The warm sunlight stabbed at my eyes like a stun grenade, but I kept them firmly shut. My body felt stiff, leaden with the need for more sleep. Nearby, birds chirped with manic cheerfulness – a sound that would be pleasant if I weren't desperate for rest. I pressed my hands over my ears, muffling but not eliminating the noise. As minutes crawled by, the sun intensified, baking my skin until it prickled. It was like being a chicken roasted over a campfire.
"Fu— I'm up," I muttered, biting back the full curse. The effort left a sour taste in my mouth.
I blinked around me, my vision adjusting slowly. The nearby river glinted invitingly under the sun. Birds wheeled freely in the vast, cloud-dappled sky. If I weren't stranded in another world, this might have been a peaceful picnic spot in a lush, green forest.
"Good morning, sir," 001 said, his voice flat as he snapped a crisp salute. His rifle was clutched in his hand like an extension of his arm.
"Good morning," I rasped, my throat dry. "Did anything happen after I fell asleep?"
"No sir. Nothing of note," he replied, his expression blank, eyes fixed straight ahead.
"Are you tired? You didn't sleep," I asked, studying his unnaturally alert posture.
"No sir. We experience no fatigue and require no sleep," he stated simply.
Living, walking monsters. My monsters.The realization struck: A human who doesn't need sleep or tire can work around the clock. Wait... that means I didn't need to carry their bags yesterday!
I smacked my forehead. "Idiot."
"Is something the matter, sir?" he inquired, tilting his head slightly, his face impassive.
"Nothing," I waved him off. "I'm taking a bath in the river. Maintain lookout while I'm in the water." My armpits were slick with sweat, my shirt stiff and itchy against my skin where yesterday's sweat had dried. A sticky, grimy film coated me.
"Understood, sir. I will secure the area first. Hostile monsters may inhabit the watercourse," he said, turning with military precision and striding purposefully towards the riverbank.
I watched his clad figure recede into the distance. He's right. Caution is essential here. I should always deploy the soldiers to scout first. This is a completely unknown world. Danger could lurk anywhere – beneath the water, behind a tree...
"Sir, what are our objectives for today?" 002 asked, materializing silently beside me. His identical, impassive face mirrored 001's.
I had pondered this since arrival. "I intend to build an empire right here," I declared, gesturing towards the clearing and the forest beyond. The serenity of the place, the sense of quiet safety beneath the trees, felt deeply right, like finding a piece of myself I hadn't known was missing. This was home. Problems could arise, but we would face them.
"Understood, sir. What are our immediate priorities?" 002 asked, without a flicker of surprise or doubt at the audacious claim. Truly emotionless robots.
"Let me consider that. I'll issue further orders after my bath," I said, running a hand through my damp, tousled hair.
"Affirmative, sir," he acknowledged, resuming his vigilant stance, scanning the tree line with methodical sweeps of his gaze.
After perhaps ten minutes, 001 returned, his boots crunching softly on the gravelly riverbank. "The water is secure, sir. No threats detected."
I nodded and made my way towards the river, 001 falling into step a respectful pace behind me. I didn't object; vigilance was prudent. The cold weight of the pistol I'd requisitioned from 002 was reassuring in my pocket.
Reaching the water's edge, I peeled off my sweat-stiffened shirt and trousers, leaving only my shorts. I stared at my reflection in the slow-moving, clear water. The face looking back was mine, yet felt different.
The reflection showed a boy of about sixteen: short, unruly black hair plastered to his forehead; wide, dark eyes holding a mixture of apprehension and dawning resolve; pale skin that hadn't seen much sun; slightly rounded cheeks softening an otherwise ordinary face. He stood around 5'9", with a softness around the middle that spoke of inactivity rather than true fat. He looked... average. Neither strikingly weak nor noticeably strong.
I took a step forward, the cool water swirling around my ankles as my reflection shattered into shimmering fragments. The chill was bracing, washing away some of the grime and fatigue. I waded deeper, until the water reached my waist, then leaned back, letting my body float. The current gently cradled me, the silence beneath the surface profound. I want to be one with the water. I am a monster who leads monsters. Right now, I am a sea monster.
[10 points have been awarded for surviving the first night.]
[Current points: 69.7]
[New Section: "Armoury and Outfits" unlocked.]
[New Supplies unlocked. Check Supplies Section.]
[Inventory functionality unlocked.]
[Conceal Equipment feature unlocked.]
[Military System]
[Search]
[Soldier]
- Rifleman (20 points)
- Automatic Rifleman (40 points)
[Supplies]
- 5.56mm (1 point)
- 7.62mm (1 point)
- MREs (0.1 point)
- Large Tent (4 points)
[Armoury and Outfits]
- Juggernaut Suit (10 points)
Just what I needed. Is this system listening to my thoughts? I wondered, the timing felt uncanny. In stories, a god usually bestows these systems. Why me? I'm nobody special. Just an average guy. Plenty of smarter people could exploit this better.
Curiosity overcoming caution, I took a breath and ducked my head under. Instinctively, my eyes flew open – a stinging, blurry shock – and I surged back up, coughing and rubbing furiously at them. No good. Feels like I poured bleach in them. Disappointment warred with a flicker of amusement at my own clumsiness.
No matter. I'll experience this world on my own terms. Adapt. Explore. Enjoy the freedom.
Feeling moderately cleaner, I emerged from the river, water streaming down my skin.
"001, was my clothes. Ensure they are completely dry afterwards," I ordered, wringing water from my shorts.
"Affirmative, sir," he acknowledged, scooping the discarded garments from the sun-warmed rocks where I'd left them and beginning to scrub them vigorously in the shallows. Their obedience was absolute.
