Pain. Sharp, searing pain, as though red-hot metal needles were piercing every corner of my mind. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. A scream tore out of my throat, shattering the silence. I was rolling on the cold, rocky ground, clutching my head in desperation, as if that could somehow silence the chaos raging inside me. I was surrounded by emptiness, yet my mind was caught in a violent storm.

Instinctively, I tried to close my eyes—an old reflex that made no sense given that, after all, I did have eyes. But the chaos didn’t vanish. On the contrary, it seemed that every time I tried to ignore what I was “seeing,” the pain only intensified. A relentless flow of data flooded in, information I had no way of processing: pulsing energies, intricate patterns, ever-shifting shapes and outlines. It was as though the world around me was made up of puzzle pieces that simply didn’t fit together.

There came a point when I literally wanted to tear my eyes out, despite knowing it wouldn’t help. My hands moved instinctively to my face, clawing at the skin around my eyes, as if desperation could undo what I had done. A scream—half wild, half human—filled the silence of the barren land.

At last, I grew weak. Thrashing around and fighting against something I couldn’t understand had drained me entirely. I lay on the ground, breathing shallowly and rapidly, as the chaos slowly began to subside. It wasn’t that it had grown any less intense, but rather that I realized I couldn’t fight it.

Adaptation. That was the only word that cut through the tumult. I had to adapt, because there was no alternative. What initially felt like a curse might be my only salvation. I focused on my breathing, forcing my body and mind to calm down. One inhale, one exhale—slowly, as though each breath restored a fraction of control.

When the chaos quieted somewhat, I began to pick out patterns in what I was “seeing.” Something that at first was just a storm of incomprehensible information started to take shape. I saw outlines of stones beneath me, as though they were glimmering in my mind, surrounded by pulsing energy. Every movement of the air, every faint rustle seemed to leave a trace behind, a trace I could read.

“This is happening in my head, but… maybe I can control it?” I thought, though I still had trouble grasping the full extent of this new ability.

After a few attempts at moving around and examining my surroundings, I noticed something in my chaotic vision that looked like a large mass of energy. At first, it was just a more distinct pattern among the pulsing lines, but when I got closer, I realized it was a barrier. The space around me throbbed with energy, and the boundary appeared to separate this area from the rest of the world. I reached out my hand, and the vibrating warmth I felt seemed to pierce my senses. In that barrier, I saw all sorts of energies: lines woven into unknown patterns, swirling streams of light, and darkness mingling with brightness. I had no idea what any of it meant, as though it were a language I didn’t yet understand.

The barrier was smooth but not cold. It felt somehow organic, and yet unnaturally regular. Observing its pulsing energy and the way it seemed to seal off my little patch of land from everything else, I began to suspect it served as a kind of protective field. I had no idea how long it would last, but my gut told me it wouldn’t be forever.

Bit by bit, I was learning to see the world through the prism of my new talent, although every step in that direction demanded intense focus. My head still pounded with pain, overloaded by the flood of incoming information. Every piece of energy, every ripple in the air vied for my attention, making even the simplest action feel like a monumental struggle.

I wondered what to do next. The barrier afforded me some protection, but I knew its time was limited. I looked around, trying to get a better sense of my surroundings. In my vision, the rocky hills appeared as clusters of cold, indifferent energy, devoid of movement or life. The ground beneath my feet seemed to swallow every impulse that might indicate something living, as though it repelled life instead of nurturing it. That sight convinced me further that this territory of mine was peculiarly barren, a place that seemed to reject life itself.

The memory of the system came back to me, yanking me out of my thoughts. I focused, recalling how it operated at the moment of my sacrifice. “System?” I thought, attempting to conjure it in my mind. To my surprise, a three-dimensional image materialized before my inner eye. It was simple, almost austere, with a handful of options laid out in a neat row:

Status. Talent. Territory. Skills. Titles.

Each option seemed to respond to my thoughts, as if awaiting a command.

I focused on Status, and a panel of details immediately appeared:

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

* Name: Unknown

* Level: 1

* Talent: Legendary – Eye of Chaos

Stats:

* Strength: 5

* Agility: 6

* Endurance: 4

* Intelligence: 8

* Magic Energy: 10

* HP: 100/100

* Mana: 50/50

Next, I shifted my focus to Talent, and a brief description appeared before me:

Eye of Chaos: Grants the ability to perceive and analyze the energies and structures of the surrounding world in a uniquely versatile way. Opens the path to discoveries inaccessible to others.

