Kai stared at the last line, his mind reeling.
F-rank potential… but a hidden spire?
The words seemed to glow with promise, a single crack of light in his otherwise bleak new reality.
He stood frozen for a moment before a choked sound escaped his lips.
It started as a laugh, a raw, incredulous bark of air that tore from his throat.
"A HIDDEN SPIRE?!" he yelled into the silent cosmos, the sound swallowed by the vacuum of space. He clutched the balcony railing, his knuckles white. "Are you kidding me? A secret legendary item in a tutorial zone? This has to be a dream!"
He wasn't the lord of a dead-end galaxy.
He was the lord of a starter-pack galaxy that came with a treasure map!
The sheer, unadulterated luck of it sent a jolt of electricity through him.
This changed everything.
But he couldn't just charge off.
He was still weak, disoriented, and knew absolutely nothing.
He needed a clearer picture of his so-called "empire."
"Elara!" he called out, his voice echoing in the grand, empty halls of the palace.
His Level 1 brother appeared in the doorway almost instantly, his face etched with concern.
"Kai? Is everything alright? Are you feeling unwell?"
Kai turned, schooling his expression into one of regal contemplation. He had to play the part of an amnesiac lord, not a transmigrated construction worker who'd just won the cosmic lottery. "I'm fine, brother. Just… trying to piece things together. I think a tour might help. I wish to see my home, to reacquaint myself with my people."
Relief washed over Elara's face. "Of course! An excellent idea. Let's get you dressed."
Getting dressed was an ordeal. Servants brought in an outfit that consisted of more layers than Kai had ever worn in his life.
A soft tunic, reinforced trousers, tall leather boots, and a deep blue cloak embroidered with silver thread that depicted their tiny two-planet galaxy.
It felt less like clothing and more like a costume.
As he stood before the mirror, he saw the text floating above his head: [Kai - Level 3].
He glanced at Elara, who was fussing with his cloak: [Elara - Level 1].
The system was fascinating, a constant stream of information only he could see.
They stepped out of the palace, and the contrast was jarring.
The palace itself was a masterpiece of smooth, white stone and glowing crystals, a beacon of civilization.
But the moment they passed through the grand gates, they were in another world.
The "capital city" was, in reality, a small, sprawling village.
The houses were sturdy but simple, made of rough-hewn rock and dark wood.
A dusty road served as the main thoroughfare, and the air smelled of woodsmoke and livestock.
But the people… the moment they saw him, the village erupted.
"It's the Lord!" someone shouted.
"He's awake! Our Emperor is well!" another cried.
Faces, young and old, beamed at him.
They cheered, they waved, they bowed.
A sea of blue text floated above their heads, a uniform tide of [Farmer - Level 1], [Blacksmith - Level 1], [Weaver - Level 1].
They were weak, their lives simple, but their joy was genuine and overwhelming.
A strange warmth spread through Kai's chest. In his old life, he was just another face in the crowd, a nameless worker. Here, he was their hope.
Two figures made their way through the cheering crowd.
The first was a woman with sharp, intelligent eyes and hair tied back in a severe bun.
[Lina - Royal Assistant - Level 1].
She stopped a respectful distance away and bowed deeply. "My Lord, it is a profound relief to see you on your feet. Your recovery is a blessing to us all." Her voice was crisp and formal.
Before Kai could respond, the second figure arrived.
He was a mountain of a man, with broad shoulders and a rugged face framed by a thick beard.
A huge, unadorned greatsword was strapped to his back.
Kai's eyes instinctively flickered to the text above the man's head, and his jaw nearly hit the floor.
[Roric - First Knight - Level 2]
Level 2!
This was it.
The second most powerful person in the entire galaxy was a Level 2.
The sheer absurdity sent another wave of laughter bubbling up inside Kai, but he managed to suppress it, turning it into a cough.
This entire situation was a cosmic comedy.
Roric planted his fists on his hips, his expression gruff but his eyes filled with sincere relief. "Lord Kai. Good to see you haven't kicked the bucket. Had us worried for a bit."
"Roric!" Elara hissed, scandalized. "Show some respect!"
"He's awake, isn't he? That's respect enough," the big man grunted, though he did offer a short, sharp bow.
Kai just grinned. After all the formal titles, Roric's bluntness was refreshing. "It's good to see you too, Roric. And you, Lina. My memory is… hazy. I hope you'll bear with me as I reacquaint myself."
"Of course, my Lord," Lina said smoothly. "We are at your command."
The tour continued.
They walked through the village, past a blacksmith's forge where a man was hammering a simple ploughshare, and fields where people tended to strange, luminous vegetables.
It was peaceful, rustic, and incredibly primitive.
There were no machines, no electricity, nothing but manpower and the most basic of tools.
When they returned to the palace, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over their little world. Dinner was served in a grand dining hall, with just him and Elara at a table long enough for fifty.
The food was simple: roasted meat from some native creature, a dense, dark bread, and a bowl of sweet, purple fruit.
Kai took a bite of the meat. It was hearty and filling, but plain.
No spices, no complex sauces.
As he chewed, the full reality of his situation settled in.
He was the ruler of a civilization that was, for all intents and purposes, in its medieval era.
A space-faring medieval era, but medieval nonetheless. He, a former construction worker from a hyper-advanced Earth, was now the king of a tiny, primitive space village.
It was pathetic. It was hilarious. And it was his.
He thought of the cheering villagers, of Elara's devotion, of Lina's competence, and Roric's blunt loyalty.
They were all relying on him, their Level 3 powerhouse of a lord.
Then, his mind went back to the blue screen, to the single line that had changed everything.
Hidden Spire of Ancient Energy. It was a key.
It was the lever he could use to pry this galaxy out of its F-rank rut. It was the path forward.
He put down his fork, the simple food forgotten.
A new fire, sharp and determined, lit in his eyes. He looked across the table at his brother.
"Elara," he said, his voice quiet but ringing with a conviction that startled them both.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to Veridia Prime." He leaned forward, his gaze intense.
"We need to find that spire."