Night cloaked the shattered city in a suffocating silence, broken only by distant echoes of the ruined world. Inside Fortress Omega, Ethan stood motionless before the holo-map, eyes fixed on the northern ruins. A small monster den had been located there—an unnervingly close threat that could not be ignored.
It's small, but that makes it all the more dangerous.
The creatures were aggressive, unpredictable, and could easily overwhelm if underestimated.
Ethan's heart pounded with a mixture of dread and resolve.
Every monster left unchecked is a threat to everyone inside this fortress.
The survivors trusted him not only to protect them but to lead humanity's fragile resurgence. The thought weighed heavily on his shoulders as he double-checked preparations.
Lira approached quietly, her calm demeanor belying her inner tension. "Are you sure you're ready?" she asked softly.
Ethan met her eyes. "We don't get a second chance on this one."
The den's small size meant fewer monsters, but it also meant they were likely concentrated and territorial. Ethan knew a head-on assault could be suicide.
"Caden," Ethan said, "we'll use diversion and traps. Draw them out one at a time."
Caden nodded, pulling up schematics for the fortress's new turret systems and traps they could deploy near the den.
Lira checked the medical kits, "I'll set up a mobile aid point and stay behind the front lines."
Ethan reviewed their limited ammunition and weapon durability in the system interface:
[Inventory Check]
• Bullets: 45 rounds• Stun Batons: 2 (limited charge)• Traps: 3 (deployable shock traps)• Medical Kits: 5
They had to be efficient—waste would mean death.
The group moved silently, the weight of each step amplified by the oppressive darkness. The ruined buildings loomed like broken sentinels. Near the den's entrance, Ethan motioned to deploy the traps.
"Lure them toward the traps and keep them isolated," he whispered.
Suddenly, the den's snarling occupants burst from the shadows—three vicious beasts, eyes glowing with hunger and rage.
Ethan fired the first shot, his aim precise. The lead monster staggered into the trap, sending a crackling electric pulse that slowed its movements.
The beasts circled, testing their prey. Ethan's pulse quickened as he parried claws and swung the stun baton. Caden's calculated shots provided cover fire, while Lira patched wounds and urged them forward.
Despite the small number, the monsters coordinated, trying to flank them. Ethan's mind raced, adapting on the fly.
We can't let them group up.
He signaled Caden to reposition and prepared another trap.
As the last beast fell with a pained growl, Ethan exhaled deeply, heart pounding—not from adrenaline alone, but from the grim reality.
That was only three monsters… and the den is small. What happens when they grow in number?
He glanced at his team. Caden's face was grim but determined. Lira's hands trembled slightly as she packed medical gear.
They were alive—but barely.
The System chimed, signaling the successful completion of the mission.
[Quest Complete – Den Purge]
Rewards:• Blueprint: Shielding Technology (Full)• Blueprint Set: Advanced Bullet Creation• Shelter Credit +20• Resource Cache: Monster Hide (3 units), Sharp Claws (2 units), High-Grade Metal Alloy (10 kg), Gunpowder Components (5 units)
The loot from the fallen monsters would be vital for crafting better gear.
Back inside the fortress, Ethan accessed the Shelter Credit interface:
[Shelter Credit Balance]: 45 (after mission reward)
Available Uses:• Upgrade Fortress Walls (+10 credits)• Develop New Weaponry (+15 credits)• Research Shielding Technology (+20 credits)• Purchase Supplies (+5 credits per package)• Train Survivors (+8 credits)
Ethan selected to begin research on Shielding Technology, knowing defensive power was key to survival.
[Research Started: Shielding Technology – Estimated Time: 48 hours]
Every decision felt like balancing on a knife's edge—every credit spent now would echo through the survival of all inside.
As dawn bled light across the ruined skyline, Ethan stood on the fortress battlements.
The den was cleared—for now.
But the war was just beginning.
With blueprints in hand and fire in his veins, Ethan knew one truth:
To protect what little humanity remained, he had to be stronger, smarter, and relentless.