Kael Veyron's last memory of Earth was painfully ordinary, yet it ended in sudden chaos. A narrow street, slick with rain, neon lights flickering over puddles that reflected distorted signs, and a shadow lunging at him with a glinting knife. Pain. The metallic clash of steel against chest. And then—nothing.
At first, there was only emptiness. No floor beneath him, no walls around him, no sound. Even the faint, comforting hum of electricity from the city streets was gone. He didn't know if he existed. He didn't know if he was alive. Time had no meaning.
Then slowly, faint points of light appeared, like stars emerging from a dark canvas. They twinkled and stretched, twisting like molten glass. His chest tightened. His heartbeat, familiar and stubborn, pulsed in his ears. Am I dreaming?
"Hello?" His voice sounded small, swallowed by the vastness. "Is anyone there?"
A calm hum resonated around him, vibrating in his chest and resonating in his bones. It was neither threatening nor inviting—just… present. And then a shape formed before him: a holographic interface, shimmering with sharp blue light, floating in midair.
System Detected.
User: Kael Veyron
Status: Soul Transmigrated
Class: Novice Adventurer
Level: 1
Kael blinked. His pulse jumped. He took a cautious step forward, his legs feeling weightless yet firm at the same time. "What… is this?" he whispered.
A voice followed, calm, neutral, almost mechanical.
"Welcome, User. You have been selected for the Transcendent System. You are granted infinite progression across the galaxies. All abilities, classes, and companions are obtainable. Your journey begins now."
Kael's brow furrowed. Infinite progression? Companions? Classes? It sounded like a VR game he had wasted countless nights on back on Earth—but the energy crackling through his fingers said otherwise. It felt real.
He looked at his hands. Black gloves covered them, reinforced with metallic plating that followed the lines of his fingers like second skin. Sparks of blue electricity ran along his veins. This is… insane.
A sudden memory struck him—a collage of regrets, missed chances, unfinished conversations. Earth. Family. Friends. College life. Every petty argument he'd ever had, every "what if" he'd left unresolved, now felt like a distant weight, washed away by this new reality. He was… free.
"Okay…" he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. "If this is real… I get to start over?"
The System pulsed gently, almost like a heartbeat.
Correct. User. Your potential is infinite. Begin by surviving your first planet.
Kael swallowed. "Survive my first planet?" He tried to laugh. This is ridiculous… Yet, the voice had no hint of jest.
The void before him began to shift. Stars stretched into streaks of colors—blues, reds, and golds—forming a tunnel that pulled him forward. A portal appeared, shimmering like liquid light. On the other side, a barren planet waited: jagged cliffs rose into scarlet skies, winds whipped dust into miniature tornados, and the faint silhouette of movement appeared along the horizon.
"Hostiles detected," the System said. "Level 1 enemies: Mercenary Drones. Estimated combat difficulty: Easy."
Kael's stomach flipped. Easy? He had barely survived a mugger on Earth. Yet here he was, with electricity sparking along his palms, standing on the edge of an alien battlefield. Fear mixed with excitement, and he realized for the first time in years that he was… alive. Truly alive.
The drones dropped like predators from the sky. Metallic spheres, glowing red cores, whirring with a mechanical buzz. Kael's instincts screamed at him to run. He leaped back instinctively as the first sphere fired a plasma beam. Sparks danced across the ground where it had passed.
Okay… think, he muttered. His hands tingled with energy, pulsing in rhythm with his heart. Electricity surged from his fingers, crackling like a living thing. He thrust forward, unleashing a bolt that tore through the nearest drone. It exploded in a shower of sparks and metal fragments.
Level Up!
Skill Acquired: Lightning Surge
Quest Accepted: Survive Planet X-17
Kael's jaw dropped. "Did that just happen?" He laughed nervously, a raw, unrestrained sound. "I… I actually leveled up?"
Then a new presence appeared, moving through the swirling dust and red haze. A figure tall and imposing, red hair flowing like flames, eyes glowing with intense determination. She wore golden armor, and the spear she held hummed with energy.
