorry, buddy. You’re not gonna need this where you’re going. A soft chime confirmed the transfer.

[Items Gained]

[Iron 10, Wood 7, Leather 7]

Great. Let’s do this. I just need to… His thoughts cut off abruptly as the ground trembled beneath him. Heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed through the cavern, each thud rattling his nerves. He dropped flat to the floor, heart hammering in his chest. Holding his breath, he listened.

It’s close. Too close.

The beast moved with terrifying weight. Lucian recalled how easily it had dealt with the others—the Barbarian, the Assassin, and that poor Priestess. She didn’t even get a chance to fight back. One swipe was all it took to end her. At least the others managed to land a few blows before being taken out.

Taken out. Lucian struggled with those words. They didn’t seem to capture the full magnitude of what had just happened. Dead is more like it. Can we even be revived here? That screen had mentioned respawns—vague, conditional nonsense buried in a wall of Tutorial text he didn’t read. Classic mistake. If there were second chances, they sure didn’t come easy.

“God, I should’ve never opened that door,” he muttered, before reconsidering. “Well, unless I survive. Then maybe this could be fun—or at least better than my old life. But first, I need to survive. I will survive.”

Lucian subtly crossed his fingers as he listened intently. To his surprise, the footsteps seemed to fade into the distance, and he exhaled slowly, willing his racing pulse to calm. Okay. Focus. Time to gear up.

He accessed his [Menu] again and navigated to [Field Skills].

[Field Skills]

[Crafting]

[Camp]

[Warp]

Lucian tapped on [Crafting], his options limited but promising.

[Crafting]

[Iron Warhammer] – [Iron 10, Wood 5, Leather 5]

[Iron Helm] – [Iron 5, Wood 5, Leather 5]

Well, it’s not much, but it’s better than a dagger and flimsy leather armor. Lucian’s lips hardened into a determined line. Let’s make this work.

There was only enough material to craft one item. Lucian tapped on the [Iron Warhammer] option. With a chime and a flash of blue-white light, a one-handed warhammer appeared in his grasp—its iron head gleaming, sturdy wooden handle smooth yet firm, and leather-wrapped grip fitting perfectly into his palm. At that moment, a strange warmth surged through his body. Does crafting affect my stats? Maybe this boosts my Strength or Endurance...

But there was no time to ponder.

The beast’s thundering charge echoed from behind. Lucian spun on his heel, leaping forward to snatch up the fallen torch with his free hand. Its flickering flame cast wild shadows across the cavern walls.

Let’s go, you ugly monster. Take me down if you dare.

An instant later, an eight-foot creature burst from the shadows, sickle-like arms slicing through the air. Lucian rolled to the side, narrowly dodging the attack, and then leaped backward to gain distance.

In the dim light, he finally got a clear look at it. At first glance, it resembled a bear—but that assumption was quickly shattered. The beast had a body like a gigantic praying mantis, with six limbs and two massive bladed arms. What threw him off was the thick, dark fur covering its form, blending perfectly into the cavern’s shadows.

That fur, however, betrayed it. Bright green blood was splattered across its coat, glinting faintly in the torchlight. That Barbarian hit it pretty damn good. Let’s finish what he started.

Without hesitation, Lucian charged forward. He’d already observed one crucial weakness—the creature was fast in a straight line but struggled to pivot—and as it lumbered to face him, Lucian ducked beneath a wide swipe and slammed his warhammer into the monster’s thorax. A crunch echoed through the cavern, but the beast barely flinched. Instead, it reared back slightly and launched into a frenzied series of swipes, each faster and more aggressive than the last.

Damn it. Don’t stay in front of it!

He dodged two vicious strikes and tried to retreat, but the beast pressed forward relentlessly. Every step backward brought Lucian closer to the cavern wall. He needed to act fast. No, I can’t keep backing out. I’ll eventually hit the cave walls and then it’s Game Over. A bladed arm swept toward his head. Instinctively, Lucian raised his warhammer, and to his surprise, it absorbed the impact.

No freaking way. I can block it. For the first time since this nightmare began, he felt like more than prey. The tide hadn’t turned yet—but for once, he wasn’t drowning in it.

Wasting no time, Lucian jabbed the torch into the creature’s thorax, right where he’d struck before. The flaming end burned through its fur, searing the flesh beneath. The beast unleashed a deafening roar that shook the very foundation of the cavern. Lucian froze, his body momentarily paralyzed by the sheer force of the sound. That was all the monster needed. The mantis-like creature slashed with its opposite claw, aiming straight for his chest. Lucian managed to dodge the descending blade, but he wasn’t quick enough to avoid the backhanded blow that followed.

