My name is Simon, and I'm 21 years old.

I'm a student, like the type you can find everywhere, averages marks, and a job with minimal payment to pay my expenses.

I live with my family, a father, a mother, and a little sister, until I finished my career and then make myself independent like anyone.

I'm the kind of person that can go unnoticed, the definition of normal, have friends like everybody, but still, I was unnoticed between the crowd.

I lived my life according to my code, if I dislike something, I say it clearly, without being a hypocrite.

I don't turn my gaze or become ignorant to what I see before me, because I can't tolerate the cruelty of this world, I despise it from the core of my heart.

But there are things that I like, things created by people through history, like fast vehicles, and the entertainment systems.

And there's something I consider the best creation of the humanity, the stories.

Since the origin of humanity stories were created, being real or fictional, narrated for the entertainment of the public, to fascinate them or scare them, to cause a reaction in them.

Nowadays, the quantity of stories goes to an incalculable number, that grows by hundreds with each passing day.

And I? I'm a story lover.

Stories of love, tragedy, action, fights, fantasy, and magic, I'm a lover of all this. If the story is correctly narrated and this result interesting, then is one that I'll enjoy until its end.

Nowadays the most popular and well-known stories are into three kinds of media that I frequent; series, comics, and books.

These are the media where I enjoyed and known thousands of different stories. Something that is so much common to do, because all the people watch stories when they turn on the TV.

But I go further, I'm a story lover.

Day after day, I searched new stories that can steal my interest, whose art attracts me, or whose scenes ignite a spark inside me and make watch the story until its end.

That's why I'm always pending of any new chapter of a series, comic, or book that was of my interest

Thanks to the stories I acquired the skill to feel empathy for others. By understanding what the characters feel, I could put myself in their place when a hard situation takes place.

But also, I acquired a kind of envy by those characters that stole my attention in a lot of stories.

Those who went through difficulties, who saw their world destroyed by an unexpected tragedy, those who survived and become the best version of themselves, and ended doing what it looks impossible.

I envy deeply those protagonists, by having what a lot of people wish from the bottom of their hearts, a life full of adventures, challenges, and goals to overcome.

In the real world there are not so big challenges, if you study, respect the law, and obtain a job, you can live a quiet life without a bigger concern than the criminals or a natural disaster.

But further than that, there's no big emotion, nothing that ignites that spark that only stories turn on in me.

Even when I proved a lot of things, being influenced by the stories that I read, nothing becomes so exciting to the end, neither real challenges nor the adrenaline that gives to put the life in danger.

Don't get me wrong either, I don't wish to put my life at risk, knowing that there's a high possibility of losing it in my actual condition.

I'm not special, I'm normal from head to toe, and the only think unique about me is my love for stories.

Anyway, as I was in the vocational period, the classes weren't something to worry about, and my job didn't force me to wake up early, that's why I could pass the nights devouring the stories that I had pending.

If I ran out of stories I search more, and sometimes by being short of time I had to leave others on hold, but the truth was, that while I had free time and a computer or smart-phone with internet, I'd never feel bored.

Right now, I'm enjoying the last chapter of a story that I've been reading for several years, even when was translated by its original language, the emotions and thoughts that the author wanted to capture in every page amaze me, that's why I consider this a masterpiece.

Looking at the time on my smart-phone I noticed it was pretty late, so I turn off my computer and went to my bed. But when I was checking for the last time for any new chapter on my smart-phone, a new window suddenly appeared on the screen of this.

"What is this?... A virus or SPAM?"

I checked with the anti-virus of my smart-phone but didn't show any threat, and even when it looks like a SPAM, it was something hard to ignore to me.

The window was so simple and makes me the impression of being a BETA game to smart-phones, of those that are so much popular these days.

I didn't know what to expect of a game with this kind of SPAM, by the low battery of my smart-phone I was tempted to close it, but the premise is hard to ignore for me, because I always dream to live my adventure and be the hero of my own story.

That's why, even when it means ignoring my common sense, I pressed YES to the SPAM. After doing it, a new window appears on the screen.

CLICK

Until now nothing strange has happened, the anti-virus didn't send an alert, and neither ask for permissions or my data, so I will continue.

The next was something typical of every game, decide the data character to use. Gender, class, eyes color, and other things, the basic that is normal see in online video-games.

