Several monster corpses lay atop the cart.
Large bodies covered in thick scales, fangs jutting out from gaping jaws. Dried blood stained the wooden planks, and a sharp, rotten stench assaulted Kael's nose.
His stomach churned.
He took an unconscious step back, keeping his distance, his heart pounding hard. Not because of the soldiers, but because of the lifeless things piled on the cart.
They… truly exist in this world.
"Lord Gofur has returned!"
"Our island will be safe for the next week!"
Cheers erupted all around. The villagers shouted in excitement, some even bowing respectfully as the unit passed by.
Kael swallowed.
An island in the sky. Real monsters. And people who could kill them.
When the procession disappeared into the distance, the crowd slowly returned to normal. Kael let out a long breath, realizing just how quickly this world could shift from peaceful to deadly.
"I need to be more careful," he murmured.
He continued walking, moving through the village with greater caution. In about ten minutes, he had a rough understanding of the place. The village was small, but well organized. Everyone seemed to know their role.
From fragments of conversation drifting out of simple shops and bars he passed, Kael caught several words repeated again and again.
Natural energy. Training. Cultivators.
This island was called Skyland, a landmass floating high in the sky. And one name was spoken most often, always with respect.
Lord Kunwu.
A high-level cultivator…
Kael slowly clenched his fist.
In this world, strength wasn't just an option. It was a requirement to survive.
He glanced back at the village once more, then turned away. Building a factory inside the village was clearly not a wise choice, too many eyes, too many rules.
Kael exited through the gate and followed a dirt path heading north. The land here was more open. Vast stretches of green grass spread out before him, marked by old cart tracks hardened by time. Occasionally, small groups of hunters or merchants passed by at a brisk pace.
The midday wind felt dry.
His throat began to ache.
Kael swallowed. He had nothing, no food, no water, not even Mana Stones for trading. Everything he owned had been left behind with his old world.
"I need to hurry," he muttered.
The Qi Gathering reward from the mission was his only way out of this situation.
A few minutes later, a small camp came into view. One large tent stood at the center, surrounded by several smaller tents and caravan carts. The place was busy but fleeting, transactions were quick, and groups departed soon after.
Kael entered without being stopped.
His eyes settled on a simple cart. Standing in front of it was a plump old man with a friendly face and sharp eyes, the eyes of an experienced merchant.
"Boss," Kael greeted carefully. "Do you do bartering?"
The old man's eyebrows rose slightly. His gaze swept over Kael from head to toe. Kael's clothes were clean and neat, clearly not those of an ordinary villager, though they weren't flashy.
"What do you want to trade?" the man asked.
Kael reached into his pocket and took out a brown handkerchief. The fabric was smooth and plain, but clearly not cheap.
"This," he said. "How many Mana Stones?"
The old man took the handkerchief, squeezed it briefly, then handed it back with a neutral expression.
"Three Mana Stones. No more."
Kael nodded quickly. "Two Mana Stones. Add bread and water."
The old man snorted softly, then, without further argument, put the handkerchief away. He handed over two small, shimmering Mana Stones, a bundle of bread, and a medium-sized leather water pouch.
"Thank you," Kael said sincerely.
"Come back again next time," the old man replied with a faint smile, the smile of someone who knew he had gotten the better deal.
Kael didn't respond. He quickly moved away, opened the water pouch, and drank deeply.
Cold water flowed down his throat. Only after several gulps did he realize just how dry and tense his body had been. The bread in his hand tasted far better than he had expected.
After this… I can't afford to fail.
Kael left the camp behind. His destination was clear, the lake to the west of the village.
The land around him was open and safe. No monsters were in sight, only the wind moving through the green grass. A few minutes later, the lake came into view, its surface calm, reflecting the blue sky above the floating island.
About a hundred meters from the lakeshore, Kael stopped.
"Here," he murmured.
He opened the system panel. The factory blueprint appeared, floating in the air like a blue hologram. The twenty-by-twenty-meter structure followed the movement of his hand.
Kael adjusted its position carefully.
Once he was sure, he confirmed the command.
White light enveloped the blueprint. The ground trembled slightly. The outline solidified into a real form, gray metal, solid walls, a cube-shaped building with a small chimney on top.
A building stood before him.
[Factory successfully built.]
[Main Mission: Establish a Factory – Completed.]
Another panel appeared instantly.
[Reward acquired: Qi Gathering.]
"Finally, the Qi Gathering pill," Kael said excitedly. He was about to check his reward when another panel appeared.
[New Main Mission: Accumulate 100 Coins]
[Reward: Skill Book – Four Heavenly Techniques]
Kael's eyes narrowed.
A skill book.
This reward… wasn't simple. Just imagining its name made Kael eager to complete the main mission.
He closed the panel and looked at the factory before him. The building appeared cold and solid, made of gray metal with no windows, only thin black slits for ventilation.
Kael stepped closer. As soon as he did, an information panel appeared.
[Factory]
Owner: Kael
Employees: 0
Coins: 0
Land: Rice Field ×1
"Rice field…?" Kael murmured.
He slid open the door and went inside.
A small lobby greeted him, a reception desk, clean floors, and a single door on the right. He entered the preparation room. Waiting chairs were neatly arranged. Work uniforms hung on the wall. Farming tools, hoes and sickles, were lined up in order.
Everything felt… ready.
Kael opened the last door.
A large space spread out before him. Four rice plots were neatly arranged, each with two rows of fertile soil. Soft light filled the room, with no visible source.
"How does sunlight get in here…?" he muttered.
He found a staircase in the corner and went down underground.
The warehouse.
A vast empty room with metal shelves, bright white lights, and a small table with a computer on it.
Kael turned it on.
[Warehouse]
Inventory: (Qi Gathering)
Shelves: -
Features: (Sell), (Market)