The blunt force sent him flying across the cavern. He hit the ground hard, rolling painfully over jagged rocks until his back slammed against the unforgiving cavern wall. The impact knocked the wind out of him. Gasping for breath, Lucian watched his torch clatter to the ground two feet away, its flame stubbornly clinging to life.

[Main Menu]

HP: 8/20

Mana: 17/17

Lucian wiped blood from his mouth as he gasped, “That took 12 points of damage off me? Are you serious?” He didn’t waste another second complaining. The giant mantis was charging at him again, sickle-like limbs slicing through the dim cavern air. Don’t be stupid twice.

Instead of engaging in the mantis’ chaotic flurry of slashes, Lucian rolled to the side and countered with a powerful swing of his hammer. The blow connected with the creature’s lower abdomen, forcing it to bend slightly to one side. The damage wasn’t massive, but it was enough for Lucian to notice something—the earlier hits to its thorax and abdomen had slowed it down. The injuries from his companions were taking their toll.

Lucian seized the advantage, sneaking in another hit, then another, and another. His warhammer landed blow after blow. But the victory was short-lived.

“NO!” Lucian shouted as the mantis reared back, preparing to slash with both razor-sharp limbs. I can’t survive that! He tried to dodge, leaping to the side, but the creature blocked his path with its long lower abdomen. Desperately, Lucian shifted to the opposite side—only to be met with a devastating slash that nearly split him in two. The mantis’ other claw descended rapidly, aiming straight for his chest.

For a split second, Lucian thought it was over. His hope dwindled. He remembered the chronic pain he’d lived with back home—the constant ache that had mysteriously vanished the moment he arrived in this strange new world. The relief had been fleeting. Now, the miracle that had seemingly cured him had also thrust him into the face of a different kind of physical danger. A sharper, more final threat.

No. It’s not over yet.

He wasn’t who he used to be. Not damaged. Not anymore. In fact, he’d never felt stronger. Maybe it was just the absence of that dull, all-encompassing ache he’d grown so used to... or maybe it was something else—something about this violent new world. Whatever it was, he was desperate to live long enough to find out.

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So he pushed aside his doubt. His fear. Instinct kicked in. He blocked the attack just in time and spun on his heel, delivering a backhanded hammer blow to the beast’s face. The impact stunned the mantis momentarily, but before Lucian could catch his breath, it retaliated by shoving him down with its back limbs. Lucian hit the rocky ground hard.

[Main Menu]

HP: 1/20

Mana: 17/17

Blood filled his mouth as he coughed violently. His vision blurred, but he forced himself to look up—just in time to see the mantis preparing for a finishing blow.

Not today. At the last possible moment, Lucian rolled to the side. The mantis’ sickles plunged into the ground inches from his face. It tried to stab him with its other feet, but Lucian rolled through the forest of piercing limbs, emerging right behind the monster. He scrambled to his feet, moving faster than the beast could turn. Lucian leaped onto its back, gripping tufts of thick, matted fur. The mantis thrashed wildly, trying to throw him off, but he held firm. Running up the length of its spine, he launched himself into the air.

As gravity pulled him back down, Lucian raised his hammer high above his head. This ends now. With all his strength, he brought the hammer crashing down between the creature’s eyes. The cavern echoed with an ear-shattering shriek, but Lucian didn’t stop. Driven by sheer determination and the sting of desperation, he unleashed a relentless barrage of blows.

Again. And again. And again.

Green blood splattered across the rocky ground as the mantis’ massive frame convulsed beneath his assault. Its movements grew weaker and slower until finally, it collapsed into a shriveled, lifeless heap.

Panting heavily, Lucian stumbled back, his legs trembling from exertion. He picked up his torch and looked down upon the mantis which lay sprawled before him, its grotesque body twisted and broken.

All at once, the ground lurched beneath his feet, knocking him to his knees. He barely had time to brace himself as the earth cracked and trembled below. Then, just as suddenly as it began, it stopped. The silence that followed was absolute.

That was when time seemed to slow down for a moment, and he was greeted by a menu screen.

[EXP Gained: 100/100]

[Level Up!]

[Allocated 2 Attribute Points]

Lucian turned to his right and saw a menu appear showcasing his stats.

