I groaned and dragged both hands down my face like I was trying to swipe left on this entire reality check. These sheets? Pure silk. The kind that whispers "you're rich now" every time you move. My old mattress back home had been a lumpy war crime—stained with regret, energy drink spills, and the ghosts of too many all-nighters. This room? Straight-up penthouse porn. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a glittering city skyline that looked like someone cranked the saturation in Lightroom. Dark wood paneling, abstract art on the walls that probably cost more than my entire previous life's net worth, and a chandelier that screamed "I judge poor people."
Okay. Hard pause. I passed out at 3 a.m. doom-scrolling Solo Leveling fan theories and Reddit threads about shadow army scaling. Now I'm here? Did Sleep-kun finally pull up? Truck-kun got laid off, and the new meta is aggressive napping? I pinched my cheek—hard enough to leave a red mark. Pain flared. Real. Very real. No dream filter.
Wallet on the nightstand. Black leather, soft as sin. I flipped it open. ID photo stared back: me, but version 2.0—sharper jawline, clearer skin, hair that actually had volume. Name: Tojin Thorne. Birthdate matched mine but the year felt… off, like I'd been aged down a bit. Then the cards. Black. Platinum. Some matte black ultra-exclusive thing with no visible logo. I could practically hear the "you're not worthy" from the cashier at my old convenience store.
I bolted to the walk-in closet like it was the final boss room in a loot run.
Rows. Endless rows. Tailored suits in charcoal, navy, midnight black. Cashmere sweaters folded like they were in a magazine spread. Dress shoes polished to mirror shine. Watches on velvet trays—Rolex, Patek, AP—lined up like candy in a gacha machine. Sneakers too, limited drops I'd only seen on resale sites for five figures.
"I'm… rich?" The words tumbled out half-laugh, half "no way this is real." "Like, actually filthy rich. No more debating whether the $1.29 ramen packet is worth the sodium coma. Holy shit." *Did the universe finally drop me a participation trophy for surviving my twenties? Or is this the glow-up arc I never asked for?*
Right on cue—because narrative timing is undefeated—a blue holographic screen flickered into existence two inches from my nose.
[System Initializing… Welcome, Host.]
I yelped and nearly ate the rug (which felt like stepping on clouds that cost rent). "There it is! The golden finger finally showed up! Took you long enough, you lazy glowy rectangle!"
The voice echoed in my head—calm, robotic, bored like a customer support rep who's heard every sob story. [Fiction Ability System. Three random draws from every fictional universe in existence. Outcomes range from god-tier broken to absolute trash. Pure luck. Three pulls only. No rerolls. No pity system. No customer complaints.]
I grinned so wide my cheeks hurt. "Gacha人生, baby. I've lost actual money to worse odds. Let's see what the rates are today."
"Roll the draws. Now."
The screen erupted into light brighter than a TikTok ring light during golden hour.
"FUCK—MY EYES! This could wake up a coma patient, you absolute menace! Tone it down!"
[Only you can see me. Privacy mode active.]
"I don't care about privacy right now, I care about not needing LASIK at level one! Stop flexing!"
The light finally dimmed to tolerable levels.
[Draw complete. Displaying results.]
I leaned in like I was checking lottery numbers on a scam app.
[1. Manwha Sung Jinwoo's Template – 100% Compatibility (Full Access)]
[2. Miraculous Culinary Creation]
[3. A Door to Another World]
My brain 404'd for a solid three seconds.
"…You're trolling." Then louder: "You're actually trolling me, right? Full Jinwoo template? Instant 100%? I can just whisper 'Arise' and pull up Beru, Igris, the whole shadow nation on speed dial?"
[Affirmative. 100% compatibility granted. Immediate full access to all skills, stats, shadow extraction, necromancy, monarch-level progression. No gradual unlock. No tutorial. No mana cost penalties.]
I stared at my open palms like they might sprout claws or start glowing any second. "And the cooking one?"
[Miraculous Culinary Creation. Any dish you prepare can be infused with miraculous effects based on your intent during preparation. Healing terminal illnesses, regrowing limbs, lifting curses, granting temporary buffs, removing debuffs—whatever you focus on. Flavor and quality scale with your focus and ingredients.]
I let out a manic cackle. "Bro, I used to set off the fire alarm boiling water. Now I'm a walking hospital cafeteria with cheat codes. This is actually unhinged."
Then the last one.
"And the world-hopping?"
[Door to Another World. Reusable portal. Unlimited activations and returns. First use locks the destination to a randomly selected fictional or non-fictional world permanently. Subsequent uses always open to the exact same world, same entry point. No cooldown. No travel restrictions once inside. But no rerolls. No second chances. The world you get is the world you keep forever.]
