[Total points available to borrow: 17,125 points. Use them wisely, for they must be repaid in your new life.]
“Yeah, yeah, I get it! That’s why you should hurry up and show me the talents and items I can buy!” Ren replied casually.
A moment later, several new holographic screens appeared before him. One displayed his own status:
[Ren – Rank F]
[Skill: System Access] – Basic ability to operate the system, trade items, and manage point debts.
“Am I… really that weak?” Ren muttered, staring at his F-rank—the lowest possible grade, the same mark he used to get back in school.
[Not exactly. Your abilities are simply average, like any ordinary human. Though you would definitely lose against a trained soldier in this world.]
“Hmm… Fair enough.”
Ren shifted his gaze to another screen: a deep blue menu window filled with countless small cards, ranked from the highest S-Rank all the way down to F-Rank.
When he tapped one of the glowing golden S-Rank cards…
“WHAT?! Are you kidding me?! 10,000 points for just one skill?! And I only have 17,125 total!” Ren shouted in frustration, shocked by the price.
[…]
The mysterious entity fell silent again, as if disappointed in him. After a long pause, it replied:
[You were always just an ordinary man. Not a hero. Lower your expectations.]
“Ugh! Yeah, I know! I’m just a lousy window washer! Satisfied now?!” Ren snapped back.
[Quite.]
Gritting his teeth and holding back his irritation, Ren began to go through the tens of thousands of available skill cards, checking them one by one.
Hours slipped by unnoticed.
“I already messed up my life so badly back on Earth. I want to make sure that, at the very least, I live a much better one in this new world,” Ren told himself as he sorted through the options.
Strangely enough, the silent holographic entity waited patiently, without rushing him.
After a full twenty hours of careful comparison and calculation, Ren finally made his choice.
“I’ve decided on these three skills,” he said with unshakable confidence.
[…]
[Are you certain? These abilities do not look very impressive for someone in your position.]
“Tch—do you even care?!” Ren grumbled.
[Of course I care. If you cannot repay your debt, my investment is at risk. I must ensure your chances of survival.]
“Wait… are you even alive? Or just some kind of machine?” Ren asked, growing more curious the longer he spoke with this strange system.
But as usual, the entity only answered with silence.
[…]
“Ugh… fine. My decision is final. These are the three best options I could find for 17,000 points, leaving me with just 125 points for basic gear,” Ren stated firmly.
He had chosen abilities that offered no immediate, flashy power—but held immense long-term potential.
[S-Rank Skill – Limitless Growth]
A legendary ability that allows its user to grow stronger endlessly, surpassing all natural racial limits.
It cost 10,000 points alone. It granted no raw power at first, only removed the ceiling that held him back.
[A-Rank Skill – Adept Learner]
A unique talent that lets its user master any skill, knowledge, or ability three times faster than normal.
This purple card cost 5,000 points, perfectly complementing the potential of Limitless Growth.
And finally…
[B-Rank Skill – Epic Swordsmanship]
An epic-level foundation in swordplay, doubling the learning speed of all advanced sword techniques. This effect stacks with other similar bonuses.
Combined, it meant Ren could learn and improve his swordsmanship six times faster than anyone else.
“Hehehe—what do you think? Great picks, aren’t they? With this, I’ll become the strongest, then build my own harem kingdom filled with beautiful women!” Ren declared, brimming with excitement.
[An exceptionally foolish choice, indeed.]
“WHAT?! Are you mocking me?!” Ren roared.
[I must warn you: if you die before repaying your point debt, you will face eternal torment. Are you truly confident in these mediocre abilities?]
“Of course I am! Besides…”
Ren sat calmly in the endless void, a faint smile crossing his face.
“I already lived a miserable, worthless life once. I have no intention of dying so easily this time. Do you understand?”
[Not in the slightest.]
“ARGH! The point is—I will survive, no matter what happens! Got it?!” Ren shouted.
[…]
[Hurry up and spend your remaining points. I have grown tired of your company.]
“Damned System!!”
Using his final 125 points, Ren bought simple starting equipment:
- F-Rank Steel Sword: 20 points
- D-Rank Reinforced Leather Armor: 100 points
- 5 Gold Coins (local currency): 5 points
“Hoho! This looks pretty decent!” Ren grinned, admiring his new leather gear and well-balanced sword.
[I remain skeptical.]
“Quiet! I will show you the power of will and determination from a man who has suffered enough!” Ren shot back, annoyed by the System’s constant doubt.
[Very well. I shall try to believe you.]
“Good! Now—send me over!”
[…]
[Preparing teleportation to Eloria.]
A brilliant blue light enveloped Ren, wrapping him in warmth and comfort—a feeling he had not known for a very long time.
“I have no idea what truly lies ahead… but I will accept it all, and make the most of it. At the very least… I just want to be a little happier. That’s all,” he thought to himself.
Suddenly, a final notification popped up:
[Good luck. I truly hope you succeed.]
“Wait—you actually care?!”
Before he could reply, the world around him vanished completely.
The blinding blue glow slowly faded, replaced by the soft, rustling scenery of a lush forest.
“Is this… am I really in another world?” Ren whispered in disbelief.
He breathed in the fresh, crisp air, felt the gentle breeze, and listened to the rustle of leaves around him. Everything felt vivid and real.
Far across the wide meadow, he spotted a small village bustling with life: farmers tending their fields, merchants calling out their wares, and villagers going about their daily lives.
“Is this… all real?” he murmured.
He glanced down at his gloved hands, then at the sword hanging securely at his hip.
“Yes… this is real. I truly… have been given a second chance.”
A wide, hopeful smile spread across his face.
“I promise—I will fight as hard as I can in this world. And with all this power… I will gather all the beautiful women and—”
“KYAAAAAAAHHH!!!”
A sudden, high-pitched scream rang out from deep within the woods.
Without a second thought, Ren sprinted toward the sound.
“Don’t worry, my fair lady! I’ll save you from whatever danger awaits! And after that, you’ll surely fall in love with me! Hahaha—just kidding! Or maybe not!”
And so, Ren’s life in the fantasy world of Eloria began.
It was just the first small step toward his ultimate goal: to build his very own harem kingdom, filled with beauties of every race and kind.