Blacksmith Lv. 1 – 2

HP: 1/20

Mana: 17/17

Attack Power: 22

Magic Power: 14

Defense: 13

Magic Defense: 13

Stamina: 70

Strength: 9

Resilience: 11

Speed: 6

Magic: 7

Endurance: 7

Wait, really? I see… My Resilience is higher than my Strength. I guess choosing to be a Blacksmith in this world comes with its caveats. If I picked a Barbarian or Warrior class, I’m pretty sure I could hit harder. “Two points, eh?” Lucian tapped on the menu. “Let’s boost my Strength and Resilience then. I can compensate for Speed and others with gear.”

Blacksmith Lv. 2

HP: 1/20

Mana: 17/17

Attack Power: 24

Magic Power: 14

Defense: 14

Magic Defense: 13

Stamina: 70

Strength: 10

Resilience: 12

Speed: 6

Magic: 7

Endurance: 7

Satisfied, he turned his attention back to the creature. “Disgusting, ugly son-of-a… Ooh, what’s that?”

Lucian’s insult trailed off as his eyes locked onto something gleaming amidst the bloody remains of the mantis. He stepped closer, raising the torch higher to get a better view. With a flick of his wrist, his warhammer dissolved back into his digital [Inventory]. Reaching down, he plucked a glowing orb roughly the size of a large grapefruit. Its smooth surface radiated a faint orange-gold light, pulsating gently like a heartbeat.

[Acquired Master Core]

“Master Core?” Lucian read aloud, squinting at the floating notification. “Sounds fancy.” He tucked it into his [Inventory] and scanned the cavern, his gaze landing on the remains of his fallen companions and the shredded beast. Already looted the big guy. Might as well clean up the rest.

A few minutes of looting yielded the following haul:

[Iron 35, Chitin 25, Wood 18, Leather 14, Silk 5]

“I need to do better than that,” he sighed, slumping against the cave wall. I wonder if this is enough to craft something better. Curious, he opened his [Crafting] menu again.

[Crafting]

[Master 1 Shield] – [Master Core 1, Iron 30/Silver 15/Gold 5/Platinum 1]

Lucian’s eyebrows shot up. “Master Shield, huh? Let’s try it.”

He tapped the option, bracing himself as a familiar surge of energy rippled through his body. As the crafting process began, a strange hum resonated in his ears. This was different. The materials pulsed with energy—especially that glowing core. Something told him this wouldn’t be just another shield. Blue-white light coalesced in his hand, solidifying into a magnificent round buckler. The silver emblem of a wolf glinted proudly on its face, etched into metal blacker than the void yet shimmering faintly with a golden hue reminiscent of the Master Core’s glow. A window popped up.

It was the shield’s description, which he read aloud. “Master Shield, Level 1. Capable of blocking physical and magical attacks with a 300% success rate. Resistance to damage is 69.99%.” He chuckled as he read it. “Nice… Ah, a shield that can block most attacks. It says Level 1, though. I wonder if there’s Master equipment even better than this. I should—huh?”

His admiration was cut short by a bone-chilling roar echoing through the cavern. He sprang to his feet. “Oh, come on! I’ve only got 1 HP left here!”

Materializing his hammer in one hand, Lucian gripped his new shield with the other, backing toward the torchlight. I’m dead in one hit. This shield better be as good as—“Seriously?”

From the shadows emerged a six-foot-tall raptor-like beast, its body cloaked in sleek black and blue feathers that shimmered faintly even in the dim light. Each of its taloned feet sported a massive hooked claw, while its maw revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth.

Fast. Too fast. The raptor lunged, slashing and snapping furiously. Lucian barely managed to block each attack with his shield, gritting his teeth as the force of each blow rattled his bones. I can’t just cower here. Even this shield won’t hold forever.

Gripping the shield handle tighter, Lucian took a steadying breath. I’ve only got one shot at this.

Feet planted? Check.

Steady grip on shield? Check.

Steady grip on hammer? Check.

Ready to die in a horrible blaze of teeth and become a dinosaur’s dinner?

“Absolutely not.”

The raptor lunged again, its claws slicing the air in a blur. But this time, Lucian didn’t back down. He surged forward, meeting the creature head-on. The shield smashed into its skull with a deafening crack, throwing the beast off balance. Lucian didn’t waste the opportunity. He pivoted and swung his hammer in a brutal arc, connecting squarely with the raptor’s snout. The beast staggered, disoriented. Lucian followed up with a rapid combo of hammer strikes, punctuated by another shield bash.

