The sun had just set when Sora reached the outskirts of the village. The day had been long. He had started with a difficult fight, then countless easier battles as he searched for a place to spend the night and signs of civilization.
Just as he expected, the last few kilometers from the hill hadn't given him enough experience to level up. He was still stuck at level nine.
The first levels are easy, but it still feels incredible to gain several levels in one day.
Thinking about all the monsters he had taken down along the way, he remembered his inventory filled with useless items and the gold earned from each kill.
This should be enough for now. I need food, rest, and to figure out where I am, he thought.
His stomach growled, urging him to speed up as the village took shape ahead of him.
As he approached the entrance, Sora felt a shift in the air.
I just entered the protected zone around the village, he realized, relaxing slightly after hours of travel.
The outer side of the village strongly resembled the old world, like a preserved fragment of pre-Update Earth.
I've seen architecture like this before. And I've never seen anything like this in France… Don't tell me I'm in Spain? Or in the Maghreb?
He shook his head at the last thought. No, the houses, these tiles… this isn't the Maghreb.
The mix of Andalusian roots and modern European design captivated Sora. He stood still, taking it in. Two colors dominated the scenery, creating a sense of harmony: white walls and red tiles, sometimes faded with age. The slanted roofs and the red tiles confirmed he was somewhere in southern Europe.
The traces of modernity—shops visible from afar—reminded Sora that even though many had chosen to start a career as players, the majority of people still preferred to keep their lives the same as before the Update.
Like my parents… he thought with a faint smile as he approached the village entrance.
Two guards stood by the road, watching him with amused expressions. He didn't understand what they were saying, but he easily recognized the language.
Ah, I need to reactivate the automatic translation.
Not realizing it had been disabled upon his death, he opened his menu and toggled the feature back on. A faint static crackled in his ear before every word around him began translating into French.
I rarely needed this since I always stayed in the same region, but I love this option.
Despite having used the feature a few times, he still wasn't fully used to it—hearing words in one language but understanding them in another felt strange.
Sora blinked, momentarily distracted by the translated voices.
"Look at this guy, leaving the village without any equipment…" said the first guard.
"He's level 9 though, so he can't be that clueless."
Seeing Sora's smile, the guard raised a hand and addressed him directly: "Good evening, young man! Did you perhaps lose a bet?"
Sora laughed and shook his head. "I was on a strange quest, but next time you see me, I'll have better gear. I promise."
Knowing that bizarre quests were common, the guards laughed. One held out his hand. "Entry fee, please."
The other remained silent, studying him with curiosity.
Sora extended his hand and thought of the amount requested. Automatically, the gold was deducted from his inventory and transferred.
The guard checked his work interface, nodded, and said:
"Welcome to Villafranca de Córdoba, young man." He motioned toward the entrance before returning to his conversation.
As Sora walked into the village, he stepped into a world split between past and present. The village was still small, but the influence of the New World Kingdom's transformation became more visible the deeper he walked.
The outer part felt like a relic of pre-Update Spain, with modern storefronts advertising everything from groceries to electronics. Familiar brands still flickered on signs, though some shops seemed abandoned or repurposed for the village's new purpose in this game-like world.
Deeper inside, he crossed an invisible threshold where the architecture changed entirely. The transition was smooth, but the change in atmosphere was unmistakable. The core area had a medieval-fantasy look.
Here, every building had a purpose tied to players: taverns, inns, guild halls, blacksmiths, training grounds. Signs were always in English, an intentional design choice from what everyone called the System.
"This feels more familiar," Sora muttered.
The core area was where the game-like mechanics dominated. The System ran most of the shops and inns, though not all of them, offering everything from food to potions to player quests.
As he walked, Sora passed groups of players chatting near a guild hall, while others argued with shopkeepers. It was lively, even this late.
Finally, he found what he was looking for: a tavern.
I can eat a proper meal and gather information at the same time.
The light through the windows and the noise inside told him it was open.
Ignoring the tavern's name, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
It wasn't particularly crowded, but there were enough people for Sora to hope he could pick up useful information by listening in.
