《Traveler》 Chapter 1: The Weight of Burden Rumi stared blankly at the walls of her office cubicle, the fluorescent lights casting a stark sheen on her paperwork, blinding her dreams. She was thirty years old, teetering on the precipice of adulthood, yet often felt as if she were caught in an interminable loop of mundane tasks. A routine of early mornings, ungrateful younger siblings, and endless deadlines coiled tightly around her spirit, stifling the vibrant wanderlust that once defined her. Her siblings, eager for her support, seemed to treat her as a personal ATM¡ªher pockets perpetually lightened by their incessant demands. The moment she returned home from work, she was met with sighs of disappointment and pleas for favors. Rumi, playing the part of the dutiful sister, felt her identity dissolve under the weight of others¡¯ expectations. A sense of impending suffocation measured every tick of the clock on her desk, whispering promises of adventure, of far-off lands waiting to be explored, yet she remained rooted to her spot, shackled by obligation. Dreams of trekking through lush valleys in remote regions and savoring exotic cuisines danced in her mind, taunting her every waking moment. Instead, she and her cheap sneakers graced the same grocery store aisle every week. This ritual felt particularly heavy today as she pushed a shopping cart filled with the usual staples¡ªbread, milk, and a still premature assortment of vegetables that she hoped would be some small act of nourishment for her siblings, who paid them no mind. But today was different. As she crossed the street with a bulging tote bag, her arms laden with groceries and her heart heavy with fatigue, a soft rustle of clarity tickled her thoughts. She paused at the curb, her senses momentarily piqued. The sounds of the bustling city faded beneath the rhythmic thudding of her heartbeat, as though an internal drum was summoning her attention. ¡°Just keep moving,¡± she muttered, loathing the barrage of unstoppable responsibilities piling higher like the very bags in her grasp. Her feet finally moved, crossing into the unknown of the street, signaling the beginning of another moment in her coercive routine. Yet, something unfathomable stirred deep within her, igniting a long-stifled flicker of hope. Then, in an instant, it happened. A blaring horn interrupted her internal dialogue, a sudden urgency washed over her. Before she could process the oncoming vehicle, it struck her with an unsettling finality force, rending her body from the grip of the ground, pooling her consciousness into something unrecognizable. As she lay there, her groceries scattered like the fragments of her forgotten dreams¡ªa mix of loose change, glass jars, and mismatched eggs rolling aimlessly¡ªan unexpected shift enveloped her.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. A strange sense of relief coursed through her. ?Death was not a surrender; it was a release, cutting the strings that tethered her to this earthly existence.? Rumi¡¯s eyes drifted closed, the cacophony of the world around her fading into a serene hush. In the moments that followed, Rumi felt herself drift into a space devoid of attachment, her burdens disintegrating like smoke. She floated in a purgatory of warmth and light, unfamiliar yet startlingly comforting. The world of her siblings, of office deadlines and hurried commutes, faded into the background, leaving only the shimmering essence of her very soul. ¡°If I could just ride the winds of anywhere but here,¡± she mused, her thoughts forming whispers that tangled in the luminescence surrounding her. It was in this ethereal realm that snippets of memory washed over her like waves¡ªechoes of laughter under starry skies, the sweet smell of perfumed blossoms in foreign markets, and the exhilarating pulse of new adventures waiting just beyond the horizon. But there was another voice, a mechanical whisper cutting through her reverie, one that felt disconcertingly tangible¡ª"Request accepted." Rumi frowned through a cloud of confusion, unsure of whether it was a figment of her imagination or a portal to something beyond. ¡°Am I in a video game?¡± she wondered, the thought eliciting a bittersweet chuckle, as if her reality had slipped through digital cracks. The brilliance of the scene faded, and she found herself suspended between worlds, teetering on the brink of choices yet unseen. Her heart thudded with anticipation¡ªwhat would it be like to dash fearlessly among the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu or dive into the depths of the Great Barrier Reef? The world awaited her; she could almost taste the salt of the ocean, hear the rustle of palm trees swaying in welcoming breezes. Rumi let herself embrace this moment fully, feeling wisps of her former entrapments dissolve. ¡°I hope this is not the end,¡± she thought, ready despite the uncertainty. ¡°If there¡¯s another life, please let me roam everywhere I¡¯ve ever dreamed.