System Initialization

The glowing system screen still hovers in front of me, a surreal reminder that this is real. I'm not dreaming. I died—at least, I'm pretty sure I did—and now I'm here. In a world that looks like something out of a high-fantasy game, complete with floating mountains, glowing trees, and an interface straight out of an RPG.

I take a slow breath, steadying myself as I read the text in front of me.

[Idle System Overview]

Your system passively accumulates resources, units, and influence over time, even while inactive. Strength is determined by growth rate and expansion.

Current Growth Rate: 0 (Requires Activation)

I exhale sharply. An idle system. Like the games I used to play. The ones where progress happened automatically, accumulating resources even when I wasn't doing anything.

That explains why I was brought here. If every outworlder gets a unique system, mine must be based on my past life—one where I spent hours watching numbers tick up on a phone screen instead of actually living.

Fitting.

Still, the fact that it's not running yet is a problem. If I want to survive here, I need to get it started.

"Activate," I say aloud, half-expecting nothing to happen.

A new prompt appears immediately.

[Idle System Initialization]

To begin accumulation, you must claim your first territory.

Would you like to designate your current location as your starting domain?

[Yes] [No]

Territory? That's… interesting. Most games don't require you to claim land just to start earning resources. Then again, this isn't a game.

I glance around. The area is quiet, peaceful even. The ground beneath me is covered in smooth, almost silk-like grass. The trees glow faintly, their leaves shifting colors between deep blue and vibrant violet. The sky above is massive, stretching endlessly, with no signs of civilization anywhere nearby.

No people. No monsters.

I'm alone.

That might be a good thing.

"Yes."

The moment I confirm, the air around me shifts. There's no explosion, no grand spectacle—just a faint hum, like something clicking into place. The ground pulses beneath my feet, and suddenly, another notification appears.

[Territory Acquired: Beginner Zone - F-Rank]

Idle Accumulation Activated.

Current Resources: 1 Gold per Minute.

Current Units: 0.

I blink.

One gold per minute? That's… slow.

In idle games, the starting rate is always low, but this is ridiculous. If I were playing on my phone, I'd already be looking for the fastest way to boost my income. But here? I have no idea how long I'll be stuck waiting.

A second screen appears, listing details.

[Territory Information]

Zone: Beginner Zone (F-Rank)

Size: 100m Radius

Resource Output: 1 Gold per Minute

Upgrade Requirements: 100 Gold

Additional Bonuses: None

A hundred gold to upgrade? At one gold per minute, that's almost two hours of waiting.

I exhale through my nose, crossing my arms.

Waiting is not an option. If this really works like an idle game, there has to be a way to speed things up.

"Show me upgrade options," I command.

A list pops up instantly.

[Upgrade Paths]

1. Territory Expansion (100 Gold) - Increases land size and resource output.

2. Unit Recruitment (250 Gold) - Unlocks basic worker units to assist in passive resource collection.

3. Resource Boost (500 Gold) - Doubles resource generation speed for 10 minutes.

I scan the list, weighing my options. Expansion seems like the best place to start. More land should mean more resources. But I still don't have a way to speed things up.

I frown, glancing at my surroundings. If this world operates on some kind of game logic, there's a chance I can gather resources manually.

Only one way to find out.

I step toward the nearest tree and place my hand against its glowing bark. At first, nothing happens. But then, a soft chime echoes in my mind, and a message appears.

[New Resource Discovered: Etherwood]

+5 Gold Added to Inventory.

I grin.

It worked.

That means I don't have to just wait for my system to accumulate resources—I can actively speed it up.

Without hesitation, I start gathering. I rip leaves from trees, pluck glowing flowers from the ground, and even dig up small, crystal-like stones embedded in the dirt. Each action rewards me with small increments of gold.

Minutes pass. Then thirty.

I check my balance.

Current Gold: 87

Almost there. My breathing is steady, my muscles barely even tired. Either this world is enhancing my stamina, or I've been too numb in my past life to recognize how much I can actually push myself.

Another few minutes of gathering, and finally—

[100 Gold Reached!]

A notification appears.

Upgrade Available: Territory Expansion.

Would you like to proceed?

[Yes] [No]

I don't hesitate.

[Yes.]

The air around me hums again. This time, I feel it. A pulse spreads outward from my body, extending beyond my original 100-meter radius. The land recognizes me, expands for me.

New notifications appear.

[Territory Upgraded!]

New Zone Radius: 250m

Resource Output Increased: 5 Gold per Minute.

I exhale sharply. That's five times my original rate. At this pace, I'll hit the next milestone way faster.

I check the upgrade list again. The next big goal? Unit Recruitment.

I need 250 gold for that.

I glance around. If I keep gathering resources while my idle system runs in the background, I'll reach that number in no time.

A surge of excitement fills me.

For the first time in years, I feel like I'm actually building something.

And this is just the beginning.