I flopped backward onto the bed, arms spread wide like I was making snow angels in thousand-thread-count sheets. "So it's unlimited travel… but it's straight-up monogamy with one universe. No side quests, no poly worlds, no escape clause. Just me and whatever gacha hellscape—or paradise—I pull. For life."
*Half my brain screaming: what if it's a cozy farming sim and I die of boredom grinding carrots? Other half screaming: what if it's Solo Leveling and I get to double-dip shadow farms? The rest of me is just vibrating at dangerous levels.*
"Honestly? I'll take it. Better than a one-shot portal that yeets you and deletes the return ticket. I can build a base, farm corpses for shadows, come home for miracle DoorDash, live like a king on Earth. Terrifying W. Chaotic W. But W."
The screen pulsed once, brighter for a heartbeat.
[All abilities explained. Initial briefing complete. Farewell, Host.]
The blue glow shrank to a single pixel… and vanished. No flicker. No "summon me later." No standby mode. Just gone.
I blinked at empty air. "…Hello? System? Yo? Admin? Glitch report?"
Nothing. Dead silence in my skull.
I waved my hand through the spot like I could swipe it back. "System Status. Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Customer support. Refund?"
Crickets.
I let out the longest, most dramatic sigh in history. "It really just dipped. Dropped the lore dump and unmatched me like a bad Tinder date. No daily login streak. No bonus pulls. No 'thanks for playing' screen. Peak ghosting. 0/10 service."
My stomach growled like it was personally offended.
"Fine. Whatever. Three broken abilities and infinite black cards. I don't need a babysitter app anyway."
Kitchen run.
The place looked like it belonged on a cooking show set. Marble counters, double ovens, fridge stocked like doomsday preppers with taste. I went basic—scrambled eggs. Nothing fancy.
Cracked six into a bowl. Whisked. My hands moved like I'd been a line cook for a decade (cheat skill go brrr). While stirring I focused hard: *Full body reset. Heal everything. Fix scars, fatigue, bad posture damage, existential dread if possible. Make it taste like comfort.*
Butter hit the pan. Sizzle symphony. Smell rolled out—warm, golden, almost alive. Edges crisped perfectly without babysitting.
Plated. One cautious forkful.
The second it hit my tongue—boom. Warm rush spread from chest to fingertips like liquid sunlight. That nagging shoulder knot from years of hunching over a laptop? Gone. Faint scar on my knuckle from a dumb kitchen accident? Smooth baby skin. Even my thoughts felt sharper, like someone closed my 87 open Chrome tabs.
I stare at the plate. "I just cured depression with breakfast. I could serve this at a funeral and people would leave healed and happy."
I shoveled the rest, grinning between bites like a lunatic.
Empty plate. Body humming. Zero fatigue. Felt like I could run a marathon and still have energy to shadow-box afterward.
I leaned against the counter, city waking up below the windows.
Shadows on standby. Miracle food on tap. One mystery door waiting.
I cracked my knuckles.
"Time to prep like I'm about to drop into a hardcore survival server. If I'm locked into one world forever, I'm not walking in with just drip and vibes."
Closet first.
Ignored the suits. Zeroed in on the long black coat—floor-length, matte black, tailored sharp. Slipped it on. Mirror check: hood up, fabric flowing like liquid shadow. Pure Jinwoo post-awakening energy.
"Perfect. This is my 'main character enters the dungeon' fit."
Focused. Shadow inventory activated—black ripples in air like a glitch. Coat vanished inside. Rolex Submariner next (black face, heavy on the wrist—quiet flex). Wallet, phone, sturdy black combat boots (fantasy worlds don't do sidewalks).
Few hours later I was back, inventory stuffed to bursting.
High-end outdoor stores: tactical backpack, multi-tool, ropes, fire starters, water purifier tablets. Pharmacies: medical kits, antibiotics, painkillers (redundant but backup is backup). Hardware: tools, nails, rope, tarps. Kitchen supply store: high-end knives, cast-iron pan, portable stove (miracle cooking deserved quality gear). Even grabbed energy bars and MREs—comfort food stays comfort food even with cheats.
Back in the penthouse. Picked a random empty guest room next to the master suite. Big windows, blank walls, single chair in the corner. Perfect staging ground.
Closed my eyes. Visualized the door.
A plain wooden door—nothing fancy, no runes, no medieval iron bands—just a normal interior door materialized against the far wall like it had always belonged there.
Heart thumping like a bass drop.
"Here goes nothing. My forever vacation home… or my permanent respawn point. 50/50 shot."
