[System Awakening]
Lin Xian's mind reeled as the mechanical voice echoed inside his head.
> [Ding! Welcome, Host.]
[Author System Activated.]
The words felt surreal, like something straight out of the web novels he used to write—but those were fiction. This? This was real.
A translucent blue panel materialized in front of him, floating midair.
---
[Author System Interface]
Host: Lin Xian
Rank: Beginner (0/1000 EXPR)
Followers: 0
Readers: 0
Likes: 0
Monthly Maintenance: 10 Points (Survival)
Debt: 0 Points
Current Balance: 100 Points (Beginner Loan)
[Available Actions:]
Write & Publish: Gain points based on reader engagement.
Unlock Features: Spend points to unlock tools, artifacts, and enhancements.
Purchase Information: Spend points for knowledge about this world.
Life Extension: Pay points to sustain physical well-being.
---
Lin Xian blinked. Points? Followers? Monthly Maintenance?
He wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. So, even in another world, I still have to struggle?
> [Ding! As a new host, you have been granted a starter pack.]
[Received: Universal Writing Tablet (Bound), Encrypted Star Web Account.]
A sleek, futuristic device materialized in his hands. It looked like a high-end laptop, but when he opened it, there was no keyboard—just a smooth, adaptive touch interface.
The moment he touched it, information flowed into his mind.
—Connected to Star Web.
—Encrypted Author ID Registered.
A login screen appeared. His new default username read:
> User_0002146
Lin Xian grimaced. No way I'm keeping that.
After a moment's thought, he typed in a new name.
> [Username: SilentQuill]
"Perfect."
It summed up his current state of mind—dried up, done with life, and just floating along.
> [Name Change Successful!]
Lin Xian exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Alright, let's take this one step at a time."
---
[First Purchase: Information]
His stomach growled, reminding him of a more immediate problem.
> [Ding! Warning: You have 30 days before your survival balance reaches zero.]
Survival... balance?
Apparently, he needed to pay 10 points per month just to exist.
"Figures," he muttered. "Even in a new life, I still have to pay rent."
He scrolled through the system options and found something useful.
> [Purchase Basic Information on Current Location – 5 Points?]
Lin Xian hesitated for a moment before tapping [Confirm].
> [Ding! 5 Points Deducted.]
A wave of knowledge rushed into his mind.
He was on a planet called Astra-9, a mid-tier civilization in an interstellar empire. The world was connected to a massive galactic network called the Star Web, where billions of beings communicated, traded, and—most importantly—consumed entertainment.
It was a melting pot of different species, cultures, and technologies.
Most importantly, writing was a thriving industry here.
Lin Xian's brows furrowed. This world… might not be so bad.
---
[First Words]
After absorbing the information, he sat cross-legged on the unfamiliar bed, opening his new writing tablet.
The empty screen stared back at him.
Lin Xian hesitated.
Did he really want to start writing again?
He had given up on it in his previous life. He had poured his soul into stories that no one cared about. Would this time be any different?
A deep sigh escaped his lips.
"...Just 100 words."
He placed his fingers on the tablet's surface. The keyboard interface adapted to his touch.
Then, he started typing.