NABC Chapter 0-1 Before Zero
Chapter 0-1 Before Zero
“Damn, today is hot,” Shad muttered.
The sun beat down relentlessly on a blistering afternoon, as Shad walked alongside his girlfriend, Sandra.
It was a special day for them—they just had their first date—and despite the heat, Shad couldn't help but smile as they chatted about everything and nothing.
But then, something broke his rhythm. A strange voice, barely audible but oddly piercing, echoed behind him.
“Sh...A...d... Come... her...e...”
The words seemed to float in the air, weak yet demanding, like a whisper from a faraway place. Shad paused mid-step, glancing over his shoulder, confused.
“Uh, Shad? What’s wrong?” Sandra asked, her voice filled with concern.
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“Sweetheart, did you hear that?” he asked, still scanning the empty street behind them.
“Hear what? Everything okay?” Sandra asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.
“Nothing... I must’ve misheard, or I was just a little lost in thought,” he said, his tone dismissive, but a knot began to form in his stomach.
As if on cue, the sky began to darken, the air growing thick with an impending storm.
“Huh, it’s getting dark quickly,” Sandra remarked.
Before Shad could say anything, the sky cracked open, and rain began to pour down in sheets.
“What the hell? What’s with the weather today?” Sandra grumbled, her hand reaching for her bag.
She paused mid-motion. “I forgot my umbrella... can I borrow yours?”
Shad patted his backpack. “I forgot mine too...”
Sandra groaned. “Forget it. Let’s just get home. You coming?”
“Well... my place is in the other direction. See you tomorrow?” Shad said, smiling before waving his goodbyes.
As he turned to head in the opposite direction, he heard the voice again—louder this time.
“Shad... Here...”
The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Something wasn’t right. He couldn’t ignore it. He had to see what was calling him.
Without a second thought, Shad turned around and headed toward the alley.
***
To his surprise, the rain stopped as soon as he entered. The sun, impossibly bright, illuminated the scene as though the storm had never existed. The ground beneath his feet was dry, the air almost unnaturally still.
The alley ended in a wide clearing, the grass shimmering in a vibrant emerald hue that didn’t seem real.
“Now, here’s your first task. Tap the card.”
A small, glowing green card materialized, floating in front of him. Hesitant, Shad reached out and gave it a tap.
[ Initializing... [Backup] in progress... ]
[ Done. ]
The card shimmered, transforming into a bright orange, with “ShadowClaw” engraved in golden letters and “Backup #01” beneath it.
“What... is this?” Shad asked.
“[Backup],” Zanthea explained,
“when you die, this card will bring you back. It’s the system’s way of making sure you get another chance. But beware: Such blessing never comes without a cost.”
Shad’s confusion deepened. “What does that mean for me? How does this even work?”
“Well,” Zanthea continued, “you’ll figure it out as you go. But for now, you’ll need this.”
A jade-green crystal appeared in front of Shad. It was cold to the touch and seemed to hum with energy.
“This is called an [Information Crystal], crush it in your palm, and let wisdom and knowledge fill your mind.” Zanthea instructed.
Shad squeezed it with his hand. The crystal shattered into a thousand glowing dots, and a rush of knowledge flooded his mind—details about Eternite, about its purpose, about the world that needed saving. It felt like a prank, a detailed one, but it wasn’t. He wasn’t sure how, but he knew this was real.
“Convenient, right?” Zanthea said, her voice almost playful. “Now, listen carefully. The planet Cosmat is under threat, and it's counting on you......”
Before Shad could ask anything else, everything around him burst into a million swirling colors, and then, darkness.
***
[The green crystal, The system's guide]
Young adventurers, you've answered the call of [Eternite].
That means a part of the world is in danger, and requires the power of adventurous souls like you to save the worlds from destruction.
You're the chosen ones.
But right now, you will receive a few gifts,
[Heaven's Tongue] will help you communicate,
and [Stats] will help you gain the power to defeat the evil.
*[Heaven's tongue]*
It makes you communicate with other people, no matter what language your speaking, whether english, cosmatish, zombieish, or the old language used by the dragonkin, you will have no ploblem understing them.
*[Stats]*
You are not alone.
The adventurers of Eternite can level up, and gain stats and skills, to help you become stronger.
To learn your stats, simply say stats.
To learn your skills, say skills instead.
***