Behind the counter, he saw a man pouring a drink for a customer.
An NPC… he thought.
The man looked human in every way, but Sora knew he wasn't from his world. Years had passed since the Update, yet no one truly knew where NPCs came from, or who first began calling them that. It was simply a convenient way for humans to distinguish themselves from these mysterious beings.
Sora approached the counter and placed a few coins on it. Instead of a drink, he ordered a meal. The barkeep nodded and began preparing the food right in front of him.
The smell made Sora's mouth water. The sizzling meat and crackling eggs tempted him, but all he could do was wait.
To distract himself from his hunger, Sora focused on the conversations around him. After a few minutes, he finally heard something interesting.
Two players, who looked experienced, were discussing the current events in the region. Next to them, a child stood on a chair.
"You said you've met the legendary player Subrozace?" the child asked.
"Yeah, just outside of Córdoba," one of the players replied. "It's not a big city, but lately a bunch of famous players have been spotted there."
Córdoba? Sora immediately recognized the name. When he was younger, he had always paid close attention in school and could easily place most major cities on a map.
So I really am in southern Spain… Andalusia, to be exact.
The information didn't please him.
Great. I'm extremely far from Alès.
During the Update, the world's geography had changed drastically. Human territory had expanded, continents had shifted closer, and countless monster-filled regions now stretched between cities and villages across the supercontinent that merged every country.
In the old world, Córdoba was something like a thousand kilometers from Perpignan in France… I wonder how far that is now. Maybe ten thousand?
Using the rough ten times multiplier he'd been told about, he made an estimate and shook his head.
That's so far. There are definitely high-level monster zones between here and the South of France. I can't walk all the way back for now.
The meal he had ordered arrived quickly, pulling him out of his thoughts. He asked for utensils and started with the soup laid before him. As he ate, he continued listening to the conversation at the next table.
"They're going to Paris? Uncle! I want to go to Paris too!" the child exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement, making the two adults laugh.
One of the men — a tank-looking player with a thick beard — looked him up and down before answering,
"You want to go to Paris? Look at yourself. You don't even weigh forty kilos soaking wet, and you want to cross all of Spain and France? Do you even know why they're heading there?"
The second adult, softer in tone, added, "Don't listen to your uncle… He's just become bitter with age."
Seeing the annoyed look he earned from the first player, he went on, "Travel is expensive, and since your parents aren't players, they still can't afford to send you even to Madrid. Paris costs even more."
The tank's expression softened when he saw the child's sadness.
"Almost all the old-world roads were cut off by monster territories. And outside the city barriers, nothing lasts—bridges, tunnels, nothing. The New Union built lots of new routes, but they cost a fortune to maintain, which means they cost gold to use. You need players to protect travelers from criminals, monsters, everything out there. Getting to France costs something like fifty thousand gold in tolls and protection. Don't even get me started on Paris."
Noticing tears forming on the child's face, he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder to comfort him.
"You're still a kid, so don't worry about any of that. Your uncle's job has started bringing in good money. If you're patient, I'll take you to Paris myself."
The second player smiled as he watched color return to the boy's face.
"Or you can just wait until you become a player, hit a high enough level, and rocket across the country like nothing can stop you."
Sora saw the bright spark in the child's eyes and shook his head.
Don't plant that kind of dream in a kid's head.
Fifty thousand gold… That's an insane amount for a level-nine player like me.
Thinking of the enormous fortune he'd had in his inventory before dying, he sighed.
I need to stop thinking about the past.
Before long, Sora finished his skewers, drank his beverage, and stepped out of the tavern feeling full. He now knew exactly where he was.
For some reason, I ended up in Spain. I don't have the money to go home, and this place is too small to find everything I need. His belly full, he headed toward an inn.
Could've been worse. I could've spawned in a war zone or at the other end of the world. Now I just need to rest and set out tomorrow.
He quickly entered an inn, booked a room, and went upstairs. Using the key he'd been given, he opened the door. Seeing the bed, curtains, window, and sheets that resembled what he was used to, he smiled. The sense of familiarity offered by System-created shelters was unmatched.
