Alex's eyes fluttered open, greeted by a hospital room's soft, sterile lights. The unfamiliar ceiling blurred into focus as he blinked, disoriented, a dull ache pulsing from his side. He shifted slightly, wincing as a sharp pain reminded him of where the blade had struck.
He lay still for a moment, letting the memories catch up. The store, the masked men, the confrontation… and that voice in the void. It all felt like a strange, half-remembered dream, yet the steady ache in his side was a firm reminder of how real it had been.
Slowly, he propped himself up on his elbows, glancing around the room. The bed beside his was empty, the curtains drawn back, and no one else was in sight. He was alone.
Through the small window in the door, he could make out the bustling hallway beyond—nurses walking quickly between rooms, visitors chatting in hushed voices, and the occasional beep of machinery filling the otherwise quiet air.
The hospital was alive with activity, yet a quiet stillness lingered in his room, a strange contrast to the busyness outside.
He reached down, pressing his fingers gently against the bandaged area on his stomach. A faint sting made him wince, but he felt… fine otherwise. Remarkably so.
Alex's mind raced, replaying the words he'd heard in that void. A second chance, a promise of something more interesting. When a sudden glow appeared, he still tried to grasp what it all meant.
He blinked, feeling a jolt of shock. There, hanging in midair, was a message—like some floating screen. He sat back, startled, as he read the words:
[Welcome, Alex Young, to the Empire System]
The letters were sharp and clear, hovering as if projected on an invisible screen. Alex opened his mouth, half-expecting the panel to vanish. Still, it remained solid, almost daring him to interact with it.
[You have been chosen as the latest user of the Empire System. Your journey to build an empire begins now. Think 'Continue' to proceed.]
Despite his shock, curiosity nudged him forward. He focused on the word "Continue" in his mind, and, to his surprise, the panel responded, fading away and replacing itself with new text.
[Empire System: Tutorial Mode Initiated]
[As the user of the Empire System, you will be granted opportunities to shape your life into something extraordinary. Complete tasks, make impactful choices and acquire resources to build your empire. Let's get started, shall we?]
Alex's heart pounded, a mix of wonder and disbelief flooding over him. He didn't know whether to laugh or question his sanity, but one thing was clear; whatever this "Empire System" was, it seemed real, promising him the chance to change his life.
Alex stared at the floating words, his mind racing. 'So, this is what the voice meant by a second chance,' he thought. He had not believed it then, but now, with the Empire System's message hovering before him, the pieces fell into place.
This wasn't some bizarre dream or hallucination. The system felt real—solid, purposeful. And unlike anything he had experienced before. He had been drifting through life, unsure of his direction. Still, now this strange "Empire System" was here, promising a chance to shape something remarkable.
He let out a slow breath, his pulse steadying as a glimmer of anticipation stirred within him. This was not just a random twist of fate but an opportunity.
Alex focused on the screen, half-expecting it to disappear. Still, a new message appeared in response to his silent wish.
[Empire System: Tutorial Mode - Available Panels]
[1. Status]
[2. Mission]
[3. Shop]
[4. Skill]
[5. Inventory]
He studied the list, and he became curious about each option: Status, Mission, Shop. It felt like a strange game interface, yet here it was, layered over his reality. He wondered what each panel could show him and which would give him the answers he sought.
'Might as well start with Status,' he thought, focusing on it mentally.
Instantly, the other options faded, and a new display appeared.
=====
[Status]
Name: Alex Young
Age: 19
Current Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
Attributes:
Strength: 5
Speed: 5
Stamina: 6
Intelligence: 8
Charisma: 4
Luck: 4
=====
The screen felt surreal, like a personal snapshot of his abilities laid bare. He noted the attributes, and it was unsurprising to see that strength and charisma were lower than intelligence.
But "Level 1" stuck out. It almost mocked him, a stark reminder of how much potential lay untapped.
He tried to read what each attribute really meant.
=====
Strength - A measure of physical power and endurance. Strength affects physical tasks, lifting, and overall resilience. Increasing strength will allow Alex to handle physically demanding tasks with ease.
Speed - Determines agility, quickness, and reflexes. The higher the speed, Alex can move, react, and avoid obstacles faster.
Stamina - Represents physical endurance and energy levels. Higher stamina enables Alex to sustain physical and mental activities for longer periods without tiring.
Intelligence - Reflects mental acuity, comprehension, and problem-solving ability. It will influence Alex's ability to learn skills and make strategic decisions.
Charisma - A measure of social influence and persuasiveness. Charisma impacts Alex's ability to communicate effectively, build relationships, and sway others.
Luck - A unique attribute that affects random chance, from critical successes to unexpected finds.
