A small ripple distorted the air near Ryn's chest. It looked like a drop of black ink falling into clear water.
Pop.
A tiny creature tumbled out of the void and landed in Ryn's arms.
It was no bigger than a kitten. It resembled a ball of pitch-black fur, or perhaps solidified shadow, with two long, floppy ears that drooped over its face. It had a tiny, button-like nose and a pair of massive, luminous white eyes that blinked up at him with innocent curiosity.
"Kyu?" the creature squeaked. It tilted its round head.
Ryn felt a genuine smile break across his face. He scratched the little creature behind its ears.
"Hey, buddy," Ryn said softly. "Welcome to the new world."
The creature recognized his touch instantly. It let out a happy, vibrating purr and nuzzled its face into his tunic, seeking warmth.
Ryn checked the creature's status.
──────?????──────
[ Name: ??? (Please Name your Companion) ]
[ Race: Void-Eater (Hatchling) ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ State: Starving ]
──────?????──────
"Starving, as always," Ryn chuckled.
He looked at the small black ball of fluff. In the Tower, he had never given it a proper name. He had just called it 'Little One' or 'Glutton.' But a new life deserved a proper start.
He thought about the void it came from. He thought about the darkness they had both left behind. He glanced at his own 'name'.
"...Nero," Ryn decided. "Your name is Nero."
──────?????──────
[ Name Confirmed: Nero ]
──────?????──────
"Kyu!" Nero barked happily, accepting the name.
Ryn placed the small void-fox on his shoulder. Nero immediately curled up, his black fur blending perfectly with the fabric of Ryn's tunic, looking like nothing more than a patch of shadow.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Ryn rechecked his system clock.
[ Global Launch Countdown: 48:04 ]
'Not much but should be enough...'
He adjusted his collar, hiding the small creature in the folds of his hood.
"All right, Nero," Ryn said, looking toward the village gates. "Let's go see what we can exploit before the tourists arrive."
Ryn stopped by the wooden post near the village fountain. Before he started his plan, he needed to know his assets.
"Inventory."
A holographic grid materialized in the air. It was a standard 4x4 storage space.
──────?????──────
[ Stale Bread x2 ]
[ Waterskin (Full) ]
[ Beginner's Coin Pouch (50 Bronze) ]
[ Worn Training Sword ]
[ Random Skill Book (Common) ]
──────?????──────
Ryn tapped the pouch icon. The coins dissolved into light and transferred to his digital balance.
[ Funds: 50 Bronze Coins ]
"Fifty," Ryn noted, his voice flat. "We are broke again, huh?"
It was barely enough to survive. In the game's economy, fifty bronze coins could buy a single night at a low-quality inn, a few low-quality potions, or a weapon.
Next, he inspected the weapon.
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[ Basic Training Sword (Common) ]
[ Damage: 2-4 ]
[ Durability: 15/15 ]
[ Description: A dull blade meant for hitting scarecrows. It chips easily.
──────?????──────
Ryn frowned slightly.
"15 durability. That's about thirty swings against a slime before it snaps."
He glanced at the [ Random Skill Book ].
'Let's see what I will get...' He tapped the book icon.
The leather-bound tome materialized in his hands for a split second before dissolving into a stream of blue data particles. The light surged into his chest.
──────?????──────
[ Skill Acquired: Basic Mining (Active) ]
[ Type: General / Life Skill ]
[ Proficiency: 0.0% (Level 1)]
[ Description: Allows the user to extract ores from natural deposits. Higher proficiency increases the chance of finding rare gems/materials. ]
[ Note: This is a Physical-Type Skill. It does not rely on Arcanum conversion. The '2x exp cost' penalty doesn't apply to this skill. ]
──────?????──────
Ryn felt a corner of his mouth twitch upward.
Most players would curse their luck. They would have wanted 'Double Slash' or 'Firebolt' to speed up their leveling. Getting a labor skill right at the start was usually considered a dead draw.
But for Ryn, it was an opportunity.
First, it bypassed the vein's penalty. Second, raw materials were the backbone of the early economy. While others fought over rats for copper coins, he could pull wealth directly from the earth.
He closed the inventory window.
"Fifty coins..."
He rubbed his chin. In the old Tower, the System forbade any external currency exchange(topping up or recharging) until the user reached Level 10. It prevented rich players from monopolizing the economy on Day One.
Here, the restrictions were surely identical. Mirage Corp prided itself on a fair start(well, except this time). That meant for the next few days, Bronze Coins would be scarcer than dragon blood.
The item every single player would need within the first hour of gameplay was not a potion or food. It was a weapon.
His eyes scanned the plaza. He ignored the scenery. He focused on the shop signs hanging above the timber buildings. He saw the [ General Store ], the [ Alchemist's Hut ], and finally, the heavy iron sign of [ The Anvil & Hammer ].
He knew exactly what would happen when the countdown hit zero.
Thousands of players would spawn. The majority of them would rush out to hunt monsters. Their brittle, low-durability weapons would snap in mere ten or thirty minutes. They would flood back to the village, desperate for whetstones or replacement blades. They would find the NPC shops empty or the prices hiked up due to dynamic supply and demand.
Ryn adjusted his hood, ensuring Nero remained hidden.
"Nero," he whispered, patting the small lump on his shoulder. "If this works out, we're gonna strike it rich."
