The First Unit

The steady chime of my system ticking up gold fills my mind as I glance at my surroundings. The territory I claimed has expanded, stretching from the small grove where I first arrived to a larger clearing with denser trees and a gentle stream cutting through the landscape.

I feel different. Not just physically, but mentally. Back on Earth, I had no drive, no motivation. My life was stagnant, much like the idle games I spent hours staring at. But here? Every minute, I see progress. Even if it's slow, even if I still don't fully understand how this world works, I am growing stronger.

I check my resource count.

Current Gold: 187

Not bad. With my increased generation rate of five gold per minute, I'll have enough for Unit Recruitment in about fifteen minutes. That upgrade excites me the most. In every idle game I've played, units were the real game-changer. Workers that collected resources, warriors that defended territory—once you had a workforce, everything escalated.

I don't want to just survive here. I want to thrive.

Still, waiting around isn't my style. I decide to use the next few minutes wisely.

Walking toward the stream, I crouch and run my fingers through the clear, cool water. It's refreshing, crisp, cleaner than anything I've ever tasted before. A realization hits me—if I had ended up somewhere hostile, I wouldn't have the luxury of peace. I don't know how dangerous this world is, but I know one thing: it won't stay calm forever.

I need to be ready.

Standing, I scan the nearby trees. The Etherwood I collected earlier netted me some gold, but now I want something different—tools. If I can create even a basic weapon, I'll feel a hell of a lot better about my chances.

I tear a branch from one of the trees. The bark pulses faintly in my grip, warm and oddly smooth. As I focus on it, a notification pops up.

[New Material Acquired: Etherwood Branch]

(A sturdy branch from a magically infused tree. Can be used for crafting.)

Crafting. That means weapons, tools, maybe even buildings later on. The possibilities start to unfold in my mind.

"Alright, system," I mutter. "Do I have a crafting menu?"

A new screen appears instantly.

[Crafting Menu Unlocked]

Current Recipes:

Basic Club (Etherwood Branch) – Requires 1 Etherwood Branch

Basic Spear (Etherwood Branch + Sharp Stone) – Requires 1 Etherwood Branch, 1 Sharp Stone

I check my inventory. I don't have any Sharp Stones yet, but I remember seeing some near the stream. Jogging over, I spot a few small, jagged stones resting in the shallows. Scooping one up, another chime sounds.

[New Material Acquired: Sharp Stone]

That's all I need. I pull up the crafting menu and select Basic Spear.

The moment I confirm, the materials in my hands glow. It's subtle but mesmerizing—energy shifting around them as they pull together. The branch lengthens, the stone sharpens into a proper tip, and in seconds, I'm holding a finished spear.

[Basic Spear Crafted]

(A crude but effective weapon. Grants a minor boost to attack power.)

I twirl it in my hands, testing the weight. It's light but sturdy, and for the first time since arriving here, I feel properly armed.

Just in time, too.

Because as soon as I turn back toward my growing territory, I hear something move.

A soft rustling, barely noticeable, but distinct.

I freeze.

Slowly, I crouch behind a tree and scan the area. At first, I see nothing but glowing foliage, but then—movement.

A small, hunched creature stands just outside my territory's edge, sniffing at the ground.

It looks like a goblin.

Small, maybe three feet tall, with leathery green skin and oversized ears. A crude stone dagger dangles from its waist, and its red eyes scan the area warily. It hasn't noticed me.

My pulse quickens.

What is it doing here?

I haven't encountered any living beings until now. Was it drawn by my territory? Is my presence attracting creatures?

I grip my spear tighter. If this thing is hostile, I can't afford to be caught off guard.

I pull up my system menu, checking my gold.

Current Gold: 253

Enough for Unit Recruitment.

If I can get a worker—or better, a fighter—before this goblin notices me, I might have the advantage.

I mentally select Unit Recruitment.

[Unit Recruitment Unlocked]

Choose a Basic Unit Type:

1. Worker (Cost: 250 Gold) – Gathers resources autonomously.

2. Guard (Cost: 400 Gold) – Protects territory from threats.

I curse under my breath. A guard would be perfect right now, but I don't have enough gold. I settle for the Worker, hoping that maybe it'll have some use in a fight.

The moment I confirm, a pulse radiates through my territory. The ground glows, energy swirling in front of me as a figure emerges from thin air.

A humanoid shape forms—tall, broad-shouldered, with featureless, smooth skin like living stone. Its eyes glow a faint blue, and when it stands, I realize just how big it is. Seven feet tall, built like a tank.

[Basic Worker Summoned]

The goblin's ears twitch. It turns toward my territory, squinting as if sensing the shift in energy.

It lets out a guttural growl and steps forward.

Shit.

I don't wait for it to make the first move.

I lunge.

Spear in hand, I close the distance in seconds. The goblin's eyes widen, but it barely has time to react before I drive the spear forward.

Impact.

The sharp stone tip punches into the goblin's shoulder, forcing it back with a shriek. It stumbles, clutching the wound, but I don't stop.

I swing the shaft of the spear upward, catching it under the chin. The goblin yelps, staggers, then drops onto its back.

I pin it down, pressing the tip of my weapon against its throat. It freezes, chest rising and falling rapidly, its dagger lying forgotten in the grass.

It's alive.

And now, I have a choice.

Do I kill it?

Or… can I use it?

I glance at my worker unit, who stands silently, waiting for orders. An idea forms in my mind.

Maybe I don't need to fight everything that enters my territory.

Maybe I can recruit.

Taking a steady breath, I pull up my system menu and focus on the goblin. If I'm right, there might be a way to turn this from a fight into an opportunity.

And if I can start converting enemies into allies…

I might have just found the real strength of my idle system.