I filled this data with my preferences to the games of this type, the hair and eyes I put it to my image, while the age I left it less than my real. It was the first time that a game asks me by my age at the time of the character creation, so I didn't know how this would affect the game.

Data like race I put it as human, and the class to my character could be a warrior or dual sword, that's my favorite because it's a style of fighting using pure offense and nothing of defense, that's the way that I like to play in MMORPG games.

The only thing that stole my attention was the special skill field, this one was full of options with questions symbols as if I wasn't allowed to know what skill I will obtain once I select one of these.

I take the one who was in the middle of all the skills and then press the finish button.

When I did this my smart-phone went black by a few seconds, I stay observing, waiting, but nothing happened, and by an instant, I thought that the battery ran out.

Then a new window appears, with a message that left me a little disorientated after reading it.

Could be part of the game? Because is the first time that I see an introduction like this. It is a little unique, at least I will admit that, and its presentation succeeds in stealing my attention.

¡ZAAP!

Suddenly, the screen turns off and I receive an electric shock from my smart-phone, leaving me stunned, after that, I just feel wrath and frustration to see that this didn't turn on.

"Ahhh damn! It was a fucking virus after all!"

I hit the wall next to my bed and drown my screams with a pillow, I did both things by damage my beloved smart-phone by my stupid curiosity. I already thought it was a strange SPAM for a game.

Ahhh... How stupid I feel right now.

Exhausting all the options I had, and tired of no results, I gave in, hoping to be able to fix it tomorrow. Maybe I could save the SD card at least. I keep that hope while I was trying to fall to sleep.

Suddenly I feel so sleepy, and also to be burning in fever, but I couldn't pay so much attention because the fatigue overcomes my curiosity.

I surrender to this and close my eyes to sleep, without knowing that this would be my last night in this world, because while I was sleeping my body was vanishing as happen in the fantasy series, in a lot of light sparks until there was nothing of me.

That's the way that I left behind my world, without any hint of how to return, or any idea of what would expect me where I will be going.

-Summon Chamber, Twilight Dungeon-

...

"Huh?... What happened?"

At the moment I wake up I felt disorientated as if my memory was fuzzy or I was somnolent, when I tried to roll over my bed, I realized that I wasn't over this.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed that I wasn't even in my room, when I realized, the fatigue disappeared and I woke up over a ground full of dust, needing some seconds to assimilate what was in front of me.

A hall bigger than my room, with walls of ground color and made of blocks as bigger bricks. Being stand up over a platform located in the center of the room, with stairs and a kind of esoteric symbol behind.

The floor was similar, making me understand that this hall was built by a group or society. It wasn't someone present besides me; I was the only person in this room.

... I just can remember that I was reading a chapter before sleep, then that SPAM appears, that after complete it spoiled my smart-phone. After that, I went to bed

I can't remember anything after that, even I can't remember dreaming something, but I feel like I did it.

Checking myself I could verify that there's was nothing lost, I didn't feel pain or any visible scar in my body, that allows me to discard for now the possibility of have been kidnapped for some lunatic group that stole the organs and sells to the black market.

Besides that, I noticed something strange, my hair was a little larger than normal, and my clothes are different than the ones I used before going to sleep.

...

When I went to bed, I was wearing a different shirt and baggy shorts, but now I'm wearing pants that I had kept inside my closet, as well as a pair of dark boots that I can't recognize at all.

... Well, by luck my underwear is still the same. I checked my pockets and surprisingly I found my beloved smart-phone, this was working and have a ninety percent battery. Have it with me takes away a big weight off me.

Evaluating my situation again I understood that I was in an unknown place, with different clothes and no idea of how I ended here. I was alone in this room without signal in my smart-phone, who also let me know that six hours passed after I fell asleep.

The room was illuminated by chandeliers similar to the ones someone can see in castles or dungeons, and it has only one exit, giving me the impression that I will be in danger at the moment I go out the room, like happens in some horror movies.

I decided to stay inside this room until I discover what kind of situation I'm involved.
Damn... I even feel like those ISEKAI characters that end traveling to another world...

... !!

"It... Could be possible...?"

