As the saying went, "It is better to live miserably than to die well."
Unless one had truly reached the end of all hope, who would willingly choose death?
Even now—despite being suddenly dragged into a place that looked terrifying—Arya understood that danger also meant opportunity.
With great effort, she rolled onto her side. Using only her arms to drag her body forward, she crawled awkwardly across the rough ground until she reached the Magic Desk. She hooked her fingers around its edge, using the solid structure to prop herself up. Once she steadied her trembling arms, she started examining the strange desk the mysterious voice had mentioned.
It resembled the smart desks she once used at school, entirely touch-operated. The desk was divided into two screens: a large one on the left taking up two-thirds of the surface, and a smaller one on the right occupying the remaining third.
On the large screen, a line of Federation Universal Text flashed:
"Please place your hand on the small screen to bind."
Arya obeyed. She placed her right hand on the small panel.
[Ding! Tree Hole Shelter (Level 1) Binding Successful.]
A crisp sound chimed from the Magic Desk. At the same time, the dark green patterns decorating the walls flickered softly before dissolving into nothing. Right afterward, a green leaf-shaped tattoo appeared on the back of her right hand—likely some kind of key or identification mark.
So this is my registration mark… Arya guessed.
The desk's display updated immediately. Across the top of the large screen, six new sections appeared:
[World Channel]
[Regional Channel]
[Regional Exchange]
[Personal Information]
[Friends 0/0]
[Stay Tuned]
Behind the World Channel label was an immense number:
"22658443985 / 22658443985."
Arya forced herself to stay alert as she counted the digits—22.6 billion people, approximately two-thirds of Blue Star's entire population.
Next, the Regional Channel showed:
"666 (Abandoned Forest) 10000 / 10000."
So she, along with 9,999 others, had been assigned to Area 666: the Abandoned Forest.
But she ignored all of that for now. There was only one thing she urgently needed to know: How did Talent Awakening work?
World Channel Chaos
A message suddenly popped up on the world channel.
"Hello! Is anyone there?"
Immediately, a flood of messages followed:
"Everyone, please keep talking. Being alone in this tiny wooden cabin is terrifying."
"What exactly is happening?!"
"Did Blue Star's World Will sell us to Karim World's Will?"
"What kind of intergalactic triangular trade is this? I can't even pretend to laugh…"
"Is the 'world will' even real?"
"Hey, we've already been teleported. Is that really your biggest concern right now?"
"I had just received the barbecue I ordered. One bite—not even one bite—and I get dragged into this dump!"
"Mom? Mom, where are you? Help!"
"I'm waiting for someone claiming to be a billionaire who promises half his fortune to whoever rescues him and sends him home."
"Why 'claiming'?"
"Because right now, everyone's houses back home are empty."
"What if all of you are AI, and I'm the only real person?"
"Not impossible, but since I'm human, I'm guessing you're the AI."
"Everyone stay calm. Check your spawn points and see if anyone is nearby. Only by forming groups can we survive."
"Damn it! What kind of Blue Star Will is this?! I want to go home!"
"Seriously! You forcibly teleported us—did you ask for my opinion?!"
There seemed to be no chat restrictions. Anyone could speak at any time, causing the world channel to refresh so rapidly that a normal device would have crashed instantly.
Thankfully, the Magic Desk had a lock-screen function. Once locked, Arya could slowly scroll through the messages at her own pace—though even that was slightly exhausting.
Every message came with a circular avatar and a name, just like a standard chat app.
Are these their real faces and names? she wondered.
To test it, Arya sent a simple message: "1111."
After scrolling down, she spotted her own avatar and real name among the countless messages.
So it was true—no aliases, no anonymity.
She searched for settings to block others or hide her identity but found none. Karim World clearly had no intention of letting outsiders conceal themselves.
Unfortunately, she also couldn't find any information about Talent Awakening. Ten minutes of searching, and nothing.
Just as she was about to open her Personal Information page, the messages she desperately needed finally appeared:
"Everyone, quickly go to the small screen and claim your Talent! I awakened a B-rank Talent!"
"Hahaha! I got A-rank Flame Nova—an attack Talent! I shall soon unify the world!"
"Hmph. A mere A-rank boasting like that? Where does that leave me, an S-rank Heavenly Emperor?"
"Ah! It's an S-rank big brother!"
"Big brother, please protect us!"
"Look at me! Look at me!"
The small screen…?
Arya sharply turned toward the right panel. A new pop-up had appeared.
Small Screen Functions
[To the dear people of Blue Star:
The small screen on your Magic Desk can transmit supplies. Transmitted items will be stored in your Exchange Shop for trading. You may also retrieve items from your Shop via this screen. Be sure to leave enough surrounding space when retrieving items to avoid blockage.
Additionally, the small screen provides an appraisal function. You may bring any suspicious or interesting item here for appraisal.]
Spatial transmission? Item appraisal? This small screen truly was miraculous.
Curious, Arya opened the Regional Exchange. But she found no personal shop at all. To unlock one, she would have to pay 20 basic units of supplies.
So much for a free trial.
Expressionless, Arya closed the pop-up.
Another window immediately appeared.
Talent Awakening
[Talent is a reflection of the soul.
Please place your hand on the small screen, think about what you desire most, and begin Talent Awakening.]
Finally!
Her heart thumped hard, though her face remained calm. She placed her hand on the screen.
What do I desire most?
Before the accident, she might not have known the answer. But afterward—after being trapped in a broken body, her legs nothing but lifeless burdens—there was only one wish.
Mobility.
The freedom to move.
The ability to walk, run, climb—maybe even soar like a bird in the sky.
She wanted to go anywhere, without pain, without limitation. To rush up the hundreds of floors of the skyscraper she once saw in that dark, lonely hospital room.
Her desire condensed into a clear thought.
A chime sounded.
[Ding! Talent Acquisition Successful.
Awakened E-rank Talent: 'Light Body Technique'.
Obtained E-rank Basic Skill: 'Gathering Art'.
Obtained Tool Self-Selection Gift Pack.
Please select your tool.]
The window vanished and was replaced with a long list of options:
[Longsword][Shortsword][Dagger][Long Saber][Short Saber][Axe]
[Bow and Arrow][Crossbow][Long Staff][Short Staff][Spear]...
Then items that weren't weapons at all:
[Hoe][Spatula][Crowbar][Hammer][Scissors][Sickle][Quill Pen]…
There were hundreds—enough to make her dizzy.
Arya glanced at her unmoving legs.
Choosing a weapon seemed pointless. Not when she could barely crawl. Her options were drastically limited.
She decided to check her Personal Information before choosing. It was free, after all. And if nothing stood out, she could always pick something harmless to decorate her empty shelter. Even a tool used purely for ambiance might make this bare wooden space feel a little more like home.