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Chapter 26: Questions and Worries For The Future
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1. Fortifying the Base
The early morning sun bathed the ruined village in golden light as Alex leaned against one of the half-finished palisades, catching his breath. The skeletal workers continued their tasks with tireless efficiency, hauling logs and stones to reinforce the growing perimeter. Sentinel carried a stack of sharpened stakes, placing them precisely along the designated line, while the unaltered skeleton struggled with a load of branches.
"This is coming together," Alex said, wiping sweat from his brow. "A few more days like this, and we'll have a full wall."
Lila rolled her eyes, hammering a stake into place. "That's optimistic. You realize this is going to take weeks, right?"
"Not if we keep working like this," Alex replied, nodding toward the skeletons. "They don't tire, and with the cores, we can make them even more effective."
Ethan, watching from the shade of a crumbling wall, chuckled. "You're lucky to have those things. Most people don't get that kind of advantage."
Alex turned to him, his expression curious. "Speaking of which, let's talk about this world. You've been here longer than us—what do you know about the system? Why does it exist?"
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2. The System's Limits
Ethan leaned back, his face thoughtful. "The system's strange. It feels all-powerful at first—tracking your levels, skills, and stats, throwing out occasional notifications—but it doesn't control anything. It's like... a leftover from whatever created this world."
"Leftover?" Lila asked, pausing her work.
Ethan nodded. "It doesn't govern the world. It doesn't decide what monsters show up or when they attack. Hell, I've only seen it interfere once—a quest I stumbled across in the ruins."
"A quest?" Alex asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Yeah," Ethan said. "They're rare—so rare most people go their whole time here without seeing one. This one was tied to a statue of some ancient god. The system popped up, offering a reward for bringing it an offering. I failed, of course. Got ambushed on the way back and nearly died."
"So the system doesn't just hand out quests?" Lila asked.
"Nope," Ethan replied. "Quests either come from what's left of this world's gods—or, even more rarely, the system seems to generate one naturally. But don't count on it. The system's more like... a record keeper. It tracks your progress, gives you tools, but the world runs on its own rules."
Alex frowned, absorbing the information. A relic of the gods? Or something more?
"What about the cores?" Alex asked. "They're tied to the system, right?"
Ethan shook his head. "Not directly. The cores are part of the world—just like the monsters, the ruins, and everything else. The system lets you interact with them, but it didn't create them. Those cores are ancient. Dangerous. And they don't care about you or your levels."
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3. The Call for a Hunt
As the morning wore on, the group's progress began to slow. The skeletons continued their tasks without pause, but Alex and Lila were clearly tiring.
"We're running low on supplies," Lila said, dropping her hammer. "We've got enough food for maybe two more days, and our wood pile's shrinking fast."
"She's right," Ethan said. "You're building faster than you're replenishing. If we're going to keep this up, you'll need more resources."
Alex nodded. "Then we hunt." He glanced at Sentinel, standing silently nearby. "I'll take Sentinel and the unaltered skeleton. Lila, you stay here and keep the build going."
Lila frowned, crossing her arms. "You sure about that? You've seen what's out there."
"I'll be fine," Alex replied. "We'll stick close and play it safe."
"Famous last words," Lila muttered.
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4. Into the Plains
The plains stretched endlessly before Alex as he moved cautiously through the tall grass, his spear gripped tightly. Sentinel flanked him on the right, while the unaltered skeleton followed clumsily on his left.
The rustling of grass and the occasional call of distant creatures broke the stillness. Alex scanned the horizon, his eyes searching for any sign of movement.
"There," he whispered, spotting a faint glimmer of fur in the distance. He activated Inspect, focusing on the source.
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Inspect Activated:
Strider Herd
Type: Herbivore
Description: A group of Plains Striders grazing. Swift and skittish, they rely on speed to evade predators.
Weakness: Low stamina; vulnerable to prolonged chases.
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"Striders," Alex murmured. "Perfect."
He motioned for Sentinel to flank the herd, gesturing for the unaltered skeleton to stay back.
The Striders were sleek, agile creatures, their elongated limbs moving gracefully as they grazed. Alex selected a smaller one at the edge of the group, its soft fur gleaming in the sunlight.
"Now," he whispered.
He lunged forward, his spear aimed at the Strider's side. The creature bolted, letting out a startled cry as the herd scattered.
Sentinel moved with precision, intercepting the Strider's path and forcing it toward Alex. The unaltered skeleton followed clumsily, its movements too slow to keep up.
Alex thrust his spear again, striking the Strider in the flank. The creature stumbled, its movements faltering as blood stained its fur. Sentinel delivered the finishing blow, its sword slicing cleanly through the Strider's neck.
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5. Returning with Spoils
By the time Alex returned to camp, the sun was dipping low on the horizon. Sentinel carried the Strider's carcass with ease, while the unaltered skeleton dragged a bundle of wild herbs Alex had collected on the way back.
Lila looked up from the palisade, her expression a mix of relief and annoyance. "You're late."
"Got what we needed," Alex replied, gesturing to the haul. "Meat and herbs. Should last us a few days if we're careful."
"Good," Lila said, inspecting the Strider. "We'll need the energy if we're going to finish this wall."
Ethan smirked from his spot by the fire. "Not bad. Maybe you've got what it takes to make this place livable after all."
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6. New Resolve
As the group worked into the evening, Alex felt a growing sense of purpose. The palisades were taking shape, the supplies were replenished, and the skeletons were proving their worth.
Sitting by the fire, Alex looked at his companions. Sentinel stood silently nearby, its glowing purple eyes watching the darkness. Lila tended to the Strider meat, while Ethan cleaned his dagger with slow, deliberate strokes.
"This is working," Alex said softly. "We're building something real."
Lila glanced at him, her expression softening. "Maybe. But don't get cocky. We've got a long way to go."
Ethan chuckled. "She's right. But for what it's worth, you're doing better than most people I've met in this world."
Alex smiled faintly, staring into the fire. "Then we keep going. One step at a time."