"You there," she called, her voice sharp and melodic, cutting through the wind. "You killed my drones! Who are you?"
Kael froze. He hadn't expected anyone else. Ally? Enemy? His mind raced, trying to find some logical explanation.
"Me? Name's Kael," he said, trying to sound confident even as adrenaline coursed through him. "And you just became part of my first quest."
The woman's eyes narrowed, assessing him. Then she smirked. "I like your confidence, Earthling. I'm Lyra. Looks like I'm coming with you—for now."
The System chimed again.
Companion Acquired: Lyra – Warrior Princess
Harem Companion Detected. Loyalty system activated.
Current Loyalty: 50%
Stat Bonus: +10% Combat Efficiency
Kael's mind whirled. Harem system? Seriously? Yet underneath the absurdity, he felt a warmth—a reminder that even in a universe of infinite progression, companionship mattered. Survival mattered. Connection mattered.
He took a deep breath, letting the hot wind sting his lungs. "Alright, Lyra… let's survive this planet. Together."
The mercenary drones regrouped, circling with deadly precision. Lyra moved with lethal grace, spear slicing one drone, then another. Kael mirrored her movements instinctively, lightning dancing along his fists. Together, they were a rhythm, instinct matching instinct. By the time the crimson sun dipped behind the jagged cliffs, the last drone lay in smoldering pieces.
Kael sank to his knees, chest heaving, exhilarated and terrified in equal measure. Lyra, armor scratched, spear tip glowing faintly, looked at him with an almost amused expression.
"You've got potential," she said. "Not many survive Level 1."
Kael smiled weakly. "Thanks… I think."
Night fell over the planet, the sky stretching into a ribbon of stars. Galaxies twisted in impossible shapes, worlds beyond comprehension glimmered in the void. Kael felt something he hadn't in years—hope. Purpose. Possibility. Infinite progression was not just about power; it was about growth, about being challenged, about connection.
Lyra sat beside him, spear across her knees. The wind carried the scent of scorched earth and metal. "You're not bad, Earthling," she said quietly. "But don't get cocky. This is only Level 1."
Kael flexed his hands, electricity crackling along his fingers. "Level 1, huh? Then I can only get stronger." His voice carried conviction, tinged with excitement. "I intend to see how far this goes. Infinite progression, huh? Let's test that theory."
Lyra raised an eyebrow but didn't respond. That was enough of a nod for Kael. Somehow, it felt like approval.
For the next several hours, they worked together—Lyra teaching Kael how to read enemy patterns, how to anticipate drone movements, how to combine physical attacks with his newly acquired Lightning Surge. Kael's body ached, muscles protesting, but his mind raced with exhilaration. He realized survival wasn't just about strength; it was about adaptation, creativity, and teamwork.
By dawn, Kael was exhausted, sweat and dust streaked across his face, armor scratched and sparking faintly. Lyra sat across from him, drinking from a small canteen, silent. The horizon glowed with the first light of the planet's twin suns, revealing jagged landscapes stretching endlessly.
Kael gazed upward. He could see more planets, distant galaxies, and unknown dangers scattered across the infinite cosmos. The System pulsed in response to his awareness, whispering possibilities: classes to master, skills to unlock, companions to recruit. Each fight, each ally, each exploration was a step toward something… greater.
But he didn't care. Fear lingered, yes, but excitement and determination overshadowed it. He had been reborn, given a second chance. No universe—even one infinitely vast—would hold him back.
And somewhere deep inside, he knew one truth: this journey wouldn't just be about power. It would be about who he became along the way, and who chose to stand by him in a galaxy without limits.
Kael closed his eyes, letting the energy hum through him, feeling Lyra's steady presence beside him. He breathed deeply. He was alive. Truly alive.
The first chapter of Kael Veyron's new life had begun. Infinite progression awaited, stretching endlessly across the cosmos. And he—finally—was ready to take the first step.