The lights of Stockholm glimmered below as Dr. Alexander Reed stood on the grand stage, cradling the gilded medal that proclaimed him a Nobel laureate in Physics. The applause roared like a tidal wave, but Alexander barely registered it. His mind was already racing ahead, thinking about the implications of his research on quantum mechanics and energy conversion.

"Thank you," he said into the microphone, his voice steady despite his excitement. "This is not just an award for me, but for humanity's boundless curiosity and ingenuity. The future holds wonders we can scarcely imagine, and I hope my work will be a stepping stone to that brighter tomorrow."

Later that night, as he retired to his hotel room, the exhaustion hit. He lay back on the plush bed, staring at the ceiling. Somewhere in the haze of his thoughts, the equations he had been working on began to dance before his eyes. They morphed, combined, and then… collapsed. Darkness engulfed him.

Alexander awoke to the sensation of rough, uneven ground beneath him. The crisp smell of damp earth and the distant rustling of leaves replaced the sterile comfort of his hotel room. His first coherent thought was that he must be dreaming. His second was that this was no ordinary dream.

He sat up, blinking in the pale light of dawn. Around him stretched an untamed wilderness—a landscape untouched by civilization. Massive trees loomed like ancient sentinels, and the air was alive with unfamiliar sounds. He looked down at his hands, now calloused and scratched, and realized he wasn't in Stockholm anymore.

"What… where am I?" he muttered, his voice trembling slightly.

Suddenly, a chime rang in his ears, startling him.

[System Activated: Technology Advancement Interface Online]

A translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes, displaying a series of cryptic symbols that quickly resolved into comprehensible text.

Welcome, Dr. Alexander Reed. You have been selected to uplift this world from its current technological stagnation. Your mission: Guide this civilization from Type 0 to Type I on the Kardashev Scale.

Initial Assessment:

Current Status: Type 0.00001 (Stone Age-level technology).Primary Goal: Achieve rudimentary societal organization and technological progress.

Reward: Access to advanced tools and knowledge from the Technology System.

Penalty for Failure: Termination of host.

"Termination of host?" Alexander exclaimed, panic bubbling in his chest. "What kind of sick joke is this?"

Please remain calm. The Technology Advancement Interface is designed to assist you.

Before he could protest further, the screen flickered and displayed a new set of instructions.

First Task: Secure a source of fire for warmth and survival. Reward: Basic Blueprint Module Unlocked.

"Fire?" Alexander muttered, his mind reeling. He stood shakily, his years of scientific training battling against the surreal nature of his predicament. "Okay, think, Alexander. You've studied enough anthropology to know how this works. Friction, sparks, oxygen… let's get to it."

The hours passed in a blur of trial and error. Using a branch and some dry bark he scavenged from the forest, Alexander attempted to create a spark. His hands blistered, his patience wore thin, but finally, a tiny ember caught. He shielded it with his hands, coaxing it to life until flames flickered and danced before him.

The screen reappeared with a cheerful chime.

Task Complete: Fire Secured. Reward Unlocked: Basic Blueprint Module.

Suddenly, a surge of information flooded Alexander's mind. He saw diagrams of primitive tools—axes, spears, and simple shelters. The knowledge felt like a gift and a burden simultaneously.

"This is real," he whispered, staring into the fire. "I don't know how or why, but it's real. If this system expects me to turn this Stone Age world into a Type I civilization, I'll need more than just fire. I'll need strategy, allies… and a lot of luck."

As the firelight flickered in his determined eyes, the faint sound of footsteps in the distance reached his ears. He turned sharply, realizing he wasn't alone in this world—and his actions had already drawn attention.