"You're fired."
The manager's words were blunt, almost casual, like throwing away trash.
Ren stood there, expression stiff, then gave a small nod. "I understand."
No begging. No anger. Just… silence.
He packed the few things in his desk into a worn bag and walked out of the cramped office.
---
Back in his rented apartment, Ren looked around the dimly lit room. Peeling wallpaper, a fridge that rattled louder than it cooled, and a single futon on the floor.
He exhaled. "Guess… there's no reason to stay anymore."
His hands moved automatically, folding clothes, stuffing books, slipping old photographs into the side pocket of his bag.
By the time the sun began to dip, he had already booked a ticket back to his hometown.
---
The bus rumbled down the narrow countryside roads. Ren leaned against the window, eyes tracing the fields of green. It had been years since he last came here.
When the bus finally stopped at the village square, a few familiar faces looked up.
"Ren? Is that you?" an old man with a cane called out, squinting before his face broke into a smile. "Ah, you've grown. Welcome back, lad."
Ren bowed lightly. "It's been a while, Uncle."
Nearby, two women carrying baskets leaned closer together.
"Aunt Mei," one whispered, glancing at Ren, "isn't that the boy who went to the city?"
"Yes," Aunt Mei replied, her voice hushed but sharp. "Came back already… looks like he failed."
The first woman smirked. "Tsk, my son just got promoted in the capital. Doing so well. Not everyone's cut out for success, I suppose."
They chuckled softly, their words heavy enough for Ren to hear.
But Ren didn't pause, didn't glance back. His steps carried him forward, steady and silent.
His old home stood at the edge of the village.
The gate was covered in weeds, the paint flaking off the walls. Ren stopped before it, staring quietly as memories flickered.
His father's booming laugh.
His mother's soft voice calling him inside.
His own carefree laughter chasing fireflies in the yard.
"…I'm back."
The gate groaned when he pushed it open.
Inside, the yard was wild with overgrowth. Dust coated the floorboards of the house, cobwebs filled the corners, and the air smelled of abandonment.
Ren set down his bag, rolled up his sleeves, and began to clean.
Sweeping. Dusting. Pulling weeds from the yard. Opening the windows to let sunlight in.
By evening, the place looked almost alive again.
Ren collapsed onto the old bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Back to square one…" he muttered.
His eyes drifted to the wall—then froze.
A door, standing where his bedroom wall used to be.
It wasn't ordinary. Its frame was carved with glowing symbols, shifting like living light. The wood was dark, but faint veins of blue mana pulsed through it like blood in a body.
Ren rubbed his eyes, thinking it was exhaustion playing tricks. But when he opened them again, the door was still there.
"…What the hell?"
His heart pounded. He wanted to run, but something inside whispered that this wasn't something to fear—it was a chance. A chance his dull life had never given him.
He swallowed hard, reached for the knob, and pushed it open.
Instead of another room, a wave of forest air washed over him. Crisp, fresh, filled with scents of pine and damp earth. Sunlight spilled through towering trees, their leaves glowing faintly as if touched by magic. Strange flowers emitted tiny motes of light, floating lazily like fireflies.
Ren froze. His skin tingled, his body trembling—not from fear, but from awe.
And then—
...
[Ding!]
[System Initialized.]
[New User Detected: Ren.]
[Synchronization Complete.]
[Dual Realm System Is Binded]
...
A translucent screen appeared in front of him, hanging in the air like a hologram.
_________________________________________
[Syatem: Dual Realm System]
[Name: Ren]
[Race: Human]
[Titles: None]
[Level: 1]
[HP: 100/100]
[MP: 50/50]
[Strength: 5]
[Agility: 6]
[End:8]
[Vit:10]
[Intelligence: 7]
[Charm: 5]
[Skills: None]
[Inventory: Empty]
_________________________________________
Ren's jaw nearly hit the ground. "A… system? Like in games… or those novels?"
The screen flickered again.
________________________________________________
[Quest Unlocked: First Step.]
Enter the forest.
Survive for one day.
Reward: Beginner Skill Selection.
+10 all stats
________________________________________________
Ren's heart raced. He clenched his fists, half laughing in disbelief. "This… this is insane. But…" His dull, gray life flashed through his mind—being fired, mocked, forgotten. "…this might be my chance."
Taking a deep breath, he stepped through the door.
The moment his foot touched the grass, the forest came alive. Birds with crystal-like wings scattered into the air, and in the distance, something growled—a low, rumbling sound that made his skin crawl.
