A compact square room inside an old shophouse building.The cold air blowing from a cheap air conditioner was the only thing allowing Akki to breathe a little easier.
He was twenty-two years old, and had only recently crossed the line known as poverty.Through sweat, perseverance, and intelligence far beyond the average person, the final debt from his parents' medical expenses had been completely paid off three months ago.
And yet—his soul felt no sense of freedom at all.
"Another increase…"Akki stared at the electricity bill showing a 20% rise this month. Instantly, calculations ran through his mind—how many kilowatt-hours he needed to cut, how many degrees he should raise the air conditioner to offset the loss.
Miserliness was not a choice.It was an instinct, engraved deep into his bones.
On the desk beside a second-hand VR capsule—purchased with the last of his savings—lay a single book:[Online Business and Financial Management], from an open university.
The soft sound of a door opening made him look up.Araya, his fifteen-year-old sister, had returned from school. Her smile was bright, though faint worry lingered beneath it.
"Brother Akki… it's okay about the electricity bill. I can try finding some… paper-bag folding work to help," she said carefully.
Akki frowned."No need! Your job is to study well and eat properly. I can earn money—and I'll earn more than you can imagine."
He refused to let his sister fall back into the cycle of poverty ever again.Thus, his miserliness transformed into a near-maniacal determination to build the most stable future possible.
The phone rang.The name on the screen was Mekha, the only close friend who knew every secret and hardship in his life.
"Where are you, you stingy prince?" Mekha joked.
"Calculating electricity cost per hour," Akki replied flatly."If this isn't important, I'll hang up to save battery."
"Hey! It is important! I told you already—Tri-Realm (Terra Tria) is our last way out!" Mekha said excitedly."That last bit of money you used to buy the VR capsule wasn't meant for opening a food stall in the real world!"
Mekha was the only one who knew about Akki's abnormally high IQ and his frightening talent for system analysis.
"The virtual world isn't stable," Akki countered."The market is monopolized by major guilds. Information and price control leave no chance for newcomers like us."
"That's exactly what you're missing!" Mekha grinned through the call."You're a master of cost-efficiency calculations and system loopholes. You don't need to hunt monsters like everyone else—you just need to use your brain to make money!"
"Trust me… one gold coin in-game is worth 15 USD. Think about it—ten gold a day means how much?"
150 USD per day.The number slammed into Akki's mind like a hammer.
"I'll partner with you," Mekha continued."I have the Divine Alchemist class from a hidden quest. I can make potions no one else can. And you've got Cooking and Refinement skills at master-level precision. We'll turn them into weapons."
"We don't hunt. We produce—and sell to those greedy guilds."
Akki fell silent, calculating an equation in his mind:
Production + Refinement + System Loopholes = Maximum Profit
"…Fine," Akki said quietly."But you cover an extra 10% of the internet bill for in-game voice usage."
Mekha burst out laughing."Damn it! Deal! Get in the game already!"
[System: Kronos Corporation welcomes you to Tri-Realm (Terra Tria)]
The narration explained that Tri-Realm was a fantasy world consisting of three major continents.Each kingdom was governed by seven divine temples, overseeing classes and elemental affinities.
The starting god selection would determine a player's growth path.
Akki ignored the stunning visuals entirely, focusing solely on the character creation screen.He simplified his appearance to the bare minimum—no time wasted on unnecessary customization.
[Please select your Starting Patron God]
God of Light (Healing / Defensive Classes)
God of Water (Magic / Control Classes)
God of Flame (Attack / Damage Classes)
God of Thunder — [Requirement: High Determination]
… (Other options)
Akki selected God of Thunder without hesitation.Lightning classes typically offered high attack speed and burst damage—greater earning potential.
[System: You have chosen the God of Thunder! This decision will define your class and fate!]
A warning window appeared immediately.
[Special Notice: The Primordial Thunder Temple has vanished from Tri-Realm.Choosing this god may result in difficulty acquiring high-tier classes and extreme isolation.]
"Vanished?"Akki wasn't surprised. That meant the path wasn't monopolized—and hidden opportunities were likely abundant.
He named his character:
Akki
[Entering Tri-Realm… Starting Location: Marches Village]
Akki appeared in a quiet village.Instead of rushing to combat training, he observed everything.
NPC behavior.Shop inventories.Minor environmental details.
[Action: You analyze your surroundings with maximum precision][Condition fulfilled: Skill acquired — Observation Lv. 1]
Satisfied, Akki headed to the training center and obtained a basic class:
Unarmed Fighter
He practiced Straight Punch against a straw dummy—but not mindlessly.He carefully observed weight transfer and body rotation.
[Action: You observe and refine your Straight Punch technique][Condition fulfilled: Skill acquired — Straight Punch (Improved) Lv. 1]
Leaving the training center, Akki went to a small shop and purchased charcoal and the lowest-quality iron ore—to save money.
He began forging and cooking.
[Condition fulfilled: Sub-Class acquired — Blacksmith Lv. 1][Condition fulfilled: Sub-Class acquired — Cook Lv. 1]
While engraving simple patterns onto metal with extreme precision:
[Action: You apply exceptional focus and precision in craftsmanship][Special Condition fulfilled: Skill unlocked — Refinement (Peak Quality)]
"My real-world precision…""...has been acknowledged by the system."
Confidence surged within him.
It was time to make money.
Akki left Marches Village and entered the beginner hunting grounds.Before him stood a Marches Dark Rabbit—fast, but fragile.
He opened with Straight Punch (Improved).
[Attack Successful: Straight Punch (Improved) deals 15 damage!]
The battle ended quickly.Akki dodged precisely and finished the rabbit with a decisive strike.
Rewards:2 Copper
Using Observation, he mapped out the most efficient hunting route, packed with Dark Rabbits.
While chasing the tenth or so rabbit, Akki failed to notice the ground beneath thick weeds.
CRASH!
He slipped and fell into a hidden pit.
As his body hit the ground, dark violet-black lightning, radiating suppressed and betrayed power, erupted from the cavern walls.
He found himself inside an abandoned stone hall.
[You have discovered a Forgotten Sub-Temple of Primordial Lightning]
In the real world, Akki felt electricity surge through his heart—his body heating up.
[Passive Class Acquired: Primordial Lightning Heart Lv. 1]
"…A fall," Akki analyzed calmly,"…can lead to wealth."
As he began searching for an exit—