With one final blow, the raptor collapsed, its body twitching before falling still. Lucian exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from his brow. Guess you’re not as tough as you look. A familiar chime echoed as a notification appeared:

[Items Gained]

[Bones 10, Fangs 5, Claws 5]

He smirked. Loot secured. I can’t believe I killed that thing with just 1 HP left. I am the King of 1 HP, glory be to me! He lifted the shield triumphantly before lowering it with a frown. Now how the heck do I get out of this cave? There has to be an exit somewhere—

A familiar chime cut through his thoughts, followed by a glowing notification window:

[Successfully defeated Tutorial Area Boss. Access to Tel Tahkat granted.]

Suddenly, a shimmering white doorway materialized before him, its edges flickering like starlight. Beyond its sheen lay the foggy, unclear vista of a new world. The sight seemed to beckon him forward, and somehow, he immediately understood: there was no going back. Whatever lay on the other side of that doorway was his new home, his new life, his new destiny.

But then another thought joined in.

“Wait. The raptor was the tutorial boss?” Lucian blinked, skepticism creeping into his voice. “Seriously? The mantis was way more dangerous. That thing wiped everyone else out in seconds.” He paused. “I only survived because of them.” Then again, I only killed that raptor because of the shield.

Then his gaze fell back to the shield in his hand. “The Master Core,” he whispered. That’s when realization struck him like a hammer blow. “No way.”

The shield’s creation had turned the tide in his fight against the raptor. How strong was it?

… And could he make more?

Despite the gore surrounding him, his lips curled into a wild grin. Of course he could make more. He was a Blacksmith now. All he had to do was hunt more monsters, gather more of their cores, and forge more gear. Because if one core had made this much difference, what would happen if he started combining them?

Just like that, Lucian Nyx became giddy with excitement—it was a sensation he hadn’t felt in ages. New. Fresh. Hopeful.

Limitless.

All the pain, the doubt, the regrets he left behind—none of that mattered here. This world didn’t care who he used to be. It only cared about what he could make of himself.

“I wonder how many more beasts like that are out there.” His voice was low, speculative, tinged with energy. “More Master Cores. More power.” The realization built until a deep, guttural laugh bubbled out of him, growing louder with each breath. I picked the Blacksmith class because I love making things. But maybe, in this world, I’ll be able to forge something better than any Paladin, Knight, or Mage could ever dream of.

His fingers tightened around the shield as adrenaline surged through his veins. “I won’t even need to hunt for legendary gear,” he whispered fiercely. “I can make it all myself.”

The beasts of Tel Tahkat would undoubtedly be stronger than the raptor, but the thought barely crossed his mind. His pulse roared in his ears, his mind laser-focused on a single booming mantra:

Kill. Craft. Conquer—Kill. Craft. Conquer!

The chant fueled him, each repetition widening the feral grin on his face. In his old life, Lucian had been nothing. But here? He could be anything. Everything.

He just had to stay focused, keep building, and—

“Ooh, what’s that?” A mysterious glimmer on the other side of the doorway pulled him forward.

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Crap! Crap! Crap! How did this happen?! How did I let this happen?!

The young man kept his head down as he hurried through the dim corridors, his ragged breaths doing nothing to steady his nerves. The halls were still unfamiliar to him, but his mind was too scattered to care.

His job had been simple: keep watch over the Master Beast Katrakas, ensure it didn’t stray too far from its territory. That was all he had to do. It was supposed to be an easy post, too—the most dormant Master Beast, assigned to the newest recruit. A glorified babysitting job.

And yet—

A Master Beast was dead. And it had happened under his watch.

This isn’t good. This is not good. His feet carried him faster, almost stumbling in his haste, until he reached a set of ornate, weathered double doors. From the other side, he could hear the soft murmur of voices. Prayers. Perfect. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hands on the aged wood and pushed.

The doors creaked open, revealing a small, chapel-like hall. Rows of pews lined the room, facing a modest altar, where a simple lectern stood draped in cloth. Scattered throughout the pews sat masked figures, some kneeling, others hunched forward, quietly whispering their praises to an unseen deity.

Keeping his footsteps light, the young man edged toward a side room near the altar, hugging the wall to avoid disturbing the worshippers. He was nearly there when—

Creeeeeak.

The door hinges betrayed him. The murmurs died. Dozens of masked faces turned toward him, their stares wordless and heavy. Bowing his head rapidly, he murmured a flurry of apologies before slipping inside and shutting the door behind him. He exhaled sharply and thumped his forehead against the wood. That was the absolute worst.

