While I was sitting on my bed, making notes in my head about possible first products, a sudden thought hit me.
"Wait… hold on."
I frowned.
"How am I even supposed to open a company without showing my face?"
I couldn't just walk into an office and register one under my own name. That would instantly put me on records. Governments, guilds, and maybe even big families would notice sooner or later.
That wasn't what I wanted.
"I need to stay hidden," I muttered. "At least for now."
An idea slowly formed.
"Online," I said softly. "That's it."
If I worked through the internet—anonymous platforms, digital services, remote sales—I could build influence without ever appearing in public.
But before any of that…
"I need proper tools."
I was just about to focus again when—
"Woooahhh!"
Someone suddenly jumped on my back.
"Ah—!"
"Hahaha! Brother, you're such a scaredy-cat!"
I almost fell off the bed.
I turned my head and saw a small girl laughing like she'd just won a battle.
"Lily…" I sighed.
My sister—Lily Gray, six years old, full of energy, and absolutely fearless.
She had short hair tied into two tiny ponytails and a mischievous grin that made it impossible to stay mad.
"Hahaha! You jumped!" she said proudly.
"…You almost gave me a heart attack," I replied.
She tilted her head. "What are you doing on Papa's laptop?"
"Nothing much," I said casually. "Just searching some stuff."
She looked at me suspiciously, then nodded. "Oh."
Then her stomach growled loudly.
"…I'm hungry," she said.
I smiled.
"Alright, alright. Let's go eat."
After lunch and making sure Lily was busy again, I finally returned to my room.
I locked the door, sat down, and let out a long breath.
"Okay," I said. "Back to business."
"System," I called mentally. "Can I buy a laptop or PC?"
Affirmative, Host.Any item may be purchased as long as it is used to increase influence.
"Good," I said. "Show me the available laptops."
[System Shop – Device Category Opened]
A panel appeared in front of me.
And my jaw dropped.
Available Laptops
AstraBook Core-X
Quantum-mana hybrid processor
512-core parallel processing
Storage: 10 Petabytes
Encrypted private network access
Dungeon-safe internet connectivity
VoidLink Pro
Ether-stabilized computation unit
Real-time simulation processing
Storage: 18 Petabytes
Fully isolated private net
Trace-proof global access
Nebula Node-7
Mana-threaded AI-assisted processing
Multi-dimensional data handling
Storage: 25 Petabytes
Absolute anonymity protocols
Eclipse Framework
Server-grade processing in portable form
Can replace entire data centers
Storage: 40 Petabytes
Independent satellite & mana-net access
Singularity Terminal
Reality-layer optimized computing
Thought-assisted command response
Storage: 60 Petabytes
Self-maintaining system integrity
Atlas Prime
Civilization-scale computing core
Simultaneous global operations
Storage: 100 Petabytes
Untraceable. Unhackable. Isolated.
Chronos Black
Adaptive processing beyond local limits
Self-evolving system structure
Storage: 120 Petabytes
Absolute private network & internet support
I stared.
"…System," I said slowly. "Are you sure these are laptops?"
Affirmative.
"They look more like supercomputers."
These are basic-level devices currently available to the host.
I rubbed my face.
"Basic…?"
I pointed mentally at the last one.
"This thing can probably run entire countries."
Correct.
"And you're calling it basic?"
Yes.
I exhaled sharply.
"…Fine."
I looked again.
"I'll take the last one. Chronos Black."
[Chronos Black Purchased]
The panel shifted.
"And open the pocket dimension," I added.
Understood.
The world around me blurred slightly.
For a moment, it felt like stepping through water.
Then—
Silence.
I stood in an open space.
Endless.
The sky above was calm and pale. The ground below felt solid and real.
"…Whoa."
[Pocket Dimension – Level 1]
A new panel appeared.
Pocket Dimension Details
Total Space: Comparable to a small planet (Earth)
Expandable: Yes (based on influence level)
Time Ratio:
1 minute (outside) = 1 year (inside)
Energy Availability:
Mana
Ether
Others (Locked)
Resources:
Basic ores
Standard construction materials
Security: Absolute
I froze.
"…Hold on."
I reread the time ratio.
"One minute outside," I whispered, "equals one year inside?"
Correct.
My mouth fell open.
"And this is Level 1?"
Affirmative.
I turned around slowly, taking in the endless space.
"System," I said weakly, "are you sure this isn't Level 100 or something?"
Negative.This is Level 1.
I laughed.
Not a loud laugh.
A quiet, disbelieving one.
"This is insane…"
With this space, I could research, test, build, fail, and retry—without anyone knowing.
Time was no longer a problem.
Resources would grow with influence.
And the laptop—
A supercomputer disguised as a portable device.
I clenched my fist.
"Alright," I said, eyes shining. "Now we're talking."
First step:
Research the market
Improve existing products
Build prototypes
Sell anonymously
Second step:
Infrastructure
Entertainment
Technology people depend on
Third step…
Influence.
I looked at the empty horizon of the pocket dimension.
"One year," I said calmly.
"One year outside."
Inside?
I had centuries.
A/N: Thanks for reading! If you like the story, please add it to your collection and share your thoughts in the comments.