Ren grabbed a thick branch lying nearby, holding it like a makeshift weapon. His hands trembled, but his eyes burned with determination.
"I don't know what this place is…" He raised his branch toward the forest. "…but if this is real, then I'll survive. No—" His lips curled into a grin. "—I'll conquer it."
The door behind him closed with a soft click, vanishing into thin air as if it had never existed.
Only Ren, the forest, and the beginning of something far greater remained.
---
Building a Base
Ren steadied his breathing when another ding echoed in his head.
[New Quest: Construct Shelter.]
[Hint: User may bring tools or supplies from Origin World. Items will be enhanced upon entering Magic Realm.]
His eyes widened. "Wait… I can bring stuff from my world? And they'll become… magical?"
He sprinted back, heart pounding with excitement. His gaze darted around his room until it landed on his old axe, leaning against the wall.
Dragging it through the door, he felt the moment it crossed the threshold—light surged across its surface, the dull steel glowing faintly green.
[Ordinary Axe → Verdantcleaver Axe]
Durability greatly increased.
Cutting efficiency x3.
Enchantment: [Timbercall] (trees fall neatly, easier to shape).
Ren whistled. "Damn… now this is what I'm talking about."
He swung it at a nearby tree. The blade sank deep with a single strike, and the massive trunk toppled as though bowing before him. The wood glowed faintly, humming with magic.
[Construction Materials Acquired.]
With the system projecting faint blue outlines as a guide, Ren stacked logs, fitted beams, and sealed gaps. What should have taken days of work was finished in mere hours. When he stepped back, a small but sturdy wooden cabin stood in the clearing.
[Ding!]
[Quest Update: Shelter Constructed.]
Ren wiped the sweat from his brow, grinning in triumph. But when he turned around, his smile froze.
The door… was gone.
The place where it had stood was now just solid forest.
"W-what?" His chest tightened. Panic surged as he ran around the cabin, heart hammering. "No, no, no… I can't be stuck here without it!"
He pushed open the cabin door in desperation—only to freeze in relief.
The glowing frame stood inside, against the wooden wall. Still pulsing softly. Still connected to his world.
Ren let out a shaky laugh, his legs nearly giving way. "Don't scare me like that… damn it."
---
Preparing for Survival
The cabin was bare—until Ren smirked and ran back through the door.
He dragged his mattress across, struggling with the weight, but the instant it touched the forest floor, it shimmered with silver light.
[Ordinary Mattress → Moonrest Bed]
Restores Stamina and Mana x2 during sleep.
Passive: [Sweet Dreams] (resistance against mental debuffs).
Ren flopped onto it with a sigh. "Oh yeah… this is heaven."
Excitement bubbling, he tested more. His kitchen knife became the [Fangfang Dagger] (razor-sharp, minor poison resistance). A pack of plastic bottles turned into [Springflasks] (water always fresh, faint mana recovery). Even his cheap gas stove warped into the [Emberheart Burner], flames dancing at his mental command.
"Everything… gets better here." He chuckled, setting up supplies like a game character preparing a base.
Finally, he lugged several bags of food and bottles of water across.
[Canned Food → Everfresh Rations]
Never spoils.
Restores minor Stamina.
[Bottled Water → Clearwell Water]
Always pure.
Slight Mana recovery.
As he ate, the flavors were richer, almost glowing with life. His body warmed, the fatigue of the day fading like mist under sunlight.
By the time the twin moons of this strange sky rose above the forest canopy, Ren sat inside his cabin, fed, rested, and more alive than he had ever felt.
[Ding!]
[Quest Complete: Survive One Day.]
[+10 all stats]
[Reward Unlocked: Beginner Skill Selection.]
A screen appeared before him, glowing softly in the dim light:
…
Choose Three Beginner Skills:
[Basic Swordsmanship] → +20% efficiency with blades. Unlocks Sword Techniques.
[Basic Fire Magic] → Grants Fireball Spell. Increases Mana Control.
[Basic Appraisal] → Ability to analyze items, creatures, and magic.
[Basic Archery] → +20% accuracy with bows. Unlocks Quick Shot.
[Basic Stealth] → Reduces noise while moving. Enemies detect user less easily.
[Basic Crafting] → Increases efficiency in creating tools, weapons, and gear. Unlocks Simple Recipes.
[Basic Vitality] → Increases natural recovery rate of HP and stamina. Small resistance to poison/disease.
Ren's lips curved into a grin as his eyes darted between the glowing options. His future stretched before him—limitless, burning with promise.
"…Now the real game begins."