¡± As embodiment of her desire washed over her, Rumi closed her eyes for perhaps the last time, willingly surrendering to whatever fate awaited her. She envisioned herself traversing deserts, tasting the spice of Morocco, and listening to the prayers sung by soulful voices in the streets of Istanbul. If there was indeed something beyond, she longed to remain unburdened. With an exhilarating rush of anticipation, she felt her essence fracture outwards¡ªspirits bursting forth into the universe, free from worldly chains. ¡°Let me go,¡± she breathed, and in that simple utterance, she found freedom. The next adventure awaited as the profundity of the unknown beckoned her with open arms, willing her to explore the vast realms of existence. Chapter 2 : First destination Atheria Rumi found herself suspended in a void of absolute blackness. Not the comforting darkness of a moonless night, but a suffocating emptiness that pressed against her from all sides. Panic clawed at her throat, a cold dread seeping into her bones. Where was she? What had happened? The memories of the accident, the blinding light, the disembodied voice¡­ were they real? Or a fever dream conjured up by a dying mind? Suddenly, a voice, mechanical and devoid of emotion, shattered the silence.
Player Level 1
Class World Jumper
Current Skills Portal
Rumi blinked, disoriented. "Class identified? World Jumper?" she muttered, feeling like she was in some bizarre, low-budget sci-fi movie.
Skill (Portal) Progress Pending
Before she could even process the information, a swirling vortex of colors erupted in front of her. It shimmered and pulsed, drawing her towards its mesmerizing depths. Fear battled with an exhilarating sense of possibility. Was this real? Was she actually¡­ jumping worlds? With a gasp, she willed herself forward, plunging into the swirling vortex. The colors exploded around her, a kaleidoscope of sensations assaulting her senses. Then, just as suddenly, it ceased. Rumi opened her eyes, gasping for breath. She was no longer in the suffocating void. Instead, she was surrounded by a symphony of vibrant greens. Towering trees, draped in emerald vines, reached towards a sky painted with hues of turquoise and amethyst. The air was thick with the scent of exotic flowers and damp earth. A waterfall cascaded down a rocky cliff face, its roar echoing through the dense jungle. Disbelief washed over her. This couldn''t be real. It was too beautiful, too¡­ otherworldly. But there it was, undeniable proof of her impossible reality: a vibrant, alien world unfolding before her eyes. The mechanical voice, a constant hum in the background, chimed in again. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
Welcome, World Jumper, to your first destination: Atheria
Atheria. The name rolled off her tongue, strange and unfamiliar. Rumi, still reeling from the shock of it all, took a hesitant step forward. This was it. Her new life had begun. And it was just the beginning of an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. The initial thrill of Atheria quickly faded as Rumi ventured deeper into the emerald jungle. The beauty, while breathtaking, was also unnerving. The air, heavy with humidity, hung thick and still. Sunlight, filtered through the canopy, cast long, eerie shadows that danced and writhed like grotesque puppets. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, sent a jolt of fear through her. She longed for the familiar comfort of her old life, the mundane routine, the predictable chaos of city living. Here, in this alien world, she was utterly alone, a fragile human adrift in a sea of the unknown. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the jungle in long, ominous shadows, Rumi stumbled upon a small clearing. Exhausted and disoriented, she decided to make camp for the night. Gathering fallen branches, she quickly constructed a small fire. The flickering flames offered a meager source of warmth and a flickering beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness. Suddenly, a guttural growl echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down her spine. Two figures emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming in the firelight. They were grotesque creatures, tall and gaunt, with skin like mottled bark and eyes that burned with an unnatural green fire. Their limbs were long and spindly, ending in sharp, clawed hands. Panic seized Rumi. She scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her chest. The creatures let out a high-pitched shriek and lunged. Rumi, fueled by adrenaline, reacted