Fengyang Prefecture, rural district of Baishan.
The cicadas sang over the treetops as a boy, covered in mud and with visible ribs, tried to pluck a fruit from a dry bush.
His name was Lin Yuan, and today he had survived another day. Barely.
Years ago, Lin had been a college student in his final semester, on the verge of failing Thermodynamics for the fourth time. As he lamented his misfortune, a storm caught him on his way home—and a very nosy lightning bolt decided to restart his story.
When he woke up, he was a baby wrapped in rags, abandoned next to a farm.
No tutorial. No family. No system.
Just hunger.
For years, Lin fought for food, shelter, and to not die from a common cold. He became one of the many invisible orphans wandering dusty roads and crowded cities.
But he also watched. He learned. He escaped from so many slave merchants—and helped others escape—that he became a legend in the slums.
In his previous life, he had dreamed of becoming a mundane iron president who could command wind and tide. In this one, without a system in a world of warriors, he settled for being the boss of the alleyways, dodging slavers and fighting northern gangs.
Since his rebirth, he had wanted to revolutionize the world, but sadly realized he was powerless. In this world, no one cared about the opinions of the humble.
At twelve, he created his first invention with all the capital he had saved: a doorknob unlike the usual latch-and-bar mechanisms used in this world. His design was simple, practical, and opened with a key.
Soon, everyone in the city was using doorknobs, thanks to the noble official who kidnapped him, forced him to explain how it worked, and then sold the idea for a measly three pounds of rice.
Go figure. You couldn't even trust government officials in this world. Thinking the countryside had dulled his critical senses for spotting leeches, he quickly got to work escaping—before the laxative that noble had fed him kicked in.
At least he hadn't forgotten his college tricks, like sneaking out while the chemistry professor wasn't looking. He waited until no one was watching and slipped out, not forgetting to leave a "sweet and aromatic" gift for the merchant.
The life of an orphan was harsh.
At fifteen, no matter how clever or skilled you seemed, the most you could get was an illegal job at a tavern or hauling wood for scraps. At least I had earned some respect on the streets, thanks to my caution in back-alley fights... and the occasional satisfaction of breaking that official's windows.
Sometimes, the local church handed out chicken soup in the slums. But when I asked to join the parish, or at least have them take in the younger kids, they always answered with the same smile:
—"My goddess Altea has greater plans for you."
They repeated it so often I almost believed them. As Pandora's box says, hope is the last thing to go.
One day, when they didn't see me, I followed them. I wanted to finally hear what this "great plan" was. Maybe—just maybe—it would be the start of Lin Yuan's epic.
As I approached the clean marble-lined entrance, I heard them say:
—"Ugh, that lowly Lin Yuan gets more persistent every day. Can't he take a hint?"
—"It's normal. For someone like him to even know how to read is impressive. He helps bring faith from the ignorant. Don't expect him to understand subtlety."
—"I hope I can gather enough faith soon. I'm sick of being around those filthy rats."
The priest listening to the rant clicked his tongue and looked at the other like he was an idiot.
—"Just a few more weeks, Julian. And if he brings the kids, we can sell them to the local slaver. Say they're in retreat and we'll pocket thousands in gold."
Julian stared at him, shocked.
—"You know, Bert... sometimes, just sometimes, you're a damn genius."
The shock froze me in place. I felt the innocence I thought still lingered vanish like water through my fingers. I left shortly after, ashamed I had hoped for anything more from them.
I mean, it's already something that they fed the poor—even if it was for the wrong reasons. But I wouldn't resign myself to this vain life. I stopped bringing kids from the slums. Little by little, I clung to an idea:
"If no one cares for the orphans, I will. And I'll make the world regret ignoring them."
Now, at seventeen and with every coin he'd saved, Lin had done the impossible: he built an orphanage.
It was a humble wooden shack, poorly nailed together, with a small vegetable patch that looked like it was crying for help, and an outhouse that… let's just not describe.
But it was his. And he named it:
"Dawn's Refuge."
I named it that because after so many nights, we needed a sunrise.
Lin's dream had just taken shape. He sat on the doorstep with a raw potato in his hand, the first meal he hadn't had to steal in days. Just as he took a bite, the world stopped.
Literally.
DING!
A translucent blue window floated in front of him.
[Celestial Orphanage System Activated!]
Congratulations, Director Lin Yuan!
You have been chosen as this system's host.
Tired of having no power? Want to change the world?
Don't worry—complete missions and gradually become a being even the King of the Gods would worship.
Main Mission: Turn the orphans of the world into heroes, legends, or people whose enemies cry in therapy.
Earn rewards for each achievement: learning, emotional growth, talent discovery, or skill mastery.
Warning! While this system will eventually include all orphans, its energy is currently limited by the host. The first orphans must excel in at least one area.
Welcome gift unlocked:
[Spiritual Technique: Tranquil Willow Breathing],
[Mystery Box: It's really a surprise].
Lin choked on the potato.
—"A system…? Now you show up? After I almost got eaten by wild dogs when I was eight?!"
The system ignored his existential tantrum and added:
Warning! Every child you take in may bring missions, chaos, or unexpected blessings.
Note: The destruction of the orphanage disables the system. Protect it well.
Lin looked at his wobbly little house, then at the glowing window, then at the sky.
—"Alright... if life throws kids at me, I'll turn them into legends. And if you make me stronger along the way, I won't complain."
A new notification popped up:
[Side Objective: Recruit your first orphan]
Reward: +50 points, random skill
Lin smiled.
—"I just hope they don't smell as bad as I used to."