Turned the knob. Pushed.
Darkness swallowed me for a heartbeat—pure void, disorienting, like stepping off a cliff.
Then vision snapped back.
Trees. Massive. Towering pines and ancient oaks stretching up forever, canopy so thick sunlight came through in thin golden spears. Moss thick underfoot, air heavy with green earth and something electric—mana. Thick, rich mana brushing my skin like static.
Exhaled slowly. "Mana. Thank fuck this world has mana."
Flexed my fingers. Bottomless pool inside me. No depletion anxiety. Infinite juice.
Extended senses. Kilometers out—strong signatures. Beasts. Big ones. City-leveling auras pulsing like angry heartbeats. Roars echoing in the distance.
Smirked under the hood. "Farm later. I got time."
Right now: base camp.
"Arise."
Shadow stretched across the forest floor like spilled ink, then erupted. Hundreds of forms rose in perfect silence—wolves, knights, giants, archers, berserkers. Red eyes glowing in the gloom.
Called the elites.
"Belion. Beru. Igris."
Three figures materialized—towering, terrifying, loyal to the core.
Belion: white-furred lion marshal, wings folded, regal. Beru: insectoid nightmare with that creepy-happy grin. Igris: black-armored knight, sword planted, stoic.
They dropped to one knee in perfect sync.
Grinned. "How are you guys?"
Beru's mandibles clicked happily. "We are well, my liege."
Belion rumbled deep. "Honored to serve once more."
Igris nodded once.
Tilted my head. "Do you guys… remember anything? Before me?"
They exchanged glances—actual confusion in those glowing eyes.
Beru tilted his head. "Remember…?"
Crouched to eye level. "Yeah. Before you were shadows. Soldiers? Ashborn? Jinwoo? Any of that?"
Silence.
Beru spoke softly. "We have no memories prior to birth from your shadow, my liege. We were born in your darkness. We waited in the shadow dimension. That is all."
Belion nodded. "Only loyalty. Only you."
Igris: "We exist for your command."
Exhaled. "Huh. Clean slate. No baggage. That's… kinda nice."
Stood up. "Thanks, guys. For real."
They bowed deeper.
"We are honored, my liege," in unison.
Emotional beat over.
Scanned the trees. "Still no clue what world this is. Feels familiar but… off. No landmarks. I'll figure it out later."
But those big auras were still pulsing. Annoying.
Turned to the three. "Lots of strong beasts nearby. City-buster level. Can you handle cleanup? Thin the herd?"
Beru's grin widened—terrifying and wholesome. "It would be our honor, my liege."
Belion flexed wings. "We shall bring their essence."
Igris rose, sword drawn. "As you command."
They vanished—shadow-stepped faster than I could blink.
After the three marshals vanished to handle the nearby beasts, the forest felt quieter. I stood there for a moment, coat settling around me, listening to the distant roars getting cut short one by one. They were efficient.
Good.
I needed to get a better sense of this place. Not just the forest—the whole world. Jinwoo had once scanned an entire planet to track down a fleeing monarch. With the full template, I should be able to do the same.
I closed my eyes and focused, pushing my senses outward like stretching a muscle I'd never used before. Mana flowed easily, no strain, no limits. The trees sharpened in my mind first—every branch, every hidden insect. Then it kept going. Hills became mountains, rivers turned into sprawling networks, oceans stretched out endlessly. Cities flickered at the edges of my perception, faint magic signatures from towers or people. Beasts everywhere, some so strong their auras felt like distant storms.
But the size… that hit me like a truck.
This world wasn't just big. It was absurd. Bigger than Earth by a ridiculous margin—closer to the size of the sun. Continents that could swallow solar systems, gravity somehow not crushing everything flat thanks to insane amounts of mana holding it together. Floating islands drifting high up, deserts endless enough to lose civilizations in. It didn't make any sense.
I opened my eyes and let out a slow breath. "Okay… what the hell? I've read a ton of stories—nothing has a world this massive. No familiar gates, no towers, no obvious tropes. This isn't ringing any bells. Either it's some deep-cut fiction I skipped, or it's completely new."
Exploring properly would take forever. Maybe years. Maybe longer. Good thing time wasn't really an issue with these powers.
For now, though, the low-rank shadows were waiting for orders.
Pointed at the clearing. "You lot—build a house. Sturdy walls, good roof, defensible but cozy. Kitchen mandatory. Fireplace too. Make it nice."
Braced for complaints.
Instead—celebration.
Wolf shadows fist-bumped. Knight spun his hammer like a TikTok dance. Orcs high-fived. They dove in with actual joy—logs floating, stones stacking, beams rising in timelapse.