=====
Each attribute had a numerical value next to it, though they were currently at a modest baseline. Alex noted how each one hinted at its unique role within the system, providing avenues to enhance not only his physical abilities but also his social and mental ones.
He closed the Status panel and shifted his focus to the Mission panel, which immediately replaced the previous screen. A pop-up appeared.
=====
[POP-UP] Mission Panel
Mission Overview:
Missions are tasks that can be completed for various rewards. Missions vary in difficulty, ranging from everyday actions to complex challenges that may significantly influence your progress.
Reward System:
Missions provide EXP and Coins, the currency of the Empire System, as the primary rewards. Coins are essential for purchases, learning new skills, and accessing various resources in the Shop.
Additional Rewards:
In addition to Coins, missions may grant other rewards, such as:
1. Special Items
2. Attribute Boosts
3. Unique Skills (occasionally)
4. And More...
=====
After the pop-up, the panel changed.
=====
[Mission]
Newbie Mission: Finish the Tutorials
Objective: Get familiar with the Empire System by exploring and understanding the available panels.
Reward:
1. 100 EXP
2. 50 Coins
3. 1 Basic Skill Voucher
Current Task: Access all panels in Tutorial Mode.
=====
'Alright,' he thought, feeling the pull of curiosity intensify. He had only a few more panels to check.
Alex continued with the next panel, Shop. Once again, a pop-up explaining the Shop appeared.
=====
[POP-UP] Shop Panel
The Shop offers a wide selection of items and resources available for purchase using Coins. The following categories of goods are available:
Consumables: Items that are not limited to restore health or energy, grant special effects, or provide temporary or permanent boosts to your attributes.
Gear: Weapons, armor, and other equipment designed not limited to enhancing physical abilities, offering various effects and boosts.
Special Items: Rare and unique items that are not limited to altering your attributes, providing powerful one-time or permanent effects, or unlocking new capabilities within the system.
Currency:
Coins are the primary currency used in the Shop. Earning Coins will be essential for your progress. Coins can be obtained but are not limited to through:
1. Completing missions
2. Reaching milestones
3. Uncovering hidden treasures or rewards can be affected by your Luck attribute.
=====
'I see...' Alex said, impressed by the detailed explanations for every aspect of the system. Just then, another screen replaced the pop-up.
=====
[Shop]
Available Items:
Basic Healing Potion – 20 Coins
Stamina Boost – 15 Coins
Skill Voucher – 50 Coins
=====
Alex studied the items, noting how practical they seemed. The Skill Voucher stood out, the most expensive of the three, but it piqued his curiosity. Perhaps it would be a way to gain new abilities down the line.
'I'll learn more about it later.' Next, Alex opened the Skill Panel.
=====
[POP-UP] Skill Panel
The Skill Panel tracks the abilities that can be acquired, ranging from practical skills to unique talents. These skills can be unlocked or upgraded using Coins.
However, some high-level skills will only become available after completing specific missions or reaching attribute milestones. Intelligence influences how quickly skills are learned, while Charisma might unlock certain social-based abilities.
Some basic skills can be accessed early on. Still, others will require more dedication and substantial use of Coins to acquire or improve.
[NO SKILLS AVAILABLE NOW]
=====
'As expected.' In most games, it's rare for players to have immediate access to any skills right from the start. With that thought in mind, Alex finally checked his Inventory.
=====
[POP-UP] Inventory Panel
The Inventory was a storage space for found, bought, or earned items. It could hold consumables, gear, and special items, which could be organized within the panel and accessed as needed. There will be a storage limit based on the user's level.
[0/25 Items]
=====
Alex understood this well. The Empire System allowed him to carry and manage items beyond what he could physically hold, offering a versatile and expansive storage solution for anything he collected along his journey.
"This is similar to how the dimensional storage ring works in novels, I guess," Alex mused, feeling a sense of familiarity with everything around him.
With each panel now explored, Alex felt excitement and anticipation. The Empire System was more than he had expected.
Just as Alex finished exploring the last panel, a soft chime sounded, and a new notification appeared before him.
[Tutorial Complete!]
The message floated briefly before being replaced by another notification, this one carrying a slightly celebratory tone.
[Newbie Mission Complete: Finish the Tutorials]
He blinked, surprised. "Just like that?"
It seemed straightforward enough, but he felt a strange satisfaction from this first "mission" already being checked off. The Empire System seemed to reward progress, even small steps. If that was so, then he was glad.
The notification continued.
[Rewards Earned: 100 EXP, 50 Coins earned, and a Skill Voucher.]
Alex felt a surge of curiosity as he read the rewards. He knew how EXP worked. It would push him closer to the next level. But the other two... he needed to use it to know.
He watched as the notification faded and the main system screen returned, waiting for his next move. This first mission had been simple, but it marked a beginning—a first step into the unknown potential of the Empire System.