Step Forward

Qing Chen stood motionless, his gaze locked on the spot where Aetherion, the god of fate, had been just moments before. In an explosion of radiant light, the divine being vanished, leaving only the faint hum of the air behind. His pulse raced, still thrumming with the shock of his celestial encounter. Yet, despite the silence that began to fill the space, something deep within him had irrevocably shifted.

The world around him seemed unchanged, but the very atmosphere felt… different. Charged, even. Alive, as if the threads of fate were now weaving through the air itself. Before he could process the strange sensation, a flicker of blue light startled him—a screen materialized in front of him, hovering in the space between his hands.

His breath caught in his throat as a voice—neither loud nor soft, but clear as though it resonated in his mind—spoke directly to him:

"Welcome, Qing Chen. You are about to embark on a journey unlike any other. This is the system that will guide you."

His eyes widened as he gazed at the screen, where several categories pulsed in glowing letters:

Status Skills Mission Inventory Shop Worlds

"System?" Qing Chen whispered to himself, his mind reeling. Was this some bizarre dream? Or had he truly been chosen by fate, as Aetherion had claimed?

A new prompt appeared, expanding into his consciousness as if feeding directly into his thoughts.

System Activation Complete:

"Fate is the force that binds all things, Qing Chen. You are its chosen vessel. The journey begins now."

A feeling of awe washed over him. Chosen vessel? He wasn't sure he was ready for something so monumental. Tentatively, his fingers hovered over the first option: Status. The screen flickered again, revealing a detailed list that made his heart skip a beat:

Name: Qing Chen Age: 18 Level: 1 Strength: 8 (normal is 10) Agility: 7 (normal is 10) Intelligence: 15 (normal is 10) Charisma: 13 (normal is 10)

He stared at the numbers, unsure whether to feel proud of his intelligence and charisma or disappointed that his strength and agility were below average.

Before he could think further, another notification suddenly flashed.

"Qing Chen, since this is your first and possibly last experience with the system, allow me to introduce you properly."

The screen shifted, now displaying a new section titled Skills.

Destiny Sense (Level 1): The ability to sense the power of fate and luck around you, including others connected to your destiny. Destiny Manipulation (Level 1): The ability to manipulate both fate and luck. Foresight (Level 1): The ability to glimpse into the future.

"The skills can be upgraded with use," the voice continued. "And before you wonder, the connection between fate and luck is inseparable. To control one, you must first control the other."

Qing Chen was left speechless. So this is the gift Aetherion meant when he said there was more to come…

Ding, Ding!

Another screen appeared, but this time, it was different—there was only one line.

Mission:

Enter your first world and start your journey. Reward: ??? (depends on the world you enter)

"How do I enter these worlds?" Qing Chen asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"You need not worry, master," the voice answered. "I will first show you the other functions."

Suddenly, the Inventory and Shop screens appeared side by side. The Shop was still locked, but the Inventory was accessible.

Inventory:

Crystal Bottle (1x): Contains one of the strongest bloodlines known to exist, capable of rivaling even the gods. Fate Crystals (1000x): The currency used to purchase items from the system's shop.

Qing Chen's mind raced. A bloodline that could rival a god? He glanced back at the Mission. Where do I even begin with this?

"Master," the voice continued, "The last function I must show you is Worlds. This allows you to travel between the available realms. However, be warned—once you enter, you cannot return until your mission is complete."

Worlds:

Soul Land 1 One Piece Naruto Genshin Impact ...

Qing Chen's heart skipped a beat. Soul Land 1, One Piece, Naruto, Genshin Impact, and many more These were worlds he'd only known through stories, games, and anime. Now, they were within his reach. His pulse quickened, but he knew that this decision would change everything.

He stared at the list of worlds, trying to weigh his options. Soul Land 1 seemed the most familiar, a world of Spirit Masters and martial souls. But the others called to him, too—One Piece with its pirates and treasure, Naruto with its ninjas and secrets, Genshin Impact with its elemental magic.

After a long moment of consideration, Qing Chen made his choice. "Soul Land 1," he said, his finger hovering over the option.

The voice asked, "Are you certain, Master? Once you enter, you cannot leave until your mission is finished."

"I'm certain," Qing Chen said, his voice firm despite the nerves that churned in his stomach. "I have to start somewhere."

As soon as he confirmed his choice, a blinding light consumed him. His body felt weightless as though he were being pulled through time and space. When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in a vast new world.

The sky above was impossibly large, the sun looming like a golden orb, casting a strange glow over the sprawling landscape. Forests, mountains, rivers—everything was vast, alive, and waiting.

"Welcome to Soul Land 1, Master," the system's voice echoed in his mind. "Your journey begins now."