Akkhee lowered his gaze to the old clock on the wall.3 A.M.
He sat before his computer, staring at the massive negative number glowing on his bank account screen—a reminder of the debt choking him day by day.
"Only five hundred dollars left…"His whisper sank into the damp silence of his rundown apartment.The moldy smell, the peeling walls, the heavy air—they pressed on him like an invisible burden.
He had a ten-year-old sister to take care of.Two part-time jobs.Odd work here and there.But the money was never enough.
His phone vibrated beside him.
A message from Mecha, his closest friend.
Mecha:Bro, have you decided yet? This is your last chance.Mecha:Just join Trikaya already. I told you— even rich people have to buy stuff from strong players in that game.
Trikaya—the world's most popular VRMMORPG, praised for its unmatched realism.
No HP bars.No fixed stats.No floating numbers.
Everything depended on the player's actual movement, skill, and understanding of combat.
Akkhee knew he had never been a true gamer.But if Mecha was right…If the game could really make money…
Then this might be his only way out.
He glanced at the small bed where his little sister was sleeping peacefully.
Akkhee clenched his fists.He made his choice.
"For the only thing I have left… I'll survive."
Akkhee put on the second-hand VR headset he'd bought from Mecha and pressed Start.
[Welcome to the world of TRIKAYA][Scanning your body to adjust Default Stats. Please remain in a relaxed posture.]
The worn-down room dissolved.The moldy ceiling vanished.And in its place appeared an endless field of green grass, stretching beyond the horizon.The scent of earth and herbs drifted gently on the wind.
[Race Selected: Human][Class Selected: Warrior][You currently possess 0 Elemental Points. Would you like to perform an Elemental Infusion?]
He recalled Mecha's advice:
"If you want quick money, choose an element no one else dares to play—and pour everything into it."
Akkhee took a long breath.
"Infuse element… Lightning."
[Lightning Infusion Complete!][Warning: Lightning is a High-Intensity Element. Your base power growth will be slower, but your mastery potential will be far greater.][All strength must be gained through your own effort.][Repeated training and skill usage will increase your proficiency.]
Starting Proficiencies:• Basic Warrior Techniques — Beginner• Hand-to-Hand Combat — Beginner• Lightning Element — Low• Housekeeping — High
(Note: "Housekeeping" was added due to Akkhee's years of caring for his sister, managing chores, and handling finances. The VR system faithfully converts real-life skills.)
Akkhee arrived at the beginner village—Night Moth Outpost.
Unlike the excited players running around asking for quests or hunting monsters…
Akkhee walked straight into the old goods shop.
He checked his in-game wallet:100 copper coins, given by the system.
He purchased:• a dull kitchen knife — 1 copper• an old rope — 5 copper
While others sprinted across the fields, shouting and fighting weak monsters,Akkhee calmly sat beneath a large tree and pulled out the dull knife.
He placed it against a stone and began sharpening.
[Sharpening Activated][Sharpening Proficiency +0.01%][Tool Handling Proficiency +0.05%]
Again.And again.Until the knife gleamed sharp enough to mirror his face.
Then he picked up the rope and began weaving—with the same careful method he used to fix broken items back home.
[Weaving Activated][Weaving Proficiency +0.03%][Fine Dexterity Proficiency +0.07%]
Once satisfied, he returned the newly sharpened knife to the old shop.
[Item Improved: Dull Knife (1 copper) → Sharpened Knife (Good Quality)][System Buyback Price: 10 copper coins!]
Akkhee smiled faintly.
"Ten sharpenings… nine copper profit…Yeah. This is my way to survive."
[Skill Unlocked: Blade Grinder — Basic]