The morning sun filtered through a dusty window, casting faint rays across the messy bedroom. Empty snack wrappers littered the floor, a pair of cracked headphones hung loosely from the edge of a desk, and a phone alarm buzzed uselessly under a crumpled pillow.
Luka groaned, dragging himself out of bed. Same dull headache.
He blinked at the ceiling, sighed, and muttered to no one, "Another day, another chance." while scratching his belly under his shirt.
Stumbling to the bathroom, he splashed water on his face, then grabbed his toothbrush with half-lidded eyes. As he brushed, he stared blankly at his reflection.
Then his reflection blinked first.
Luka froze.
His body stiffened as the mirror shimmered — not warped, not fogged — but lit. Golden, digital text began to form midair, hovering in front of him like a hologram from a sci-fi movie:
[The Gambling System has selected you.] Would you like to wager your previous life for a chance at a new one? Success: You are transported to a new world with access to the Gambling System. Failure: Permanent death.
Accept Gamble? [YES] / [NO]
He stared at the words, toothbrush halfway out of his mouth.
"The hell...?" he mumbled, voice dry.
The message didn't move. Time felt paused — the faucet still ran, but its sound was distant. Luka just stared, eyes narrowing with confusion. No blinking lights. No glitch. Just words hovering in front of him.
"...Wager my life?" he repeated. "So I either die or... access to some system?"
The golden text pulsed faintly.
He hesitated. Then scoffed. "Lowkey, my life is so boring, i got nothing to lose anyway"
With the toothbrush still hanging from his mouth, he reached forward and tapped the glowing [YES].
Instantly, the world shattered.
No sound. No pain. Just a flicker — like someone turned off the lights behind his eyes.
He gasped as he hit the dirt hard.
Trees towered above him. Sunlight pierced the thick canopy, warming patches of moss and leaves. The air smelled sharp and green — the way games and fantasy books always tried to describe forests. It wasn't Earth. He was in another world.
He sat up quickly, heart pounding.
"What the hell was that? Did I... die?"
[Success.] No you dumbass, your life has been successfully wagered. Your new life has been granted. Welcome to the world of Pelenzia. The gambling System installed. You are now a Level 1: "Rookie Gambler." You gain power based on what you're willing to wager.
A new screen slid into view:
HP: 100/100
Level: 1
Stat Points: 0
Luck: 1 (Fixed)
"...I'm in a game, i think?" he whispered, standing up shakily. "Or something like it." groaning as he extended his arms stretching.
His heart raced — not in fear, but in something dangerously close to excitement. He had nothing in his old world. No friends. No purpose. If this was a game or fantasy realm he couldn't stop thinking of all the possibilities.
He dusted himself off and started walking, eyes alert, mouth dry.
Branches snapped underfoot. Birds he couldn't name chirped above. For twenty minutes, he walked with no real direction until something made him freeze.
"How much bigger is this stupid forest..."
A green-skinned creature barely four feet tall stood ahead, snarling. It had jagged teeth, tiny black eyes, and a rusted knife clutched in one hand. A goblin — exactly like the ones from RPGs.
It shrieked and charged him without hesitation.
"Shit a ugly goblin—!"
Luka turned to run, but tripped over a root. The goblin was on him in seconds, blade slashing. Pain exploded in his shoulder as the knife tore through fabric and flesh. He screamed, swinging wildly.
[Warning: HP 65 → 40 → 29]
[Emergency Situation Detected.]
New Gamble Unlocked: "Death or Dismemberment." Do you wish to gamble for the Goblin to die?
90% Chance: Lose Right Arm. 10% Chance: Goblin Instantly Dies.
Proceed with Gamble? [YES] / [NO]
Blood poured from his arm as he screamed, one hand trying to push the goblin off.
"I—What the fuck kind of choice is this?!"
[Time Slowed for Decision-Making]
Everything stilled. The goblin froze mid-snarl. His own ragged breath seemed delayed.
Lose his right arm… or kill the goblin?
And only a 10% chance to win.
He trembled. This wasn't a game. It was real. He could feel the warmth of blood, the pain screaming through his nerves.
But he remembered what the System had said earlier: "You gain power based on what you're willing to wager."
His teeth clenched.
"Do it," he growled. "Yes — take the gamble!"
[Rolling Dice…]
A golden roulette wheel spun before his eyes. Dozens of glyphs passed, blurred and glowing.
His heart pounded.
It slowed.
Tick.
Tick.
Clink.
[SUCCESS: 10% Outcome Achieved.] Goblin Terminated. You retain all limbs.
[Level Up!] You are now Level 2. HP Restored. New Skill Unlocked: "Chance Surge (Passive)" – Gain 1% luck per life-riskinggamble.
The goblin exploded into ash mid-slash. Luka collapsed backward, with his wounds healing and chest heaving.
He lay there staring up through the trees, heart hammering.
He could've died.
Instead…
He grinned.
"This system's insane."
He didn't know what this world was yet, or how far it went — but one thing was certain,
He was all in now.