Episode 1: My Death Was Just The Tutorial?!
The last thing I remember was the hiss of escaping atmosphere. Olympian Station's maintenance corridor stretched before me, emergency lights painting everything in crimson pulses. My repair tools floated uselessly at my belt as the hull breach tore wider.
"Warning: Catastrophic decompression imminent," my neural lace chimed helpfully.
"はい,はい, I can see that," I muttered in my native Japanese, the words familiar and comforting even in my final moments. I, Nakamura Yuki, age 26, was about to die. At least the stars looked beautiful through the growing hole before everything went dark.
But darkness wasn't the end.
I awakened in what appeared to be an impossibly vast meadow beneath a golden sky. Bioluminescent plants pulsed with gentle light, their branches intertwined with crystalline structures that hummed with inner energy. Floating interface panels shimmered with that distinctive too-perfect quality of high-end simulations.
[Status Window]
Name: Nakamura Yuki (中村 雪)
Previous Life Level: 42
Class: Space Station Engineer
Notable Skills:
- Zero-G Operations (Expert)
- Systems Integration (Master)
- Emergency Response (Advanced)
Current Status: Deceased (Pending Reincarnation Choice)
"Welcome, Nakamura-san!" A cheerful voice sang out. I turned to find myself face-to-face with what appeared to be a being composed of both plant matter and technological components, its eyes glowing softly as it studied me. Its form was fluid and graceful, reminding me of the stories about the elven enclaves that had emerged after the great transformation.
She was so beautiful, like a goddess. Maybe I should try to get more special benefits for the circumstances of my untimely death? I'm pretty sure this is a requirement for this situation.
"You've arrived at a most fortunate time," the bio-mechanical guide continued, gesturing toward three shimmering pathways that materialized before us. "Your engineering expertise has qualified you for our premium resurrection packages!"
My inner child giggled at the idea that I had landed in an isekai, like the guilty pleasures my younger brother and I enjoyed in our youth.
[Available Resurrection Paths]
- Standard Orbital Restoration (Blue) - Return to your previous life with full memories
- Surface Reclamation Engineer (Green) - Join the Earth restoration project
- ★SPECIAL★ Fantasy Space Adventure (Gold) - Become a Stellar Serpent Tamer!
The last option caught my eye, its golden light pulsing in harmony with the surrounding tech-integrated flora. Of course, there's a special flashy option. Every isekai needs an OP path. "What's a Stellar Serpent Tamer? And why does it sound like a class straight out of a fantasy RPG?"
My guide's smile brightened, circuits beneath its skin glowing with enthusiasm. "We're creating a new future where technology and nature intertwine. The Serpents are living megastructures, born from the fusion of dwarven crafting and elven biotechnology. They need talented individuals like yourself to help guide their growth. They will exist in physical reality even as you work with them here."
A notification chimed:
[Special Offer!]
First 100 Stellar Serpent Tamers receive:
- Unique Starter Seed Core
- Enhanced Affinity with Living Metal
- Bonus Skill: Ancient Runic Engineering
- Exclusive Mount: Mini Maintenance Dragon
*'Wait, I get a pet dragon too? This is officially the best afterlife ever!'*
The meadow transformed around us, revealing a workshop where ancient stone merged seamlessly with living tech. My station uniform shifted into robes that seemed to be woven from starlight and circuitry.
[Character Status]
Name: Nakamura Yuki
Class: Apprentice Serpent Tamer
Level: 1
Skills: Loading Previous Life Experience...
Special Abilities: Pending First Serpent Bond
"Are you ready to begin your journey?" my guide asked, leading me toward a crystalline seed core that pulsed with inner light. "There's a whole new world waiting to be shaped, where the impossible flourishes daily."
Looking at the seed core, I could almost see the future it promised—one where humanity's dreams took root among the stars, where technology and nature danced in perfect harmony. I reached out my hand, ready to become part of something extraordinary.
[Tutorial Quest Activated: Bond With Your First Serpent]
Reward: Unlocks Basic Taming Skills
Time Limit: None
Difficulty: Beginner
'Beginner, huh? Hopefully that means no instant death this time.'
