Roma stared at the blue screen in silence."…Let me get this straight."He raised one finger."I've transmigrated into a dying bandit."A second finger."I'm weak."A third."I've got enemies everywhere."A fourth."And my so-called golden finger…"He pointed at the screen."…won't even function unless I recruit someone first."
[System: Affirmative]
Roma nodded slowly."…Good.""Very good.""Perfect."
Then—He dropped flat onto the bed."…I quit."
"…If I try to recruit anyone…""They'll laugh at me…""Or beat me…""Or report me to the boss…""…or maybe all three."
He lay there, staring blankly."…This is hopeless."
Complete mental shutdown.
Roma looked up at the ceiling."…Just let me die."
[Host Vital Signs: Stable]
"…That's disappointing."
He turned to his side."…System, let's be real.""I have no money.""No strength.""Not even a shred of reputation."He pointed at himself."I'm a 23-year-old bandit with zero future.""…Who exactly do you expect me to recruit?"
[No Answer]
"…Figures."
The Only Good News
Suddenly—That warm current flowed through his body again.
Roma froze."…Hm?"
His body felt… lighter.The pain? Gone.The weakness? Reduced.
He slowly sat up."…Wait."
He moved his arm.Twisted his waist.No pain.
"…I'm healed?"
[Beginner Gift: Activated]
Roma blinked."…That's all?"
[Yes.]
"…No pills?""…No cultivation techniques?""…No hidden treasure?"
He stared at the ceiling again."…Minimalist system."
Closing his eyes, he checked his condition."…Stage 2 Chakra Gathering."
Same as before.No breakthrough.No sudden enlightenment.Nothing.
"…So I'm still weak."
From memory:• Most henchmen → Stage 2 or 3• Elite henchmen → Stage 4, some at 5• Leader → Stage 6, nearing 7
Roma opened his eyes."…I'm literally at the bottom."
The Worst Part
A thought struck him."…Right.""This body…""…died in a gang fight."
Fragments surfaced—Blood.Chaos.Screams.Rival bandits.And then—Darkness.
Roma rubbed his face."…So I'm using a second-hand corpse.""…Great."
Voices echoed outside."Move faster!""Boss wants everyone ready!""Even the injured!"
Roma stiffened."…Ah."
The gang was preparing to move.Target?The remains of a noble family—destroyed just two days ago.
But his memories told him clearly—"…That place was already wiped out.""…By something… or someone powerful."
And already looted.No resources.Unknown danger.
"…So we're heading to a place…""…where even the victors took nothing and left."
Roma slowly lay back down."…Let me die."
[Host Has Repeated This Statement 3 Times]
"…And I meant it every time."
Logical Thinking (Still Useless)
Roma sighed."…Let's think this through.""If I go…""I might die.""If I don't…""I'll definitely die."
"…Perfect."
Looking at the System Again
He raised his hand weakly."…System."
[Yes.]
"…Any advice?"
[Recruit a member]
"…Anything else."
[…]
"…You're really committed to that."
Roma sat up again, face blank."…Alright.""Let's say I try.""…Who would even join me?"
He imagined it—"Hey, want to join my group?"
Response:"Who are you?""Why should I?""Are you an idiot?"
Or worse—He gets beaten on the spot.
"…Yeah.""That sounds about right."
He checked his belongings.A torn pouch.Inside—A few low-grade coins.
"…Not even enough for a meal."
"…And I'm supposed to recruit someone?"
He glanced at the system."…Can I recruit a stray dog?"
[Invalid Target]
"…You're picky for something this useless."
Roma lay back down again."…Fine.""New plan.""I won't recruit.""I won't struggle.""I won't hope."
He crossed his arms."…I'll just survive."
A pause."…Somehow."
"EVERYONE GATHER!""We move soon!"
Roma slowly sat up again."…Guess I don't have a choice."
He stood.This time—steady.
Stretching lightly, he muttered,"…At least I'm not injured anymore."
He glanced once more at the blue screen."…Group system, huh…""…Let's see when you actually become useful."
Roma walked toward the door.Not confident.Not excited.Just… moving.
"…If I survive this…""…maybe I'll think about recruiting."
He paused, then added,"…Maybe."
Stepping outside into the noisy bandit camp, he muttered,"…For now, not dying is already a full-time job."