MTLNOVEL Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Awakening in the Wild
[System Booting…]
[Initializing Nexus Protocol… Complete.]
[Welcome, User: Erik Lawson.]
Erik's eyes shot open.
The first thing he noticed was the sky—an expanse of deep blue stretching infinitely above, with streaks of crimson and gold from a setting sun bleeding into the horizon. But this wasn't the sky he knew. It felt… too vivid, too crisp, as if every cloud had been hand-painted with impossible detail. The scents of damp earth and wildflowers filled his lungs, mixed with something metallic—blood?
Pain hit him next. A searing pulse radiated from his left side, sharp and unforgiving. His mind raced, fragments of memory flashing in disjointed pieces: the roaring crowd at the tournament, the flickering screen as he claimed victory, then—darkness. A sudden jolt. Cold.
Am I dead?
"Not quite."
The voice wasn't external. It echoed inside his skull, mechanical and emotionless.
[System Activated.]
A translucent screen flickered into existence before his eyes, floating in midair like some kind of augmented reality HUD. Lines of data scrolled rapidly.
• Name: Erik Lawson
• Species: Human
• Status: Critical Condition
• Level: 1
• Skills: None
• Abilities: None
What the hell?
A low growl snapped him out of his daze. Turning his head—despite the screaming protest from his injuries—Erik froze.
A creature stalked out from the tall grass. It wasn't just any creature.
It was a Mightyena.
But unlike the sleek, almost cartoonish version he knew from the games, this beast was massive. Its fur bristled like jagged shards of obsidian, muscles rippling beneath the coarse coat. Blood stained its snout, dripping onto razor-sharp fangs.
This isn't the Pokémon world I know.
The Mightyena's yellow eyes locked onto him—a predator recognizing its prey.
Instinct took over. Erik tried to scramble backward, but his body was weak, sluggish. His hand brushed against something cold and metallic in the grass.
A Pokéball.
Without thinking, he grabbed it and flung it forward with all the strength he could muster.
A burst of white light erupted, and from it emerged a Pokémon—one he didn't recognize immediately. It stood on two legs, small but fierce, with sharp claws and determined eyes.
"Riolu!"
The Riolu didn't wait for commands. It charged, fist glowing with a faint aura, landing a solid hit against the Mightyena's snout. The beast recoiled, snarling in fury.
Wait. I don't know how to battle like this.
But the Nexus System wasn't going to wait for him to catch up.
[Battle Detected.]
[Tutorial Mode: Engaged.]
New windows flashed before Erik's eyes:
• Riolu (Level 5)
• HP: 23/30
• Status: Healthy
• Skills: Quick Attack, Counter, Endure
• Wild Mightyena (Level 12)
• HP: 76/100
• Status: Enraged
• Abilities: Intimidate (Active)
Okay, okay. Think!
The games were turn-based. This wasn't.
"Riolu, dodge left and use Quick Attack on its legs!"
To his surprise, Riolu responded instantly. It dashed to the side, faster than Erik's eyes could follow, delivering a sharp strike to the Mightyena's front leg. The beast stumbled, its momentum breaking just long enough for Riolu to reposition.
It listens. It works.
But this wasn't over.
The Mightyena lunged, jaws wide, going straight for Riolu's throat. Erik's heart stopped.
"Counter!"
Riolu took the hit, wincing as fangs sank into its shoulder—but then, with a surge of energy, it retaliated. The force of the counterattack sent the Mightyena sprawling back, blood spraying from its maw.
The system chimed again.
[Critical Hit!]
[Wild Mightyena: Severely Injured.]
The beast tried to rise, but its legs buckled beneath it. With a final, low growl, it limped into the tall grass, disappearing into the shadows.
Silence.
Erik collapsed backward, gasping for air. Riolu staggered over, its small body trembling from exertion, before collapsing beside him.
For a long moment, Erik just stared at the sky.
What is this place?
[System Message: Welcome to the Nexus Realm.]
[Survival Mode: Active.]
End of Chapter 1