I saw again around me, searching for any hint that supports my theory, but I was unable to find anything unusual wherever I saw. Then I paid attention to what was under my feet, a complex esoteric symbol with characters that gave all the appearance of being magical.

Upon the roof there was some marks similar to the circle under my feet... the possibility still was low, but then it occurred to me to check my current appearance with the smart-phone's camera, just to be shocked to see me as a version of myself when I had sixteen or seventeen years old. It was like seeing an old picture instead of my image through the camera.

...

I have to calm down; this must have some reasonable explanation. I am in an unknown place with different clothes and rejuvenated... There is only one coherent explanation.

"So, I was summoned... And this is another world..."

... No, even if that would be a great thing, it is too crazy. That is something that only happens in series and books. There is no way it can happen... But the evidence makes me think otherwise. 

Everything indicated that reality, even the fact of waking up with different clothes.

But I do not have any memory of me dying, or making a deal with a god, or being run over or killed, much less being swallowed by a portal or magic circle. All I remember is falling asleep in my room...

Wait a minute, I think I remember a strange feeling before going to sleep... Besides, that SPAM that appeared and damaged my smart-phone.

I have already read stories of characters being taken to other worlds through a video game... Could this be the same?.

In any case, if this was another world, there should be some indication of my behavior, a divine voice, or a message telling me what to do.

Perhaps it's asking too much, I'm reasoning based on the stories of travelers to other worlds, there's no way that the same rules apply here. If this were like in those stories, I would have some cheating skills, like in RPG games.

... Well, no one is present, so I lose nothing by trying. Besides, go to that corridor without preparations for what could be there, is something unthinkable for me. I should try with something basic at least.

"Status, beginning bar, menu"

I said these words hoping that something would happen, that a voice or image would appear in front of me.

...

Nothing came up after waiting a while, but that didn't put me off because, if this was another world, and I was summoned by a game log, I may have skills worthy of a game, like a status window or a beginning menu.

It was only a theory, I didn't have evidence to say it was true, but neither to deny it. So, I kept trying every word I could think of to activate that skill.

"Home, start menu, statistics appear... [Status Window]"

... It... Can't be... Does something has appeared?

"I got it! My own [Status Window] hahaha!!!"

The emotion suddenly came over me, I jumped and screamed at the top of my lungs as I digested the reality that I was in another world.

The dream that so many people like me have had, I was living it in my own flesh. Reaching a different world through the work of a divine entity or a mystical force.

The dream that so many people like me have had, I was living it in my own flesh. Reaching a different world through the work of a divine entity or a mystical force.

"This is the best thing that ever happened to me!!!"

-Minutes Later-

After calming down I thoroughly checked the floating window that appeared in front of me, to see everything I can do and learn with this one.

This [Status Window] displayed four different sub-menus, each representing some relevant information about me.

I start to review each of these by order.

Hmm... I guess these are average statistics, if I considerate that I haven't done anything yet, it's normal that my level is one. If I can get out of here safely, I'll be able to level up and watch the numbers go up, that's what is exciting.

Well... It should be normal since my clothes weren't made for combat. Although it is a bit offensive that all my clothes end with the word 'strange' in their name...

Anyway, there is not much to do here, let's go to the next one.

Finally, something interesting. Apparently, I have three skills, one of the active types, and two passives.

[Status Reading] allows me to see all my data under a menu similar to that of RPG games.

[Amateur of Growing] allows me to get more EXP than a normal person when training, studying, or fighting opponents, it seemed to be able to LV UP, so this effect would also be able to increase.

[Amateur of Learning] does the opposite, instead of increasing, it reduces the time and effort necessary for mastering and learning some skill.

Three special or cheat skills depending on the person's point of view... Now it only remains to evaluate the last sub-menu.

And... Empty, although it was to be expected since I have no practical knowledge of magic, other than that illustrated in books, MANGA, and ANIME. I hope to learn some real magic in the future.

"Well... It's time"

Having finished reviewing the sub-menus, I decided to go into that corridor, since I had waited long enough it was better to go prepared, places with this setting are usually dungeons or labyrinths, so I couldn't keep my guard down.

I was a simple LV 1 with no spells or useful combat skills, I would have to rely on my intellect and stealth to get out alive. I took three stones that were the size of a baseballs that I found and that could be useful to me at some point.