instinctively. She grabbed a burning branch from the fire and swung it wildly, the flames licking at the air. One of the creatures shrieked, recoiling from the burning wood. The other, however, was not so easily deterred. It lunged again, its claws raking across Rumi''s arm. Pain exploded through her, but she refused to give in. With a desperate heave, she hurled the burning branch. It struck the creature squarely in the face, sending it screeching back into the darkness. Taking advantage of the distraction, Rumi turned and fled, her heart pounding in her chest. She ran blindly through the undergrowth, branches whipping at her face, thorns tearing at her clothes. She didn''t stop until she was far from the clearing, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Collapsing onto the forest floor, she nursed her wounds, the fear of the encounter still fresh in her mind. But as she lay there, listening to the symphony of night sounds, a strange sense of calm descended upon her. The encounter, terrifying as it was, had awakened something within her ¨C a raw, primal instinct for survival. She had faced death and emerged victorious, however narrowly. And in that moment, she realized that this world, despite its dangers, held a profound beauty. The vibrant colors, the intoxicating scents, the raw power of nature ¨C it was all breathtakingly awe-inspiring. Atheria, she understood, was not just a place of danger, but also of wonder. It was a world that would test her limits, push her beyond her comfort zone, and ultimately, force her to grow. And she, Rumi, the reluctant World Jumper, was ready to embrace the challenge. The mechanical voice, a constant hum in the background, chimed in,
Congratulations, World Jumper. You have successfully overcome your first challenge.
Rumi, despite her exhaustion and fear, couldn''t help but smile. This was just the beginning. Chapter 3: The Whispering Woods and the Ash Village Rumi, emboldened by her survival, pushed deeper into the jungle. The initial fear had subsided, replaced by a cautious curiosity. She learned to navigate the treacherous terrain, identifying edible plants and hunting small game with increasing skill. One day, while tracking a deer, she stumbled upon a clearing unlike any she had seen before. Instead of the dense foliage, a small village nestled amidst rolling hills. Simple stone houses, thatched roofs, and vibrant flower gardens dotted the landscape. Children chased butterflies, their laughter echoing through the air. Rumi approached the village cautiously. A group of villagers, working in a nearby field, paused to observe her with wary eyes. A young woman, her skin tanned by the sun, approached Rumi, her brow furrowed. They exchanged a few hesitant words, but Rumi quickly realized she didn''t understand a single syllable. The woman, sensing her confusion, gestured towards the field and then towards herself, indicating she should help. Rumi, eager to make amends for her intrusion, nodded and joined the villagers in the field. The work was arduous ¨C harvesting crops, weeding the soil, and carrying heavy baskets of produce. But as the day wore on, the villagers, initially wary, began to smile. They shared simple meals of roasted vegetables and fresh fruit, their laughter warming the cool evening air. Rumi, despite the language barrier, felt a sense of belonging she hadn''t experienced since leaving her old life. The villagers, though different from her in every way, were kind and welcoming. She learned to communicate through gestures, smiles, and shared effort. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a deep silence descended upon the village. The laughter and chatter that had filled the air earlier had vanished, replaced by an eerie quiet. Rumi noticed that the villagers, usually so vibrant, were withdrawn, their eyes filled with a deep sadness. The next morning, she ventured out of the village to explore. As she walked through the fields, she noticed something disturbing. The once vibrant crops were withered and brown, the leaves brittle and lifeless. Fruit trees, laden with ripe fruit just days before, now stood barren, their branches twisted and gnarled. Returning to the village, she saw fear etched on the faces of the villagers. They pointed towards the surrounding woods, their eyes wide with terror. Rumi, despite her fear, ventured into the woods, determined to find the cause of the blight. Deep within the woods, she stumbled upon a scene that chilled her to the bone. A small clearing, once filled with wildflowers, was now desecrated. The ground was scorched, and the air hung heavy with the smell of smoke. The remains of a bonfire, still smoldering, lay at the center, surrounded by charred wood and the skeletal remains of small animals. As Rumi cautiously approached, she noticed strange symbols carved into the trees surrounding the clearing ¨C symbols that seemed to writhe and writhe, filled with a malevolent energy. A chilling realization dawned on her. The village, once vibrant and full of life, had been cursed. The villagers, terrified of the unknown, had likely been branded as witches by outsiders. The blight, the destruction of their crops, was a cruel act based on fear. After finding this out Rumi went back to the village sickened by the screaming she ran as fast as she could.