I looked at those words, trying to take them in. “Adaptation”—that word came back again, like a mantra destined to follow me from now on. I’d thought that this legendary talent would be a blessing, but so far it was my greatest curse. I knew I had a long way to go before I could fully grasp its potential, and the idea that I had to remain constantly focused so as not to lose control of my energy-based vision—and be hurled back into chaos—terrified me.

I switched my attention to Territory, where the system displayed available options for starting buildings. I started analyzing each one, trying to understand what possibilities they might offer.

Summoning Tower

Description: The center of every territory, enabling the summoning of units.

Function: Allows you to summon one basic unit.

Reading that description, I realized the Summoning Tower would be the heart of my territory. That’s where the entire power structure would begin. The ability to summon my first unit, even if it was a basic one, offered a glimmer of hope for strengthening my position.

Basic Shelter

Description: A simple, primitive structure providing protection and rest.

Function: A place of rest for the Overlord.

Bonus: +50% health regeneration during rest.

Though primitive, the shelter was just as important. Health regeneration could be critical, especially if I sustained any injuries. I knew that a safe place to rest could determine life or death.

Resource Depot

Description: A building for storing acquired resources.

Function: Allows storage of up to 100 units of resources.

Bonus: Slows food spoilage by 50%.

The Resource Depot looked simple, but its significance wasn’t lost on me. Storing resources is the backbone of any kingdom, and the spoilage delay could be invaluable over the long term.

Field

Description: A small piece of land suitable for basic farming.

Function: Speeds up plant growth by 15%.

The Field offered a place to begin basic production. Accelerated plant growth gave me hope that, even in this barren land, I could find a way to secure essential supplies.

Energy Source

Description: The magical core of the territory, serving as the heart of the kingdom.

Function: Enables modifying and constructing buildings within the territory.

Judging by the description, the Energy Source would be crucial to the development of my territory. It was more than just a strategic point—I had a feeling everything I built would be powered by its energy. I hoped its potential would let me transform these wastelands into something resembling a real kingdom.

Next, I focused on a new system tab labeled Skills. A list appeared before my eyes, divided into two sections: passive and active.

Passive Skills

Chaotic Spatial Perception

Description: A passive way of perceiving the surroundings by analyzing energy and structures. Enables dynamic spatial vision, independent of normal sight.

Cost: None (the skill is always active).

Active Skills

Basic Energy Analysis

Description: Activates the analysis of a selected object or energy in the surroundings, providing detailed information.

Cost: 5 Mana to activate.

Basic Energy Manipulation

Description: Allows interaction with ambient energy.

Cost: 10 Mana per use.

Looking at the list, I noticed that the passive skills were always active, while the active ones required my conscious choice and an expenditure of energy. The word “Cost” conjured up memories of the fatigue I’d felt from using my talent. I selected Basic Energy Analysis, directing my focus toward a nearby stone. A new window popped up in my mind, displaying detailed information about the object. It was divided into several sections:

Object Name: Basalt Stone

Energy Type: Neutral

Status: Stable

Properties:

* Hardness: High

* Magical Conductivity: Low

* Potential Uses: Building material, energy barrier (with the right manipulation)

The window was clear, and I could examine each element in even greater detail if I concentrated on it. Yet even now, I could see how many details could be revealed about even the most unremarkable object. The Mana cost was minimal, but I felt a slight weariness.

After reviewing the “Skills” section, I turned my attention to the final tab in the system—Titles. To my surprise, there was already one listed:

Title: “Boundless Sacrifice”

Description: Bestowed upon those who have made extraordinary sacrifices to enter the realm of the Overlords.

Bonus: +50% Mana regeneration.

I studied the description, feeling the memories of my sacrifice return—but without the bitterness this time. The bonus was a small acknowledgment by the system of the steep price I’d paid.

“Boundless Sacrifice...” I repeated in my mind, savoring each word. The title felt like both a burden and proof of just how much I had already given to end up here.

Stats, talent, territory, skills, and titles…

It’s like a game.