There was no way I was going to fight in my current condition, but I could use them as a distraction or to clear a way forward.

Having finished my preparations, it was time to leave the room. Taking a few steps towards to it would be certain death, I advanced determined.

"Time to explore!"

-Minutes Later-

Damn... This is a freaking maze.

For each corridor I walk, another two or three appear, and my sense of direction wasn't helpful, so I was writing down every turn I made with the smart-phone notebook in a try to avoid losing myself.

I can be sure that I'm in a maze for all the turns I've made so far, this one was as big as the dungeons in RPG.

I also tried to memorize the journey by reading the number of laps I was taking.

I wouldn't be able to depend on my smart-phone forever, and if there was a good time to overcome the bad sense of direction, it was this.

-MENTAL MAP SKILL ACQUIRED-

... Did I just get a skill?

"My first skill!"

I screamed and jumped with excitement, but then I reacted and leaned against the wall while covering my mouth.

If there was something stupid that I could do, it was to shout in a place where there could be monsters or something worse, I had to be quiet until I found a way out of this place.

Meanwhile, I will study the skill I have obtained.

Well... According to this, [Mental Map] allows me to keep in mind the path that I have traveled in both distance and turns, similar to a map in RPG games.

With the difference that I have to do it while I walk all over the place.

It's not the best skill in the world, but it will help me to save the battery of the smart-phone, at least since I don't know when I'll have to depend on the knowledge stored in the books that I've stored inside this.

Those books were my best weapon, some of them taught me how to survive in wild and unknown terrain, which is similar to my current situation.

It was because of this, that I had to save the battery as much as I could until I found a way to recharge it without a charger.

I didn't know if I could do it, but I would do everything possible to avoid losing the only object I have from my home-world.

Until I find out how to recharge it, I'll keep it off.

Well, time to continue exploring!

-A Half-Hour Later-

"God... How big is this place?"

I had used [Mental Map] to avoid going through multiple repeating paths, but I still ended up finding several dead ends, some with locked doors, making me wish to have a locksmith skill right now.

I still can't find a way out of this maze. And I start to get scared of all the strange sounds that I heard through the walls.

"Ugh... Where the hell is the exit?"

!!

"That is...!"

Having turned a corner, I was able to see an ascending staircase made of stone, which led to a double door from which a bright light illuminating below this.

Could it be daylight? I didn't stop to think about it, I just ran to the door with the desire to open it.

I took the metal rings that served as knobs and pulled them with all my strength. When the door opened, I felt the light from inside radiating my body.

"Finally! Freedom!"

-ENEMY'S STATUS READING SKILL ACQUIRED-

... No, is my end.

In front of me, a large circular room appeared, whose walls were full of shelves full of books, and these reached the top of the room, which I wasn't able to see.

It was without a doubt the dream of any passionate reader.

But I hadn't the time to marvel, not with the entity present in this amazing library.

Someone who could surely eliminate me if he wished, especially being an intruder in the maze.

"An intruder huh? Centuries have passed since a human set foot in my dungeon"

Speaking in a serious and dark tone, he manifested his presence, wearing a black robe that covered all his body, except for his arms, similar to those of a dead man due to the degree of the paleness of his skin.

Not to mention those pair of reddish eyes that gleamed from inside his robe, that seemed to be able to see through me.

"... You are the first human to reach this level of my dungeon... It is quite unusual"

The one who spoke to me was the one whose HP was surely the maximum possible in this world, holding an old-looking book while flipping through it without paying attention to me.

That was until the moment that he closed it and returned it to its place with some levitation magic. Then he kept talking.

"Are you an adventurer? Or a treasure hunter? Although you don't seem to be either, for those rare clothes, you don't even seem to be a villager... It doesn't even seem like you've ever fought once in your life... You're like a worm that has just been born, an insignificant being"

!!

His piercing gaze and that pair of reddish eyes instantly paralyzed me, making me feel like he was observing everything about me.

My past, my memories, my own thoughts, and intentions, even if he wasn't doing it, that was the feeling his gaze caused.

He's dangerous, someone who can erase me from the world just by wishing it, and I met him at the worst possible time.

This is like meeting the final boss at the beginning of the story, a situation that borders and overcomes the barrier of the impossible and insane.

