Chapter 11: Foundations
The next morning, the countdown clock weighed on all of them, but it wasn't crushing. If anything, the knowledge of exactly how much time they had brought a strange clarity. No more wandering, no more "what if." They had a year, and the year had already started.
Cream Puffs shimmered into view as soon as Ava stirred awake. Its faintly chiming voice rang out, calm as ever:
> [System Notice: Scouting Priority Activated. Optimal settlement locations available. Query Host for guidance.]
Ava blinked blearily and sat up, the pendant on her chest warming slightly. "...You mean, you can tell us where to set up base?"
The orb pulsed. "Correct. Survival probability increases significantly if a secure hub is established early. This world will not remain stable. The correct location minimizes exposure to the disasters to come."
The rest of the group, still yawning or sipping their morning drinks, straightened immediately.
Kael, who had already claimed the role of scout, narrowed his eyes. "So I'm the one you're talking to, huh?"
Cream Puffs tilted in the air like it was nodding. "Affirmative. You are designated Scouting Specialist. With Host approval, I will assist you in identifying terrain that will remain viable post-Collapse."
Zephyr raised a brow. "Post-Collapse real estate shopping, huh? This is wild."
Alyssa leaned forward, tapping her necklace. "If we set up wrong, we might not get a second chance. Ava?"
Ava met Kael's eyes and gave a slow nod. "Let's do it."
Immediately, a translucent map expanded in the air, projected from Cream Puffs like some sci-fi holo display. The map spread wide, glowing points scattered across it. Some were dim, some flickered uncertainly, but a handful gleamed brightly.
> [Five Optimal Locations Found.]
Each one pulsed faintly with hidden promise.
The group spent hours poring over the options. One was a rural stretch of farmland far from city density, another was an abandoned industrial zone near a river, another tucked into wooded hills that could be fortified. Cream Puffs supplied climate projections, flood risk, even strange markers labeled [Disaster Probability: Low / Moderate / Critical].
"This one," Kael said finally, pointing to a hilly area near the edge of town. "It's isolated enough, water access nearby, minimal flood risk, and far from major highways. People won't immediately swarm here."
Brian frowned thoughtfully. "But not too far to reach with supplies."
"Exactly." Kael nodded. "We can fortify, but also move discreetly."
Ava checked the map, then glanced at the glowing countdown timer floating faintly in the corner of her vision. "Then it's decided. That's our base."
The map shimmered, and Cream Puffs pulsed approvingly.
> [Settlement Site Selected. Sub-Program 'Foundations' Unlocked.]
[First objective complete. Task Energy rewarded: +50 Energy.]
The entire group jolted.
"Wait—did it just say reward?" Zephyr asked, eyes widening.
As if answering him, a new window appeared above them all.
> [System Tutorial Update: Task Energy is generated when objectives are completed. Energy is used to unlock permanent system programs, buildings, or functions. Once unlocked, they remain available without upkeep.]
Ava blinked. "So… energy is like keys."
Cream Puffs chimed. "Correct. Energy is not consumed by use. It is a one-time cost to unlock capabilities. The more you achieve, the more options you gain."
The orb's surface shifted, and suddenly, rows of icons filled the air. They looked eerily like a simulation game menu, each one faintly glowing but locked by faint chains of blue light.
[QQ Farm Simulation: 100 Energy]
[Hydroponic Factory: 150 Energy]
[Medical Clinic Subsystem: 200 Energy]
[Energy Plant Model: 300 Energy]
[Construction Module: 250 Energy]
And dozens more, scrolling endlessly, like the blueprint of a world waiting to be built.
Lyra let out a slow whistle. "You've got to be kidding me. It's like an apocalypse Sims game."
Zephyr clapped his hands together. "Yesss, please. We're gonna farm digital cabbages while the world burns."
Brian shot him a flat look. "Don't joke. This is… huge. If these programs simulate real setups, we can plan, practice, maybe even create things we can bring into reality."
Alyssa's eyes gleamed. "Exactly. If we can unlock the Farm, we'll have food security before shortages hit. Factories could mean tools. Hospitals could mean medicine when clinics collapse."
Ava felt her heart racing. The enormity of it was staggering, but it was also empowering. "We already got fifty energy just for picking a site. That means every move we make matters. Everything builds momentum."
Cream Puffs pulsed brighter. "Correct. Cohesion, strategy, execution — all generate Energy. What you unlock will shape your survival capacity. But beware: wasted potential is lost forever."
The group went quiet at that last line, each processing the warning.
It was Alyssa who broke the silence, pushing her hair back with a firm nod. "Then we plan everything. Every task has to matter."
Kael folded his arms. "We should prioritize scouting the area physically. Make sure no one else is sniffing around. Then farm simulation."
"Agreed," Ava said.
Zephyr tapped his bracelet thoughtfully. "Quick side note — what about money? Supplies still cost cash, and my mom notices if I buy two bags of chips, let alone crates of canned beans."
That's when Lyra spoke up, hesitant but steady. "I… might be able to help with that."
Everyone turned to her. She flushed but pressed on. "I'm good with systems. Computers, I mean. If we pool money, I can mask the transactions. Reroute things so it looks like the spending belongs to dummy accounts or just… disappears in noise. No one's going to trace bulk orders back to us. Not parents, not banks, not anyone."
Zephyr blinked. "Lyra, are you telling us you're a hacker?"
She grimaced. "That word's so dramatic. I just… know how to make digital footprints vanish."
Brian let out a breath of relief. "That solves one of our biggest issues. Buying in bulk, moving assets… without drawing attention, we'll be ghosts until we're ready."
Ava nodded firmly. "Then that's our second pillar. Base chosen, finances hidden, and system progress tied to Energy. If we can keep pace, we'll stay ahead of the Collapse."
The faint glow of their jewelry pulsed in unison, like it agreed.
And as the sun set outside, the system clock continued its relentless march downward.
> [364 days, 08 hours, 42 minutes.]