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it The sight that met Rumi''s eyes was horrific. The village, once a vibrant tapestry of life, was now a smoldering ruin. Smoke curled lazily into the morning sky, the air thick with the stench of ash and burning wood. The silence was deafening, broken only by the mournful cries of a lone bird. Rumi, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and rage, cautiously approached the village. The bodies of men, women, and children lay scattered amongst the wreckage, their skin blackened and blistered. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and the faint, metallic tang of blood. Terror, cold and paralyzing, gripped Rumi. These were not the work of wild animals; this was the act of man, a deliberate, brutal act of violence. The villagers, who had welcomed her with open arms, were gone, extinguished like candles in a sudden, violent gust of wind. Rumi, remembering the chilling silence that had descended upon the village the night before, realized with a sickening certainty that the villagers had known their fate. They had been hunted, trapped like animals, and then systematically destroyed. Fear, raw and primal, surged through her. If this could happen to the villagers, it could happen to her. She was alone, a stranger in a hostile world, vulnerable and exposed. Driven by a desperate need to escape, Rumi fled the scene of the massacre. She moved through the woods with a newfound urgency, her senses heightened, every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig sending a jolt of fear through her. She dared not light a fire, fearing that the smoke would attract unwanted attention. Days turned into nights, and Rumi pushed herself relentlessly, driven by the fear that pursuers were close behind. She survived on berries and the occasional small animal she managed to hunt. The beauty of Atheria, once a source of wonder, now seemed to mock her. The vibrant colors, the lush greenery, all seemed to whisper of the horrors she had witnessed. The encounter had shattered her perception of this world. The idyllic village, the welcoming villagers, had been an illusion, a fragile veneer masking a dark, insidious undercurrent of violence and hatred. The world, she realized, was not a place of simple wonder; it was a place of both beauty and brutality, a place where innocence could be extinguished in an instant. Rumi, the reluctant World Jumper, had been thrust into a world far more complex, far more dangerous, than she had ever imagined. And the journey, once filled with excitement and anticipation, now seemed fraught with peril. Rumi, her spirit wounded but unbroken, vowed to survive. She would honor the memory of the lost villagers by continuing her journey. Thus, Rumi, the World Jumper, continued her journey, her heart heavy with grief, but her spirit unbroken. This world had shown her its darkness, but it had also shown her the strength of the human spirit, the resilience of the human heart. In that resilience, she found a renewed sense of purpose, a renewed hope for the future.
Skill (Portal) Progress Pending
"Again?" Rumi said out loud remembering her first time traveling to Atheria. She waited with excitement ready to explore the next world a swirling vortex of colors erupted in front of her. It shimmered and pulsed, drawing her towards its mesmerizing and now somewhat familiar depths. Rumi jumped forward, plunging into the swirling vortex. Chapter 4: Shadows of Xylos The crimson sun, a malevolent eye in the alien sky, dipped below the horizon, painting the desert sands in hues of blood orange and bruised purple. Rumi, huddled beneath the meager shade of a thorny acacia tree, shivered. Xylos, unlike the lush Atheria, was a world of extremes. Days were scorching furnaces, nights bone-chilling deserts. The mechanical voice, her ever-present companion, broke the silence.
Player Level 2
Class World Jumper Level 2
Skills Portal. Transformation (unlocked)
This new skill that seemed to not be activated on its own like (portal) Rumi though about how to activate it she remembered in animes she watched as a kid that the system activates by saying what you want to be shown or done. Rumi trying this said as a test "status".
