---
I looked around. I was in the middle of a forest. The wind was pleasant, and the air was cool.
It was eerily quiet.
I started adjusting my vision and proximity settings, but I wore magnifying glasses.
My hearing was excellent; I could hear the grass rustling in the wind. My sense of smell was strong, but I couldn't distinguish between scents at first.
After about an hour, I adjusted to my new body. One of the most important skills I learned in the military was adaptability.
I know things aren't normal here, and we haven't been trained for anything like this, but how am I supposed to control myself if I don't learn to adapt?
I started exploring. I was in a forest that seemed to be a cold one; the shape of the trees suggested little sunlight.
But I didn't feel any cold, and I didn't see any ice.
[Fusion successful]
[Host has adapted to the body]
[Host will now receive the starter mission]
What?!
A transparent blue screen floated in front of me.
Is this a system?
Although I'm an older man, I have several ways of getting to know people better.
One of the most important tools is phones; I've hacked into so many that I can accurately see their contents.
Some post pornographic material, some have bad habits, some cheat on their partners and have multiple relationships, and some just read and use their phones responsibly.
I read some novels that some soldiers like, which they call "internet novels."
That's why I wanted to understand what the system is.
"Hello, can you tell me what's happening?"
[The host has been selected by the system. Now the system will give you the task.]
[Task: Those who don't start from the beginning won't reach the end.]
Choose your starting point.
Requirements: It must be at least 50 square meters.
Reward: Unlocking version 1 of the system.
Failure will disqualify the host from receiving the system.
Duration: 3 hours]
[2:59:95]
Does he seem serious? What does "land" mean? Am I going to build a house or a base?
I don't have time to search for a good spot.
I started jumping around quickly.
I found the forest was large, and there were some good plots of land, but only one place caught my attention.
It was a wide, open plain, about 100 meters across, located in the middle of the forest.
I checked to see if there were any animals there and found some tracks of foxes and other creatures.
What's special about this place is that if an enemy approaches, I'll be able to spot them.
And although I'll also be exposed, the terrain allows me to set up some traps.
"Yes, System. I choose this spot."
[Inspection begins]
[Location matches System requirements]
[Host successfully completes mission. System Level 1 unlocked.]
[Village]
[Please choose a name.]
"Okay, I have to choose a name. How about Green Moon?"
[Green Moon Village Created]
[Village: Green Moon
Leader: Erbet
Gender: Wild Rabbit
Age: 1 year
Strength: 0.5
Stability: 1.0
Speed: 2.5
Intelligence: 7.0
Charisma: 2.0
Magic: 0
Aura: 0
Skills:
Jump 1, Enhanced Hearing 1
Weapons: None
Distance: 0/1
Status Points: 0
Skill Points: 0]
Wow, this is amazing! It really is like the games and novels I've read.
[System Gift]
"Leader's Hut, would you like to place it?"
I thought about it and chose a good spot.
Then a hut appeared, 2 meters long and 3 meters high. It was very comfortable.
[Leader's Hut: A safe and secure area. No person or monster can destroy it while you're inside for 3 days.]
Great, I'll go and enter the hut.
The cabin was simple inside.
A straw bed in one corner, and a dimly lit candle on an ugly wooden table.
There was a small map, and upon closer inspection, I realized it was a map of my territory… and that was it.
Nothing else.
Suddenly:
[Warning: Intruder. Host's territory is under attack.]
[Question: Protect the cabin]
[Reward: Title "Shield"]
I glanced quickly at the map on the chair, and a red light appeared, moving toward the cabin.
It was only a few meters away.
I looked around… I had nothing I could use as a weapon.
I quickly extinguished the candle and set it down.
I took the map and hid it inside the straw bed, then gripped the wooden table with all my weak strength.
It was heavy on a rabbit's body, but I had no other choice.
I hid behind the door, breathing very slowly.
After a few seconds, I heard light footsteps, and the scent of a fox began to waft into my nostrils.
One fox… that's what I saw on the map.
I saw him put his paws inside the hut.
He thought the rabbit would dig a hole and cower in it.
But not that rabbit… not me.
"Now!" I screamed inwardly.
I lifted the table with all my might and hit him on the head.
The blow wasn't hard, but it was enough to make him take a step back.
I leaped out of the hut.
It was impossible to fight him inside—no space, no strength.
He sprinted after me, anger and shame etched in his eyes… He'd never imagined a rabbit would attack him first.
I knew that all it took to finish the task was to get him off my territory… and that would be enough to claim the reward.
But I wanted more.
I wanted to subdue that fox.