"I'm ready," I whispered, and took my first step toward becoming a legend.
As my fingers touched the seed core, an explosion of information flooded my neural interface:
[Stellar Serpent Seed Core Activated!]
Type: Maintenance-class
Specialization: Hull Repair & Systems Integration
Affinity Match: 98.7% (Engineering Background Bonus)
The crystalline structure pulsed with a soft blue light, tiny streams of what looked like liquid starlight beginning to spiral around my arms. I felt a familiar tingle, similar to when I used to sync with Olympian Station's maintenance systems.
"Excellent compatibility!" my guide exclaimed. "Now, Nakamura-san, let's get you to your starting location. As a new Serpent Tamer, you'll begin in the Galapagos Restoration Zone."
"The Galapagos?" I blinked in surprise. "Isn't that where—"
"Where the first successful planetary restoration projects began, yes! The perfect training ground for a promising Tamer like yourself."
My interface chimed again:
[Tutorial Location Selected: Galapagos Hub]
Features:
- Protected Learning Environment
- Basic Resource Gathering
- Starter Equipment Cache
- Local Mentor Access
The world shifted around us, the workshop dissolving into a tropical landscape. But this wasn't the Galapagos I remembered from historical records. Massive bio-mechanical structures rose from the ocean, their surfaces crawling with luminescent patterns. Floating gardens hung in the air, suspended by what appeared to be miniature versions of the Stellar Serpents.
"Your first task will be to bond with your Serpent and help maintain the local ecosystem integration systems," my guide explained. "You'll find a hidden 3D printer cache nearby, left by previous Tamers. Use it to create the tools you'll need."
[New Quest Alert!]
Mission: Establish Your First Base
Objectives:
- Locate hidden 3D printer cache
- Bond with Starter Serpent
- Create basic maintenance tools
Reward: Unlocks Basic Base Building Options
I looked down at the seed core in my hands, then up at the magnificent bio-mechanical structures above. From space station engineer to Stellar Serpent Tamer... what would my old colleagues think?
"One more thing," my guide added with a knowing smile. "You might want to check your starter package."
[Starter Package Accessed]
Contents:
- Mini Maintenance Dragon (Egg Stage)
- Basic Runic Engineering Manual
- Emergency Survival Kit
- Neural Interface Upgrade Token
'Neural Interface Upgrade? Sounds like I'm getting a software patch. Is this normal for dead people?'
I couldn't help but laugh. Here I was, about to start a new life with a baby dragon and a space serpent. Maybe dying hadn't been so bad after all.
"よし!" I said, straightening my tech-enhanced robes. "Let's begin."
The seed core hummed in response, almost like it was eager to start our journey together. Whatever challenges lay ahead, at least they would be interesting ones.
[Tutorial Stage 1 Beginning...]
"Before we begin your first quest, let's activate that Neural Interface Upgrade," my guide suggested, gesturing to the token floating in my inventory. "It'll help you better understand the Serpent Taming systems."
[Neural Interface Upgrade Initializing...]
Integrating Gaian Protocols...
Installing Ecosystem Management Subroutines...
Unlocking Basic Evolution Parameters...
A cascade of information flooded my consciousness, far more sophisticated than the basic neural lace I'd used on Olympian Station. This was like having an entire bioengineering database merged with my thoughts.
[New Systems Unlocked!]
- Evolution Management Interface
- Species Interaction Metrics
- Genetic Stability Monitor
- Ecosystem Balance Tracker
The egg in my starter package began to pulse with a soft light, responding to my upgraded neural interface. A window appeared:
[Maintenance Dragon Egg Status]
Incubation Progress: 2%
Genetic Template: Adaptive Support Type
Special Ability: Tech Integration
Estimated Hatching: 24 hours
"Your companion will be crucial for your work here," my guide explained. "The Maintenance Dragons are a specialized breed, created during the great transformation. They can interface with both biological and technological systems."
