From Wheelchair to Warrior: My New Life Online

Kael stood before the quest board, his eyes scanning the various tasks pinned to the wooden surface. Some were marked with higher ranks, meant for experienced adventurers, while others were simple, beginner-level requests. His fingers hovered over a parchment labeled [Gather 10 Wild Herbs]. It was a basic Rank F quest—perfect for someone just starting out. He plucked the paper from the board and turned back to the guild master.

"I'll take this one," Kael said, handing over the quest sheet.

The burly man gave a nod of approval. "Good choice for a rookie. The herbs grow just outside the eastern gate, near the river. Watch out for slimes—they aren’t tough, but they can be annoying if you’re not careful."

Kael accepted the words of wisdom with a nod. He was eager to get started, to experience what this world had to offer beyond just walking around. Clutching the quest slip, he stepped out of the guild and into the bustling streets of Silvercrest.

The sun hung high in the sky as Kael made his way toward the eastern gate. The thought of doing something as mundane as picking herbs would have sounded boring in any other context, but here, in this world where he could move freely, it felt like an adventure.

As he passed through the gate, the landscape stretched out before him—rolling fields, patches of dense forest, and a shimmering river that cut through the land like a silver ribbon. It was breathtaking. He breathed in the crisp air and followed the dirt path leading toward the riverbank, where the herbs were supposed to grow.

Along the way, he practiced drawing and sheathing his sword, familiarizing himself with its weight. Despite having never wielded a weapon before in real life, the muscle memory of his in-game body made it feel natural. He gave the blade a few experimental swings, the air whistling as it sliced through.

A rustling in the grass nearby caught his attention. He turned just in time to see a small, gelatinous creature emerge from behind a rock. A slime. Its translucent, jiggling form bounced slightly as it noticed him.

[Slime – Level 1]

Kael tightened his grip on the sword. This was it—his first real battle. His heart pounded with excitement and a bit of nervousness. He took a step forward, raising his weapon. The slime reacted by lurching toward him with surprising speed.

Instinct took over. Kael sidestepped the attack, bringing his sword down in a clean arc. The blade met resistance but sliced through the creature’s gelatinous body with a wet squelch. The slime quivered before bursting into shimmering particles, leaving behind a small glowing core.

[You have defeated Slime – Level 1.] [+5 EXP earned.] [You have obtained Slime Core.]

Kael exhaled, a grin spreading across his face. The thrill of battle, the weight of the sword in his hands, the satisfying ping of experience points—it was everything he had imagined and more. He bent down, picking up the Slime Core before tucking it into his inventory. Maybe he could sell it later.

Shaking off the adrenaline, he continued toward the river, keeping an eye out for more slimes. He spotted a cluster of green-stemmed herbs growing near the water’s edge and crouched down to pluck them. The scent of fresh earth and plant life filled his nose as he carefully collected each herb, making sure to avoid damaging them.

After gathering a handful, he checked his quest log.

[Wild Herbs Collected: 5/10]

Almost there.

Just as he reached for another, a splash from the river caught his attention. He turned his head sharply, eyes narrowing as he spotted something moving beneath the surface. A ripple spread outward, and moments later, another creature emerged—a small, fish-like monster with sharp teeth and glowing eyes.

[River Piranha – Level 2]

Kael gritted his teeth. Unlike the slime, this one looked faster and more aggressive. He tightened his grip on his sword, waiting for the creature to make the first move.

With a sudden lunge, the River Piranha shot out of the water, aiming straight for him. Kael barely had time to react, raising his sword just in time to block the attack. The impact sent vibrations up his arm, but he held firm. He countered with a quick downward slash, striking the creature mid-air.

[Critical Hit!]

The piranha let out a screech before vanishing into pixels. Kael let out a breath, checking his HP. The attack had barely scratched him, but the speed of the enemy had caught him off guard.

[+10 EXP earned.] [You have obtained Piranha Scale.]

He smirked. If this was just a basic Rank F quest, he couldn’t wait to see what higher-ranked missions had in store.

With renewed determination, he resumed gathering the remaining herbs, keeping an eye out for any more surprises. By the time he was finished, the sun had begun to dip lower in the sky, casting an orange glow over the landscape. He glanced at his quest log.

[Wild Herbs Collected: 10/10]

Quest complete.

Feeling accomplished, he made his way back toward Silvercrest. As he entered the guild, he found the guild master still at his post, reviewing some documents. The man looked up as Kael approached.

"Back already?" he asked with a raised brow.

Kael placed the bundle of herbs on the counter. "Quest complete."

The guild master gave a satisfied nod, inspecting the herbs before sliding a small pouch of coins toward Kael.

[Quest Complete: Gather 10 Wild Herbs.] [+50 EXP earned.] [+5 Silver Coins received.]

"Not bad for your first job," the guild master said. "You keep up the good work, and you'll move up the ranks in no time."

Kael pocketed the coins, feeling a swell of pride. This was just the beginning. He had taken his first step as an adventurer, and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was truly living.

As he stepped out of the guild, a notification popped up.

[New Quest Available: Proving Grounds Tournament.]

Kael’s eyes widened. A tournament? Now that sounded interesting.

With a smirk, he closed the notification and looked up at the night sky. His new life had only just begun, and he was ready to see just how far he could go.