Arjun didn't move for a while.
He just lay there, staring at the sky, replaying everything the system had said.
Different world.Death possible.Quitting forbidden.
"…This is a scam," he muttered.
[Host.]
"Yes?"
[You appear distressed.]
"No kidding."
The blue screen shifted slightly, then expanded.
[Initializing Status Interface.]
Arjun sat up immediately.
"Oh. Stats. Okay. This I understand."
The screen filled with text.
Name: ArjunRace: HumanClass: None
Strength: 4Agility: 5Endurance: 6Mana: 1Intelligence: 12Luck: ???
"…Why is Luck a question mark."
[Calculation error.]
"That's not comforting."
He leaned closer.
"Why is Mana one."
[You have never practiced magical exertion.]
"I have barely practiced physical exertion."
[That is reflected.]
"…Rude."
Scrolling.
Passive Traits:
Modern Human Syndrome
Overthinking (Permanent)
Optimized Cowardice
Arjun stared.
"…You didn't have to call it that."
[Trait names are descriptive.]
"I don't like how accurate this is."
Chapter 7: Optimized Cowardice in Action
The sound reached him slowly.
A low growl.
Arjun froze.
"…Please tell me that's wind."
[Negative.]
His heart rate spiked.
"Please tell me it's friendly."
[Highly negative.]
He stood up very carefully.
"Okay," he whispered. "No sudden movements. Predators like sudden movements."
The growl came again—closer.
His brain offered helpful suggestions like play dead and cry.
He chose option three.
Walk away.
Not run. Walk.
Slow. Casual. As if he belonged there.
The grass rustled behind him.
He walked faster.
[Host heart rate exceeding optimal comfort levels.]
"Stop tracking that."
[Unable.]
The rustling turned into heavy movement.
Arjun swallowed.
"System?"
[Yes.]
"If I die, I go home, right?"
[Yes.]
"…Good to know."
Chapter 8: The First Monster Encounter (He Does Not Participate)
The creature burst out of the bushes.
It looked like a wolf.
If a wolf had too many eyes and made deeply unsettling noises.
[Threat Identified: Feral Spinewolf.]
"Nope," Arjun said out loud.
He turned—
And stepped on a rock.
His foot slipped.
He fell backward with a very undignified noise.
The spinewolf lunged.
And stepped on the same rock.
There was a loud crack as its head collided with a tree.
Everything went quiet.
Arjun lay on his back, staring at the sky.
"…I'm dead, aren't I."
[Negative.]
"…It's not dead, is it."
[Affirmative.]
Arjun slowly sat up.
The creature was not moving.
"I didn't touch it."
[Environmental factors were sufficient.]
"That still feels illegal."
[Indirect success registered.]
Chapter 9: Leveling Up the Wrong Way
Ding.
Arjun flinched.
[Level Up.]
"Oh no."
The stat screen reappeared.
Level: 2
New Skill Acquired:
Accident Optimization (Passive)
"…What does that do."
[Increases probability that unintended actions result in favorable outcomes.]
"So luck."
[No.]
"Fate?"
[No.]
"Then what."
[Convenience.]
Arjun stared at the screen.
"You turned my incompetence into a mechanic."
[Correction: Survival behavior.]
"I feel attacked."
[Noted.]
Chapter 10: Civilization, Finally
Arjun walked until his legs hurt.
Then he walked some more.
Just as panic began creeping back in, he saw walls.
Stone walls.
Smoke rising.
People.
"Oh thank god," he whispered.
Two guards spotted him and raised spears.
"Halt!"
Arjun immediately raised his hands.
"I'm unarmed. I'm not dangerous. I don't want trouble. I just want somewhere safe."
The guards exchanged looks.
"He admits weakness openly," one said.
"That takes confidence," the other replied.
Arjun blinked.
[Reputation Gained: Mysterious Foreigner.]
"…Why does everything I do sound ominous."
The gates opened.
Arjun stepped into the village.
Alive.
Fed.
And completely unaware that his problems had just upgraded.
[Pattern recognition suggests escalation.]
"…I miss my laptop."