“You’d better have a good reason for disturbing my slumber.” A deep, spine-chilling voice echoed through the room.

The young man stiffened, turning toward the looming silhouette in front of the fireplace. The blaze cast long shadows, draping the seated figure in flickering warmth. He swallowed hard. “Y-Yes, sir. I mean—Lord, I mean—uh… how should I address you again?”

A sharp breath from the fire-lit figure. “I am neither a Knight to be called Sir, nor a Count to be called Lord.” The figure turned slightly, his cold, dull eyes meeting the young man’s trembling form. “I am merely a Soldier. Like you.” Then, a pause. His lips curled slightly. “Well… more of a Soldier than you. You’ll address me the same way you address your peers—by name.”

The young man swallowed against the dryness in his throat. “Of course. My apologies… Faust.”

Faust turned back toward the fire, the dying embers reflecting off his deep-set wrinkles. “You’re the new recruit, aren’t you?” His voice remained level, almost disinterested. “A Mister…?”

“Price. Enoch Price.”

Faust nodded slowly. “Enoch. A fine name.” Then his tone shifted, dropping into something heavier. “Now, tell me. What was so urgent that you not only woke me, but interrupted prayer?”

Enoch’s hands clenched into fists. He had to get through this quickly. “It’s… it’s the Master beast I was assigned to. Katrakas.”

Faust’s expression didn’t change. “Ah, the Katrakas. A fine beast. One of my favorites, I must admit. Ever dormant. Docile when fed properly.” His gaze sharpened. “What of it?”

Enoch felt his legs turn to jelly. “Something… happened,” he stammered. “I was watching its location on my World Map, and all of a sudden… its pin shifted.”

Faust’s voice remained calm. “Shifted? To where?”

Enoch hesitated. “That’s the problem. Its pin wasn’t on the map.”

Faust’s brow furrowed slightly. “Impossible. Open your map and find it.”

Enoch shook his head. “I already did.”

Faust’s eyes narrowed. “Where?”

Enoch took a deep breath. “The Tutorial Area.”

Faust’s gaze darkened. “The Tutorial Area.” Enoch nodded grimly. “Were there newcomers?” Faust asked.

Enoch nodded again. “Yes.”

Faust pursed his lips. “A shame. Souls promised a new life, sent to Purgatory before they could even begin. But such is life.” A moment of silence passed before Faust exhaled and placed a firm hand on Enoch’s shoulder. “No matter. What’s done is done. We’ll assemble a team in the morning to retrieve the Katrakas. Get some locals from the nearby village—it will need quite a few to sate its appetite.”

Enoch hesitated. “I… don’t think we’ll need to do that.”

Faust’s grip on his shoulder tightened slightly. “Why?”

Enoch licked his lips, his throat dry. “The Master Beast… the last living newcomer killed it.”

Silence. Then—

“What?” Faust turned fully now, his shadow looming over Enoch. “How?! Impossible!” His voice boomed, his calm exterior fracturing. “The Tutorial Area tempers creatures for weak newcomers, but that tempering doesn’t affect Master Beasts! The Katrakas should have been at full strength!”

“I know that, Faust!” Enoch hurried to explain, afraid of setting him off further. The last recruit who’d raised his voice to Faust had been transferred to an ‘expedition’ and never returned. Some rumors suggested he was still screaming. “But the fact remains—the newcomer killed the Katrakas.” His breath quickened. “Not only that… but it was a Blacksmith who did it. And—he used the Master Core to craft equipment for himself.”

Faust’s eyes widened. He ran a hand over his temples, pacing. “The first Master Beast to die in centuries, and it had to be at the hands of a Blacksmith… of all classes.” He exhaled sharply. “What did he make?”

“A shield.” Enoch swallowed. “He used it to defeat the Tutorial Area’s boss.”

A long pause. Then Faust let out a slow breath. “At least it’s just a shield.” He seemed to collect himself, his voice regaining its usual eerie calm. “He won’t be too powerful with that alone.”

He turned toward Enoch once more. “Find out where the Blacksmith is going to spawn in Tel Tahkat.” Then, a second thought. “No, scratch that. Send some of our people to the guild in Provera.” His gaze hardened. “Keep eyes on him. We watch his every move from now on. He may have slain one Master Beast, but he cannot be allowed to kill another… or reach any of the other worlds. Our lives depend on it… as does the fate of the entire system.”

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