[Congratulations to the Host for completing the mission.]
The system's voice echoed in Jinmu's mind, calm and mechanical.
[Reward: 1 Game Spin acquired.]
[New Function Unlocked: Cafe Memberships.]
He blinked once, eyes narrowing slightly as the panel unfolded in front of him like a translucent screen.
[Function Overview – Cafe Memberships:
[Registered members will be under passive system protection near the base.]
[Qi accumulation rate increases by 5% within system perimeter.]
[Registered kills on zombies will transfer a portion of EXP to the Host.]
[Additional Feature Unlocked: Achievement System.]
[Achievements earned in-game may produce tangible rewards.]
[Zombie kills will now convert to Points for the Host.]
[Member activity is now directly tied to Host progression.]
Jinmu's gaze remained cold, but a subtle flicker passed through his eyes.
'So... their growth is tied to mine.'
He stood from his chair, slowly walking toward the VR capsule where Mira remained locked into the game, immersed in that other world.
"A system-based cultivation farm…" he mused. Without needing to move. Without needing to fight.
He paused.
"This shop… no, this base… is my body now. And they'll be the hands and feet."
He returned to his seat, letting out a breath.
'Finally,' he thought.
The screen in front of him flashed briefly—Mira was battling a creature with controlled precision.
[Player: Seo Mira — Achievement Progress: 0%]
He leaned forward slightly.
'If this continues… I'll have enough points to cultivate soon.'
He wasn't certain what cultivation looked like in this new world, whether the systems here could be trusted fully.
After an hour of intense gameplay, Seo Mira was ducking behind trees, crafting makeshift tools, and yelling as she fumbled with a campfire.
"Wait—what? I need sticks? I just had sticks!" she muttered in frustration.
Suddenly, a blue notification flared before her eyes.
[Notice: Your session has expired. Please insert additional Crystal(s) to continue.]
Startled, Mira lifted the helmet slightly, her cheeks flushed from excitement and exertion. "Owner!" she called out, still breathless.
"I need another seven hours—please."
"Okay."
Jinmu didn't flinch. He simply extended a hand without speaking. Mira placed the crystals in his palm without hesitation.
[Payment received. Session extended by 7 hours.]
A subtle pulse of warmth coursed through Jinmu's body the moment the transaction completed. It was faint. Like a trickle of water in a parched desert.
He sat down again, his gaze falling to the faint glow around the VR station. The system chimed softly.
[+7 Points earned. EXP increased.]
Inside the capsule, Mira returned to the simulation, shouting as soon as her feet hit virtual ground. "Where's the rope?! I just saw it—!"
Jinmu watched the monitor quietly. Her expression shifted constantly, shock, joy, confusion, and determination.
She crafted, fought, explored, and marveled at everything. Her laughter echoed now and then.
'She doesn't even ask questions,' Jinmu thought, eyes narrowing slightly. 'Is that the immersion effect of VR… or just her nature?'
And yet, she needed no guidance. No help. Not even the basic tutorial.
"Owner!" she shouted again from inside. "Did you know this thing feels like real moss? I scraped my hand trying to climb a tree, but I can feel it healing through Qi flow!"
She sounded amazed, like a child discovering the world for the first time.
He nodded.
But deep inside, something shifted in him.
For the first time in this world, Jinmu wasn't alone.
And in silence, he began to wonder just how far this system could take him, if this woman was just the first spark in a much greater fire.
The game eventually dimmed to black. The screen blinked: [Session Over – Max Time Reached.]
Seo Mira lifted the helmet, blinking rapidly as her eyes adjusted. She looked around the shop in disbelief, as if waking from a dream. Then, she scowled.
"Eight hours already?" she grumbled. "I still haven't found the damn kid…"
She stood up and stretched. Her body still felt like it was inside that world, the smell of forest smoke, the sound of her own panting breath, the eerie quiet when night fell.
"I can pay," she said, reaching for her pouch.
But Jinmu raised a hand without looking at her. His voice was calm and clipped, as always. "Shop rules. Eight hours per day. No more."
She stared at him, momentarily annoyed, but bit her tongue.
'He saved me. Don't be rude to your savior, Mira,' she reminded herself, folding her arms.
As if reading her silence, Jinmu finally stood up and walked to the counter. He reached under it and pulled out a tray with simple rations: rice, meat, and a boiled egg. Steam rose gently from the plate.
"You're hungry. This one's free," he said, placing it in front of her.
She blinked. "Seriously?"
"If you hunt zombies and bring back kills, meals and lodging will be covered. You may also stay here… as long as you follow the rules."
Her stomach growled, betraying any pride she had. She sat down and dug in immediately.
Between bites, her thoughts stirred.
'If all people can play this and cultivate quickly... the world might be saved.'
She glanced at Jinmu as he silently adjusted something on the monitor, then leaned back into the chair, arms crossed.
'He must be some kind of master... to possess game artifacts like these. And if he can help me grow stronger, maybe I should stay.'
He didn't say another word.
But inside his mind, Jinmu watched the new system prompt flicker quietly in front of him.
[Potential Member Detected. Would you like to invite Seo Mira to Membership?]
He didn't press it yet.
He waited for her to finish eating.
Seo Mira wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and let out a content sigh. The meal had been simple, but after days of running and hiding, it tasted like the banquet of a noble clan.
She glanced toward Jinmu again.
He was back at his seat, the glow of the monitor reflected faintly in his eyes, quiet and still as ever.
She stood up, gathering her thoughts. Then bowed slightly with one hand across her chest—a soldier's gesture.
"Owner," she said respectfully. "I'd like to hunt zombies for you. In return… I want to keep using the game."
Jinmu's eyes didn't leave the monitor. "Understood."
Just as she turned to leave, a mechanical chime echoed softly in the air.
[Membership Invitation Unlocked.]
A faint glow hovered in front of Jinmu's eyes—visible only to him. The system's voice, ever calm, continued in his head:
[Invite Seo Mira to Membership? Benefits:
– Increased Qi Absorption within 50m radius
– Member's zombie kills contribute EXP and points to Host
– Member's achievements in-game convert to merit points
– Loyalty increases Shop's Tier progression]
He tapped once in the air.
[Registered.]
Another pulse of Qi danced lightly across the room. Jinmu felt it enter him like a faint breeze carrying a spark. Not much. But it was real.
'This...' Mira was surprised in sudden increase of qi absorption.
He looked toward her now, just briefly.
"You're the first. Basically you hunt zombies as much as you can and I can provide you shelter though we both have to sleep on a desk..."
Seo Mira smirked. "Thank you Master Owner!"
Jinmu eyebrows twitched.
"...Just call me owner."
She walked toward the door and opened it, letting the warm sunlight and distant cries of the wild world seep in.
"I'll be back before sunset. With zombie heads."
"You don't need to bring it here, and sell it to have tour own money if it have cores."
She nodded.
And just like that, she was gone.
Jinmu leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
'A+ talent..." He smirked slightly and think about him getting stronger doing nothing.
A dull hum thrummed under his feet. The system had changed again.
[New Daily Mission: Ensure Member completes a mission.]
[Reward: 1 Game Spin + Shop EXP + Personal Points.]
He let out a breath, cold and steady.
From the corners of the forest, rustling sounds began to grow louder.
The game shop… was about to get busier.