The first thing I notice is the cold.
It seeps into my skin, my bones, a bite that feels like it's from the inside out. I'm on the ground—hard, uneven dirt. My body aches, every muscle stiff and sore. My breath is shallow, and for a moment, I don't know where I am.
I open my eyes, blinking against the gray sky. I see only trees, thick with tangled branches. The wind is harsh, the air thick with moisture, and the land is unfamiliar. It's as though I've been dropped into some forsaken wilderness.
I try to sit up, but the ache in my chest and head reminds me that something isn't right. I push myself onto my hands and knees, gasping, disoriented. My memories flood back in a flash. The last thing I remember—the betrayal.
That was real. That was my death.
But now, I'm here.
A rustling sound breaks my thoughts, and something cold flickers in front of my eyes—a glowing blue screen.
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[SYSTEM ONLINE]
Welcome, Sovereign.
Gold: 0
First Mission: Build a Shelter
Rewards: Gold for Shelter Construction
New Currency: Gold will be used for Summoning, Territory, and Upgrades.
---
I blink, rubbing my eyes. What is this? The screen lingers there, like it's waiting for me to do something.
"Build a shelter?" I mutter to myself, my voice rough. "I... I died, didn't I? This doesn't make sense."
I glance around, taking in my surroundings. Trees. Stones. A few broken structures off to the side—ruins, maybe. Not much to work with, but enough to start.
I stand, pushing past the dizziness that still clings to me. My body's stiff, but there's a quiet voice in my head telling me to focus. There's no point questioning how I got here—what matters is what comes next. I need to survive.
I squat down, picking up a few rocks. There's a branch nearby. It's not much, but it'll do. My hands move on instinct—gathering what I can to form a shelter.
As I work, the screen flickers again, and a number appears beside the Gold count: +5 Gold.
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[Shelter Construction Progress]
Gold: 5
Mission: Shelter Building in Progress
Available: Buy Territory, Buy Landscapes, Summon Units
---
I stop, staring at the number. Gold. So it's not just for shelter. I can use it for other things, too? Territory? Summoning?
I glance back at the crumbling ruins, an idea forming in my mind. I need more. More resources, more options.
But for now, I focus on the shelter. It's rough, a simple framework of branches tied together with vines and leaves, but it's enough to shield me from the elements.
I sit back, exhausted but satisfied. I know the first step is done. I have a shelter, and with it, I have a chance to rebuild.
I look at the screen again.
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[Shelter Constructed – Basic Shelter]
Gold: 10
New Mission Available
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Gold is strange to me. It feels... unreal, like a key to something much bigger. But it's mine now. And I'll need it to keep moving forward.
The system hums, and the next mission appears on the screen:
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[New Mission: Explore the Surrounding Area]
Gold Reward: 15
Unlock: Territory Purchase Option
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I look around once more at the wild land stretching in every direction. There's so much unknown, so many possibilities.
"Alright," I say to myself, my voice steady now, despite the uncertainty. "Let's see what this place has to offer."
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