I walked back towards where 002 stood guard. Reaching his position, I paused, surveying the camp area – the patch of sun-dappled grass bordered by ancient trees, the clear river nearby.
"System, search: 'process for manufacturing cement'," I commanded silently.
Text scrolled across my mental vision: Limestone, Clay, Gypsum. Additives like Iron Ore or Sand for strength. Complex heating and grinding procedures. Complicated. What even is gypsum here? And no diagrams? Just dry text. Frustration gnawed at me. I need experts. Maybe the system offers something... a blueprint, a special unit?
"002," I said, turning to face him, a plan solidifying. "We establish a temporary camp here. I will summon more soldiers, then we initiate large-scale monster extermination within the forest perimeter. We need points."
"Understood, sir," he replied.
I focused, accessing the system interface.
[3 x Rifleman purchased. -60 points]
[Large Tent purchased. -4 points. Stored in Inventory.]
[Current points: 5.7]
The juggernaut suit would have to wait. Soldiers are replaceable; I am not. Charging into that forest without information is suicide.
Three figures coalesced from shimmering air in front of me: 003, 004, and 005. Clad in identical combat uniform, faces expressionless carbon copies of 001 and 002. The only distinguishing features were the bold, black numbers stenciled on their uniform shoulders and, visible as they turned to face me, tattooed onto the skin behind their left ears. Five soldiers. Whoever crosses us will regret it.
Simultaneously, a large bundle of heavy canvas, poles, and ropes materialized beside them – the Large Tent.
"All personnel," I commanded, trying to project authority, "Assemble this tent immediately. Prepare for operations. Tonight, we farm points." The order felt clumsy, lacking the crispness of a real commander. I was still just me, playing a role.
The soldiers moved with eerie synchronicity, unpacking the bundle with practiced efficiency, poles clicking together, canvas unfurling. They clearly possessed innate knowledge of the task. I wouldn't have known where to begin, and the system's text-only instructions would be useless. A sigh escaped me. Another regret from my wasted old life.
I turned and started towards 001, who was already walking back from the riverbank. He carried my damp clothes folded neatly in front of him, his rifle slung across his back. The sight was absurdly domestic – the lethal soldier transformed into a dutiful laundryman. I definitely need dedicated servants for this.
001 halted before me, holding the clothes out wordlessly, awaiting instruction.
"The camp is under construction," I said, nodding towards the activity. "Stow them inside once the tent is erected." He nodded once and marched towards the rising structure.
My gaze followed him, lingering not on him, but on the rifle slung across his back. I need my own weapon. The thought was sharp.
The system will provide it. Tonight will yield rewards.
I closed my eyes, letting the morning sun warm my face, and pictured it: no stifling classrooms, no dead-end job applications. Just this wild, unknown world, my growing power, and the thrilling, terrifying importance of my existence here.
---
Deep within the shadowed, ancient forest, a small figure encased in a tattered, mud-brown hooded cloak hurtled desperately through the undergrowth. Twigs snapped underfoot, thorns snagged the coarse fabric, but the child pushed on, fueled by terror. A flash of startlingly vibrant blue hair escaped the hood as he vaulted over a moss-covered log. His breath came in ragged, sobbing gasps, burning his lungs, but stopping meant death. Clutched protectively against his chest with both hands, hidden within the folds of the cloak, was a small, cloth-wrapped bundle.
"Stop right there, brat!" bellowed a harsh voice close behind. "Resist, and I'll carve you like a festival goose!" The pursuer crashed through the bushes – a hulking man with a scarred, unshaven face, clad in stained leathers and rusted chainmail. A crude, notched sword glinted wickedly in his grip. His eyes, narrowed with predatory intent, fixed on the fleeing child.
Ahead, the oppressive gloom suddenly brightened. Sunlight! The tree line! The cloaked figure sprinted towards it, bursting out into a wide, sun-drenched meadow filled with tall, golden grass. Panic flared – there was no cover here! He was exposed!
"I said," roared the bandit, pulling his arm back, muscles bunching. "STOP!" With a grunt of effort, he hurled the sword like a spear.
Simultaneously, the child's foot caught on a half-buried rock. He pitched forward with a cry, hitting the ground hard. The heavy blade whistled inches above his head, slicing through a few strands of blue hair before thudding into the earth.
"Hah!" The bandit pounced, his heavy boot pinning the child's back to the ground, knocking the wind from his lungs. "Finally caught you, bastard," he sneered, yanking a coarse rope from his belt. His breath reeked of cheap ale and rotten teeth.
"L-Leave me alone!" the child pleaded, voice high-pitched with fear, tears welling in large, terrified violet eyes peering from under the hood.
"I'll claim your bounty dead or alive!" the bandit growled, grabbing the child's thin wrist. "Dead pays just as well if you struggle!"
"P-Please..." **the child sobbed, struggling weakly against the crushing weight. "Somebody... help me!"
"HEY ASSHOLE!" A new voice, sharp with command, cracked across the meadow. "GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF HIM! NOW!"
The bandit jerked his head up, momentarily stunned. Standing thirty paces away, legs planted firmly in the tall grass, was a figure aiming a small, strange black object directly at him. The child blinked through tears at his potential savior.
He was young, maybe late teens, with unruly black hair and intense dark eyes narrowed in focus behind the aimed device. His jaw was set, eyebrows drawn together in fierce concentration. But the effect was instantly undermined by his attire: he wore only a pair of simple, practical shorts, his torso bare and damp, looking for all the world like he'd just stepped out of a bath. The sheer incongruity of the fierce stance and near-nudity broke the tension for the bandit.
A deep, bellowing laugh erupted from the bandit's throat. "HAHAHAHAHA!" he roared, slapping his thigh while still pinning the struggling child." What happened to you kid? Got robbed till your underwear?"