The cabin smelled faintly of fresh wood, though it looked as though no one had ever lived in it. Arin stepped cautiously inside, his shoes creaking against the simple plank floor. There was nothing—no furniture, no tools, no sign of life. Only a single object lay on the desk: a plain envelope of yellowed paper.
He picked it up. Blank. No seal, no writing—just empty silence where words should have been.
Arin frowned, running his thumb over the edges. "What kind of tutorial item is this supposed to be?" he muttered. Unsure what else to do, he slipped it into his pocket.
Stepping back outside, he finally took a closer look at his surroundings. His so-called "pocket dimension" stretched no farther than ten meters square: a patch of green grass bordered by a faint horizon that shimmered like ripples in water. Above loomed a pale, motionless sky, almost painted on.
It was then another translucent window flickered into view, sharp and undeniable:
Status Window [Arin]
Strength: 3
Dexterity: 2
Agility: 1
Constitution: 2
Willpower: 1
Skills:
[Pocket Dimension (?) – Lv.0]
[Chain Kill (G-)]
Arin's eyes darted from word to word. His heart thumped against his ribs; this was the kind of screen he had seen in countless RPGs and web novels. But now, it was his life.
"Alright… don't panic," he whispered, trying to steady his breath. "Just treat it like any other game system."
He focused on the skill list, his gaze lingering on the one that had changed everything.
Pocket Dimension (?) – Lv.0
Welcome, User. You are the sole owner of a unique ability. Unlike conventional pocket dimensions, which only allow storage of objects, your dimension is a fully functional world. It can expand, upgrade, and evolve. Inside, you can construct buildings, craft items, and create a safe haven. Growth depends upon your actions: the stronger you grow, the greater this world will become.
Arin exhaled slowly. "So it's… not just a bag of holding. It's… a world of my own."
Before he could sink too deep into wonder, the window shifted again—now displaying something far less comforting:
Mission – Pocket Dimension Lv.1 Unlock
Objective: Slay 1 Beast [Lv.2]
Note: A 'Beast' is classified as a creature at least the size of the User and equipped with a natural weapon (claws, fangs, or horns).
The message burned in his vision until he reluctantly accepted it. When it vanished, his mouth was dry.
"A level two beast…"
He wasn't dumb. He'd spent years surviving in digital worlds and understood what a jump in levels usually meant—more strength, speed, endurance, and most dangerous of all: intelligence. If rabbits had given him trouble, a beast would not be a joke.
Still, something stirred in him. A cocktail of dread, anticipation, and the faintest flicker of excitement.
For years, he had lived as a shadow in the real world. Quiet, anxious, avoiding attention. Now fate itself had thrust a test before him he couldn't refuse.
Clenching his fists, Arin glanced around the tiny field one more time. It wasn't much now, but it was his. The cabin, the grass… maybe even the future hidden in all this.
"Fine," he said to the empty sky. "I'll play your game."
And so, drawing on every hour he had ever spent grinding, min-maxing, and theorycrafting, Arin stepped back into the dangerous, unknown world. Beyond the rabbits, beyond the gates, a greater hunt awaited him. Whether his introverted soul could rise to it or not—only the next battle would decide.