A floorboard creaked behind him. The door swung open, and Amanda stepped into view. "What are you doing outside, Leo?"
His breath hitched.
He froze.
Did she see anything?
Cold sweat trickled down his neck. He swallowed before turning to Amanda.
Her hair fell in bedraggled strands, and one strap of her camisole had slipped off her shoulder.
He forced a grin. "I couldn't sleep, so... just getting some air. I'll head in soon."
Amanda yawned and stared at him for a moment before turning back inside. "Okay, but be sure to lock the door later," she said. The door creaked slowly as it closed behind her.
Leo breathed out as if he'd held it for a long time. Does that mean only I can see my system? He crossed his arms, his forehead knitted. The night air carried the scent of damp earth and distant rain, mixing with the lingering warmth from the house.
Wait.
Did the screen disappear on its own?
Nice one, system dev! He nodded to himself, grabbing the handrail as he ascended. The worn wood felt smooth beneath his palm, polished by years of use.
Anyway, guess I'll pick this up tomorrow.
Morning light leaked through the windows as Leo, still buzzing from the night's events, told Amanda he needed a break for the day. The golden rays painted shadows across the kitchen table where they'd shared countless meals.
He went to the top of the hill where Ranna's office stood just behind their house. At the hilltop, Leo turned toward the sprawling farm below, taking in the sight of every field and the dense forest that bordered it. The morning mist clung to the valley like a secret, slowly revealing patches of green and gold as the sun climbed higher.
Around the hill, a never-ending line of thick trees made it hard to imagine any village hidden within.
Leo reached the office and knocked before going inside.
Ranna was writing at a table across the room with piles of papers on both her sides. The scratch of her quill against parchment filled the quiet space. She looked up and greeted him with a question. "What brings you here, Leo?"
"Good morning, Ranna," he replied.
"I wanted to ask for a break today." He walked toward her and stopped at a map on the wall just before Ranna's table. Red pins marked trade routes and farm boundaries, each one representing years of careful planning. "I just wanted to stroll around, maybe I'll be able to awaken this time since I just turned into an adult."
Ranna burst into laughter.
"I'm sorry Leo," she continued her heartfelt laugh before she breathed out.
"Go on."
"Take your break."
"You deserve it."
"And you know that's just a myth, right?" She lifted her arm before placing it on the table. Her hand settled beneath her chin as she stared at him. The morning light caught the silver streaks in her hair, giving her an almost ethereal quality.
Leo laughed nervously and said, "Ah, yes."
"I might encounter another Forest Sprite before I even believe that thing."
Ranna laughed again, tapping her table this time. "I remember that time."
"You were weeping your ass off as you ran back to the farm." She wiped her eyes and breathed out one more time. "You don't need to strain yourself about not being awakened."
"Some of us tend to awaken after years of adventuring." She said as she pulled in her chair, its feet slightly scratching the wooden floors. The sound echoed in the small office, mixing with the distant calls of morning birds.
"Thanks Ranna." He said on his way to the office door.
I don't know if Amanda and Ranna are just being nice,
but I already heard countless times from the adventurers she hires to guard the farm that adventurers without awakened skills is like going into the dungeon with a pike.
But having a system here is like winning the lottery's grand, GRAND prize!
He reached their house and immediately went and sat at their table. The familiar scent of home wrapped around him. Wood smoke, herbs from Amanda's garden, and something indefinably safe.
Leo opened his system and a familiar bluish light glowed, reflecting on his face. His fingers slightly trembled as he navigated to the system's inbox. His eyes zeroed in on the message: What a fortune, the gods send their regards!
He tapped the message.
His heart raced.
Notifications appeared.
[System Notification] Opening God's gift.
[System Notification] You have received Otherworldly treasure chest!
His breath hitched as the notifications continued to pour. The blue light pulsed with each new message, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
[System Notification] Otherworldly treasure chest activated!
[System Notification] Please select anything on the list that you want to transfer.
"Transfer?" he muttered, not sure what the message meant until he scanned the displayed list. He flicked through the list, spotting different random things.
Physical features Physical strength Status
The list seemed endless but something clicked in his mind. He held his breath as he continued to scroll through the items. Each swipe revealed more possibilities, more chances at a new beginning.
"Please be here."
"Please be here."
And then he saw it. His vision blurred at the edges. His knees buckled as he gripped the table's edge.
World assets
"If this is what I think it is, moving to the capital is just a tap away!" he exclaimed. The surroundings started to slow down for him as he tapped the item. Another message appeared.
All assets will be converted into this world's currency, do you want to continue?
He nearly jumped with excitement as his hunch was confirmed. Leo quickly tapped "Okay" and watched closely as another notification appeared.
[System Notification] Starting assets transfer, please wait...
The screen displayed a progress bar that inched forward slowly. Leo's eyes twinkled as he continued to watch his system screen. His legs moved back and forth before he eventually stood up. The chair creaked as it was pushed back. If all his hard-earned assets from his previous life were now converted into this world's currency, the advantage would be monumental.
He could invest in better equipment.
Secure safety.
Build connections.
As the transfer continued, Leo's thoughts drifted to his past life. He remembered the countless hours he spent working, saving, and investing. All the sacrifices he made in the hopes of securing a better future. The irony was not lost on him. Those very sacrifices were now about to give him a head start in a completely different world.
The progress bar almost reached its end, and Leo found himself walking in circles around the small room. The wooden floor creaked beneath his feet. The anticipation was almost unbearable. Each step marked time like a metronome, counting down to a new beginning.
[System Notification] Assets transfer completed!