Stared. "Y'all are way too hyped about free labor. Most minions would be on strike by now."
No complaints. Just happy shadow construction ASMR.
I leaned against a massive tree trunk, coat billowing slightly in the mana-thick breeze, watching the low-rank shadows turn the clearing into what was shaping up to be a legit fortress. Beams floated into place like they had minds of their own (which, technically, they did), stones stacked with eerie precision, and the occasional low whoop or click echoed through the trees. These guys were putting more effort into construction than most people put into their 9-to-5.
The three marshals were still out there thinning the herd—distant roars cut short, auras winking out one after another. Efficient. Professional. Kinda terrifying if I thought about it too long.
But the rest of the army? The ones left behind for base-building duty? They were... vibing. Hard.
One wolf shadow was hauling a log twice its size, tail wagging like a puppy at the park. Another pair of knight-types were high-fiving after fitting a massive door frame—actual high-fives, with shadowy hands making a soft *thwack* sound. An orc-looking one started humming some low, eerie tune while hammering shadow nails, and a couple of archer shadows were doing a little side-to-side sway like they were listening to music only they could hear.
I tilted my head under the hood. "Yo. You guys good over there?"
A nearby elite knight shadow paused mid-lift, purple eyes flicking toward me. It straightened up, saluted sharply (sword across chest, classic), then nodded once. No words—lower ranks weren't big on speech yet—but the energy was clear: *We live for this, boss.*
A wolf shadow trotted over, dropped a perfectly cut timber at my feet like it was bringing me a gift, then sat back on its haunches, tail sweeping the moss. Those crimson eyes looked up at me expectantly.
I crouched down, scratched behind its shadowy ear (felt weirdly solid, like petting smoke that decided to be fur). "You're really into this build, huh? Most summons would be like 'why me' right now."
The wolf let out a low, pleased rumble—almost a purr—and leaned into the scratch. A second wolf joined, nudging its head under my other hand. Then a third. Suddenly I had a pile of shadowy wolves demanding pets like oversized goth puppies.
I laughed—quiet at first, then louder. "Okay, okay. You win. Free headpats for the construction crew."
They wagged harder. One even flopped onto its side for belly rubs. I obliged because why not? My shadow army was apparently part terrifying undead legion, part affection-starved rescue squad.
From the build site, a knight shadow waved—actually waved—with both arms like it was flagging down a plane. When I waved back, it did a little spin with its hammer before getting back to work. Another orc shadow gave a thumbs-up. Thumbs-up. From a seven-foot shadow monster.
"Bro," I muttered, "y'all are too wholesome for necromancy. This is giving found family arc."
One of the lower-tier giants lumbered over, knelt carefully (so it didn't accidentally step on me), and extended a massive hand. Palm up. In the center: a single glowing mana crystal the size of a softball, freshly harvested from who-knows-where.
I took it. Felt the raw power humming inside. "For the base? Or just because?"
The giant nodded slowly, then pointed at the half-built structure—like *this is for you, so here's bonus resources.*
I pocketed the crystal (shadow inventory go brrr). "Appreciate it, big guy. Keep it up."
The giant rumbled something low—almost happy—then went back to hauling stones, moving with surprising gentleness for something built like a walking siege engine.
I stood up, brushing moss off my coat, and surveyed the progress. Foundation solid. Walls rising fast. They'd already framed out what looked like a main hall, with arched doorways and high ceilings. Someone (probably one of the smarter knights) had started carving decorative patterns into the stone—swirling shadow motifs that glowed faintly red. Aesthetic on point.
A small group of archer shadows had perched on the half-built roof beams, bows slung over shoulders, chatting in low clicks and gestures. One pointed at me, then at the structure, then gave a thumbs-up. Another mimed eating food and rubbed its belly—clearly asking about the kitchen priority.
"Yeah, kitchen's non-negotiable," I called back. "Make it big. I'm planning miracle pizza nights."
They nodded enthusiastically. One archer even did a little chef's kiss gesture with shadowy fingers.
I shook my head, grinning under the hood. "This army is built different. Most people get zombies that moan and eat brains. I get a squad that's hyped for interior design and headpats."
The wolves were still circling my legs, tails sweeping. I reached down and gave collective scratches. "You lot are gonna spoil me rotten, aren't you?"
A chorus of pleased rumbles answered.
In the distance, a fresh pulse of combat—Beru's signature high-pitched screech mixed with Igris's blade song. Another big beast down. They were making quick work.
The wolves were still circling my legs every few minutes for headpats. One had claimed permanent real estate on my boot, chin resting there like it was the comfiest spot in the forest. I scratched behind its ear absently while keeping an eye on the build.