Facing it is an absolute NO. If this is a world where you cannot be revived, then facing it is an impossible and suicidal scenario.

The only good thing about this situation is that I can perfectly understand what he's saying, it means that we can understand each other with words.

If this weren't the case, I would have already run for my life, although that obviously would have meant my death instantly, it's something that I can assure after being in the same room as him for at least half a minute.

"Since it has been a while since I saw an intruder, I suppose you can entertain me, even for a few seconds"

Leaving what he was doing at the time, he approached me with murderous intent.
If I wanted to do something, if I wanted to live, I have to act now.

"W-wait a moment! Let this mortal say a few words!"

Taking a step back I move my hands in from of him so he listens to me since only then I could save my life.

"Are you trying to extend your lifetime with a chat? Although it is a useless attempt human"

He seems to be determined about eliminating me, it's better that I explain myself quickly.

"Just listen to me please, I'm not a treasure hunter or adventurer, I'm just someone normal who ended up here by mistake, I don't even know where I am now or how to go home"

Explaining my situation, his progress suddenly stopped, but his gaze was still fixed on me as if trying to keep track of me.

"Are you trying to say that a simple human without skills has managed to infiltrate my domain? On the deepest floor of the Twilight Dungeon without intending to, is that what you're saying human?"

"... Yeah?"

I didn't know how to respond, so I just said it without thinking, although I did noted the name that he used to refer to this place.

"... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

A rather lively laugh from the one who called himself Astaroth began within that room.

I didn't expect him to laugh so much in this situation, although it was surely somewhat ridiculous from his perspective.

"Very well human... Speak then, I will hear what you have to say, then I will do you a favor and end your existence"

That's not a favor at all!

I wanted to scream that out, but I felt my head go away if I did it.

I have to calm down and think carefully about the following words that I will say if I want to get out of this situation alive...

"Let me introduce myself first, my name is Shimon, and although I'm not an adventurer or a treasure hunter, I do possess something that might be of interest to you, great Lord Astaroth"

"... So, you know my name, even though they should only know me as the [Undead King]. What is it that may interest me human? I suggest you not try to fool me"

His eyes accentuated his reddish glow as if his killing intent had increased a little at the time, letting me know that what I would say next would decide whether I lived or not.

"You Lord Astaroth, who have so much knowledge, I want to offer you in exchange for my life a new source of information, books that you have never been able to read and that will be at your disposal if we reach an agreement"

!!

His body reacted for an instant, I'm sure it did, even from this place I could notice his slight reaction.

"... Are you implying that you have a text that I don't? Something like that is absolutely impossible since I have collected every book made and written in this and other continents, do you really think you own something that I am not human!?"

Wow, he really takes reading seriously... Although it's something I can use to my advantage.

"I'm not suggesting it, Lord Astaroth, I affirm it, since I have within my reach this whole set of books, stored in this artifact, the [Pocket Library]!"

It was there that I decided to show the [Undead King] my smart-phone, being my most precious object in the world, and something totally unknown to Astaroth, who's coming from a fantasy world.

"... What kind of trinket is that?"

"It isn't a trinket, the [Pocket Library] stores more than three thousand five hundred different books, written in an unknown language in any of the continents"

!!

His reaction was greater this time, it seems that he's interested in what I'm saying.

"... What kind of joke is this human? Do you have so little appreciation for your life?"

"Just the opposite Lord Astaroth, it's because I appreciate my life that I'm willing to share my greatest treasure in this world with you, yet a test is worth a thousand words"

Picking up my smart-phone, I began to search the archives for one of the many books I had stored. I thought about the type of book that might interest him, and I was sure there would be many that he could use, so I decided to go for a book that seemed perfect for him.

"Come closer and look at one of the many books that I have, a book that you have never been able to read!"

Trying to demonstrate security, I took a few steps and reached out my arm towards him to show it my smart-phone.

Astaroth did not flinch and raised a finger to manifest a purple aura that levitated it from my hand until being within sight of the powerful dark being.

As my heart was beating fast, I wondered if it was a good idea to put the book in presentation mode, with pages changing every five seconds to increase his interest.

"What kind of artifact is this!? What are these images that appear in sequence?... These words... A language that even I do not know!? And these images... What kind of creatures are these? Is it possible that there are books that I don't own?... Impossible!"