He lay down on the bed, thinking,
Even if this room isn't anything special, it almost feels like home…
***
Sora woke up early the next morning, rested and with a clear mind.
Too clear.
The events from a month ago came rushing back.
The death of his friends.
His own death.
His return to life.
This new life.
Seeing the light slipping through the curtains, he reached out and felt the warmth of the sun.
I'm alive…
He shook his head and forced a smile. He stood up and began stretching to finish waking his body. Thinking about the conversation he had overheard the night before, his mind started turning again.
No need to pay that much to travel from one country to another. I can always join a group.
The word caravan came to mind—groups of players traveling long distances together.
I doubt a caravan passes through here, but maybe there's a regular one near Córdoba? I could even travel for free if I make myself useful.
Having chosen Córdoba as his first destination, he quickly gathered his things, left his room, and exited the inn. Once outside, he set off—not toward Córdoba, but toward the village bank. After a few minutes of walking, he arrived.
He looked around. The sun had barely risen, but the village was already busy. Merchants were unpacking their goods, and players moved toward whatever caught their interest.
Sora ignored everyone as his heart tightened. He thought about the items he had stored in the bank and about his gold.
My [Prestige] innate skill wiped my inventory clean, but maybe it spared my bank account. Maybe my gold and items are still there. If they are, I'd save some time making money.
After taking a long breath, he stepped forward and entered the bank. Inside, it was the complete opposite of the outdoors: luxurious and quiet. It only took a few steps for someone to greet him.
"Good morning. How may I assist you today?"
The teller, an NPC with a friendly yet professional demeanor, addressed him.
"I'd like to access my account, retrieve some items, and deposit others," Sora replied.
Sora was confident. Whether old or new, every player had a bank account.
If it's empty, it means my [Prestige] reset wiped my account too. If it's full, then my account becomes a huge advantage for my future lives. He realized how important this moment was.
"Certainly. Please place your hand on the verification panel."
Sora placed his palm on a large marble panel. The stone lit up, revealing his account summary, forming a screen-like projection.
Temporarily ignoring the exact contents of his storage, Sora kept his focus on the professional standing beside him.
I wonder if he can see my personal information… and my old identity on the account.
Noticing Sora staring at him, the teller looked confused. After a few awkward seconds, he seemed to understand Sora wanted some privacy and stepped back.
Relieved, Sora smiled and turned his attention to his account details.
Account Summary:
[Gold Balance: 30,000 gold]
[Total Item Stacks: 453]
[Total Weight of Items: 18.2 tons]
His face lit up instantly, and his mind began to race.
What the—?! Everything's still here! Sora realized. He immediately began navigating through his bank inventory and sorted the contents by value.
Most Valuable Items:
Aetherblade Sword [Uncommon] (Level 25)
Description: A sword infused with Aether magic. Can weaken enemy defenses with each strike.
Lunar Tear Pendant [Uncommon] (Level 20)
Titanium Armor Set [Uncommon] (Level 25)
Phoenix Feather Cloak [Uncommon] (Level 20)
Frostbite Bow [Uncommon] (Level 30)
Seeing the best pieces stored in his bank, Sora sighed. He remembered the inventory-cleaning sessions he'd done in the past, and how he had sold nearly everything valuable to save up for a future level-50 gear set.
I didn't leave much of value in my bank, but this will do for a start. The sword isn't too bad, and the rest is usable…
His eyes then landed on the [Frostbite Bow]. The weapon's faint blue sheen stirred up old memories.
This used to be Lara's bow… She gave it to me in case I ever needed it, but it became obsolete pretty fast.
Not knowing what else to do with it back then, Sora had stored it in the bank. Since it was the most valuable item he owned now, he hesitated — torn between keeping it or selling it.
Not wanting to decide just yet, he shook his head and browsed through the rest of the vault. A mountain of items—mostly crafting materials, beginner gear, and dungeon drops—sat waiting for him to use or sell.
I hope this stuff is worth something.
Seeing the low-quality items in his bank, he sighed and decided to transfer everything to his inventory.
