The battlefield was quiet now.
Smoke drifted through the ruined clearing outside Verdant Hollow's dome. Blackened craters dotted the field. Burnt-out vehicles smoldered in silence. The enemy had been repelled—but the war was far from over.
Inside the dome, Reon Kael sat by the central console, his shirt torn, his hands dirty, but his eyes focused. Across the room, Mina slept peacefully, her head resting on a pillow surrounded by a soft glow of golden energy.
He'd promised her peace.
And he'd delivered—for now.
---
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
> ✅ Host Level: 4
Unlocked Perk: Post-Combat Salvage Protocol
You may now extract materials, data, and blueprints from defeated enemies, vehicles, and tech.
💰 Bonus Salvage Acquired:
EMP Dampener Blueprint
Medium-Armor Tactical Vest (Upgradeable)
Partial Communications Uplink Data [Encrypted]
VERA Note: "Communications data may contain military records… or messages from others like you."
Reon leaned forward. "Let's see who else is out there."
---
VERA – Decryption in Progress
> Estimated Time: 2 hours
Source: Commander Ryvek's broken uplink
Partial Tag Found: Code RED-BOND-07
Tracing Origin…
As the system worked, Reon walked through the outer dome. He checked the perimeter defenses, patched minor shield burns, and gathered what tech the attackers left behind—rifles, batteries, broken bots.
Everything could be traded now. Value was no longer money. It was survival.
---
Sudden Ping – External Signal Detected
VERA's voice echoed urgently.
> "Unregistered encrypted message incoming. Origin unknown. Uplink hidden behind bounced satellites and hijacked satellites. Dangerous and sophisticated."
Message Type: Direct to Reon Kael
Sender ID: [WEALTH-HOLDER #004 – "Mirage"]
> "Hello, Reon. You don't know me yet, but I know you.
I watched your fight. You turned a tactical base into a fortress. Not bad—for someone who earned it the hard way."
"You're not alone, Kael. There are others like us. Survivors who kept their wealth.
But we don't all agree on how to use it."
"Some want to rebuild.
Others… want to rule."
"If you want answers, come to the Fallen Exchange.
Grid Sector 21. Three days. Alone.
Or don't. And die in a fire like the rest."
> —Mirage
---
Reon narrowed his eyes.
A trap? Or a clue?
VERA spoke, voice more serious than usual. "The Exchange was once a central crypto-bank hub. If it still stands, the data in its servers could reveal everything about the System's origin."
Reon nodded slowly. "Then I'll go."
"But what about Mina?" VERA asked.
He turned to look at her, still sleeping.
"I'll bring her."
---
Mina Awakens – A New Side of the System
When Mina woke, her system glowed differently—soft purple lines joining the gold across her interface.
> 🎉 New Skill Acquired: Signal Sense – Level 1
You may now detect encrypted frequencies, signals, and traps nearby.
Increases communication clarity and exposure to hidden systems.
Side Effect: Risk of psychic fatigue during extended decryption.
She sat up and blinked. "I saw someone… in a dream."
Reon leaned in. "Who?"
"A woman… in white. She said the System wasn't made... it was released."
Reon froze.
"…Released?"
"Like a prison door opening. She said the more we use it, the more it remembers who we are."
---
Moral Choice: The Refugees
Just as they were preparing to leave, VERA triggered a red alert.
> ⚠️ Motion detected – Southern Perimeter
Identity: Non-hostile
Count: 18
Status: Civilians
Condition: Starving, Unarmed, Infected
Request: Food, Water, Shelter
Reon watched from the screen. A group of survivors had stumbled into the dome's outer range—families, mothers, children. Thin. Hollow-eyed. Holding makeshift flags of peace.
Mina gasped. "They're dying…"
VERA spoke coldly. "Allowing them inside presents serious risks. Disease vectors, resource drain, risk of infiltration."
> Decision Prompt:
🔘 Deny Access
🔘 Offer Minimal Supplies (No Entry)
🔘 Let Them In (Full Access – Trigger Side Quest Chain: "Dome of the Forgotten")
Reon stood in silence.
He looked at Mina. Her hand gently touched his.
"We still have food, right?"
"…Yeah," he said softly.
"Then let them in."
---
> ✅ Chosen: Let Them In
🎉 Side Quest Chain Unlocked: "Dome of the Forgotten"
Tiered Rewards: Loyalty, Resource Production, Skill XP
Hidden Perk Possible: "Symbol of Hope"
Warning: Risk of espionage from hidden agents within refugee group. Proceed with caution.
The gates opened.
The first woman collapsed in tears the moment she stepped inside.
Reon helped carry a child into the garden section.
He hadn't expected this war to turn him into a king.
But maybe the real power wasn't in how much wealth he had.
Maybe it was in what he did with it.
---
Meanwhile – Deep Beneath the Fallen Exchange
A black vault pulsed.
Screens lit up. Maps of Reon's movements were displayed. The System was watching.
And far below, locked in quantum code, something old stirred.
> [System Note: 7% Consciousness Reconstructed…]
[Preparing Host Interface: "The Architect"]
---
[End of Chapter 7]