Timebound abyss

Arin felt a sharp pain coursing through his body as he regained consciousness. Confusion clouded his mind, but a flicker of memory emerged—two shadowy figures with desperate faces, reaching out to him as if trying to save him from something terrible. He dismissed it as a strange dream, but a lingering sense of dread hung over him.

As he lay on the rough, wooden bed, he slowly opened his eyes, adjusting to the dim light of the room. The walls were made of aged timber, each plank telling tales of a forgotten time. The air was thick and musty, carrying the scent of damp earth and decay. Panic surged through him as he realized this was not his room; he was somewhere entirely different.

A man with a rugged demeanor entered the room, his presence both intimidating and oddly familiar. It was Kevin, the strange man from his earlier encounter. He was muttering something in a language Arin couldn't comprehend. Kevin seemed concerned, his brow furrowed as he leaned closer. Then, without warning, he left the room, leaving Arin alone in this bizarre place.

In that moment of solitude, a glowing blue status window flickered to life before his eyes. [New language added.] The words resonated in his mind, and suddenly, he understood the strange language of this world. Alongside the notification was his profile, which read:

Name: Kiro

Age: 14

Level: 3

Arin stared in shock, his heart racing. Kiro? Who was Kiro? He glanced into a cracked mirror hanging on the wall, and what he saw sent chills down his spine. The reflection staring back at him was youthful yet alien—familiar, yet foreign. Panic washed over him as he tried to grasp the reality of his situation. This was not a dream; it was something far more sinister.

Kevin returned, his expression shifting from concern to surprise. "You fool! Are you alright? Did you hit your head?" His voice was rough, yet there was an underlying warmth. "What’s your name?"

Arin hesitated, the name “Kiro” tumbling from his lips before he could stop himself. Kevin’s eyes widened, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. “Kiro? You’re very different from the boy I knew,” he murmured, lost in thought.

Memories flooded Kevin's mind—past battles against nightmarish monsters, moments when Kiro had made a desperate, loud noise that had distracted a creature long enough for Kevin to deliver the fatal blow. That day had changed everything, yet he had never had the chance to repay the favor.

“I’m Kevin,” he said finally, shaking off the memories. “I’m a League fighter, an adventurer. You need to stay here and recover from your injuries.” He handed Arin a piece of fruit, its vibrant colors contrasting sharply with the dullness of the room. “What were you doing out there last night?”

Arin hesitated, a mix of fear and confusion swirling within him. He couldn't remember much—only flashes of terror and the sensation of being hunted. The world outside was dark and full of dangers he could barely comprehend. The thought of confronting whatever horrors awaited him was overwhelming, but he knew he had to figure out what had happened.

As he took a bite of the fruit, he felt a strange energy pulse through him, mingling with the pain in his leg. He glanced at the status window again, wondering what the Level meant. Was it a measure of his abilities? A sign of what he could become? Each question only deepened the mystery of this dark new world.

Kevin watched him intently, his expression revealing a mix of curiosity and caution. The room was silent except for the distant rustle of leaves outside, a reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows. Arin realized that this was just the beginning of his journey, and he was no longer the boy who had given up on life. He was Kiro now, and he needed to discover the truth—both about himself and the world he had fallen into.