Kazuki Ren, 39, had everything a man could dream of.
A skyline penthouse in Tokyo, six private jets across three continents, directorship over fifteen companies, and more zeros in his bank account than there were stars in the night sky. A self-made billionaire, the media dubbed him "The Tycoon Demon," a man who hadn't taken a vacation in sixteen years.
He was also dead.
Well, almost.
Because at 3:26 a.m., alone in his office with his tie loosened and his fingers trembling from caffeine overdose, he collapsed.
His last words?
"Just one more document…"
Drip. Drip.
Water echoed.
Kazuki opened his eyes.
The light was dim and yellowed like the interior of an old dungeon—or maybe a sewer. The air was heavy, metallic, and smelled of rust and mold. He was lying on a wet, stone floor with moss growing between the cracks. Something cold pressed against his bare back. The ceiling was low, and a flickering candle hung on a rusted iron sconce above him.
"…What the hell?"
He sat up.
His limbs were thinner. Pale. Unfamiliar. His chest was hollow—both literally and emotionally. Panic clawed at him. A puddle nearby reflected his face. It wasn't his.
The man staring back had sunken eyes, greasy dark hair, and bruises across his neck. His cheeks were hollow like he hadn't eaten in days. There was a scar near the throat and rope burns on the wrists.
He checked his arms, then his legs. No suit. No Rolex. Just a rat-bitten cotton shirt, leather trousers, and a tattered belt with a bronze buckle.
"What… the hell is this? A nightmare? Hallucination?"
Then it happened.
A screen appeared in the air before him, bright and blue with gold text that shimmered as if engraved on glass.
Soul Transference: Complete
Previous Body: Kazuki Ren (Deceased)
New Body: Elric Dune (Deceased)
Memory Integration: Partial (Optional)
Earth Net Worth Detected: $1,843,800,900.00 USD
Converting to Elden Currency…
Exchange Rate Calculated
Available Funds: EldCoin 3,218,000,000
Kazuki stared at the floating panel.
"I'm sorry—WHAT?"
More panels popped up.
Tip: Earth assets have been converted into universal EldCoin based on gold standard value and divine allowance.
Tip: Currency can be withdrawn into physical coins or stored in inventory.
Tip: Magic detected. Host aptitude: Low
Tip: Previous body was a failed adventurer who committed suicide due to poverty.
Tip: Welcome to the world of Astraeon.
A moment passed before Kazuki stood up, swaying a little.
"Okay. So let me get this straight…"
He raised one finger at a time.
"One. I died from overwork."
"Two. I reincarnated into a dead guy in a world called Astraeon."
"Three. I have my Earth money, now in EldCoins."
"And four… I have magic?"
He lifted his hand like a wizard. Nothing happened.
The room remained still except for a rat scurrying across the floor.
"Well, that's disappointing."
Kazuki—now Elric—gritted his teeth and stood fully. His legs shook. The body was malnourished, and his stomach growled like a feral beast.
He searched around and found a dusty leather pouch near the wall.
Inside were five silver coins, two coppers, and a crumpled letter.
He unfolded it with trembling fingers.
> To whomever finds this body: I am Elric Dune. I tried. I really tried. But this world has no mercy.
My debts are beyond imagination. My guild expelled me.
My family abandoned me. I'm done fighting.
May the gods forgive me.
Kazuki read the note slowly. Then, with a breath, he said, "Well, Elric, I guess it's my turn now."
He emerged from the underground room into a back alley. The city beyond was built of cobblestone roads, timber houses, and red clay roofs. Giant towers with glowing blue spires stood in the distance. Flying carriages soared above, pulled by creatures that looked like armored griffins.
The streets were lively. Merchants barked from booths. Children chased each other. Adventurers in mismatched armor swaggered past with swords and staffs on their backs.
Kazuki—now Elric—kept walking, adjusting to the aches of this frail body. His mind worked quickly, cataloging everything like he was inspecting a new branch of his company.
Language: Somehow understood.
Culture: Medieval-Fantasy with light industrial elements.
Magic: Real.
Class system: Visible.
Guilds: Present.
Economy: Unclear, but seems merchant-driven.
Technology: No signs of electricity or modern engines.
He reached the marketplace and approached a fruit stand.
"How much for one apple?" he asked.
The vendor, a plump man with a curled mustache, looked him up and down.
"Two coppers."
Elric pulled out a silver coin.
"Break this?"
The man blinked. "Silver? Sure. Here."
He handed back change in copper and small bronze slivers.
Elric bit into the apple. It was sour, juicy, and tasted more real than anything he'd eaten in the last five years.
Food. Currency. Shelter.
His mind clicked into CEO mode.
He needed three things: information, security, and infrastructure.
And he had the capital to get it.
"Time to start rebuilding," he muttered.
He pulled up the interface again.
Bank Balance: EldCoin 3.21 Billion
Exchange Options:
→ Physical Coins
→ Direct Purchase (Property, Services, Equipment)
→ Magic Artifacts
→ Guild Assets
→ Hirelings
Perfect.
He walked confidently now, despite the ragged clothes. He needed to visit a moneychanger to withdraw a more spendable amount.
Soon.
But first—
"Watch it, idiot!"
Someone shoved him from the side. A young woman—early twenties, red hair in a ponytail, armored gloves and leather boots—walked past him.
Elric blinked.
"Charming."
Then he saw it. Her coin purse had dropped and was hanging by a thread. Without thinking, he stepped forward, snatched it mid-fall, and called out.
"Hey, redhead!"
She turned, eyes sharp like daggers.
"You dropped your purse."
She hesitated. Then snatched it from his hand.
"…Thanks," she said, clearly not used to saying it.
"No problem. Try not to lose it next time."
She narrowed her eyes. "You're not from around here, are you?"
"You could say that."
"Hmm." She looked him up and down. "You look like crap."
"Thanks. That's the look I was going for."
To his surprise, she laughed.
"I'm Lyra. Adventurer. Bronze-rank."
"Elric. New guy."
"Well, Elric… if you're broke and need a place to eat, try Mira's Inn. Tell her I sent you. She won't kick you out—probably."
And just like that, she was gone.
Elric stood in the middle of the marketplace, holding the last bite of his apple.
His life had ended 12 hours ago.
Now, he had a new body, a new world, and over 3 billion coins.
It was time to do what he did best.
Not fight dragons. Not cast spells.
But build.
Build something no one could ignore.
A Guild.
His own.
His empire.
And it would all start with a single word:
> "Withdraw: EldCoin, 10,000."