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
The Mission panel outlined tasks that Alex could complete for rewards. Missions varied in difficulty and reward value, ranging from everyday actions to more challenging endeavors that could significantly impact his progress.
Missions provided Coins—the Empire System's currency—as rewards. Coins were essential, enabling Alex to make purchases, learn new skills, and access resources in the Shop. Missions could also yield other rewards, including but not limited to special items, boosts to attributes, and, occasionally, unique skills.
=====
After the pop-up, the panel changed.
=====
[Mission]
Newbie Mission: Finish the Tutorials
Objective: Get familiar with the Empire System by exploring the available panels and completing simple tasks.
Reward: 100 Experience Points, 50 Coins, 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. Shop. Once again, a pop-up explaining the Shop appeared.
=====
[POP-UP] Shop Panel
The Shop contained items and resources that Alex could purchase with Coins. Available goods included:
Consumables could replenish health energy or temporarily boost attributes.Gear: Weapons, clothing, or equipment with various effects, enhancing Alex's physical capabilities.Special Items: Rare items that could alter attributes, provide powerful one-time effects, or unlock new potential within the system.
Coins were the currency of choice, and earning them would be crucial for Alex's growth. Coins could be gained through completing missions, achieving certain milestones, or finding them within the world through chance encounters influenced by Alex's 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.
Next, Alex selected Skill.
=====
[POP-UP] Skill Panel
The skill panel tracked the abilities that Alex could acquire, ranging from practical skills to special talents.
Skills could be unlocked or upgraded with Coins. Still, certain high-level skills would only become available after achieving specific missions or reaching milestones in attributes. Intelligence would influence how quickly he learned skills, while Charisma might enable access to certain social skills.
Some basic skills would be accessible early on, while others might require substantial dedication and Coins.
[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, he finally checked his Inventory.
=====
[POP-UP] Inventory Panel
The Inventory was a storage space for Alex's found, bought, or earned items. It could hold consumables, gear, and special items, which he organized within the panel and accessed as needed. There will be a storage limit based on Alex's level.
[0/25 Items]
=====
The Empire System allowed him to carry and manage items beyond what he could hold physically, offering a versatile and expansive storage solution for anything he collected along his journey.
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. 'A mission just to complete the tutorial?' 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.
The notification continued.
[Rewards Earned: 100 EXP, 50 Coins earned, and a Skill Voucher.]
Alex felt a surge of curiosity as he read the amount. Coins—his first tangible reward. He now had some currency to spend in the system, a starting point to explore whatever possibilities this "empire" journey might hold.
He watched as the notifications 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.