Pain.
That was the first thing Yuuto felt as consciousness returned. A deep, bone-aching pain throbbed through his body, as if he had been crushed under an immense weight. His breathing was ragged, his throat dry, and when he forced his eyes open, he found himself lying on cold, damp earth, staring up at a sky painted in hues of deep indigo and shimmering silver.
Where… am I?
Memories rushed in like a flood—his past life, his untimely death, and the divine voice that had whispered promises of a second chance before everything faded into darkness.
[You have been reincarnated.]
[Initializing System…]
[Welcome, Yuuto.]
A translucent screen hovered before his eyes, confirming what he already suspected—he wasn't in his old world anymore. This was a new beginning, and unlike his past life, he had been gifted with something extraordinary.
[Unique Skill: Creation Acquired.]
[Creation Points (CP) System Activated.]
As if responding to the notification, knowledge flooded his mind. He could create anything, but it required CP, which generated passively based on the number of women he bound to him through a special system mechanic.
A harem-based growth system? It almost sounded like something out of a fantasy novel, but it was real.
Yuuto clenched his fist. If this world followed rules of power and conquest, then he would embrace them fully.
But first—he needed to survive.
---
The Wildlands
Yuuto took in his surroundings. He had awakened in a dense forest, illuminated by the pale glow of twin moons hanging in the sky. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp leaves and soil, and the occasional distant howl suggested predators lurked nearby.
I need a weapon.
Focusing his mind, he accessed Creation. A new system window appeared.
[CP Available: 0]
Tch. So I can't create anything yet.
That meant he had to rely on what he could scavenge. His gaze fell on a sturdy fallen branch nearby. Picking it up, he tested its weight—it wasn't ideal, but it would have to do.
The sound of rustling foliage made him freeze. He wasn't alone.
Carefully, he lowered himself into a crouch, gripping his makeshift club. Footsteps approached—several, moving quickly. Voices followed, rough and mocking.
"Quit struggling. You're only making this harder for yourself."
"Damn merchant girl should have known better than to travel alone."
Yuuto's eyes narrowed. He crept closer, weaving through the trees until the source of the voices came into view.
A group of bandits—three men, clad in mismatched leather armor—had cornered a lone woman. Her silver hair cascaded in wild waves around her, her violet eyes burning with defiance despite the dirt and torn fabric of her cloak.
She wasn't just beautiful—she carried herself with calm confidence, despite the danger she was in.
"Let me go," she hissed. "My father will pay handsomely if you return me unharmed."
One of the bandits sneered. "And why would we do that when we can take everything you have right now?"
Yuuto's grip tightened.
A merchant's daughter, traveling alone… or perhaps her guards had already been dealt with. Either way, she was in trouble.
They're going to kill her.
Or worse.
Yuuto had no reason to care. But he had already made up his mind—this life wouldn't be like his last. Here, he would seize power.
And this? This was his first step.
---
Yuuto moved swiftly, launching himself from the shadows. His first strike smashed into the nearest bandit's skull, sending him crumpling to the ground.
The other two spun, caught off guard.
"The hell—?!"
Yuuto didn't give them time to recover. He lunged forward, dodging a poorly aimed slash and driving his club into the second bandit's ribs. A sickening crack followed as the man staggered, gasping for breath.
The third bandit, the largest of the group, snarled and charged. Too slow. Yuuto ducked under the swing of his rusted blade, pivoting behind him before driving his weapon into the base of his skull.
Silence followed.
The bodies lay still at his feet, blood soaking into the forest floor.
Yuuto exhaled sharply. He had killed, but there was no guilt—only the grim understanding that this was the world he now lived in.
A soft chime rang in his mind.
[You have gained a Binding Chance.]
[Would you like to bind the individual before you?]
His gaze flickered toward the silver-haired woman, who was watching him with wide eyes.
"You… you saved me," she murmured.
Yuuto nodded. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, though exhaustion weighed heavily on her.
He studied her carefully. This was his first Binding Chance—his only unrestricted one. After this, he could only bind women after physical union.
If he wanted to grow stronger, this was his first step.
"You don't have to trust me," Yuuto said, voice calm. "But I can protect you. If you stay with me, I can promise you strength."
She hesitated. Then, after a long moment, she nodded.
"I accept."
[Confirm Binding?]
→ Yes.
A golden glow enveloped her, seeping into her skin. She gasped softly as the energy merged with her, the bond forming between them.
[Binding Successful.]
[CP Generation Activated.]
A new notification appeared:
[Weekly CP: 5 (Base)]
Yuuto clenched his fist. It was working.
The woman steadied herself, meeting his gaze with newfound clarity. "My name is Selene Valeria. My family is in the merchant trade, though… it seems I have nothing left to return to."
"Yuuto," he responded. "Just Yuuto for now."
Selene offered a small smile. "Then… I am in your care, Yuuto."
He returned the expression. "Let's find shelter. There's a lot I need to explain."
---
Selene led him to a ruined village not far from the battlefield. The bandits had used it as a temporary camp, but now, it was theirs.
Inside the remains of an old storehouse, they found sacks of grain, old weapons, and supplies—everything they needed to survive.
Then, another chime rang in Yuuto's mind.
[CP Creation Available.]
Excitement surged through him.
Accessing the Creation Menu, he saw his options:
Basic Weapon (5 CP) – Select material to enhance
Survival Kit (5 CP) – Includes purified water and rations
Reinforced Clothing (5 CP) – Improves armor durability
His gaze fell on a rusted longsword among the weapons. He focused on it, selecting Basic Weapon Enhancement.
[Enhancing…]
Golden light surrounded the blade. The rust vanished, the metal reshaping into a sleek, black-steel longsword, its hilt etched with glowing silver runes.
Selene, who had been watching, gasped. "You can do that?"
Yuuto smirked. "This is just the beginning."
With his first Bound partner, his first Creation, and a secure base, he had taken his first real step in this world.
But this was only the start.
---