Ignoring the transfer animation, he felt his body grow heavier after a few seconds.
A notification appeared:
Inventory Weight Exceeded. Movement Speed Reduced by 99%.
Current Speed: 1% of maximum.
He grimaced. The teller, noticing his discomfort, smiled knowingly.
"If you're carrying more than your inventory allows, we offer space bags for rent or purchase. These bags can hold up to 100 tons and 1,000 item stacks."
Sora smiled back, recognizing the opportunistic tone.
A hundred gold per hour to rent one, or ten thousand to buy the basic version…
He quickly did the math and decided against spending a third of his current fortune.
"I'll rent one," he said, handing over a hundred gold.
Wearing a satisfied smile, the teller hurried off, fetched a space bag, and handed it to him.
Sora thanked him and transferred the entire contents of his bank into the bag. Even with eighteen tons of items inside, the bag was no heavier than before. Pleased, he nodded and left the bank.
Once outside, Sora headed straight to his next destination.
Now I just have to sell everything at an Auction House.
Knowing the architecture of System-managed core areas, he navigated to it easily.
The building was buzzing with activity—players bargaining for gear, NPC auctioneers showcasing weapons and armor, and merchants shouting about "good deals."
Sora randomly chose an auctioneer and approached. The big-bellied man seemed delighted to see him and conjured a tablet, inviting Sora to check a list of available items.
"Good morning Sir, I'm not buying for now. I'm selling."
The man's smile got even wider, and he swept his counter, emptying it in one motion.
Since this wasn't Sora's first time selling items, he immediately understood that he was being asked to present what he wished to put up for sale. He emptied the bag onto the counter and watched as the items vanished, reappearing moments later as icons projected in front of him.
Aetherblade Sword [Uncommon] (Level 25)
Estimated Value: 8,000 gold
Lunar Tear Pendant [Uncommon] (Level 20)
Estimated Value: 6,500 gold
Titanium Armor Set [Uncommon] (Level 25)
Estimated Value: 12,000 gold
Phoenix Feather Cloak [Uncommon] (Level 20)
Estimated Value: 5,500 gold
Frostbite Bow [Uncommon] (Level 30)
Estimated Value: 25,000 gold
The auctioneer raised an eyebrow at the [Frostbite Bow] and commented,
"Good items. You will receive 50% of the estimated value upfront. If the items do not sell within a week, you can either reclaim them, or we will purchase them at 80% of their estimated value. Be aware that 2% of the final selling price will be taken as a fee upon sale."
Used to the way the [Auction House] worked, Sora shook his head.
"What about the value of everything else?"
The man tapped a few buttons and replied,
"The whole lot is worth around one hundred thousand gold. Would you like to put everything up for auction?"
Sora hesitated for a long moment before making his decision.
"Give me the sword, pendant, armor, and cloak back. I want the bow placed on auction. As for the rest, I don't want to wait."
The auctioneer smiled knowingly. He clearly understood that the bow would fetch a high price.
"Very well. I'll list the bow immediately."
As the man extended his hand, Sora received a notification:
Advance Payment Received: 12,500 gold
"As for the rest—if the [Auction House] buys them from you directly, we will only pay eighty percent of the estimated value. Is that acceptable?"
Sora nodded.
This is better. Most of these items were unsold leftovers anyway, and it would take forever to sell them all… And honestly, a lot of them are useless to players. Might as well take 80% right now.
The man extended his hand again, and once more Sora's gold increased.
This pile of items gave me 34,000 gold. Not bad at all!
Adding the thirty thousand he had found in his bank account, plus the gold from the bow's advance payment, plus what he earned from killing monsters, his total now stood at 77,044 gold.
Stepping out of the auction house, Sora felt mentally exhausted. Even with a little more than seventy-seven thousand gold, he felt guilty for selling his friend's bow.
I don't need the bow to cherish the memories we made together, Lara. Wherever you are now, watch me grow… and avenge you.
He returned the rented space bag to the bank and headed back to the auction house a few minutes later.
"I need to make good use of this gold," he told himself, standing once again in front of the auctioneer.