In a World Filled with Deserts, an Old Man with Electronic Money

When a hapless office worker, Kato Taro (Middle-aged, single) woke up, he found himself in a different world filled with deserts called the 『Great Desert.』 Taro was summoned as a 『World Reformer』to improve the world, but the king saw his a middle-aged man and has a dull appearance so he declared the summoning a failure. In the end Taro was banished to another city, but the sandship he was aboard on was attacked by a swarm of monsters called Sand Beasts. This was plotted by the king to kill Taro to summon a new 『World Reformer』 But Taro managed to escape and decided to wander the desert However his discovery of an oasis marks a turning point for Taro! With his encounter with beautiful girls (?) and acquiring a rare skill called 『Internet Shopping』 The old man decided to live in the desert as he pleases!

Original Publisher

media factory

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on In a World Filled with Deserts, an Old Man with Electronic Money This web novel definitely has a unique premise. The title alone, "In a World Filled with Deserts, an Old Man with Electronic Money," grabbed my attention. While it doesn't completely reinvent the wheel, it offers a blend of familiar tropes with some interesting twists. ### First Impressions Initially, I was intrigued by the "fish out of water" scenario. Our protagonist, a middle-aged office worker still grieving his deceased fiancée, gets summoned to a desert world by a nation desperate for help. I appreciated the initial setup with the king's complex motivations and the MC's almost accidental "noble" status. The early chapters do a decent job of establishing the world and the political landscape, setting the stage for the MC's eventual exile. ### What Works Well The cheat ability, online shopping, is a fun mechanic. It's introduced gradually, and the limitations (like delivery costs) add a layer of realism. I enjoyed seeing how the MC uses his modern knowledge to improve his and his companions' lives in a resource-scarce environment. The female leads are also a plus; they are former aristocrats ostracized for not meeting beauty standards. I found this an interesting take on the usual power fantasy, as it gave depth to the characters and their motivations. I appreciated the justification for why they might fall for the MC, given their circumstances and his genuine kindness. ### Areas of Concern One thing that gave me pause was the pacing. The initial training arc felt a bit rushed, and the level progression seemed inconsistent. I also had some reservations about the age gap between the MC and the female leads. While the story attempts to address this, I found the explanation a little unconvincing. It felt a bit like the author was trying to justify the harem aspect, which detracted from the story's overall appeal for me. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning The following section contains spoilers about plot points. The initial summoning situation is interesting. The MC’s exile and subsequent journey to the oasis are key plot drivers. The development of the online shopping skill at level 200 is a game-changer, allowing the MC to purchase goods from modern Japan. The reasons the female leads were ostracized from their kingdom are also revealed in detail. ### Final Verdict Overall, "In a World Filled with Deserts, an Old Man with Electronic Money" is a mixed bag. The premise is intriguing, and the online shopping cheat is a fun twist. However, the pacing and the handling of the age gap raise some concerns. If you're looking for a lighthearted adventure with a mature protagonist and don't mind some harem elements, this might be worth a read. But be prepared for some inconsistencies and potentially problematic tropes. I'd give it a tentative recommendation, with the caveat that it's not for everyone.