Then the air shifted—three familiar auras snapped back into range.
Beru arrived first, materializing in a burst of black mist right in front of me. Mandibles spread in that signature creepy-happy grin, carapace still steaming faintly from whatever monster he'd just dismantled.
"My liege!" he chirped, voice high and buzzing with excitement. He dropped to one knee, but his wings twitched like he could barely contain himself. "The beasts were… deliciously strong! We have cleared a wide radius. No threats remain within ten kilometers."
Belion landed next—wings folding with a soft whoosh of displaced air. The white-furred lion marshal touched down gracefully, mane rippling like liquid moonlight. He bowed his head low, voice deep and resonant.
"The larger ones fought with fury, my liege. But none could stand against us. Their essences are yours to claim whenever you wish."
Igris appeared last—shadow-stepping silently beside the others. Black armor gleamed, sword already sheathed. He knelt without flourish, crimson eyes steady.
"The path is secure, my liege. We await your next command."
I pushed off the wall, grinning under the hood. "You three work fast. I barely had time to get headpats from the puppies."
Beru's mandibles clicked in what I was pretty sure was jealousy. "Puppies? My liege, you spoil the lesser ranks. They will grow soft!"
One of the wolves at my feet let out an indignant huff and pressed closer to my leg like *excuse you, I am not soft.*
Belion rumbled—a low, amused sound that vibrated through the ground. "Soft or not, they fight with heart when you are near. Loyalty is not weakness."
Igris tilted his head slightly, the closest thing to curiosity he ever showed. "You… pet them, my liege?"
I shrugged. "Yeah. They like it. And honestly? It's cute. Terrifying undead army that wants belly rubs? Peak found-family energy."
Beru tilted his head, compound eyes glinting. "Cute… is not a word we expected to hear from the Shadow Monarch." He paused, then added in a sly tone, "Though I would not refuse a scratch behind the mandibles if offered."
I snorted. "Noted. Maybe later."
A knight shadow had paused mid-hammer to watch us. When I pointed, it straightened up proudly and gave a crisp salute. An orc nearby mimed lifting something heavy, then pointed at the rising walls with a thumbs-up. Clear message: *Look how good we're doing for you.*
Igris spoke quietly, almost thoughtful. "They work harder for you than any summon should. Not out of obligation… but because they wish to see you pleased."
The words hung for a second—surprisingly deep coming from the stoic knight.
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah. I'm starting to get that vibe. Kinda makes me feel like the weird dad of a goth family reunion."
Beru cackled—high and buzzing. "Dad of shadows! I like this title. May I call you Father-Liege?"
"Absolutely not," I shot back instantly. "We're keeping it at 'my liege' or I'm demoting you to dish-washing duty."
Beru gasped dramatically, one clawed hand over his chest plate. "Cruel! I would rather face a thousand city-destroyers again than wash dishes!"
Belion let out another rumbling laugh—deeper this time. "You would complain, insect, but you would still do it. For him."
Igris nodded once. "We all would."
The low-ranks had gone quiet, watching the exchange. A wolf shadow trotted over and sat at my feet again, looking up like it was waiting for the next headpat.
I sighed, fond. "Alright, you drama queens. Kitchen's almost done. Keep pushing—roof by nightfall if you can swing it."
Beru's wings buzzed happily. "My liege commands speed! We shall finish the house by nightfall! Then we hunt more! For glory!"
Belion nodded solemnly. "The territory will be yours completely. No beast will approach without permission."
Igris sheathed his sword fully—a rare gesture. "We serve… willingly. Always."
I looked around—at the half-built fortress, the eager shadows, the three marshals standing proud.
*This isn't just an army. It's a crew. A weird, loyal, construction-loving, headpat-addicted crew.*
I smirked under the hood. "Alright. Finish the roof. Add some windows—let the mana light in. Then we plan the next steps. Full perimeter tomorrow, maybe scout the edges after that."
Beru whooped. "More hunting! More glory!"
Belion rumbled approval. "We will make the domain unbreakable."
Igris simply bowed. "As you will."
The low-ranks cheered—clicks, rumbles, whoops—and dove back into work with renewed energy. Hammers moved faster. Stones floated quicker. One archer shadow even did a little spin on a beam before nailing down a roof plank.
I leaned back against the wall, watching them go.
The wolves settled around me again, one resting its head on my boot like it had no intention of moving. I gave it a final scratch behind the ear.
"Keep it up, everyone. We're building something real here."
The forest hummed with their quiet enthusiasm, mana thick in the air, and for the first time since waking up in this new life, everything felt… solid.