Light was the only thing Zane could see for a while after he step through the gate. He remained in a weightless state surrounded by light for a few minutes. Eventually, the light faded, and Zane found himself in a barren region littered with hills and mountains.

Excited to be in a new world, Zane smiled and took a deep breath right before he fell to the ground. Zane felt like all the energy in his body was stolen from him and someone forced a heavy weight on his shoulders. Kneeling on the ground Zane struggled to breathe as he tried to make sense of what was happening. Suddenly, he received several system messages.

You have arrived at the Kaleem world. You are currently experiencing the world’s suppression.

World Suppression

Deboff: 25% decrease to all stats

Time limit: Unknown

This world has a lower quality of mana. You are currently experiencing mana deficiency.

Mana Deficiency

Debuff: 50% decrease to recovery. 50% decrease to all mana related actions. 10% decrease to stats and all other abilities.

Time limit: Unknown

Your source is currently adapting to a new world and cannot be accessed.

Source Locked

Debuff: Unable to use your source and other source related abilities.

Time limit: 23:59:45

“Right, mana deficiency,” Zane wheezed out.

Zane was happy to say that he was very unfamiliar with mana deficiency. He experienced it twice when he was younger, and it only lasted for a few minutes. Both times reduced his abilities far more than his current mana deficiency did and both times left Zane feeling terrible.

Getting of his knees Zane took a seat and entered meditation. Recalling his previous two experience with mana deficiency Zane began taking slow deep breaths. Adjusting to the changes to the mana in his surroundings started with his breath.

Usually, humans from Zane’s world took in a large amount with every breath. Unconsciously, they let mana flow through their bodies at all times. However, there were a few areas in the world where very little mana was present. A lack of mana meant it was harder for people to function in a normal manner.

The training Zane received helped him to adapt to the changes a lack of mana caused to his body. He took deep breaths to let his body slowly adjust to the current amount of mana flowing into him from his surroundings. Then, he began to focus on the mana that he contained within himself. He circled his mana throughout his body, so his body would rely on his internal mana more than external mana.

It took a few minutes for Zane to adjust. Once he did, he took a second look at the mana deficiency debuff. The time limit was still unknown, but the debuff only decreased his recovery by fifty percent. The other effects of the debuff were gone.

Next, Zane focused on his source. There was nothing he could do. Although he could slightly manipulate his source, he wasn’t able to use it effectively. After all, he still lacked the ability to control his aura or his spirit. Since he couldn’t change the situation with his source, he decided to look at his other messages.

Congratulations! You have received the Traveler title.

Title: Traveler

You have traveled great distances

Improved sense of direction

Congratulations! Your Chosen Adventurer title has been Upgraded.

Title: Chosen Adventurer

The system has sent out a call asking you to go into the unknown and you have answered. The system sees you as its chosen and recognizes your adventurous spirit.

Stats increased by 5%, communicate and understand all languages recognized by the system, upgrade your class from any location, can grant other people the adventurer title

You have received the Gifting the System quest.

Quest: Gifting the System

Description: The system seeks to expand and help those that accept it grow. Find people willing to enter the system and grow along their chosen path.

Quest Object: Grant ten people the adventurer title. Give basic guidance about the system to each person.

Quest Reward: 200 class points and gain one level

Quest Failure: Failure to grant the adventurer title to ten people within thirty-six days.

Quest Failure Penalty: Lose one level

Would you like to accept this quest? Yes or No

“Well, this is unexpected.”

Before Zane came to the Kaleem world, he was given very little information about the world. Zane didn’t even have a guaranteed way to return home. The Messenger only said the system would provide them quest that would guide them home. Looking at the system quest Zane knew it was the first of many quests that would guide him home, but Zane did feel a little confused.

Zane didn’t understand why the system would give him the Gifting the System quest. The system should have the power to connect with anyone it wanted. After all, it recently granted its power to people from three different worlds.

Nothing made sense, so Zane decided to stop thinking about it. For now, he would focus on exploring the new world and completing the quest. Maybe he would be able to receive an explanation in the future.

“Hey, you! Stay right there.”

As Zane was getting to his feet, he heard a man shout from the distance. Looking up he saw a group of men charging in his direction. The wore a mixture of dark leather and copper armor. They were all fair skinned with dark hair and they were armed with swords. Sensing their hostility Zane took out his own sword and used Identify while he waited for them to approach.

Human Tier 1

The group of men stopped a few meters away from Zane. The group had seven men in it and all of them were at the first tier. The men spread out into a semicircle to surround Zane. All of them were hostile and looked at Zane like he was prey.

Looking at the men surrounding him, Zane couldn’t stop himself from frowning. He wasn’t intimidated or bothered by their hostile gazes. However, Zane was confused by how weak the men were.

The presence they emitted was weak. The quantity of mana he sensed in their bodies was insignificant. The source field that surrounded most of the men weren’t worthy of being called flawed. Only one person had a source field that could barely be considered flawed.

“That light should have come from here, right? Hand over the treasure you found!”

“What treasure?” At first Zane was genuinely confused, but he realized what one of the men were talking about the moment he spoke.

“Don’t try to act smart brat?”

“We’ll give you one more chance. Hand over the treasure you found or else.”

“There really isn’t a treasure,” Zane told them. “I suggest that you all calm down and-”

One of the men standing to Zane’s left charged forward with his sword. The man was slow and the attacked he used was unable to threaten Zane’s life. Despite the lack of threat Zane didn’t let his guard down.

Skill: Parry

Level: 26, 62%

Tier: 1

Effect: A chance to parry magical and physical attacks as long as the damage of the attack doesn’t exceed the defense of the skill. Defense 130 + Str + Dex

Special effect: Disarm

Cost: 60 stamina

Activating the Parry skill, Zane sent the man’s sword flying into the air with the special effect. Zane swung his sword at the man’s neck and sent his head into the air as well. Zane calmly observed the remaining six men standing in stunned silence.

“As I was saying before, all of you should calm down. I don’t have any treasure. The light you saw came from a teleportation I recently completed.”

“Teleportation?” One of the men said. “You came from another world?”

Zane was surprised by the man’s accurate question. “How did you know?”

Gone was the shock in the six men’s eyes. What remained was greed. The six men’s bodies were vibrating in excitement.

“This is much better than some random treasure.”

“Looks like today is our lucky day.”

“Stay sharp. He might be weakened from the teleportation, but he is still able to put up a fight.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure that last attack used up all of his energy.”

“Let’s finish the fight fast. More people might be coming.”

Zane was dumbfounded by the conversation the six men were having. It sounded like they thought he was some kind of treasure. Zane wondered how they knew he came from another world and how they knew he would be weakened. Multiple questions appeared in Zane’s mind, but he discarded all of them. One of the men said more people might be coming and he wanted to finish the battle quickly.

“Don’t hold anything back. We need to-”

Taking out his magic wand Zane casted two Lightning bolt spells at the two men closest to his left. The two men were sent flying back while the remaining four men were left stunned by Zane’s use of magic. They stood still while Zane casted two more spells.

After another two men were sent flying back the final remaining two men began to react. They charged at Zane, but they were two slow. Zane casted two more Lightning bolts and the final two men were sent crashing to the ground.

Weapon Steps. Zane quickly moved toward the fallen men and slashed at their legs. The lightning bolt left them in a stunned state and Zane encountered no resistance. Once Zane was sure each man had lost at least one leg he began asking them questions.

“Poor ability to react, a lack of defensive skills, and insignificant attack power. Why are you all so weak?”