Username ___________
Race None
Class World Jumper Level 2
Level 2
Skills
Portal
Description: Opens portals to any world. Current Available Locations: ( Atheria) (Xylos)
Transformation
Description: Able to transform into one of the top sapient species of that world. Current Available Transformations: (High Stormzen)
Curious about this Transformation Rumi said "High Stormzen" The moment the word escaped her lips, a jolt, like static electricity, surged through her. Her vision blurred, the world around her shimmering and distorting. A searing pain erupted behind her eyes, as if they were being pierced by a thousand needles. She gasped, clutching her head, the world momentarily a blinding white. Then, as abruptly as it began, the pain subsided. Her vision cleared, but the world looked different. Colors seemed more vibrant, sharper her vision seemingly changing at will then she was able to see her own face but it looked different. And her eyes¡­ they were different. Gone was the familiar brown. In their place, a pale, almost ethereal blue shimmered, radiating an inner light.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. A tingling sensation spread through her limbs, a newfound power surging within her. The mechanical voice, usually a calm and detached observer, crackled with excitement.
Skills
Portal (Level 2)
Transformation
(New) Lightning (Race Perk)
Rumi, mesmerized by the change in her eyes and power, felt a surge of raw energy, a connection to something primal, something¡­ partly divine. She had a feeling this was just a glimpse into the power that resided within her. She had spent the last few days navigating the treacherous dunes, the scorching sun beating down on her, dehydration gnawing at her throat. The lizardmen, their reptilian eyes gleaming in the twilight, had become a constant threat. They hunted in packs, their movements silent and deadly. Rumi, her skin cracked and blistered, her throat parched, stumbled upon a crumbling ruin. It was a temple, she realized, its walls adorned with strange, hieroglyphic symbols. A sense of foreboding washed over her. This was no ordinary ruin. It pulsed with an eerie energy, that seemed to seep from the very stones. Hesitantly, she stepped inside. The air inside was thick with dust and the scent of decay. Dust motes danced in the slivers of light filtering through the shattered windows. As she ventured deeper, the air grew colder, the silence more profound. Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the chambers. Rumi''s heart leaped into her throat. She whirled around, her hand instinctively reaching for the crude dagger she had fashioned from a bone. Two figures emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing with an eerie green light. They were unlike any lizardmen she had encountered before. Taller, more muscular, their scales shimmering with an iridescent sheen. They wore ornate armor, crafted from the bones of long-dead creatures. One of them, larger than the other, stepped forward, its voice a low, guttural hiss. "Intruders¡­ are not welcome." Rumi, her voice trembling, replied, "I¡­ I mean no harm. I''m just passing through." The creature let out a chilling laugh, a sound like dry leaves skittering across stone. "Passing through? Here? I do not like liars" The larger creature raised a clawed hand, a signal to its companion. Rumi knew she was outmatched. These were no ordinary lizardmen. These were warriors, hardened by years of combat, their eyes burning with a savage hunger. She prepared to fight, her mind racing. The larger creature lunged, its claws raking across the air. Rumi, agile despite her exhaustion, dodged the attack, her mind a whirlwind of desperate calculations. She had to find a way to escape, to survive another night on this unforgiving planet. The battle raged, a desperate dance of death in the shadows of the ancient temple. Rumi, fueled by adrenaline and a fierce will to survive, fought back with a ferocity that surprised even herself. She used the crumbling ruins to her advantage, her movements swift and unpredictable. Finally, an opportunity presented itself. As the larger creature lunged again, Rumi sidestepped, her dagger flashing. She aimed for its exposed throat, sinking the blade deep. The creature let out a guttural roar, its eyes widening in disbelief. It stumbled back, its grip weakening. Seizing the moment, Rumi turned and fled, disappearing into the swirling dust, the echoes of the battle fading behind her. She had survived. But the encounter had left her shaken. Xylos, she realized, was a world of constant struggle, a place where weakness was punished swiftly and mercilessly. As she fled into the desert night, the mechanical voice chimed in,
Player Level 3
Skill Portal. Transformation. Lightning
Rumi, her body aching, her heart pounding, knew this was just the beginning. The journey had only just begun, and Xylos, with its unforgiving beauty and deadly inhabitants, was far from finished with her.