I cradled the egg carefully, noting how its surface rippled with circuitry-like patterns. "So what exactly happened to Earth while I was up in orbit? These restoration zones seem... different."
My guide's expression turned serious. "After the Triad War and Grayson's ascension, Earth entered a new age of conscious evolution. The Galapagos Zone was one of the first successes, where technology and nature achieved true synthesis."
[Historical Context Unlocked]
- Triad War Archives
- Grayson's Restoration Projects
- Birth of Techno-Organic Synthesis
- Rise of Transspecies Civilization
A distant roar drew my attention skyward. A massive Stellar Serpent, its body a beautiful fusion of biological and mechanical elements, wound its way through the clouds. Solar-collecting scales glinted in the sunlight as it maintained the atmospheric processors that helped regulate the zone's climate.
"That's... that's what my seed core will become?" I asked, awestruck.
"With time and proper nurturing, yes. But first—" My guide pointed to a nearby ridge where something metallic glinted. "Let's find that 3D printer cache. You'll need proper tools to begin your journey as a Tamer."
[Quest Updated: Establish Your First Base]
First Objective: Locate hidden 3D printer cache
Distance: 500m
Difficulty: Easy
Recommended Action: Follow the tech signature on your new neural interface
"Ready to take your first steps, Nakamura-san?"
I adjusted my robes, checked that the egg was secure, and nodded. "Lead the way. I've got a lot to learn about this new world."
The guide smiled knowingly. "That's the spirit. Remember, in the restoration zones, everything is connected. Your actions will help shape the future of this ecosystem."
[Tutorial Tip: Use your Neural Interface to scan flora and fauna for integration opportunities. Every species has a role to play in the greater system.]
"Ah yes, let me introduce you to some of your fellow apprentices!" my guide gestured as we approached the ridge. Three distinct figures emerged from behind a cluster of bioluminescent ferns.
[New Characters Detected!]
- Pixel-chan (Digital Sprite Assistant)
- Rocky McForge (Dwarven Tech Expert)
- Luna Brightleaf (Elven Bio-Engineer)
"Yo! Another newbie!" A small holographic figure materialized next to my shoulder - a pixelated sprite with electric-blue hair and a mischievous grin. "I'm Pixel! Your personal digital assistant and professional chaos coordinator~♪"
[Pixel-chan Status]
Class: Digital Familiar
Special Ability: System Hacking
Personality: Chaotic Good
Current Mission: "Making tutorials fun!"
"Don't let her mess with your neural settings," grumbled a stocky figure tinkering with what looked like a quantum-enhanced forge. Rocky McForge had the traditional dwarven beard, but it was interwoven with fiber optic cables that pulsed with data. "Last time she 'helped,' my crafting interface spoke in nothing but cat memes for a week."
[Rocky McForge Status]
Class: Master Artificer
Specialization: Living Metal Synthesis
Current Project: "Something that probably won't explode"
"Both of you, please try to maintain some professionalism," sighed an elegant elfin woman who seemed to be communing with a cluster of techno-organic plants. Luna Brightleaf's skin had a subtle iridescent quality, marking her as one of the new generation born after the great transformation. "We're supposed to be mentoring, not traumatizing."
[Luna Brightleaf Status]
Class: Bio-Harmonist
Specialization: Ecosystem Integration
Current Mood: Perpetually Done™
"These three will be your primary support team," my guide explained. "Each brings unique expertise that complements Serpent Taming."
"And entertainment value!" Pixel-chan added, generating a small shower of digital confetti. "Just wait until you see Rocky try to dance with his maintenance bots!"
"That was ONE TIME—"
"I recorded it~"
As Luna rubbed her temples and Rocky chased the giggling sprite, I couldn't help but smile. Maybe this new life would be more interesting than I thought.
[Tutorial Update]
Team Synergy System Unlocked!
- Pixel-chan: +20% Interface Efficiency
- Rocky: +15% Crafting Success Rate
- Luna: +25% Ecosystem Understanding
'Well,' I thought, watching Pixel project embarrassing dance footage while dodging Rocky's attempts to swat her, 'at least it won't be boring.'