[Zzz… Zzz... Your Girl Rescue Simulator has been successfully loaded. The host can call up the system panel to view detailed information. If you refuse to receive this notification, please reply "HD."]
"…"
The cozy room exuded a warm ambiance. Soft light spilled over the beige walls, casting a hazy, dreamlike glow.
Seated at a simply decorated desk, a young man who seemed sleep-deprived after staying up late heard a voice echo in his mind. Groggy and confused, he instinctively picked up his phone, expecting a notification—only to find nothing.
Wait... Could it be...
Shen Lin's heart skipped a beat. Tentatively, he called out the simulator panel that was supposedly "loaded" just moments ago.
The surreal sensation wasn't entirely foreign to him. Muttering softly to himself, as if recalling fragments of a long-forgotten memory, his eyes welled up with emotion.
He was just an ordinary corporate slave, a so-called "9-to-5" office worker, though the reality was far worse—weekly unpaid overtime was basically mandatory.
Shen Lin had always thought his life would remain unremarkably mundane. But as if the universe itself were playing a practical joke, here he was, staring at a literal "Girl Rescue Simulator" in his mind.
[Once the simulation begins, the host's consciousness will be projected into a simulated world.]
Curiosity began to replace his disbelief. What exactly was this so-called Girl Rescue Simulator? Shen Lin couldn't help but feel a flicker of intrigue.
[Simulation Start: 1/1]
[World Online: Deduction Commencing]
[Talents have been generated. Please select four talents for your first simulation.]
[Note:] During the simulation, if a selected talent meets the conditions for evolution, the new evolved talent will encompass the original talent's effects in addition to its own.
A green talent evolving into a blue talent will replace the green one, while retaining and upgrading its original effects.
"Huh? An 'Arknights' simulation world?"
Shen Lin blinked in surprise. His mind was racing. Even my 2D waifu collection history can't escape the grasp of this system?!
Suppressing the awkwardness that crept into his thoughts, Shen Lin glanced down at the glowing virtual panel before him.
Available Talents:
[Green Talent: Fitness Coach]
Slightly improves physical strength, grants a well-proportioned figure, and toned muscles.
[Blue Talent: Charm Aura]
Moderately boosts charisma and improves first impressions. Makes it easier to gain favor with other entities.
[Blue Talent: Artistic Cell]
You have an innate artistic talent. What you think and think can be expressed very smoothly through art. You are a natural artist.
[Green Talent: The Art of Language]
Slightly enhances communication skills. Improves your ability to win others over during conversations.
[Purple Talent: Originium Master]
You possess innate talent with Originium. Your control over Originium-based skills is significantly superior to that of ordinary races. However, this comes at a cost: your affinity for Originium drastically increases your chances of contracting Oripathy (mineral disease), and the severity of the disease is amplified.
[Golden Talent: Live Up to Expectations]
Moderately enhances affinity. When others have positive expectations of you, your abilities will scale proportionally to the intensity and number of those expectations. The more people believe in you, the stronger you become.
Shen Lin's eyes immediately locked onto [Golden Talent: Live Up to Expectations]—it was a no-brainer. Its effects were absurdly efficient compared to the others.
However, his gaze lingered uneasily on [Purple Talent: Originium Master]. The bonus it offered was enticing, but its side effects couldn't be ignored.
"High risk, high reward, huh…"
Shen Lin sighed, weighing the pros and cons carefully. He had to admit, the temptation was real. But if he were to thrive in the Terra Continent—a world heavily influenced by Originium—then contracting Oripathy would all but guarantee social ostracization.
In some regions of Terra, being infected was practically a death sentence: growth opportunities would stagnate, and basic human rights would be stripped away.
After much deliberation, Shen Lin made his picks:
[Golden Talent: Live Up to Expectations]
[Blue Talent: Charm Aura]
[Blue Talent: Artistic Soul]
[Green Talent: The Art of Language]
A Strategy Takes Shape
Shen Lin's plan was simple yet calculated. Regardless of where he started in Terra, his Artistic Soul talent could take him to Leithanien, a nation renowned for its love of art and music. Using his other talents to improve his social standing, he could gradually accumulate wealth and resources.
With enough influence and power, Shen Lin would then focus on his ultimate objective: rescuing the girls in need.
"The weak save themselves. The strong save others."
[Talent Selection Complete. The host's race will now be randomly determined.]
The system roulette spun wildly before Shen Lin's eyes, displaying an array of races—humans, demi-humans, even gods.
"Yo, what's this? Sui Bloodline? If I get something like that, I'd ascend straight to godhood!"
Excitement bubbled in his chest as he watched the roulette slow.
The pointer crawled forward like a dying snail.
"Ah, Draco would be great too. With Victorian royal inheritance rights, I'd be practically invincible unless I tripped over my own feet!"
Just as it seemed the roulette would stop at Draco, the pointer lurched forward one last time… and landed between Draco and another race.
[Race Determined: Sarkaz]
"Wait… Sarkaz?! That's… a ghost race!"
Shen Lin stared in disbelief. The Sarkaz were known for their cursed bloodline, rife with hardship and conflict. While they were undoubtedly powerful, being a Sarkaz came with its own unique challenges.
Before Shen Lin could fully process this twist, the system chimed cheerfully:
[Host, the simulation is about to begin! Wishing you a happy journey—Happy Ciallo! (∠･ω<）⌒☆]
Shen Lin groaned, burying his face in his hands.
"Great... just great. I'm starting this simulation as a cursed ghost race. This is gonna be fun... not!"