Chapter One: The Mysterious Tattoo
Thomas trudged through the front door of his small apartment, his body weary from the long day at work. The weight of exhaustion settled heavily on his shoulders as he kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto the couch. The soft cushions welcomed him, and his eyes drifted closed.
As Thomas drifted into a deep slumber, his consciousness slipped away. But his rest was interrupted by a searing pain coursing through the back of his hand. With a jolt of pain, he bolted upright, his eyes wide open, only to discover a black tattoo etched onto his skin.
A mix of emotions within him rose as he touched the foreign mark on his hand. To his astonishment, as soon as his fingers made contact with the tattoo, the world around him transformed. In an instant, Thomas found himself standing in the middle of a bustling street, surrounded by people dressed out of the ordinary.
His heart raced as he observed the scene unfolding before him. There were men and women strolling the streets, clad in robes and wielding swords reminiscent of those found in fantasy films. Thomas couldn't help but feel like he had stumbled into an elaborate convention, but something told him this was far from make-believe.
Determined to make sense of his surroundings, Thomas approached a man who seemed to be leading a small group wearing similar clothing. With a quizzical expression, he asked if there was some kind of event or gathering taking place. The man, taken aback by Thomas' question, regarded him with confusion before answering.
"We're not at a convention," the man replied, his voice clear with bewilderment. "We're heading to a nearby E Rank Dungeon to earn some money."
Thomas furrowed his brow, utterly perplexed. "What's a dungeon?" he inquired, hoping for some clarity.
The man's eyes widened, astonishment replacing his confusion. "You've never heard of a dungeon?" he asked incredulously. "It's a place where Hunters go to earn money by killing monsters that dwell inside them. Usually after you learn your first skill and work together with other new hunters to increase your level."
Suddenly, Thomas began to piece together the puzzle. It dawned on him that he had been transported to an alternate version of Earth, one similar to the worlds he read in novels only. Grateful for the man's explanation, he expressed his thanks and bid him farewell, needing time to process this extraordinary turn of events.
Thomas explored his surroundings. He found himself drawn to various shops that catered to the needs of these Hunters. Equipment, weapons, and even skill books lined the shelves, offering a glimpse at this alternative earth.
After spending some time exploring, Thomas couldn't resist the urge to inspect the mysterious tattoo once more. As his gaze fell upon the mark, it suddenly glowed, and a blue screen materialized before his eyes. The message indicated that he had a few more minutes before he was able to return to his own earth.
Taking advantage of the remaining time, Thomas stepped into a store that specialized in Skill Books. He approached the front desk, where a man named John, dressed in a suit, greeted him with a friendly smile.
"Can I help you find something?" John asked, his voice brimming with eagerness to assist.
Thomas, still grappling with the concept of being a Hunter in this alternate Earth, asked John to show him some skill books suitable for a novice Hunter. John happily obliged, explaining the intricacies of the Hunter profession. He emphasized that Hunters could only learn a maximum of five skills, making the selection of the first skill a crucial decision due to the high cost of replacing it.
After careful consideration, Thomas decided on purchasing two copies of a skill called Frost Orb. The prospect of mastering this power excited him, and he handed over two thousand dollars to John—one thousand for each copy.
Leaving the store, Thomas couldn't contain his anticipation. He yearned to return to his own world, armed with the newfound knowledge and skills he had acquired. As he touched the tattoo on the back of his hand, he selected "yes" on the floating screen, initiating his journey back home.
To his astonishment, as he arrived in his familiar surroundings, he discovered that the two copies of the skill book were still clutched in his hand. Overwhelmed with joy, he realized the potential value of the extra copy, envisioning the money he could earn by selling it to other Hunters.
With a wide grin adorning his face, Thomas settled into a chair, eager to open one of the books and absorb the knowledge it contained. As the information flowed seamlessly into his mind, he marveled at the possibilities that lay before him.
He parched his lips and said the words “Status”