JACKPOT! To think that a biology book that I used in my high school studies would be my lifesaver in a situation like this.

If that didn't catch the eye of a being from another world passionate about knowledge, then I don't know what could. Now I just have to make a deal with this awesome being.

!

"Hey human! What happened?"

Because the [Undead King] was watching the presentation for a long time without even touching the smart-phone, this locked after a minute of being turned on, turning off the screen and stopping the presentation.

"It has simply stopped, it is like a security mechanism, one that only I know how to turn off to use the [Pocket Library] in all its fullness"

At the moment I uttered those words, not only my smart-phone, but I was also forced to levitate against my will by the power of Astaroth himself.

"Where did you find this artifact? And how is it that someone so insignificant has it?"

Ugh... I must not forget who I'm facing. A being who must be on the top of the power of this world, with the facility to destroy me in a second.

I cannot act confident in front of him. But I also can't let him dominate the conversation entirely.

"Ugh... I... I received it from my father... It is something that he gave me... It is my greatest treasure... And I take care of it with my life... Because only I know how to use it... It is that I want to reach an agreement with you..."

This is bad... I feel how my body is oppressed by the will of this being, it's hard for me to breathe and my vision is clouded...

It's as if my life is drained while I'm enveloped by his magic. If I spend another minute like this, I will lose consciousness.

"..."

I could feel his eyes watching me, trying to see behind my lies, but it would surely cost him for the fact that I haven't lied so far. I simply expressed reality in different terms and doubled the facts, but I didn't lie in answering those two questions.

His silence was what scared me the most at this point, not knowing if he would let me live, or if he would kill me to keep my smart-phone, I couldn't predict what he would actually do.

And above all, I was terrified about not knowing if I would live long enough to know the outside of this new world.

"... Say your conditions human, what do you want in exchange for this treasure of books?"

At the moment of saying that phrase, I fell to the ground on my back, as I caught my breath and tried to stand up.

-DESPERATE STRATEGY SKILL ACQUIRED-

-TITLE: WHO NEGOTIATES WITH DEATH ACQUIRED-

... That title and skill depress me as much as annoy me, but I need to ignore them if I want to succeed in this part of the conversation. And for this, I must set the terms of the agreement between the two.

"Well ... First of all, I want to be allowed to live here for a season, at least long enough to transcribe all the books for your enjoyment, my lord"

"... I allow it, is that all?"

"No... One more thing Lord Astaroth"

I couldn't waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not if I wanted to see the outside world. Even if it means condemning my soul, it's something I have to do.

"As you can see, I am a mere human, with no ability for magic or combat, but I wish to change that reality in any way"

I took a breath to continue talking and make my intentions clear.

"I wish to become your disciple, to learn the magical and combat arts that are possible to me while you allow me to be here, I want to learn everything that you can teach me, and in return, I will have at his disposal all the books in my possession"

I used my smart-phone to show him a list of books from that distance, thus running my finger on the screen making it look like a lot of this inside.

Then I looked closely at Astaroth, he seemed to ponder the disadvantages of accepting my conditions, if I let him think too much, he could make the wrong decision, at least for me.

"Even if I accepted those conditions, do you think that a simple and weak human like you could become my disciple? With your level you don't even qualify as a slave or mere entertainment, what could you achieve? An insignificant vestige of human like you"

At that question I smiled, since what he said was true.

I was just a mere human, with the worst statistics I could have imagined, with no idea that I could find myself outside this dungeon while assuming that I have been summoned into this world for a purpose.

The emotion invaded my body as I took a step forward. I was in another world, having perhaps left my previous life behind.

Now I had the opportunity to live an adventure, and to become the protagonist of my own story.

I was not naive to think that I could do everything the first time, that's why I would prepare myself, that's why I would stay here to learn from him.

"To answer your question, I need to introduce myself again"

Kneeling in front of him I kept a fist clenched by my open hand in greeting, showing my respect and desire to obtain his guidance.

"My name is Shimon, and I wish to become the disciple of the [Undead King] Lord Astaroth, to explore every dungeon in this world and experience endless adventures"

My gaze at that time reflected my determination, I was ready to pass any test, any challenge. To become one of the greatest adventurers in this world.

"I will be under your care, Master"