Chapter 2

A New Reality

I woke up with a start, gasping for breath, my heart pounding in my chest. It felt as if I had just escaped from a nightmare. But as my eyes adjusted to my surroundings, the harsh truth settled in—I hadn’t just woken from a bad dream. This was real.

I was no longer in my old world. I had truly died and been reincarnated into this new one.

A shiver ran down my spine as I carefully took in my surroundings. The towering trees, the dense foliage, the faint scent of damp earth—it was clear that I was in a forest. But I wasn’t just in any forest. I was inhabiting the body of someone who had already died, likely in this very place. The thought sent a wave of unease through me.

My first instinct was caution. If the previous owner of this body had been killed by a beast, then I was in immediate danger. I remained as still as possible, listening intently for any signs of movement—rustling leaves, distant growls, the snap of a twig—anything.

But ... nothing.

The forest was eerily silent.

I waited, scanning my surroundings for five long minutes, my muscles tense, prepared to bolt at the first sign of a threat. But the silence remained unbroken. No predators, no movement, nothing that suggested imminent danger.

Still, I couldn’t let my guard down.

Seeking Higher Ground

After confirming that I was alone—for now—I took a cautious step forward, glancing down at myself. The clothes I wore were rough and unfamiliar, but they were practical enough for survival. I had no weapons, no supplies, and no clue about this world beyond what the agent had told me.

I needed to find a safe place—somewhere to rest, assess my situation, and plan my next move.

My eyes landed on a nearby tree, its sturdy trunk stretching high into the sky. Deciding that higher ground would give me a better vantage point—and keep me out of reach of anything lurking below—I approached it quietly and began to climb.

The rough bark scraped against my palms, but my body responded instinctively, as if it had done this before. Perhaps the muscle memory of the previous owner remained.

After a few moments, I reached a thick branch that looked strong enough to support my weight. Carefully, I eased myself onto it and secured my position, making sure I wouldn’t slip.

From my new perch, I scanned the forest once more.

Still nothing.

I let out a slow, shaky breath—one that I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding. For now, I was safe.

A Glimpse Into My Status

After ensuring I was still alone, I let out a slow breath and decided to test something.

Softly, I whispered, “Status.”

For a brief moment, nothing happened. Then, before my eyes, a light blue, semi-transparent screen materialized in the air. My heart pounded as I glanced around, wary of any sudden movement that might indicate a beast had heard me. But the forest remained eerily silent.

Satisfied that I was still alone, I turned my full attention to the glowing screen.

At the top left corner, there was a small square box displaying a simple outline of a humanoid figure. Below it, the number 100% was written, likely indicating my current health condition. Next to it was another smaller box, containing text that was difficult to read at a glance. Out of curiosity, I reached out and tapped the box.

Instantly, the section expanded, growing from a tiny notification to a full-screen display.

A World Within My Inventory

To my surprise, the screen now displayed my inventory—and what I saw made my jaw drop.

Listed within the inventory were resources that would make any ruler envious.

Unlimited Wood

Unlimited Salt Water & Fresh Water

Unlimited Iron, Gold, Copper, Platinum, Silver...

Next to each resource, in brackets, was the word (extractable), indicating that these materials weren’t just present in my dimensional space but could be mined and gathered. In short, everything necessary for a habitable planet existed within my inventory.

I swallowed hard, my mind reeling at the implications. If I could truly access an entire world’s worth of resources, then survival in this new world wouldn’t just be possible—it could be easy.